Maya's povI was worried about the way things turned out. The date seemed awkward, and in fact, I started to recall all that happened last night, and I had a feeling that they all knew themselves. Something wasn't just right.After Lia and her boyfriend left, I moved to the seat, and it made Victor worried. He moved to where I was eating and asked me a couple of questions which caused me to turn towards him. I had my question in mind, but I didn't want anything that would make him worry.“Maya, why do you suddenly look worried? Is it because of your boss?” I shook my head.“Why does it seem like you know them?” I asked myself and was trying my best to understand how things were going.“What? What do you mean by that? That's not what's going on. I'm just glad to meet the woman. She's nice. Besides, you're thinking too much.”I sighed, recalling all of our talks, but something seemed strange, and I wanted to talk to Lia about it.I didn't know what else to say. I just wanted to get a bi
Maya's pov.I was worried that she wasn't telling me the truth, but I was worried about the whole thing. I didn't know how to start. I was worried about how she saw him. She was my friend, and if she was asking this, it meant he was dangerous.“Don't think about it too much. I'm sure there's a reason why you both are meant to be. I can tell, and I'm excited.”“You aren't excited. You're only worried that things won't go well. Look, I'm tired of everything. I know that you have a lot on your mind. You don't want to tell me about it, and I'm not even worried. All I need from you is to tell me what you think about him, please… you're my form.”“There's nothing wrong. I thought he was like one of those boys who would break your heart and run away. You see, I know you pretend to be tough, but heartbreak isn't really for you. I can tell that you cry and drink to forget.”I sighed. It was then I was able to calm down. So I smiled and hugged her tightly. “I love you so much, and thank you for
Maya's pov.We had already gotten to the car and once seated, Victor started the car. I didn't bother to say anything but I knew there was something there they weren't telling me. Worry spread across my face and I just wanted to know what they were hiding from me.All the while I was quiet, I was thinking about starting a conversation with him without actually looking pushy."What's the matter?" he asked, breaking the silence. Aside from that, his brow furrowed with concern, and he tried his best to ask me again when he noticed that I didn't respond to his first question.“Maya, tell me what's wrong, you've been overly quiet, and it's unlike you.” I bit my lips in anger. He did know me well. After all, he was able to tell that I wasn't really happy about the way things were going.I sighed, taking a deep break. I was not myself anymore. I needed to voice out, but then, for some reason, something wanted me to hold back my words. "Nothing," I replied, trying to brush it off, but Victo
Lias povI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. However, I wasn't focused on those papers. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Maya, my colleague and friend.I would be crazy if I wasn't worried about her, especially with the way Victor acted today. After she left the bathroom, she managed to strike up a heartbreaking conversation with me.“So you're a boss now,” he said and smirked, moving closer.“Levi likes that about you.” he continued.“Levi can go to hell. That bastard deserves nothing good and certainly not me.”He shook his head and waved his index finger. “Ah, ah, ah… he's still your alpha you always have to remember this. I'm begging you no matter what please… don't talk about him that way.”I scoffed. The conversation was already extending and I wanted to walk away, but he held my hand.“I came here because of you today to deliver a message. I hope that will work out well for You all.”I immediately furrowed my brows, and when he saw that
Lia's pov“Do you understand me? You should never tell anyone about my kids!”Maya furrowed her brows. “Are you serious, or is this a joke? “You've never said something like this to me before and I know you aren't someone like this. What happened?”Maya paused and then furrowed her brows as she turned to me. “Wait, don't tell me you think Victor is a kidnapper. I'm sure you don't mean that right?”“We, I'm sorry but anybody can be a kidnapper. Don't tell him he has kids. Do you understand me?”Silence reigned, and it felt like the cold was reigning down on her.She pressed her lips, angry I was sure, but then whatever I said was for a good reason.“It's a harmless talk. Do you understand me? I know it is. He can never…”However, I saw the doubt right through her. “Yeah, even if you never do, don't do it. I know that a lot is going on. You don't have to be worried about them. Just do as you say.”Shrugging her shoulders, she heaved, pouting her lips. At this time, the ice cream she bro
Maya's povI tried my best to understand what was happening. I was scared beyond doubt. However, I was still prepared. I knew there were a lot of things that could happen, but I ignored it, getting ready.After work, I ate and had a little nap before I finally came to check the place out I was happy that he wasAbout to reveal the secret. Yet, I was scared.Once, I had dressed up in a pair of jeans and a matching top, and I held my hair up in a ponytail.“Are you fine?” I questioned myself as I stared into the mirror, but I soon discovered I was okay like this and was good to go.Once done. I made sure to secure my house, and then I immediately waited until Victor arrived which wasn't long after. He came out of the car, hugged, and kissed me before gesturing for me to move to her passenger's side, where he helped me with the door.I got in, but the moment I sat down, my fingers didn't rest. They played against each other, which was kind of scary, or maybe it was the fear I was feeling
