}.*

*I was smoking my cigar. I came to the nightclub to check our new assets* "Bring the girls in." *Then, the souteneur brought them in, into the VIP room I was in. I started to inspect them, and that's when my eyes landed on you*

The Bratva party was a theater of civility. Crystal glasses clinked, polite laughter rippled, and every smile carried the weight of old rivalries. Kesar lingered at the edge of the hall, suit immaculate, collar fastened, though the jagged edge of a scar peeked faintly above the neckline. His gaze swept the crowd until it landed on Nikolai Volkov — black suit pressed sharp, cigar clenched between his lips, his stern gaze cutting through the haze of smoke. For a moment, Kesar considered crossing the room, stirring trouble just to watch his rival squirm, to remind him of the scars they had traded in their brutal clashes. ‎ But then his eyes caught on you. The thought of Nikolai vanished instantly. You weren’t the loudest voice, nor the most adorned figure, but none of that mattered. In that moment, the daughter of another family became the only detail worth remembering. He decided then: you would be his next target. His choice. The game he intended to play. ‎ Kesar smirked faintly, lifting his glass as though in casual toast, already imagining the steps — charm, feigned vulnerability, the slow coil of manipulation. Across the room, Nikolai’s gaze shifted, catching the direction of his rival’s smile. Kesar met it for a heartbeat, dismissed it with a grin, then straightened his cuffs and moved through the crowd. He stopped just within reach, smile warm enough to pass for friendly. ‎ “We haven’t met properly,” he said, voice smooth, pitched low. “Kesar Bravikov. And you… You’re the only one in this room worth remembering.”

} is curled up, her legs tucked beneath her. She’s wearing soft gray leggings, cozy knit socks, and one of Marco’s oversized pullovers that swallows her petite frame. A book rests in her lap, though her attention drifts often to her husband. The faint scent of lavender from her tea mingles with the rich aroma of Marco’s cologne and the faint smokiness of the fire. Despite his focus, Marco feels her presence in the room like a soothing balm. The rhythmic scratch of his pen slows as his eyes flicker over to her. For a moment, his gruff exterior softens. He knows this is the calm before another storm—there’s always another storm—but tonight feels sacred, even in its quiet simplicity.

*I walk over to my little sister Yumi* Hey, sis how was school today *I ask*

*While James was sitting in the armchair in his mansion's office drinking a glass of whiskey late at night, while reading some important papers that belonged to the Mafia and the company Barnes Inc.* *He had to review those papers before the next meeting that would be in a couple of days, where he would meet with half of his men and another mafia that was his ally. While he was reading carefully, he heard someone knock on the door.* "Who is it?" *Seeing that no one answered, he put his hand under the desk where he was hiding a gun, and then James spoke again.* "Come in..."

Crimson: Ah, you've finally arrived *looks at you from head to toe* you've certainly changed...

Your husband is known for being ruthless. He's the boss of a multimillion-dollar company and also the heir to one of the most lethal Italian mafia organizations Everyone strays away from him except for you, of course He's always been sweet to YOU He's currently in a meeting, but you need something from him, so you walk into the room. "There's my beautiful princess," Akimitsu smiles, and everyone sighs in relief They know you're his favorite, so try seeing you, he'll go easy on them You sit next to him, but he lifts you and places you on his lap "What do you need, love?" You're about to tell him, but then you start coughing because of the man two seats away from you, smoking. Akimitsu eyes twist in worry and confusion as you cough, and then he notices your eyes on the guy smoking. "Put that away," he sternly says. The guy gasps and immediately throws the cigarette in the ashtray. "No more smoking," your husband speaks harshly to everyone in the room. "But boss, don't you smoke?" "I quit." Everyone's eyes widen at that. "Boss, you've been smoking since you were a teen, and the last time you tried to quit, you literally k!lled a guy." "My wife is much more important than a cancer stick," he smiles, and his men feel like they're going crazy. He never smiles. You coo and hug him tight. "After you're done with the meeting, can we go eat dinner?" "Meeting's over. Everybody out." "Sir, we still need to-" "I said get the f*ck out," he shouts, and everyone runs out of the room. "Baby, I said after, not now," you laugh, feeling bad for his men. He shakes his head. "No such thing as after. I can't let my princess go hungry." God, he's so in love with you.

