Kylie
I could taste every drop of alcohol as it flowed down my throat while everyone around me cheered in delight. I didn't know why I was doing this, but one thing was certain—I wanted to escape. I wanted to break free from the pain weighing down my heart. I was tired of sulking in a corner, but I also didn't know how to face all of this. It hurt me to see myself suffering, but it seemed like I had no other choice but to flee from reality.
"Drink more, Kylie!" shouted Vaness, my cousin, with a teasing and mocking tone. She wasn't my real cousin, but she was the closest relative I had in our new family setup. I grabbed another glass and downed it, hoping that every drop of alcohol would wash away the wounds in my soul.
As the night deepened and the drinks piled up, I felt the pain in my heart slowly fading. But despite my efforts to forget everything, the weight of my emotions seemed to grow heavier. I carried every heartache and problem with me as I forced myself to smile. I couldn’t shake off the burden left by Mom, especially since I couldn’t understand why everything had to change after she was gone. We were a wealthy family, but no amount of money could heal the wounds in my heart and soul.
Since Mom's passing, my life had lost its direction. She was gone, but what I couldn’t accept was how quickly Dad replaced her—almost immediately after her death. After Mom's first death anniversary, he remarried Auntie. I couldn't understand why he had to do it, why he had to hurt me like this. Every quiet night when I was alone, I kept asking myself, "Why?" But there seemed to be no answer. Mom’s memories were like wounds that refused to heal.
I wanted to wake Dad up from his delusion, but how? I had no choice but to remain silent. Auntie had him under her control, and even though I knew it was wrong, I didn’t know how to bring him back to the way he was. Sometimes, it felt like he was angrier at me than at the people responsible for Mom’s loss. The once happy and loving family had gradually disappeared, leaving me with nothing but grief and hopelessness.
I avoided all of this by drinking and going to places like this—a bar filled with noise and laughter. With each gulp of alcohol, I felt myself distancing from reality, but in truth, I was only sinking deeper into the abyss of my problems. Yet, the weight on my chest remained, especially since they were forcing me to marry Atlas, even though I didn’t love him. I didn’t know why my life had turned out this way. Why did I have to suffer for decisions I never wanted? I had everything material, but I lacked the freedom to choose my own destiny.
“Kylie, it’s your turn again!” shouted Vaness, snapping me back from my deep thoughts. I frowned at what she said.
“Me? I just finished drinking,” I replied, with a hint of exhaustion in my voice.
“What are you talking about, cousin? Better to drink more. Don’t worry about Uncle, I’ll take care of you this time, okay?” Vaness said, flashing a mischievous smile.
I gave in. I nodded and grabbed another glass, trying to drown the pain with alcohol. But as time passed, the heat in my body grew worse. The room started to spin, and I felt like I was losing myself. Every sound of music that surrounded the bar seemed to penetrate my mind, matching my drunkenness. I felt the heaviness in my eyes, but I couldn’t bring myself to close them. I wanted to scream, I wanted to lash out, but I didn’t know where to find the strength to do so.
"Hey, you should stop, Kylie," said a woman whose face I couldn’t make out. Everything was spinning, and it felt like the heat was intensifying.
"Let her be, Kylie’s happy right now. Why do you have to stop her?" Vaness replied, a hint of irritation in her voice.
I froze when I heard Atlas's name. They said he was on his way to pick me up. Suddenly, I panicked. I didn’t want to go with him. I stood up, even though I was dizzy, and decided to leave. But with every step I took, it felt like the ground beneath me was pulling me down. It felt like I was underwater, struggling to breathe, and every movement was slow as if I had no control over my own body.
“Do you want to rest for a while? You can go to my room, I’ll just tell Atlas you decided to sleep here,” Vaness suggested, her voice full of concern.
“I didn’t get a room here,” I replied, trying to clear my vision.
“Just use my room, room 508. Come on, I’ll take you there,” she said, handing me the key.
“Thanks, Vaness, but I can manage. You can come up later,” I replied, forcing a smile, even though the whole world seemed to be spinning. I wanted to get to the room as soon as possible, to rest and escape from all of this, even if just for a little while.
When I reached that floor, I tried to focus on the numbers to find the door. I saw the numbers 5 and 0, and despite the spinning room, I tried using Vaness’s key. Every step felt heavy, and my body didn’t feel like my own. It was as if some force was compelling me to open that door.
The door opened, and I immediately went inside. I didn’t even mind the strange smell inside—a masculine scent. My eyes were nearly closing from exhaustion and drunkenness. I took off my clothes because of the heat I felt and lay down on the bed, tired and dizzy. All I could think about was falling asleep to escape reality, even for a few hours. But as I lay there, I felt a strange heat in my body, something that made me feel both excited and nervous.
I noticed something hard beside me—it was warm, like a human body. I suddenly sat up in shock, but the person beside me quickly grabbed me and pinned me down, covering my mouth with his hand.
