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Fear and Loyalty
Last Updated:
2024-11-13 23:16:01
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The Crimson Trail of Death A Temporary Refuge
[Sierra's POV]"Follow me, dear," the woman uttered as I raised my gaze to catch a glimpse of her image. It was the same woman who had opened the door and welcomed me in with a smile.I gently stood up, following her as she led me through the hall. My eyes fell on many maids busy with their duties, tidying up the mansion. The walls were high and the halls were wide.It felt like it was going to take forever to arrive at where we were heading when I noticed a halt in the woman's footsteps. She turned her gaze, meeting mine."This is your room, my dear," she said with a smile lighting up her lips.I took a peek into the room, my legs hesitating at first before I eventually entered, taking in the room's grandeur. There was a fresh display of artwork on the wall side, a dazzling shade of steel that roamed around the area. I had never seen something as nice as that; all my nose had been able to presume for years were the scents of burnt tobacco and alcohol. I would say I had become used to
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"No. Stay away!" I screamed, my hands lifted up, with my gaze downcast. Within seconds, I noticed something bright as the room became clear. My eyes caught the strange legs, which remained paused as I slowly raised my gaze, only for it to land on Adrian, gazing at me with a furrowed brow.So it was him all along. I let out a sigh of relief, lowering my hands, which had sprung up for protection, as my eyes remained fixed on his.What was he doing here anyway? And couldn't he respond when I was asking who he was? Instead, he remained quiet, walking closer, leaving my heart racing.But yet, could my reaction really be that I feared for my life? After the incident with the men chasing me, my uncle's words and cruelty, a side of fear remained lingering inside me. A display of if I don't act first, the next encounter with them could possibly be my last."Hey!" Adrian snapped me from my thoughts."W-why are you here?" I stammered, trying to catch my wordings. "What are you planning?" I questi
Last Updated : 2024-11-14The Crimson Trail of Death A Moment of Belonging
The morning sunlight gleamed through as my eyes jolted awake, welcoming the new day. Reminded of last night, I sighed. The contract and Adrian's words lingered in my mind."California?" I whispered to myself."You are awake?" A voice caught my attention as my eyes landed on Malisa standing at the doorstep. I had no idea how long she had been there. I watched her gently approach, her ever-wavering smile painted on her face."Oh, morning, Aunt Malisa," I said, managing to sit up on the bed.Her eyebrows arched, eyes widening. "Aunt?" She uttered."Yeah... is it okay if I call you Aunt?" I blurted, but didn't hope to take back my words. Arriving here, her smile and kindness somehow sparked a different mood around me. It was a comforting side that always reminded me of my mother and her love. She was one who looked at me with so much care even though knowing me for just a day."I surely don't mind, dear. You can call me whatever you want, and I shall accept it wholeheartedly," she said wi
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"Have you gotten her size?" Adrian's voice cut through the air."I was about to—" Aunt Malisa began, but before she could finish her words, he interrupted."Don't tell me you haven't taken her size." His voice was sharp, and I watched as a startled, pale look washed over Aunt Malisa's face.I wanted to cut in. This was all wrong—his tone towards her, every single bit of it."Gazing upon the dress she is wearing, I know the perfect size fit for the rest of her dresses, boss," she said, her voice trembling."Then why are you still here and not getting them?" Adrian snapped."I'm sorry, I will go get them," Aunt Malisa uttered with a downcast gaze as I watched her leave the room.Adrian remained standing at the side, his eyebrow furrowed as his eyes landed on me."And why are you still seated there? Shouldn't you be getting dressed up?" he sneered, his eyes narrowing as they remained fixed on me, as though they waited for me to succumb to his words and give in to his order."I can't poss
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I found myself seated on the bed as the three makeup artists stood around me. One of them kept gazing at me, scanning my face every second, which only made me feel uncomfortable."I think a light makeup look will do," I heard the guy, or whatever he was, utter, his hands placed at his jaw, while he addressed the other two girls, who took notice of me.I just wanted all of this to be over with, every single bit of it. My only focus was on finding Aunt Malisa and checking if she was alright. His attitude and behaviour were something I couldn't quite understand. The last thing I wanted was to be bound under the grasp of another man, to be seen as nothing in their eyes and tossed aside like nothing, but I thought things would be different after I signed the contract. Yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling of his actions today, which left me wandering in my thoughts of who he truly was, a hope lingering that the rumors proved false and it was all just gossip.Now that I was trapped with him
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I watched as he walked further, taking a seat and opening up his food. His eyes landed on mine, still fixed on him, and I quickly retracted them, returning my gaze to my food."You must be Sierra, right?" he asked, causing my gaze to raise and meet his. It seemed he knew me; maybe Adrian had told him. But wait did he also tell him about the contract agreement and my current role here?"Yeah, I am," I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible."Hey! Be careful with that!" Adrian yelled at one of the maids who was holding a painting. His snap almost caused me to jolt in an instant."Just let it be, Adrian. We are in the dining room. And please learn not to shout at one of those maids again," the man uttered. "Alright, Uncle Gavin," Adrian responded as he continued his food, leaving a slight stun on me. I guessed he was the only one Adrian stood to listen to, maybe..."Sorry about that, dear," Uncle Gavin said, his eyes meeting mine."And why are you apologizing to her? I mean, shouldn