Maya's pov"Wait, Maya, don't go," Victor said, his voice low and urgent. He grabbed my arm, his grip gentle but firm. "You don't understand what's going on. You're my mate, and I'm the only one who can protect you."I scoffed. “What’s this mate thing you're always talking about? Let me go. I'm tired of all the nonsense you keep saying. I'm worried about myself now.” I'm worried about you for real. You don't seem to understand, I know that there are a lot of things on your mind right now. But I can't lose you. I really can't because I'm losing you. I am bound to you.”“You're in a cult. I'm getting in now. Fuck you!” I Screamed, and I tried to shake off his grip, but he held tight."Let me go," I said, my voice firm. "I don't need your protection. I can take care of myself. I am more than you know. You are crazy. Do you think I'm not smart? Do you want me to follow your orders? I'd rather die!”Victor's eyes locked to mine, and for a moment, I felt like he could see right through me
Maya's povHearing how I sounded she immediately sensed something."Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice low and gentle. "You look like you've seen a ghost."I shook my head, trying to play it cool. "I'm fine, Lia. Just a little tired, that's all."But Lia wasn't buying it. She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for clues. "Did something happen?" she asked, her voice persistent. "Did Victor do something to you?" Her voice was firm, and she grabbed my hands only to notice the scratches.“He hurt you, I knew it! How could you let him do this to you? Is that why your eyes are swollen?” She asked and I didn't even know what to answer anymore.I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But Lia's concerned expression made me feel guilty for not telling her the truth. "It's not Victor," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.I wasn't wrong; it wasn't Victor who hurt me. It was a beast he carried inside of him.Lia's eyes narrowed, her expression intense.
LEVII sat in my office and the files that were staring back at me were about to really get burn. Nothing else matter to me, it's been a month and I still couldn't find her or the kids. Business was completely trash and I have every single investor and shareholder I've known withdrawing each day My phone buzzed on my table which made me startle a bit and I let out a heavy sigh before I picked the phone"Having fun on your search?" The sound of the modulator sent a chill down my spine and anger spiral up my throat "Joh... Anthony whatever fucking war we have between us leave them out if this!""Who's Anthony?""Don't play dumb with...""Lia is a bloody mess and the kids are dead" My spine jerked up and my heart flew out of my buddy as a chill air made me freeze "That's not pos... Hello? Hello!" I looked at the screen to see that he was hung up and called him again "The number you're trying..." I threw the phone across the room as I heard the customer care line No, no, no, this can
LIAI stared at Ella, my mind reeling with questions, my heart heavy with sorrow. She didn't seem to notice, her expression unreadable. "Ella, please," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Tell me what's going on. Why are you here?" She didn't respond, didn't even flinch almost like she didn't know who I was and this was her first time seeing me. It was as if she was a statue, a mere shell of the person I once knew. I felt a chill run down my spine. What had they done to her? Had they brainwashed her, manipulated her into betraying me? The thought sent a wave of nausea washing over me. I struggled against the restraints, desperate to break free, to escape this nightmare. But they held firm, biting into my skin like cold metal teeth. Ella's gaze flickered to the children, and for a moment, I hoped to see a glimmer of recognition, of compassion but I saw nothing but blankness. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by a mask of indifference. "They're fine," she said, her voice flat,
LIAI stared at Ella, my mind reeling with questions, my heart heavy with sorrow. She didn't seem to notice, her expression unreadable. "Ella, please," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Tell me what's going on. Why are you here?" She didn't respond, didn't even flinch almost like she didn't know who I was and this was her first time seeing me. It was as if she was a statue, a mere shell of the person I once knew. I felt a chill run down my spine. What had they done to her? Had they brainwashed her, manipulated her into betraying me? The thought sent a wave of nausea washing over me. I struggled against the restraints, desperate to break free, to escape this nightmare. But they held firm, biting into my skin like cold metal teeth. Ella's gaze flickered to the children, and for a moment, I hoped to see a glimmer of recognition, of compassion but I saw nothing but blankness. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by a mask of indifference. "They're fine," she said, her voice flat,
