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Last Updated:
2024-01-07 21:44:02
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THE LYING GAME 09
~JADE~I looked at the corner where Eva was sitting, glaring after a police vehicle that had carted the boys away. After her statement had been taken down, she’d insisted it was a prank, in their defense. I knew she had done it for Nate, but It was a stupid call to make. It might have been a prank, but it could also have been a real kidnap. I shuddered to think that anything could have happened to her within those moments. “I would appreciate it if this matter is properly looked into, Officer. My ward was taken away without her consent. It’d be a hassle if such a nuisance is to be repeated ever again. Remember it could be anyone next time.” I urged the officer, against Eva’s plea. She stiffened beside me. I pretended not to notice. It was for the best.The chauffeur arrived to pick us up and Eva’s mood soured even further. She rushed into the vehicle, eager to get away from the scene and I thanked the officers for their help and settled in after her.“Did you have fun watching?.” Ev
Last Updated : 2024-01-12THE LYING GAME 10
~JADE~“Mr. Axton…” I didn't expect to see him or anyone else in the library. “Mmmh.” His presence sent me reeling with uncertainty on how to react. We had only exchanged words once, but our first encounter was not one to be easily forgotten.“Didn’t see you there,” I added, chasing the images of nudity far away from my mind and trying my best to sound completely natural.He kept the book in his lap aside and approached me, rolling the wheels just close enough to pick up my book from where it still laid on the ground and raise it to me. “It's Angel, Elena.” He didn't fail to remind me. I frowned, neglecting the way my name easily rolled off his tongue. It's been ages since anyone referred to me with that name. It brought back a whirlwind of memories, and subconsciously, I took a step back, away from him. Angel’s gaze was steady, his hold so strong that I found myself unable to keep up. Yet, something was commanding about his eyes; something so appealing that I couldn't look away
Last Updated : 2024-01-20THE LYING GAME 11
~JADE~I do not like the uneasy feeling that came with the knowledge that I was being watched.After that one time, there were no more notes slipped in through my door, but I could not relax; knowing there was someone out there watching me, monitoring my every move.The rest of the school week ran by slowly and I barely ran into Angel after our last encounter in the library. Kim explained that he had gone on a trip for a private art auction and It was a pure relief not to have any awkward meetings with him again.Every morning, I went to school with Eva who had been strangely quiet. Her arrested friends were yet to be released from the police’s custody despite their parents’ timely intervention. I had thought they would be released quickly on bail but although they were minors, kidnap was a serious crime and it felt good to know that the officers were not taking it lightly with them. Luckily for us, Principal Dwyer had kept the kidnap ruse incident under wraps with only the school st
Last Updated : 2024-03-26THE LYING GAME 12
~JADE~The bared part of my skin shivered in the night’s cold breeze. Nevertheless, I kept still, refusing to show any sign of discomfort to Vincenzo who had pinned his gaze on me the instant we arrived at our destination. The Raven’s High. A hotel well known for its heavily pocketed clientele. Lyra had been glad to hand over her client to one of the girls to doll me up and get me ready for the party. While Sapphire had returned home immediately.Beneath my black cat-eyed half mask that only covered the upper part of my face, my lips twitched. Even with his mask on, I knew I had pissed the arrogant man off and it wasn’t so hard to point out how.Vincenzo’s gaze dropped to my dress, a midnight blue dress that hugged my slender waist and wide hip, then flowed freely. His jaw clenched with irritation. “Are you in any way colorblind? I was specific on what you were to wear.” The last words came out rushed and angry as he looked around at the new vehicles arriving. Then his eyes darted
Last Updated : 2024-04-03THE LYING GAME 13
~JADE~“Did you let him go?.”“Speak bitch!. Did you let the Underboss get away?!!!!.”My head was blank. I could feel the life getting snuffed out of me. My eyes closed but Vincenzo was having none of that. He slowly released his hold on my neck and I gasped, completely sure that I had red lines around my flesh. An angry crowd of Mafia formed around us and he tipped up my chin, “You have one last chance, woman. Get back in that house and bring me that son of a bitch. I don't care what you have to do, but do what is necessary or I’ll be forced to show you the consequences of failure on my father’s behalf.“~I didn’t know how long I had been clamped up on the balcony’s floor but I slowly pulled myself to my feet. A silver case shone on the floor in the moonlight and I picked it up recognizing it instantly. It was his lighter case. He had dropped it behind. The case had an inscription on it “A” with the familiar symbol of an axe which I was sure I’d seen somewhere. I ran my thumb over
Last Updated : 2024-04-06THE LYING GAME 14
~JADE~“No!!!.” I jolted up from the bed panting and thoroughly drenched in my sweat despite the chilly air. I thought it would never come again but my parent's bloody murder had come to haunt me once more. This time, I saw Lucas walking away from us, and just as he reached the door, a gunshot got to him too, taking him away from me. I looked around the room and my racing heart tried to beat normally. I got up from the bed and discarded my clothes before stepping into the shower. Every dream had its purpose, but this was a reminder of my own. It's been seventeen years since my parent's death, but I have achieved nothing except paying off tiny debts. In the mirror, my reflection stared back at me, and my eyes wandered down to a scar on my wrist. Another reminder.The sun was still down and most of the mansion’s occupants, save for a few servants, were still fast asleep. I threw on a simple pant and tees, practiced my workout routine which I had abandoned since I stepped into the Ax
