I love you all
LEO’S POVThe call came in just as I was about to wrap up for the day. I glanced at my phone, my heart sinking when I saw Bug’s name flashing on the screen. Something was off.“Leo,” Bug's voice was tense, and that alone sent a chill down my spine. “It’s Rachel… she’s been kidnapped.”The world around me suddenly faded into a blur. I couldn’t process what he was saying. “What? What do you mean kidnapped?” My pulse quickened, each beat resonating in my ears like a war drum.“They grabbed her on her way home. We’re trying to track her location now, but we need you to get to the police station immediately.”Without thinking, I bolted out of my office, nearly knocking over my chair in the process. My mind raced, panic and adrenaline coursing through me. Rachel—she was in danger. I could barely breathe as I rushed to the elevator, my heart pounding in my chest.The doors slid open, and I stepped inside, pressing the button for the ground floor with a force that matched my urgency. As I desc
LEO'S POV “What’s our next step?” I asked the officer, urgency lacing my voice.“Right now, we’re compiling a description of the suspect,” he replied, motioning to the forensic team working on their computers.“We’ll use facial recognition software to see if we can match him against any known criminals in the system.”Just then, Bug burst into the room, his face a mixture of concern and determination. “Leo, I’ve got something,” he said, urgency in his voice.“What is it?” I asked, my heart pounding in anticipation.“My boss once told me that she will put tracking device on all her shoes right Sarah Eli’s murder and I think it is linked to her macbook in the office” Bug said, bringing outa macbook that probably belongs to Rachel.“She said on it for safety reasons.”“Right,” I said, nodding.“She wanted to make sure we could always find her if anything happened again.” Bug continued“We can track her location using that device,” Bug said, pulling out his phone. “If she’s wearing those
LEO'S POVAs I stepped further into the abandoned building, my heart raced. In the flickering light, I spotted Rachel, tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear.Panic surged through me as I noticed a group of men emerging from a dark room, their expressions menacing.What made my blood run cold was the sight of a bomb strapped to her body, wires and a digital timer blinking ominously. My instincts kicked in, and I couldn't think of anything else but getting to her.I rushed toward Rachel, my heart pounding in my chest.“Get away from her!” I shouted, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The men, however, just laughed, their eyes filled with malice. One of them held a remote, taunting me with it.“Step closer, and we’ll set it off,” he sneered.“Leo, don’t!” Rachel pleaded, her voice trembling. But I couldn’t back down. I took another step forward.In an instant, pain exploded in my leg as I felt a sharp sting; I had been shot. I stumbled but focused on Rachel, who was looking at me
LEO'S POVAs I stepped further into the abandoned building, my heart raced. In the flickering light, I spotted Rachel, tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear. Panic surged through me as I noticed a group of men emerging from a dark room, their expressions menacing. What made my blood run cold was the sight of a bomb strapped to her body, wires and a digital timer blinking ominously. My instincts kicked in, and I couldn't think of anything else but getting to her. I rushed toward Rachel, my heart pounding in my chest. “Get away from her!” I shouted, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The men, however, just laughed, their eyes filled with malice. One of them held a remote, taunting me with it. “Step closer, and we’ll set it off,” he sneered. “Leo, don’t!” Rachel pleaded, her voice trembling. But I couldn’t back down. I took another step forward, my resolve unyielding. In an instant, pain exploded in my leg as I felt a sharp sting; I had been shot. I stumbled but kept my focus o
RACHEL’ S POV I know things have been awkward between us lately. We were at loggerheads just weeks ago, but this variety show brought us closer than I ever expected. "Leo..." I called, and he looked up at me. He was sitting a bit far away but moved closer, settling next to me. "Yes?" he answered, his eyes locking with mine. I have so many questions I want to ask him, especially now, but I don't know how to begin. "Could you hand me my phone?" I asked, stretching out my hand. He passed it to me, and I played a video before handing it back to him. He watched it, and I could tell he remembered. "I think this is where everything between us started," I said. It was a video of the day my dad was hit in that tragic accident. For a long time, I believed Leo was responsible, but over the months, doubt crept in. The video felt too real to dismiss, but part of me started wondering if I had been wrong all along. Maybe, just maybe, I should’ve asked instead of blaming him from the start. B
LEO’S POVWe’ve been enemies for years, and nothing unusual happened. But the moment we started caring for each other, the strange occurrences returned, darker and more unsettling.As I drove to meet Micheal, a plan already forming in my mind, my phone rang. Rachel. Her voice was filled with urgency, and the next words she spoke left me cold."What?!" I shouted, slamming my foot on the brake. My car jerked to a stop, my heart racing as if it might tear through my chest."Dave has never been in prison?" I asked, my voice low, but the disbelief was clear. I clung to the steering wheel, knuckles white. "No," Rachel confirmed, her voice shaky. "There are no records of him in the prison database." That was it. Dave was involved—he had a hand in all of this madness. My pulse quickened, thoughts spinning as I tried to piece it all together."I’m coming. I’ll get back to you," I said, my voice strained. Hanging up, I pressed the gas pedal, my mind now consumed by questions.As I drove, I dia
