ROCHELLE At last!Aries walked closer to me, his deep blue eyes piercing into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. He bent over and placed his hands on the bed. His voice was calm, almost too calm, as he said, “Be careful what you ask for, Rochelle. You’ve pushed Adrien and me too far. When we break, we will not be fixed”I held my ground, refusing to back down. I wasn’t about to let either of them intimidate me. “Real men aren’t scared of proving their worth to a woman, especially in a bed that can take the three of us. Prove to me that what's hidden under your pants are not just for display,” I dared them, my voice steady despite the rapid pounding of my heart.Aries’s jaw clenched, and I caught a flicker of something in his eyes—anger? Desire? I couldn’t tell, but I knew I was getting to him. I glanced at Adrien, who stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest, watching the exchange with a stony expression. His silence was unne
ARIES I took care of him!The sheriff had sent for me. My heart skipped a beat when the message arrived, the urgency in his tone clear through the scribbled note. I’d never been one for unfounded panic, but something about this felt different. Adrien sensed it too.“Do you know why he sent for you?” Adrien asked, leaning against the kitchen counter with a concerned expression.“No idea,” I replied, trying to downplay the tension knotting in my stomach. “But I’ve got a bad feeling.” It wasn’t just the urgency of Sheriff Reynolds’ message; it was the weight of our business—the world of guns we operated in, shadowy but lucrative, fraught with danger at every turn.Adrien’s brow furrowed deeper. “I suspect it’s about our gun business. Just… be careful, Aries.”I rolled my eyes but didn’t dismiss his worries outright. “I don’t need a reminder on how to play my cards, Adrien. I’ve dealt with Reynolds before. If he tries anything that threatens our business, he won’t have to worry abou
ROCHELLE A sinking ship!I was just scrolling through F******k on my phone, mindlessly tapping the screen, expecting the usual mix of memes, vacation photos, and celebrity gossip. But then, I stumbled upon something that made my heart sink. There were pictures of my ex-boyfriend, Fred, and Amber, my ex-best friend. My stomach twisted in knots as I looked at their smiling faces on my screen.The photos showed Fred and Amber looking like the perfect couple, wrapped up in each other. In one snapshot, they were holding hands at a park, both of them beaming with happiness. Fred had that charming smile, the one he always used to flash at me when he thought he was being particularly funny. In another picture, they were sitting at a restaurant, leaning in closely, whispering secrets and laughing like there was no one else in the world. It felt like a punch to my gut. They were making the rest of the world envious, and honestly, looking at them made me feel sick.I couldn’t he
FRED Not for love!Gina was talking and laughing with her friend, Ashley, when I walked in. I saw them from the entrance of the office, their heads close together, sharing some inside joke. The sound of Gina’s laughter echoed in the high-ceilinged room, and for a moment, it made me smile. Even though she was a flirt, she had a light that could brighten even the dullest office day. But as I moved closer, the smile on my face faded.I needed to talk to her. I needed to apologize for how I tried to pay her back for cheating on me with that guy. Flirting with Amber was my stupid way of getting back at her, but all it did was push her further away. After she found out, everything changed. She had cut me off from access to her properties, including her expensive cars. It was as if I was no longer a partner in her life but just another staff member in her big company. We couldn’t even share the same bedroom anymore, and that felt like the sharpest twist of the knife.“Hey
A Frustrating DayI was already on my way for another one of those fruitless job hunts when my phone buzzed in my pocket. At that moment, I was trudging along the busy street, swallowing my disappointment as I thought of all the rejections I had already received. I paused and pulled my phone out reluctantly, and my heart sank as I saw Adrien’s name flashing on the screen.I didn’t want to pick up. I knew exactly why he was calling. He had asked me to write a presentation for a meeting with some new partners, but I had let it slide. I felt bad about it, but I had bigger things to focus on—like finding a job. I was tired of working for Aries and Adrien, and wanted to at least have a chance at something else, especially after hearing about new openings at a startup downtown.As Adrien kept calling, I rolled my eyes, a mix of annoyance and guilt swirling inside me. Here I was, trying to turn my life around, and he was making it harder. I took a deep breath and ended the call, quickly texti
