I stepped out of the room, not intending to dress up.I don't care.It's just dinner. In my house. Or, rather, the house that Aaric forced to be my house.So, I would dress as comfortably as possible, without caring if he liked it or not.I wore loose black boxers and an oversized T-shirt that fell past my thighs. My long, thick, brown hair was tangled up on top of my head, a few strands falling around my face, but I didn't bother to tidy it up.In addition, I wore round glasses that I rarely wore except when I was too lazy to put in contact lenses. My vision was a little myopic, and tonight, I chose not to try any more than necessary.With lazy steps, I descended to the first floor.This house is too big, and I haven't even explored everything yet. But at least I know where the kitchen and dining room are.When I arrived at the dining room, I found Aaric sitting there.He wore an expensive-looking black sweater and dark jeans that sat perfectly on his body. His usually neatly styled h
The morning sunlight pierced through the cracks in the curtains, warming my skin and waking me up gently.I blinked, taking a long breath before finally reaching for my phone on the nightstand. The clock on the screen showed 8 am.And Aaric wasn't here.I didn't know if that was good or bad, but I didn't want to think about it now.I sat on the edge of the bed, letting my body adjust from the residual sleepiness that still hung around. Last night, after our argument at the dinner table, I chose to go to my room and go straight to bed.I was too tired to continue arguing about how he was trying to control me again. And, as it turned out, I could sleep well.Maybe it was because I was tired, or maybe it was because the air in this house differed from the air in my apartment, which was full of city noise.I got up slowly, walking towards the balcony directly connected to the bedroom. I opened the sliding glass door, and the breeze immediately greeted my face.I stare at the scenery in fr
I stood in Aaric’s living room, my heart racing as I looked at the evidence I found in my hands.A photograph. Caitlyn. She grinned, her arms wrapped around Aaric's neck. Aaric's face looked relaxed, almost smiling."What is this?" I asked, my voice flat. I tossed the photo onto the table in front of him.He looked up from his phone, his brow furrowed. "It's just Caitlyn. It's nothing.""Nothing?" I chuckled, a sound that almost resembled a mockery. I raised my hand, revealing another object I had just found in his bathroom trash can. A used condom. "And this? Also, nothing?"He stood up slowly, his eyes alternately staring at the photo and the condom. "Maya, are you serious? You're rummaging through my trash now?""I don't need to search if you don't keep this stuff like someone who wants to get caught!" I crossed my arms, my body burning with the emotions I had been holding in."Look, that picture isn't what it looks like," he said, looking at me directly. "Caitlyn pulled me in for
PresentMy breath caught in my throat, like I had just drowned, and finally reached the surface. The yellow light from the bed lamp slapped me back into reality. My spacious room—the messy gray sheets, the AC running, and the cold air piercing my sweat-soaked skin.I hugged my chest, trying to soothe the rumbling that felt like it was hollowing out my ribs.That dream again. The same dream. That night, Dylan had blood on his neck.I covered my face with both hands, but that didn't erase it. The images still lingered in my mind's eye. Five years had passed, and this dream still crushed me every night, bringing me back to when everything stopped.Where my heart broke. Where I lost My Brother.I woke up fully, cold sweat beading on my neck and back.Jumping out of bed, I dragged my body to the kitchen. The light above the dining table burns dimly, creating long shadows on the walls of my deserted apartment. I opened the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of cold water, and poured it into a g
The Los Angeles twilight sky turns dark as our car pulls up in front of an elite beachside club. Blue neon lights flickering in the shape of Ecliptica reflected in the puddles on the sidewalk.Heavy bass echoed before the car door opened, welcoming us to another world of noise and escapism.Megan grasped my arm gently as I got out of the car. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" I could catch the concern in her tone.I didn't answer. I pulled my black coat tighter around my body before walking to the entrance. Ashley followed behind since she looked at me worriedly while hugging her small bag.A doorman in a black suit gave us one look and recognized Megan. He opened the rope without saying anything, letting us inside. Once through the heavy doors, it was like we had entered another dimension—deafening music, flashing strobe lights, and a crowd dancing in the dark like living shadows. The smell of cocktails and expensive perfume mingled in the air.I took off my coat and handed it to A
My gaze lingers on the gun in his hand, then back on his face, trying to find an explanation, any explanation that makes sense.He stepped forward, one small step that felt like a rumble inside my chest. "You shouldn't be here."His words made me surge with panic.Aaric smiled faintly, a smile that I once found so intoxicating but now only felt like a knife blade at the back of my neck. He tilted slightly, looking at me like a predator who had just found a new toy."Ah," his voice was flat, full of cold amusement. "A scandalous artist seems to be interested in another scandal."My heart sank at his words. My body wanted to move, but it felt like it was held back by an invisible magnet. My mouth was dry, my mind blank except for one question that kept repeating itself: Why is he here?"Shut up," I hissed, a small, quivering voice that didn't even convince me.He laughed softly, a low, husky. "Seriously, Maya? After all this time, that's what you said? No 'hello,' no 'how are you?"He a
