My ears grasp on a whisper, which was louder, as a bump on the mansion entrance door caught my attention, and my eyes landed on Adrian, brought in by one of the helpers."Please, be careful, sir," she uttered, trying to maintain his staggering manner. From his darting legs and mumbling words, I could tell that he was drunk."Oh, my Adrian!" A yell escaped as I watched a hand on Adrian push the helper away. "I can take him in myself." My gaze landed on the same girl who had bumped into me at the party, the same one who called herself his friend—Elena, or what was her name again?But then her heel slipped, landing on the couch afterward with her shutting up immediately.But why was she still in the mansion? The party had ended, and everyone had left. I could tell they both had too much to drink. He had stopped me from drinking at the party, claiming the ideal wife stuff, but he was allowed to do what he liked, limiting my own choices."Hey, what are you thinking?" A snap drew my attenti
[Adrian's POV]Chuckles echoed loudly; my vision blurred from it all—two men arguing, or were there three? No, four..."I shall expose you and your brother; your whole family shall burn to ashes, Victor.""You don't have to do this, Mr. Patrick Elias. Stay out of all this and look after your precious family," I heard my father say.A painful slice slammed through my brain, causing my eyes to jolt open. I found myself in my room, confused about what had happened yesterday. The last thing I could remember was going to get some drinks. No, wait... I remembered entering the mansion."But why does my head hurt so much? I mean, I was quite used to drinking, except... could she--" I whispered, murmuring to myself, trying to put things together. My only thought was of Elena and the guess that she mixed my drinks with some pills.I stood up from the bed after, hoping to question her as I opened my room door, only to feel a pulse on me as my eyes caught sight of Elena already at my room doorstep
"What are you doing here, Adrian?" A voice caught my attention as my eyes landed on Uncle Gavin."I thought Sierra had gone to call you downstairs," he said.I guessed that's why she was there. "For what, Uncle Gavin?" I questioned."Well, dinner is ready, and Marc insists you all come down.""Alright, Uncle Gavin. I shall freshen up first, then come down," I said, watching Uncle Gavin leave a nod as he turned, hoping to leave after. "Uncle Gavin, do you happen to know anybody by the name 'Patrick Elias' and what connection he had with my father?" I blurted, watching a halt in his legs as his gaze turned to meet mine. I caught sight of a pale look, which flickered in an instant, replaced by a forced smile. "I don't have any idea who that is, Adrian," he said sharply, but yet I couldn't find myself to believe what Uncle Gavin was saying."Alright, Uncle Gavin," I said, and he left afterward."Was he truly telling the truth? Could Uncle Gavin be lying?" I thought, confused. Was it just
[Sierra's POV]Watching Adrian leave, my mind still lingered on his words, mentioning my dad. How does he know my dad's name?I wondered through my thoughts, but I guessed that maybe he found out. I mean, just like he knew about my uncle and everything about me when he brought up the deal.I just had to shake off the thoughts, and I was sure he didn't recall anything that occurred last night either.Well, I just wanted to forget it as well. My gaze shifted to Elena, who was lying on the bed. I had recalled seeing him beside her when I was making my way to in, as he helped her into the bed."Did she faint or what?" I made my way, walking through the hall after, when my eyes landed on Adrian, who was walking past me as he made his way back into the room.I couldn't help but notice Dominic's absence for a while now. Where could he possibly be, and what was he up to? I needed to keep my eyes on him and know every single thing he does while keeping my identity a secret.I needed to know h
I watched as everybody came down the stairs, approaching Dominic."What's going on, Dominic?" Uncle Gavin questioned."Well, it's regarding an issue, Uncle Gavin," Dominic replied."An issue?""Yes..." Dominic said. I watched him scan the room, and I hid myself, leaning against the wall. I couldn't let him see me.But really, was this how everything was going to end? I thought that maybe if I signed this contract, I would be able to avenge them all and take them down. But now, it seems my time had been cut short. I can't let them kill me, but yet I saw no way out of this."I can see you're back," I heard Marc's voice."Yes, Uncle Marc," Dominic replied. "After returning to the club, I learned that some of my workers had escaped, and one had fled here to Las Angeles. My men received the information from an informant."So I was right after all; this was about me."You really don't have to create a whole scene every time, brother. Why call us all here if it's about your club issue and on
As we distanced ourselves further away from the mansion, I felt a sense of ease washing over me at the mere thought.I turned my gaze on Elena as she drove on, and my mind reeled on her words about searching for me and hoping to have a discussion. Why did she want to discuss something with me, and her attitude was also unusual.What was she planning, acting like she had liked me from the very start? And I wasn't even planning on having anyone like me; all I wanted was never to be the topic of the day. I just wanted to stay low."So, what did you want to discuss?" I questioned, hoping to clear things out and get to the bottom of what was truly going on in her head and what she was plotting."Well, why don't we reach the restaurant first? I am sure we will discuss better when we arrive there." She said, her gaze shifted on me with a flickered smile before returning straight forward as she drove on.She was really not going to let me pry much, but I guess I was going to find out eventuall