FRED Those two oranges…I was about to leave the house for the gym when Gina’s friend, Ashley, walked in. I didn’t think much of it at first. I had seen her a handful of times before. But this time was different. She was wearing a fitted red dress that clung to her body like it was designed just for her. I tried to keep my eyes on her face, but it was impossible not to notice how the dress emphasized her curves. Her chest seemed to command attention, and I hated myself for staring longer than I should. You can't blame me when she displayed them boldly before me.I quickly gathered my composure. “Hey, Ashley. What brings you here? Gina’s not around—she traveled yesterday.”She smiled, a slow, deliberate smile, and my stomach did a strange flip. “I know,” she said, her voice smooth, almost like honey. “I didn’t come to see Gina.”Her words caught me off guard. “Oh? Then who—”Before I could finish, she stepped closer, too close. Her perfume hit me—a mix of vanilla and something f
ROCHELLE Thank me in bed!The next day, I woke up earlier than usual, my mind buzzing as I remembered the job I was about to face, the same job that had eluded me just a day before. Today, I was determined to get it, no matter the queue. As I rolled out of bed, I pushed aside the lingering doubts that had haunted me since I had learned I would be heading back to the same company that had not attended to me. I stood in front of the mirror, running my fingers through my messy hair. I had to look polished and confident. After splashing some water on my face, I rummaged through my closet, finally settling on a simple yet elegant blouse and a pair of tailored trousers. Once I was dressed, I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to start the day with something more than just a quick cereal.Cooking was something I hadn’t really done since I moved into Aries’ and Adrien’s house. They had mostly taken care of meals during my stay, relying heavily on quick
ROCHELLE Too good to be……….Walking through the lobby, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I approached the receptionist, forcing myself to keep my cool. “Hello, my name is Rochelle. I came in for an interview yesterday but wasn’t attended to,” I explained.The receptionist looked back at me, her face impassive. “I’m sorry, but there are no more vacancies. Every position was filled yesterday,” she said flatly.My heart sank into my stomach, frustration bubbling to the surface. “But I was told there were still openings!” I argued, but she simply shook her head.“No, I’m afraid not. I’m very sorry,” she stated, turning her
DELIGHT Out of sight!I stared at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time that day, my patience thinning with each passing second. Aries and Adrien had promised to call as soon as the arms for Edgar were ready. It wasn’t just any arms deal—this was for Edgar, the ruthless Mafia lord of the Red Sect, and he was breathing down my neck with threats that didn’t feel empty.I couldn’t understand it. Aries and Adrien were never this careless, especially not with Edgar involved. They had assured me they’d handle everything, and all I needed to do was show up and pick up the supplies. But here I was, waiting like a fool, trying to calm my nerves.The silence was maddening. I tapped my phone, pulling up Aries’ number first. It rang and rang, but he didn’t pick up. Next, Adrien. Same result. I left a voicemail, trying to keep my tone even though I was fuming inside.“Aries, Adrien, it’s Delight. Where the hell are you guys? Edgar’s losing his patience, and so am I. If
ADRIEN The only way out!I felt a knot in my stomach as the cops carefully searched through our things. I could practically feel the tension in the air, like this whole encounter was a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off.After what felt like hours—although it was likely just a few minutes—the officers stepped back into the living room, empty-handed but not defeated. “We know you two have your hands dirty,” the lead officer said, fixing us both with a steely gaze. “You’re not as smart as you think you are. We will be keeping our eyes on you.”Aries scoffed. “You can’t prove anything against us. You’ve got nothing. We’re innocent. You found nothing on us, remember.”“You can play that game all you want,” the officer replied coldly. “But mark my words, we won’t be far behind you.”“Hope you keep up with the pace of the game,” Aries smiled.“We shall see about that,” he replied.With that, they turned and left, the door clicking shut behind them. The moment we were al
ADRIEN A City on FireThe tension in the city was thick enough to cut with a knife. I could feel it in the air every time I stepped outside. The streets that had once buzzed with life were now filled with an ominous silence, interrupted only by the distant sounds of sirens and gunfire. Each day brought new reports of gang wars escalating, innocent lives caught in the crossfire. My heart sank further with each headline I read or news bulletin I heard. This was no longer a city; it had become a battleground.Sitting in our living room that afternoon, I glanced over at Aries, who was scrolling through a news article on his phone. His face was set in a frown, evidence of the weight pressing down on his shoulders. Both of us had seen what this life did to the people of this city, yet here we were, playing our part in it. “Look at this, Adrien,” Aries said, his voice gruff. “Another shooting last night. A seven year old girl. Just like that, her li
