Ouch, this chapter is painful to write because my sore eyes hurts so bad. I hope it will get better tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend, guys! Take care all.
*ALEX*I woke up to a sunny morning and stretched my body. I realized that I fell asleep on the couch in an uncomfortable position. I released a deep sigh, stood up, and went to the bathroom to empty my bladder.A few minutes later...I emerged from the bathroom and saw Natasha still sleeping on the bed.I was shaking my head while covering her body with the blanket.Then I went to the table, picked up a mug and coffee sachet, went to the hot and cold dispenser in the corner, and made myself an instant coffee.I left the room and went outside, sipping my coffee while sitting on the lounger beside the pool. I was thinking about my missing family and Lauren.When can I ever see them again?I had just finished drinking my coffee when Natasha entered the pool area."Darling, good morning!" Natasha stated in a tone sweet as honey. She rushed to my side and planted a kiss on my cheek."Morning!" I replied cheerfully.She sat on the lounger beside me and asked, "Did something happen last nig
*ALEX*That night, I arrived early at Natasha's condo, at 6:00 in the evening. I dropped by the flower shop on the way to her place and brought her flowers and chocolates. I know that women love stuff like this coming from their boyfriends.So, in order to up my ante, I have to act like a loving boyfriend to her tonight; maybe it can speed up my parents release.If my parents were released within this week, then Natasha and her father are the ones responsible for these barbaric kidnappings of my loved ones. I will make them pay dearly!But for now, I have to continue my charade as a loving boyfriend to Natasha, even if it's against my will.I enter the elevator and press the #7 button, which would take me to Natasha's condo located on the 7th floor of the Orchids Tower.A few minutes later, I'm already out of the elevator and walking towards Natasha's condo, located at the end of the hallway.When I reached the door of her condo, I was about to press the doorbell, but the door suddenl
*ALEX*The following day, it was raining hard outside the headquarters. My brothers and I are sitting around the table, facing each other in the room, with report papers in our hands.We are looking through the reports a hundred times; they are the reports that our men gathered on the day our parents disappeared.I looked at the somber faces of my siblings. "These reports tell us nothing," I said sadly."I know," Frank agreed. "Our men have been following Norris 24/7. Nowadays, he doesn't do anything suspicious except that one particular time when he was seen entering that now-abandoned warehouse. He's rarely seen outside his house.""Yeah, he's acting like he was careful not to get caught, or he is truly innocent. What do you think, guys? Things are getting confusing because Norris has been our main suspect in our parents kidnapping since day one," Stephen interjected.I fell silent, trying hard to connect all the dots together."Our sister's kidnapper has finally released her safely
*ALEX* We finally arrived at our family's house a short while later, and our sister was waiting for us in the driveway. We exited our vehicle and rushed towards her. "Where are they?" I asked, eager to see my parents again. "They are currently resting in their bedroom. They will wake up soon. I instructed the cook to prepare a sumptuous meal for us. This is a good day for our family to be reunited again! It's a joyous reunion for us after a very dark episode in our lives." She blabbered happily. "Great! I'm looking forward to feasting on delicious food and seeing our parents alive with my own eyes," Frank said, grinning broadly. We settled on the couch in the living room while waiting for our parents to wake up. Frank and Stephen watched TV while I was chatting with Natasha on my phone. 'Darling, did you already arrive home?' 'Yeah...' 'Darling, how's your parents?' 'I haven't seen them yet. They're still resting in their room. They will wake up soon.' 'Ah, okay. Are you go
*ALEX* When I arrived at Natasha's condo, she was wearing a black short and a red sleeveless top. Her ample breast is visible. Her lips are as red as the roses I gave her the previous night. I did bring her a pink teddy bear and a bar of chocolates. "My gifts are for you, darling," I said. "Wow, the teddy bear is so adorable! So pretty! I like it!" Natasha gushes in elation. "Thank you for the cute gift, darling!" "You're welcome!" I smiled and entered the condo. We settled on the couch in the living room. Natasha tucked the teddy bear on her lap. "So, how's your family? Are they okay?" she asked, looking deeply into my eyes. "Yup! They're fine. My siblings and I were having a good time bonding with my parents. I'm so happy that the kidnappers finally released my parents without harming them," I answered. "So, have you already forgiven the kidnappers for what they did to your sister and your parents?" she asked. My face darkened instantly. "Hell no! I could never forgive them
*LAUREN*I just finished breakfast and was about to go to the bathroom when the door opened and Magnus came in."Dear, I have a gift for you," he said, placing a golden bracelet in my hand."What is it?" I asked, looking at the bracelet closely."Just a gift, nothing extraordinary. But if you need my help in the future, just whisper to the bracelet that you need me, and I will appear in front of you to help you in any way I can," Magnus explained."So this is a magical bracelet?" I asked."Not really. Unlike the bracelet that Lyn gave you, the purpose of the bracelet is for you to call my name when you need my help," Magnus repeated.I gave the bracelet back to him. "No thanks. I don't need a golden bracelet that would only raise questions and suspicions if Alex saw it on my wrist. How am I going to explain to them where I get the bracelet from?"Magnus raised a brow. "What does it have to do with the bracelet? You know what? Y
