LOPSIDED DISHEVELED BUN, shimmering eyes, swollen lips, a Stentorian hickey and a hidden but still evident teeth mark Shyly peeking through the neckline of the thin backless top Sreya was wearing.... Ethan was getting an alarmingly broad amount Of data on the 'behind the scenes' of his baby sister's life. He of all people should know when a woman has been thoroughly ravaged... His wife looked just like this—or worse—after a long night of passion.
A frown carved the flesh on his forehead, "I'd ask how you've been but I can see.." his eyes pierced her hickey again, "You've been busy".
Of Freya Dronian's unidentical twin sons, Ethan and Mason, Sreya seemed to share a much deeper bond with the former. Back in Tales, Ethan'd taken her everywhere: The coffee bar, the beach, the little hotdog stand down the street... Buying her threats with the little money he'd get from work. He was overly protective of her and even
MOMENTS SAILED PAST and the intense ache in Sreya's heart became a lulling, dull throb as the stream of tears ceased to run. Silence dominated the space and Ethan ran his hand down her back, Sre still on his lap as his body slightly moved from side to side, like that of a mother when trying to hush a wailing baby.Ethan sighed, the feeling of guilt about the past was something his sister would have to work on on her own. One is always completely able to let go of something when the decision comes from within. It might be hard but it's possible. And maybe when she accomplishes that, she'd see that none of that was her fault. Whether her body responded or not, the bastard would have put his hands on her regardless.Sreya sniffed and a small whisper kissed the air , "Ethan?""Hmm?""Sorry. There's snot on your turtleneck now".Ethan's chuckle was low, "It's okay". He had no idea why they were
XAVER'S LIPS DEPOSITED a soft kiss on the back of the slender hand laced with his as the four wheels of his black Ferrari glided down the long narrow driveway leading to 1813 Hill View.And though Sreya graced the cyan eyes that fleetingly glanced at her with a small smile, anxiety trussed her Intestines in firm knots and invoked globs of sweat that now peppered the gentle arch of her eyebrows and her cupid's bow.In less than a minute she was going to be inside the Kirkgarde manor smiling through crippling apprehension and intense nervosity. Briefly, she wondered if Crystal was going to be present and what Xaver was going to introduce her as. Sreya genuinely could not deduce his sudden desire that she meet his mom and she was just realizing that she'd been so submerged in him she hadn't asked the right questions. Now those same questions sat on the tip of her tongue...How many people exactly will be at this 'small' g
There was something sexual about Clara Kirkgarde. Sreya couldn't understand it but Clara makes you think sex and does not tarry to stir a gut-wrenching feeling that tells you or makes you think she too is thinking sex.Watching her walk towards them now, Sre's mind ran a marathon. Would the older woman acknowledge her presence in a good way or with malice and repulsion plastered over her soft features? Would she even look her way at all?Dronian's fears soon pivoted to confusion because Clara's wildly crimson lips parted to reveal teeth that sparkled like a legion of diamonds dozing beneath the glorious silver beams of God's night disk as she smiled at her, "Sreya Dronian. It's a pleasure to finally meet you".Sreya returned Clara's smile with a very nervous one as they advanced to greeting with a pec to both cheeks, all the while thinking about how astonishingly good of an actress Xaver's mom wa
"GETTING A LITTLE bit too audacious, hmm, Xaver?"His mother had asked the question calmly and her tone was as light as a feather's kiss but Xaver knew she was livid.He shrugged indifferently, "I'm not getting married to Crystal".Red lips curved in a small smile beneath the moon, she'd seen this coming, "If I didn't know better, I'd say your sister put you up to this foolishness. But... You've always had a mind of your own". Silence enveloped them again and Clara turned sultry eyes to the shimmering water in the pool as moonlight ran down her short white hair in long streaks of silver.The World harboured the notion that her strict abidance by the famous tradition of choosing your offspring's partner stemmed from greed but.... Though the amount in their bank accounts was a priority, it was better to be in a marriage built on the ability of spouses to be comfortable tha
"I JUST SAW Crystal leave. What happened? And what's that on your mouth?"Xaver ran a thumb across his lower lip and looked at the bright red stain on the pad of his finger. Crystal's red lipstick.But his sister already got the hint. Rolling her eyes, she sighed and grabbed his hand, "Come with me".Soon, they were situated in one of the many bathrooms in the Villa.A white immaculate handkerchief was allowed to drench beneath running water and Dinah proceeded to swipe the damp fabric over her brother's mouth, "How did the conversation with Crystal go?"Xaver was quiet for the first few seconds, "She hates me".Dinah made an 'mm-hmm' sound, her brows furrowing in concentration as she worked, "I expected that", she wet the material again, "Bet she slapped you"Xaver chuckled lightly, his Adam's apple bobbing in the process, "Hard". His cheek still stung.
