She was a hacker sought out by mafia gangs and Luca Santoro was finally able to get his hands on her where she worked as a hostess to cover up her hacker identity. "You're just a mere pawn in my game, Ash Vega." "I am Astrid, no longer Ash Vega. Get it straight, Don Santoro." As they both went deeper and deeper into the darkness lurking, they developed a relationship they couldn't define. But she was good with codes, she could break the codes in his heart to define what they were. The more valuable an asset, the more it is sought for in the underground world. More giants rose in order to claim the valuable one Luca Santoro possesed. Will he be able to protect her?
Astrid's POV
The music boomed in the entire room, bringing the entire place alive. The Nexus was alive much more than usual tonight. The neon lights, the laughter, clinking of glass and the stench of smoke in the air combined to create the perfect illusion for safety but we all knew better. The safety here was just an illusion.
I weaved through the crowd while balancing a tray on one hand and offering flirtatious smile to the men I passed. Although I was trying to keep a low profile here, my beauty and service was one thing that couldn't be escaped.
The tight black dress hugged my curves in order to bring out my curves and keep the men's eyes on me in order to serve them well and I didn't mind it at all. This place was a cesspool of shady deals and dangerous people, but it was also my sanctuary.
Some may say it was a strange place to hide considering the dangerous people and all, but for me, it was perfect. No one ever looked twice at the hostess who seemed to be focused on getting her tips to notice anything else.
"Astrid, VIP table next." My supervisor ordered me through the earbuds in our ears and I hummed before heading towards the VIP tables for the side.
Tonight was a bit different though. I knew everyone who visited the clubs from time to time and those who didn't but one of them stood out today as the air around him did too. The entire atmosphere shifted as people subtly turned their heads and conversations turned into murmurs as he moved through the crowd, looking sleek and dangerous.
Even if I didn't know who he was, I would have recognized the power oozing off him in a scary manner.
Luca Santoro.
The name was whispered in the darkest part of the city, spoken with equal fear and respect. He was the kind of man mothers warn their daughters about, the kind that if you crossed his path, it spelt instant death. And he was here, at Nexus. As someone who knew he wouldn't be here without a reason, I had a very unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Men like Luca never frequent clubs like this unless they are looking for something of high value and I hated the way my curiosity was drawing me in. In anything except 'that' my curiosity never leads me somewhere fun.
"VIP table F, Astrid." My supervisor said again and that was when I noticed he sat at the table. Do I seriously have to be the one to serve a scary looking man like that?
He spotted me even before I could reach the table, his dark eyes locking into mine with precision. Like an hunter locking on its prey. My pulse quickened but I kept my expression neutral, forcing a smile as I approached the table he was seated, flanked by two of his men. They were as imposing as he was and wasn't even trying to soften their menace.
"Good evening." I said, my voice light and smooth. "Can I get you three anything?"
He didn't answer right away. He just let his gaze travel slowly up and down my body, assessing me like I was some merchandise he was considering buying. I fought the urge to shiver under his gaze, trying to keep my hostess facade.
"What's your name?" He finally asked, his voice low and smooth and I could almost ear it echo.
I hesitated just for a fraction a second, before answering. "Astrid."
His lips slowly curved up into a dangerous smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Astrid. A pretty name for a pretty face." He leaned back in his seat, his gaze not leaving mine. "I've heard you're good with computers, Ash Vega."
My heart skipped a beat but I kept my expression neutral. "I think you've got the wrong person, sir. I'm Astrid and I'm just a hostess here."
His smile widened but I could feel the lack of warmth in it. It was more of a deadly smile than a soothing one. "You see, I've been looking for someone with a particular set of skills and that led me to Ash Vega. Unfortunately, no one has heard from her over the past year and then my lead pointed me here. To you."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my smile on. This was bad, very bad. I thought I've been able to keep a low profile all this while but they could still find me if they wanted to? "I think you've been misinformed. I know nothing about computers."
"Is that so?" He tilted his head, as if considering my words but the glint of the predator in his eyes remained which told me he didn't believe a word I was saying.
If Luca Santoro was looking for me of all people, it meant he knew a lot about me. And for someone who was on top of the food chain as him to come down here looking for me, I knew I couldn't escape whatever it was he came here for but I had to try my luck.
"You're the one I'm looking for and you are going to work for me." He finally said after leaning forward, his elbow on the table.
"I'm sorry. I'm not interested." I replied and at that instant, his smile vanished, replaced with a cold determination and I knew deep down that I've done it.
"You don't have a choice, sweetheart."
"You're mistaken. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other customers to attend to." I turned to leave, but one of his men stood in my way, his expression blank but threatening. I swallowed hard, looking back at Luca who was watching me with the same gaze.