*ALEX* Dammit! Today is a bad day! What bad timing for my human mate to return and find Natasha possessively clinging to me as if we were the best couple in the world! I saw the pain and anger flash in Lauren's eyes when she looked at me. I couldn't even go to her and explain everything because Natasha was refusing to let go of my arm. It was such an awkward situation for me. Good thing my sister sprang to action and brought Lauren to the second floor to give me time to recover from my shock. "Darling, now that Lauren is back, it's about time that you reject her in front of me. You promised me! You can't back out on your words!" Natasha said it with urgency in her voice. "Calm down. Why are you getting impatient? Just give Lauren enough time to rest. She just arrived home. I don't want to subject her to another shocking and painful situation," I said, my tone dripping in annoyance. Natasha glared at me. "See, you still care for her! You can't reject her! You lied to me! Liarrr
*LAUREN*"I love you so much, sweetheart. Please hear me out before you shut your door on me and on us," Alex said, his eyes begging forgiveness.The sincerity in his eyes moved me, especially after Lyn explained to me that he was merely attempting to get close to Natasha in order to save both me and his missing family members. Although I feel jealous of Natasha, I really can't hate Alex because it's our mysterious disappearance that forced him to get involved with Natasha."Silly boy! I didn't hate you, alright?" I said, smiling brightly. I catapulted into his waiting arms, and we embraced each other tightly."Thank you, sweetheart," Alex beamed.We're both happy and glad that we are finally reunited."I miss you so much!" I whispered in his ears.Alex replied, "I miss you more, sweetheart." He captured my lips for a passionate kiss.We have been separated for several days, and our hunger for each other needs to be addressed. But this is not the time to engage in intimacy because Nata
*3rd POV*Two days later, Alex and Lauren returned to the city from their short vacation.Alex proceeded to his house while Lauren returned to Magnus' residence.Lauren opened the door, climbed the staircase, and went to her bedroom. The house was still quiet, an indication that the owner hasn't returned yet. His prolonged absence got her worried.What could have happened to him? She hopes he is alright.Lauren put her bag on the floor and saw the envelope on her pillow. Her brows knit together; what is this? She picked up the envelope and found a letter inside. It was written and signed by Magnus.~Dear, Lauren...When you read this letter, I'm already back in my kingdom because there are still a lot of things that need my attention. Peace has been restored in my kingdom. My brother and I are on good terms again. He finally let go of his woman for the sake of peace between the two kingdoms.In line with my current state of mind, I would like to let you go as well. You can go now and
*GRANNY URSULA*A while ago...When I looked out the window, I saw Alex in the car, then Lauren re-entered the house and investigate. I could have shown myself to the couple right at that very moment, saying hello to the two children that I raised like my own.The temptation to show myself to them again is very strong.I wanted to talk to them, have a conversation with them and hug them one last time but I can no longer do it. I can't look into Alex's eyes and pretend that I'm still the same old Granny Ursula that he used to know. I killed his grandparents and if he knows, he will hate me to the bone.I'm guilty of using the couple for revenge but I need to do what I have promised to my beloved queen when she lies dying in my arms in the garden.I can still recall vividly the pain of seeing her on the verge of death."Nanny, I'm dying. Please take care of my younger brothers on my behalf..." Queen Hesperia has a hard time breathing."Who did this to you?" I asked, my eyes filled with
*ALEX*I went home that morning and went straight to bed to sleep after eating a light breakfast.When I wake up in the afternoon, it's already 4:00 p.m. I texted Lauren that I'm going to her place to bring her to a place far from the city so she needs to bring some clothes with her.I haven't told her yet about what happened to my grandparents dead bodies.I need to go to a place that is quiet and relaxing to de-stress.Half an hour later, I'm already out of my house. I get into my car and drive to Lauren's place.After a few minutes of driving, I arrived at my destination and parked the car outside the gate of the vampire's residence.I texted Lauren that I'm already outside, waiting for her to come out of the house. I looked out the window on the second floor of the house and saw a silhouette. Who was that?When I looked closely, the silhouette had already disappear. Or maybe it wasn't there in the first place. Maybe my eyes just caught something that looks like the silhouette of a