XAVER LUCAS KIRKGARDE Snr. was terribly late to his welcome party. But in his defence, he'd been in the dark about the whole welcome bash.His epic entrance into the mammoth hall was saluted with an exceedingly loud round of applause and congenial sounds of excitement, his deep sexy laughter expressing his surprise at the unexpected audience.Lucas Kirkgarde was an incredibly attractive man, posessing a certain type of etheral beauty that towered over the physical and bordered on the spiritual. With the soft curvature of full eyebrows denoting perfection, the blue eyes dwelling beneath the arch twinkled under the chandeliers. His meticulously chiseled cheekbones and cuttingly sharp jawline surrounded a straight nose and a devilishly delectable mouth that made you fantasize of a thousand and one beastly, ungodly things he could do to you.Sreya couldn't help thinking that Lucas could easily pass for Xaver with that je
SREYA WOKE UP to the pale glow of Xaver's bedside nightlight and lurking shadows in the hidden corners of the wide space. Purring like a cat, she stretched her long torpid limbs and the tips of slender fingers brushed cold silk sheets; the realization that she was alone giving birth to the furrow that grew between her arched brows.Sitting upright, she blinked severally, willing chocolate brown orbs to adjust to the dim lighting.The silent waltz of the thin white curtains and the goose bumps on her skin avouching for the chilling presence of a mute cold breeze.Sighing drowsily, she rubbed at the aching spot at her back, eyes closed as the vivid hue of a smile limned lush lips at the memory of their intense lovemaking last night. Moments with Xaver after meeting his parents last two weeks have been a little different... Everything seemed a tad bit more...deep, genuine.... Those were not even the right words to
SREYA FELT LIKE she was in Gehenna. It was a travailing sensation... Like a new inhabitant of a certain type of Gehenna where the hungry flames exclusively licked and clawed at your heart, not your flesh.Currently, she was seating—very still—on the couch in Luna's newly rented apartment. After the divorce, Kyle, Luna's ex-husband, sold the house and moved to Kruz with his dearest Gwendolyn to live happily ever after and Luna relocated to—in her own words, the most beautiful place in all Casterston—Greenwood.The thoughts of microscopic miniscule cameras lodged in every nook and cranny in her house had Sreya utterly despondent and immensely reluctant to return to the walls that no longer bore her solace nor ensured her privacy. Instead, she'd driven to the place closest to the house she'd unwillingly egressed.God knows she'd wanted to run after Xaver the minute he'd walke
"HOW MANY TIMES a day do pregnant women have mood swings?" Xaver inquired as he loosened the death grip his black tie had on his windpipes. Currently, he was seated in his car, outside his residence. The golden face that filled his screen frowned, "A gazillion times, why?" Xaver ignored her question, "Causes?" She lifted her thumb as she began to count, "Fatigue, anxiety, little to no sleep, hormones, et cetera" Xaver frowned. His wife wasn't anxious or sleep deprived so it must be the hormones? Or fatigue because she's always tired these days. "Any remedies for fast results?" Dinah wasted no time, "Exercise. Sweets. Stifling attention. Amazing foot rubs and body massages" Exercise. Check. Stifling attention. Check. Amazing foot rubs and body massages. Check. Sweets... Sounded like a bad idea. He's actually been m
{Freedom}XAVER'S CARE FOR speed limits flew out the window as he sped down tarred road, wheels racing towards John Bernards Hospital.He'd been working up a sweat in the gym when he'd gotten a call that Sreya was in the hospital, alive but unconcious. A humongous wave of icy relief had washed over him from head to toe, cooling his agitated mind and frantic nerves. He hadn't even bothered to take a shower, he'd only pulled a black shirt over his head and threw on jeans before running to his car. At least she was alive, she was all right... But was her mind okay? Would she be strong enough to pull through the trauma a second time? Will her heart be brave enough to heal like it'd done once?
