Aria perched on the side of her bed, gazing at the wall, her thoughts swirling with Alejandro’s remarks. He desires that I enhance the cartel's complete communication network. The burden of his request weighed down on her heart. If she complied with his request, she would render him unstoppable. If she declined, she could end up not living to regret her decision.A rap on the door startled her out of her reverie. Before she had a chance to reply, Alejandro entered the room, his presence overwhelming the confined area."You're overthinking," he remarked, shutting the door behind him. His keen eyes scanned her, as if looking for resistance. "That is risky."She gulped forcibly. "You want me to render you invincible."Alejandro grinned, approaching until he was directly in front of her. "I want you to perform at your best, my queen." His fingers brushed against her chin, lifting her face upward. "And in exchange, I will protect you."Her heartbeat accelerated. His caress ignited warmth w
Sighing, Aria walked home from work after yet another boring, non-adrenaline-filled day. Her feet were covered in little blisters that throbbed from standing all day. She worked as a data analyst in an office just a few blocks from her tiny apartment, staring at computers and numbers until her eyes blurred. It was tedious, but it was the only way she could pay her bills, put food on the table, and manage her student loans, which felt like they were about to crush her.But Aria's mind was elsewhere. She used to love cryptography, spending countless hours solving and decrypting secret codes while exploring the dark web. She was good at it too; people even called her a genius. However, something had changed. Aria had stopped working on her codes and messages after her parents were brutally murdered in their home back in Minnesota before she moved to New York. They were found dead, with no leads or motive. The police claimed it was a robbery gone wrong, but Aria knew better. She believed
The orange glow of a burning cigarette was the only flicker of life in the sheer darkness of a stormy night. Taking long drags, Alejandro felt the smoke seep into his lungs. Tall, handsome, and imposing, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded attention. His piercing gaze seemed to bore into the darkness as he sat in his study, fuming about the audacity of someone who dared to enter his territory and kidnap his sister. Anger and worry consumed him as he thought of Sophia, the unexplainable circumstances surrounding her abduction, and the fact that all efforts to uncover the truth had proven abortive.Today marked the fifth day since she had been taken from the estate. How? He still had no idea, especially since every nook and corner of the estate was under the watchful eye of surveillance cameras monitored by his men. He sat unmoving in the dark like a statue, a lit cigarette in hand, grappling with the feeling of failure. Sophia was his only living relative, and he loved her de
Waking up to serious migraines, Aria found herself with her hands and legs tied to a bed, something she never thought could happen to her. The excruciating pain in her head made it difficult to recollect what had happened before she blacked out, and the blinding sunlight streaming through the gigantic windows only intensified her discomfort.Suddenly, the door swung open, and a woman who looked like a Victoria's Secret model entered, dressed in a short, armless gown that accentuated her stunning figure. Even Marilyn Monroe would have been envious of her beauty, Aria thought as the woman strutted toward her, carrying a tray with a glass of water and what appeared to be a pill container.Feeling weak, Aria attempted to sit up but fell back onto the bed. The woman regarded her with an unreadable expression, saying nothing as she forced a pill into Aria's mouth, followed by a sip of water. Aria struggled against her, but her strength was fading. As the woman turned to leave, she said, "Th
Alejandro's eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, his gaze piercing into her very being. His voice broke the silence, dripping with menace. "I'm sure you now understand the situation?"Aria swallowed hard, her heart racing. "I... I think so," she stammered, sniffing as tears continued to pour down her cheeks. Alejandro's gaze never wavered.“Good! Your brother stole from me, and that’s unacceptable. He also kidnapped my sister; now that’s him signing off his death sentence.”Aria continued to shake, gripped by fear. "I’ll make it right," she promised, crying between her words. "I’ll pay back whatever he stole, and for your sister. I think... I think you’re mistaken. Jacewould never do such a thing," she added, her voice trembling.Alejandro's expression turned livid. "It's not that simple!" he shouted. "Your brother's actions have consequences."Aria's eyes pleaded with him. "Please, don’t hurt me," she begged tearfully. Alejandro's smile was cold. “I’m not promising you anyt
What is this place?" she demanded, trying to hide the fear in her voice. Juan's smile instantly turned into a frown. "This is where... business is conducted," he said, his eyes glinting with something unsettling.Aria stepped back, sensing the darkness and terror emanating from the steel doors. "You’re holding people here, aren’t you?" she asked, her voice trembling. Juan chuckled softly. "Guests, Aria. Just very... special guests," he added with a smile that sent chills down her spine.Suddenly, a scream echoed from behind one of the doors, so loud that she flinched. The sound sent a wave of terror coursing through her. "Who… who’s in there?" she stuttered. Juan's expression turned sinister. "Someone who’s learned to appreciate El Patrón’s hospitality and kindness."Panic surged within her; she knew she had to get out of there, fast. As she turned to leave, Juan grasped her arm, his grip like a vice. She was sure he had left a mark. "Remember, Aria, curiosity can be quite deadly. Lit