ROCHELLEI broke the ice!The rhythmic sound of my heart thumped loudly in my ears as I lay in bed. I couldn’t shake the burning memory of dinner with Prince Herold from last night. The disdain he had for women echoed in my mind like a haunting song. How could someone so powerful be so disgustingly ignorant?Just as I settled deeper into my thoughts, a heavy bang jolted me awake.“Open the fucki
ROCHELLE Racist!As Dos Santos led me back toward the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment. I had finally seen them again, and now I had to leave? Why was everything so complicated?The ride back to the mansion felt like a blur. I sat in silence, mulling over the events of the day. Deep down, I wished things were different, that I could just walk up to Aries and Adrien and tell them I was alive, that I was okay. Once we returned home, the maids were already waiting for me, dressed in their crisp uniforms, ready to prepare me for dinner. I had little choice in the matter; I could feel their urgency as they moved me to a lavish room filled with expensive beauty products.“Please, who is this boss?” I asked one of the maids while they applied makeup, but she remained silent as always, only smiling at me. It frustrated me to hell, honestly.“Is he important? What does he look like?” I couldn’t help but press. Again, I was met with silence and mo
ROCHELLEI saw them… Aries and Adrien!I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the large window of my room. The sun streamed in, painting the walls golden. For a moment, I forgot where I was. My memories raced back, grabbing hold of me like a vise. I was no longer in my own home, but rather a mansion I didn’t recognize, hidden away in Tijuana, Mexico.Every morning was the same. I would stretch, taking in the lavish surroundings that felt eerily like a dream. I looked around a
ADRIEN More questions than answers!We moved from clinic to clinic, asking questions, scanning records, but still no sign of Rochelle. Frustration began sinking in, gnawing at the edges of our hopes. At one hospital, we were met with the same disheartening response—they had no record of her. I could feel the spark of hope dimming, giving way to doubt. “What if the sheriff was right?” I asked Aries, dread pooling in my stomach. “What if she really is gone? What if it was another person's autopsy result that was mistaken for Rochelle's?”A lot of what ifs.“No!” he snapped, determination coursing through him. “I refuse to believe that. Rochelle is strong. She wouldn’t just disappear into thin air without leaving us a clue as to what happened. Come on, don't tell me you've given up”“I don't know what to say,” I admitted.“Then let's talk less and act more,” he said. “We have a long way to go before we can call it quits,” he added.There was nothing to admire about his faith… bli
ADRIEN Searching for the dead!I could barely contain my excitement as I sat in the car next to Aries. It felt surreal that we were driving to the sheriff's office, finally about to confront the circumstances surrounding Rochelle. The thought that she might still be alive was like a burning flame in my chest. We hadn’t spoken much since we got the news, but every glance I tossed at Aries echoed the same sentiment. Hope.“Can you believe it?” I said, breaking the silence that clung heavily between us. “Rochelle might actually be out there!”Aries turned to me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and excitement. “I can’t. I always thought... I thought we’d lost her for good. After everything.”I nodded, feeling my pulse quickening as we pulled into the small parking lot of the sheriff’s office. “Let’s find out how far they’ve gone in trying to find her. We need to know, dammit.”We entered the building, and instantly I felt the change in atmosphere. The walls carried a weight
DELIGHT Covering my tracks!The world stood still when I heard the news. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The autopsy showed that Rochelle was not the woman buried.What? How?My nails dug into the soft leather of the armchair as the information sank in. It couldn’t be. I had made sure of it. Rochelle was supposed to be dead, lying six feet under, with no way of ever coming back to haunt me. But now, the news confirmed what I feared the most. I clenched my fists so tightly that my knuckles turned white.“Are you okay, Delight?” Adrien’s voice cut through my racing thoughts.I quickly schooled my expression, offering him a weak smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”But they weren’t looking at me. Aries and Adrien were completely engrossed in the news report on the TV. For the first time in several weeks, I saw the fire in their eyes, the spark that Rochelle’s supposed death had dimmed. And it made my blood boil.“Did you hear that?” Aries said,