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ALAYNAI feel miraculously light the next morning. I don’t have a fever anymore. But I’m late for work—it’s already nine, according to the clock on my wall—though Casey’s no longer next to me, so I think she probably made breakfast. But even then, I get ready for work and take the last medicine capsule. Cassius’s note makes me smile.Don’t forget to take this. I’ll see you later - CassiusI briefly spoke to him last night because I was too lazy to get up. But when he checked my fever I was only pretending to be asleep, and then he left.There’s no one around the dining area when I slip in, so I go to my kitchen to continue my daily routine when Ms. Lennie enters.“Good morning, Ms. Lennie,” I greet, almost singing while I’m putting on my apron.“Good morning.” She looks at me curiously. “Are you sure you can work now, dear?”“I slept the whole day yesterday. I’m bored.” I glance at the schedule. Brandon wants a salmon en papillote. A French dish.“Are you sure?”I nod. “Absolutely sur
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During my free time, I often study new recipes... There are thousands of dishes yet to try. I always love challenging myself to grow, and I have a dish in mind for today. It’s a fusion of cuisines from five different countries—Indian, Turkish, Chinese, Thai, and French. I’m not sure how to pull that off, but I think this is a fascinating idea. It’s going to be unique, rare, but very delicious.Somehow, I want to share this with Brandon. At the back of my mind, if I can’t win his heart, I will win his stomach. Though thinking about this is already pointless, I’m still thrilled about the idea. It’s still my job to please him with my cooking skills after all. He’s got another request for dinner, I know, but he’s never complained about the meals I served him before.I look for the ingredients; I never run out of supplies in this house, thanks to Ms. Lennie, so I have gathered all that I need.I cook small portions of the five dishes each. I pause for a moment and think very carefully abou
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BRANDONThe Underground is frenetic when I arrive at the Wolf’s sanctuary. They’ve made the first floor a nightclub that requires an entry ticket.A woman in a red leather suit with some tribal ink on her neck approaches me, showing me the way to their leader. I’m surprised that Oliver had set this place up for them; it makes me realize he is capable of bigger things, and that I need him now more than ever.When he first introduced me to the idea of getting the mob to our side, I was hesitant. The Katrakis family had been working with these kinds of people for a very long time now, and it made them even more powerful. I didn’t want to consider it. I declined the idea whenever Oliver was pressing it to me. I believed the only people we could trust were ourselves.But Oliver has been persistent, and he rarely insists on anything. He provided me every piece of information he had about them; how they worked, where they came from, their mission, and their purpose. Honestly, it was the very
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ALAYNAThe food I prepared for Brandon last night went back to my station untouched. Ms. Lennie said he came home at four-thirty in the morning before I woke up, so he likely won’t need to be served breakfast. I don’t care when he comes back, but I hate it when food goes to waste. I remember telling him that before.Casey is early today too. She catches me still preparing for Brandon’s lunch at my station. She’s been busy with her special online classes since we weren’t able to talk.I’m reinventing the recipe I made last night as well because I don’t want to give up. Brandon has to taste this, whether he ordered it or not. The dish is Asian as my base is rice. I perfected it now, so I’m confident.“That looks good. Can I taste it?” Casey asks, looking down at my new invention. Anyway, I’m already finished with Brandon’s request.“Oops! I need to add more. Just one more touch.” I heat the Dong Po Rou on the stove. It’s a traditional braised pork belly, chopped into fine pieces, and th
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In Lawrence, I grew up not only with my twelve adopted siblings but with three other kids close to my age. Jason, his older brother Christopher, and Arianna Valentine. They were the children of a very kind couple who lived across from our house. However, an ill-fated tragedy befell their family and they lost both their parents. Mom and Dad adopted them, along with our still growing family.They’re not merely my neighborhood friends but my siblings—at least that’s what we all thought and promised back then. In their hearts, I belong to their small family.We shared many things. Arianna used to be my playmate even before the adoption. We bathed together as babies. Our mothers were best friends. We all went to high school together, slept in the same room, shared clothes, celebrated holidays and birthdays. We had the same taste in food, had our first crushes together, cried, fought... we’re practically inseparable. And Jason and Chris would fight those who would try to bully us like the d
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As we talk after our lovely little dinner, we drink by the pool and walk by the fence. We share a good laugh talking about his friends; sometimes, he’ll make a joke. This is the night I find out he’s had at least eighteen girlfriends in the past.“That’s too many,” I comment.“How about you?”A beat passes. “Four.”“You paused.”I pat his arm and giggle. The wine is probably affecting me. “I paused because I want to make sure of my answer, and I’m sure that it’s four!”“I guess there are some you didn’t count.”I shrug. “Maybe.” Now, he’s probably thinking, I might be one of those people. “I don’t usually commit.”Cassius gulps the last drop of his wine. “I can understand, and that’s what makes you difficult to have.”We both stare at the skyline, and an awkward silence follows. But then we speak at the same time.“So...”We laugh again, and the sound he makes warms me.“You first,” I say, emptying my glass.“Aren’t you cold?”“No, but that’s what you were going to say?”He chuckles.