“What are you saying, Father?” I heard a whisper which grew louder by the second as my vision blurred out. I tried to get a proper glimpse, but my whole body felt weak, as though my entire system was collapsing. I tried managing to get a proper stand, but my hands felt numb, disallowing me to move freely.Catching a proper glance, I found myself tied down inside what I supposed was a car.“I know you are worried, but everything is going alright here, Father. And don’t worry, I shall do as told, as long as you promise not to harm Adrian.” I heard some words break out as I tried getting a proper glimpse through the car windows, only for my gaze to land on Elena making a call with her back facing me.“Where did she take me?” I wondered as I tried to regain a proper memory of what had happened last before I blacked out. I was sure she had spiked my drink with some substance or sort.But why? Why did she do that? I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she had done this.I knew s
I felt a sharp ray piercing through my eyes, causing them to spring open. "No!" I yelled, letting out a scream only to find myself in what I presumed was a room—from the looks of it—a hotel room. I was sure of it after having visited some of the clients while I had worked at the club.But how was that possible? I could tell it was morning already, but yet, I couldn't place what had happened last night. The last thing I remembered was my eyes going blank after I caught sight of a headlight; I think it was a car.My ears picked up the rushing sound of running water, which was coming from the bathroom. "Wait, who was that?" I questioned in my thoughts. My mind tried to reel in the current change of events and how I had ended up here suddenly.But yet, I just had to leave. I was sure I wasn't the only one here, but I cared less to find out who it was. My life was of the utmost importance at the moment, and I needed a safe place to think first about what to do next.I stood up from the bed
"What are you saying, Damien? Tell me now; I want the truth. Tell me the real name of the person behind all this. Don't think you can play games with me. So, you expect me to believe that this is all my brother's doing? Really?" I spat.Does he see me as a fool, believing what just came out of his mouth? That my brother was behind all this? I mean, why would he kidnap his own wife?"I am telling you the truth, Dominic... and I can also prove it," Damien uttered.But was he really telling the truth? Adrian? That can't be right."Alright, I will give you the chance, but know if you are wrong, the bullets will do the talking next," I said, retreating my gun from his head as I watched his panting state. He hastily grabbed his phone out.My gaze rose to meet Adrian's wife, whom I found still unconscious—or was she just sleeping? Seeing her in such a state. Damien body not lying down, already lifeless, It must be some kind of weird luck for him.The call ringing drew my attention back to Da
[Dominic's POV]I parked my car at the side as I watched some of the men I had tasked to follow me in search of Adrian's wife. They walked around the street, paying some street thugs a visit in case they could possibly have any information about Adrian's wife's whereabouts."Boss, still no information," I heard one say, walking up to me. I let out a sigh. When was this going to end? Just for how long would I have to keep searching for her?Beaten and injured many, yet they still claimed ignorance. Now, these street lowlifes still had no idea or information to let us in on.I couldn't just return to the mansion, not able to bring back Adrian's wife with me. I guessed I just had to keep trying harder.I picked up my phone, making a call to one of my men whom I had tasked to keep an eye on Damien. On my way, after leaving the mansion, I had a thought. I couldn't let my guard down and turn a blind eye to those that I suspected. I mean, how could I just trust Caleb's words so easily?I hir
Honestly, even if I had gone out, what was the possibility of finding her? I mean, what if I wasn't the one who had Sierra at my grasp, but rather one of the real enemies? Why would I just go wandering around, questioning each and every person I saw?Now he tells me I'm the one acting stupid here. Knowing my brother is out there doing this just left a scoff. I thought he was smarter than that. Asking our enemies questions, how was he so sure it was one of them?"What are you still doing here?" I heard Uncle Marc's voice, his eyes narrowing as they remained fixed on me.I could see them brimming with rage. I was quite sure that if it was up to him, he would have put a bullet right through my skull. I mean, he has always seen me as nothing more than a useless burden, staining the family legacies."Which legacies in the first place?" I thought."I'm sorry, Uncle Marc. I shall set out once I receive feedback from my men. I want you to know that Sierra is my wife, and there is no way I wou
