Chapter 1: Meeting the monstrous lord

I almost fell into a trance when our eyes met this stranger who looked like a king sitting on the long sofa here in our living room. He was wearing a black mask that hid his face, but I still couldn't deny how handsome he was because of his blue eyes. They stared at me, and that gaze pierced deep into my soul. Because of the tension I felt, I was the first to look away because I really couldn't handle his presence.

I don't remember how I got into this situation because I was just happily working in my small coffee shop. Just a few seconds later, I found myself facing cold tiles in front of a young man. What scared me more were the men scattered throughout the house and holding guns. I want to run away, but I don't know if I will make it out alive after doing so. I caught my breath when he sat up and lowered his head a few inches to meet Papa's face, which was now pale from fear.

"Are you planning to pay me or am I about to blow your skull?" he asked in front of me.

My whole body stiffened when I heard that cold and authoritative voice.

I wanted to run away from this man, but I couldn't move my legs. I feel as if Papa hit a simple person today when he hit me.

"H-Have mercy..." Papa wailed. Then, without hesitation, he kicked Papa so he fell, even after kissing the sole of his shoe.

I want to feel sorry for my father, but how can I do that if I'm on the verge of death because of what he did? I just burst into tears because of the mixture of pity and fear for our lives. My father was a high man who did not know how to humble himself or bow down to others. As he worshipped the young man, he kissed the floor.

I was bent down, but I could still see what was happening around me. I saw how Papa sat back down and violently wiped the blood that came out of his mouth.

“M-My daughter! I'll make her pay!" Papa shouted while pointing his index finger at me.

The lack of hesitation on his face made me sick. I gave him a disbelieving look because I was hoping that I had just heard what he said wrong. However, this time my shoulders dropped because Papa seemed to be going crazy.

"P-Papa," I called him in a depressed voice. He looked at me for a moment, then quickly crawled towards me and cried while holding my hands.

"I apologize," he said, but I rudely pushed his hands away.

I can no longer recognize my father because my father, who is a famous businessman today, has overcome the entanglement of heaven and earth.

"Papa, don't do this to me!" "We will find a way to... pay off your debt,” I said in a brave voice.

I briefly wiped my tears before turning my gaze to the young man in front of me.

"Sir, how much does my father owe?" I dare to ask. I noticed the protrusion of its lips. When he gave me an intense look, I was terrified, but I assured myself that nothing would happen if I was ruled by fear. He leaned on me and playfully grabbed my long hair, smelling it for a moment, and turning it around in his hands. I wanted to slap him for daring to touch me, but I endured it.

"Even if you sell your organ, it won't be enough to pay off your debt to me, so stop this bullsh*t drama! Pay me enough to cover your debts," he said coldly.

"N-No! We'll pay!” I answered boldly, and without hesitation, I slapped his hand that was holding my hair.

He briefly looked at the hand I slapped and returned his blank look to me.

"Trust me, babe. You can't pay your father's debt," he said as if he had nothing to say and leaned back to leaning on the sofa again.

I was about to answer when Dad stopped me with his shaking hands. He just shook his head at me, and because of my questioning about why he stopped me, I felt doubt there. There is shame and fear. Even though it was difficult, I still waited to hear what he would tell me.

“Two billion,” two words, but they managed to destroy my last hope.

"P-Papa! What did you do with two billion, are you thinking?” I yelled at him in disbelief.

He owes two billion dollars, and he acknowledged that even if we pooled all our assets and our organs, we still could not reach two billion dollars.

"That's for you too." I became more frustrated when he said that.

Me? Every penny I spent since I started college came from my blood and sweat. It was only then that everything became clear to me. I knew that it wasn't just because of his gambling that he wasted that money; I knew someone who just enjoyed life. Without a second thought, I stood up from my seat.

