Suddenly, Rene rose from the bed, reaching for his belt and unbuckling it. He tossed it aside, then pulled his T-shirt over his head, throwing it across the room as well. His jeans followed quickly after, and when he threw them all aside, his boxer was the only piece left.Rene stared at her for another moment, his eyes flickering down her body. Then, he smiled faintly, a little selflessly, “What now?" Staring down at him, Maria’s breath hitched. Her eyes moved over the bruises on his ribs, the faint marks across his skin. Her hand reached out instinctively, trembling slightly as it hovered near his side.But Rene stepped forward, catching her wrist in his hand and gently lowering it. His touch was warm, patient, but there was finality in it.“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his voice low with a hint of pleading. “Not today.”Maria opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss, soft at first. His lips brushed hers like a question, not a demand. She exhaled ag
The early morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold streaks across the floorboards. Rene stood shirtless before the mirror, the soft scratch of gauze brushing against his ribs as he wrapped the bruises with practiced ease.The muscles in his shoulders twitched slightly at every pull, his face set in quiet concentration. The wound, though shallow, was enough to remind him of the night before... of passion, of pain, and of the call that followed.He barely flinched as he secured the bandage with a strip of medical tape, the sting long dulled. The quiet was broken by a knock on the door.Maria stirred from the bed, tangled in the sheets. Her voice was groggy, but steady. “I’ll get it.”She padded across the room, pulling his shirt over her shoulders, and cracked the door open. One of the younger maids stood there, neatly dressed with her hands clasped in front of her. She dipped into a polite bow.“Good morning, Miss Maria. Your grandfather requests your presenc
Rene tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He gave a soft, contemplative hmm, as though the matter were merely an intellectual exercise. The silence dragged, intentionally, until even Madam Rossi’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth.“I must say,” Rene began, voice light, polite, dangerously unbothered, “you make a compelling case, sir. Betrayal, dishonor, public shame… It’s almost Shakespearean.” He set his water glass down with an elegant clink. “But there’s just one problem.”Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed to slits.“I didn’t betray anyone,” Rene said, voice sharpening beneath the charm. “I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. And I certainly didn’t ask to be used as some sacrificial pawn in your public relations game.”Jason scoffed quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “You act like you’re above the family, like none of this matters to you.”Rene turned his gaze slowly, lazily, toward Jason. “Oh, it matters. Just not the way you want it to.”
"Rumble!!!""Boom!!""Crash!!"Picking up his pace, Rene Ford ran, clutching the bouquet in his grip and the jewelry box in the other, while the rain pounded around him like a waterfall. The streets of the campus were deserted and he was the only one on the patch of dark road, the sound of thunder reverberating through the air and lightning crackling above him. He ran with all his might, ignoring the flower petals that scattered onto the sidewalk, and kept going as fast as he could. His lungs burned as his heart pumped blood into his veins at a fast rate but his legs didn't even quiver. "This is bad!! This is bad!!" He kept repeating under his breath, the words turning into a mantra. He wasn't sure if it helped to calm himself or not. But he had no time for hesitation now. Tonight was the night he planned to risk it all and nothing was going to stop him.Finally, he busted threw the double doors leading inside, slamming them shut behind him and taking out a deep breath that he h
For some reason, his thoughts turned to that day in October, when he had met Layla for the first time the day their professor paired them as project partners. He remembered after they got an A plus on the project, she jumped into his arms and he lifted her and swung her around with joy, both of them laughing so hard the whole class was stunned and staring.Since that day, she has been glue to him and they have been inseparable. He took every class she took, during his best so she wouldn't fall behind and graduate along with him. This coming Saturday, they were graduating, and he had fulfilled his promise to her that make sure she did, so her family could see her worthy to be their heiress and take over the family business. And now, she was about to finally get the life she wanted."Layla?" Rene finally found his voice again and she snapped her head towards him, a dangerous glint in her hazel eyes and her mouth set firmly in a thin line. "It's you, right?"A scoff escaped Layla's lip
A bitter laugh left Rene's lips as he held his tears behind his lids, fighting his urge to unleash his pent-up fury. "Yeah, a nobody. I'll remember that." "What does that suppose to mean? Are you threatening my girl?" Jason asked with a protective look in his eye.Ignoring him, Rene walked up to Layla, took her hand, and put the jewelry box in her palm, closing her fingers around it, "Goodbye, Layla."Just then, Jason grabbed his arm and yanked him away from her, but Rene's fist collided with his jaw so hard it sent him flying backward.When he recovered, his eyes filled with pure rage, and he charged at Rene once again, sending a hard punch straight to his cheek, but Rene caught his fist midair, twisting it slightly.He threw another blow, but Rene caught his arm and slammed him to the floor, landing another punch to his stomach, which was met with a loud groan, before landing one in his nose. Blood gushed down Jason's face, staining it crimson. "Get off him, you asshole!" Layla
