[Erin]The travel from the villa to the runway feels like it took a shorter period than I remembered the last time, or maybe because Nikolai wasn’t with us. I am plagued by the constant fear that Nikolai will not be around to protect me in the event that something terrible will about to happen again, and I will be left defenseless. It's not that I'm some kind of damsel in distress who's always in need of being rescued, but as I recall everything that occurred, I do seem to look like one, and I hate it.I don’t want to appear to be so weak. I don’t want to be too dependent on anyone around me. I couldn’t even choose my very own clothes that I wear. Micah always had it for me. It was choking me, but at the same time, I was scared. I am afraid that if I would leave Nikolai’s care, I would wind up dead in a ditch somewhere. This is so confusing. I don’t even know what life seems like. The last time I felt a sense of adventure was when Micah and I escaped the guards, and it didn’t turn ou
[Erin] My ears are clogged from the many hours that I spent traveling, and in order to release the air that is trapped inside my ear canal, I have to yawn really hard. On the other hand, I cannot express how relieved I am that we have now finally arrived at the mansion. Despite the fact that I am not in the mood, I have the distinct impression that only my physical self is here, whereas my mind is still in Italy.I am not sure if it is because Nikolai was left there as well, but I just don’t feel anything knowing that he wasn’t here. I drew out a long sigh and watched the main door open for us.Ah, welcome back to my prison. Even just the thought of it makes me feel more miserable than I already was. I trudged through the foyer absentmindedly. It seemed like my body went autopilot as I veered to the corner leading to the spiraling grand staircase.How come this place looked like a palace and all but at the same time served as a prison? I will never understand.“Erin?”I took the first
[Erin]Micah woke me up with a gentle tap on the shoulders, and for a split second, her face appeared blurry in my vision before becoming clear again. I didn't recall falling asleep. I didn’t remember falling asleep. The last time I recall, I was squealing with so much joy after Akim told me about the news that I was free to leave my room. I slowly pushed myself up and sat upright, rubbing the sleepiness out of my eyes and yawning loudly.“Hey,” I murmured, but my voice still raspy after a long nap.“I brought some food. I know you’re hungry. It’s been three hours since you’ve fallen asleep,” she said, setting up my meal on the small glass table where I used to dine in the middle on the couches near my floor-to-ceiling window sill. I also noticed that she had already changed her clothes while I was still wearing the same dress I wore during the travel. No wonder I felt so uneasy the moment I woke up. “Oh, what time is it?” I inquired, scooting over the edge of my bed and swinging my
[Third person’s Point of View—Nikolai] The scent of smoke and liquor permeated the entire room. The tension around the long glass table is so thick that even the sharpest knife could not cut through. Nikolai seated calmly at the end, but his one hand poised on the band of his waist where he tucked a revolver ready to fire in case something broke out. On the opposite side of the table sat an older man, roughly in his late sixties or early seventies. It has been years since they last saw each other. The once jet-black strands of his hair were gradually beginning to take on a silvery hue. Even though he had even more wrinkles on the sides of his eyes, his stare was never dull and was still cunning. Behind those hazel hues, he knew the deep secrets that reside in them and how evil this man can be. Nikolas had the thought that he wouldn't be astonished if it turned out that he hailed from the family line of Judas as his ancestor.However, there is something he didn’t notice before. Those
[Erin]The weeks passed more quickly than I had anticipated, and I still hadn't heard anything from Nikolai, nor had Akim brought him up as a topic in any of our conversations. On the other hand, I was making the most of my time outside rather than remaining cooped up in the terrible confines of my room. It makes dealing with time easier for me. Micah and I went on for a horse riding the very next day after we finished visiting all the places around the mansion, of course, not without a plethora of guards following around us. The pavilion that runs alongside the man-made pond has quickly become one of my top picks for places to hang out in this area.In addition, riding horses was at the very top of my list of things to do.It never occurred to me that Nikolai's stable was filled with so many different kinds of stunning horses. They were beautiful and placid, but I had to remember that they were still wild animals anytime I was in their presence because I could easily hurt myself whe
[Erin]“No.”Akim down rightly rejected my request in the spur of the moment without even giving it a single thought. He then turns around almost immediately, ignoring my completely dismal expression. I huffed in exasperation and marched my way in front of him with my hands rested on my waist, lifting my chin in stubbornness and refusing to accept defeat. He looked down on me with one of his brows lifted into a perfect arch and pursed his lips. However, his eyes gleamed with amusement.“Please, Akim…It’s good if I’ll learn how to fight. In case you or Nikolai wasn’t around, I can always defend myself. You trained women here as well, I saw them fight, and they are all exceptional. What difference would it be for…me?” As I completed talking without taking a break, my lungs began to contract, and I found myself gasping for air after the very last word I said. I took a long, deep breath in order to regain my breath, and then I exhaled loudly through my mouth while staring at Akim in the
[Erin]“What’s so wrong with that?”I was mumbling to myself walking back to the pool, still annoyed with the way Akim rejected me. Though half of my mind was flitting back to Tiara, the way she looked at me, was so cold and detached as though she wasn’t happy that I was there. Nonetheless, I don’t care how she’ll see me as a person, I will still be her biggest fan. Not that she will know any of it.“How I wish I could be as good as her,” I muttered to myself, tying up the lace on my rode, tightening it around my waist as I found my way to the pavement leading back to the mansion side.The trek back to the pool went uneventful, and I couldn’t keep sighing, dismayed and at the same time, thrilled that I could watch some people having their training right behind the mansion, just a few paces away. Akim said that I could go there and watch for as long as I want, too bad I can’t join them. Could I somehow convince Nikolai to let me join? Akim said it would be impossible to persuade that
[Erin] “Nikolai,” I whispered, pushing the blondie off me and standing up. Good thing that I tightened the robed lace around my waist, and it miraculously held on through the haywire.He’s back. I felt every relief that he was here. I don’t know, but it feels as though the hole that never existed inside me had been filled again with his presence. I smiled, but then it turned out to be a wince as the corner of my lips suddenly stung.Nikolai’s gaze sharpened as he looked down at the cut on my lips and stepped closer to where I stood. He lifted his hand, lightly caressing my face, and his thumb ran over my bruised lips. His eyes were blazing with rage, and his jaw clenching in contempt.“Master Nikolai, we are sorry, but she started it. She threw a glass of juice on me,” the blondie spoke right on my side, stepping close and pointing at her drenched uniform.This giant bitch!“What?” I gaped at her. Does she really think she could get away from it? “No! You were picking on Micah, and yo
[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