Ashley woke up to an empty space beside her. She stretched, yawned, and sat up, scanning the room for Gabriel. His side of the bed was cold, untouched.She tossed off the covers and swung her legs over the edge, planting her feet firmly on the floor. Ashley stood, walked to Gabriel's closet, and pulled out one of his favorite shirts. She slipped it on, inhaling his scent, and headed downstairs.The living room was bathed in morning light. Gabriel sat on the couch, laptop open, eyes fixed on the screen.Ashley approached quietly, observing him. His brow furrowed, focused.She snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck.“Hey, good morning,” she whispered, her breath tickling his ear.Gabriel's reaction was Lighting fast.“What the fuck!” he yelled, trying to pry her hands off. “Get your hands off me!”Ashley's eyes sparkled with mischief as she tightened her grip, her fingers intertwining with Gabriel's hair.“Someone is grumpy,” she teased, her voice husky.Gabriel's fac
The pulsating music and flashing lights of the club surrounded them as Arthur led Jessica to the bathroom.They weaved through the crowded dance floor, dodging revelers and waving hands.As they approached the ladies' room, the bouncer nodded at Arthur.“Alright, man,” he said, stepping aside.Arthur acknowledged him with a nod.When they reached the bathroom door, Arthur asked, “Are you good?”Jessica nodded, her eyes scanning the area.The bathroom line was long, but Arthur guided her to the front.Jessica nodded, her eyes scanning the area. “Yeah, I'm good. Just give me a minute.”Arthur's expression turned concerned. “You sure?”Jessica's gaze met Arthur's. “I need a minute alone, please.”Arthur hesitated before nodding. “Alright, but be quick. I'll keep watch.”He stepped back, positioning himself near the entrance.Jessica pushed open the bathroom door and slipped inside.As the door closed behind her, she leaned against the sink, exhaling deeply.She opened her eyes “Fuck!, yo
Liam felt a surge of heat and energy course through his veins, like molten fire igniting his very core. His breath caught in his throat as his heart racing accelerated.At first, it was exhilarating, as if his senses had been heightened. But soon, the sensation turned intense, overwhelming. Liam's vision blurred, and his legs buckled.He stumbled, gasping for air, as a searing pain ripped through his chest. The mark, once a subtle hum, now blazed like a wildfire, fighting his way through his system.“Liam!” Victor shouted, rushing to his side.Liam's hands grasped at his chest, as if trying to contain the inferno within. “It's...burning…” he choked out, spitting black blood.Victor grabbed Liam's shoulders, holding him upright. “What's happening?”Liam's eyes rolled back, his body shuddering. “The mark...it's spreading…”Victor's grip tightened. “Fight it, Liam! Don't let it consume you!”Liam's face contorted in agony, his voice barely audible. “Can't...stop it…”Suddenly, Liam's bod
The receptionist led Arthur through a secure door behind the front desk and into a cramped control room. Banks of monitors lined the walls, displaying feeds from security cameras throughout the hotel.A gruff-looking security guard looked up from his station. “Can I help you?”The receptionist nodded. “This gentleman is looking for his friends. They're registered guests, but they're not answering their phones.”The security guard's expression softened. “Okay, let's take a look. What time did they go missing?”Arthur thought back. “We were at the club around 9 PM. I haven't heard from them since.”The security guard nodded. “Alright, let me pull up the footage from 9 PM onwards.”He began typing on his console, and the monitors flickered to life, displaying various feeds from around the hotel.Arthur's eyes scanned the screens, his heart racing with anticipationHe fast-forwarded through the recordings, stopping at various points to show Arthur people entering and leaving the hotel.Ar
Grandalf's voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, his words laced with a sense of urgency. “Valerie, we must convene immediately. The girl's powers have awakened, and she's more formidable than we anticipated.”Valerie came out from the shadows, her eyes gleaming with interest. “I've been monitoring her progress, Grandalf. Her abilities are indeed impressive, but we must be cautious. If she learns to harness her powers, she could become a significant threat.”Grandalf nodded in agreement. “Precisely why we must act swiftly. We cannot allow her to become a wild card. Our plans depend on her remaining... manageable.”Valerie's expression turned calculating. “I'll take care of it, Grandalf. But we'll need to be strategic. The girl's powers are still raw, but she's resourceful. We can't underestimate her.”Grandalf's eyes narrowed. “See that you don't, Valerie. Our future depends on it.”“We need Liam's blood,” Valerie said. “That is the only thing delaying…”“And what is stopping yo
Jessica's memories came flooding back, she felt a surge of emotions, fear, anger, and sadness. She struggled against the restraints that bound her to the bed but they held fastThere was nothing holding to the bed, yet she cannot move. The spell that immobilized her legs seemed to be growing stronger, making it harder for her to even twitch a muscle.Jessica's mind was racing, she tried to piece together the events that had led her to this point. She was at a club “Fuck” she thought to herself.“Arthur,”she muttered. She remembered her mother's death, the feeling of helplessness and despair that had consumed her. And then... and then there were the flashbacks. Memories of her mother teaching her how to cast spells, how to brew potions. Memories of her mother's frightened face as she lay dying staring at the blurred killer’s face.Jessica's eyes narrowed as she realized that her memories were not just random recollections. They were clues. Clues to her past, to her mother's secrets, a
Liam wiped the sweat from his brow as he worked on his farm. An SUV appeared from afar, an unusual sight in these rural parts. Despite being the president, Liam comes to the farm to work sometimes.As it pulled up, a woman got down, dressed in designer attire that screams money.Her gaze swept over Liam, a look of disgust appeared on her face. "Liam Miller?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.Liam nodded, "That's me." He said."I'm Ashley Wilson," she said,scanning his worn out clothes and rugged surroundings. "Your arranged fiancée." She completed.“I can't believe I am engaged to a farm boy.” She muttered to herself.Liam's eyebrows shot up. "Arranged fiancée?"He knew his grandfather planned an arranged marriage but was not expecting it to be someone like her.Ashley snorted. "Don't get excited. I'm only here to make something clear,I won't marry you. It is not happening in your wildest dreams."As she spoke, she flaunted her diamond-studded watch and designer handbag,
Ashley was in awe when Liam entered the luxurious Rolls Royce,her eyes fixed on the car as it disappeared into Manhattan's traffic.She was too stunned to speak when the butler Davis smiths addressed him as “Mr Liam Miller.”Her embarrassment grew when she learnt that he is engaged to Jessica Matthew, one of New York's most influential women.She is in disbelief as the guy she dismissed as a small town boy and country bumpkin is not a nobody after all.Matthews estate On Manhattan's Upper East Side,as the Rolls-Royce glided through the iron gates.The grandeur of the mansion surprised Liam.As they entered the living room, he could not help but be amused by crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and exquisite artwork adorned the walls.“This way Mr. Miller.” David Wagner, the butler, escorted Liam to the office where Jessica awaited.He knocked twice and awaited a response.“Come in,”she said softly.David pulled the door and gestures for him to enter.Liam could not help but stare at Je