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"Did you forget something, dear?" A voice caught my attention as I turned to witness Uncle Gavin waiting for me."No," I replied, walking out of the mansion. I was led to one of the cars, entering the back seat as I watched a man enter the front seat, whom I presumed was the Driver."Good day, ma'am," he uttered with a nod. I had little idea of his words; my eyes were still fixed on the mansion, hoping I could just catch a glimpse of Aunt Malisa.The driver started the engine as he drove off. Adrian and his uncle were seated in another car, which the driver maintained trailing.My eyes remained fixed outside the car windows, gazing at the city as the car moved through the streets. My eyes caught sight of my old apartment, and a reminder of my mom echoed through my thoughts, a recollection of a time before she had fallen ill when she would come out, turn to me with a smile. We would come out when the sun cast down with the stars bright and shining.I remember when I made a promise to h
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Adrian stepped out of the car, calm and unbothered, as though the armed men were no more alarming than a doorman. Of course, this was his world, where violence was normal.The driver opened my door, jolting me back to reality. "Ma'am?" he prompted. My legs felt heavy and reluctant to move, but I forced myself to step out. The air felt thicker here, the tension palpable.The men didn't say a word, but I felt their eyes on me, assessing, judging. I wrapped my arms around myself instinctively, trying to shield against their scrutiny. My heart was racing, but I kept my face neutral, my head held high.I had to play the part, no matter how badly I wanted to turn and run.As I walked inside, entering the mansion and taking in the interior of the surrounding, which evolved with more men, a discomforting feeling washed over me.My feet screeched a bit as I almost stumbled, only to feel a steady hand helping me back to my feet. My eyes landed on Adrian."Watch your feet next time, and when we
Last Updated : 2024-11-17
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The Crimson Trail of Death The Weight of Loyalty
"Come have a seat, dear," Marc said. As I sat down, I noticed some of the men seated tried avoiding a glance at me. "So now, let's begin," Marc announced after taking a seat also. One of the men brought out what seemed like a suitcase. In it were some files. "Here are the recordings of the companies as requested Marcellus, sir," the man said, handing over the files to Marc as he checked through them. "Good," he uttered. I had no idea what this meeting was for in the first place or why my attention was needed. "It seems the rumors are true, but surely they must have the guts, trying to cheat their way through the system laid down by the De Santos," Marc said, laying the papers on the desk as I caught a glimpse of the headings. It was just a file of some listed companies, even though I couldn't see the list there. "So, what should we do, Marcellus, sir? We are ready to take action and show them the consequences of going against you, boss, but only if you give us the perm
The Crimson Trail of Death The Face of Fear
[Sierra's POV] I heard a knock at the door as I stood up, approaching the door. Opening it, I caught sight of a man standing at the doorstep. Guessing from his dressing, I was sure he was one of Marc's men. "Marcellous, sir, seeks your attention," he said. What does this old man want with me again? I recalled his words before I had left the basement the other time, saying that my attention was going to be needed soon, the words about me starting my work as the sohoe. But what work is that? One side told me it was something bloody, a path I saw myself unable to engage in. "I am coming," I replied to the man, shutting the door back. I stepped into the bathroom, splashing some water at my face. Glaring at the mirror, I released a breath. So this was it, the day I found myself unable to escape from. And now that Dominic seems to be gaining an upper hand in finding out secrets about Adrian and me, this was the time for me to act faster than I could before he finds out about me. I mus
The Crimson Trail of Death Poisoned Trust
[Adrian's POV] Walking through the hall, I found myself unable to believe what Sierra had just told me in the room. The fact that Dominic now knows. But what lingered in my thoughts was Elena. I couldn't deny one word that left Sierra's mouth, but she couldn't, why would she? I had suspected her at first about the stranger who had called me. I can't possibly suspect her about Dominic knowing as well. But then, how? Just how did Dominic know? It can't just be a slip from nowhere; someone must have let the cat out of the bag. What if it was the same stranger? I mean, what if he had called Dominic up, blurting out everything he knew? But that wasn't possible either. Even though I wanted to kill this so-called stranger, I am quite sure he was smarter than to let Dominic know. At least he claims he wants to be my ally, if that is as true as he had said, though. Still lost in thoughts, I found myself standing right at Elena's doorstep. Finding myself here already, I thought, "Why not j
