Brandon’s POV I don’t know if I should call myself a coward, but this feels so wrong. I don’t know why Sandra suddenly wanted this, but I cannot do this. The anxiety in my chest grows with every passing second, making it hard to breathe. “I am sorry,” I say to Sandra, my voice trembling slightly. Her eyes narrow, and I can tell she doesn’t believe me. She places her hands on my shoulders, her touch both familiar and foreign, and leans her head forward, wanting to lay her lips on mine. But again, I move my lips aside, avoiding her lips from touching mine. Her breath is hot and desperate, and it sends a shiver down my spine. “We cannot do this,” I say to her, my voice firmer this time. Her response is immediate and insistent. She peers into my eyes, searching for something, perhaps a glimmer of compliance. I can then see the lust in her eyes growing more intense. She wants it so badly that she licks her lips, slowly and deliberately, before beginning to caress my hair with her fing
Matriarch Alessandra POVRising to my feet and leaving the restaurant, I enter my car and take a heavy breath. I can see Robert looking at me in the rearview mirror. Of course, he knows that it is another bad blind date and that saying anything about it is useless.“Maybe we can return home, and you can shift every other appointment you have for today to tomorrow.”“Thank you, Robert. That is so needed. But how many appointments do I have left?”“You still have about ten men to meet, ma’am,” Robert says, looking at me again from the rearview mirror.I can sense why he looks at me again. He wants to know if I am obviously tired of these meetups and talks, and he is right. I am already tired of this lifestyle, and I just wish I wasn't looking for love or anything of the sort.“Or maybe I will just forget about everything and make myself happy.”This thought suddenly came to me. But then, “Brandon!” His thought interrupts my other thought as I pick up my phone and scroll to Twitter while
Matriarch Alessandra’s POVIt’s already evening, and with Robert doing his job, he has already contacted Brandon.Trust me, I do not know how he did it. But what I know is that the time has already been fixed, and right now, I am nervous about what to wear.To say that I know why I am nervous is a lie, though. It seems more difficult to figure out because I was not like this with the other men I have met in the last hours.“Could it be because I already have a soft spot for Brandon?” I thought to myself, immediately, I shake my head without knowing why i did it hence, I look into my luxurious closet.With the numerous beautiful clothes in it, I am still not able to figure out the perfect dress to wear, and for this, Robert knew without me having to tell him.“Knock, knock.” Right on my bedroom door, I heard a knock and a voice that followed.“Matriarch Alessandra, we are sent by Assistant Robert to help you look beautiful for your appointment,” this tiny, gentle female voice says from
Brandon’s POVGetting back home from the rehearsed date with Sandra, which of course ended very badly. I see myself on blogs, and every blog paints her as my girlfriend and claims that I emotionally abused her. Only one blog critically examined the situation and got it right.That is okay, though. I mean, I have seen my father go through a lot of social painting. Many blogs, magazines, and newspapers chase clout just to get the moneybag. And anything that drives emotions, they feast upon.Isn't it obvious why they chose to use the words "president’s son" and not just "Brandon" or "some man," like how they described Sandra?I am not too bothered about it, though, because I know that, just like it always happens with my father, another crew of interviewers will send me an invite to come live with them on TV while they ask me about everything that has happened. And like my father always does, I will seize the opportunity to explain the situation, telling the truth while not painting Sand
Tyler's POVI have just cleaned the public area, and it's been over six months of doing this: cleaning the poop in the toilet, cleaning the road, helping maintain public parks and facilities—all as a result of the judgment the chief judge pronounced on me.But today is different. I have just cleaned the public toilet, making sure it was sparkling clean by flushing the stubborn dark poop down the toilet hole and scrubbing the toilet bowl clean. If it wasn't, my supervisor could instruct me to clean ten more in the same day."And Alessandra wants to find happiness?"I am stepping out from the public toilet, wiping my hands with a dark towel, when I suddenly see a certain type of news I do not want to see on the billboard.On the billboard is Alessandra’s face displayed boldly on the screen. She is wearing a kind of red suit, and her hands are to her jaws. Beneath the picture, a voice reads the news."Matriarch Alessandra is seen at the Riverside Restaurant with a certain man who, accord
Tyler's POVAs the day finally comes to an end and my punishment supervisor gives me the go-ahead to close up, I head to the underbridge where I sleep and begin to plan my revenge on Alessandra.Yes, you heard that right. I now sleep under a bridge because the wicked witch took my house and made me give it to charity. You know the story. And she took the eatery and gave it to her sister. You know that story too.Ever since then, ever since she promised me heaven and earth and then humiliated me on our supposed wedding day, I have been sleeping under that bridge.My own mother won’t even let me come back to our tattered house. She was quick to reject me. Wasn’t she the happiest when Alessandra and I were about to get back together and get married again?And are my sisters any different?Well, this is all Alessandra’s fault, and I won’t let this go without making her pay for the aftermath.As I get to the underbridge, I see other homeless men sleeping in their own corners of the bridge.
