“What an idiot.”Dior’s eyes bore into mine with a judgmental stare as if she's dissecting every nuance, leaving me exposed to the weight of her scrutiny. She had been cursing me boldly earlier.“You really texted him that?” she asked again, making me repeat what I just confessed earlier. “Yeah?”“Wow!” she shouted before clapping her hand in the air. “I thought Tyler’s the only idiot in this world, and here you come telling me you did something so fucking stupid! Where in the hell did you leave your brain at, Ranleigh?!”“I just want to save them though?”“Okay, you idiot heroine. You think they would be grateful to you after you did that?”“I just want to help? I am not expecting anything in return.”Dior clenched her fist. “I know you were fucking stupidly selfless before you gave birth to your son but seeing it now, I just can’t help but feel disappointed at you, Leigh. You’re acting like how a people pleaser will act. It’s disgusting. What the fuck is wrong with you?!” she sho
“What are you doing here, Bryce?” I asked when I saw Bryce getting in my room. He took one more step and closed the door behind him. “This is my house, babe. Of course I’d be here.” He motions his finger at me to come to him. I obeyed and I knew exactly that it was so out of my character. But, it was as if my feet had its own life and it was willingly obeying Bryce. Why am I doing this? Was it because of his dominating demeanor that made me obey? If that is so, it’s making sense now as to why he’s the mafia lord. He started walking towards me making me instantly regret walking near him. I immediately stopped back as if my feet were stuck. He sighed. He closed the gap between us, making me move a step backward. He was way too domineering. He looked at my lips and then to my eyes and to my lips again, making me bite them. As I explore the view, his eyes met mine. “I’m sorry about what happened today. Something came up,” he whispered with his raspy voice. I gasped when I felt his
“The loan sharks are here again. They are probably headed to the Asmodeus family’s apartment.”I felt my heart skip a beat after hearing those words with my family surname included. I immediately ran as quickly as I could towards our place. It was rather shocking news to hear about them going on a rampage again after a few months of absence. Fuck! I even wished for them to be killed by someone so they would never come back here again! They shouldn’t have come back. I just finished working as a marketing strategist at a small firm when I heard about them harassing my family again. I didn’t expect that the loan sharks would come back to our place when I almost paid all of our debt. I had been working my ass off just to pay grandpa’s debt to avoid this incident from happening, but still, it happened. I grind my teeth in irritation. Upon arrival, I saw my father lying on the floor while taking all the punches a man was throwing at him. I looked around and saw that our place wasn’t in
RANLEIGH“Are you fucking kidding me?” I shouted in horror after hearing Bryce talk about something horrifying. Well, truthfully, I didn’t expect that he would actually consider his old man’s nerve-racking suggestion. He even planned to take it in action and I couldn’t help but complain. Like hell! It even gave me goosebumps.Isn’t it scary to hear from someone from a noble household to offer a marriage to a commoner? And Bryce, this fuckard, was indifferent while saying that.Bryce just offered a marriage like he is just inviting someone over for dinner. Well, I understand that he was offering a marriage out of convenience but we just met and I am just another normal citizen of this country. What could I possibly do to help him with his ex? That’s why I couldn’t help but shout at him to wake him up from his delusions. Anyway, who would want to marry a man who continually harassed his bride’s family the past few months anyway, right?! Who was insane enough to do that?I took a deep b
RANLEIGHI sighed for the fourth time while staring at my computer. I haven’t done anything yet and I am still stuck with the planning. For fuck’s sake! I am so distracted about what happened the day before yesterday and it kept on bugging my mind. The fuckard just kept on bugging my mind and it’s affecting my work. Damn! This isn’t me and him having this effect on me is disturbing enough. Seriously, this has to stop. I got my phone out of my sling bag and stared at his calling card which I almost threw earlier. I had to get him out of my mind. Maybe texting him will help? I laughed. Crazy. Of course it won’t help, dumb idiot. I groaned and pushed my phone and the calling card on my table far enough for me not to reach it. I was playing with a pen in my hand while looking outside the window, trying to remember when was the last time I relaxed like this. I had been working my butt off after hearing about granpa’s debt. Seriously, it was dumb of me to join an org in the underworld,
RANLEIGH“What the hell did you just call me?” the driver irritatedly asked.“Doggy? I guess?”The man laughed sarcastically. “I am Bryce’s right hand, the second in position next to the boss. I am not just anyone, Miss. Asmodeus. More especially, I am not someone's dog, I am from a powerful household.” The man fixed his tuxedo. “So if you’re just using the young master for your gain, I suggest you stop. That is if you still treasure your life. As you can see, we could kill you mercilessly, Miss. Asmodeus.”I widened my eyes, acting as if I was shocked by the news. I looked at the man and bit my lower lip, stopping myself from laughing. They once almost killed my father by beating him up nonstop. Do they really think that I would never think that they could kill and that they wouldn’t harm me? And rumors about them going on a rampage once in a while was all over the place. “Oh really?” I asked. I didn’t care about them harming me, really. And I knew Bryce even before the loan sharks s
RANLEIGHAfter Bryce left, a maid guided me to my room that was prepared especially for me — that was at least what the maid said. It is on the second floor of the mansion and it is nerve-wracking to memorize every turn we made on our way to my room. The mansion is so big and there are so many hallways. I couldn’t memorize the way out of the mansion at all. Hell. It even looks like a palace. After arriving, I thanked the maid and smiled at her. The maid just bowed her head. “I’ll prepare your bath, my lady. Please excuse me.”I nodded my head and cued the maid to get out of the room. Without looking back, the maid got out of the room as if in a hurry.I sighed and slumped my body on the bed. I took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling that was carved with ancient designs. Prepare my bath? What do they think of me? An idiot who couldn’t even prepare the bath for myself?I shook my head. This life is just too different from my life outside the Marquisate and it isn’t for me at all.