"You should dress up and rest; I will leave now," I said.Maybe I shouldn't have rushed into her room. It wouldn't seem good to lay all those questions on her. Even though I had the thought that she might have slipped some words out—it's highly possible, but if so, she wouldn't remember it, would she? The drugs' effects on her would lead to such.Nevertheless, this didn't seem like the right time.I turned away from her sight, my legs moving toward the doorstep, when I felt a grasp on my wrist, causing a pause in my footsteps. A hand came wrapped around me as I felt her body pressing onto my back."Please don't go, Adrian; I need you. I can't hide this anymore," I heard Elena mutter in whispers, her hands caressing as she clutched tighter."Enough of this now, Elena," I snapped, removing her hands. My gaze turned to meet hers."Why, Adrian? Why is this enough? Why can't I touch you?" she questioned as I watched her hands closing in again, only for me to fling them to her sides.I didn
[Adrian's POV]"So what's next, Adrian? Are we going to keep Sierra locked up in that room?" Damien asked."I know we can't keep her in that room. I mean, she is my wife after all, even though it's all just a charade. But I have to act concerned," I said. I just had to play along to fool my silly brother and Uncle Marc, so they don't figure out Sierra's whereabouts. But I still had no idea how I could stop Sierra from becoming the next sohoe."Whatever you do, just know you have to do it fast, Adrian. And don't worry, I will keep an eye on her for you for a while, while you figure out what to do next," Damien said as I watched him leave the room after.I couldn't be seen walking out of the mansion so freely. Who knows how many eyes might be on me after this incident? Not that they would surely suspect me—I mean, who would suspect I kidnapped my own wife? But even so, I had to be conscious of my every step.Sitting down on the bed, I grasped my phone, hoping to contact Vince—the same p
I watched the maid leave with a nod as she walked past the hall.My mind was still swirling with questions about Adrian's whereabouts.I just hope he wasn't out doing something foolish. I have to find him; I just have to figure out where he is. I can't let him get himself into more trouble now.I made my way down the stairs, scanning the passage as I walked."Get the vehicle, and you get the weapons," I heard Uncle Gavin say to two of Uncle Marc's men standing at his front. It seemed they were getting ready to set out, but what good would that do? I mean, they have no idea of Adrian's wife's location, but yeah, that wasn't much of a problem if it was one of our enemies. But somehow, I feel somebody from inside helped those kidnappers, and Caleb claims it's not him.I guess I just have to set my eyes on him for a while to confirm if his words were true."Dominic, you're here," Uncle Gavin said, approaching me."Have you seen Adrian, Dominic? He should be here; this is about..." Uncle G
[Dominic's POV]“Kidnapping one of the De Santos members in my mansion? I must say, wow! I haven’t had someone dare me for so long," I heard Uncle Marc say, his face curling into a smirk.Remembering things now, this must be exciting for him. I mean, he has many enemies, but none have had the guts to face and challenge him. With Adrian's wife's kidnapping, this somehow felt like a direct challenge to him—one he had missed so much.“Get the men, Gavin. I want Sierra found immediately, and get me the head of whoever is behind this," Uncle Marc snapped.As Uncle Gavin left with a nod, the crowd fell into silence, everyone just stood there watching. But yet, I could hear a murmur coming from my side. It was from the same two men I had caught whispering earlier.“I am sure the old man's power has weakened now that his family is at risk of being ended," one chuckled.I turned, looking up in their direction. As they noticed my presence, their murmurs ceased, replaced by a downcast look.“Wea
A splash woke me as my eyes sprang open. My body was wet, dripping with water. I found myself tied to a chair.Standing right in front of me was a stranger with an empty bucket in hand, which he placed down."What happened? Where am I?" I wondered in my thoughts.Recalling all that had happened before: those muscular men and Caleb. "So I was kidnapped?" But who could have possibly had me kidnapped?I thought that by staying in the crowd's sight, I would be safe from all the dangers that seemed to lurk at the walls, craving to end me. But here I was, ending up kidnapped and trapped in this room, with no idea where I was, and this complete stranger with glued feet, his eyes remained fixed on me. I caught no sight of the two muscular men."Please… where am I? Please let me go; I don't even want this title in the first place." I pleaded in a whisper to the man, and I was quite sure the reasons they had me kidnapped was because of the title I was about to be given. But even with all my ple
[Sierra's POV]"So, what’s your name?" I heard the stranger ask.I hesitated. Why did he want to know my name? I couldn’t just blurt it out; danger seemed to lurk everywhere. Who knows if he possibly was one of them? Just because he saved me from falling down the stairs didn’t mean he wasn’t."Hey, you there," his voice snapped me from my thoughts. His eyes were fixed on me, expecting an answer.I left no answer, only to start walking away. I glanced back, only to find him still glaring at me.I thought he might follow me, so I had to make sure. I distanced myself, and a bit further down the hall, I leaned onto the wall, releasing a sigh."So, he didn't follow me," I whispered.Maybe I had possibly overreacted, but am I really to blame? With everything that seemed to be happening, I found it hard to trust anybody here at this ceremony... not a single one of them.But wait—am I going to avoid every single one of them now? I took a step in fear, my eyes scanning each side. Is that going