OWEN"… finally, I am glad to be standing here with my mayor—Trevor, and I am sure that he would be the best thing to happen to this city." I promised them, sharing a look with Trevor, a practiced smirk on my face. He laughed, patting my shoulder.Trevor stood tall and powerful beside me, and to the crowd, Trevor was a lot bigger than I was. I was simply a billionaire fan who had several companies and made a lot of money.Trevor was the mayor, therefore, he ruled the city. They were so blind, loud and completely wrong. I did not hate it though…After the whole speech and pleasantries, I went back to my seat on the table and cooled off a bit, watching the ceremony go on.I was struggling to enjoy the party. It was not an unusual thing for me not to enjoy a party; the only unusual thing was the fact that I was bothered about not enjoying the party.Strange.I looked around for Mae a number of times, but it looked like she had left the party. Except… that was so unlike Mae. She did not h
MAEThroughout the car ride, Owen's hand stayed on my thigh and as a result, I could not really move properly. I hardly knew why, but I wished it was because he was a monster and I felt like he was dirtying me up with his bloodied hands. Only, it was far from that. I just did not want to come to terms with what it was, exactly.As for talking, we barely said a word to each other until the car stopped right in front of a huge ass mansion. No, a castle.Was this the president's house?There was a low gate that opened automatically before he drove into the compound. My jaw was almost on the floor as I realized what was happening. This was really Owen's house. I saw the small smirk on his face as he noticed my awe, and I managed to shut my mouth and get out of the car before I could bring more disgrace to myself.Someone took my purse at the door and greeted us in the warmest way possible. I kept looking around and thankfully, Owen did not comment on it; just led me in and let me continu
MAEThe nightmares didn’t stop. It didn’t matter how many sleeping pills I took or how exhausted I was by the end of the day. Every time I closed my eyes, I was back in that bathroom, staring at Carter’s girlfriend, lifeless and broken on the tile floor. Sometimes, in the dreams, it wasn’t her—it was me, sprawled out, blood pooling beneath me. I’d wake up gasping, drenched in sweat, feeling like I’d never truly left that room. I thought the incident had not affected me that much—turned out I was so wrong.I started avoiding everyone. The girls at Casa Eleganza whispered behind my back, but I didn’t have the energy to care. They always gossiped about something—this time, it was me. I overheard snippets: "She's losing it," "She looks like a ghost," and the ever-popular, "She's gonna get herself kicked out if she keeps this up."Scar was the only one who dared to say it to my face. "Mae, you need to pull yourself together. You're going to get yourself kicked out." She told me one afterno
MAEI was being watched.Or rather, it felt like I was being watched. I talked to Scar about it, but she simply watched me like I was crazy—definitely because of my recent sleepwalking habits—and then she assured me that there was too much security watching over us for us to be harmed easily. That calmed me down a bit but not totally. I started avoiding Owen right after that incident at his room and started taking harsher drugs because my sleepwalking simply did not want to end. Eli was skeptical about giving them to me at first but we came to a deal/agreement in the end. I was not to take more than two in a week.Needless to say, I did not follow what he had asked and I took it more than two times weekly.. most times, I even took it up to five times. I could now go get the drugs myself, so it was not a problem.Since then, I slept soundly. Sometimes I still got nightmares but I never woke up in the middle of it, and I never sleepwalked from then. Again, the guilt kept eating me up,
OWEN"Come to my room. Now." I walked towards my room without looking back to see if she was following and only stopped when I was inside, only to shut the door behind her."What happened tonight?" The question came at once, and she looked up at me as though she was confused by it. I did not like the look in her eyes. It was distant, almost like she was not here completely.If I did not already hold her in some sort of high regard, I would have concluded she was doing drugs. "From the beginning?" She asked softly, her teary eyes uncertain. "From the beginning, Mae. Sit." I ordered as I went to sit on the long couch myself. She sat beside me and started,"A guy tried to grope me at the club, and I was not in the mood for that so I ran off…" She turned to me as if to gauge my reaction but I was sure she would see nothing. I wondered when she would stop searching for these emotions—I was as nonchalant as they came.But it did not mean I was not affected by her confession… in fact, I s
MAEI woke up the next morning in a strange bed after falling asleep on Owen's chair in his chambers at Casa Eleganza. The realization hit me like cold water.I sat up, looking around and trying to make sense of where I was. I felt groggy and disoriented, my body heavy like I’d been run over by a truck. It took a few seconds for my brain to kick into gear. This was not my apartment and it also was not Owen’s room at Casa Eleganza. Then where was I?The air felt thick, and my skin prickled with sweat. I winced as my head pounding like I was going through a bad hangover. My mouth was dry, and my hands felt clammy as I rubbed at my face. Something wasn't right. I had never felt this restless and tired even after waking up before."Oh… Oh fuck…" I murmured when it hit me—I'd not taken the damn pill last night. It had been three days since I had not taken it now, and the withdrawal symptoms were getting serious.I cursed under my breath, my heart thudding in my chest. Missing a dose was l