"I'm not in the habit of repeating myself." He said softly. "You are coming with me, Ash. One way or another."
Panic surged through me but I was trying my best to keep calm. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
He was quiet for a few seconds before letting out a sigh as if disappointed. "I was hoping you'd see reason but I guess I was wrong." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small vial. I've seen the vial quite a few times to not recognise it. "But I guess we'll have to do it the hard way."
Before I could react, he was on me in a swift second. I took a step back, but it was too late. His hand clamped down on my arm as he pressed the vial against my lips. The liquid was bitter, sliding my throat before I could split it out.
"What did you–" My voice slurred, the room spinning as the liquid started to take effect. I was right, he had drugged me.
After a one-night stand with Gavin Russell, the Powerful and cold alpha CEO, Iris Green was smitten and she thought there could be something between them after realizing they were fated mates. Her hopes were crushed by his harsh words, "I don't eat the same food twice." Broken, she returned to her city to manage her family business but soon realized that a seed had been planted. Giving birth to a set of twins, she could not endure raising them alone, when they looked exactly like him. She sent one of them to Gavin with a note, "Dessert after supper." Gavin frowned when he received the parcel, from his son. He sent people to fetch that blondie but it was as if she disappeared from the face of the earth. Of course, the Green family was mysterious and she was the new head of the family. She only gets seen whenever she wants to be.
Mistaken for a runaway bride, Mildred's ordinary life is shattered when she's forced to marry the Alpha King. Trapped in a castle of secrets, she's a pawn in a deadly game she doesn't understand. When danger strikes, Mildred must face her greatest fear to save the kingdom and the heart of a king who never wanted to love her. Will their bond be their undoing, or will it be the key to their survival?
Ava had been scarred by her past relationship and had sworn off men for two long years. However, her best friend convinced her to attend a masked party, where she met a mysterious stranger. They shared a night of passion, but Ava soon discovered that she was pregnant and had no clue who the father was. Despite her best efforts, Ava was unable to locate the man, and decided to raise the child alone. 2 years later, fate intervened, and Ava and the mysterious man were brought together once again. But their reunion was fraught with obstacles, including the disapproval of Ethan's wealthy and influential mother, who believed Ava was not good enough for her son. Would they be able to overcome their differences and build a life together, or would their relationship crumble under the intense pressure and scrutiny?
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
While Sienna reached the pinnacle of her success, Julian remained the forgotten son of his family, the one who had secretly stolen her first kiss in the shadows of the night. As Sienna hit her darkest moment, Julian returned home, leaving his life behind, only to witness her tears glistening in the moonlight as she reluctantly accepted another man's proposal. When Sienna needed Julian more than ever, he had risen to a position of power and had become her most steadfast pillar of support. "Please marry me." There was no one else in the world who could love Sienna as deeply as Julian did.
In the eyes of the public, Elijah was ever the gentleman, always distant and reserved. But behind closed doors, he was an animal who relentlessly ensnared Ashley in a web of lust. No one knew of their secret relationship, yet at the same time, no one dared to bully her again. Then one day, she was hit with morning sickness right in front of everyone. To everyone’s shock, the aloof and domineering Elijah quickly knelt in front of her and caressed her pregnant belly. “Babe,” he crooned, “let’s go public with our relationship. I will give you my everything.”
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?
Looking at the divorce papers my lips curled up into a mocking smile. 'How big fool I am? How can I think that he will give a chance to this marriage? How can I forget that I was nothing more a tool in his eyes to vent his anger until his beloved Tara is back. Since, she was back, how can he let me stay there?' "After you will sign these papers, you will receive 100 million dollars as alimony." the lawyer added. Because of his words, I came back to my senses took the pen from him, and signed the name. I have also gotten exhausted from this marriage both physically and mentally. Even though I had wanted my child to be born into a complete family, I didn't want my child to have a stepmother and live miserably like me for the rest of his life. After taking the papers from my hand, the lawyer gave me the bank card, turned around, and was about to leave when he paused at the door. He then turned around and added, "Mr. Carter said that he hoped that you won't pester him, or you have to bear the consequences." The lawyer's words were like a knife stabbing in my heart, but I still nodded. Anyway, I also don't plan to have anything to do with him anymore. I just want to live a good life with my children. After the lawyer left, the ward fell into silence. I placed my hand on my belly and said to my children, "Baby, I am sorry, Mommy can't give you a complete family! But I promise you, I will do my best to give the love of both mother and father." 'As for giving one of my child, I will never do that. They are my babies and my alone. I and I will give birth to all of them and raise them no matter what.' Four Years Later... Anya came back to the country with her three kids, to inherit the company left by his grandfather...
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"