}. No one’s asking for your trust… Just your obedience.” Kyson: “And if you behave… maybe we’ll let you pretend to be queen. Until the game ends.”

*he sends you a voice message it says* Valentino: (hey baby come, daddy’s feeling needy on your day off…. Why don’t you come help daddy out?) *then another* valintino: (where something hot and hot pink and black and….. revealing) *then he keeps sending you needy text and when you don’t respond he sends mad loud messages and voice messages*

The silence presses in immediately—thick, deliberate. The fire in the hearth crackles softly, the only sound in a room too large to feel welcoming. The leather couch beneath you is untouched, perfect, like no one ever truly relaxes here. Even the air feels controlled. You don’t sit. You pace once. Twice. Your boots sound too loud against the polished floor. Seven years of running have carved instincts into your bones. This place is built for people who don’t run from anything. Your eyes drift to the door. Every second stretches. Your thoughts won’t stay still—memories bleeding into fear, into guilt, into a name you haven’t spoken out loud in years. Zultera. The handle turns. The door opens. You feel it before you see her—the shift in the room, the silent authority that bends the space around it. Then she steps inside. The door closes behind her. She stands framed by the warm glow of the hall lights, dressed in a tailored black suit that fits her like power itself. Her hair is longer than you remember, darker under the low lighting. Her posture is flawless. Controlled. A queen who learned her throne through blood and loss. For a heartbeat… she simply stares. So do you. Seven years collapse into a single moment. Her eyes trace your face like she’s confirming every scar, every line, every impossible truth—like if she blinks, you might vanish again. You open your mouth. No sound comes out. Her composure fractures first. Not loudly. Not dramatically. Just a sharp, shallow breath that betrays everything the suit and the power try to hide. “…You’re real,” she says. Your voice comes out rough. “I guess… I am.” She takes one step forward. Then stops. As if afraid to close the distance too quickly—like you might be a mirage built from grief. “You don’t look the same,” she says quietly. You give a hollow, crooked exhale. “Neither do you.” The ghost of something painful and familiar crosses her face. “Seven years,” she whispers. “Seven years I buried you in my head every night.” Your chest tightens. “I never wanted you to think I left.” Her eyes sharpen immediately. “Then why,” she asks evenly, “did you disappear?” You hold her gaze this time. Don’t look away. Don’t run. “They shot me,” you say. “I woke up bleeding in a place I didn’t recognize. I thought they’d come back to finish it. I didn’t know who to trust. I didn’t even know if you were safe.” Her breath stutters—just for a second. Then anger flares behind her eyes. Not explosive. Focused. Terrifyingly restrained. “So you decided dying quietly somewhere else was better than coming back to me?” “I decided living at all was a gamble,” you answer. “And I thought… if they believed I was dead, you’d be untouchable.” Silence crashes between you. She turns away from you slowly, crossing the room toward the fireplace. The flames reflect in her eyes as she stares into them, hands clenched at her sides. “They confessed after four years,” she says. “On their knees. Begging.” Her voice lowers. “I dismantled their entire syndicate piece by piece.” You swallow hard. “I heard rumors,” you admit. “About a new queen rising. I never thought—” She turns back sharply. “Never thought it was me?” Your answer is quiet. Honest. “I hoped it wasn’t. I wanted you far from that world.” A bitter smile touches her lips. “My father died with blood on his empire,” she says. “There was no world left for me outside of it.” She steps toward you again—slowly this time. Deliberately. Until she stands directly in front of you. Close. So close you can feel the heat of the fire at your back and the storm in her eyes in front of you. “You died to me once,” she says softly. “Do you understand what that does to someone?” “Yes,” you whisper. “Because I died too.” Her hand rises—hesitates in the air for half a breath—then presses flat against your chest. Your heartbeat jumps under her palm. For the first time since she entered the room, her control breaks. Just a little. Her voice drops, trembling despite her will. “You’re not allowed to vanish again.” You shake your head. “I’m not running.” Something in her finally gives. She pulls you into her with sudden force, arms tight around you, fingers gripping your jacket like if she loosens her hold even for a second you’ll be taken back by fate itself. Her forehead presses into your shoulder. Her composure shatters in a single, quiet breath. “I ruled an empire believing you were dust,” she whispers. “Don’t you dare be a ghost again.” Your arms come around her just as tightly. And for the first time in seven years— You are no longer the man who survived alone. And Zultera is no longer the woman who ruled without the one person she ever loved.

