The celebration lasted all day. I was tired from the intense partying and was bewildered beyond belief by the childish party games they played. Linda, who was standing at a safe distance from me was the one to inform me of what they were doing. She said they were mostly traditional party games of the Hispanic culture. When she said that, realization dawned upon me. They were a very traditional sort.
"That's Veo Veo, Madame," said Linda. "Similar to the game 'I Spy'."
I nodded understandingly. The jerk was the one in the middle, looking around, while his subordinates were the ones that are to look for what he said. He was saying something Spanish, although there was a repetitive phrase he said every time.
Another game was similar to fencing. But, they used real swords. Probably a more dangerous rendition of the game befitting their organization.
"We call that La Verdadera Destreza. It is the true art and skill of Spanish swordsmanship."
"I see. They're good with words too." Not just guns.
After the games, they took a short snack break they called merienda. I didn't complain because finally, it's a break from all the uproar of the games. I ate cheesecake quietly with the jerk, who I now refuse to address with his name on my mind, and we barely spoke to each other. He appeared tired, too, given that he joined all games. Even a fit man would be fatigued from all that.
During dinner, the environment was calmer and their adrenaline looked to be finally gone. Even though their moods are still bright. I observed numerous people. Most of them were physically fit, with rough actions, and I even saw a handful with scars on their face—like the jerk. They all looked dangerous, but their lethal auras were dimmed down today because of the bright atmosphere and smiles plastered on their faces.
In the middle of our meal, he suddenly stood up and went to the front with a wine glass. He cleared his throat and exhaled, silencing the noisy hall. I watched his every move, my eyes feigning innocence.
"This is a special day for me," he said, his voice composed and loud enough for everyone to hear. He swirled the wine in his glass as he continued, "I will look back on this day as one of our most memorable days. I hope my friends will also cherish today...and of course," his roaming eyes landed on me. "To my new wife, and to the new lady of the clan—Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, some looking at me as they yelled.
"Cheers!"
I smiled gratefully, my cheeks flushing and my eyes twinkling with joy. I whispered a meek 'thank you' and went for my wine. But deep down, my suspicion is growing. Are they usually this shallow, celebrating this much for a marriage of convenience? Are they really welcoming me when it's just my first day? Not even an ounce of doubt for my intentions? Did they underestimate me that much?
Well, I guess that's what I was going for at the start to avoid suspicion. I just felt uneasy, like this mission is getting easier and easier.
"You don't seem that happy, young lady."
I jolted to the owner of the voice and found an older man staring at me with profound curiosity. His back was slightly hunched due to his aged bones, but there was still a trace of his massive body when he was in his prime.
"Do you mind my company?" He asked and motioned to the seat in front of me, where the jerk was just seated. I heard him laughing from a faraway table, completely forgetting about the wife he left alone at this table. How irresponsible.
"N-Not at all...Sir." I hesitated on how to address him. He seemed to notice that and immediately introduced himself as he occupied the jerk's seat.
"I am Old Barry. Not a Sir at all, just an elder of the Rios Clan. I am the master's adviser," he introduced, grabbing a grape. I watched his actions warily. The adviser of the business tyrant, Old Barry. I didn't hear about him in Fox's report.
"I-I am Fallon Ravest—ah, Rios."
His lips tugged at my mistake and grabbed another grape.
"Welcome to our humble house, young lady. You must still be adjusting to the environment, which explains your dull disposition today. Or perhaps you're a bit reluctant to the unfolding events?"
Just like his subject, he also spouts sharp words while maintaining that soft, smooth tone. Like he didn't just call me a dull girl. I tamed the flicker of annoyance and quickly shook my head.
"N-No, not at all, O-Old Barry. I was just...surprised by the quick pace. Just yesterday, I was still on the streets asking passersby for change."
His keen eyes evaluated the truth of my words. My tongue was dripping with venomous lies, but I'm an expert at weaving stories and manipulating people's minds through their emotions—in this case, it's pity.
Then, he slowly nodded. "I see. How did your parents die?"
My blood ran cold. My right eye twitched, and I could swear I saw the flash of something sinister in his eyes. Why suddenly ask about my parents? All of a sudden?
"E-Excuse me? My parents?" My throat dried. That question caught me off-guard. When he nodded and casually grabbed another grape, I broke out of the shock and desperately pulled myself together. "My parents... died when I was 16."
"Yes, I heard. So, how?"
My nervous fingers fidgeted with each other from under the table. I had a reason for this, I prepared for this. But my mind is blank. I couldn't remember my reason, and I can't even come up with one at the moment.