Taking the soak coat off his body, Rene tossed it on his bed and collapsed onto the mattress, burying his head in his hands, and sighed deeply."This is all your faulty Rome." He murmured to himself, clenching his fists.Just then, his ringtone began to go off, and he fished for his phone from in his pocket, staring at the caller ID "Mom."For a moment he hesitated, and then he pressed to accept, bringing the phone to his ear. He heard nothing for a minute, and then his mother's sweet voice flooded his ears."Son, are you there?" Catherine asked, sounding anxious."Mmh," Rene replied, running a tired hand over his face and sighing heavily, "Yeah.. Why are you calling?"Silent for another few moments, Catherine let out a shuddery breath. "I don't know why I called. It's silly really... I'm sorry. I know how important this is to you, and that's not fair to you. You must be exhausted, I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you were okay.""I..." Rene tried, but he didn't know wha
Standing from the floor, Rene swallowed back his fear and gazed over at the dead man on his couch before facing Logan, "Father, are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?"A look of fear settled in Logan's eyes, knowing that even though he was in charge of protecting, raising, and training Rene, this was the first time he had called him father while Rome was on the other side of the call."Your dad wants to speak with you," Logan said, withdrawing the phone and showing it to Rene.But he refused to accept it, rage filling his eyes as he stared angrily at the device. Yet, Logan took steps towards him, grabbed his wrist, and put the phone in his hand, commanding, "Master Rome wants to speak with you."Frowning, Rene took the phone and drew it to his ear, hesitating only slightly before saying, "Yes?"After some silent hesitation, the deep baritone voice of Rome spoke up. "Are you alright? Are you safe?""Yeh," Rene said, turning to look down at the dead man."Logan said they were after y
Rene tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He gave a soft, contemplative hmm, as though the matter were merely an intellectual exercise. The silence dragged, intentionally, until even Madam Rossi’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth.“I must say,” Rene began, voice light, polite, dangerously unbothered, “you make a compelling case, sir. Betrayal, dishonor, public shame… It’s almost Shakespearean.” He set his water glass down with an elegant clink. “But there’s just one problem.”Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed to slits.“I didn’t betray anyone,” Rene said, voice sharpening beneath the charm. “I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. And I certainly didn’t ask to be used as some sacrificial pawn in your public relations game.”Jason scoffed quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “You act like you’re above the family, like none of this matters to you.”Rene turned his gaze slowly, lazily, toward Jason. “Oh, it matters. Just not the way you want it to.”
The early morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold streaks across the floorboards. Rene stood shirtless before the mirror, the soft scratch of gauze brushing against his ribs as he wrapped the bruises with practiced ease.The muscles in his shoulders twitched slightly at every pull, his face set in quiet concentration. The wound, though shallow, was enough to remind him of the night before... of passion, of pain, and of the call that followed.He barely flinched as he secured the bandage with a strip of medical tape, the sting long dulled. The quiet was broken by a knock on the door.Maria stirred from the bed, tangled in the sheets. Her voice was groggy, but steady. “I’ll get it.”She padded across the room, pulling his shirt over her shoulders, and cracked the door open. One of the younger maids stood there, neatly dressed with her hands clasped in front of her. She dipped into a polite bow.“Good morning, Miss Maria. Your grandfather requests your presenc
Suddenly, Rene rose from the bed, reaching for his belt and unbuckling it. He tossed it aside, then pulled his T-shirt over his head, throwing it across the room as well. His jeans followed quickly after, and when he threw them all aside, his boxer was the only piece left.Rene stared at her for another moment, his eyes flickering down her body. Then, he smiled faintly, a little selflessly, “What now?" Staring down at him, Maria’s breath hitched. Her eyes moved over the bruises on his ribs, the faint marks across his skin. Her hand reached out instinctively, trembling slightly as it hovered near his side.But Rene stepped forward, catching her wrist in his hand and gently lowering it. His touch was warm, patient, but there was finality in it.“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his voice low with a hint of pleading. “Not today.”Maria opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss, soft at first. His lips brushed hers like a question, not a demand. She exhaled ag
