LOGINI immediately rushed out, not waiting. My legs moved before my brain could catch up, pushing through sweaty bodies on the dance floor. The bass pounded harder in my ears, mixing with my heartbeat. I bumped shoulders and spilled someone’s drink.Just then, the glass slipped from his grip and crashed onto the ground, making a loud shattering sound. I stopped in my tracks, turned back, and said, “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled, but then I sighted the silhouetted figures of Caspian and Christian.My eyes widened. I rushed off without looking back even though the man kept yelling.“Come get my drink refilled, bitch!”The exit felt like forever. Every flash of light made me think they were right behind me. I finally burst out the main door into the cool night air. My chest burned. I crouched down near some parked cars, panting heavily, trying to catch my breath. My lungs burned like fire. My heart slammed so hard I could hear it in my ears.I couldn’t stay still. They could catch me any second. S
The moment I pushed the door open, the sound hit me first... bass so heavy it felt like it was beating inside my chest instead of coming from the speakers.Light spilled over me in flashes. Red, blue, purple. Everything moving too fast, too bright, like the room couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Warm air wrapped around me instantly, thick with perfume, alcohol, sweat, and something sweet I couldn’t quite place.I paused just for a second at the entrance.People were everywhere, laughing too loud. Dancing like nobody was watching, even though everyone was. Drinks raised high, bodies pressed close, the floor vibrating under constant movement.I moved forward anyway.A few strippers were dancing on the pole dressed in barely anything. I tore my gaze away as it messed with my head. I turned to my phone screen, the red dot was still beeping and I followed it, but suddenly it disappeared."Huh?" I asked, tapping violently on my screen. It didn’t pop up. I inhaled sharply and cursed unde
Hearing my name, I immediately climbed in and slammed the door shut. Reporters rushed forward, banging on the car, but the driver had already pulled away."Crazy reporters," I mumbled under my breath. My phone buzzed; it was Florida, who had boarded a separate car behind me."Miss, a broadcasting company is requesting your attention. They want you to attend a live show to talk about your disappearance." Hearing her words, my grip tightened.A broadcast? Live? I knew this was normal for celebrities and survivors, but why did it feel like a trap?"When was the email sent?" I asked."Yesterday," she replied. I bit my bottom lip. Should I accept? What could I even say? Do I talk about being tortured in an unknown place? I don't even know what the real Mia went through; I’d have to cook up a believable story."Miss, are you still there?" Florida prompted."Send the email to me. I will review it and give you feedback," I said firmly, then hung up."Where to, Miss?" the driver asked."The ho
"I did what?" My gaze shut Florida up. She didn't dare speak again, and Silvia sat down on the chair. "You are such a good child," she complimented, but Xena only scoffed and sat down too. "I brought the gifts because Laura was a friend of mine," I said, and Xena's lips parted with discomfort and distrust. "Friends? You guys were enemies," she chirped in, and I sighed. "That's how we appeared on the surface, but in secret we were friends," I lied. Xena wasn't buying it, and Silvia just seemed skeptical about it. "I knew my sister pretty well. If you guys were friends, she would have said something!" she added. I wanted to argue, but Xena could be very stubborn, so I just let it slide. "Either way, I hope you can accept the gifts!" I added. Xena wanted to turn them away, but Silvia accepted them with a smile. "I will be going now, please do take care," I replied and moved to the door, but stopped in my tracks. "Also, Laura's death doesn't seem like an accident." I walked off
Third person's pov Cassian tossed his jacket onto the chair, but why did it feel weird and empty? Usually when he gets home, Celeste would be awake waiting for him or clutching her phone, waiting for his call, but right now it was pitch dark and no one was to be found."Celeste!" he yelled, yet no answer came. He chuckled and angrily took off his tie."How can she be asleep while I'm out?" he mumbled and moved towards the stairs, staggering as he was drunk."Celeste!" he yelled again once he arrived at her door, yet no response came. He felt a sudden panic in his chest and pushed the door open.There she was, sleeping peacefully on the bed, her hair covering her face, the duvet clinging to her body, and Cassian's breath hitched.He felt a sudden kind of pain that second, but it disappeared the next second and he moved towards her."Undress, get on your knees and please me," he screamed, making Celeste flutter her lashes open."Huh?" she asked softly, and he chuckled, laughing evilly.
"Reall-" I stopped on my track as I heard Xena's footsteps moving closer to the door, I immediately nodded and Mrs. Check held my hands, walking off with me...I analyzed her. Although she was dressed plainly, the gown she wore was worth billions... it made me wonder what a woman like her was actually doing in a low hospital like this.I sighted Xena's silhouette behind me, just staring. I dared not turn even though I wanted to and run into her arms."What brings you here?" I asked, breathing in heavily and she smiled."I came here for charity," she said and my eyes sparkled. She donated to this hospital! I have never seen a rich woman who would actually do this, unless...."My daughter died once, of a terminal illness. She was actually eighteen then and had just celebrated her birthday, when she collapsed that very second, and got hospitalized...." She stopped on her tracks and gently took my hands, as I gazed at her with full pity."Having all the money in the world is useless, when
I woke up the next morning still dressed in yesterday's clothes, the fabric wrinkled against my skin. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, hitting my face and pulling me out of that restless sleep.My head felt heavy from the nightmare, that burning restaurant lingering in my mind like smoke trap
I strolled back into the house, the door clicking shut behind me.Cassidy rushed toward me immediately, her feet pattering across the floor. I stared down at her, and she beamed up at me so beautifully it made my chest ache. Such pure, unguarded joy was something I knew I didn't deserve in this bor
"It's so early, yet dogs are barking so loudly!" I cursed."How dare you call us dogs?" I heard Carolina say, but I didn't turn and continued eating my meal, they stood up and moved toward me."You brought another gigolo here?" she said, staring at the jacket left on the seat. Oh, I forgot Vincent
Her eyes sparkled, expecting nothing but cash to be placed in her hands. Instead, my long legs stretched out and I walked over, holding the cash.Her smile faltered."Who are you?" she asked as I walked closer, but I didn't reply.I stared at her wound and immediately held her bruised arm. She hiss







