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31. Vulnerability
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Revenge Business 32. A new piece of the puzzle
Thomas stood there, laughing carelessly, completely unaware of the tension that had built up in my life over the past 24 hours. My heart raced, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. He shouldn't be here. What was Thomas doing at Masato's apartment door? And who was that woman next to him?It couldn't be. This was too much of a coincidence. I remembered that this wasn't the first time Thomas had randomly shown up at the same building where Masato lived, but now he was in the same hallway!I took a step back, trying to think of how to get out of this situation without raising any suspicions. But before I could do anything, Thomas looked up, and his eyes met mine.The billionaire's smile quickly faded. The woman talking to him noticed the change in his expression and turned around, staring at me. To my surprise, she was the same woman who had been with him that night, many evenings ago.Damn. This was bad, really bad.Still with suspicion lingering in his gaze, but masking it with his us
Revenge Business 33. Absolute power
I felt the air leave my lungs as I felt the pressure of his fingers around my arm. Thomas wasn’t the kind of person who liked to be left in the dark. He had the power to control situations, people... and now I was here, the target of his suspicion.Masato seemed pretty creative when it came to punishing and keeping track of those who betrayed him. Thomas was probably no different in that regard.“What do you want to know?” I asked, my voice firmer than I expected. I couldn’t appear weak in front of him, especially not now.“I know you don’t live here.” He glanced sideways at the still-closed apartment door. “So, who are you visiting so frequently?”I swallowed hard. Did he know about the other times I’d come here? Apart from the occasional short encounters, Masato and I hadn’t met much at the apartment, but rather in random places or even at my own house. Knowing Thomas had been watching me definitely put me on high alert. He didn’t trust me.The best defense was offense. It was time
Revenge Business 34. Who's Masato?
When we arrived at Thomas' mansion, everything seemed too calm. The cold morning was still in its early hours, and the few sounds in the house indicated that only a few of the servants were already up.He guided me with a firm hand on my back to his private library, a large and luxurious room filled with leather-bound books, the smell of old paper and polished wood mixing with the dense air.He closed the door behind us with a soft click, and I felt the weight of isolation. It was as if the world outside disappeared, and now everything that mattered was what Thomas was about to tell me.The man walked over to the mahogany desk in the center of the room and leaned on it, crossing his arms as he stared at me. His gaze was a mix of determination and something else… something I couldn't define."Before anything," he began, "I just want you to know that I need you to trust me. Everything I’m going to tell you is true. And you can verify it yourself, if you want."I said nothing, only sitti
Revenge Business 35. A dangerous proposal
I was completely speechless.Yes, I knew that Masato had a lot to hide about his past, and for good reason. High-ranking individuals often needed to maintain a level of anonymity, mainly for their own safety against kidnappings, blackmail, and the like.The issue was that Thomas was spelling it out: Masato was a murderer. That he had simply locked people in a place and set it on fire. Without hesitation.But I also thought of the other side: all the physical, emotional, and mental abuse he must have endured as just a boy. To what extent would adults be cruel to a child whose family was the most powerful, yet now extinct?How many direct and indirect enemies must have relished every second, unloading all their cruelty on that little boy for all the harm the Takahashi family had spread throughout Japan in their days of glory?I imagined a frail, dirty boy, with bloodstains and bruises on his face, silent and apprehensive, listening to insults and jeers from everyone around him, mocking
Revenge Business 36. Thomas's Confession
The kiss caught me by surprise. I froze, unable to react immediately. All that ran through my mind was a whirlwind of doubts, confusion, and conflicting emotions. Thomas's touch, his words, and the weight of the situation left me dizzy. But the truth was, my mind wasn’t on him.I gently pulled away, breaking the kiss with a soft touch on his chest. His eyes, still gleaming with a mix of pain and hope, met mine. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at seeing his vulnerability, but I couldn’t continue with this."Thomas, I... I can’t," I whispered, trying to find the right words. "This is all too much. I understand how much you’re hurting, how much Chayenne meant to you, but getting involved in this... I don’t know."Still breathless from the kiss, he kept staring at me. His hands remained on my face, softly caressing me. It felt good, really good, but despair had settled deep in my heart.“I don’t want what happened to her to happen to you,” he confessed in such a low voice that I