LIAA shiver ran down my spine, fear gripping me. This wasn't the Johnny I thought I knew. This was a stranger, a cold, calculating predator. The mask had finally fallen away, revealing the monster beneath. I stared at him, my mind reeling, trying to reconcile the charming, friendly man I had known with the ruthless manipulator standing before me. The realization was devastating, a crushing weight that threatened to suffocate me. I had been so blind and so naive. And now, I was paying the price.I sat there, frozen in shock, as Johnny's words hung in the air like a challenge. I parted my lips to speak but the words stuck in my throat. Johnny's gaze never wavered, his eyes boring into mine with an unsettling intensity. He seemed to be savoring my shock, my horror, and my surprise. The silence between us grew thicker, heavier, until it became almost palpable. I felt like I was drowning in it, suffocating under the weight of his betrayal. Finally, Johnny broke the silence, his voice l
LIAAs Johnny stepped further into the room, the dim light danced across his features, revealing an expression I couldn't quite decipher. "Lia," he said softly, his voice low and gentle. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for things to go this far."My mind reeled as I tried to process his words. What did he mean? What did he have to do with this?"Where's Kira?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. "What's going on, Johnny?"Johnny's gaze drifted to the children, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of genuine concern. But it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference."Kira's...not here right now," he said vaguely. "As for what's going on...let's just say you're in a bit of a situation."A bit of a situation? That was an understatement. I was tied to a chair, my children were being held captive, and I had no idea what these people wanted."Johnny, please," I begged, trying to appeal to whatever humanity was left in him. "Tell me what's going on. What do you want?"Johnn
LIAThe sun felt warm on my skin, a welcome change from the cool, sterile air of the mansion. It had been… too long. Too long since I’d felt the sun without a filter of tinted glass, too long since I’d heard the unadulterated sounds of children laughing, not just the echo of my own kids playing indoors. Levi had been right. He’d been so insistent."Lia,”he’d said, his voice firm but gentle, “I’m handling the paparazzi. You don’t have to live like this. They won’t bother you.” And for the first time in months, I’d believed him.So, when they had begged, their eyes wide and pleading, “Mommy, park? Please, park!” I hadn’t hesitated. I’d scooped them up, their giggles filling the sudden void in my heart, and we’d driven to the park.Watching them now, one of them climbing the jungle gym with surprising agility, and the other swinging so high I thought she might touch the clouds, a genuine smile stretched across my face. This… this was living. This was what I’d been missing.I wandered ov
LIAThe adrenaline was still pumping as I hurried, my hands shaking as I packed. The image of Johnny's betrayal kept flashing through my mind, making it hard to focus. I gathered the children's things, trying to keep my composure for their sake. They were still scared, clinging to me like frightened little birds. I managed a reassuring smile, though my heart was breaking inside.Levi helped me carry everything downstairs, his presence a source of comfort amidst the chaos. He loaded the bags into the car quickly and efficiently. We piled in, the children still subdued, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and confusion. The drive to the stone mansion was a blur. I barely registered the passing scenery, my mind still reeling.When we arrived, I was awestruck. The mansion was magnificent, imposing yet welcoming. It looked like something out of a fairytale. My children tugged on my dress, their eyes sparkling. "Mommy, is this where we're going to stay?" Nora whispered, his voice fill
LIAThe click of the lock echoed too loudly in the sudden quiet. I peeked out, heart hammering against my ribs. He stood there, just him, thank goodness. My breath hitched. "What are you doing here?" I whispered, my eyes darting nervously around the street, half-expecting a swarm of cameras to materialize from the shadows. The paparazzi… they’d been relentless earlier, hounding me and the kids. The memory made my stomach churn. The paparazzi had followed him to the children's school and at a moment, I felt like yelling in frustration.I could barely step outside because of the fear of not having paparazzi chasing me with cameras and harassing me, asking him scandalous questions that I never thought would be made public and now that it was everywhere, she was scared for her children. He was alone, though. Just him. Relief washed over me, quickly followed by a wave of apprehension. I frowned at him, trying to decipher the worry etched on his face. It was there, plain as day, in th
LEVII slumped back in my chair, feeling like I'd been defeated. The board members' words cut deep, and I couldn't blame them for their disappointment. I was disappointed in myself too.I thought about Lia and our children, and how they were suffering because of my mistakes. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, and I knew I had to do something to make it right.But what? I had no idea how to fix this mess. I'd never been in a situation like this before, and I felt like I was in way over my head.The board members continued to talk, discussing possible solutions and strategies, but I barely heard them. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Lia and our children, and how I was going to protect them.I knew I had to come up with a plan, and fast. But for now, I just sat there, feeling defeated and unsure of what to do next.As the meeting drew to a close, I knew I had to say something. I took a deep breath and stood up, trying to sound confident."I understand your concerns, and