“What’s going on?”“Oh!” Kiara’s eyes darted up, seeming to forget that Luca was still sitting right across from her. “It’s my mom, she thinks they’re going to have to shift the tea party.” She said breathlessly.“So you came all the way out here…for nothing?” Luca smirked, trying to hold his laughter in. His eyes glanced from Kiara to the phone in her hands.“No, no,” Kiara waved her hand in the air, dismissing his question, “She still wants me to get the porcelain, including…a tad bit more teacups.”“Oh, okay, that’s fair. Shall we get to it then or are you still texting her?”“We can look around now.” Kiara stood up, putting her phone on silent and slipping it into her back pocket. Luca eyed her phone sticking out of the back pocket and curiosity began to get the best of him.They slipped through aisle after aisle, looking at all the expensive and antique tea party sets. “They all look so pretty, I don’t even know which to choose.” Kiara sighed, halting in front of the sets. The on
Kiara’s head banged as she spooned some more ice cream into her mouth. “Can you slow down?” Damian chuckled as he dug into the ice cream sundae in front of him. People buzzed all around them in the shop, and the busy atmosphere somewhat calmed Kiara.“It tastes so good, but it’s giving me brain freeze.” She mumbled through her last spoonful of ice cream. “I think I’ve had enough.” She pushed the sundae bowl towards Damian, rubbing her stomach gently. “Are you sure?” Damian chuckled, as he swiped through his phone.“I’m sure. I think if I go any further, I’m going to get sick.” She groaned, relaxing into her seat. It had been about two days now and Kiara was more on edge than ever. “Well, I’ll have to finish it all on my own then.” Damian shrugged, eating the ice cream slowly. Kiara watched her father intently as her breath caught in her throat. Although she wasn’t sure yet, she felt as though her father was in danger or the central subject of the project. It would be uncalled-for if
“Marissa, I’m surprised to see you here.” Kiara exclaimed with a big gasp. She glanced at the frail girl on the bed and back to Marissa. “I can explain.” Marissa started, holding her hands out and gesturing for Kiara to calm down. “I'm sure you can.” Kiara moved closer to her, staring at her intently.Marissa took a harsh gulp before she began to speak, “Clara is my niece. I was informed by the NGO that she wasn’t feeling too good, so I decided to pay her a visit. When I got there, she wasn’t there, so I began to panic.” “Oh… they didn’t tell you she was at the hospital?” Kiara straightened her posture, looking into Marissa's sad eyes. “I asked again and that’s when they told me, so I came down as soon as possible. They told me that she had to undergo some sort of surgery.” Marissa babbled, placing her hand on her forehead, while her other was resting on her waist. “So, here I am.” She smiled weakly; one that didn’t reach the depths of her heart. “She feels so cold, and I don't
Was Marissa playing mind games on her or was she being genuine with everything she did? Different thoughts flooded Kiara’s mind as she lay on the bed in her room, staring up at the ceiling. Marissa and she parted ways back at the hospital, and she told Kiara she would get a call the next day at exactly 11:15 A.M. That’s what she was waiting for now, but the call never came through. She glanced at her phone and realized that five more minutes had passed. “Of course, she stood me up again.” Kiara scoffed, sitting up and putting her hair up in a ponytail, securing it with a hair tie. She wasn’t in the mood for games, and she wasn’t in the mood to be led on either. All she wanted was a little bit of honesty, all this talk of ‘Project Seraph’ and whatnot made her sick to the stomach. She stood up and stretched her tired limbs out, yawning while at it. As she made her way to the bathroom, her phone finally rang, vibrating in the middle of the crumpled blankets on her bed. She reversed in
“Who do you think is trying to get us off their radars so badly?” Marissa finally spoke after the 30-minute-long silence between the two.“I’m not sure, but I fret we may be in danger, don’t you think?” Kiara mumbled, wolfing down an egg sandwich that they got at a sketchy-looking corner store.“I think it’s gone bad,” Kiara gagged, throwing the rest of the sandwich out of the window and watching it tumble into the bushes. “That’s so disgusting.”Marissa cackled, “I told you it looked spoiled, but you were way too hungry to listen to me, huh?”“I should have listened, but this doesn’t make our—sorry, my situation, any better. What the hell am I going to eat? She groaned.“I still have some protein bars in my backpack, you can check.” She used her head to gesture in the direction where her backpack was kept.Kiara leaned over from her seat, reaching to the backseat for the huge backpack. “What the heck did you put in here, why is it so heavy?” She whined, pulling it into her lap.“Just
“Step on it, God damn it!” Kiara shrieked, as Marissa went into panic mode. “They’re right behind us, what the fuck do we do?”“I’m sure they’ll get tired and stop. Don’t worry, Kiara,” Marissa said in a calming voice. She couldn’t tell if she was trying to calm herself down or calm Kiara down.“I don’t think so!” The car drew closer, hitting the truck from the back. “We have to do something! Is this how we’re gonna die?” Kiara said in between gasps.Her head was beginning to spin and she felt extremely lightheaded. “Look, we have to get off the road.”“What the fuck, Kiara, we can’t do that, the only other road here is way too close to the river, and it could throw us off since we aren’t even using a GPS,” Marissa said loudly over the revving of tires. The tires squealed across the gravel-dirt road as she kept driving further.“Look! There’s a turn up front, just turn into it, we have to lose whoever this is!” Kiara exclaimed, pointing towards the tiny clearing away from the main roa