OWENShe ignored me for the next few days. Just asked for her pills once and then ignored me for the entire day when I told her no. How did this woman come from being so fierce and full of life to being so numb and quiet.Her eyes were no longer the stormy greens I had gotten used to. They were now a pale replica… boring and distant.My ego and pride was holding me back from trying to engage in a proper conversation with her. In my defense, she could not exactly stand my presence.Today, I entered her room with a box containing clothes and jewelry and some shoes. Usually, I would throw a party for my birthday which would be combined with the launch of a new business normally, or showing off a new achievement.I wanted none of those tonight. Last minute, I decided I could spend the night with Mae. Marco would aim at me with his gun if he heard of this because he would definitely think I was possessed by some imposter, but every passing day, all I wanted was to be around this Mae woman
MAE"Fuck me and get this over with." I demanded, my legs shaking mildly under me. His eyes on me were like hot coal, with an intensity that made my breath catch. His silence only made the tension between us thicker, the air practically crackling with it. He took a step closer, his jaw tightening. "Don't say shit you don't mean, Mae. There is a reason I have been holding back. Despite your tough exterior, you cannot handle a man like me, and despite the fact that I am the city's most feared monster, I cannot handle any more of your hate." His voice was low, a growl that sent shivers up my spine. I lifted my chin defiantly, refusing to back down. "You’ve been looking at me like you want to devour me, Owen. You cannot tell me you just respect my feelings so much that you cannot fuck me. What is it, really? Afraid I can’t handle you?" His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and yanking me closer. I gasped as my bare chest bumped against his, my titties literally crushing against his t
OWENI watched Mae from the corner of my eye. She was quiet, lost in thought, her fingers resting in her lap. She did that when she was thinking too hard—fingers curled just slightly, not clenched, but stiff. Like she was bracing herself.She was trying to act normal, but I could see right through her.I let out a slow breath and turned my head toward the window. The city passed by in a blur, headlights streaking through the rain-slicked streets.She was still processing everything. I knew that. Finding out I was alive, that I hadn’t died the way she thought—it was a lot. But I also knew she was trying not to show it.Always stubborn. Always pretending she was fine.“You don’t have to do this,” I said, keeping my voice even.She turned to me, eyes sharp. “We’ve already had this conversation, Owen.”“And I’m bringing it up again,” I said. “You’re walking into a lion’s den. Joan trusts you, but that trust won’t last if he starts suspecting anything. And trust me, he will.”Mae crossed h
MAEI couldn't believe my eyes. I stood there, frozen, unable to process what I was seeing."You seem to be in good condition," he said casually, his cold eyes scanning me from head to toe.I had no idea what to say or how to react. I just stood there, dumbfounded."We brought her, boss. She was with Amelia Laurent," one of the men beside me said, removing his mask.It was Marco.Owen nodded and stood up, looking straight at me. "Are you just going to stand there? Not going to say anything?"I didn’t even realize when the tears started falling. My emotions took over as I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck, holding him so tightly as I broke into sobs."Fuck, I can't breathe..." Owen muttered, trying to pry himself free, but I refused to let go. I only held on tighter.He finally managed to pull away, and our eyes met. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.Owen studied me before saying, "Are you planning to kill me for real this time? You better try harder, I am not tha
MAE “What the fuck is she doing here? I thought we were getting rid of her as soon as the job was done,” Amelia said, flopping onto the couch and crossing her legs.I didn’t know whether to be surprised or confused. I knew they were working together, but seeing her here so boldly, casually glaring at me, made the situation even more shocking.“We need her,” Joan Castellanos said.“For what?” she scoffed, rolling her eyes. “And why the hell did you kill Owen Powers? Wasn’t the plan for me to marry him first?”Joan leaned back in his chair. “You almost sound jealous that I killed your little boyfriend.”Amelia scoffed in surprise, rolling her eyes again, a habit at this point. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous, honey.” She stood from the couch and walked over to Joan. “Owen Powers stopped mattering to me the moment he humiliated me years ago, telling everyone he wouldn’t marry me even though he knew I loved him. You know i have always wanted revenge.” She placed a hand on Joan’s shoulder, kissi