Morning came cruelly, flooding my room with too much light and forcing my heavy eyes to stay open. The curtains weren't enough to block out the sunlight, and even the pillow I pressed against my face couldn't quell the noisy thoughts inside my head.I rolled over to the side of the bed, my body trembling with a restlessness that wouldn't go away. My breath still felt short, as if my lungs had never had air since that night.The sight of Aaric—his sly smile, his relaxed tone of voice, the pool of blood around him—all repeated in my mind like a broken record that couldn't be stopped.I stared at the ceiling. Right at the tiny splotches I used to escape into another daydream. But this time, they couldn't save me. The lump of fear in my stomach felt real, too big to ignore.How could he be there? How could he be here again in my life?And why didn't I run before it all went so wrong?He's different. Darker. More terrifying. Far more terrifying than anything I'd ever known. I saw it in his
He shooed away the people who had been sitting with him. They saw me, probably recognized me, and gave me a quick glance before actually leaving.I stared at him, trying to maintain my balance even though my legs felt like they were made of rubber. The scent of sandalwood and metal invaded my senses, bringing up old memories I'd rather bury.Yet, here I was, standing in front of the man who might be my only hope or my undoing."Stop looking at me like that," I hissed, my voice barely more than a whisper. I gulped down the remaining courage from the alcohol coursing through my veins, trying to dispel the trembling in my hands.Aaric raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips curling in a smile so familiar, so devastating."Like what?" he asked, his tone lazy but his eyes shining sharply like he knew exactly what was in my head."Like I'm... something you want to break," I replied, sounding sharp. But I knew the trembling tone at the end of my words didn't escape him.He chuckled, a s
The morning sunlight pierced through the cracks in the curtains, warming my skin and waking me up gently.I blinked, taking a long breath before finally reaching for my phone on the nightstand. The clock on the screen showed 8 am.And Aaric wasn't here.I didn't know if that was good or bad, but I didn't want to think about it now.I sat on the edge of the bed, letting my body adjust from the residual sleepiness that still hung around. Last night, after our argument at the dinner table, I chose to go to my room and go straight to bed.I was too tired to continue arguing about how he was trying to control me again. And, as it turned out, I could sleep well.Maybe it was because I was tired, or maybe it was because the air in this house differed from the air in my apartment, which was full of city noise.I got up slowly, walking towards the balcony directly connected to the bedroom. I opened the sliding glass door, and the breeze immediately greeted my face.I stare at the scenery in fr
I stepped out of the room, not intending to dress up.I don't care.It's just dinner. In my house. Or, rather, the house that Aaric forced to be my house.So, I would dress as comfortably as possible, without caring if he liked it or not.I wore loose black boxers and an oversized T-shirt that fell past my thighs. My long, thick, brown hair was tangled up on top of my head, a few strands falling around my face, but I didn't bother to tidy it up.In addition, I wore round glasses that I rarely wore except when I was too lazy to put in contact lenses. My vision was a little myopic, and tonight, I chose not to try any more than necessary.With lazy steps, I descended to the first floor.This house is too big, and I haven't even explored everything yet. But at least I know where the kitchen and dining room are.When I arrived at the dining room, I found Aaric sitting there.He wore an expensive-looking black sweater and dark jeans that sat perfectly on his body. His usually neatly styled h
My heart beating fast, my breathing getting heavy.No, I won't.I will not stay here.I looked at Aaric, who was still standing calmly as if he knew I would take all this for granted. He was dead wrong.Without thinking, I turned around and started running towards the highway. My feet quickly hit the small cobblestone street, the coastal wind hitting my face, and my hair flew wildly. The highway was a bit far from here, but if I could be fast enough, I could call Megan or Ashley to pick me up.I heard footsteps behind me.Of course.I bit my lip, dashing even though my heels were stinging the skin on my feet. I knew Aaric. He wouldn't let anything get out of his control, and I had just done the thing he disliked the most. Defying him.His footsteps were getting closer.I had almost reached the end of this private road when something strong gripped my waist. I let out a small cry, my body lifted off the ground in an instant. "Let go of me!"He didn't answer.Within seconds, I was slung