RANLEIGHBryce lifted me out of the bed and walked near the door. He stared at me and cleared his throat. “You’re so stiff, woman. If you’re awake, open your eyes and walk with your own feet,” he stated.I cleared my throat in embarrassment and laughed awkwardly. Bryce gently put me down. “Everyone was busy fighting for their life, while you’re just sleeping there quietly. I’m quite amazed with your courage but that's risky, woman,” Bryce said with a blank expression.I chuckled. “I didn’t know that a fight arose inside your hacienda. You said that I should wait for you and I did. But it was taking you so long that I fell asleep while waiting,” I explained while looking at his eyes. I didn’t bat an eye nor did he. He just stared at me like he was reading my mind through my eyes. “Anyway… Is it just me, or are you worried about me?” I asked. Bryce remained silent. I couldn’t help but feel curious about what Bryce was thinking at the moment. If Bryce was doubting me or if he thinks th
“What are you doing here, Bryce?” I asked when I saw Bryce getting in my room. He took one more step and closed the door behind him. “This is my house, babe. Of course I’d be here.” He motions his finger at me to come to him. I obeyed and I knew exactly that it was so out of my character. But, it was as if my feet had its own life and it was willingly obeying Bryce. Why am I doing this? Was it because of his dominating demeanor that made me obey? If that is so, it’s making sense now as to why he’s the mafia lord. He started walking towards me making me instantly regret walking near him. I immediately stopped back as if my feet were stuck. He sighed. He closed the gap between us, making me move a step backward. He was way too domineering. He looked at my lips and then to my eyes and to my lips again, making me bite them. As I explore the view, his eyes met mine. “I’m sorry about what happened today. Something came up,” he whispered with his raspy voice. I gasped when I felt his
“What an idiot.”Dior’s eyes bore into mine with a judgmental stare as if she's dissecting every nuance, leaving me exposed to the weight of her scrutiny. She had been cursing me boldly earlier.“You really texted him that?” she asked again, making me repeat what I just confessed earlier. “Yeah?”“Wow!” she shouted before clapping her hand in the air. “I thought Tyler’s the only idiot in this world, and here you come telling me you did something so fucking stupid! Where in the hell did you leave your brain at, Ranleigh?!”“I just want to save them though?”“Okay, you idiot heroine. You think they would be grateful to you after you did that?”“I just want to help? I am not expecting anything in return.”Dior clenched her fist. “I know you were fucking stupidly selfless before you gave birth to your son but seeing it now, I just can’t help but feel disappointed at you, Leigh. You’re acting like how a people pleaser will act. It’s disgusting. What the fuck is wrong with you?!” she sho
“I’m glad you’re here,” Sheldon declared as soon as he saw me. He strides confidently, clad in sleek black attire that contrasts elegantly with his fair complexion, creating a striking and sophisticated build. His hair was a tousled chaos with each rebellious strand escaping in every direction as if trying to break free from the confines of order, and his face… I guess he does have a very bad day, huh?“I bet you do,” I replied with a bit of sarcasm. He rolled his eyes and grabbed my wrist before dragging me inside Bryce’s office. I was shocked to see what was happening inside.The office was a labyrinth of disorder with the papers scattered, folders standing at precarious angles, and a chaotic jumble of cables snaking their way across the desk. I looked at Bryce who was holding a lengthy cable and was trying to choke someone by using it. “Bryce, please stop!” Sheldon shouted in desperation. Bryce acted as if he didn’t hear Sheldon. He ignored him and instead focused on choking th
“Forget about what that old man said, Leigh. You don’t have to do whatever he tells you,” Bryce declared. He faked a cough before looking at me. “It will be better if you just ignore him. I can cover up for you,” he added. I bit my lip. I know that Henry found out about something he shouldn’t and I can’t just ignore that. I can't turn a blind eye to this one even if I want to. I don’t know how he made it happen but it seems that Henry Vergara, Bryce's father, found out about his grandson. Seriously, where did he get all this idea? I did all the cleaning and I made sure of it that no one would find out but he still did. I also made sure that those who know will shut up or they’ll forever hold their peace. Who among them betrayed me? Now, I have to know what he wants. I am sure we can talk this out — I hope we can talk it out. “Yeah,” I lied. Bryce nodded slowly as if something bothered him but that was short-lived. He smiled after. “That’s… that's actually good to hear,” he trailed o
