[ABBIE]As I stepped into the house, my sister's warm embrace enveloped me. "Abbie, where did you go? I was so worried," she exclaimed.I flashed a small grin and settled into a chair at the dining table. With my parents still at work, Mia must have been the one to whip up tonight's dinner. "Just went to the museum," I replied."The museum? Did you go to see your painting?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.I nodded slowly, my mind still lingering on the canvas that had once held so much promise."I needed to find some motivation, some inspiration to paint again," I confessed. "I lost it all after Xanthe passed away. She was the only one who ever truly believed in me."As I twiddled my fingers, a sense of sadness crept over me. How was I supposed to paint again?Mia's hand reached out and grasped mine, halting my fidgeting. "I'm sorry, Abbie. I know I haven't always been the best sister to you," she said, her voice laced with regret. Normally, I might have grown irritated, but I fel
[LUNA]"Come on, Fight me!" I taunted, wiping the blood from my split lip. "Is that all you've got?"I had been fighting Jacob for what seemed like hours. Despite being a vampire, I was struggling to keep up with his attacks. Jacob had found a way to weaken me by using silver knuckles, a weapon that caused excruciating pain and left permanent scars on my skin.I dodged another one of his punches, feeling the wind rush past my face. I knew I had to be careful, one wrong move and I could end up dead. Jacob was not holding back, and neither was I.I lunged forward, aiming a punch at his stomach. He doubled over, gasping for air, and I took the opportunity to step back and let him catch his breath. As much as I wanted to win this fight, I didn't want to kill my brother."Who's a weakling now?" my mouth stretched into a smug smile. He rose up, but I struck him across the face with a powerful blow; he stumbled back, but he quickly regained his balance and retaliated, grabbing my arm and sla
[ABBIE]I woke up with the smell of something cooking downstairs. It must be my mom. I feel like slowly, day by day, I'm starting to be comfortable with reconnecting again with my family. Despite the warmth I felt, a hollow feeling lingered within me. It was as if something was missing, and I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Nevertheless, I was grateful for my family's efforts to understand me.Night after night, my dreams were haunted by Xanthe's presence, but never in a positive way. Every time I saw her, a feeling of dread consumed me. But then, out of nowhere, Luna appeared, wearing a smug smile on her face. She'd wrap me in a warm embrace, and it felt odd because I barely knew her, except for the fact that she shared Xanthe's face.Ever since that night in the museum, I couldn't shake off the recurring dream. However, in this nightmare, Luna always tried to rescue me. It was strange, because she ran away from me in the Museum. I shouldn’t be dreaming about her rescuing me."Good mo
[LUNA]I revisited the museum, eager to buy the painting that the crazy woman made. I know it's a sudden change in my decision, but I couldn't be at ease. I kept on having a nightmare that the painting was gone. So I finally decided to buy the painting. However, as if my nightmare turned into reality, the painting was nowhere to be found. I approached a member of the museum staff and inquired about it."Excuse me, Miss. Do you happen to know where the painting of the night sky is located?" I asked.The staff member smiled and glanced behind me before responding, "Ah, you must be referring to the painting by Abbie Gomez."Abbie Gomez? So that's the crazy girl's name."Yes, that's the one. Do you know where it is? I was hoping to buy it," I explained."I'm sorry, ma'am, but that painting is not for sale. Ms. Gomez has already taken it back," the staff member informed me.I was taken aback and almost raised my voice in frustration, drawing the attention of those nearby. "What do you mean
[RUBY]"The art of seduction, have you heard of it?" James asked, still trying to explain what he meant.I was still confused and hesitant about what he was trying to teach me, as I was afraid he might ask me to become a prostitute."You mean the book by Robert Greene?" I asked.James smirked and nodded in response."Yes, I know the book, but what does it have to do with the Camorra?" I asked, feeling my patience wearing thin. I knew I needed to learn something, but I needed to know what it was.James stood up from his seat and slowly walked towards me. He stopped behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders before whispering, "You're going to need to learn that."I gulped nervously as my body stiffened in my seat. "If you want to join the Camorra, you need to be useful to them," he added, emphasizing the importance of what he was teaching me."You really want me to become a prostitute?" I asked, still feeling confused and uneasy about what he was proposing."No, Ruby, you'll be a w
[LUNA]"Hey Luna, the boss is waiting. You better hurry up," B barked into the phone."Hey! You're over reacting," I heard Kylie's voice."Let her be! She's searching for someone,” I heard V's voice too."What? Who?" B intertupted."A girl named Abbie Gomez," I can hear V's teasing voice."Obviously, you know my whereabouts," I answered coldly."Who's that girl?" Kylie asked. I can hear some random noise as if they're fighting over the phone."It's the girl I met in the museum," I explained curtly. Honestly, I didn't feel like elaborating any further."I know everything Luna!" V yelled."Is that Luna?" it was J."Luna, Dad has been waiting for you. Don't keep him waiting any longer," J's voice had a stern edge to it, but I was unfazed."Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. I'm on my way there,” I replied in a disinterested tone."Yeah! Get your ass here. The Consigliere's niece has arrived. Dude, she's so hot and sexy and pretty!" B chimed in. I can imagine B drooling with the way he described James
[RUBY]James finally broke the silence as we got into the car, his eyes glinting mischievously."What was that all about?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face."What?" I asked confusingly."You were using your charm on Luna."I rolled my eyes, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. "I wasn't using my charm,I did that to shut her up," I turned my attention to the view outside the window."I think you made her like you more and I think you like her too," he tried to tease but I glared at him. He chuckled and shook his head."Just because she resembles Xanthe doesn't mean I'm interested," I retorted, averting my gaze."She can come across as arrogant at times," I added."Ah, but that's the very thing that women find irresistible about her," he grinned."Didn't you tell me not to fall in love. So why are you pushing Luna on me?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively and arching an eyebrow.
[ABBIE]Wouldn’t it be nice if you woke up in the morning and snuggled up beside the one you love? It would be the best feeling on earth to see her opening her eyes and flashing her charming smile at you. That’s what I feel every time I wake up in the morning. But today is different from those other mornings.My hand reached for the cold sheets beside me. I should have woken up with a smile on my face, but instead, dread took over. The loud thumping of my heart and the sting in my chest made tears pool in my eyes. I slowly got up, and as I looked around my lonely room, fear started to haunt me again. The fear of being alone, depressed and surviving another day without her.I sighed slowly as I closed my eyes. The pain seemed to get worse. It never heals. My head was spinning around, and all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed and sleep. I hope this is just another nightmare, and tomorrow I’ll wake up with her beside me.I blinked once, twice, and then again until I finally fell int