Interesting?Were those supposed to be interesting? She thought as her eyes darted around. "There's nothing interesting in here." She muttered. "Oh, so it's fun then." He replied to her, and she couldn't help but move back a bit, seeing as he was getting closer than she could take in. "Look at me!" He ordered, hating that she was avoiding everything about him.She struggled to look up but dared not look him straight in his eyes. "I want to get cleaning." She whispered and he looked around the kitchen. "Follow me." He then dragged her to the stairs that led to the basement, where he got people locked and killed. "Are you going to look into my eyes, or would you like to be thrown into one of these rooms?"She froze.Huh?What punishment was better? She thought as she struggled with the decision. Both of them were like death sentences. She didn't know which was better. "Why are you doing all this to me?" Tears were starting to steam down her face. "Both can kill me! Which way is a bett
Miguel had a lot of fun relaxing for the rest of the day and the next morning being Monday, she got up, got dressed for work, and made her way to Prime Enforcement Agency."Greetings Miss Miguel! There is an urgent meeting going on right now. President Jude asked that I inform you to get involved." Kate, her secretary informed her the moment she stepped her feet in her office. "I see! You may leave." She signaled, and Kate walked out.Miguel sat on her seat and became curious. What sort of impromptu meeting could be going on right now? She thought and after making sure everything was fine, she got up and walked into the meeting room. Everyone's eyes were wide open as she walked in and sat on a seat closer to President Jude."Morning everyone!" She said and went mute. A few answered her in pretense while the rest, who were actually young women, chose to remain mute, visibly showing their resentment for her, but Miguel never gave a fuck about them."It's good you are here Agent Miguel.
Aria perched on the side of her bed, gazing at the wall, her thoughts swirling with Alejandro’s remarks. He desires that I enhance the cartel's complete communication network. The burden of his request weighed down on her heart. If she complied with his request, she would render him unstoppable. If she declined, she could end up not living to regret her decision.A rap on the door startled her out of her reverie. Before she had a chance to reply, Alejandro entered the room, his presence overwhelming the confined area."You're overthinking," he remarked, shutting the door behind him. His keen eyes scanned her, as if looking for resistance. "That is risky."She gulped forcibly. "You want me to render you invincible."Alejandro grinned, approaching until he was directly in front of her. "I want you to perform at your best, my queen." His fingers brushed against her chin, lifting her face upward. "And in exchange, I will protect you."Her heartbeat accelerated. His caress ignited warmth w
Maria lay on her bed, looking at the ceiling, her heart was beating fast from the incredible night she had with Juan. His caress remained on her skin,a feeling she couldn’t forget. Yet, regardless of her desire to embrace the warmth, Valentine’s words continued to disturb her thoughts."You will never hold any significance for Juan."The echoes of the words mocked her. Did he see her merely as a toy? A brief getaway? She looked at Aria,Maria sighed, hugging a pillow. "I don’t know, Aria. I just… I don’t want to be just another woman he sleeps with and tosses aside."Aria raised a brow. "Did he say you were just another woman?""No…" Maria bit her lip. "But he didn’t say I was something more either."Aria reached out and squeezed Maria’s hand. "Then maybe you should ask him."Maria's stomach twisted at the thought. Juan wasn’t the type of man to be questioned about feelings. But she needed to know.Just as she was gathering courage to get up, a loud knock at the door interrupted both
"Go ahead and blame him then; I'm sick of you coming for me every time, even as you know that everything that has been happening is not my fault," Maria replied and Valentine was stunned. "You dare to speak to me like that?" She asked her and quickly grabbed her shirt. "Let me go!" Maria screamed at her but she wasn't willing to let her go." "I assure you one thing, you will never be anything important to Juan. You will always be a miserable maid. Do you wanna try?" She questioned her, and Maria started shivering. Valentine pushed her, causing her to stagger to the wall, and after that, she walked away. Maria watched her leave the hallway and couldn't help but burst out crying. She knew the meaning of what she had just done. No one ever challenged Valentine in the building but she had just done that. "I will do everything to not get eaten up by you." She muttered and ran to her room. After showering, she went in search of Aria and was only able to find her around the pull scrubb
