[Erin]“The lights are spinning,” Micah giggled as her words slurred out from her mouth while tipping the empty flute into the lightbulbs mounted on the ceiling. She was sprawled flat on the edge of my bed, her head hanging on the side.Tiara was on the couch, hugging the empty bottle of champagne on her chest. Her face was a mess and her eyes close, drunkenly sleeping with her mouth gaping wide. While I, on the other hand surprisingly still sober enough, though honestly I am a bit tipsy, but I am not that wasted unlike this two. They drink like camels left out in a desert for years before the rain.“Here sweet cake, the last drop of golden essence.” I turn my attention to Akim as he picked up the remaining bottle and poured the last of its content into my glass, downing it to the bottom as he sat right next to me. “Thanks,” I said, raising the glass, and giving him a toast before I took a light sip. “I can’t believe you’re still up,” he mused, nudging me with his shoulders as he t
Chapter 113: Heated Ice[Erin] Nikolai… his voice suddenly makes my heart do cartwheels. But Akim’s face suddenly popped at the back of my head, and the kiss we shared. Guilt was gnawing right on the surface.“What are you doing here?” I inquired curiously, keeping my voice from trembling as the cold slowly got into my skin. The fog on my breath clouded right on my face, but I tampered down the shiver coming up my spine as I strained my neck and looked at him.The snow falls around us like confetti, spiraling as they race into the pool.“I should be asking the same for you. How was your victory party?” Nikolai sat right on the edge, dipping his legs into the water, drenching half of his pants. He was only wearing a plain white tee-shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants. I don’t know what he’s doing here in the middle of the night, but I one thing I am sure of, he couldn’t sleep either.The kiss that Akim and I shared, a part of me felt like I was betraying him. I know Akim didn’t mean to
[Erin]This wasn’t what I had in mind when I came down here to swim. I wanted to take my mind off the kiss Akim and I shared, but Nikolai’s touch seemed more effective than exhausting myself by doing laps. The more I think about it, the more I feel so stupid. As soon as he touched me, I almost immediately turned into a puddle of goo.“Is there something funny?” Nikolai curiously gripped out, taking my chin, and lifted my face to look at him. He had his brows deeply furrowed in perplexity, staring at me with his thumb caressing the side of my lips. I was so absorbed in my own thoughts that I hadn't even realized I was laughing at myself. “No, it’s nothing. Just some funny thoughts.” I replied, leaning further into his touch. Nikolai’s other hand was on my buttocks, keeping me afloat as my legs wrapped around his waist. He was easily standing with his feet planted on the bottom. But with my blessed height that can be considered as a midget, I could simply drown if I tried to stand.Nik
[Erin] I didn’t remember falling asleep after last night, but one thing that remained buried in my mind was the thing Nikolai said about no one touching me. The next morning I woke up in a strange bed. I was still naked, but with a blanket wrapped around my body.Panic was about to strike me, but then the familiar scent clicked on me just at the same time Nikolai came into my line of sight. He got out from a black-painted door which I assumed was the bathroom. His hair was wet, and rivulets of water droplets rolled down his chest and disappeared underneath the black towel hanging dangerously low around his waist. My mouth instantly went dry from the sight of him. The remnants of memory from last night plague my brain, immediately sending funny sensations to my lower belly.I quickly diverted my attention around me before I lost control and threw myself into him. Also, I do not want him to see me looking lustfully at him like some hungry vulture ready to devour him. “Why am I here?” I
[Erin]After so many ventures of twists and turns, I finally reach my room. It is still very early in the morning, and it is rather unusual for me to be awake at this hour, but after that little bit of stretching, my body felt alive. My face is still ablaze, and so is the flower that is nestled in between my legs. As I turn the doorknob and poke my head through the opening, wanting to see first if the camels are still asleep or if they have woken up already. I turned my gaze to my bed and saw Micah wrapped up with my blanket like a burrito and then moved my eyes to the couch, seeing Tiara staring back at me with her brows peaking to her hairline. She was holding a steaming mug and her eyes skeptically squinting on mine.“Oh, hi! Good morning,” I greeted sheepishly, swinging the door widely and slipping inside before shutting it back. She looked grumpy, and her hair was twisted into a messy bun on the crown of her head. Her eyes never left my face with a suspicious glare as I padded t
[Erin]I froze, my body still trembling with a hot flash of anger coursing through my veins. Blood oozes from the side of Sabina’s head, and fear creeps right through me like a bucket of ice, extinguishing my rage into sizzles as I watch her suddenly slump into the floor.“Oh, God!” Micah shrieked hysterically from behind me, dashing to her feet, and kneeled down beside Sabina. I couldn’t move. I wanted to, but my body refused to obey what my mind commands. Have I killed her? Am I now a murderer? I was so angry that I hadn’t for a moment to think. I could have slapped her back, yanked her hair, and scratched her face. But I didn’t. I slammed her on the cupboard, and now she’s bleeding. I couldn’t even swallow the fear residing in my throat.“Miss Sabina, can you hear me?” Micah held her by the shoulders, taking her head and inspecting the wound. I couldn’t breathe, my heart pounding too fast. A feather could have knocked me off my feet if someone dared to bludgeon me with it.Just