LEO’S POV“What do you mean I’m the cause of everything?” I asked, my voice tense. He grinned mischievously.“You think I’d just tell you? No, that’s a puzzle for you to figure out,” he replied, leaning back with a smug look.I could tell he was playing mind games, trying to throw me off balance. But if I played my cards right, there was a good chance I could get him on my side.“Alright, listen,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “I have an offer for you. Tell me who hired you and the price he promised. I’ll give you triple whatever he’s offering.”He smirked, his expression unreadable.“I’m sorry, but you can’t give me what I want.”He replied, and I chuckled, matching his mischievous grin. “You sure about that? Money? I’ve got plenty. Connections? I have those too. And power? You know well enough that I’m number one on the list of Las Vegas’ most powerful bachelors. As far as I’m concerned, there’s a limit to what your employer can do for you—but his limits are like infinity compa
MICHEAL’ S POV“Cecilia… listen! Just listen,” I urged, trying to soothe her, but she was far too wound up, pacing back and forth like a storm about to break.“Don’t tell me to calm down! I need to deal with Leo. How dare he treat his younger brother like this? Why is he being so cruel to you?” Her voice was sharp with anger, each word carrying the weight of her frustration.A strange warmth filled me, knowing someone was this fiercely on my side. Perhaps I should have held onto her years ago, made her mine when I had the chance.“Cecilia, please… calm down,” I said gently, hoping to steady her.“Don’t tell me to calm down!” she snapped, grabbing her jacket, preparing to storm out. But before she could take another step, I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close.She froze, her breath hitching as I held her tight. I leaned down, my lips close to her ear, my voice a soft murmur. “I’m okay. I promise,” I whispered, letting each word linger. “And besides, time heals ever
RACHEL'S POVI got a call from Bug saying the rival company’s CEO wanted to see me.Honestly, I couldn’t care less.Cecilia left about an hour ago, and since then, I’ve been sitting here, staring at nothing, feeling completely drained. The room is quiet, but not in a peaceful way—it’s the kind of quiet that presses on your chest, making it hard to breathe. I’ve been thinking about walking away from all of this, leaving the show behind. The idea keeps circling in my mind, louder than anything Bug said on the phone.I don’t even know why I’m here again. At first, I had a clear purpose—to join this variety show, uncover Leo’s weakness, and crush him in the game. Winning would’ve secured my company a top spot in Las Vegas, solidifying our reputation. But now? That goal feels like a distant memory, shattered into pieces. Everything I planned for seems pointless, and I can’t help but wonder if it was ever worth it in the first place.Nothing has been going right since I got here. If anyth
Michael's POV As I walked around the company, an unsettling quietness hung in the air. It wasn’t the usual hum of activity I was used to. Something was off. Perhaps a visitor had arrived, or maybe I was wrong. My suspicions were confirmed—or rather, shattered—when I entered my office and saw him. My so-called father. “That explains it,” I muttered under my breath, the words laced with a mix of irritation and resignation. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. My steps slowed as I approached my desk, every nerve in my body on high alert. His presence alone was enough to change the air, filling it with tension and unspoken words. As I moved to sit down, his eyes locked onto mine, following my every motion with an intensity that made my skin crawl. His gaze wasn’t just observing—it was probing, dissecting, searching for cracks in my armor. My jaw tightened, and I fought to keep my face neutral, refusing to let him see how his unexpected arrival unnerved me."Oh, I thought you
Rachel’s POV "Now we have to plan for this stupid wedding," I said out loud, my voice laced with frustration. Cecilia said she is coming to check up on me. I heard the doorbell, and I knew it was her. “Oh, sweetie,” she said while hugging me tightly, her arms wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I could feel the comfort in her embrace, her familiar floral scent filling the air as I let out a shaky breath. Her voice was soft, yet filled with concern, and her touch made my guarded emotions threaten to spill over. “Oh, how are you?” I asked as we went to settle down on the couch. I could sense something off in her energy, but I chose to ignore it for now. “I’m angry with you, but I just chose to come,” she said, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of hurt. She tried to mask her expression, but the slight crease in her brow and the way her eyes avoided mine gave her away. I sighed, bracing myself for whatever was coming. “What… why?” I asked, even though I knew exactly why sh