As soon as I sat in the passenger seat, I leaned my head against the window, ignoring how expensive the interior of this car was and how comfortable the seats were. I was too tired to think about anything, let alone engage Aaric in the usual verbal sparring.The car drove smoothly out of the studio area, the street lights of Los Angeles creating long shadows along the dashboard. For the first few minutes, Aaric didn't say anything. He just focused on the road with one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting casually on his armrest.I closed my eyes, hoping he would leave me alone for the rest of the road."Who is he?"But, of course, that was impossible.Aaric's voice is calm, but I could feel the hidden interest behind it.I opened my eyes slowly, glancing up at him. "Who?"He didn't answer immediately, but I could see how his jaw tightened slightly before he finally spoke again."The guy you were with."I blinked. I leaned back into the chair, looking at him calmly. "Daniel
The air inside the car felt cooler than the Los Angeles heat outside. I leaned my head against the window, letting the air conditioner wash over my slightly sweaty skin after a busy day of shifting schedules."I don't understand how you survive with such a busy schedule," Megan commented when she opened the lunch box and handed it to me.I accepted the box lazily, opened the lid, and sighed softly as the warm aroma of chicken katsu and sauce greeted my nose."I don't get it either," I muttered, taking a piece of chicken and popping it into my mouth.Megan chuckled. "At least eat before you pass out. I don't want to deal with Ashley if you collapse halfway through."I just mumbled in response, too tired to reply with anything longer.I let my mind drift momentarily while enjoying my lunch in the quietly moving car. I should feel satisfied with how things are going. A tight schedule means my career is back on track, but something inside my chest still feels... tight.The world kept spi
The night is getting late.The city lights of Los Angeles still glowed outside my apartment window, but my eyes were already getting heavy. I sat on the sofa, my body almost sinking into it, while my fingers lazily flipped through the pages of the script I'd been studying.My character in this movie wasn't easy to play. Her emotions were complex, and the betrayal she experienced was deep, and I had to make sure that I could convey it appropriately.However, the longer I tried to focus, the more the letters on the paper seemed to blur in my eyes.Across the room, Aaric sat casually in a chair, one hand playing with his phone while the other clutched a half-empty wine glass. He had finished the cheese omelet I had cooked for him and was now busy talking in a low voice on the phone.I didn't know who he was talking to, but from his calm but firm tone of voice, I could guess that it was something serious. Business.I let him do what he wants.I was too sleepy to care.I closed my manuscri
My tiny apartment was illuminated by the dim light of a study lamp while the sound of rustling pencils on paper filled the room. I sat on the floor with my legs crossed, leaning back against the sofa with a stack of books and an open laptop. The film theory course always immersed me in lengthy, exhausting analyses, but I had to finish it before the deadline.Beside me, Aaric sat on the carpet, half leaning back against the sofa, focused entirely on the television screen. His hands were nimbly moving the game controller, and his brow furrowed slightly as he pressed the buttons with incredible speed. The sounds of gunfire and sound effects from the game being played filled my tiny apartment, contrasting my study's silence. I glanced over at him, noticing how the tip of his tongue poked out slightly from his lips as he concentrated. Aaric might be known for being cold and severe out there, but in moments like this, he was just a man obsessed with games like a child."Why are you still
And in between all that busyness, another thing also happened: I didn't see Aaric.For several days, there were no messages, no calls, no sign of him.I asked Megan when we were on our way back to the apartment. "Do you think Aaric... just left it all to me?" I asked, joking with her.Megan closed her laptop and glanced at me. "I think, for now, he's letting you breathe. And also, he must be busy in New York. You know, big business, giant corporations, a world he has to control."I nodded slowly. If Aaric was busy, I had the space to go through all of this without his shadow following me around.And I was relieved.For the first time since Aaric reappeared, I felt like I had control over something. Or at least, that's what I thought.My phone vibrated beside me, breaking the silence. I grabbed it and looked at the name that appeared on the screen. Samuel.I answered immediately. "Sam?""I have something," he said directly, without preamble.I straightened up. "What is it?"Samuel cou
"So," Ashley continued without taking her eyes off the road, "are you nervous?"I sighed. "I have no reason to be nervous."She chuckled. "Oh, of course you are. You're just meeting an Oscar-winning director in a building founded by your ex-boyfriend who now dominates your career. No pressure at all."I turned to her, snorting. "Thanks for the reminder."Ashley grinned and then turned the car into the central business district of Los Angeles. The streets around us were filled with people in formal attire, busy with their business. Amidst the density, the B.U. The tower stood majestically—a towering glass building with a sharp, modern design.I stared at it from behind the glass window. It was the first time I had paid attention to this building, and something created a strange discomfort in my chest. This building wasn't just a place of business. but a symbol of Aaric's power.Ashley parked the car in the valet area and then took off her sunglasses. "You ready?"I straightened my hai