[Erin]I don’t even know why I am crying. The tears kept on streaming down my face as I ran through the corridor. My knees protested as I pushed myself forward, and I didn’t even care if someone was following me or none.I hate him. I hate Sabina, and I definitely hate myself even more. I have already seen this one coming, I have known that I was playing with fire and that I was putting myself in a precarious position after I invited that beast into my bed again. I should never be affected this way. I should have learned to control my emotion, and I should have acted as if I do not care. But hell! It still fucking hurts.I dash through the labyrinth corridors until a familiar door comes into my blurred line of sight. I barely even grasped the knob properly and stumbled myself in before slamming it shut forcefully with a loud bang that the hinges rattled.My room is still a mess, but I don’t care anymore. I threw my body into my bed, dived under my blanket, and curled myself as I bawl
[Erin]The sound of the water splattering against the tiles ricocheted into the four-cornered wall of my bathroom. The steam rose from the tub as I stared blankly at the ceiling.I feel like I've shed enough tears for the day, and I don't think more liquid is coming out of my body if I weep any longer.The hot bath helped me calm down, making my head clear from any thoughts. I don't remember much about how I managed to get off the floor and took myself here. I just came to my senses, and somehow I am already soaking in the steaming water. Micah hadn't shown up, and I’m glad that she didn't.I lifted my hand closer to my face and examined the swollen knuckles on my fingers. The water droplets rippled into the surface. I'm bruised, almost broken. I've endured too much damage to my body, yet surprisingly, I still live. Does God have such a deep-seated hatred for me?Why would He choose to give me such a miserable life? I may not have gone to church, but I believe in his Almighty Existe
[Erin] The smell of poppy and roses filled my senses as I set down a basket of them right in front of a lead grey tombstone just. The wind around me gushes in chilly temperature, picking up the autumn leaves, swirling into the air, and ruffling my hair in the process.“I miss you, Pa,” I whispered, pushing back the tears pricking at my eyes as I stared at his name engraved in bold black characters.It has been five years since that tragic day, but still, it played back inside my mind like it happened yesterday. I remember it so vividly that the horrific memories haunted me in my nightmares for years. I was traumatized by the sound of gunshots, I froze whenever I see blood and trembled even at the subtlest banging noise. Nikolai had always been by my side, calming me down whenever I have panic attacks, when I woke up screaming in the middle of the night, and when I sometimes get so violent to the point where I didn't realize I was already hurting myself and the people around me. One
[Vereena]If there's one thing I could use to my advantage, it's the element of surprise. He didn't know I am capable of manhandling a person, and he doesn't know that I am nimble for my size.Taking a deep breath, I drew my elbow and pummeled it hard into the soft flesh right under Mikael’s ribs. His pained grunt blows on my ear utterly caught him off guard. Twisting against his grip, I tried knocking his gun, but he was able to pull the trigger. My head spins and my eardrums rang deafeningly at the proximity of the blast. My action messed with his aim, and instead of blowing my head off, the molten hot bullet seared through my shoulder blade. “Fuck!”I'm tired, but adrenaline shot through my veins, and in one swift motion, I bring my knees to his gut. His grip finally loosens on me, and I quickly remove myself away from him. Pivoting on my heels, I watch Pa’s terrified expression, Nikolai’s bellowing voice sounded muffled in my ears just as the crossfire started.I ran to Pa, rain
[Erin]“Linda, come on.” I tug the terrified woman’s hand right after I shot those men dead. I am still trembling, my fingers could barely hold the handle of my gun, but I keep my head leveled, knowing that if I gave in to my panic, we would both likely be killed.Fortunately, Linda was too terrified to even asks me a question. She just obliged, nodding excessively as we both wade along the wall. I keep my vigilance high, gun right before me, the safety pin unlatched, and with the knife poised, ready to stab anyone that would jump right in front of us. Linda creeps closely behind me, holding the hem of my dress like a little child to her mother. As we rounded the corner, three more men emerges through my line of sight. However, before I could pull the trigger, a hand clasps around my gun, knocking it out of my grip. My quick reflexes took over me, slashing the knife into his face. He hadn't anticipated my attack and he stumbled backward, clutching his bloodied face, but I didn't let
