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Author: Fantaa
last update Last Updated: 2024-05-02 13:57:38

~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
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  • THE LYING GAME   23

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  • THE LYING GAME   24

    ~ANGEL~Pitch-black darkness. My lips curved on their own. The amusing smirk on Elena’s face lived rent-free in my head as I stepped into my large living space. My eyes flicker as I sense the presence of a secondary existence.I clapped twice, wincing slightly as the bright light illuminated my dark room.“You almost had me fooled there, brother,” Salvatore said from behind.Raising a brow, I turned to see him sitting by my patio with a wide grin on his face. My favorite bottle of whiskey was uncorked and he drank directly from it.I wasn't at all surprised that he had invaded my space once again. I half expected to meet him there. Sneaking into each other’s room was a bad habit we had developed as kids, and it seemed we would not be outgrowing it anytime soon.I feigned ignorance as I undid my watch and laid it down carefully. “I thought you were heading to bed?”He chuckled and rose to his feet with the bottle in tow. “You failed to include in your messages that the new nanny was t

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Latest chapter

  • 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

  • THE LYING GAME   26

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  • THE LYING GAME   25

    ~JADE~The art studio. In 20 minutes.My eyelashes fluttered at the sudden pop-up message on my work phone, knowing exactly who the sender might be.“A raspberry- peach- mango smoothie bowl for you, ma’am.” Ursula’s lively voice sang. My eyes widened as the most colorful bowl of breakfast I had ever eaten in my life was placed in front of me. It was my only day off work in the week, but I’d decided I would be spending it at the mansion, to the girls’ delight. My stomach growled in appreciation. Smoothies were Ursula’s specialty and Kim had insisted I try it out at least once the instant I stepped into the kitchen that morning.I wrapped my hands around the bowl and admired how aesthetically pleasing every single ingredient was. “So—Elena?” Kim started to say, Ursula shook her head, and I raised my brows at the two curiously.“What’s up?”Ursula sighed, sending Kim a look that said ‘You should have just shut the fuck up. “You know after that dinner last night, everyone’s been talking

  • THE LYING GAME   24

    ~ANGEL~Pitch-black darkness. My lips curved on their own. The amusing smirk on Elena’s face lived rent-free in my head as I stepped into my large living space. My eyes flicker as I sense the presence of a secondary existence.I clapped twice, wincing slightly as the bright light illuminated my dark room.“You almost had me fooled there, brother,” Salvatore said from behind.Raising a brow, I turned to see him sitting by my patio with a wide grin on his face. My favorite bottle of whiskey was uncorked and he drank directly from it.I wasn't at all surprised that he had invaded my space once again. I half expected to meet him there. Sneaking into each other’s room was a bad habit we had developed as kids, and it seemed we would not be outgrowing it anytime soon.I feigned ignorance as I undid my watch and laid it down carefully. “I thought you were heading to bed?”He chuckled and rose to his feet with the bottle in tow. “You failed to include in your messages that the new nanny was t

  • THE LYING GAME   23

    ~JADE~“You are fired!”~I could feel the pressure of Eva’s anger and for a brief second, I glanced at Angel’s cool and undisturbed face opposite me. If he had heard Eva’s declaration, he showed no sign of being offended. Even in the heat of the moment, he was still picking up dishes from the numerous servings on the table to his plate.My employment had been demanded by Angel Axton, so technically, he was my boss. The knowledge released a small weight from my shoulders but also added another. What if Eva could still fire me despite that? Was it possible? Did she have the authority to?What would that mean for my mission, revenge, and ultimate plan to retire? No. I couldn’t mess this up. I had to remain here no matter what. Nervously, my fingers wrapped around each other beneath the table. My gaze wandered from Angel to Salvatore. Unlike his younger brother, Salvatore was slightly taken aback. He looked up at his niece strangely; as if he were seeing her for the very first time.

  • THE LYING GAME   22

    ~JADE~Don't look, Elena. Don't.Despite the heat from the burning embers of coal in the lit fireplace, the tiny hairs on my arms were high on alert. I shivered at the slightest breeze, knowing fully well why the air suddenly felt so stuffy.No one wanted me at this table. Not Eva, who was currently glaring at me as she stabbed her steak a little too hard, or Zeta who had found a way to be so close to Angel that their seats were almost touching. My fingers cradled the glass of champagne on the table and just when I had finally gained control of the situation, my eyes betrayed me and I met his gaze.His beautiful deep blue eyes were dark and the slightest smirk made his lip curl as he stared from my face to the napkin his brother had passed to me a few seconds ago. Unlike most families who preferred to eat quietly, I found the Axtons did dinner quite differently. The conversation at the table had danced through Eva’s performance in school, to the family’s legal business which had be

  • THE LYING GAME   21

    In my head, a thousand thoughts collided. How was Salvatore Axton here? When did he arrive? Wait. How does he know my name?!“You’re Elena, right? Eva’s new nanny.” He spoke again when the silence lingered, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Yes,” My brows lifted, fingers tight around the handle of my bag. “and you are?..” Better to pretend to be clueless. I didn’t want to be thought of as a stalker.“My bad.” Salvatore Axton laughed lightly. His right hand rubbed on the exposed part of his tanned, chiseled chest, where three buttons of his body-hugging, black shirt had come undone. I swallowed as I took in his appearance. Just like his brother, Salvatore was built handsomely. He had dark brown hair, wavy and full, eyes that were a lighter shade of blue compared to Angel’s deep ones, and a chiseled face that could make anyone rush to do his bidding. The fact that I had to crane my neck a little just to get a good look at him made me sum up his height to at least a six foot three. Hi

  • THE LYING GAME   20

    ~Jade~ Stepping into the crowded school cafeteria, I found Zeta.She was settled on one of the tables and eating without a single care in the world. Her eyes which had a shiny look in them squinted the moment I stepped in front of her. Sending her a sharp look, I tried to contain my irritation at how calm she was, as if there wasn't a volcano waiting to erupt somewhere.., “Where’s Eva?.” Zeta continued munching on French fries, her words flowing easily. “Don’t beat yourself up nanny, Eva’s just making up with her friends... ” She then pressed her lips together, smacking loudly before picking up another fry.“You should have stopped her!.” I snapped, wondering just how dumb the woman could be. Angel might have let the kids out on bail, but the hostility they exuded whenever they ran into Eva was enough to know what terrible choice of friends they were. “They are not her friends.” I corrected. Figuring out I would be wasting my time explaining anything to Zeta, I let my eyes

  • THE LYING GAME   19

    ~Jade~By Monday, I’d made a long list of things I hated about Angel Axton.He was condescending, arrogant,… annoying. If I were to nanny him up instead of his mule-headed niece, I would get started with a lesson or ten on basic manners. Ursula dropped a tray in my waiting hands, distracting me from my thoughts. I furrowed my brows at the two tall glasses of fruit drink with ice cubes placed on the small tray.One for the brat, the other for the ex.I could get it that Eva had requested I fetch her a drink, but why did I have to wait on Zeta too? The sound of their laughter floated down the hallway. I fumbled between balancing the tray on one hand and adjusting the falling strap of my bag on the other hand. “Finally..” Zeta’s feathery voice sang as she stood up hastily from the leather couch. Her tight nude gown clung to her like a second skin. I sucked a sharp breath in as she picked a glass off the tray without warning, almost knocking down the tray if not for my quick reflexes.

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