He was naked. I could feel the heat of his body, and the hardness pressing against my stomach. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t. The heat in my body seemed to flare up even more when I felt his breath on my neck. Every breath he took felt like fire igniting my emotions, deepening the confusion and fear I felt.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice low and heavy. In the darkness of the room, I couldn’t make out his face. But his voice—it sounded familiar, a voice that brought me back to a part of my past I wanted to forget.
I couldn’t answer, terrified and confused. But my body—it seemed to have a mind of its own. Every touch of his brought a strange sensation, and I couldn’t explain why. I didn’t know whether to be afraid or to give in. Every move he made seemed to strip away pieces of my sanity, unraveling all the defenses I had built up.
"F*ck," I heard him mutter. He suddenly began to explore my body, and I clung to his muscular, naked arm. His hands were cold, but his body was warm. Every touch of his was like a wave of fire burning away all my inhibitions.
"Please... stop," I whispered, but it was as if he didn’t hear me. Or maybe I didn’t really want him to stop? I was confused, and I didn’t know what was real and what was wrong. With every passing second, my body grew hotter, as if some inexplicable force was pushing me to give in to him.
"Do you want this?" he asked suddenly, his voice full of desire. I couldn’t answer. I was conflicted, but my body seemed to be leading me into sin. His eyes, even in the dark, looked like those of a predator ready to devour its prey. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him, as if something was compelling me to surrender.
Instead of resisting, I leaned in and kissed him. I was going mad, but it seemed like I couldn’t stop myself. Every kiss from him was like poison slowly eroding my sanity, dragging me into a state of madness and desire.
He started to move, and the heat from his body began to spread across my skin. Every touch of his brought a sensation I had never felt before. His fingers were like flames lighting up every part of my body, deepening my confusion and fear.
"Do you really want this?" he asked again, but this time, I knew the answer. Did I really want this? Or was I just drunk and caught up in the heat of the moment? My mind was filled with questions, but there were no answers. My heart was conflicted, but my body was answering for me.
His hands traveled lower, and I felt the warmth of his skin against my own. I didn’t know how this would end, but at that moment, the only thing that mattered was what I was feeling. The heat of his body, the weight of his hands, every move he made—all of it brought a strange sensation I couldn’t explain.
My heart was pounding, and I felt like I was losing myself in my own body. I didn’t know how this would end, but I knew there was no turning back. With every passing second, I was falling deeper into a pit I had no intention of escaping.
He suddenly let go of my mouth, and at that moment, I made my decision. I responded to his kiss as if it was the last time I would feel this kind of desire. But behind all of it, there was still a lingering fear—a fear that I was losing myself, a fear that I was giving in to something that could never be undone. Yet, in that moment, the fear seemed to fuel the fire within me even more.
He moved closer, his body pressing against mine, and I could feel his heart pounding in sync with mine. The heat between us was almost unbearable, and every touch seemed to ignite a new spark of desire. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and emotion, but my body knew exactly what it wanted. It craved the release, the escape, the oblivion that only he could provide.
I gasped as his lips trailed down my neck, leaving a burning sensation in their wake. His hands roamed over my body with a possessive urgency, as if he was claiming every inch of me for himself. I could feel the tension building between us, the pressure mounting with every passing second.
My breath came in ragged gasps as I arched against him, giving in to the overwhelming need that had taken hold of me. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only him, only this moment, and the intense connection that bound us together.
His voice, low and rough, echoed in my ears as he murmured something I couldn’t quite make out. But the meaning was clear enough—there was no turning back now. We were both caught in the same storm, and there was no escape.
And then, with one final surge of heat and passion, the world shattered around us. The tension that had been building finally broke, and we were both swept away in the torrent of emotions that followed. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered release—a moment where nothing else mattered but the two of us, lost in the depths of our own desire.
As the storm subsided, we lay there in the dark, our bodies still entwined, the aftermath of our shared madness leaving us breathless and spent. The reality of what had just happened began to creep back in, but for now, I didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want to face the consequences, the questions, the guilt.
All I wanted was to hold on to this fleeting moment of escape, to pretend that, for just a little while longer, everything was okay. That I was okay. And that maybe, just maybe, I had found a way to forget, even if only for a night.