[Third Person’s Point of View—Nikolai]“Took you damn hell long enough.” Nikolai groused in annoyance to Akim while he slightly limped on his legs towards their posts just outside the palace.The blast detonated from the bombs he planted all over the place the night during Erin’s ball. He had planned it all along in case the Seraglios won’t heed his request upon taking back his wife. And he's right. That leeching son of a bitch double crosses not only him but Tommaso as well. Nikolai couldn't help but be amused by the thought that the old man got swindled by the own boy he took in years ago. But that amusement immediately faded when the realization hit him that Erin is the one that suffered the most. Trapped in the middle. “I thought you’re bidding your time,” Akim responded, handing him a bulletproof vest, and arming him with guns. A part from the medic team also came to his side, examining the cuts and bruises he got but he immediately dismisses them with a single flicker of his
[Erin]I snatch the lighter off the table, cracking it a few times before it sparkled into flames. I first melted the rope around my ankle, ignoring the heat and blowing the fire out before it could burn me alive. The ties loosens and I was able to free my feet first. I can now stand with ease but my hands were quite difficult to release since I cannot hold the lighter properly to burn it from my wrists.There must be something in here.I rummaged through his drawers and closets, trying to find anything until I found a Swiss knife buried under the layers of scratch paper. I flicked the blade and quickly dropped to the floor, sandwiching the handle in between my feet then started sawing the rope. It takes longer than burning it, but eventually, I finally cut the rope in half. Using the Swiss knife, a picked the lock on the doorknob, just like how Tiara taught me. Surprisingly, without her guidance, I managed to twist the knob and unlock the whole thing. I wanted to celebrate but, I st
[Erin]“Move bitch!” Mikael’s voice roared at my side while I struggle to keep my footing as he drags me harshly into the stairs. I tried not to trip, one hand holding my belly, cursing the bastard.I have no idea where he was taking me, but as I look over my shoulder, I could no longer see Nikolai, just the thick cloud of dust and the loud gunfire reverberating. Nothing left but chaos and it’s everywhere.We came to the corridor, but instead of going to the wing leading to my room, Mikael was taking me to the opposite. My feet strained from following his brisk steps. “Where the hell are you taking me?” My attention went down the hallway we were weaving. I have never been to this place in the palace. “Let me go!” I cried, clawing Mikael’s wrist, but the bastard just won't budge. Damn it! He steered me through the darkened hallway, and then we stopped in front of a door, he twisted the knob and kicked it open. Mikael forcedly tugged me, hurling me inside.A yelp tore through my th
[Erin]He could end this now. He could talk to Mikael and hope to change his mind. The bastard told me once that he cared for Pa, and he respects him as he was the one that took care of him and pulled him out of the gutter.Guards surged inside right behind him, circling around us with their weapons drawn, most of them pointing at Nikolai and the rest at Mikael.“Mikael!” Pa barked out furiously. His eyes fixed on me with perplexity. “What do you think you’re doing!? Get that gun away from her!”Instead of listening, Mikael only snickered and bared his teeth to everyone, ignoring Pa’s order.“What are you all standing at!? Take that cretin immobilized at once!” He snapped his fingers and turn to his guards before he finally notices Nikolai standing in the middle and fixed his eyes on him in bewilderment. “And you, what the hell are you doing in my place?”He doesn’t know?No one spoke, not move. Even a pin drop could be heard in between. But the tension was so palpable in the air that
[Erin]Weeks passed and I still have no news about Nikolai. And yes, I am turning five weeks pregnant. I told Linda to book me an appointment with an OB under an alias last day. I asked Pa if I could go out, and have leisure time for myself outside the palace and he let me. Though not without a dozen of guards following me behind. I went to the clinic for a short visit to make sure that everything was going well with the baby, and the doctor provided me with several medications. Vitamins and other supplements to maintain the health of my bones and to provide the vital nutrients for the growing baby inside my womb. For the first time, I heard my baby’s heartbeat. It was so loud that it bounces off the wall and I couldn't help but shed a tear thinking how Nikolai could have missed such a precious moment. Pa didn't know yet, and Linda is getting suspicious each day since I am having terrible morning sickness every now and then. It is only a matter of time until my belly started showi
[Third Person’s Point of View—Nikolai]Mikael Seraglios was the only one who stepped down from the chopper before it lifted back into the air and rounded the sky. “She’s not here,” Akim growled beside him, but Nikolai held up his hand to calm him down and motioned him to go according to his plan.Huffing angrily, Akim complied and take the speedboat to a safe distance right after Nikolai sets foot on the island.Something is definitely wrong.His shoes sunk into the sand and the soft waves crashing on the shore somehow counterfeit the tension burgeoning in the atmosphere.The armed men immediately went to surround him, pointing the nozzles on their guns, keeping their fingers on the trigger. “Where is she?” Nikolai didn’t hesitate to ask soon as he came face to face with Mikael.“Back in the palace. Living like a princess.” He shrugs and pushed his hand down to his pocket.Erin’s absence is quite understandable, knowing that the Seraglios know how to play their card, but what he was