Hey

*It was past midnight, and the dim light of my office cast long shadows across the walls, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and the scent of aged leather and whiskey. I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the night pressing down on me. My shirt was unbuttoned halfway, the fabric rumpled and soaked in the remnants of adrenaline and stress. My tie? It was probably tossed somewhere near the front of my coat, a casualty of the chaotic evening.* *Tonight had been another harrowing chapter. She had nearly thrown herself into the line of fire again, but luck had been on our side—this time, the bullet had grazed her arm instead of finding a more lethal target. I had yelled at her, my frustration spilling over, but deep down, I was too overwhelmed to truly care. She was a madwoman, a force of nature, and I was both infuriated by her reckless bravado.* *Across the room, she lounged on my worn leather couch, her feet propped up on the battered coffee table. She was dressed in a fitted black tank top that hugged her toned frame, paired with tactical cargo pants that accentuated her strength while allowing for freedom of movement. The outfit was practical yet stylish, a testament to her dual nature as both a warrior and a woman unafraid of danger. Her hair, tousled and wild, framed her face, and a bandage wrapped around her arm served as a stark reminder of the night’s events. stupid, reckless. i shake my head.* *With a ridiculous little banana smile plastered across her face, she was cleaning her precious weapon with the care of an artist tending to a beloved masterpiece. Her fingers danced over the metal, a glimmer of playfulness in her eyes as she spoke to it as if it were an old friend. The contrast of her light-hearted demeanor against the gravity of our reality was both unsettling and strangely enchanting.* *The office itself was a reflection of my chaotic life—bookshelves crammed with volumes on strategy and history stood alongside framed photographs of lost friends and family. A heavy oak desk, cluttered with papers and remnants of past decisions, bore the marks of countless sleepless nights. The dim glow of a single desk lamp illuminated the room, casting an amber hue that softened the harsh edges of our world, if only for a moment. I couldn’t help but watch her. She thrived in this chaos, her spirit unbreakable, even in the face of danger. In her presence, I felt the weight of my responsibilities, the darkness of our empire, and the bond that tethered us together.*

*Time melts in the dark. Minutes stretch into hours, and hours twist into something uncountable. You don’t know how long you’ve been tied to the chair—only that the bulb overhead has flickered so many times you’ve memorized the rhythm of its dying buzz.* *The kidnapper moves around the room with the same calm, patient energy the whole time. Sweeping. Sorting tools. Checking on jars and boxes. Humming. Humming endlessly.* *Never angry.* *Never rushed.* *That’s somehow worse.* *Every so often, the kidnapper pauses to look at you smiling, tilting their head just slightly, like you’re a stray animal they’re deciding what to do with.* “You’re holdin’ up better than the last one,” *they say casually.* *Your heart stutters.* “Last… one?” “Oh sure.” *The kidnapper leans against a workbench, arms folded comfortably.* “Had someone down here ’bout three months back. Real feisty type. Kicked, screamed, begged… all sorts of things.” *They gesture vaguely with a hand, like reminiscing about a neighbor who moved away.* “It’s somethin’, y’know… watchin’ the moment someone realizes they ain’t gettin’ out. The way their eyes change.” *A soft laugh.* “That last flicker o’ life right before it leaves ‘em? Gives me chills every time.” *Cold creeps down your spine like ice water.* *The kidnapper notices.* *They smile wider.* “Oh don’t go lookin’ so upset now. I ain’t sayin’ you’re next. Maybe you are, maybe you ain’t. Depends how you behave.” *They crouch in front of you, elbows resting on their knees, face just inches away.* “Tell me,” *they whisper,* “you think you’ll squirm more than the others? Or less?” *Your breath shakes. You can’t stop it.* *The kidnapper’s smile twitches, pleased.* “There it is. Fear. I can always smell it when it hits proper.” *They stand again, stretching like they’re preparing for a long night.* *Hours pass. Sometimes the kidnapper talks about their farm—how peaceful it is, how folks drive by without ever suspecting a thing. Sometimes they talk about past victims—never in detail, just in the way someone might talk about old memories. Sometimes they simply watch you, rocking slightly on their heels, as if waiting for a crack to appear.* *You lose track of time until the bulb finally flickers brighter. Morning?* *Maybe.* *The kidnapper claps their hands.* “Well! Suppose we should stretch our legs, huh?” *Your stomach drops.* “Please… I won’t run.” “Oh, I know you will.” *Their grin widens.* “That’s the fun part.” *They untie you with careful, confident hands. Too confident. They want you loose. They want you afraid. Every part of this is a game they’ve played before.* *When the rope falls away, your arms are weak, shaking. The kidnapper steps back, giving you space, like releasing an animal from a cage.* “Go on,” *they say gently.* “Door’s right there.” *You look at the door.* *You look at the kidnapper.* *They’re holding something behind their back.* “Run,” *they whisper.* “Make it interesting.” *You bolt.* The basement door slams behind *you as you burst outside. Fresh air hits your lungs like fire. The field stretches forever. Maybe, just maybe, you can* *ch-click.* *The kidnapper pumps the shotgun.* *A blast cracks the sky. Not aimed at you. Not yet.* *Another shot tears through the air, closer this time, startling birds from the barn roof.* *The kidnapper laughs behind you bright, cheerful, almost musical.* “Oh, don’t stop now!” *they call.* “After all that talkin’, I wanna see how you flicker.” *You run harder.* *And the kidnapper follows, steady, patient, savoring every second of the chase.*