KylieAfter everything that happened, I stumbled into the bathroom, my body still trembling from the intensity of our encounter. The lingering heat between my thighs and the sheen of sweat covering my skin reminded me of how wild and passionate it had been. I needed to clean myself, to wash away the evidence of our shared hunger. The cool water would help soothe the fever still burning inside me, a fever stoked by alcohol and the relentless desire that seemed impossible to quench.I turned on the shower, letting the cold water rain down on me, hoping it would cool the fire within. The shock of the cold made me shiver, but it was a welcome relief from the heat that had consumed me. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back as the water cascaded over my face, washing away the sweat and the haze of alcohol. For a moment, I let myself drift, trying to reclaim a sense of normalcy after the whirlwind of emotions and sensations that had overtaken me.But just as I began to find some peace, I fe
KylieI woke up to a splitting headache, my body aching from the aftermath of last night. The throbbing pain reminded me of how intense things had gotten. We didn’t just do it once; we went at it multiple times. I turned my head to the side, curious to see who I had spent the night with. That’s when I truly appreciated Rage’s face. Even in sleep, he looked striking—his strong, chiseled features, the sharp bridge of his nose, and his mestizo complexion.It’s ironic how peaceful he looks while sleeping, yet so wild and untamed in bed. I never imagined my first time would be so memorable, and he made sure it was, exceeding all my expectations.I hadn’t anticipated anything happening between us. After all, we don’t love each other. But the way he pleasured me was something I hadn’t expected. He was incredibly skilled, leaving no doubt in my mind that women probably chased after him for more. It’s easy to see why they would—he’s the kind of man you’d crave again and again.I swallowed hard
KylieI don’t know why I’m still here. They won’t ask for my opinion on business matters since Dad knows he won’t get anything useful from me. But I’m here because they want Atlas to marry me for their own selfish reasons.I glance at Vaness, noticing the irritation and frustration etched on her face. I know exactly how much she wants Atlas. I’ve always known this day would come; it’s clear that she’s not genuine in her actions and that envy has always simmered beneath the surface.“Kylie,” Atlas calls my name, pulling me out of my thoughts. I take a deep breath, turning to face him with an expression devoid of any emotion. To me, Atlas is just a friend—nothing more. But that changed when he confessed his feelings for me. Since then, I’ve grown even more distant from him, especially after learning about the arranged marriage.
Kylie I sat by the pool, lost in thought, mulling over the things I had overheard earlier. I didn’t know how I would tell Dad about it; he never listens to me anyway, especially when it comes to matters I deem important.“So, this is where you’ve been hiding.” Atlas’s voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up at him and sighed deeply. I didn’t understand why he kept coming around, especially when he knew I couldn’t reciprocate the feelings he had for me. But he continued to approach me, undeterred.He took a seat beside me, but I didn’t acknowledge him, too preoccupied with my own thoughts. “Are you really not going to talk to me?” he asked gently.“Why are you here, Atlas? Haven’t I been clear enough about my feelings toward you? Why do you still want to marry me?” I asked, my voice tinged with frustra
Kylie We went to the hospital just as Atlas suggested. I was starting to feel better, so I told him we didn't need to go, but his concern was overwhelming, so we continued. While waiting for the results in one of the rooms, I was startled when the door suddenly opened and my father walked in, accompanied by my aunt.My heart skipped a beat. What were they doing here? We hadn't informed them that Atlas and I were at the hospital, so how did they find out?“Dad, what are you doing here? I thought you were at the office?” I asked, trying to mask the anxiety in my voice.“We came home early, and the maids told us you and Atlas came here. What happened?” His voice was laced with worry. I didn’t expect him to be this concerned about me.“Nothing yet, uncle. We’re still waiting for Kylie’s results,” Atlas responded, and my father nodded, though the concern in his eyes didn’t waver.“You didn’t need to come here. We can handle this on our own. It’s better if you wait for us outside. It’s emb
KylieWe were standing before them—Dad, Aunt Celeste, and now Vaness—facing the inevitable. My heart raced as I saw the expression on their faces. They could sense that something was off, and I could feel the weight of what was about to happen.I wanted to stop Atlas. This wasn’t his responsibility. He didn’t need to carry this burden, yet the determination in his eyes was undeniable. He wanted this—to stand by my side, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness and freedom. The sadness that washed over me was suffocating. He was willing to give up so much to form a family, just to help me."What do you have to say?" Dad’s voice was sharp, demanding. His gaze, more intense than I had ever felt, made the air between us heavy.The tension in the room thickened further when Vaness arrived. She looked at us, her face hard with confusion and suspicion.“What’s going on here, Aunt?” I heard her ask Aunt Celeste.“Well, they’ve been standing there for a while, but still, nothing’s come o
Kylie Once we reached my room, Atlas shut the door behind us, and the silence between us grew louder. I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as I rested them on my lap. He knelt down in front of me, his hands resting on my knees, his warm touch grounding me."Kylie," he began, his voice low and steady. "We need to talk about what just happened."I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "Atlas, I’m sorry," I whispered. "I never meant for any of this to happen. You shouldn’t have to deal with this."He sighed, his thumb gently tracing circles on my knee. "I told you, I’ll help you through this. But we need to be careful. Vaness won’t let this go. She’s determined to find out the truth."I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "You don’t have to keep pretending, Atlas," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want you to suffer because of me. I never should’ve dragged you into this."He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes were f
Kylie The air was different in New York. Colder, sharper. The moment I stepped off the plane, the city’s unfamiliar sounds washed over me like a wave—horns blaring, people talking in hurried voices, and the constant hum of life moving at a relentless pace. It was nothing like home.But that was the point.I clutched my suitcase tightly, my heart pounding in my chest. This was my new life now, far away from the drama and tension that had defined everything back home. Far away from the cold judgment of my father and the scheming eyes of Celeste and Vaness. Here, I was just Kylie. Not the daughter of a wealthy businessman, not the woman caught in a web of lies. Just me.My grandmother was waiting for me at the airport, her face lighting up as soon as she saw me. Her gray hair was pulled into a neat bun, and she wore the same kind of warm, practical clothes I remembered from