Revenge Business 37. The favorites
Thomas also heard the voices, and his gaze quickly shifted to the door. He let go of me, though his touch still felt like it was burning my skin. Someone was about to enter."We have to get out of here," I whispered, my heart racing.He nodded, his face still reflecting the intensity of our conversation. Without another word, Thomas grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the back exit, a narrow hallway leading to the garden. As we walked quickly, the air between us was heavy, filled with unsaid things and unresolved feelings.When we finally felt safe enough, we glanced at each other, awkwardly. I bit my lip, anxious, and hurried to leave as quickly as possible."I need to start working," I muttered. "Mrs. Braxton will be furious about my lateness."Thomas opened his mouth as if to protest but seemed to think better of it and just nodded. His pale eyes were still full of emotion—strong, true emotion—as his cheeks remained flushed with constant redness.The cold wind that swayed the tree
Revenge Business 38. Keep enemies close
“So now you’re living with this man?”Intrigued, Carmelia took a sip of her pitanga juice. We were at a popular juice bar in the city, talking about how things were going in our lives. Discreetly, two of Masato’s guards stood watch.“Yes,” I replied simply, sipping my pistachio juice.“What kind of work are you doing for this guy? It sounds more like you sold your soul to the devil.”The idea made me laugh, though I could easily attribute Masato’s lofty, possessive, and powerful figure to something demonic. I had even signed a contract full of rather questionable clauses.“It’s a good job, and very well-paid. Plus, I have 24-hour protection. It’s an excellent deal.”I hadn’t had the courage to tell my sister about the Blue Hawks' threat, but I knew they might come after her to try to blackmail me. Masato had obviously given orders to his men to keep an eye on her too, but discreetly so as not to raise suspicion. Carmelia would definitely freak out over it all—and rightfully so.Carmel
Revenge Business 39. Approaching the rival
I hesitated for a moment, the warmth of Masato's skin still lingering on my cheek. This wasn’t a simple task, and the fact that he was sending me straight into the lion’s den made me uncomfortable. But there was no way to refuse. Not with Masato. He always had a way of pulling me into his schemes, whether with promises or… veiled threats.“Okay, I’ll go,” I responded, trying to sound more confident than I felt.The car waiting for me at the corner was a black sedan, discreet but with that same smell of expensive leather that always reminded me of Masato. The driver, a man I didn’t recognize, nodded briefly as he opened the door for me.As soon as I got in, my mind began tracing the plan. Pretending to be an ally of Eva… that could work. Eva hated me, of course, but maybe I could convince her that our interests somehow aligned. I just had to be careful and observe every detail, exactly as Masato had demanded.The drive to the library was quick. When we arrived, the driver parked a few
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Revenge Business 80. a revealing nightmare
A man in his fifties, dressed in the same attire as the Blood Ravens, entered the area where we were. He wasn’t pointing his weapon at us, though he held it in his left hand."I don’t know what kind of soap opera this is,” he warned, looking at Masato. “But you made a deal with us. The Hawk’s head is ours.”Thomas didn’t react. Masato looked confused, as if unsure of what to do. He glanced at me, desperate, but what could I do under these circumstances?!“Don’t let this happen,” I pleaded with Masato. “Don’t let them take Thomas. Please.”He didn’t even react. He just pretended he didn’t hear me.The silence felt heavy between us, like a silent threat. The Blood Raven man took a step forward, his disdainful smile illuminated by the faint light filtering through the trees. Masato looked frozen, as if every fiber of his being fought against some decision he knew he had to make.“So that’s it?” I shouted, my voice breaking. “You promised you were here to protect me, but now you’re going
Revenge Business 79. The meeting of the two nemeses
Explosions and screams echoed around us as Masato and I ran, dodging debris and fallen bodies on the ground. The Royal Falcons and the Ravens were locked in an unending, relentless battle. The Blue Falcons, caught off guard, reacted immediately, but it was clear how exhausted they were.Worried, I bit my lip, wondering what they would do to Thomas. Had he already escaped to a safer place? I was genuinely concerned for him. As the man himself had said, the Blood Ravens didn’t take prisoners.Masato, with his focused and determined gaze, never let go of my hand, guiding me along a route that only he seemed to know.“We’re almost there,” he said as we ran, his voice muffled by the sounds of war around us. “The hidden pier is just behind those rocks. We have a boat waiting.”“Hidden pier?”“Yes. Thomas has a secret spot on this hell he calls an island. That’s probably where he’ll try to escape, though I doubt he’ll make it there alive.”I felt a knot in my stomach.“What if he survives?”