*ALEX*When I arrived at the funeral parlor and went to the second floor of the building to join my sister and parents, I was shocked to find an empty room—no coffins or whatever—just flowers and candles on the floor. Instead, what I saw were my family members looking at each other with a shocked expression on their faces.I rushed to their sides. "What's wrong, guys?" I inquired."Son, the coffins were gone! It happened so fast! It's like a blink of an eye. I felt like I was frozen in time and I don't know what happened during those moments. But the moment we were unfrozen, we were surprised to see the two caskets gone!" Mom said it in a rattled tone.My brows snapped together. "What is going on?" I asked in disbelief. "Who would steal a coffin with dead bodies in it?" I said it in bewilderment."Brother, believe us when we say that someone has frozen us and stolen the coffins!" Lyn explained in an agitated tone."We got to find the coffins!" Dad exclaimed anxiously."Alright, calm d
~MAGNUS~"So, is this your good news to me?" I asked the silhouette standing near the window, my eyes blazing with anger. "I'm in the middle of a negotiation with the opposing kingdom to obtain peace and you just whisked me away just to show me this good news?"I feel like my heart is about to explode due to jealousy. "I tell you now that seeing Lauren with Alex is making my blood boil. I don't like it! And the fact that you tolerated them and did nothing to prevent them from seeing each other makes me feel like the person I trusted the most has betrayed me!"I looked at her, feeling upset. "You disappointed me! I left you behind to watch over Lauren on my behalf! Not to tolerate the couple's reunion! You didn't even try to do anything to separate them!"I no longer hide my displeasure. I felt annoyed that my precious woman was now getting back together with her ex."Your highness, this is not the good news that I'm talking about," Granny Ursula responded. "I'm sorry if you didn't lik
*ALEX*I haven't slept yet and the time was already past 2:00 in the morning. Lauren was sleeping soundly beside me on the bed. I've been wide awake the whole night, and I want to make sure that this night will go well without any mysterious occurrences on Lauren's part based on my mother's instruction.I even put a CCTV camera inside our bedroom as evidence that Lauren was with me the whole night, just in case something went wrong.I think the party has already ended by now.When my phone rang at 2:40 in the morning, my heart beat so fast.Damn!They will never call me at this hour unless something happens!I quickly grabbed my phone and read the message. It was from my mother and the contents of her message broke my heart into pieces.'Son, when I wrote this message, I'm still in the hospital. Your sister is fine, but both grandpa and grandma didn't make it. They died in the party venue; the guards found them dead after all the guests had gone home safely. The reason for their death
*ALEX* On the day of the masquerade ball, I was with my family the whole afternoon, chatting with everyone. The atmosphere in the house is fantastic, filled with lively chatter. We are in good spirits, riding the wave of excitement for tonight's event. It will be the first time that our family is complete and we will be attending the masquerade ball together. In the previous ball, it's always been me who is missing and my grandparents, so today is very special because it will be a family affair and everyone will be present on the festive occasion. Everyone is excited. I can see the shimmering excitement on their faces. By 5:00 in the afternoon, I made my exit and informed everyone that I'm going home and that I would see them at the party later. I left our family home, and part of me felt sad that I couldn't attend the party. I got into my car, drove into the heavy traffic and dropped by at the vampire's place. Lauren exited the gate and waved at me. I opened the door and she qu
*LAUREN* One week had passed already. I was waiting for Magnus' return every day, yet there was still no sign of him. What could happen to him? I hope he is alright and his kingdom didn't go to war. I'm worried about his safety. I was pacing back and forth in the living room. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Alex would come anytime soon. I agreed to sleep in his house every night as part of my commitment to our relationship. I already wrote a letter for Magnus and put it in his bed just in case he would arrive at an empty house. I explained in my letter that I'm going to sleep at my friend's house. I'll be back tomorrow morning and all he needs to do is text me and I'll reply right away. My phone rang and Alex sent me a message informing me that his car was already parked outside the gate. I grabbed my shoulder bag and exited the house. After locking the gate, I quickly get into the passenger seat of Alex's car. "Hi, sweetheart." Alex greeted me cheerily. "I hope I didn't make
*ALEX* The following day, me and Lauren woke up late. After having a glorious night, we welcome the morning with fresh perspective and refreshed energy. I kissed Lauren's cheeks. Her eyelids stirred on the verge of waking up. "Good morning, sweetheart!" I greeted her jovially. "Morning!" She replied in a sweet tone, caressing my jaw. I patted her arms lovingly. "I'm going to work today. If you want, you can accompany me in my office," I offered. "No, thanks. I should go home." She refused my offer politely, getting off the bed and going to the bathroom. A few moments later, she emerged from the bathroom, returned to bed, and said, "Can you drop me off at the house on your way to your office?" "Sure! That's what I have planned in my mind already. I will send you home after we have breakfast," I answered. "Thank you," she murmured. "We can also teleport, right?" "Yes, we can do that as well. But I prefer that we use the car so that we can talk along the way," I said, gazing at