Sandra’s POVIt is the beginning of a new day, but I am still not healed from the embarrassment Brandon caused. “How can he not like me after all these years?” This question has been haunting me since I angrily left the restaurant.In the same way the question continues to haunt me, the news on television, blogs, and every social media handle of every famous influencer is like they are in a corporation to haunt me.Because of this, I do not even bother to turn on the TV anymore. At least if I don’t watch TV or use the internet on my phone or laptop, I won’t see what they are saying about me.However, how long does this last?I do not even have to turn on the TV or use the internet on my phone. I was just driving on the road and holding in traffic when I saw on the billboard that Brandon and Matriarch Alessandra shared a kiss.It has not even been twenty-four hours since I angrily left the restaurant. Brandon has called me multiple times and texted me multiple times until I was forced
Sandra’s POV“I don’t understand. What is the thing we have in common?” I ask him instantly. But it is a lie that he answers me immediately.First, I see how he paces slowly around my sitting room, then finally, he comes to me in the garden. He brings out a cigar from his dirty polo pocket, lights it up, and exhales smoke from his nose and mouth.Nevertheless, he has not said anything. He only walks slowly to the pavement around the garden, places his hands on it, and inhales deeply while his eyes are closed.In no more than five seconds, he opens his eyes again and enjoys the beautiful view from my garden, which is part of an apartment in a 70-story building.“Ms. Sandra Pupper,” he suddenly begins to talk.“I used to be a happy man. I will not even be ashamed of telling you the truth. I was happily married to Alda, who now responds to the name Matriarch Alessandra. She loved me, and I did love her too. However, we can love more than one person at a time, right? I loved her best frie
Robert’s POVMy job is simple: protect Alessandra at all costs. But as I stand here, watching everything unfold, one thought keeps repeating in my head—I’ve failed her.I should never have stayed behind at the hospital, no matter how much she insisted. Alessandra may be strong, but I should’ve known better. I should’ve been there, more alert, more prepared. That woman who pretended to be hit? I should’ve seen right through her. Everything is finally falling into place, and the truth hits me like a punch to the gut.I know who Diana is. I’ve figured out who Emily and Olivia really are. And those three idiots hiding behind their ridiculous code names? Yeah, I know them, too.It was them—we passed them on the road earlier. The bodies scattered across the pavement... the blood... It all makes sense now. Alessandra—Matriarch Alessandra—is in serious danger.That’s why I don’t waste any time. My foot slams down on the gas pedal, racing us past the chaos on the road. Stopping isn’t an option
Sandra’s POVWe pull up to the warehouse, and the moment I spot the front door slightly ajar, I know it’s time. I drive inside, parking with purpose as the tension in my chest tightens. Locking the door behind me, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for what’s next.I watch Alessandra step out of the vehicle, her face calm—too calm. She doesn’t look scared, like I thought she would. Instead, she’s asking, “Where are we now? Are they gone?”I pause. What? Does she seriously think I’m here to save her?A twisted laugh threatens to escape my lips, but I swallow it down. Instead, I turn toward the backseat and yank open the door. My fingers grip the cold steel of the sniper rifle. The weight of it feels satisfying in my hands, a reminder of the power I hold.Without missing a beat, I swing the rifle around and aim it straight at her. “On your knees, now!” I command, my voice as sharp as the edge of a knife.For a second, her eyes widen, but then realization sinks in. She knows now. She’s
Brandon’s POVI never thought I'd find myself here. In custody. The cold metal of the handcuffs still lingers on my wrists even though they’ve been removed. My mind is racing, struggling to keep up with everything that’s happened. How did I get here?I’ve already contacted my family lawyer. He promised he’d help—at first. But then he learned that bigger forces are involved, and he left me to fend for myself. I don’t blame him, though. When powerful people decide you’re guilty, it doesn’t matter what the facts are. According to them, I committed a crime too big to ignore, and they want me to pay for it, no matter who I am.But how do I make them see I’m innocent? How do I prove I’ve been framed? The evidence stacked against me is so clear, so detailed, that even I would think I did it if I were on the outside looking in.It feels hopeless.I sit in the interrogation room, staring at the dull gray walls. The weight of everything crashes down on me. But the thought of Alessandra pushes t