"They..." How did my true parents die? I'll just get the lie from that! Yes! "They—"
"That's a bit rude, Old Barry," someone scolded from behind me. Old Barry's eyes went to the owner of the baritone voice that interrupted us and to my surprise, the elder dramatically sighed and rolled his eyes. What? "Don't you think our mistress would be uncomfortable with such a question? And on her wedding day?"
The man pulled a chair from the nearby table and placed it to my right. He sat the opposite way on it, spreading his legs and placing his elbows on the backrest of the chair. He grinned at me, his short messy ginger hair shining under the chandelier's light and his pale complexion brightening his face, adding the light freckles. Despite his boyish face, he had a muscular build with broad shoulders.
"We met last night, madame! But it was too dark for the night to do my good looks justice so I don't think you noticed me." He snickered at his own remark, as if proud of his introduction.
"The name's Ross. Ross Reagan."
"H-Hi, Ross." I meekly greeted him.
"What unpleasant behavior from the most mannerless brat, how unsurprising," was Old Barry's harsh comment for Ross's intervention. "Stop talking over people and invading private conversations, brat."
"But you were asking her 'how' her parents died! That must've been a traumatic experience for Fall here yet you still asked! And it's her wedding day, don't ruin it!" Ross retorted, scowling at the elder.
Fall? Is that...my nickname? My brow rose mentally.
Old Barry merely ignored him. And I ought to answer, to avoid early suspicions. The very thing I questioned earlier was given to me. I can't mess this up...not this early.
"N-No, it's okay...Ross," I stepped in, smiling slightly at Ross. He was probably a few years younger than me, but he is undeniably bigger. "I can answer."
I met Old Barry's eyes again. This man is undoubtedly that jerk's advisor. He's observant, extremely untrusting, and sharp. I have to be careful around him.
"I grew up hearing my parents arguing every day. Even if they're busy with their work, they still found things to argue over..." That first part was true. "When I turned 16, a heated argument made my father lift a hand to my mother. He found out she was pregnant with another man's baby. My father forced her to drop the baby. The baby was aborted, and my mother killed herself shortly afterward because of her conscience. My father was devastated by my mother's death and eventually...followed her."
It was a mix of truth and lies. I hope he'd be convinced enough to let the matter go.
We stared at each other for a few moments, unblinking. I kept my eyes on him and expressed my honesty through my eyes, even though they were already moist as if remembering the scenes in my head. Ross quietly observed the two of us.
Then, Old Barry blinked and grabbed another grape.
"I see," was his short reply. I subtly sighed in relief. He'll be a difficult man to deal with.
Old Barry left shortly after that, saying he'll retire for the night. Ross stayed by my side, even teasing Old Barry for his bedtime. Then, Ross turned to me and shyly scratched the back of his head."Your impression of us might've been tainted by Old Barry. Don't worry, Fall, he has the worst attitude! The rest of us are kind!" He beamed.He acts like a child...but I guess nothing can surpass that jerk's childishness because Ross is more tolerable than his boss.I attempted a smile, which might or might not have just appeared as a wince. He took a sip of wine, silence lingering around us. He must've felt my uneasiness because he also left shortly after Old Barry.When I was alone at the table again, my thoughts went to the events after tonight. Will the environment remain as bright as tonight? I highly doubt it.And what of their carefree, jolly attitudes? Will they return to their usual cold, ruthless personalities like the rumors? That, I believe will be the case.They're cold-bloo
The following day, Linda informed me early on about the schedule as well as my role. She was a bit nonchalant this morning, probably because I didn't sleep with her master, but I pretended to be unaware."You'll be making your first appearance today, Madame Fallon. So I prepared this dress for you." She showed me an ivory satin knee-length wrap dress, with elbow-long sleeves and a bit of embroidered handiwork at the shoulder blades. "I hope the Madame doesn't mind sultry dresses like this. It was the master's order to get you a dress that would leave an impression. However, I didn't want the Madame's scars to be revealed, so I kept it as conservative as I could.""N-No...It's beautiful." I gulped. "Thank you, Linda."She bowed her head gratefully. "It is nothing, Madame Fallon. Would you like me to help you get dressed?""Yes, please. Is it...Will the gathering continue even after sunset?"She nodded. "It is a formal business gathering in the casino's ballroom. You can just stay besid
The building, I confirmed, was a golf club. It was a joint project by the casino owners of Las Vegas, Jett being one of them, and it's an exclusive club. We are to greet and play with the co-owners, as Ross informed me. He has been looking at me weirdly ever since I left the van. Probably because of whatever transpired inside, I came out as a completely different person. I started the act the jerk ordered me to be as soon as I left."Are you alright, Fall?" Finally, Ross asked the question he's been itching to ask."Yes, perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern," I replied with a controlled voice, my tone well-modulated. His gaze only became more suspicious, but thankfully he did not push it. The jerk, the person whose side I was supposed to be on, was out asking for a golf cart and his equipment that was stored in his office. He was talking with staff in the distance, so I stayed with Ross. His grumpy mood was still there. Really, he's a man of a lot of questionable personality sid
