The sun hadn’t fully risen when I stepped into the Dangello mansion’s meeting room. The dim lights cast long shadows on the walls, and the air felt heavy with tension, as if it carried a weight of its own. Maddox stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out at the estate grounds. Max was focused on a map projected onto the glass table, while Dax lounged casually in a chair, idly spinning a knife between his fingers.As I entered, all three sets of eyes turned to me. Maddox was the first to speak.“Everything is ready for your return to Arabia,” he said, his tone cold and unyielding.“Perfect,” I replied, though the word didn’t reflect how I truly felt. Facing Khalid again—his dangerous charisma and his insinuations—wasn’t something I was looking forward to.Max approached and slid a file toward me. “Here are the mission details. We need Khalid to confirm his support within the next 48 hours. Without his help, our routes will remain exposed, and the Council knows it.”I nodded, quickl
The hum of the private jet was a constant noise in the background, almost relaxing if not for the weight of the mission ahead. Khalid was not an easy man to deal with; every move he made was designed to disarm you, to control you. Maddox knew this, which was why his warning still echoed in my mind: *"Don't hesitate to do what is necessary."* Beside me, the personal assistant Max had assigned was reviewing the itinerary. A private event at Khalid's residence, with high-profile guests: businessmen, politicians, and figures I couldn't afford to underestimate. Everything was calculated, including my role in the meeting. “We’ll arrive in less than an hour, miss,” said the assistant, his voice formal. “Would you like to go over anything else?” “I’ve got it covered,” I replied without looking up from the report I had been studying since takeoff. Every line, every detail, had to be perfect. When we landed, the desert heat hit me immediately, a sharp reminder of how imposing this place was.
The faint light of dawn began filtering through the curtains of my room, but my mind remained trapped in the events of the previous night. The envelope, the shadows on the balcony, Khalid’s message... Everything pointed to a game far more dangerous than anyone had admitted. I wasn’t just dealing with Khalid but also with forces I didn’t yet understand. As I prepared for the day, my thoughts replayed the details of the meeting. Khalid was not a man who acted without purpose, and his insistence on crossing personal lines was no coincidence. His game wasn’t just political or strategic; it was deeply psychological. A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. When I opened it, I was met by one of Khalid’s assistants—a man with an expressionless face and rigid posture. “Mr. Al-Fayez requests your presence for breakfast in the main hall,” he said in a monotone voice. “I’ll be there shortly,” I replied, closing the door with a click before he could say anything else. I took a deep bre
The blend of courtesy and danger that always surrounded him. "I promise you it will be enlightening."Minutes later, we were walking down a seemingly endless corridor, lit by flickering torches in the breeze. Khalid was ahead of me, his steps firm and assured, while two guards followed us at a prudent distance. Finally, we reached a double wooden door carved with intricate geometric patterns. Khalid stopped, turning towards me with an enigmatic smile."Welcome to my personal sanctuary," he said as he pushed open the doors, revealing an impressive room.The place was a mix of modernity and tradition: walls covered with tapestries, hanging lamps casting patterns on the ceiling, and a low table surrounded by silk cushions. In the center, a silver tray with tea and dates waited, along with a bottle of wine that didn’t quite match the rest of the atmosphere."Please, sit," he said, pointing to one of the cushions as he settled across from me.I sat cautiously, not taking my eyes off him. Kh
Dawn broke over the desert, painting the sands in golden tones that seemed to stretch endlessly. From the balcony of my room, I watched the day slowly begin, but my mind was far from peaceful thoughts. Khalid. His gaze, his carefully measured words, and his ability to toy with the balance of power were etched in my mind. There was no doubt: this man wasn’t just a potential ally but also a silent adversary capable of dismantling me with a single move. My device buzzed on the table, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was a message from Maddox: "Is everything ready for the meeting? I’ll arrive by noon." I exhaled deeply before replying: "Everything is under control." The response came instantly: "Stay firm. Khalid doesn’t play fair." “I know,” I murmured to myself as I locked the screen. But Maddox wasn’t the one who needed to remind me of that. Every interaction with Khalid was a battle of wills, and today would be no different. --- The main hall was surprisingly empty when I cam
The midday sun had already turned Khalid’s residence into an oven of light, its intensity reflecting off every corner of the estate. While I waited in my room, reviewing the agenda details, my mind kept returning to my conversation with Khalid. There was something in his words, in the way he looked at me, that made everything feel less like a negotiation and more like a game of attraction and power. The buzz of Maddox’s device pulled me out of my thoughts. The message was simple, as always: "I’m arriving. Be ready." I knew what that meant. Maddox never traveled without reason, and his arrival here only reinforced the gravity of the situation. Khalid could play with his words and his charisma, but Maddox played with results. And I was caught between them. A knock on the door announced the arrival of an assistant. “Mr. Al-Fayez requests your presence in the main hall. Maddox Dangello is already here.” The weight of those words made me straighten immediately. Maddox and Khalid in the
Night had fallen over Khalid’s residence, wrapping the gardens in dancing shadows under the faint glow of the moon. While sitting in my room, reviewing the reports Max had sent, my thoughts kept drifting back to Khalid. The way he spoke, moved, and controlled every interaction—it was no accident. He knew exactly how to push the right buttons to unnerve anyone, but with me, it seemed like he was playing on a more personal level.The buzz of the device broke my concentration. Unlocking the screen, I saw a brief message:"Amalia, on the terrace. Now."I sighed, fully aware that ignoring Khalid wasn’t an option. I adjusted my dress and made my way to the private terrace.The terrace was illuminated by small lights hanging like artificial stars. Khalid was there, standing beside a table with two glasses of wine and an open bottle. As he heard my footsteps, he turned slowly, wearing that deliberate smile that always seemed to conceal more than it revealed.“Amalia,” he greeted, offering me a
Dawn came too soon, bathing Khalid’s residence in a golden glow. I had slept little, my thoughts trapped between Khalid’s words and Maddox’s intensity from the previous night. Both men occupied my mind in different ways, and although I tried to stay focused, I knew I was caught in a game where I was the central piece.A message from Max appeared on the device, as direct as always:"Confirm progress with Khalid. Maddox will be in contact soon."I sighed and set the device aside, deciding to prepare for another day. I knew interactions with Khalid were inevitable, and every moment with him felt like a challenge to my ability to maintain control.Breakfast at the residence was a spectacle of opulence, like everything else that surrounded Khalid. A long table was laden with exotic fruits, freshly baked bread, and an array of dishes that seemed more appropriate for a gala dinner than the first meal of the day. Khalid was already there, seated at one end with a look of calculated tranquility
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus
I tensed my jaw worriedly, as I tried to think of what to say, however, his burning eyes wouldn't let me think clearly. They seemed to be absorbing me, like a hurricane storm taking everything in its path."Max.""Do you really feel like murdering the people you love?" he interrupted me to ask and my breathing stopped for a second."I don't mean to, but...""But? Do you think this is a game?" he looked at me with intensity in his eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening to me. In any case it was very simple, I couldn't just tell him that he didn't love me anymore, it was suspicious and that was also going to hurt my family for my behavior, "Come here," he ordered pointing to his leg and with no intention of contradicting him, I approached him and sat on the leg he had free, while I looked sideways at the gun."How about we make a deal?" I asked softly and he looked at me curiously in silence."Do you think Dax and Maddox would be willing to make a deal with you, you've caus