Diana’s POVOut of nowhere, Olivia, Emily, and I suddenly see Viper, Red, Jinx, and Blade fall to the ground, each with a bullet wound to the head. Blood pools around them, dark and terrifying, staining the ground beneath them. The sight makes my heart race, and for a moment, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. My breath catches in my throat, and time seems to stand still. I’m in shock, completely blindsided by the sudden violence. How could this have happened? One moment, we’re in control, and the next, everything’s gone to hell. But as I watch them fall, one after another, the horrifying reality hits me: we’re under attack. We’re not safe. We never were.This can’t be anyone but the police. Who else would come at us like this, so precise, so deadly? And it’s my fault. My fault we didn’t get out sooner. My fault this mission is hanging by a thread. I should have listened to Viper when he told us to leave. We should have been long gone, but I hesitated. And now they’re dead—Viper, Red, J
Sandra’s POVI steady myself in the cramped toilet, heart pounding as I carefully position the sniper rifle out the narrow window. The cold metal of the trigger grounds me, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.Through the scope, I zoom in to 8X. Alessandra finally comes into focus as she steps out of the law firm. She looks composed, but there’s a tension in her movements that makes my gut clench. Something’s wrong.In the distance, off to the right, a group of people is watching her with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. Their eyes are locked on Alessandra, and the cruel twist of their lips sends a chill down my spine. They’re like predators circling wounded prey, relishing the kill before it even happens.I should take the shot now, end this. It’s the perfect moment. Then Brandon would finally be free, and he’d be mine. But something holds me back. These people, whoever they are, might be more dangerous and I need to know why they’re after Alessandra.As
Diana’s POVAs Viper deftly tosses a small canister of smoke into Alessandra’s car. We don't waste a second, swiftly moving to take control of the other vehicles in her entourage.Alessandra is being escorted by three cars: one at the front, one in the middle where she sits, and one at the rear. The plan is precise, and we execute it with the efficiency of seasoned professionals.Olivia and Emily take on the first car. They expertly deploy another smoke canister, filling the vehicle with a thick, suffocating fog. Meanwhile, I focus on the rear car, tossing a canister of my own into it. Smoke quickly engulfs all three vehicles, forcing their occupants to open their doors, desperately gasping for fresh air. Even Alessandra, who had been hysterically screaming moments earlier, is silenced by the choking haz
Diana’s POVWhen Jezebel’s message arrives, confirming what we've been anxiously anticipating—Alessandra is alone. My heart beats faster, not out of fear but from the anticipation of what's to come. It’s time to set our plan in motion.With a cold, calculated calm, I gather Viper, Red, Jinx, and Blade. “She's alone,” I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “Jezebel’s done her part. Now it’s our turn.”They nod in unison, a silent agreement passing between us. There’s no need for words; we all know what needs to be done. The stakes are high, and failure is not an option.We regroup at my rundown, hidden in the shadows of the city. Viper, the most experienced among us, checks his blade, its edge gleaming under the dim light. “Remember,” he says, his voice low but firm, “guns are for boys in the game. Blades are for men.”His words echo in my mind as I glance around at the others. Red is sharpening his weapon, his eyes filled with a cold, ruthless determinati
Sandra’s POVStepping out of the warehouse, I don’t know where I am, and it’s terrifying. I’m stranded, disoriented, and powerless.I stand by the road, feeling utterly lost, watching taxis whiz by as if the world is oblivious to the chaos inside me. My hands shake as I lift them to flag down a taxi. But just as I do, my phone rings.The sound sends a jolt through me, and I glance at the screen. My heart pounds as I see the caller—Private Number. Dread tightens around me like a noose, and I hesitate before answering, my breath shallow.“Hello?” My voice barely escapes, trembling with anxiety.A cold, deep voice responds, as sharp as ice.
Jezebel’s POVI’ve been treated at the nearest hospital, but if I let this personal assistant slip away now, then I’m not the Jezebel everyone thinks I am.The doctor finishes up, wiping his hands as he says, “There you go, ma’am. You’re free to leave now.”I flash him a polite smile, but my mind is already elsewhere. My fingers tighten around the personal assistant’s arm, my nails digging into his sleeve as I anchor him beside me.The room is cold and sterile, yet I feel the heat of the moment. Matriarch Alessandra sits across from us, her silence dominating the room. When I grip her assistant’s arm, I catch the flash of surprise in her eyes, the slight parting of her lips. She wasn’t expecting this.“I still feel pain in my leg,” I say, my voice tinged with just enough distress to sound convincing. “It’s much worse than I thought. I don’t think I can walk.”Alessandra’s eyes narrow ever so slightly as she watches me closely, trying to figure me out. Let her think I’m putting on an ac