STARING AT the records spread before him, the General's laughter echoed in the dimly lit room, a bitter and angry sound. The glass in his hand felt like a fragile vessel for his frustration, its surface showing subtle signs of strain. His mission, born from the feigned ambush of the Emersons, had unfolded seamlessly. Hiding Lucien, a once-simple task, now revealed unforeseen complexities. When had the tide turned against him? When had each step led him astray? Eradicating his brother has been a straightforward task. The General knew he could triumph over the former General by employing some underhanded tactics. After all, his brother had married into a legacy—that he couldn't afford but to get envious. "Just pull the strings, play the cards in your favour," the General muttered to himself, the amber liquid flowing into his glass. Victory, he believed, was within reach—total and absolute! The General downed the liquor in one swift motion, emitting a low groa
BOTH HER HANDS are placed inside the pocket of her cargo pants, she sighs deeply as her back leans on the balcony's post. It's been years since she visited her country, growing up, she used to be a battered child but then again, luck's on her side. "Surviving isn't just about avoiding death; it's about earning the right to live." She murmurs to herself and laughs softly. Her phone vibrated inside her pocket, she calmly retrieved it and looked at the screen. She chuckles and glances back at her comrades' location. They're not that far but her location is safe not to have someone eavesdrop on the conversation between her caller. "Long time, no talk." She simply greeted her caller. "You've been enjoying your carefree life, didn't you?" The caller's tone carries a sharp edge of anger. She rubs her temple using the point finger of her free hand and clicks her tongue. "Carefree life?" She laughs bitterly. "I don't have time for that, you got me in this
STRETCHING her neck and exhaling a sigh of relief at her success, she scoffed and leaned back in the car seat. The mission she had been assigned was now completed, which meant that she would soon receive her payment. "Mission accomplished, General. Just as you requested, your daughter is dead," she said, glancing at the rearview mirror where the General sat, seemingly pleased. "As expected of you, my dear agent," the General smiled, looking as if he had just won the lottery. "Now, all that remains is to ensure that she is truly gone and that the media covers her 'accident'." He added, his tone calculating. As she started the car and drove away, thoughts swirled in her mind. Despite the General's satisfaction, a sense of unease crept over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mission than met the eye. Meanwhile, as Venus paced back and forth in the dimly lit living room where Alexis was, her anxiety grew with
AS THEY SPED down the dark, rain-slicked streets, Blanche's mind raced, planning how she would be able to prove her innocence when even the authorities were being paid a huge amount of money. Suddenly, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the interior of the car as Yama pulled over. Another police car had blocked their path, and a stern-faced officer approached Yama's window. "What is the meaning of this, Officer?" Yama rolled down her window and asked her fellow officer. The officer then glances at the backseat where Blanche is sitting. "Is she the main suspect in killing the officers of the Black Organization?" He asked, hesitant, Yama glanced at Blanche using the rearview mirror before nodding yes. "We've received intel that the suspect you're transporting is set to meet with a high-profile individual. We're taking over custody." Yama's jaw tightened as she exchanged a look with Blanche, who remained silent, her expression unr
THE UNIVERSITY campus bustled as students hurried to their classes, they were in their fourth year completing their undergraduate degrees. Lucien stepped out of her car, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She glanced around, her eyes searching for a familiar face. With a graceful flick, she flipped her hair over her shoulders as she walked gracefully along the pathway. Astrid emerged from the crowd, a smile lighting up her face as she spotted Lucien. She walked over, falling into step beside her. "Good morning, Lucien," Astrid greeted, her voice warm. "Morning, Astrid," Lucien replied, returning the smile and reaching out for Astrid's hand and holding it as they continued walking. "Thanks for walking with me." "Of course," Astrid said, falling into step with Lucien as they made their way towards the main building. "How was your weekend?" Lucien shrugged. "Same old, same old. Just lots of family stuff." Astri
REMNANTS FROM the past echoed in the present times. The path that was supposed to never cross each other had been haunting them all together now. Venus looked at Astrid's eyes as if she could not understand what the director was trying to say. "Director," Venus utters. "If you're saying that you are one of Blanche's mothers, then how could you not know that you are her blood-related?" She then added. Astrid chuckles, her forehead buried in her right palm. "I know from the start that I am related to Blanche. What I meant to say is that I never expected her to carry my bloodline." The Director answered and released a deep sigh as she bitterly smiled. Venus tries to understand the Director. This is also new to her. Blanche did not even mention that she had two mothers. Question after question, Venus had been eaten up by her curiosity. Does her wife lied to her about her story? She shrugs. That can't be. Blanche is never the type of person to lie out
BORN WITH an empty spoon, scraping by in a place they reluctantly called home, their lives a testament to misfortune and destitution. These children are the product of unwanted circumstances, carried into a world where scarcity and hardship are their daily companions. Their lineage has been known for violence - they are the clans hired by influential individuals who prefer to wield power through intimidation and force. The Innokenti lineage had been known to be the family of killers and assassins. They are for hire; however, even if influential people hire them, they are not able to provide a suitable lifestyle which forces the younger generation to live in poverty and filth. Staring out of the floor-to-ceiling window of his hotel room, Nikolai's gaze was unfocused, lost in memories of his sister's betrayal. He held a glass of whiskey, swirling it absently as he stood with one hand in his pocket. With a bitter chuckle, he muttered to himself, "Ah
THE WORLD seems to be a better place to live in, but who is she kidding anyway? The world was silly for her to be able to survive. Consequently, some people, preferred to be called Scientist, has their own explanation about this. Even those great philosophers whose minds are too confused and curious about this world. A suitable example was the late yet still famous Herbert Spencer who once concluded – Survival of the Fittest – whereas the world act as the game board and human are the players. The world is just a big mess, just like this place. The edifice was deserted over a hundred years yet it was highly constructed due to its price which is worth a billion dollars - it shows the literal connotation of the expression "old but gold". Many investors and business capitalists tend to bid over this establishment. People, nowadays, kept on purchasing possessions. But why? To prove to others that they wer