Last Updated : 2024-04-10THE LYING GAME 15
Déjà vu.It was only a week ago. Maybe a few days over a week, when I had wandered deliberately away from the path that led to my room. But, even one week was not enough time to erase the terrified image of the nude maid I’d seen from my mind. It was the same at this moment, except the maid was gone and I was the “nude, terrified one”. I scrambled off the bed with my heart racing at the stupidity I’d just displayed, but the damage was already done.The woman who had barged in was a tall, stunning brunette, with a beautiful heart-shaped face. Her gaze lingered on me for only a moment, unfazed at my presence, then she turned to Angel.“Missed me?.” She purred. Yes. Purred, because she sounded just like a cat.As I slipped my dress on, she approached him with a smile on her face. Angel’s face was indifferent, I couldn't tell what he was thinking at that moment. But two things were clear, he wasn't upset that she had barged in and he did not tell her off. “Zeta…” Angel’s voice trailed
Last Updated : 2024-04-22THE LYING GAME 16
~Angel~There was something about artists and yearning for the perfect body. A perfect muse. It was nothing sensual, other than the pleasure they’d reel in from drowning in the magnificence of a finished ‘perfect’ painting. And in that order, I’d convinced myself that I didn't want anything more from Elena, nor from any other woman at that. Love makes people weak. It preyed on their consciousness, blurring everything else that should have mattered, everything they could have noticed to stop a major disaster from happening. I knew this because I had been in love myself… scratch that… because I had been infatuated once. And by the moment it faded, I had lost something I could never get back. Two knocks on the door reminded me that I had asked for her to come see me. It was too early to be drinking, but I downed a shot or two each time the thoughts resurfaced. I put the bottle away and finger-combed my hair.“Come in,” I instructed, my gaze settling on the door.I frowned when it t
Last Updated : 2024-05-02
Latest chapter
THE LYING GAME 34
“What do you fucking mean Eva got missing under your watch?!”A deep voice bellowed from behind. Elena and Salvatore looked up from the CCTV footage they were intensely watching. Turning around, they found Angel seated in his chair outside the room with a dark scowl on his face. He’d arrived at the hotel a few minutes ago, expecting to join the event, only to be greeted by the sudden news.The manager who appeared to have aged ten more years walked forward stiffly, her knees buckling as she pleaded with trembling lips and chin. “I’m sorry, Mr. Axton. I will… take full responsibility for this.”“Responsibility?” Angel snickered. A devilish grin settled on his face. “Will your goddamn responsibility find my niece?”The manager’s trembling lips parted and closed.“Thought so.” Angel’s eyes clamped tight. “Get lost!”The manager scurried off and for a second, the room stilled. Angel moved in and everything returned to normal. Unfastening his wristwatch, he handed it over to a bodyguard
THE LYING GAME 34
“What do you fucking mean Eva got missing under your watch?!”A deep voice bellowed from behind. Elena and Salvatore looked up from the CCTV footage they were intensely watching. Turning around, they found Angel seated in his chair outside the room with a dark scowl on his face. He’d arrived at the hotel a few minutes ago, expecting to join the event, only to be greeted by the sudden news.The manager who appeared to have aged ten more years walked forward stiffly, her knees buckling as she pleaded with trembling lips and chin. “I’m sorry, Mr. Axton. I will… take full responsibility for this.”“Responsibility?” Angel snickered. A devilish grin settled on his face. “Will your goddamn responsibility find my niece?”The manager’s trembling lips parted and closed.“Thought so.” Angel’s eyes clamped tight. “Get lost!”The manager scurried off and for a second, the room stilled. Angel moved in and everything returned to normal. Unfastening his wristwatch, he handed it over to a bodyguard
THE LYING GAME 33
Huge chandeliers hung above the high ceiling, illuminating the tastefully decorated hall, and casting its halos on the cheerful gathering below. Evangelina Axton’s 16th birthday gathering was marked as a private event. The media was forbidden from getting a 100 meters close to the hotel and only a selected few elites were cordially invited to grace the occasion.Elena downed her second glass of champagne as she watched Eva pace about the room nervously. Finally, she stopped in front of a full-body mirror, clasping her fingers together.Tonight, Eva appeared more mature in a baby’s breath blue evening gown and beautiful makeup. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders in curls and even Elena could tell how pretty she truly was.The event manager had been to the dressing room twice to announce that it was time for Eva to make her appearance, yet the girl kept postponing, saying that she wasn't ready.At the third knock, Elena stood to her feet. She picked up a clip from the dressin
THE LYING GAME 32