Kiara’s stomach rumbled as she rubbed it impatiently. Her order was taking way too long, and she’d be driven crazy. “Order 412, step right up!” A waiter finally called from the counter, before Kiara stood up from her table and moved over to pick up the big brown bag. Throughout the day after she got home, she couldn’t help but think about the awry turn of events yesterday. She wondered if the person was dead or alive. Then again, she had more pressing matters to attend to, like the fact that Luca was after her father’s company. She wouldn’t confront him though, she made up her mind to keep to herself. Kiara didn’t know what else Luca was capable of, and if he somehow got wind of the fact that she knew about his plans, she feared the worst. She unlocked her car and sat in it, turning on the air conditioner and slipping her food out of the bag. She was unable to eat yesterday and now her stomach felt like it was turning inside out. She bit into the burger with a soft moan, chewing o
“Yeah, I’m here… How did you know?” Kiara mumbled, her voice rather shaky as she glanced out of the window. “I see your car through the window, silly. I’m coming out right now.”Kiara hurriedly stepped out of the car before he could come out. She threw the device on the floor, before using her feet to stomp on it. Could it really be what she thought it was? She moved to his front door, and instinctively, he opened it, pulling her in. “Baby girl, I’ve missed you so much.” He groaned, wrapping his hands around her waist.Kiara’s heart skipped a beat, “I missed you too, love.” She leaned into him, giving way to his comforting hug. Things weren’t supposed to feel this right, yet they did.He planted a wet kiss on her lips, before leading her to the couch. “So, we have snacks for the madam,” He gestured to the table, “There’s popcorn, pretzels, hotdogs, and candy. I didn’t know what you’d like.” He shrugged, grinning sheepishly. Kiara’s lips formed a pout as she looked down at the neatl
“What do you think?” Luca asked, grinning. “Where is this?” Kiara asked again, still looking around the room. “BDSM?”“It’s exactly what you think it is, ki.” The room has every implement one could imagine, with an assortment of bondage equipment to keep the victim perfectly still. At that moment, nothing else mattered; no one else mattered. They were the only two people on earth; they were alone in a place where they could let all their inhibitions go and Luca could make Kiara fulfill her submissive purpose in life. Kiara wanted to talk, but Luca stopped her from saying another word. “We’re here already. Only one thing should be on your mind. And that’s to feel every moment you have here because there’s no going back anymore. For your own sake.” He added in a very scary tone. Kiara understood the threat. She became calm and obedient. Luca walked closer to her and whispered into her ears. “I am going to use my toy hard, use it until we both lose track of time and reality, where
It’s finally time. Kiara stood outside Luca’s house, her heart pounding against her ribcage. It was exactly 7 p.m., and the air carried a crisp coolness that heightened her awareness of every sound, every sensation. She took a deep breath, adjusting her scarf as she stepped forward and rang the doorbell. She was hoping that Sam and Katie would run into her embrace the moment the door opened. Although she wished not. Almost instantly, the door opened to reveal Luca, dressed sharply in a fitted black shirt and dark jeans. His smirk was as disarming as ever, his piercing blue eyes scanning her face with unspoken intent."Right on time," he said, his voice low and velvety. "Come in, baby."Kiara sighed. The warmth of the house enveloped her as she stepped inside. The entrance was lined with a trail of crimson rose petals that led to the dining area. Soft ambient lighting bathed the room in a golden glow, while faint classical music played in the background. The table was set for two, co
Harrison approached Kiara as she stood in the station lobby, still trying to make sense of what she had just done. His brow furrowed in thought as he held a file in his hand, the same file he had been working on earlier.“Miss Kiara,” he called gently, his voice calm but firm.Kiara turned to him, her eyes narrowing. “Detective, I don’t want to hear it.”Harrison frowned, confused. “You don’t even know why I’m here. I came to share some findings with you—”“Don’t bother,” she interrupted sharply. “I know you’re going to try and convince me that I’m making a mistake by posting Luca’s bail. But it’s done. I’ve made my decision, and I don’t need your opinion.”Harrison paused, taken aback by the hostility in her tone. “That’s not why I came,” he said carefully. “This isn’t about Luca. It’s about the driver who saved you during the car chase. We’ve uncovered some information—”Kiara cut him off again, her frustration bubbling over. “I don’t care! Just close the case, detective. Stop all i