IN THE IMMURING darkness, the private detective took an incredibly long drag of his cigar, upper eyelids drifting close as he felt the smoke heat his lungs and sheath his whole body in a buzzing satisfactory warmth.Sitting in his aweary Toyota, Gary ignored the harsh bite of the incredibly cold air on his nose and cheeks as he warmed his body from within. Gazing outside his window, he let his eyes roam the abandoned, crumbling building that had once been a mental asylum.The towering, desolate edifice illuminated by the faint, silver beams of the moon seemed ghostlier and more haunting than Gary remembered. As a long trail of dark smoke from his cigar ascended towards the pitch-black sky, he recalled the little he'd read about the deinstitutionalization of the yawning, tardily disintegrating building before him.Years ago, on a date that eluded him—Gary wasn't good with dates—th
Abused*:*Three weeks... It's been three weeks. Sreya's been counting. Every part of her exposed flesh was submerged in excruciating pain, so much so that it hurt to breathe. She felt weak and terribly drowsy.. As though, with each day that passed, she drew closer and closer to the stygian, dark gates of death. On some days, she came so close she could smell the rusty metal and taste it if she dared stick out her tongue.. But on days like this.. She realized that as much as she'd love to ecstaticly welcome her demise and surcease her suffering, she still had memories of Xaver, the girls and her family to keep her strong. She missed them so much and there was literally nothing she won't give to be with them at this moment. In the silence, the shrill
GARY HUTCHINSON LOOKED round his office with tired eyes and stifled a yawn. It was 8:37PM on a Thursday night and he was beyond exhausted. On some days, being a private investigator left you with some time on your hands.. On other days.. It didn't.Absentmindedly, he reached for the tumbler sitting beside his open laptop, swirling the yellowish liquid inside as he studied the picture of the young woman in front of him.Sreya Dronian. The Kirkgardes were willing to pay triple the price he'd normally charge if he could find her presto. The relationship between the doctor and the only heir to the Kirkgarde family fortune and business was roaringly overt and owing to this, their desperation failed to spark his surprise.Also, he wanted that money as much as he wanted to visit one of the best brothels in Verum City and soak himself inside a warm, willing body. Normally, Gary schedules his vis
PunishedΔ•ΔHe was... furious. Sreya could tell. From the sharp whooshing sounds of the whip slashing through the air, the explosive stinging, itchy sensation on her back and her broken flesh tinged with blood... She could tell.The candles were burning low again, casting scary silhouettes on the walls like they usually do. Through bloodshot eyes, she could make out series of ropes hanging on the wall..some, a little thinner than the others.. Sreya thought they bore an uncanny resemblance to BDSM tools.
LUCAS WAS LOST in thought, the paperwork on his desk already forgotten. He wasn't sure if it was the fact that Clara'd come in wearing a flimsy robe with nothing beneath or if it was her sexual, intoxicating scent that still lingered but he found himself on a trip down memory lane.They used to be so happy. So content. It'd been a hassle getting someone as terribly strong-minded as Clara to trust him fully but he'd succeeded and it'd been bliss.. A part of him still harbored hope that someday.. They'd be as happy as they'd once been but with every passing month that his wife barely glanced at him unless under public scrutinization.. Lucas watched the tiny ray of the light of hope at the end of the tunnel dim. Suddenly realizing he wasn't alone, blue eyes shifted to the door and he could swear his heartbeat picked up
CLARA KIRKGARDE LISTENED to the audible, oddly calming pitter-patter of raindrops on the windows as she proceeded to gently apply a layer of moisturizing lotion on her face.She was currently seated in front of her vanity, grey eyes trained on the mirror as slender hands made quick work of running a shiny paddle brush over her hair. When she was done, she dropped the hair detangler on the dressing table and embarked on the short journey to her bed. Relieving her naked flesh of the rose gold robe she'd been clad in, she shimmied under an immaculate white duvet and sighed in pleasure at the enveloping warmth and soothing softness. She yawned tiredly, eyelids slamming shut as she tried to sleep..But slumber evaded her and In less than a nanosecond, her mind
A WEEK AND a half.That's how long Sreya's been missing. That's how long he hasn't left his house. That's how long he hasn't shaved. That's how long he's not been answering calls or text messages. That's how long he's been.. Drinking.He looked like shit. And felt like shit.Dazed, he slowly swirled the golden liquid in his tumbler. Now, usually.. Xaver'd never turn to liquor whilst grieving. Matter of fact, it annoyed him when people did that but... You know when you're told never to judge other people until you've been in their position? Until you've walked in their shoes? You really shouldn't. Because.. He now understood why people turned to liquor. It kinda helps with the pain.. Numb it a little... Or it makes you think it's helping your pain.. And he needed that deception right now. Badly.His lips curling into a sad small smile, h