Elena collapsed on the living room sofa, not hiding her exhaustion any longer. Mentally, emotionally, and physically, she was drained.It had been a hectic day in school guiding Eva, who was not only nonchalant about her projects but too stubborn to take corrections as well.Somewhere, deep down in her heart, she wondered if perhaps Eva belonged to a secret coven of nanny-frustrating wards. It wouldn't be a surprise if she was. At least, it would make it easier to understand her witchy- bitchy attitude.Zeta’s disappointment had not only made her morning harder, but it had frustrated the rest of her day and right now, it made Elena mad that the silly woman had been sick at home while she had been at the receiving end of Eva’s foul mood.“Eva?” A familiar voice called out from the doorway, and Zeta suddenly appeared, making Elena frown.Was she not supposed to be… sick?Scanning around the room and settling on Elena, the smile on Zeta’s face froze and the expression on her face turned
THE LYING GAME 31
Long, slender legs, fitted into red-hot stilettos, moved elegantly past the corridors, and into the private elevator.The lift halted at the top floor with a ding, and Zeta Mancini stepped out into the hallway. Her entire figure was wrapped in a big, brown fur coat, and her smooth face was beaten into a sleek perfection. Reaching the doorway where she had been barely thirty minutes ago, she placed a hand in between the door frame and retrieved a slipper preventing the door from coming together with her free hand.As she entered, it protested with a click, locking her in. She walked carefully into the quarters, finding her way to its large bedroom.Her pulse was pounding somewhere in the 160 range, but despite her pounding heart, there was a fluttery, empty feeling in her stomach. The bedroom door was slightly ajar; just the way she had left it earlier. It was a good sign. She hoped. At least it meant no one else had come in after she did. A commanding presence filled the room the
THE LYING GAME 30
4:28 A.M.Beads of sweat ran down the deep middle line of Elena’s small back, denting through her light workout vest.Her hands, which had been extended in continuous repetitions for the past thirty minutes above her crouched knee, trembled as she collapsed on the cold floor and reached for her phone. At exactly 4:30 A.M, the phone vibrated. Looking at the familiar number on the screen, Elena picked it up on the third ring and held it up to her ear.“So what?” Vicenzo’s impatient voice filtered through. “Has this whole operation been a total waste of my time or not?.” Elena rolled her eyes.With the events the night before concerning the lighter case and the invitation, they were truly making progress. But, thinking about the unsolved relationship between the two silver cases, she took a deep breath and responded in a robotic tone. “I received an invitation from Angelo last night. His painting of me has been nominated for an award. He wants me there with him, to receive it.”There
THE LYING GAME 29
Elena felt every kiss of air across her skin as she picked up the silver object.A lighter case. Turning it over to inspect it, Elena swallowed.Goosebumps pelted on her arms and an icy chill dampened her senses. That familiar letter A inscription and that axe symbol.Her only lead to the underboss. After that night at the masquerade ball, she had kept the case away from Vincenzo and had done all she could to find its origin, secretly, with the help of Ruby.Every single day spent tracing that object had been pure hell. All discoveries were no discovery at all and the only fact that had been drawn in the end was that it was a rare collection, crafted in Vernice for a special client. There was no clue as to how many of them were created, but right now… Why was this here?Elena ran a fingertip down the smooth steel of the case. Her eyebrows narrowed slowly as a string of thoughts made a lazy connection A….Axe…Axton?Muted voices from behind the door filtered into the room. Droppin
THE LYING GAME 28
Even in the faint hue of the evening’s moonlight, the fiery lines on her forehead were visible. Her shoulders were tense as she turned to stare at him.“Running away, returning home. Whatever action you see fit. Mr. Axton.”A smirk formed at the corner of Angel’s lips and Elena’s fists balled by her sides. She could feel the anger she’d thought to have kept under control, slowly returning. A sudden flash of blinding light lit up the driveway as a black Bentley geared up in the distance. Then stopped smoothly just in front of Angel.The chauffeur dropped and came around to help him in and Elena watched as Angel’s lips moved, saying something to the chauffeur who turned around, and walked towards her with a smile. “The boss has asked that you join him in the car, Miss Chantelle.”Elena gaped from the Chauffeur who stood awkwardly as he waited for her response, to the backseat where Angel sat back in a relaxed position, without a single worry in the world. Her ego was huge and she took
THE LYING GAME 27
The tiny hairs on my arms rose as I became increasingly aware of how cramped my position was. Still wrapped around Salvatore’s huge form, moving my poor head around was a tug of war. “Hey, let me go.” I blurt out, unable to remain still. A minute more in that position would have somebody calling for an ambulance.“Sorry,” Salvatore muttered absentmindedly while taking a step backward to create breathing space. His eyes wandered to the entrance again. He looked slightly shocked, and I wondered why. Following his line of sight, my heart starts to pound strangely. Angel was truly here, in the shooting range, and it appeared Salvatore wasn't the only one surprised about his sudden appearance. The soldiers stood still for a slow second as if a witch had cast a don't move spell and in the next second, all hell broke loose.“Angel Axton. In the flesh!”“I can't believe it.”Angel’s normally tight face broke into a wide grin as he shook the men merrily. They exchanged pleasantries like they