MAEI stared at him, surprise spreading across my face. What the hell is going on?My eyes shifted back to Joan Castellanos. A million questions ran through my mind, but I couldn’t even begin to voice them. My face, however, said it all.How the hell did they capture Owen’s powers in just a few days? If it was that easy, all his other enemies would have taken him down long ago.“Mae…” Owen called my name, his face filled with shock. But I didn’t know how to respond. I had no idea what to say.“Bring him closer,” Joan Castellanos ordered. His men dragged Owen to the bridge while Joan signaled for me to follow. We all stood at the edge, water rushing below us. Owen stared at me, still in shock.“They told me you were kidnapped. Said they would only let you go if I came by myself…” He let out a bitter scoff. “But you don’t look kidnapped to me.” His words made me gulp.So that is how Joan Castellanos got him here. He lied about me being kidnapped? He actually did that?“You see, that wa
MAEI was sinking. Deeper and deeper. No way out, no one coming to save me.Drowning wasn’t how I planned to die, but here I was, getting dragged to the bottom like dead weight. Stupid move, jumping in when I knew damn well I couldn’t swim. I never even learned.My vision blurred, my body needed oxygen. Just when I thought it was over, when I was about to let the darkness take me, a strong hand grabbed me.Next thing I knew, I was already on the surface of the water, gasping like my life depended on it. Because it did. I was able to breathe again, but it still wasn’t enough. I wanted more. Needed more."You are fine. Breathe," a rough voice ordered.I coughed, water choking me as I tried to calm myself even though that was impossible, I was still in water!. "I don’t swim," I rasped. "Never have.""Yeah?" Joan Castellanos said, his arms around my waist. "Good thing I do."With one arm locked around me, he swam effortlessly, swimming through the water like it was nothing. I let him. Be
MAE “Oh my God…” I tried to keep my cool, but the surprise was too much. I glanced around, before my eyes went back to Joan Castellanos. “What the hell are you doing here?”“Can’t a man take a little break?” His voice was calm, like he didn’t have a care in the world. “Where better than the city of peace for a vacation?”So, this is where Mr. Joan decided to go on a vacation? Interesting. But why here? And why at the same damn time as Owen Powers? Did he know the guy would be here, or was this just a coincidence?“But what if…?” I hesitated. “What if Owen Powers, or one of his goons, especially Marco, sees us dancing? That is gonna stir up trouble. Marco’s been watching me like a hawk.”He shrugged, his calm demeanor never leaving. “You could barely recognize me behind this mask. Relax, nothing to worry about.”I narrowed my eyes at him, still feeling very uncomfortable and unsure. “So, about this dress…” he gestured to the outfit, glancing down at it. “Owen Powers buy it for you?”
MAE I ran a hand through my hair, staring down at my suitcases like they held some kind of hidden message.What the hell was Owen planning? A surprise, he said. Yeah, well, surprises in my world usually meant trouble. And the last thing I needed was to walk into something I wasn’t prepared for.I sighed, pushing those thoughts aside as I unzipped one of the suitcase.My fingers touched a nice fabric, and I pulled out a black dress, elegant, vintage and dangerous in the way only real power looked. I couldn’t help but smile looking at it. If Owen picked this out, I had to admit, the guy had good taste.I checked the time. I was late, I needed to move fast.I slipped into the dress, added some makeup, and fastened the diamond jewelry that came with the dress. Were these real diamonds? Knowing Owen, they probably were.By the time I was done, I barely recognized myself. The dress hugged every curve, the diamonds caught the light just right, and for a second, I almost forgot about the me
MAEI sat into the seat at the far back, keeping my head low. Out of sight, out of mind, that was the plan.Leaning against the headrest, I ready to shut out the noise and the unwanted company on this damn trip.But, of course, peace was too much to ask for.I felt movement in the seat beside me. I didn’t have to look to know who it was. I could already feel him, the constant annoyance coming off him like a damn furnace."You..." My voice was filled with slight surprise as my eyes focused on Marco. Of all people to sit next to me.He leaned back, completely at ease, like he hadn’t just ruined my attempt of being alone. "Relax. I am not thrilled about sitting next to you either, but the boss wants me here." He shot me a glance, then smirked. "So let us do each other a favor, pretend I don’t exist."Like that was possible. Marco didn’t just exist, he loomed.His hatred for me was too powerful , the kind I couldn’t ignore, no matter how badly I wanted to. And the way he looked at me?
MAEI was pissed. The kind of pissed that made my blood run hot and my patience run thin.Why the fuck couldn’t he just stay out of my way? Owen had a habit of showing up when I least needed him, always pushing, always getting under my skin. And the worst part? He fucking loved it.It didn’t matter if I was on edge, if I was barely holding it together. As long as he got what he wanted, nothing else existed. And to top it all off, the jerk didn’t even see me as anything more than his favorite little plaything.Fucking prick.I reached into my bag, searching for my room key, but it wasn’t there. I knocked on the door, but my roommate wasn’t around. Maybe I should call Eli, I just have left the key inside.That’s when it hit me.My phone.Where the fuck was my phone? My stomach dropped as soon as I realised. Owen’s car. I left it in his damn car.This was bad. Real bad.If he got his hands on it, if he saw something he shouldn’t—I didn’t waste another second. I dropped my bag and took o