[Erin]We need to get out of here.We need to find a way to escape this place and save ourselves. Or at least, I’ll have to free Micah.I very doubt that Nikolai would make the effort to track us down, and whatever of the dispute that he may or may not have had with Flavio, we should not be dragged into the midst of it. For goodness’ sake, we didn’t even know that they were old acquaintances.“Micah,” I whispered, afraid that if I call her aloud, Flavio would hear us. It has been a while since he left us astounded, and I have never imagined that this beautiful day would become this catastrophic.“Erin,” she replied in a hushed tone, seemingly sharing my inhibitions about getting heard.“We need to get out of here,” I said, cocking my head to the side and hopes that she could see me even though I couldn’t.“What? How?” Micah half-yelled, half-whispered in befuddlement in response to my statement. I completely understand her dubiety and I can’t hold for having this kind of feelings, kno
[Erin]There was a sour taste at the very back of my mouth that I was unable to get rid of no matter what I tried. Every breath I took in my fearful mind was as loud as a blood-curdling scream that caught in my chest as I watched with absolute suspense as Flavio took a step back and retracted the gun away from my head.This wasn’t the first time that someone held a gunpoint in my head and the mortification I felt was ever the same. However, there’s one thing that makes all the difference, Nikolai spared me and I saw a glimpse of mercy in his eyes. On the other hand, Flavio’s gaze remained savage. “I was right, Bella Erin. The king would come, and he did,” he said, leering at me from head to toe, licking the bottom of his lips and flashing his menacing grin.A shiver ran down my spine, yet I refused to show him any gratification from the fear that he had infused in me. No, even if it cost my life.Additionally, the news he said about Nikolai coming over for us washed me up with a tra
[Erin]Flavio snapped angrily, wiped my spit off of his face, and then waved his hand in the air as if he were ordering everyone else to leave the basement. Additionally, he was the one who moved towards the door without looking back to see if his men followed him behind.My cheek was throbbing with a numbing pain and aching like hell, and I could feel the corner of my lips busted from the blow. Yet, I ignored it and focus on what was happening. I have no idea what he just commanded, but the giant man that was holding my arms began to drag me out and I turn my attention to Micah, wondering why no one was sparing her a glance. She had her eyes pinned on me. Her chinky gaze widened and a look of absolute horror appeared in her eyes realizing that she'll be left here alone. Suddenly the pain on my cheek faded, and dread began consuming me as registered to my mind that we are about to get separated. “What about Micah?” I yelled out in a panic while simultaneously pinning my feet to the
[Third Person’s Point of View—Akim]After the last bullet from his magazine flew through the air and lodged itself into the head of his adversary, Akim loaded his gun and prepared to fire again. Flavio Clemente was supposed to have died years ago. After they tried to double-cross Nikolai and almost lost the cargo worth a hundred billion dollars here from Italy to Russia. Even though Nikolai had already finalized the trade and made the cash, the Clemente’s attempted to highjack the ship and take all of the things that were contained within the container van after the transaction had been completed. When Nikolai found out what those cretins had done to his cargo, he went into a frenzy and became extremely belligerent. Flavio and his father thought that they already crossed Nikolai and outsmarted him, but they didn’t know that he was possessed by some demon whenever he gets angry. Akim and Nikolai turned to their hideout, taking everything Clemente owned and destroying their place. Nik
[Third Person’s Point of View—Nikolai]The knuckles on his fingers had grown crimson and were flowing with thick blood. However, the blood was not his. Rather, it was the blood of people he had hit in the face numerous times. They tried to stop him, but the man had gone insane, and anyone who got too close to him or even dared to touch him was brutally put to death. Nikolai was so mad that he has lost his sense of mercy and compassion, given that he only had a little of it on daily basis. However, these circumstances had brought out the devil in himself.“My, my. Has the king been ensnared?” Flavio laughed deviously, nuzzling his face even farther into his doll, which was much too near for his comfort. He had a rifle pointed at her face as his arm was wrapped around her neck in such a tight grip that he could see her straining to breathe. After that, he cocked his head and barked an order to his men.“Uccidilo!”(Kill him!)They were now in an open space on the very top of the buildin
[Erin]So this is what my death feels like.Harrowing. Forlorn. Even though I had encountered death it quite a few times already, I could have never imagined that it would be like this. To fall from such great height. Maybe, if Flavio had just pulled the trigger of his gun, I could have seen myself dead. With my blood oozing from the bullet wound planted on my brain. Flavio’s screams ringed in my ears. His hands flailing into the air, while I, on the other hand, ignored him. Kept my eyes pinned on the shrinking figure leaning over the edge of the railings. His arms were outstretched in futile hopes to catch me, crying out my name.“ERIN!”Nikolai… I remembered his face. The murderous intent on his eyes. Rage and fury mingled in such a catastrophic combination. He’s just the monster I always perceived him to be. Killing in a cold-blooded way, without remorse or an ounce of mercy. Yes, I was scared of him and feared him even more after everything I saw. There’s just so much violence
[Third Person’s Point of View]Miracles.However, despite his lack of belief in the existence of such a thing, nothing could ever adequately explain what had taken place.Nikolai had never been more scared in his life than he was a few moments ago when he saw Erin plunges to her imminent death. He thought he had lost her when he saw her fall off the railings. He's certain that his cold heart had stopped beating. But somehow she lived. His doll is now safe and sound tucked between his arms. He almost lose her twice this night. The wound on his underarms throbbed, but he could not care about it. She had fell asleep, her head leaning into his chest. Her features are relaxed, but he caught a glimpse of a scowl here and there, and some whimpers on her lips. It's likely that the terrifying night had even followed her into her dreams at some point. Nikolai gave her a gentle peck on the forehead before drawing her close to him as if she were about to vanish before his very eyes at any moment
[Erin]His warm and welcoming lips against my lips. When I felt the familiar sensation of heat going down between my legs, my lower belly began to twist up into knots from the excitement that I was feeling. I couldn't care less about my swollen foot or that he was injured. Neither of those things bothers me. My thoughts had pretty much stopped working altogether at that precise instant. Nikolai had a pleasant taste in his mouth that was manly, minty, and tinged with the scent of shampoo from the most recent showers he had taken.This evening seemed like both a whirlwind and a rollercoaster ride all wrapped into one. I had almost died, twice, and there was nothing more than I wanted at this moment but to make me feel alive. That I wasn’t dreaming and that I am definitely alive. The blazingly hot touch of Nikolai, which lit fire to my body and set my spirit ablaze, was in stark contrast to the blasts of icy water that were sprayed on us. In spite of the falling temperature, his body ap
[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