LEO’S POV“But why now?” Rachel asked, her voice edged with frustration and confusion. “I mean, it’s been so long since he was arrested. Why is he attacking us now?” She paced back and forth in the sitting room, her steps quick and restless. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and I could see the worry etched into her face. I watched her for a moment, trying to make sense of it myself. This wasn’t just a random move—it felt calculated, deliberate. But what triggered it now? After all this time? “I don’t know, Rachel,” I finally said, my tone low and serious. “But whatever it is, he clearly hasn’t let go of his grudge.” She stopped pacing and turned to face me, her eyes searching mine for answers I didn’t have."That won’t do him any good. He needed time to prepare, but eight years ago is way too long,” I said, running my hand through my hair as I tried to piece together every possible clue, every potential motive. “Or... what if he wasn’t planning anything at all?” she
VILLAIN'S POVI’ve been watching them for a long time now. Every time I see them together, it burns me inside. The way they laugh, the way they look at each other—it makes me sick. They don’t even know I exist, not when it comes to the two of them. But that’s fine. They don’t need to know, because as long as I’m alive, I’ll make sure they’re never together. I stand on the balcony, staring out into the quiet night with a glass of wine in my hand. The air is cold, biting against my skin, but I don’t care. The street below is almost empty, just a few cars passing by, their headlights cutting through the dark. The moon is high in the sky, its pale light spilling through the window and making everything look lifeless. It matches how I feel—cold and restless. My left hand grip the railing tightly, my knuckles turning white. I should have been done with this by now. Rachel wasn’t supposed to still be a problem. But the idiot I sent to take care of her is sitting in a police cell, and now
RACHEL’S POVI was stunned, frozen in place as Lily’s words echoed in my mind. She knows Someone pushed me? Why is she just telling me now?“What?!” I gasped, my voice sharper than I intended, cutting through the tense silence in the room. Lily’s eyes darted toward the door, her hand quickly gesturing for me to lower my voice. “Tell me,” I demanded, gripping her shoulders, my voice now a trembling whisper. “Who is it?” Her hesitation hung thick in the air. “It’s…” Just as she opened her mouth to reveal the truth, a sudden knock shattered the fragile moment, sending my heart racing. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension rippling through the room like an electric charge. I felt my grip tighten on Lily’s shoulders as dread crept into my chest. Who was at the door? And did they already know what Lily was about to tell me? "Tell me… who is it?" I insisted, my voice trembling with urgency, completely ignoring the knock. Lily hesitated, her lips parting as if to final
RACHEL'S POVI insisted the hospital discharge me because I had to go to the police station. First, someone pushed me into the pool, and then I was kidnapped. Now, I can't shake the feeling that something even worse is about to happen. A sense of dread lingers, the air thick with the weight of impending danger. The tension inside me grows as I try to make sense of the chaotic events, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty.As I entered the station, my mind replayed all the horrifying moments I had endured in his place, each memory like a fresh wound reopening.“Oh, you're here to see me too?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.“Also? Was someone else here too?” I asked, a sense of confusion creeping into my voice. He chuckled softly, the sound sending an unsettling chill through the air.“I guess you're unaware. He didn’t inform you? The person who caused your kidnapping?” he said, smiling, but there was something in his expression that made me freeze. He wasn’t joking
MICHEAL’ S POV“Cecilia… listen! Just listen,” I urged, trying to soothe her, but she was far too wound up, pacing back and forth like a storm about to break.“Don’t tell me to calm down! I need to deal with Leo. How dare he treat his younger brother like this? Why is he being so cruel to you?” Her voice was sharp with anger, each word carrying the weight of her frustration.A strange warmth filled me, knowing someone was this fiercely on my side. Perhaps I should have held onto her years ago, made her mine when I had the chance.“Cecilia, please… calm down,” I said gently, hoping to steady her.“Don’t tell me to calm down!” she snapped, grabbing her jacket, preparing to storm out. But before she could take another step, I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close.She froze, her breath hitching as I held her tight. I leaned down, my lips close to her ear, my voice a soft murmur. “I’m okay. I promise,” I whispered, letting each word linger. “And besides, time heals ever
LEO’S POV“What do you mean I’m the cause of everything?” I asked, my voice tense. He grinned mischievously.“You think I’d just tell you? No, that’s a puzzle for you to figure out,” he replied, leaning back with a smug look.I could tell he was playing mind games, trying to throw me off balance. But if I played my cards right, there was a good chance I could get him on my side.“Alright, listen,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “I have an offer for you. Tell me who hired you and the price he promised. I’ll give you triple whatever he’s offering.”He smirked, his expression unreadable.“I’m sorry, but you can’t give me what I want.”He replied, and I chuckled, matching his mischievous grin. “You sure about that? Money? I’ve got plenty. Connections? I have those too. And power? You know well enough that I’m number one on the list of Las Vegas’ most powerful bachelors. As far as I’m concerned, there’s a limit to what your employer can do for you—but his limits are like infinity compa