TitaniaKristoff stays away in Tennessee for one week. Against my wishes. To make amendments, he lets his thug, Ernest, drive me wherever I want. But I mostly visit the healthcare center to see Uncle Patrick. And this time I get to stay till nightfall if I wish. It's a tempting peace offering, but I don't accept it. He's all shades of wrong for this.Contrary to what the nurse told us the other day, Uncle Patrick is not getting better, and Kristoff's confirmation of his fears doesn't make it any easier for the both of us. I knew this would happen. He trusted me so much. Asked me calmly if Adrian was abusing me while it was all going down, and I lied right to his face. Keeping such a huge secret to myself, despite the close bond we share, has to be the most selfish decision I've ever made in my entire life. But it's not really my fault. I don't want him to feel aggrieved or blame himself. What happened between Adrian and me was sickening. It's disgusting. It's wrong. It's maniacal.Wha
TitaniaOn Saturday morning, Ally knocks on my door and when I open it, hands me a blue, knee-length glitter dress. “Wear this tonight for the event. Ernest will come to take you by eight PM sharp.” Then, without waiting for my response, walks back down the corridor from where she came from.I close the door, haul the dress to the other side of the room and plop down on my back, so many stray thoughts running through my mind. Apart from visiting Uncle Patrick most mornings this past week, I always have Ernest drive me down lonely streets, with the windows down while I look about and breathe in the fresh chilly air, no particular destination in mind. But today, I'm not just in the mood for a ride. I can't stop being worried about my uncle's health, and his strange words the last time I saw him.How he was open, laughing one minute, and the next he morphed into someone I don't know.I think about his words. How every devil has a piece of light in them, and how I bring out the light in K
KristoffI've been in New York for the past two days plus, putting finishing touches to what I've already executed in Tennessee. I would've gone home earlier, but I didn't. I couldn't face Titania. Not after what I've learned in Tennessee.Fucking smart girl. She lied to me. How was I so foolish not to suspect?I know the real truth now, and it's appalling how it all makes perfect sense. Yes, it's still disgusting, but logical. Sickeningly logical.This was never a battle for her to fight from the start. It has always been mine, but that doesn't make me an anti-hero of sorts. I've told her. I'm not her knight in shining armor. I'm not doing this because I have feelings for her.No. I can't dream that far.Running a hand through my hair and down the nape of my hair as I step out of the elevator and survey the club, I heave a sigh of relief and fulfillment. Too many months went into planning this event. Domi Sotto's five-year anniversary party. Everything is already set up, and the gues
KristoffFuck it.Against my reservations, I take a few steps forward, halting just a foot away from her. Our eyes are locked, and I can feel the question burning in her eyes. But it's such a great night to be ruined talking about a psychopathic neighbor who had abused her. Tonight, I just want her to let loose. The questions can come after that.Pulling her close to stand beside me, I turn to Ernest. “What took you so damn long?”“We were stuck in traffic, Sir. I tried following the fastest route I knew but got into trouble with the warden. I'm so sorry.”I nod, waving him off dismissively as I turn to Titania, and wrap my arms around her waist. “What do we have here?” I grin, pecking her left cheek softly. “You look gorgeous tonight, princess.”“Thank you,” her lips curve into a pensive smile as she tilts her head. “Did you succeed? Is he dead?”“What do you think?” I wink. “He'll be burning up in hell by now.”She says nothing, staring up at me blankly, her eyes unreasonable. I fro
TitaniaAs we rush down the hospital corridor, Kristoff holding onto my hand, I remember what my uncle told me the last time I visited. I remember his shaky, excited gestures, his words — firm, fearful, all-knowing. How he had acted so weird. It was as though when I told him that Kristoff had gone to Tennessee to finish Adrian off, he looked relieved. Pleased. As though some heavy burden has been lifted off him. As though Kristoff had absolved him of his guilt. Like he could finally look at me without any lingering clouds in his hazel eyes.All these years passed, and I thought he didn't know. I thought he didn't suspect. I care a lot about him — but with what happened in California, I could not stand to be around him. Which was the main reason I seldom came over to visit him, even though we talked every day. Which was why I never knew he'd begun working for the Mafia. I thought he told me everything, given the bond we share. But that was so hypocritical, even for me.I didn't tell hi
TitaniaI don't know how long Kristoff and I sit there, on those metal chairs down the corridor, waiting anxiously, our hearts thudding in our chests — I listen to his beating erratically beneath my left ear where I rest my head against his chest. He's just as scared as me. Perhaps he feels he'll be in much bigger trouble if Uncle Patrick dies at his hands. I know that with my uncle's corpse as evidence, I can put him behind bars.But all thoughts about anything else other than Uncle Patrick barely bug me. I simply don't care anymore. Pretending to be asleep, I keep my ears down despite the noise from the nurse and a few visitors' chatters. I jolt up hastily whenever a door is pulled open, and let Kristoff pull me down in disappointment when I realize it's not the emergency room's door. I panic, my mind is flooded with all sorts of bad news, all sorts of possibilities.Oh Lord, please save him.At last, the emergency door opens and the doctor who normally comes around to check up on U