Before I could take a step, he suddenly pointed the gun he was carrying at me. I gave a deadly look to the five men who surrounded us, and all of them were holding guns with silencers aimed at me. I didn't say anything as I just stared at this strange man. When he understood what I was trying to say, he raised his right hand and signaled to his men to lower their guns pointing at me. As soon as I entered that woman's room, I wasted no time.

I still heard Papa yelling, but I didn't turn around or even look at him. I immediately walked straight to the biggest door in the house and carelessly opened the door. I was greeted by my wonderful half-sister, who was sleeping soundly in her luxurious and beloved bed. She was wearing lingerie made of the least durable and costly fabric. In my anger, I suddenly pulled her hair, which surprised her, and dragged her violently to her bed.

"Ahhh!" She yelled, "Let me go!" I didn't move, but I continued pulling her hair.

I can't believe it because she can sleep soundly while we are fighting to survive. She was included in the hell they created. After all, she was one of the ones who squandered that man's money.

"Dad! Help me! Let me go, Celeste, you b*tch!” She shouted again and tried to scratch me, but I slapped her hard.

"What are you doing to your sister, Celeste?" Let her go right now! You have no right!”

“You have no right to sell me! This beloved daughter of yours squandered all the wealth you had! You are the ones who indulged in the money you owed, and I have nothing to do with that, but I am here, and you are making me pay!" I screamed full of anger at my father.

I really can't take it anymore; it's too much. Ever since my mom died, my life has been hell. I am very upset and cannot accept this matter.

"Let's get rid of me, b*tch!" She screamed again, but this time she was able to get out of my grip.

Her eyes widened when she saw our situation, especially when she saw our father.

“W-What?” She asked in disbelief and moved around me and to the man sitting in front with a happy face while watching us.

"What a face! Because of you, my life is in danger! You squandered the money you owed this man, and now you have nothing to pay!” I yelled at her angrily.

My anger is too much, and I don't know what to do.

"Sir," dad called the young man again. I watched every move of this mysterious young man.

He pretended to think for a moment before he stood up and faced us all. I don't know, but I have a strong hunch that he will say something bad. I feel like my life has been threatened.

"I have decided, I will take one of them as compensation, but I will still take your company and all your property, Mr. Madrigal.” He blurted it out without knowing that it scared me.

"Not my company!" my father objected.

"Your daughter is not enough to be a payment; if you look at it, it is not enough even if I take everything you have for your debt." This time I could hear the annoyance in his voice.

Papa didn't answer anymore; he kept bowing and crying. I also thought that Selene was just sitting on the floor, dumbfounded. I felt scared when his eyes landed on me and his silly smile flashed. I caught my breath when he started to walk towards me because I was too afraid to back away.

"You are my choice, young lady," he said with a wide smile on his lips, showing how gorgeous his teeth were.

"I don't want to! I had nothing to do with his debt, and I was never part of his family!” I said it in a disapproving tone.

"That's why I chose you—you are the one I want to marry," he said without hesitation.

“Y-you're joking, right?” There's a plea in my voice because I'm not happy with what's happening anymore.

But instead of answering me, he first turned his gaze to one of his staff. It's nearly impossible to understand what it looks like when one of his men simply hands over the gun he was holding.

I felt scared when he turned his gaze to me and gave me a devilish smile. That's how I was surprised when he suddenly shot my father and my half-sister in both legs.

"Ahhh! Ahhh!" they shouted at the same time while holding their legs in pain.

"Obey me if you don't want me to blow up their skulls right in front of you." He threatened me, but I didn't listen. I forced myself to retreat so that I could run, and that's how I was surprised when he suddenly punched me in the stomach.

As I mumbled softly, I realized that I couldn't fight anymore; especially since he forced me to carry like a newlywed and walk.

"You are mine now, Celeste."

"Sleep tight,” he whispered, but it was enough to reach my ears.

That was the last thing I remembered before I passed out.

But before that, I saw how he took off the mask he was wearing, and although it was dim, I could see who he was.

“Y-You...” I murmured before closing my eyes.