Pissed, he slammed his hands on his table and growled. "The audacity!" He spat. The urge to attack Valentine for the shits she does sip into his blood, and at this moment, he just wanted to hurt her, but how could he do that without any substantial reason or evidence. She would call him a fool or even do away with any secret of his she must have seen and known without him telling her. Juan came to visit him later in his study but just sat without saying a word for a while. "I'm sorry this is happening to you, Jace. I can't believe my eyes too. I don't know what took her away from us but this is just too absurd. I'm pissed!" He said to Alejandro, who then shook his head, wondering what he had failed in. Valentine was surprised she hadn't seen Jude for some time now, and even as she tried to ask questions, she couldn't get any good response. She had no idea that Juan was willing already to end anyone who would spit a shit about what they know. Getting into her room that morning, she f
Why the heck was she calling a man? He thought and didn't stop watching it. He had to see what the hell she wanted to do. He then watched as guard Jude walked into the room and walked out while dressing his pants. Alejandro felt his heart broke at that point. He couldn't believe Valentine was so low that she couldn't wait for him to return. He saw her body movement and also found that weird. He messaged Juan and Juan rushed into the room. "Look at this." He said to Juan who then quickly turned it on repeat and started observing. "She looked like she was injected with something. Something just isn't right with her and I think that guard slept with her. Alejandro..." Juan said and turned to make sure his friend was very fine. "Are you okay?" He asked him. "Yes, I am." He said to him. He then got up and walked out of the room. One thing was for sure, there was no way he was going to let the guard go freely. Juan was so pissed too. Valentine was the current miss. Everyone ought to resp
"Good idea!" She whispered and tried to reach out to him. "Jude! Come over here." She shouted and walked into her roomJude, who wasn't used to being called, hurriedly rushed out of his position in search of her, and when he got to the terrace, she was nowhere to be found, so he went in search of her. Along the hallway, he bumped into Maria and paused. "Do you know where Miss Valentine could be right now?" He asked her and she rolled her eyes. "Where else if not her room?" She asked him, and he looked at her and rolled his eyes, too, and left. Maria was a little bit bothered, though, as she wondered why he would want to see her in the first place. She wondered if everything was okay and tried to find out but ended up stopping herself. She didn't think she was ready for any sort of trouble. Jude made his way to Valentine's room and knocked on the door. "Come in!" She said from inside and he rushed in only to see a naked Valentine on the bed. He moved back a bit, stunned by her act
"I don't think I want to hurt you. But that doesn't give you the right to stand there and try to talk to me disrespectfully. I'm only sparing you right now because of the love and respect I have for Alejandro." He said to her and walked away. She stared at him as he left and scoffed. She then looked at the ladies who she thought were fooling themselves and rolled her eyes. It's been a week since Jace shot her fingers, and tight after she recovered from the injuries, she made her way to Jace's house again to see him. On getting to his door, she started hearing some strange sounds. "Hit it harder! Don't stop!" A lady who sounded like she was moaning spat from the room. She held her chest, hoping that what she was hearing wasn't true, and quickly brought out her gun. Suddenly, she kicked open the door and pulled her trigger countless times all over the room, and after a while, she stopped only to realize that there was no one in the room. She turned towards the television that was on an
Am I dreaming? She asked herself as smiles never got off her face all through that day. She was more transparent and efficient and Aria loved that for her. Later that night, she personally prepared Juan's dinner and took it into his room to serve him. Juan, who was going through some newspaper that evening, was very surprised but didn't say a thing. He was looking to go down to the dining room to eat later, but seeing as she had made efforts to serve him, he didn't think he could refuse such an offer. "Good evening!" He said to her and she was very shocked. He greeted her?She smiled and after placing his food on the table and arranging everything for him to use and eat, she walked to him and bent down to greet him. "Good evening. Your food is ready! Can you come to eat so it won't get cold?" She asked him and he smiled and touched her shoulder. After about two minutes, he got up and walked to her to eat the food. She wanted to leave but he dragged her back. "I would love for you to
"Come in if you are there," Juan said casually from inside and she opened the door and walked in, her feet vibrating a bit due to nervousness. "Good evening sir!" She greeted him and quickly got his food served. Right after dropping it, she turned to leave but then he dragged her back and made her sit on the bed closer to where she got his food served. "Would it be a taboo to eat with me?" He asked her and she froze. "I... I don't think that's appropriate because you are my boss." She said to him. "I'm not the boss. Alejandro is, and I'm just his brother and friend." He replied to her, and the hair around her skin stood. It was as though she got scared of him every single time she talked to him. "Eat with me! There are enough utensils in the tray. The food is enough too." He told her and while she sat on the bed, she wasn't the most comfortable in the universe. He soon left her and got into the shower. After he was done, he stepped out, his abs still dripping water, and that got