Kristoff“Fuck. Someone's broken in.”Shit. Real fucking shit, because I know who the hell broke in. And it's one hell of a surprise. But it's to be expected, right? Hearing about how much he owes my uncle, I know my brother would go to great lengths to pay back that debt, even if it means breaking into my club and stealing from me without shame.I facepalm, anxious, feeling caught in a fix. Titania watches me carefully, all the fire gone out of her now, her brows arched in confusion. I want nothing but I push her back to the car and drive straight to the mansion. Ensure she's safely inside until this passes. Until she's thinking straight again. But I need to pick up the souvenirs I'd brought back with me from Tennessee. Pete would've left it in my drawer, and I need to get it out of the office. I can't let it stay there past this night. It's dangerous.Titania's having a mental breakdown, and she knows it. She's refusing to accept that the world she's built ever since she left Califo
Kristoff“I'm going to ask you politely once more, bro. Put the fucking gun down,” I growl, my eyes fixed on his trembling hands. I can't spend much time here because of Titania. I know she can't stay alone downstairs for long. And her coming up at this critical point in time is dangerous. Very dangerous.“Turn. The. Gun. Off.” I tilt my head to the side, grinning when his eyes widen and he realizes I'm blocking both exits. Good. There's no way he's leaving here with those items in his pocket. I don't care what I have to do to retrieve them. I don't care if I kill him in doing so. He's bitten off more than he can chew already. “I know Uncle Williams. He can't possibly have his men beat you up like this.”I'm stalling for time. Goading him. In truth, he deserved every beating he got, and even more. I should never have tolerated his shenanigans over the years. I should have put aside familial ties and sentiments, and given him the beating of his life, just as Pete suggested countless ti
TitaniaI smile at his uncharacteristic behavior, knowing I've hurt him by second-guessing whether I should move in with him or not. I put a hand on his cheek, and pinch it. “Yes. I'd love to move into Bloom Bazaar with you.”“Stop saying it like it's something huge.” He laughs.“Of course it is! This is the first time you're asking me.”He rolls his eyes. “Fine. I should've asked sooner. Happy now? Let's go see your uncle,” he says, taking my wrists and pulling me down the corridor, towards the nurse at the reception to ask for Uncle Patrick's new room number.The nurse offers to show us to his room herself. We take a bend, down a second corridor I've never been in, nor did I know existed. With each step we take, my heartbeat spikes, louder and louder in my ears. Kristoff squeezes my hand, his other arm pulling me into him, and suddenly I'm glad he's here. To help me through this. I don't know what to expect, but when we arrive at last, the nurse pushes the door open after a brief kn
TitaniaIt's been two months since Uncle Patrick was attacked. I can finally say those words and think about that event without it scaring me, without breaking down in fright and tears. Winter arrived two days earlier, and every surface is covered with soft, snowflakes — rooftops, car roofs, the road — everywhere. Winter is my favorite season, a huge reason is that it coincides with Christmas. The air is different, wholesome, sugary, and filled with festive gaiety and promise.“What are you thinking about? Come on now, wear me the damn coat, princess.”I chuckle.Kristoff and I are standing at the entrance of Elysium Healthcare Home and I'm holding out his jacket. He lets me slip his hands into the furry coat and fix the collar — the material making him appear two times bigger, like an ogre man. I slip my hand in his and we both turn to face the open corridor, my nerves threatening to get the best of me, but I'm pushing forth victoriously. Taking a deep breath, I nod. We step inside t
KristoffThree Weeks Later."Kristoff!"I look up as Titania rushes into the room, clutching a copy of the Daily Times. She halts, stares at me, then holds the paper out for me to take. I took one look at the photograph and back up to her face. Her bottom lip trembles. "Do you have a hand in this?"After what we shared three weeks ago, I'd told her about my uncle in greater detail, and also that he was the one who sent Harvey to try and kill Patrick. She'd been shocked, and furious, and I knew she didn't want to go back to how she was before. Thirsty for revenge. I'd decided to avenge Patrick then, for her, even though she hadn't asked me to. William committed many more stalling crimes that deserve a much more painful death than just simply being blown up with his car.I smile, buttoning up my coat, and pull her close to me. She's fidgeting, curious. I take the paper away from her limp grasp and throw it on the bed. "He deserves it. You know he does.""I didn't ask for you to kill him