“Buzz…buzz” The sound of the alarm clock woke Kiara up. She stretched to switch it off. It wasn’t up to two hours before she was finally able to sleep. She kept thinking about Luca and her sexual fantasies. Even when she eventually made peace with sleep, she found herself dreaming about sex with Luca. Thanks to the alarm, she couldn’t reach orgasm—in her dream sex. After switching off the alarm, she was going to go back to sleep but the sound of the knock on her door made her groan. “Darling, it’s me.” Damian spoke, loud enough for her to hear.There was no response, so he continued. “I was hoping we could talk before I leave for work. You were asleep when I returned last night.” That was the lie Kiara told just to remain in her room when she was informed about Damian’s arrival the previous night. “This early?” Kiara groaned under her breath, pulling the covers over her head. She needed more time to gather herself before facing anyone, let alone her father.Damian’s voice came a
Kiara got back home and rushed into her bedroom and sat down silently at her dressing table. Her red-hot sex was still being fueled by a no less guilty delight, but her face was still burning with intense humiliation and guilt. “How could I fall for that? How could I let him get into my head?” She questioned herself. The well-earned kiss she had this morning left a burning, blistering sensation across her body; she wanted more. She couldn't focus on anything other than how her body reacted. “You’ll never find someone who understands you the way I do. Who loves you the way I do.” His words echoed in her head. That’s true, though. He knows her body chemistry more than she does herself. Kiara began to picture the kiss again, and gradually the feeling became a deeper, duller crimson, while her as yet unrelieved arousal rendered her hidden flower benumbed but still swollen. The state she was in, Kiara thought she was going crazy. How could all these intense feelings remain for so lon
Kiara’s stomach churned at Luca’s words. She felt the air in the room grow heavier, suffocating, as if his confession carried a tangible weight. Her fists clenched under the table, her nails digging into her palms.“You want me?” She repeated, her voice cold and disbelieving. “You think you can ruin my life and then sit here and talk about want, like it will erase everything you’ve done? You tried to kill me. You poisoned your friend’s food.”Luca leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers. “Ruin your life?” he echoed, his tone soft, almost incredulous. “Kiara, everything I’ve done—every single thing—was for us. For you. Because I love you.”Her laugh was bitter and sharp. “Love? You don’t even know what that word means. Manipulation, lies, poison—that’s what you call love?”Luca exhaled, his expression shifting to one of practiced remorse. “I won’t deny it. I’ve done terrible things. I’ve lied, I’ve pushed beyond boundaries, and I’ve taken risks that I shouldn’t have. But Kiara, eve
Kiara’s heart skipped a beat. She froze, her hand hovering over the remote. Her mind raced, her father’s words echoing in her ears.He knows.Slowly, Kiara got out of bed and approached the door, her hands trembling. She cracked it open just enough to see Damian’s face, his expression a mix of concern and determination.“What do you mean by my relationship with Luca?” She whispered, her voice barely audible.“I think you know what I’m talking about,” Damian said gently. “This isn’t just about what’s happening now, is it? There’s more to this—something you haven’t told me.”Kiara’s grip on the door tightened. For a moment, she considered slamming it shut and pretending this conversation never happened. But the look in her father’s eyes stopped her. He wasn’t accusing her; he was worried.She opened the door fully and stepped aside, motioning for him to enter. Damian walked in, his eyes scanning the room as if it might hold answers. Kiara closed the door behind him and leaned against it
Reluctantly, Damian turned, his expression hard as steel. Luca’s face was a whirlwind of desperation and something darker—a calculated edge.“What is it?” He asked, curious. “Kiara!” Luca responded. “I would like to have a word with her. She started all of these. Only she can shed more light and prove that I’m innocent. Damian didn’t want to involve his family in any of these anymore. Especially after what happened to Kiara. “This is beyond her now. There is nothing she can do to get you out of here, Luca. If you’re innocent, the police will vindicate you.” Luca scoffed. That made Damian’s skin crawl. “There are quite some things you don’t know, friend. You really think it’s what you see on the surface that matters? Well, there is something going on between me and Kiara that you all know nothing about. And that is exactly why I’m here. If I can talk her into forgiving me, Damian, all of this will be over.” “If I don’t know, then it’s not my call,” Damian responded. Without anot
Damian entered the dimly lit visitation room of the police station, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. Sitting at the table, his hands cuffed, was Luca Ettore. Luca’s eyes lit up with relief and desperation as Damian stepped in, though his composed demeanor cracked only slightly.“Damian,” Luca said, his voice tinged with a mix of weariness and disbelief. “Thank God you’re here. You have to believe me—I had nothing to do with this.”Damian pulled out the chair opposite Luca and sat down heavily, rubbing his temples. "Luca, you're in deep trouble. The police have recordings, confessions... everything points to you. The restaurant worker claimed you gave the poison to him to put inside my food.”Luca leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the table. “I’m being framed, Damian! You know me. I would never hurt you or your family. Why would I poison Kiara? Why would I target you?”Damian met Luca’s gaze, his own expression filled with conflict. “That’s what I can’t understand.