~ANGEL~The unfinished work on my canvas was far from perfection but I had thought of a last-minute remedy. The back door creaked, but I kept my eyes on the art. Drawing provided me with an escape that nothing else could offer. It soothed my troubles and gave me peace, it was all I needed at the moment.“Mr. Axton.” A timid voice called and I knew it was the maid. She had let herself in and approached me. “Strip. Come closer to me.” I instructed, my eyes still glued on the canvas. I had to get exactly what was missing and the addition of a real-life figure to the hue of colors may just account for a thrilling finishing touch.The maid obeyed without another word; she stepped out of her uniform, remained naked, and got on the bed. Then she inched closer to me and struck a position that made me frown. Her presence was perfect, but her stance… not exactly. I needed something closer to wild, yet subtle; a commanding position not a seductive prey.I was just about to make my point pract
~JADE~I was awake long before the knock came. Eva Axton was not only a nuisance to my mission but also a pest to my sleep. “Kim?.” My brows lifted to see the Asian maid outside my room so early in the morning. “I’m sorry. It's Mrs. Lopez. She asked that you get ready and come downstairs as soon as you can.”Eva’s escaping figure the night before flashed before my eyes and I swallowed and tried to fix the maid a smile.“Is everything alright?.”“I think you have nothing to worry about,” Kim reassured and turned away just as swiftly as she had come.I freshened up and made myself presentable in jeans and a lilac V-neck fitted top, then made my way to the common room where Mrs. Lopez was already waiting. “Good day, Mrs. Lopez. You called for me?.”The housekeeper’s eyes narrowed as they took in my outfit, then she gave a tight smile and handed over a package.My brows lifted to realize it was a new phone.“I have a phone, Mrs. Lopez.”“It’s a work phone.” She explained. “You have a
~JADE~My lungs begged to stop and take a break, breathe in some air, but my feet had a will of their own.I ran after the security guard, into the school’s control room and shifted on my feet repeatedly as the guard fetched for the footage that had captured Eva getting hauled into a black van just in front of the school’s entrance by men in full black outfits, approximately forty-five minutes ago.I wondered how they had managed to get through the checkpoint at the gate without suspicion but another guard hurried in with the report that the security men at the gate were knocked out and still unconscious.“How could you all let this happen?!.” Principal Dwyer scolded the men, but their sluggishness was starting to get on my nerves.“We don't have the time for this.” I pointed out and did a rewind of the CCTV footage to have a better look at the van. The vehicle had moved fast, but I was able to pause the video at an almost blurry angle where the plate number was readable.“Call the po
~JADE~I looked at the corner where Eva was sitting, glaring after a police vehicle that had carted the boys away. After her statement had been taken down, she’d insisted it was a prank, in their defense. I knew she had done it for Nate, but It was a stupid call to make. It might have been a prank, but it could also have been a real kidnap. I shuddered to think that anything could have happened to her within those moments. “I would appreciate it if this matter is properly looked into, Officer. My ward was taken away without her consent. It’d be a hassle if such a nuisance is to be repeated ever again. Remember it could be anyone next time.” I urged the officer, against Eva’s plea. She stiffened beside me. I pretended not to notice. It was for the best.The chauffeur arrived to pick us up and Eva’s mood soured even further. She rushed into the vehicle, eager to get away from the scene and I thanked the officers for their help and settled in after her.“Did you have fun watching?.” Ev
~JADE~“Mr. Axton…” I didn't expect to see him or anyone else in the library. “Mmmh.” His presence sent me reeling with uncertainty on how to react. We had only exchanged words once, but our first encounter was not one to be easily forgotten.“Didn’t see you there,” I added, chasing the images of nudity far away from my mind and trying my best to sound completely natural.He kept the book in his lap aside and approached me, rolling the wheels just close enough to pick up my book from where it still laid on the ground and raise it to me. “It's Angel, Elena.” He didn't fail to remind me. I frowned, neglecting the way my name easily rolled off his tongue. It's been ages since anyone referred to me with that name. It brought back a whirlwind of memories, and subconsciously, I took a step back, away from him. Angel’s gaze was steady, his hold so strong that I found myself unable to keep up. Yet, something was commanding about his eyes; something so appealing that I couldn't look away
~JADE~I do not like the uneasy feeling that came with the knowledge that I was being watched.After that one time, there were no more notes slipped in through my door, but I could not relax; knowing there was someone out there watching me, monitoring my every move.The rest of the school week ran by slowly and I barely ran into Angel after our last encounter in the library. Kim explained that he had gone on a trip for a private art auction and It was a pure relief not to have any awkward meetings with him again.Every morning, I went to school with Eva who had been strangely quiet. Her arrested friends were yet to be released from the police’s custody despite their parents’ timely intervention. I had thought they would be released quickly on bail but although they were minors, kidnap was a serious crime and it felt good to know that the officers were not taking it lightly with them. Luckily for us, Principal Dwyer had kept the kidnap ruse incident under wraps with only the school st
~JADE~The bared part of my skin shivered in the night’s cold breeze. Nevertheless, I kept still, refusing to show any sign of discomfort to Vincenzo who had pinned his gaze on me the instant we arrived at our destination. The Raven’s High. A hotel well known for its heavily pocketed clientele. Lyra had been glad to hand over her client to one of the girls to doll me up and get me ready for the party. While Sapphire had returned home immediately.Beneath my black cat-eyed half mask that only covered the upper part of my face, my lips twitched. Even with his mask on, I knew I had pissed the arrogant man off and it wasn’t so hard to point out how.Vincenzo’s gaze dropped to my dress, a midnight blue dress that hugged my slender waist and wide hip, then flowed freely. His jaw clenched with irritation. “Are you in any way colorblind? I was specific on what you were to wear.” The last words came out rushed and angry as he looked around at the new vehicles arriving. Then his eyes darted
~JADE~“Did you let him go?.”“Speak bitch!. Did you let the Underboss get away?!!!!.”My head was blank. I could feel the life getting snuffed out of me. My eyes closed but Vincenzo was having none of that. He slowly released his hold on my neck and I gasped, completely sure that I had red lines around my flesh. An angry crowd of Mafia formed around us and he tipped up my chin, “You have one last chance, woman. Get back in that house and bring me that son of a bitch. I don't care what you have to do, but do what is necessary or I’ll be forced to show you the consequences of failure on my father’s behalf.“~I didn’t know how long I had been clamped up on the balcony’s floor but I slowly pulled myself to my feet. A silver case shone on the floor in the moonlight and I picked it up recognizing it instantly. It was his lighter case. He had dropped it behind. The case had an inscription on it “A” with the familiar symbol of an axe which I was sure I’d seen somewhere. I ran my thumb over