Kristoff“Shh, princess. It's alright now. It's fine,” I murmur quietly, holding her close. Her sobs fade out and she's finally still, her shoulders relaxed. I feel the arms of sleep curling around her, lulling her into its dreamless abyss. It doesn't take long before she's snoring softly, still clinging tightly to me. I play with her curls idly, a lighter feeling in my chest. I'm not letting her out of my arms, or life again. I'll never walk away. Whatever happened tonight, united us. On all fronts, it made us one. Made us whole. One soul. Forever.But we were always bound together before that. From the very first moment I set my eyes on her, I knew. I sensed her darkness. I made it out at first glance, and it drew me to her like a magnet. She was damaged, like me. But I never envisioned the extent of that damage to be this huge. I never thought it'd turn into this.She's curled into me, her face buried in my chest, her hair all over the place. Her tears on my dry are drying up, and
TitaniaKristoff stands in the doorway, in his suit pants and a white t-shirt. A dark figure, but I can still make out his handsome, slick features even in the darkness. I can feel his gaze on me, taking in my appearance — the torn dress and smudged make-up. He takes a few steps forward and shuts the door behind him, trapping out the light. I fall back on the bed, the wall behind me cold against my skin.Shit's about to go down.He clears his throat, then takes off his watch, tossing it on the floor. It makes a huge clunk sound as it falls, but I'm too concentrated on him. To scared of what's about to come, even though I don't know what he's going to do to me. He rolls up his sleeves, one after the other, carefully. I stare at them, at how big they are, at how big-muscled and powerful they look. My gaze slides down to his big hands. Remember how solid they always feel against my skin. How he uses them firmly whenever he touches me. Grabs me. Make me cave in to his wants.“I'm sorry,”
TitaniaIt feels as though someone is playing a cruel prank on me. It feels so surreal. Kristoff is seated beside me, just as I wanted. He's come to take me back with him just as I'd hoped. But the scenario back at the club... I almost can't believe it happened. I'd never envisioned any of the strangers I allow to fuck me, persisting or hurting me if I said no. It's slowly sinking in now, how much danger I've been putting myself into all these past years. I shake my head, drop my gaze and wipe my eyes — feeling pitiful of myself.Everything feels like a huge, jumbled mess. For the first time ever, I'm frustrated and confused. I don't know what to do. I don't know what I want. I don't know how to feel about this whole plot twist. I thought I'd be happy now that Kristoff is here to take me back, but I'm not. I want to run away and hide from his gaze.“I can't let you keep putting yourself in danger. I can't take any more risks with you. I know you. I know how you're feeling right now. Y
TitaniaThankfully, the ladies' room is empty. I push the door open, striding down confidently to the last stall. It's also the biggest and the neatest.Pitch perfect.I hear the sound of deep footsteps halt, then the door opens. When I turn, I find the handsome man standing there, his eyes raking over my tight dress, down to my lean legs.He runs a hand through his hair, and strokes his chin. I can tell he's very impressed.Just like all the others.I take off my coat slowly, hang it over the door and go in. He follows, shutting the door behind him while I whip out a condom from my bra and hand it over. Up close, he's even more handsome — his lips a succulent, wet pink, thanks to the beer he'd been drinking earlier. I should be invested in his looks, but I feel queasy instead. Like something is off, but this is exactly why I came here. This is how I'm going to forget about Kristoff. By getting banged by another man. By letting myself drown in another man's touch.He gives me a dazzli
TitaniaFour weeks creep by slowly. A month devoid of drama, and spent indoors lazing on the couch and watching movies. I still haven't seen Uncle Patrick, though Doctor Wave kept in touch, as he promised. I haven't heard from Kristoff ever since that terrible night at his office. He kept his word — I'm a free woman, just like I wanted. But a part of me, the naughty part, keeps expecting him to break his own rules by disregarding his words and coming back for me. To change his mind and take me back to the mansion forcefully. The one time I went to the club, wearing a disguise, I didn't see him, nor anyone else I knew was close to him. The three women who normally stripped had been replaced.In fact, it felt like those two weeks had been a dream. Like it never happened.Ever.But try all I can, the memories are ever fresh in my mind. I can't forget those moments. Can't forget how they made me feel. How he made me feel. How his touch sizzles and bring out a fierce passion I never knew I
TitaniaI wake up the next morning, feeling like a fucked up train wreck. My heart clangs as though it's being pounded, and it's like I didn't get a wink of sleep at all last night. My joints quake as I move, my limbs so tired and heavy. I can't even drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom to brush my teeth and shower. When I eventually manage to stand and get the shower running, I stand in the cool water for a very long time, letting it stream down my body and disappear down the drain — a mixture of white soap suds and pink.I washed the blood out of my hair next. I didn't realize there was much of it on me, and to think I'd slept like that last night is appalling. I should change the sheets, hand them over to a dry cleaner later since I'm too lazy to wash them, and I've got a lot of stuff to sort out around the house. When I'm done, I towel my body dry, change into black shorts and a thin, tank top, then sit on the couch with my phone in hand.I place a dial across to the kind