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A few days later, I haven’t decided, but all I can think of is our conversation that night. I perform my usual routine like a robot, but my mind is elsewhere. Brandon and my answer to his question, Oliver is still missing, my growing mixed feelings for Cassius, Pauline’s status in Brandon’s life, and last but not least, the card Jason left days ago.I spoke to Mom the other day about Jason, and she indeed saw them right after I left Lawrence.“Hey, Mom, um, this is about Jason...” I bit my lip, then chuckled nervously. “He found me here in New York, and I’m sure he’s with the rest, Chris and Arianna. Have you perhaps met them there? It’s kind of impossible, right? Since they were suddenly gone... And...” I sighed. “I’m asking just in case it was you....”“Honey, I wanted to surprise you,” she told me excitedly as if their sudden farewell hadn’t bothered her before. She cried when they left too.“Did they tell you why they left?”“Oh.” She clicked her tongue. “I told you many times. Th
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“Where are you going, Laynie?” Cassius calls from the kitchen as I stomp away.“Where else? Your cousin needs to wake up,” I yell back and march outside. I go to Brandon’s study first, expecting him to still be there since it’s where I delivered his food, but he’s not. I invade his room too, but he’s not there either, so I enter the passage from his bedroom to his library.I look down from the library’s second floor, and I find him by his desk alone.Brandon is looking so magnificent in his snug black vest and white shirt as he sits on the edge of a desk, holding a tablet. He is frowning at the screen, so he must be working. But screw that. He has to hear what I have to say.I march down from the first floor and lock the door to prevent an intruder from coming in. He doesn’t seem to notice my presence until I clear my throat.His eyes brighten at the sight of me, but he keeps his face impassive. “Alayna.”“We need to talk.”His eyebrows knit together. “What is this about?”“I told you
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BRANDON They said nothing lasts forever, but that phrase might not be entirely true. Yes, I’ve lived a wretched life in the past. I was driven by guilt, anger, and revenge for as long as I could remember. I couldn’t do anything because I thought I was weak. I thought it was how I was going to die. Hopeless and a failure. Until she came into my life and changed everything. Alayna turned my world upside down and showed me a different side of reality I hadn’t yet seen. She made me realize it wasn’t too late to hope or win—the exact opposite of what I had lived for all along. For when I was hopeless, she showed me hope. I felt despair; she granted me peace. I thought I had more guilt than anyone else in the world, but she gave me her love. With her, my journey truly begins. Our marriage. My forever. We should enjoy every second of it now in a summer townhouse resort in Varkiza, one of the estates we owned in Athens. I am now tangling my wife’s hair as she devours my shaft by the
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I walk them to the end of the venue, greeting the guests as we pass. Then I meet up with Cary and Stan by the garden’s exit. The twins step aside to introduce me to a man of nearly sixty—who did his best to appear formal with the suit I sent him. I immediately recognize the features of his face.The man opens his arms. “Brandon, my favorite boy…”I approach him immediately and briefly drape my arm around his shoulder. “Uncle Basil, you came.”“Of course. I won’t miss your special day.”“Um, hello?” Casey steps forward and joins in.“Ah, it must be you now. You’re Elysia,” Uncle Basil says. I step back, giving them space.Casey blushes. “I go with a different name now, um… but…”“No, you are Elysia. Elga’s younger sister. I held you as a baby.” He smiles in awe. “You look so much like your brother and your father—Oh!”Casey instantly embraces him. “Brandon said you look like him too.”Our uncle nods, stroking her back. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, child.”She snivels. “I alread
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BRANDON“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride…”My wife selected a garden house by the beach in East Hampton for our wedding. Her dream wedding. She looked exceptionally royal in her white long trail wedding dress today. Omar did a remarkable job, as usual. I honestly can’t wait for this celebration to end, so I can finally have my wife for myself.Alayna wanted an intimate celebration with our families, but some press always finds a way to invite themselves. At least a hundred people are present today to witness our most awaited union compared to the five hundred who attended our engagement party.My beautiful wife is now in my arms, having our first dance as a married couple.“Hello, husband. You look very handsome.” She traces the line of my suit with her fingertips, and the diamond wrap around her finger flickers.“You look like I’m ready to eat you.”She giggles, and I always love the sound of it. “Behave,” she says, but her smile says otherwise.I raise a