Staring ahead, Gunnar reclined on the leather couch in his private office, one ankle resting casually atop his knee, a tumbler of untouched whiskey in one hand. The room was dim, bathed in the warm golden hue of late afternoon light. The only sound was the faint ticking of the antique clock mounted above the fireplace.Across from him, Rene sat stiffly, one arm draped over the couch’s backrest, the other nursing his ribs with deliberate restraint. A thin bruise was forming along his jawline, still fresh from his father’s rage. He wore it like an afterthought, uninterested in pity."Will you tell me who did that?" Gunnar asked, lowering his gaze to the cut."No," Rene said casually.Just then, Gunnar’s phone buzzed on the table between them.He glanced down at the screen, then back at Rene. “Your grandfather-in-law is calling.”Rene smirked faintly, though his eyes remained dull. “Answer it.”Gunnar hesitated only a moment, then tapped the screen. “Okay, boss.”He placed the phone on s
Raising his gaze to stare at the door, their eyes locked. Madam Rossi stood there, cloaked in shadow and silk, eyes sharp on her husband's face. The chaos unfolding on the TV screen behind her husband was still playing, Layla’s tear-streaked face paused mid-confession.Mr. Rossi looked away from his wife to glance at the TV. His breath came hard and heavy. The glass of whiskey trembled in his hand.And then-CRASH.He stood suddenly, fury taking him like a tidal wave, and with one brutal sweep of his arm, sent every document, every folder, every glass and paperweight flying from the desk. They scattered and thudded across the floor.He slapped the surface of the desk with both hands. “Dio Mio!”Madam Rossi closed the door behind her with a quiet click and leaned against it, arms folded. She didn’t flinch at the display.“Is he worth it?” she asked coolly.Mr. Rossi’s shoulders rose and fell like a beast trying to contain its wrath. He didn’t turn to face her. “You think this is about
Jason rose slowly from behind the desk, eyes locked on Layla’s frozen form. The sharpness in his gaze dimmed, replaced with something softer, warmer... an illusion he wore like a second skin.“You’re angry,” he said, voice smooth. “I get it. But you need to see this from all angles.”She didn’t respond, only glared as he moved around the desk with slow, measured steps.He stopped just inches from her, tilting his head.“If you go against me,” he said gently, “if you lash out… who do you think the world will side with?”Layla’s jaw clenched.Jason continued, quiet and coaxing, “All I have to do is say you were the one betraying me. That you were sneaking around behind my back with Kia. I don’t even have to show proof. One well-placed whisper, Layla, and your entire world crumbles.”Disbelief flickered in her eyes. She staggered a step back, breath catching.He followed her.“But I’d never do that to you,” he murmured.Then, with careful tenderness, he reached up and cradled her face in
Pushing through the front door of the building, Layla kept her head down as she hurried across the marbled lobby of 'the Rossi Empire,' her heart thudding louder than her sneakers against the floor.Dark sunshades hid her bloodshot eyes, a gray hoodie pulled low over her head, and loose sweatpants disguised the usual classic figure employees recognized immediately.But it didn’t stop the voices from around her.They buzzed in her ears, hissing, tutting, sneering. She imagined them whispering behind their hands.... There she goes... look at her... disgraced... a joke... a shame to the family name.Her stomach twisted into knots.'It’s not real. They’re not talking about you,' she told herself. But the tighter she gripped her own arms, the faster her feet carried her toward the elevators, desperate to escape their judgment.Finally, the metal doors slid open. She darted inside, pressing the button frantically.Just as a pair of employees approached, whispering and laughing over a phone
Rene’s fists curled at his sides, the rage in his chest boiling over, crackling hotter than anything Rome could throw at him.“I’m not leaving,” Rene said, voice steady despite the tremor running through him. “Not like this.”Rome tilted his head slightly, regarding him with faint, amused disdain, like a lion humoring a cub baring its teeth.Rene took a slow step forward. His pulse roared in his ears. “Let's settle it, the old way. You taught me this, remember?”Rome’s eyebrow twitched. “You’re challenging me?"Rene nodded once. “If I can't strike you even once, I’ll go. I’ll follow your orders to the letter. I'll disappear from Maria's life, from everything.”The room seemed to freeze. Even Logan raised his head slightly, eyes widening.“But if I land one hit…” Rene continued, voice rough, cracking under the weight of his own heart, “I decide what happens next.”For a moment, silence stretched long and thick.Rome’s smile was slow, cold, and deadly."You never could back down from a
The black SUV growled low as it rolled to a stop in front of the tall, back metal gate. Rene sat stiffly in the back seat, his fists clenched tightly against his thighs as he watched the heavy doors slide open with a mechanical groan. His chest tightened, his gut twisting like a coil.Home.Except it wasn't home. It was this place... the safe house that felt more like a tomb than a sanctuary. A place he had been dragged to in his worst moments. And now, they wanted him here again, like a misbehaving son called to the principal's office.The driver, Matthew, glanced at him in the rearview mirror, but Rene ignored him, his gaze glued forward. The SUV pulled into the wide courtyard paved with thick gray stones. The massive mansion ahead loomed like a specter under the dimming sky, windows black, silent as a grave.The car barely stopped before Rene shoved the door open. Matthew scrambled out too, hurrying around to the open door with a polite bow, but Rene was already standing, jacket co