Ellaya woke up the following morning to her phone ringing nonstop. Glancing away from her sleep, she extended her hand to grab her phone. Her phone exploded as soon as she pressed the green button, and a sharp voice called out from the other side "Ellaya, how did it happen and why were you not in contact with us last night?" Her mother's stern voice sounded in her ear, confusing her. "Mama, what happened and what I did not tell you?" her confused brows knit."Oh my sweetheart, I know you do not want your parents to worry, but please don't; everything will work out just fine. I wish I could be with you right now.""Mama..." she was interrupted."You are a star; you just need to control your image. It is okay, my darling, do not cry so much."Ellaya was staring at her phone, unable to make sense of what her mother was saying or what was happening. Her voice came through as she put her phone back to her ear."Austine's parents will be arriving shortly, so you can go and relax.Oh, my s
"Ellaya, are you ready?" Iden grabbed her arms and looked at her, concerned.Ellaya nodded her head and pressed her lips firmly. Two women assisting her in handling her gown, and the other two helping her with her microphone.Her naturally purple hair, worn loose, complemented her purple long gown perfectly, bringing out the brilliant purple in her eyes. Iden told her that she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world and forbade her from using any artificial lenses or makeup to cover up her natural skin tone and hair colors. Her pink skin was glowing with a hint of shiny makeup. And there she stood looking like a goddess."Ellaya" Iden said, gazing into her purple eyes, "You do not have to be nervous okay.""All I am worried about is that they might think I am endorsing a cartoon character at this charity event, or that they might throw tomatoes and rotten eggs at me for looking like a purple princess". Ellaya repeated her statement nth time while biting her inner cheek.Iden
She turned to look around; she could only hear screams and loud footsteps in the empty hallway. She slowly walked while holding her gown and trying to make sense of what was going on. The farther she walked, the more distinct the creams and heavy footsteps were. She looked around for people but was unable to locate even one. She picked up her pace quickly but was startled by a burning smell that she could not identify. She was terrified and wanted to enter the party hall, but a thick cloud of smoke obscured her vision, making it feel burning. She wondered where the cloud of smoke was coming from as she turned to look at her left and saw a huge flame shoot out of one of the guest rooms. She felt the flames roar angrily towards her face and fell down with a scream, avoiding a near-death experience. She realized the hotel was on fire, she broke out into a cold sweat "The hotel is on fire, shit, shit, oh god, please save us". She muttered. She knew she had to flee, but her body w
His phone had rung multiple times previously, but he had decided to ignore it and watch her perform. After she finished, he left and went outside to the garden, where he lit a cigarette and dialed the number. Kaito had been explaining to him how the Russian mafia had invaded their territory; during the attack, over ten soldiers were killed, but they were able to capture three of their men alive, who were now in his custody. "How much time will it take, man?" Frustrated, Kaito asked"Do not kill them in your fret already, Kai, keep them alive until I return".Moments passed in silence before Kaito answered, "Yes."He was aware of Kaito's prolonged silence, which was likely an attempt to maintain composure. He loved his people the most, and his weakness was that he could not keep his cool; he lost it easily. Kaito was a short-tempered and ignorant individual. He needed to finish his business here and return as soon as possible if he did not want Kaito to kill them and rush to the Rus
"Ellaya Wake up, you lazy head. How long are you going to sleep?" A gentle voice kept repeating in her head. She tried hard to open her eyes, but everything was blurry. She closed them, forcing hard, and then opened them again, only to find everything white.'Is this place heaven? No, I cannot be in heaven because I have not done anything good to deserve it. It might be hell, but how would I find out if I asked someone?' She tilted her head and saw nothing but white walls and darkness. She blinked several times to clear her vision, and now she could see a table and a sofa—everything earthly. With confused gaze.Her face was filled with pain. A voice spoke again in her head "I died without telling him that I started to fall in love with him. Did he also die in a fire? "The fire" was so painful. "Iden.." with a scream, she abruptly sat up on the bed. "Iden..." She looked around, her eyes watering, and began to cry. She felt as though someone was holding her heart in tight grip, she bit
There was an eerie silence in the ward, not a single sound could be heard, and Ellaya was restless because she was alone. It had been hours since Iden left to finish his important work. She was incredibly bored as she fiddled with her fingers. She was starving and could not leave the hospital room. When she closed her eyes, all she saw was his stunning face as it rose from the fire, embracing her and addressing her by name. She snapped open her eyes as the door opened and she heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. When a pair of black shiny shoes appeared in front of her, her gaze shifted from the shoes to the well-built body to the breathtaking handsome face. Iden hurled a paper bag onto the table next to her and collapsed onto the couch, drained "Hmm! what is this?" Ellaya closed her eyes and hummed as she lifted the paper bag to her nose and inhaled the mouthwatering aroma of the food. She repeatedly inhaled the delicious aroma of the meal, then opened her eye