LeoMy first impression of the underground base of the Agnello mafia was 'spine-chilling'. It has a dark ambiance wherever I go, whichever hallway I turn to, or whatever room I enter.My hasty steps turned to a quiet hallway, a route I'm sure is to the supply room. I've already mapped out the entire base for the entire week I've been here. A few moments later, I stopped in front of a locked door.I pulled out my ID and was about to go in when I heard approaching footsteps."Hey!"Ugh, how unlucky. I slowly turned to the owner of the voice. My eyes went to the color of his ID—gray—an upper officer. I immediately recognized his face once I realized he was an upper officer, a rank only a handful of people have. Rico Brown.His eyes also went to my ID and frowned at the color—brown—I was an errand girl."Who ordered you to the firearms supply room?"I slightly bowed at him, recognizing the huge gap in our ranks, and muttered, "A superior asked me to check the inventory, sir.""Which super
FallonI forgot the time when I was talking with the wives. I only realized two hours had passed since I joined them when their husbands returned. I was enjoying telling the story of an innocent bar waitress seduced by a lustful, pathetic mafia man who almost begged to be wed to me. I held my laugh when I saw my supposed husband coming my way, dripping with sweat and unaware of all the humiliating fake scenes I told the wives.I covered my breath hitch with a smile when he immediately wrapped his arms around me as soon as he returned. I noticed the wives' eyes on us so I decided to solidify my stories by showing him so submissive of me.I gently stroked his hair and rid his face of some stray strands."Are you tired?" I purred, my voice soft and seductive.His right brow and right scarred lip twitched in subtle surprise. "Mhmm...""Oh, how sweet!" One exclaimed. "The freshness of a newlywed couple takes me back!"The others agreed and I faintly laughed. "If we wish to last until the g
Warning: This chapter contains mature content.Even with my racing heart, I still heard the heavy exhale that escaped my lips when he pushed me on the bed. The canopy bed felt so tiny in comparison to last night.Why...Why did I even try avoiding him last night?Looking at him now, he looks like someone who gets what he wants. And he also reacted subtly vicious last night when I slept on our honeymoon. A small part of me knew he'd still get 'it' if he really wanted. And now..."I find smart girls attractive," he said, unbuttoning his polo and flinging it over his head. "But not so much with devious girls."Too bad. He met a two-faced girl like me. The most devious of them all.I bit back my snarky comments and let him go over me. My wrap dress was easily undone with a single pull from the knot and my undergarments were immediately exposed. It was only midday, yet here we are.I held my breath when he surveyed my bareness. I did the same. My throat suddenly dried at the sight of his to
It became a battle of pride – of who'll pass out of exhaustion first.I wasn't very experienced in bed, but he seemed like he was. I couldn't even deny the limitless pleasure I felt. And I couldn't say he forced himself inside me because I humiliatingly ached for him too. He was a fit man, so it was a given that his stamina was good, but I pride myself in my endurance.And now, it's been a week and we've been continuously doing it. We barely got out of the room and we've both been neglecting our duties. I... couldn't get enough of him.At first, Jaguar's face popped up in my mind but as time passed by, I didn't realize I already had Jett's face and body memorized that I see him even when my eyes are closed. The sexual attraction and thirst we had for each other was unbelievable. So much so that after my third release, I decided to have a little fun while on this mission.Now, how long has it been? I lost track of time.I stared blankly at the ceiling; my body naked under the thick cov
"Kneel.""Mhmm, just like that."He grasped a handful of my hair and tightly gripped it as I felt him twitching inside my mouth. He released shortly after my skillful maneuvering, and I panted when he pulled himself out. He was panting like me, and his hands cupped my chin.Looking down at my kneeling figure, his droopy eyes blinked as he smirked, "You're learning. Keep it up."When I remained silent, he urged me to answer. I mumbled, "Thank you, master."I rose from the cold bed, catching my breath. My hands went to my throat, which felt full just a moment ago, and looked around. I'm in the same room, but the lights are off and I'm...alone.My eyes widened. What was that?! Did I just dream of us?!Why?!If I remember correctly, that was on our third day. Why did I dream of that so suddenly, and even after so many days have passed?To take my mind off that steamy dream, I washed in the bathroom and prepared for today's formal party. It's been a few weeks since I started snooping aroun