Revenge Business 78. The enemy of my enemy is my friend
I froze, unable to process what was happening. Masato’s face, which I had thought lost forever, was right there in front of me, his expression serious and intense. My eyes filled with tears, a mixture of shock, relief, and anger bubbling within me.“Masato… you…” My voice came out shaky, broken by emotions. “Where have you been? How could you just disappear and leave me… with him?”I hugged him desperately. Despite the terrible sounds of the ongoing fight, the feeling of safety that washed over me was immense. There, in Masato’s arms, I knew I had nothing and no one to fear.“I didn’t leave you, Bianca. Believe me, it was the last thing I wanted to do,” he replied, his eyes burning with an unusual intensity. “To protect you and to get us out of this hell, I had to make a dangerous deal.”“A deal?” Horror mixed with relief in my chest. “With the Blood Ravens?”Masato nodded, a hint of surprise in his gaze as he realized I knew the gang’s name. He explained:“Yes. To reach you, to get y
Revenge Business 77. A new wave of attacks on sight
Thomas's revelation hit like a cold stone in my stomach. I was still weak, my body barely recovered, and now we had a war ahead of us? The thought of more battles, more losses, more wounds was almost unbearable. But there was no time for hesitation.“How many?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.“More than we’re ready to face,” he replied, tension evident in his voice. “The Royal Hawks are determined to take control of the island and bring me down.” He paused abruptly. “And this time, they won’t make the same mistakes Adrian did.”“What do you mean by that?”Thomas sighed.“Our spies said they recently formed an alliance with another enemy group of ours.”“Another group?”The billionaire nodded, his lips pressed in nervousness.“Unfortunately, over time, as I expanded my empire, I made more enemies. Of course, the Eagles are still our biggest rivals, but other groups also want us destroyed.”I crossed my arms, distressed.“Okay, and who exactly have the Royal Hawks aligned with?”T
Revenge Business 76. Prelude
The darkness enveloped me completely, and time seemed to lose its meaning. There was no pain, no fear—only a comforting emptiness that almost made me forget everything that had happened.When I finally awoke, I found myself in a place that was initially unfamiliar. The ceiling was white, illuminated by a soft light. Blinking slowly, I realized I was in a comfortable bed, surrounded by machines and medical equipment. The sterile smell and the low hum of the devices around me made me realize that I was back in the hospital ward of Falcon Island.I turned my head slowly and saw Thomas sitting next to my bed, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped, and his eyes fixed on me. There was an intensity in them that seemed to suggest he was carrying the weight of the world. Upon noticing I was awake, he leaned closer, taking my hand.“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice low, almost as if he were afraid to break the silence.I tried to speak, but my throat was dry. Thomas quickly grabbe
Revenge Business 75. Fatricide
Adrian's weight on my body felt unbearable. His blood trickled, hot and thick, down my neck and face, mixing with my own blood, which continued to seep from the wound on my side. I tried to move, but I was too weak. My arms trembled as I struggled to push his limp body away.It was then, amid my blurred vision and rising desperation, that I heard hurried footsteps approaching. My heart leapt as I saw Thomas appear in front of me, his gaze filled with a restrained fury and, at the same time, relief. In his still-trembling hands was the firearm that had fired the shot.He had saved my life… and killed his own brother.The man quickly lifted Adrian's body off me, his expression shifting to something between worry and despair as he took in my condition."Bianca," he murmured, his voice rough. His fingers shook as they touched my bruised, blood-covered face. "I'm... sorry it came to this."A solitary tear slid down my cheek as I tried to smile, even with the pain throbbing in every part of
Revenge Business 74. Hostage
My heart was pounding uncontrollably. I knew that if I approached, I would be stepping into a game where the rules belonged to Adrian, and any misstep could mean the end. But Carmélia’s life depended on my choice, and I couldn’t leave her behind.I cast one last look at Thomas, hoping he had a plan — anything. He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with helplessness and anger, but he made no move. I knew he was trying to stay calm, trying to think of something as I slowly walked toward Adrian.Each step echoed in the silence, increasing the weight of that decision. Adrian smiled, satisfied, as if he had already won. He pulled the weapon away from Carmélia and grabbed her arm, pushing her toward Thomas.“There you go, brother, I kept my part of the deal. Now, Bianca is my guarantee.” He pulled me to his side, keeping the gun pointed at me.I tried to stay steady, but my hands trembled. I looked at Thomas one last time, hoping he’d say something, do anything to stop Adrian from taking
Revenge Business 73. Consequences of a not too distant past
Thomas stood frozen beside me, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before us. His lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but there was no sound. Just a heavy, terrifying silence.Adrian kept the gun firmly pointed at Carmélia, but his gaze was fixed on his brother, a mocking smile forming on his face.“Is that fear I see on your face? Now that is a surprise.”My fear and shock at seeing the brother who had been so mistreated by Thomas quickly faded, giving way to anger. I took a step forward, but the billionaire beside me gripped my arm tightly, stopping me from moving further.“Let her go! Let her go now!” I shouted, enraged, seeing how pale Carmélia looked, likely from blood loss.“I’ll let her go, Bianca, don’t worry.” His voice was so calm and controlled, as if he were commenting on the weather. “No need to get so worked up. After all, I only needed bait, and you fell right into the trap.”Where were Thomas's other associates? Why weren’t they showing up? I looked around, searchi
Revenge Business 72. To the rescue
As we headed to the helicopter, I felt the weight of the situation sink into me. The strong wind from the blades whipped across my face, and even with the sharp pain in my abdomen, my concern for Carmelia was greater. Thomas was focused, silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon, lips pressed into a tense line. I knew he was not only worried about locating my sister but also about maintaining control of the situation after Masato's unexpected attack.As soon as we took off, the silence between us became almost palpable. My thoughts were racing, divided between fear and anger. Carmelia should never have been involved, but now she was a valuable piece on both sides of the board. And that tormented me. What would Masato do to ensure Thomas stayed away?I remembered the day of my mother's funeral, when the Japanese CEO confessed his feelings and fears to me, at least partially. In contrast, I remembered the same Masato who physically punished me after discovering I had disobeyed his orders.W