Ellaya was fiddling with her phone while seated. She knew no one knew what happened, so she dialed a number, and Eva's extremely angry voice answered. "Where are you lost Ella? I have been trying to reach you for the past three days, but your phone is constantly off. You have no idea how concerned I am for you. If you were going to jump ship to New York and spend eternity there, at least you could have given me a massage." Ellaya was forced to disclose everything that transpired during the charity event after hearing her irate voice. "Oh my goodness! Ella, how did that happen? Are you okay?" On the other end of the phone, Eva cried out in concern. "Do not worry, I am fine. Tell me how everything's going." "Listen, do not worry about anything right now; instead, focus on your health." Eva has a worried tone. "Eva, what is wrong?" Eva sounded tired, and Ellaya sensed that her voice was not as enthusiastic as before. "Ahem..."Eva remained silent for a brief while. Ellaya se
Iden strode into the gym, took off his t-shirt and watch, and threw them carelessly onto the bench. He then stepped forward, bent over, and pulled the ring over his head to enter the cage. A voice rang in his head as he made contact with the punching bag. " Come on, Iden, you can never defeat me." " Come on, punch me, yes punch me. You are still mama's little boy, Iden." " Just one moment of distraction and you will lose it, dude." "Yes, come on, strike it hard." With a rush of adrenaline coursing through him, he punched the puncing bag, sending it flying into the air. "Man, I am in love, finally, Leo the beast is in love," "KAPO" (punched the bag again.) "Yes, Idi boy. I am sure she also loves me." "KAPO" (he struck it once more) "I would die than be without her. She called me a stinking dog,slapped me, and insulted me, but I still love her too much to let her go. She does not love me, and you know why? Because I am poor and poor people do not have the right to fal
Kaito, intense and focused, delivered the chilling report to Iden in the private sanctum of their high-end nightclub. “They struck again, boss. Thirteen of our own, gone. Our ship’s under threat for the third time this month,” he revealed, his voice low but urgent, eyes darting around the dimly lit room. Iden, a formidable figure exuding authority, absorbed the news with a steely gaze. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk, a subtle sign of his simmering anger. “And our armory hit once more last night. Second time in weeks,” he mused, his jaw clenched in silent resolve, the muscles in his neck taut. Kaito’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Someone’s trying to undermine us while you’re away, boss. But they forget who sits beside the king.” His eyes burned with raw determination as he leaned forward, the dim light casting sharp shadows on his face. “I’ve held our ground", he fought in the shadows without a whisper to disturb his absence. The
Iden’s self-curses echoed through his mind, a storm of regret and anger. " Fuck! What was I thinking?" he murmured again She wasn't an angel fallen from grace or a broken spirit. She was the siren, the seductress, who led Leo astray, shattered his pure heart without remorse. She was like a potent drug, that ensnared deeper with each touch, and Leo, innocent and naive, became her plaything; she twisted his emotions with her enchanting ways and reveled in her power, relishing in her control over him. Leo, once vibrant and alive, fell prey to her wiles. He succumbed to her allure, losing himself in her web until he was left broken and defeated, begging for release. In the end, he found solace in death’s embrace. Iden’s thoughts churned, grappling with the pain of witnessing Leo’s tragic downfall at the hands of this beguiling enchantress. The memories of Leo’s suffering haunted him, a stark reminder of the destructive power love could wield in the wrong hands. And could kill the m
In that instant, time seemed to stand still as he drew in a deep breath, the sound of her humming washing over him like a soothing balm. With a newfound resolve, he strode purposefully towards her, his every step filled with an urgent longing.She remained lost in her own world, unaware of his approach, her sweet melody filling the air around them. And then, in a sudden whirlwind of movement, he spun her around, his grip firm yet gentle around her slender waist. The flowers she had gathered scattered around them in a graceful arc, adding to the surreal beauty of the moment.Her feet left the ground as he lifted her effortlessly, her skirt billowing around them like a flurry of petals in the wind. And then, without warning, his lips met hers in a tender yet passionate kiss, sealing their connection in a moment of pure, unbridled emotion.inside, his heart soared with love and desire, knowing that in her arms, he had found his true home.The man she waited anxiously, the man who had sha
