The Mario shop felt totally different from the busy mall we'd been to before. It was simple and not crowded, which was a relief. We could just chill on the cozy sofa without getting lost in a sea of people. There were these amazing phones and laptops on display, but picking one was tougher than I thought. Nat was like a pro when it came to choosing gadgets. She smoothly picked out phones and laptops, not just for herself but also for her brother and father. While I was still grappling with my decision, I asked about the brand I'd used before but got no leads. Finally, I went for a classy, top-notch white phone and laptop and threw in a few other cool electronic goodies. After our triumphant shopping adventure, we found a charming café to enjoy a much-needed lunch. As I savored my coffee, I jokingly teased Nat, "I swear, I'll never go shopping with you again!" She responded with a spoonful of ice cream and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, you don't mean that, do you?" Smiling,
★★★★"Shut up," Rick snapped, the urgency in his voice matching the intensity of our attempt to evade the pursuing car.The speed at which we were traveling made it challenging to escape on the nearly empty highway. To add to our troubles, the old, rusty car we were in wasn't built for such speeds. I couldn't help but question why the affluent gangsters like the Kovas owned such a vehicle; it puzzled me."Damn it," Rick grunted again, pulling out his phone and handing it to Nat. "Press the red button now," he urgently instructed, hoping it would rescue us from this relentless pursuit.Tension in the car escalated as Nat fumbled to press the red button. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble we had stumbled upon.The highway stretched ahead, and suddenly *BANG*BANG* Gunshots were fired at us from behind, causing Nat and me to scream in horror. The sound seemed endless, echoing in our ears as they kept firing at us."Relax, it's bullet-proof," Rick announced, trying to reassure
Amidst the smashed-up car, the highway was right there in front of us. But as we ran towards it, the darn thing just seemed to go on forever. The wrecked car looked like a giant puzzle scattered on the road. Every step we took felt like we were walking through a never-ending story. You'd figure with a crash that big, the cops would swarm in, right? But this was no ordinary town; it had that unmistakable Mafia vibe. There is no way the cops would dive into the lion's den like that. The silence hung heavy over the wreckage, like the calm before a storm. You could almost sense the air itself pausing, watching us race against time. It was eerie—the kind of quiet that makes your every move echo in your ears. And in that stillness, we felt the weight of something far worse. Then-- "Stop them from reaching the highway, no matter the cost!" a voice roared, the urgency cutting through the chaos as they pursued us relentlessly. "Break their legs if you have to, but make sure they don't leav
Continuation ****** On the other hand, no! Isn't the ground supposed to be hard and cold? My subconscious mind pondered. However, the ground I fell onto was strong, warm, and very much alive, as it wrapped its hand around me. I wish I could open my eyes to see what it was. Just as I was still brooding, I heard a familiar voice. "There, there, you are fine now. Good job," it whispered and kissed me softly on the head. Alex? Then a loud gunshot, and after that, a loud bang followed by the screams enveloping the air. 'Sorry, mom, dad, I guess this is it.' I sighed and lost consciousness, completely. **The Kova’s Mansion** "Doc, how are they doing?" Alexander Kova asked, holding Sophie’s hand. "Well, for starters, sir, your daughter is fine, just a few bruises and maybe shock, so the sedative I gave her will help relax her mind and body in no time
****Alexander sighed softly as he gazed at Sophie's pale complexion from the doorway. How he longed to see her radiant smile once more, even if it was accompanied by anger. He walked over and settled by Sophie's bedside, gently holding her hand. Her once-lively expression now appeared fragile and wan. Guilt consumed him, and he blamed himself for involving Sophie in this dangerous world of his. His heart ached as he thought of her bravery when she protected Natalie, even in her dire state.Alex didn't realize how deeply he was falling for her until the moment he saw her bleeding from the massive wound in her stomach and head. For a brief second, his heart raced with worry, and he couldn't even focus on his own daughter, who was being shot at. Instead, he found himself caring more for this stranger. Even now, when he should be looking after his own, he was here, yearning for her eyes to open.Gently, he touched her lips and grazed his finger along her pale cheek, sighing once more. "
Four long months had passed, and Sophie remained in a deep slumber, showing no signs of waking from the so-called coma. To escape the heavy reality of her unresponsive state, Alex threw himself into work, immersing his thoughts in tasks and responsibilities. The room that once held the light of the vibrant girl now seemed haunting, forcing him to stay away to avoid confronting the sight of her lifeless figure on his bed. The weight of her absence lingered in every corner, pushing him to find peace in the busyness of his daily routine, as if trying to drown out the silent echoes of hope that had begun to fade away. For the sake of Natalie, Alex was trying to hold on, but he doesn't know how much longer he can endure. His gaze was icy, so cold that hell itself would freeze as he glared down at the syndicate responsible for the turmoil in his heart. "How does it feel to have something this large pierces your body?" he questioned the man, his voice filled with a chilling resolve. As he
"Papa!" Michael exclaimed, pouncing on Alex the moment he entered the room. "Where have you been?" the little boy inquired with an innocent expression. "Oh, I went on a business trip, little man," Alex replied, weaving a clean lie. "I heard you were looking for me?" he added, settling down with Michael by his side. Nat sat close to him. "Do you want me to prepare something for you?" she questioned after observing her father's expression for a while. Forcing out a fake smile, Alex replied, "No, I'm not hungry." Nat sighed, reading him very well. "I miss her too, Dad," she suddenly confessed. "I mean, she is my only friend, and worse, she ended up like that because of me. Don't you think I'll feel more miserable than you?" she questioned. With a shocked expression, he asked Nat with a poker face, "What are you talking about?" Just as she opened her mouth to explain, Rick rushed into the sitting room at full speed, panting as he stopped right in front of Alex. "Boss?" Rick called o
Later on, the doctor came in to check Sophie's conditions, but because she was tired, she slept in between the check-ups, and this made Alex fret a little. "What is this? I thought she was fully awake. Why is she going into a coma state again?" he questioned her in panic, his concern for her well-being clear in his voice. Sighing, the doctor reassured, “No need to panic, Alex. She is just sleeping.” Regaining his cold expression, Alex retorted, “Who says I was panicking?” he replied, glaring at him. Sensing the directed glare, “Right,” was all the doctor could come up with. “Anyway, looks like Miss Rust's condition has stabilized. Her system is getting used to the new blood, so all we have to do now is wait for her to fully recover,” he explained to him. “For that to help, once in a while, please take her out for a walk, and she needs to eat good food to keep the blood pumping,” he added. “She is safe now, right?” Alex inquired, his concern lingering in his words. Doc Drew turne