Darting his eyes to the right, Ethan noticed three guys, coming towards them with menacing intentions etched on their faces. They moved with purpose, their strides purposeful and confident. With a quick flick of his gaze to the left, he saw another four dudes, equally as intimidating, closing in on them. The air grew thick with tension as their aggressive energy filled the bar, suffocating the peace that had previously lingered in the place.Turning away from the bartender, Ethan locked his gaze straight ahead, assessing the remaining six men, who were inching closer with every passing second. At that moment, Ethan's adrenaline surged through his veins, heightening his senses and sharpening his focus. His training had taught him to remain calm in the face of danger, to assess the situation, and to plan his next move. With a steely determination, he locked his gaze straight ahead, refusing to show any sign of fear or vulnerability.The remaining six men closed in, their footsteps ech
The sleek black Uber came to a smooth stop, its engine purring softly as Drak gracefully emerged from the vehicle. Tracy, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, stood there, her expression a medley of disapproval and impatience. As her eyes fell upon Drak, stepping out with an air of confidence, her features contorted, forming a scowl that threatened to unleash her wrath upon him."You're early!" Tracy's voice rang out, laced with irritation, as she scrutinized him with disapproving eyes.Drak paused before her, his gaze locked with hers, unfazed by the displeasure radiating from her every pore. "You say that like it's a bad thing," he retorted.The muscles on Tracy's face clenched, preparing to release the storm of her fury upon him for his audacity. However, her eyes drifted to the bandage wrapped tightly around Drak's head, and a wave of unexpected anxiety washed over her. In that moment, she couldn't help but take a deep breath, her anger shortly diffused."The only job I could
When Nina slapped Ethan's face, his eyes opened wide, and then he blinked back the sleep, feeling the weight of her hand on his face.Slowly, he lifted her hand off his nose and mouth and rested it on the bed, watching her as she slept peacefully.A smile crept slowly onto his lips, and he stared at her for a moment longer before turning away, and standing up from bed.Silently, he moved across the room, the morning chill making goosebumps rise on his skin. Shirtless, he glanced out of the window, the sight of the sun rising in the distance bringing a sense of calm and purpose. Then with a deep breath, he retrieved his phone and dialed Avan’s number."I need a favor," Ethan said the moment Avan picked up on the second ring.After yawning in his ear, Avan's voice, tinged with a hint of curiosity, responded on the other end, "It's pretty early for favors, brother. What do you need?"For a moment, Ethan hesitated considering his words carefully before he spoke. "I need someone to keep Do
The feeling of cold water splashing in his face made Ethan jump from his sleep, gulping on water that entered his mouth, and coughing out aggressively while sniffing out the ones that entered his nose. Eyes red from the water that got into them, Ethan glared at Savannah, standing at his bedside with an empty jug in her hand and a pissed look on her face. “Get your ass up and walk into that garage to get my car washed, now!” Savannah growled out. Knowing that Savannah told him to wash her car every morning, by five, Ethan knew not to argue with his master's daughter. So, even though he was still drowsy because he didn't have much sleep since Jeff Rider made him his designated driver last night and ordered him to take him and a bunch of hot girls on a wild night around the city, he immediately got out of bed. “Can you please leave so that I can change?” Ethan asked. “Get out and go wash my car now!” Savannah screamed in his face. Numb from all his emotions, Ethan turned away from
The terminal was busy with families hugging each other, but Nina had on a dark shade, rolling her suitcase along with her head held high, yet, deep down, her heart was aching that no one came to pick her up. When she got outside, she finally removed her glasses, squinting her eyes as the sunlight blinded her for a second, and then, she stared at the cab driver, waving at her. “Ma’am!! Where are you going?” The driver yelled excitedly, walking toward her. ‘For some reason, I was naive to think that at least dad would show up to pick me up… After all, he didn’t care to attend my graduation.’ Nina thought, fighting back tears that were threatening to fall. Then she smiled at the driver as he helped her with the luggage, and she said, “I am heading to 23rd whitewater street.” “Ohh… you live on the rich people's side of town,” The driver teased as he escorted Nina to the cab. When he opened the door, she gave him a friendly smile before entering the cab, closing the door gently. As
At ten o'clock the next day, Ms. Coral walked through the front door of the hospital with Ethan by her side, his expression deadpan and stiff, and yet, a sense of fear of what meeting this somewhat stranger would make him feel. They approached the front desk and then Ms. Coral smiled at the lady at the desk, saying, “I was here yesterday morning and this is my son, and we are here to see-” “Right! Yes! Please, ma’am, follow me this way.” The nurse behind the desk spoke as she stood up from her seat and gestured to the right corridor before leading the way. Hesitantly, Ethan followed behind the two ladies quietly, wondering what his father looked like because his mother confessed to him when he was old enough to understand that she burned all of all of his father pictures when she received the divorce paper from his father's lawyer, changed his and her last name to her father last name, and decided to do nothing with his father or memories of him. Because of how in tears she was and
Sitting at the dining table, Nina tried to pretend that everything was fine like her father didn't slap her yesterday after she caught her half-sister in bed with her man. "Stop playing with your food, Nina. It's not healthy." Her father said in a stern tone, causing her to aggressively drop her fork into her plate. "Can I get a break?!" Nina snapped, standing up abruptly as she crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at her father, trying hard not to cry again. "I'm just having a hard time dealing with the fact that I am supposed to put on a show with Charles, know that she and him-" "Edward, your daughter is trying to ruin our Dana reputation and I will not have that. What happened in the past is the past, we have to move on." Mrs. Simone spoke softly but firmly. Like an obedient puppet, Mr. Simone looked at his daughter and said, "Do not get on my last nerve, Nina, and know your place in this house. Dana is your sister, and you should know what such scandalous words c
The large wooden table was covered in food, from barbecue ribs to vegetables, fruits, and soups, all perfectly cooked. All maids were walking on eggshells, knowing how important today was for the Rider family and one mistake would get them punished severely or worse. “Bobby!” Madam Rider's voice echoed in the dining room, sending chills down everyone who heard it, and they all turned their faces away from her, leaving Bobby the only one facing her. “Yes, ma’am,” Bobby replied with a deep bow, his voice trembling slightly at her cold eyes. “Do you know where Ethan said he was going?” “Well, no ma’am...” “What do you mean by, ‘No!” Jumping slightly, Bobby stuttered out an apology. “I don’t mean to say that ma’am I just… well, I don't know where he could have gone…” “He asked for two days' leave. It's been a week plus already and he's not back!” Madam Rider snapped, causing Bobby to flinch again, this time from fear. “That useless thing knows how to take advantage of people's