We arrived at the manor an hour later. My mind was all fuzzy. After what Bryce said, my brain seemed to malfunction. I couldn’t think of anything but the sensation of his lips brushing against mine, how it turns me on, and the words he said that disturbed my whole system. Damn him!“You arrived safely, my lady,” Sheldon declared. “The Marquis is waiting for you inside.”“Has his grace already heard about the commotion?” I asked. Sheldon looked at me and nodded his head. “News sure flies so fucking fast.” I commented. “May I advise my lady to watch your words when talking with His Grace,” Sheldon declared. I nodded my head. I, at least, knew that much. Henry Vergara isn't someone I can be casual with. Even if I am his daughter-in-law.“My lady, please consider my advice,” Sheldon declared. I forced a smile. What's up with them now? Not only did he seem to be anxious but the way Bryce acted now and Henry's sudden visit showed that there was something going on. Internal affairs, if I
I closed my eyes. So this wasn’t the first time that Ace did this? Not that it was a shocking truth. It was not that hard to understand their situation. Anyone who has the clue can guess as much.Ace was hidden from the public. The whole world knows that the Marquis had only one heir and it was Bryce. Ace can have fun by borrowing Bryce’s identity.But why was Ace, Bryce's identical twin, being hidden? What prompted them to do such an act?“I guess I’ve been tolerating your actions too much these days, Ace.” Bryce's face darkened. “Don’t forget your place,” he added. Ace’s jaw clenched. He turned his back and walked out without saying anything which took me by surprise. What the hell was that? That is so not like him. From the very short time that I came to know him, he seemed like the type to put up a fight. “Let’s go.” Bryce grabbed my hand and dragged me into his car. Both of us sat in the back while his bodyguards sat in front. They drove the car without saying a word or two. N
“In the count of three, crouch down while covering your head. Do you understand?” Bryce mouthed. I nodded my head. He didn’t give me time to react or ask questions after that. As soon as I nodded my head, he immediately started counting. Gunshots from different sides started firing. Bryce hugged my whole body as if protecting me from bullets. I wasn’t shaken even after hearing those loud gunshots but knowing that Bryce was covering me with his body put me in an alarming situation. If there was one word that could describe him best, it would be nonchalant. How dare he throw himself in such a situation?! Who does he think he is?! Superman? Damn it!I struggled a bit to push him away from me but he tightened his grip even more. “Stay still, woman,” he declared. “You should know how to behave yourself in situations like this.”“I can handle myself, Bryce! What if you get shot?! Stop putting yourself in danger!”“Are you worried?” he asked. I couldn’t answer so he once again asked: “Are
“Don’t worry, Bryce,” I declared. “I won’t.” I looked him in the eyes. “I will never love you. Ever. That's a promise.”If I was a little doubtful that my hunch was right back then — that there was something wrong about this whole setup — now I am sure of it. There really is something wrong about this. I just can’t figure out what it is. He hugged me tightly making me lose my composure. He kissed my hair and groaned as he rested his head on my neck. I felt like my whole system rambled. Damn! For fuck’s sake, how could he be this intimate after telling me not to fall for him? After telling me that he'll never love me, he'll be this caring and sweet? It doesn’t make any sense to me. He was confusing me.And moreover, he smelled of alcohol as if he just had a drink before coming here. He was too drunk.“I can’t lose you too,” he murmured again. “I just can’t. If I lose you too, it will be the end of me.”I had no idea what he was talking about. It was as if he was seeing me as someone I
Bryce's jaw was clenching as he walked towards the shop from where I was standing. He looked like he was ready to kill someone. His forehead creased and his brows knitted. I know he was cursing underneath his breath based on his angry looks. I just stared at him confusedly. What's up with him now? For him to show such an angry face is quite rare… really rare. I couldn’t even see him frown in the past. I couldn’t even read what was in his mind each time our paths crossed, especially when he was talking to me. He was always emotionless. Nobody was ever able to read what was on his mind and no one had ever made him show emotions. I was so sure of that, so what triggered him to be this angry that he was now showing it?He stood up in front of me after entering the shop. “You didn’t answer my calls.”“Huh?”He sighed. “Check your phone, Leigh.”I looked at my handbag placed on the table a few meters away from me. “My phone’s in my bag,” I answered. I looked at him with my brows furrowed.