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Who could have told Dominic? I mean, how did he find out? I know I should feel at ease that this wasn't about him finding out about my true identity, but this also was something I couldn't just let off so easily. First, he had figured out Adrian's plan, and now he knew that Adrian and my marriage was just a false pretense. Now I know why he didn't tell Marc about any of it—because Adrian was involved. If it was all about me, I was quite sure he would have spilled the beans. Dominic left the room after slamming the door at his back. "Now that he knows, what should I do?" I wondered in my thoughts. "But does Adrian also know that Dominic has figured it out? Oh, wait, Dominic mentioned talking to him about it, so that means he doesn't know either." I stepped out of the room, catching no sight of Dominic. I made my way to my room, entering as Adrian awaited my presence with those raging eyes. He approached me hastily. I felt a tight grasp on my hands as his eyes locked on mine in that
The Crimson Trail of Death Dominic's Discovery
I pressed my back against the wall as I watched that old man walk closer, playfully holding the pistol. My mind still wondered what he was planning on using it for. At least he wasn’t planning on killing me. Right?Dominic had asked to see him privately, and yet something about the way Dominic was glaring at me left a thought that maybe it was possibly about me. Now this made me wonder what he might have told Marc. Could it be some kind of secret, one that Marc saw as an offense?I tried turning to leave the basement only to find the door already locked. A gaze back at Marc as my breath seized, witnessing him already standing in front of me. My eyes flinched, expecting some sort of impact, but I felt nothing, which caused my eyes to open back."It's time you grow and become stronger. But first, take this," Marc said, handing over the pistol to me. But what did he mean by take? What did he intend I use a pistol for?My hands shivered as I tried grabbing the gun from Marc's grasp. His e
The Crimson Trail of Death The Basement Revelation
One side standing was Dominic, and the other was Adrian. Both eyes fixed on me."So wait, you're telling me that Uncle Marc decided to go on with the ceremony without even leaving a word? And now I'm finding out that my wife is the Sohoe of the De Santos now?" Adrian asked, breaking the silence that echoed."I don't think I need to remind you that I don't need your permission to act in my mansion," Marc snapped as all eyes turned to gaze upon him, making his way back. I had no idea where he had suddenly gone off to in the middle of the whole event."Uncle Marc, why would you..." Adrian wanted to say but paused at his words."Why would I what?" Marc cut in. This time, he had already arrived at my side. The old man who had carried out the ceremony, saying some weird words, walked up to Marc."It is completed. I have done my part. I shall take my leave now," he said, as Marc gave a greeting. "Thanks for your time, wise one." The old man gave a nod, leaving the mansion.The crowd present
The Crimson Trail of Death A Sudden Interruption
[Sierra POV]Finishing my bath, I stepped out of the room. I needed to freshen up for a moment and find some calm. A knock at my door caught my attention. "Come in," I said as I saw a group of ladies enter. They carried makeup instruments, and I could tell they were makeup artists. "But what were they doing here?" I wondered.They placed their makeup gadgets on the floor, and one approached me, giving a half-bow. "Good day, ma'am. We were hired to prepare you for the ceremony," she explained. But what ceremony?"What do you mean, and what ceremony?" I asked."It was an order from Marcellous, sir. That we get you ready for the Sohoe ceremony..." another explained.So, that explained their presence. The old man had chosen to carry out the ceremony today, the same day I had returned to the mansion without a second thought. The ceremony was what he wanted to happen next."Please, ma'am, can we proceed?" her words snapped me from my thoughts.As they opened the makeup gadgets, I witnessed
The Crimson Trail of Death Deception Uncovered
[Dominic POV]I watched as Elena let out a breath. Her words still seemed unable to find their way out. She placed the cup glass on the floor, her gaze rising to meet mine.“I know you may not believe me, but I hope you’ll still find my words true,” I heard her begin.“Just tell me what you have for me, and I will be the one to decide whether it’s worth believing or not,” I replied.Something told me that this must be about Adrian's secret doings. I mean, what else could it be? They were close friends, after all. Her being here all of a sudden, claiming to have something to tell me about him and Sierra, led me to believe it was some kind of secret Adrian chose to hide from me—possibly another one that could land him in trouble.“Before I speak, I'm quite sure you must have noticed it yourself... maybe signs or so,” she said.But why was she beating around the bush and refusing to get straight to the point? I had many things on my path, but I chose to be here, hoping her words would be
The Crimson Trail of Death Confrontation
[Adrain POV]“How did this happen, Damien? Just how…” I questioned. How was this possible?Dominic had just walked out with Sierra in his arms. Thankfully, I was able to get him not to let out any words to Uncle Marc, but what will I do when he does? That would mean my death for sure.“I have no idea how Adrian. All I heard was a gunshot only to find Dominic entering with a gun pointed at my head…” Damien replied.But how was that possible? Yet it was of no use knowing anymore. When Dominic had already figured out I was behind the kidnapping. A slight ease was left knowing he didn't know about the marriage agreement between Sierra and me yet. And I doubt he will be getting those words from Sierra herself, though I can’t risk it.“I need to return to the mansion now, Damien. Take care of things over here…” I said, turning as I paced to leave.“But is that a good idea?” Damien's words caused a pause.“Going back to the mansion after today’s incident, what if he tells Marc? Just what if