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ALAYNAOne week later“Senator Donovan Mallory is arrested for child trafficking, distributing child pornography, and the murder of Dr. Richard Hart, the former chair of Lifeline Foundation. The trial for his case will begin in two weeks…”The report switches the frame over to a desperate old man being hauled by the cops.“Let me go! This is not over yet! The mayor of Seattle is mentally sick! Do you hear me? I cannot accept this! He is lying!” he yells over the reporters surrounding him in front of the courthouse.“This is Luis Crawford from AAC News, reporting.”Cassius shuts off the news. We are now gathered in the living room, silently waiting for someone to speak.Last week, Cassius and Carmelo visited the senator to let him know Drake abducted me, but he only chased them away and denied his son. He told them he had no business in Drake’s escapades. However, during Drake’s interview, he disclosed everything he knew about his father and apologized to me in public.“Drake didn’t me
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Brandon returns with a bare torso, flaunting his delicious abs and toned muscles. He’s changed into gray sweatpants. I watch him turn off some lights, raise the thermostat, and turn the stereo on.“Get onto the bed and lie down,” he says while heading toward me.We now have pleasant room temperature, dim, romantic lights, and a mellow piece of music.Okay. I’m not getting dressed then.I slide my buttocks along the bed’s cushion and move over the middle. I swallow dryly.Brandon crawls on the bed. Gradually, he positions himself on top of me and snatches off my robe.“Let me just remind you…” he whispers. “You asked for this. You’re too persistent that I have to do something about it.” He pushes himself up then yanks down his pants and boxers without breaking eye contact. His erect shaft swells up.No matter how many times I see him in this state, I just can’t get enough. Everything about him is just too beautiful. At times, I find him hard to handle.He lowers himself again. “Spread
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ALAYNAMy body aches everywhere, but I stiffen. It hurts too much to move.I’m still alive.Right, yes. I remembered being saved, and I saw Oliver’s face. He told me Brandon came.Around me, I smell antiseptic and undertones of the artificial fragrance. Judging by the scent of my surroundings, I’m aware of where I am. Bit by bit, I blink my eyes and try to open them.My beautiful man’s face is the first thing I see.“Hi…”He kisses my knuckles and brings my palm to his face. “Hey.”I force a smile. “I love you.”His eyes redden and start to swell. “I love you too.”“Oh, don’t cry. I can still feel my limbs—no broken bones. No sign of permanent damage,” I manage a joke, chuckling.“Don’t,” he says gruffly. “You scared me back there.”I grunt, adjusting my back. “But you saved me. Like always. What is it about restrooms? Dangerous place.”“Very.” He frowns hard, remembering the past. “Back then, it was different. Next time, you don’t leave alone, okay?”I nod. “Next time.” I brush away
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BRANDONReporters disperse in front of the hospital when I arrive after a call from Oliver, but I’m more anxious about Alayna’s state. What did this son of a bitch do to her? I still have no idea what happened because Ollie and Stan don’t have time to explain everything.I break through the crowd that won’t let us pass. Some reporters ask about me, that fucker Drake, and his crime, but most are random; I can’t understand them. My mind is somewhere else to even try to fucking understand, so I couldn’t care less. I need to see my fiancée right away.“Just keep going. I’m right behind you,” Jason instructs, then he and some security block the reporters and let me through.“We are not answering questions for now, please. Give my family some privacy!” he yells, and his voice trails off as I go further.Oliver is impatiently treading back and forth in front of the emergency room while on the phone. Stan, on the other hand, is sitting quietly on the bench as if in deep thought.“Oliver. Stan
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ALAYNAI have fallen asleep on the couch. It’s already morning. I’m not in my bed, nor Brandon’s penthouse, but in an unfamiliar room somewhere in Wichita. It turns out I’m not dreaming. The devil who’s asleep on the bed right now really kidnapped me.He’s sleeping! Maybe I can get away…I cover my mouth from squealing at the possible opportunity to get away from Drake.I take light steps toward the bed to make sure he’s unconscious. Drake’s forehead is wrinkled, and exhaustion is marked on the lines of his face. He must be unsettled with all this bullshit he got himself into, but he’s clearly tired because no matter how difficult the nightmares are, he doesn’t wake. I know because I’ve seen him in this state in the past. Whenever he was anxious, he’d just sleep it out.I instantly think of making a call, so I need a phone. Brandon has to know where I am. So bravely, I sneak back to the living room and open Drake’s stuff. I dig inside his suitcase to look for his phone and money. I ne
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I knock on the door of an old townhouse, then a dark-blonde-haired woman appears at the door. She smiles when she sees us, but the bliss on her face quickly fades and turns into confusion.“Jason?” she says.Jason frowns. “Mariel?”“You know her?” I ask him.“Yes, she’s in the gang with me. I mean, was. Mariel Miller. What are you doing here?”The woman’s face turns red. “I don’t know why you’re here, but you need to leave.” She glances at me but then attempts to shut the door. However, Jason is swift. He shoves himself to the door and steps inside.“Mariel. I am asking you a question. Why are you here?” Jason questions as he steps further. I follow him.“She’s his sister. The twins found out in the family records,” I say. I see quite a resemblance.Jason nods, then shifts his attention back to the woman. “Where is Drake, Mariel?”She steps back. “He’s not here.”“But you’re expecting him.”She doesn’t answer.“You vanished, and now you’re here? You’re Drake’s sister?”She nods.Jason
