[Erin]
“What happened here?” Our attention immediately snapped towards Akim, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. His face was plastered with perplexity as he turned his gaze directly to the scene that greeted him upon entering the vicinity.Nikolai still had the creepy older man pinned against the wall, his face turning almost purple from being choked, and I was still quivering with fright just to the side of him.“Erin, are you alright?” Akim notices me and my flabbergasted state. He moved closer to my side and removed his coat, which he draped over my shoulders.I just meekly nodded in response to his inquiry. I could still feel the older man's hand on my arms, which caused a revolted shiver to run down my spine.The fact that I even considered talking to him in the first place makes me realize how naive I was. I should be more careful and know that he’s not a good Samaritan.However, if they hadn't a[Erin]It was already nighttime, and we were still inside this city dome. How do I know what time it is? Well, I happened to catch a peek of Nikolai's wristwatch, which indicated that it was past eight o'clock in the evening.The day flew by so rapidly, and one of the things that occurred to me was that this was simply too much—all of the turbulence of emotions felt like a roller coaster ride, and my brain could hardly keep up with it all. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of chaos.I kept my distance close to the two gigantic men as we walked down the cobbled pavement. Ultimately have no idea where we’ll be going next. Hope it's not the fighting pit arena, since that would be terrible. Even the concept of it conjures up images of blood and violence in my mind. All of those things have already happened to me today, and I've already been emotionally scarred enough.The other masters and their pets threw off glances on my way, and even s
[Erin]The strong sterile scent permeated my nostrils as I came to consciousness. My head pounding as though it had been bludgeoned with a wooden bat and threatening to split my skull open. I tried to open my eyes, they seemed to be glued shut, and my body seemed much too feeble to heed my orders. It was a frustrating situation. As a result, I choose to remain still and pay attention to my immediate surroundings.“How is she?” Nikolai's voice, resonating with his questions, drew my attention, and if my memory serves me correctly, he is making a direct reference to me.The last thing I remember is that we were strolling along the cobbled pavement, heading somewhere God knows where. I was having a conversation with Akim, then suddenly I felt dizzy.And then, here I am, in some place, somewhere in this dreaded place. Though there is a little part of me hoping that we are back in my room. The aroma, on the other hand, is quite strange. Fortunately
[Erin]It was the very first time I saw Nikolai had ever been stunned since the time I had known him. He wasn't the type of man who was immediately fazed by something or who was ever taken completely by surprise by anything in his life. Normally, he maintained his composure and his stare was usually calculated. However, right now, his eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly gaping open.“I…um—maybe, I…needed something to eat?” I meekly contemplated, stuttering even to complete the sentence. My face burned hotter every passing second, and I even bet it was redder than tomatoes as his gaze pierced my face. My mouth suddenly felt dry, and I was like a fish out in the water, trying to speak, but words failed to come out.Suddenly, Nikolai exhaled forcefully, bursting out of his astonished trance, and for a brief time, amusement crossed his features, and the corner of his mouth looped upwards as though he were struggling to keep hi
[Erin]In the corner of the room, Nikolai sat behind the table desk, browsing through his phone, while I entertained myself by toying with my fingers, my back leaned against the headboard, hoping to distract myself from my gnawing stomach.I just realized how stupid I am. A slice of pizza or a burger would have been more appropriate instant choices. I should have held my tongue when I mentioned those ridiculous meals that are impossible to obtain in a short period of time. Perhaps, I should go back to sleep, then maybe when I wake up again, Akim will be here.Nikolai should have known better than to keep asking me what I wanted to eat over and over and over again. He might have placed an order for anything. I don't have a lot of preferences. I could even eat stale bread and not be bothered to voice my displeasure. Now I'm stuck in the waiting room with a grumbling stomach.I instinctively let out a loud sigh, swallowing whatever moisture was left in my mouth
[Erin]I could no longer move, nor could I breathe properly.This durian fruit is the best fruit I've ever had in my entire life. Although the smell is a little overpowering, it had no effect on the creamy, sweet, custard-like flavor. Overall, the cuisine is far superior to what I had anticipated, and I am completely satisfied with my meal.“Have I already told you that you eat like a cow?” Akim remarked on my side, looking at me with such an unbelievably long stare as he took a quick gander at my empty plates. Yes, I did told them I could not finish the whole plater, but I had grossly miscalculated the power of my appetite, that I, even to myself, was surprised.And, yes, I did finish everything served before me, but of course, with Akim’s meager assistance—very little, I should say.But I'm not going to admit that.“Hey, don't put the entire blame on me. You also had your part.” I jested, putting back the dirty plates on the table cart and pu
[Erin]He completely devoured me.He was taking everything and left me with nothing to pick up the shards of my own sanity. I didn't even care if the glass partition of his car were down, nor did I even care that Akim or anyone from the front seat could see us right through the rearview mirror. All I could sense now was how warm his lips were molding against mine, his tongue invading my whole cavity, imposing for dominance. How his gigantic hand cups the back of my head and how good is his other hand caressing one of my breasts with his thumb running over the peak of my hardened nipple. Oh, gosh! What am I doing? What the hell am I doing? I internally berated myself. I just told him I didn't want this. Yet here I am now, nibbling, sucking on his essence, shivering beneath his touch, and melting away like ice in his arms.I hate this, yet at the same time, this feeling I had seems like the only thing that matters the most in the world and nothing else.
[Erin]What should I do? What the hell should I do?This thing…if Nikolai sees me holding this thing, he will falsely accuse me of stealing it. He's erratic, he takes things into his own hands on the spur of the moment, and sure is he will think that I stole this from him. But on the second thought, why would he put something this precious inside the pocket of his coat as though he had only acquired it from a thrift store? I was under the impression that he had stashed it away inside some highly secured titanium case that only his biometrics could open. Not like this. Tucked so carelessly as though it does not possess any high value.Hell, it even has a higher value than myself. “Oh, God. What should I do?” I jump out of my bed, struggling to unfasten the straps on my heels and kicking them off. I pace back and forth, wracking up my nerves as I stare at this shiny little thing—well it’s not really tiny cause it's almost big as my thumb, but hell, this cost a fortune. Now that I hav
[Third Person’s Point of View—Nikolai]“Did he talk yet?” Nikolai queried as he strode through the room which was lit only by a single bulb and reeked of blood and urine, among other unpleasant odors that one would prefer not to describe.“Not yet, boss,” Akim replied, setting down the pair of pliers he was holding—still dripping with thick crimson liquid and bits of flesh that clung to the rust-crusted metal.“Hmm,” a low rumble resounded on Nikolai’s chest as he veered his eyes towards the man seated on a wooden chair whose legs and hands were bound. Blood beading down from his mouth and nose, his eyes blackened from recent bludgeoning, his face almost distorted beyond recognition with some of his teeth missing, broken, and chipped.He’s awful to spare a stare, but in Nikolai’s eyes, he looked like a magnificent piece of artwork chiseled by violence and power.Akim took a step aside, making way for Nikolai to step closer toward the suffering man. His chest heaving, barely holding o
[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