As the day melted away into dusk, her heart smoldered with a fiery mix of anger and betrayal. Each second dragged on, a taunting reminder of the man who had abandoned her to face life’s storms alone. Despite her frustration, a flicker of unwavering trust lingered deep within her—a trust reserved for the man she cherished above all. She imagined him basking in sun-kissed escapades on distant shores, surrounded by strangers, as if she were a forgotten memory. The urge to unleash a tempest of accusations and sorrowful cries clawed at her insides, yet an invisible thread tethered her to the belief in his love. No video or photo could sway her steadfast heart from its loyalty. As twilight settled over her world, she stood on the edge of an emotional storm, torn between the agony of doubt and the enduring flame of love for a man whose shadow now loomed large over her fractured heart. Refusing to dwell on the same thoughts and act like a damsel in distress, she decided to do somethin
"What have you done?" Iden's voice rumbled low, his fist crashing onto the dining table with a resounding boom that silenced the entire restaurant. The mask of calm he habitually wore cracked, revealing a storm of emotions beneath. His brows knitted tightly, eyes flashing with intense fury, and the creases on his forehead etched deep with seething rage. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you hadn’t told her about the trip,” Annabell’s voice quivered with regret, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape. “I really am sorry.” "Why did you have to call her?" His voice rumbled, resounding through the restaurant and capturing the attention of everyone present. Ignoring the curious glances, he focused solely on the repercussions of her actions. Emotions clashed on his face—anger sparking like lightning in his eyes. "Pay close attention. You stay away from her. Understand?" Leaning in, his words were sharp as his breath lingered heavily between them. His gaze penetrated hers with
Two months had passed, and Iden was still away. Each morning, the alarm’s harsh beep signaled another day of solitude for Ellaya. She moved through her routine mechanically—fixing breakfast, tidying up, and doing laundry—accompanied only by the hum of the washing machine and the clatter of dishes. The once vibrant house now echoed with silence, a stark contrast to the lively conversations and laughter it once held. Opening the store, Ellaya sighed heavily, realizing it was time to restock. With Iden’s absence came the absence of funds, forcing her to dip into her savings. An anxious frown creased her brow as she retrieved a packet of rice. It had been two days since she last cooked, but feeling her strength wane, she opted for a simple meal. Living a middle-class life for a year had been manageable, but now, the harsh reality hit her. Financial constraints forced her to be mindful of every expense. She meticulously planned the household budget, ensuring every penny was accounted f
Iden received a call from his mother last night inviting him to a family dinner at one of New York's most upscale hotels. When he arrived, he realised he had been tricked again. "Mom, I told you I don’t want any of these ridiculous blind dates,” Iden said, frustration evident in his voice.The girl he met was overly made-up, wearing a dress too short to hide anything. It was clear she was there for a blind date, but her attempts to seduce him were painfully obvious. He was tired of his mother setting him up without his consent. “But why not? You’re not getting any younger. I want my grandchildren before I die,” his mother insisted. Iden was packing his luggage, talking while he folded his clothes. Blind dates and marriage when he already had a woman waiting for him. He found the whole situation absurd. "Mom, who knows if he’s already married and hiding his wife from us?” Kai, the troublemaker, chimed in. Iden shot him a glare, but it was futile. Kai was never one to be intimidate
As the weight of his thoughts bore down on him, the plush sofa sank under his burdened frame. The pulsating beats of the club reverberated through the air, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within him. Kaito’s voice cut through the haze of music, delivering news that should have ignited a spark of triumph. “We got the deal,” Kaito announced triumphantly, thrusting the signed document into Iden’s hands. The paper, a symbol of their hard-fought victory, felt heavy in Iden’s grasp. Yet, he merely glanced at it with a detached expression, the mask of indifference firmly in place as he took another sip of his drink. The amber liquid burned down his throat, but it did little to thaw the ice encasing his heart. Kaito, ever the observant friend, noticed the lack of enthusiasm. “Thinking about your high-and-mighty wife again?” he needled slyly, his eyes darting around the room, searching for a distraction from the palpable tension.The club’s patrons were a blur of movement, laughter,
In the heart of the vibrant nightclub, amidst the thumping music and animated conversations, Iden sat ensconced on a luxurious velvet sofa, a drink in hand. Neon lights danced across his face, painting it with a kaleidoscope of colors as he savored each sip, his gaze wandering over the lively crowd. In that moment, he seemed a world apart, lost in contemplation amid the pulsing energy of the room. His mind wandered to the woman drenched in rain, crouched on the cold pavement. Her eyes, brimming with worry, were searched for him, her concern piercing through the storm. He had read her message repeatedly until his phone died, unable to respond. Yesterday was their wedding anniversary. He knew how excited she was; she must have spent the entire day in the kitchen, preparing his favorite dishes and decorating their cozy home. He had plans too. He had ordered the most exquisite diamond ring in the world, custom-made just for her. He hadn’t called or wished her because he wanted to surp