Waking up frightened and disoriented, I hesitantly opened my eyes, letting a less-than-dignified, low, throaty groan. Looking around groggily and bleary-eyed, I slowly readjusted to the light again. Even though I'd only been deprived of it for what might have been a few minutes. The room is dimly lit but much brighter compared to the complete darkness from the grain sack those rough, ugly-looking thugs that jumped me pulled over my head. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the creeps that jumped men, they were all tall, smelled of cheap cologne, and all wore all black three-piece suits. I remembered how scratchy and itchy the burlap sack was on my skin. Just thinking of it made my skin itch like there were live bugs on it. The air in the sack was stale and smelled distinct but strangely not unpleasant; it was dusty with something earthy, grainy... The high-end apartment I'd been left in was noticeably quieter. It was a night-and-day difference from the constant street noise. Now, thank god, all I could hear was the soft hum of the expensive, shiny stainless steel fridge and appliances in a high-end kitchen. If I hadn’t just been abducted, I probably would’ve been a little jealous of that gorgeous kitchen—sleek, warm light-wood cabinets, a black marble counter, and a sink so big it practically demanded attention. And the soft rusting of expensive leather on the dark brown handcrafted couch as I cautiously shifted in the place where my sack of a body was left. A piece of paper slid off my chest into my lap. A small handwritten note addressed (To: My son, Michael Lovelace From: Mama H.) But I didn’t get a chance to read it before a soft chime sounded and the door to a private elevator slid open.

You were walking alone at night in Moscow streets alone and you bumped into someone, a tall muscular man with blonde hair and blue eyes, smoking a cigarette and wearing expensive clothes, but you didn't know that you bumped into the most dangerous mafia boss in Russia. *He looks down at you with a cold expression* *Are you blind?!*

*1. The Marriage* *You were forced into marriage with Min Yoongi, the cold and feared Mafia Boss of the Mins family. It was a strategic alliance between two dominant empires but one laced with resentment. Yoongi never welcomed you. From the very beginning, he kept his distance never touched you, never looked at you with warmth, never slept beside you.* *You lived like a stranger in your own home, silenced by luxury and humiliation. He spent most of his time outside on missions. The mansion was cold, not from lack of heat, but from the complete absence of love.* *2. The Shadow of Yuri* . *Yoongi’s heart never belonged to you. It belonged to Yuri—his first love. She visited your home without shame, walking its halls like she owned them. She clung to Yoongi in front of you, touched him, laughed with him, shared his bed without apology. Yuri is the mistress of Yoongi and is the wife of Yoongi.Yoongi hated you from the moment you became his wife. Cold, distant, and cruel—he never touched you, never smiled at you, and treated you like a burden he was forced to carry. Every word from him was sharp. Every glance, filled with disgust. But with Yuri, he was gentle. Soft. She was his weakness, his first love. He never yelled at her, never ignored her. He let her do anything—even disrespect you—and still looked at her like she was his world. You got silence. She got all his warmth* *He never stopped her. Never defended you.* *You watched, day after day, as she mocked your presence with her sεductive smirks and whispered lies. It was a game to her. A cruel, continuous performance to break you down.* . *3. The Breaking Point* . *Despite your silence, your bloodline was never weak. You are Kim by name the heir to the most powerful and feared Mafia family in the country. You held your tongue, but not because you were afraid. You were waiting. Calculating.* *You have decided to plan to kill Yuri once and for all. You had enough of everything. You won't let Yuri talk down to you.* . **11AM. You went to get breakfast** *You went downstairs to get breakfast all dressed to head out to meet up with your men for the mission. You saw Yuri with Yoongi and it seemed like they spent another night together. She was all over him.*

*The car hums softly as it cruises through the city streets, streetlights flickering outside the windows.* *Your job was simple—keep Isabella safe. Protect the mafia boss’s daughter. You thought you were ready for anything, but tonight proved how unpredictable things could get.* *A few thugs tried to ambush you both. Thankfully, your skills kicked in at just the right moment. After an intense shootout and a few headaches, you managed to escape in a stolen vehicle. Thank god.* *Now, the only sound is the soft hum of the engine. Isabella sits next to you, quiet and covered in small spatters of blood, scanning the streets, still on alert.* “You didn’t do too bad… for a rookie,” *she says, still facing the window as if she’s talking to the glass. You don’t answer, unsure whether it’s a compliment or critique, but you’re unbothered either way.* *You glance at her, trying to gauge if she feels the weight of what just happened. But she’s already moving past it, like she always does.* *The danger isn’t gone, but for now, she’s safe. And that’s all that matters. Anything for the money.*