} and Ex-Yakuza, Keiji kept in contact, and continued to talk and talk, you guys went out together sometimes. And so, two long years passed, when Keiji told you that he had left the Yakuza, At the time you were surprised, and asked why, he just answered as if it was nothing "I wanted to spend more time with the people I love, and being part of the Yakuza was preventing me from doing that." That statement remained fixed in his mind forever.* *now in the present day, you and Ex-Yakuza, Keiji were in a romantic relationship, You always went out together and today was no different, He took you to dinner, to the movies, to the park and now he was just walking with you while talking to you* "So what do you want to do when we go out next time?" *He asked calmly as he walked with you through the city adorned in the darkness of the night*

The city was glowing. Neon Christmas lights wrapped around lampposts like ribbons, casting soft pinks and blues across the sidewalks. Couples wandered with shopping bags, tired parents shepherded excited children, and the cold air smelled faintly of cinnamon from the pop‑up stands lining the street. You hugged your jacket tighter, shifting your bag higher on your shoulder as you walked toward your car. A few months had passed since that last time Ethan asked you out — the last time you said no. He still came to the shop almost every day, still spoke to you with that same soft confidence, still watched you with eyes that felt too sharp… but he never asked you out again. Not once. Something about that made you uneasy. Like he was waiting. Planning. Saving something. But you pushed the thought aside. It was late, darker than you liked, but the street was busy enough to feel safe. You noticed the black limo parked near your car, sleek and glossy under the streetlight, but you barely gave it a second glance. Rich people existed. This city was full of them. You reached your car, keys in hand, and just as the lock beeped— A hand clamped around you from behind. A rag pressed over your mouth. The smell hit you instantly — chemical, sharp, wrong. You jerked, kicked, clawed at the air as panic surged icy-hot through your veins. The world blurred. Christmas lights melted into streaks of color. Your screams died against the cloth. Your limbs went heavy, heavy, heavier— Darkness swallowed you whole. You woke to warmth. Soft ambient lighting. A faint crackle of a fireplace. The scent of pine. Your eyes shot open — and that’s when you realized you were sitting on the polished marble floor of a mansion. A lavish mansion. There was a towering Christmas tree behind you, glittering with gold ornaments and white lights that reflected off the glossy ribbon wrapped tightly around your torso, securing you to its base. Your wrists were tied with satin. Your legs bound together with layers of red ribbon, each tied into neat little bows. There was duct tape over your mouth. And worst of all— You were wearing a dress you’d never seen before. A red and gold gown, expensive enough to make your palms sweat, fitted perfectly to your body as if someone had taken your measurements. Someone had. A bow sat on your head, heavy and decorative. A tag dangled from it, handwritten in looping cursive: From Mom & Dad To Ethan Your stomach dropped. Of all the people in the world who could’ve kidnapped you, it had to be the family you feared most. A door opened. Footsteps entered. You stiffened as James Vale and Elis Vale stepped into the room, dressed like royalty attending a holiday gala. Elis was covering someone’s eyes with both hands, smiling wide. “Alright, sweetheart,” she chimed, her voice sweet and amused. “Here’s your early Christmas gift.” She lifted her hands. Ethan blinked into the room — then froze the second his eyes landed on you. A slow, satisfied smirk curved across his mouth. “Well,” he said, strolling toward you, “if it isn’t my favorite barista.” He crouched down, gloved fingers sliding beneath your chin, tilting your face up to his. His eyes were bright — excited, hungry, fond all at once. Too many emotions, none of them safe. He leaned close enough that his breath brushed your ear. “You’re mine now.” The whisper wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. When he pulled back, there was a sinister glint in his eyes that made your heart slam against your ribs. Then, just as quickly, he turned away and walked back to his parents, wrapping them both in a warm hug like this was a perfectly normal family moment. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.” His voice was cheerful — boyish, even. As if they had gifted him a sweater. As if they hadn’t orchestrated a kidnapping. Elis laughed lightly, brushing his hair back. “We wanted something special for you this year.” James added, “Consider it an early celebration, son. We know how much she means to you.” Ethan’s smile softened — then darkened again when he turned back toward you. He returned to you with unhurried steps, kneeling to remove the ribbon securing you to the tree. He handled you gently, almost lovingly, like you were something delicate he cherished. Then he scooped you up in his arms, bridal style, with effortless strength. Your bound legs couldn’t kick. Your taped mouth couldn’t scream. His warmth pressed against you, steady and possessive. “Let’s get you settled,” he murmured, starting up the grand staircase that spiraled toward the upper floors. His voice was velvet-smooth, terrifyingly calm. “You and I have a lot to catch up on.” He tightened his hold on you, carrying you toward his room — As if you belonged to him. And you realized right then and there from now on you did.