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21 - Flushed and Sated
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MAD END'S DECEPTION 22 - Scar-Nosed Woman
ARAHShe noticed Gildeon's eyes lingering on the scar-nosed woman. Searching his gaze, she asked, “Do you know her?”“No,” he replied, then nodded at the menu. “What do you want to get?”She was taken aback by his quick, dismissive reaction but wondered if she was reading too much into it. Lowering her eyes to the menu, she skimmed over the dishes and pointed to one. “Hmm… this salmon dish right here. I just can’t pronounce the name,” she said, wincing. She caught Gildeon stifling a smile.A server approached, sensing they were ready to order. Gildeon took care of the rest while her eyes feasted on the restaurant's interior. She’d never been to a place this classy—or at least, not in the time she could remember. The lights above resembled giant pearls caged in coral reefs, casting a warm glow across the room. She thought about getting one for her studio, hoping it wouldn’t be too expensive.The walls felt alive with lush ferns and vibrant orchids mounted on panels of neat wood slats.
MAD END'S DECEPTION 23 - Odds Playing Out
GILDEONHe stilled, masking his reaction with an innocent frown. Arah's gaze bore into him as he watched the short clip. He doubted she knew anything, but he couldn't take any chances. Behind him, he sensed Ghulik trying to slink away.‘Where do you think you’re going?’ he growled internally. The goblin squeaked, freezing.“M-Master, Ghulik will go guard the witch,” he stammered. “Ghulik will protect Master and Sylph Lady.”‘Stay,’ he ordered darkly, replaying the video clip for show. ‘I’ll deal with you later.’“Ghulik made a mistake,” he groveled dramatically. “Forgive Ghulik, Master!”Ignoring the goblin, Gildeon handed the phone back to Arah, noting the dark gleam in her blue eyes.“So, what do you make of it?” she asked, her tone curious and probing.He leaned back, drumming his fingers on the table, pretending to think. “Hard to tell,” he said, jerking his head slightly. “Video quality’s subpar. It could be anything. A prop, a device, a trick of the eye.”“They said it might be
MAD END'S DECEPTION 24 - You Lack Experience
GILDEONRoselia had pinpointed the witch’s last known location around the area. He'd scouted the place earlier, but without Arah, flushing the witch out would’ve been a challenge—hence, the date night.His plan had worked. He managed to lure in the enemy while making Arah warm up to him. Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes. The only thing he hadn’t expected was that damn footage putting him in a surprising spot.“How did you sense her so fast?” he demanded sharply, locking the witch’s arm in an iron grip as they walked past the grand viewing deck behind the restaurant. He needed to find someplace without a crowd.“What do you mean, handsome?” she asked, her voice dripping with mock innocence.“Answer me truthfully,” he hissed. He could’ve easily killed the witch right here if it weren't for these people. He glanced up, ensuring there was only one CCTV, and it was facing the deck.Fucking cameras.“Oh, I was actually tailing the blondes at first,” the witch explained, tossing
MAD END'S DECEPTION 25 - A Memory Flashed
ARAHShe didn’t wait for Gildeon. Her heart felt heavy as she walked out of the restaurant. Had she stayed, she would’ve grilled him about that woman, and he would’ve lied again, stringing together some smart words just to make her shut up.The thought of her husband doing who-knows-what with that scar-nosed woman gnawed at her. Distasteful images started to creep into her mind. She pushed the thoughts away as she wandered through town, trying to distract herself.Every now and then, she stopped, feeling like someone was watching or following her. She thought maybe it was just the cold, so she ducked into a clothing shop and bought a random jacket. She also grabbed a pair of flip-flops to replace her heels that were killing her feet.With the paper bag swinging from her arm, she continued her stroll until she ended up in the amusement park. She wished Gildeon were here with her. This could’ve been the perfect end to the night if he hadn’t ruined it. Though in hindsight, didn’t she als
MAD END'S DECEPTION 26 - Have I Killed Someone
ARAHEverything was hazy and happening so fast. She was riding something warm and alive, with feathers—like a bird. She waved her hand, throwing a spear downward without touching it. She killed someone. She couldn't see who it was. And then Gildeon. It was a blur, but she saw him on a horse in the distance, staring at her. She heard her own voice whispering, "You came, just as planned," before feeling a sudden shake, the vision dissolving abruptly.“Miss, are you okay?” A woman’s voice snapped her out of her daze, a hand on her shoulder. It was the little girl’s mom.Arah blinked and nodded, trying to collect herself. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said reassuringly, a shaky smile on her lips. “Just had a mild headache.”Inside, she trembled. Was that really a memory? She couldn’t wrap her head around killing someone—with a spear and while riding a bird, no less.Her mind reeled.“Do you want us to call for help?” the mom’s voice jolted her again.She shook her head. “No need, thanks.” She put
MAD END'S DECEPTION 27 - Nowhere Else to Run
ARAHHer reflexes kicked in. She leaped from her seat, the chair clattering to the ground. Dodging to the side, she barely escaped his grasp. She stepped back, almost colliding with Madam Linlin, who had also sprung up, her eyes wide with shock. Crystals on the other table rattled against Arah’s back.“Mister, you’re scaring my client!” Madam Linlin exclaimed, then suddenly froze. “Wait, you’ve been thralled! Who’s your master?”Thralled? Master? Arah was about to ask what she meant, but the bald man snarled, animalistic, startling her. With a forceful swing, he swept the center table aside. The tent shook violently, making her fear it might collapse. The cards scattered, mingling with her toppled paper bag.“What do you want?” Arah yelled, heart pounding. Her hand fumbled behind her back, searching for the biggest crystal slab.He didn't respond. Dark eyes filled with silent rage fixed on her. His muscles tightened, veins bulging in his temple and tattooed neck. His posture was unner
MAD END'S DECEPTION 1 - Clover Wish
ARAHPlumber Paul was dead.Not even a month had passed since he’d walked into her shop and picked her Clover Wish for his first tattoo. She'd pitched that design as a lucky charm to her clients—just a gimmick of sorts. So imagine her surprise when Paul’s wish to win the lottery actually came true days later.Now, he was gone. Just like that. It wasn’t because of her tattoo, of course. But with that last memory of him, how could she ever look at her Clover Wish and call it lucky again?Her eyes drifted down to Barky, who was happily munching on his dog food. She squatted next to him, stroking his back and twirling her fingers through his soft brown fur. At least she had this big guy to cheer her up.The bathroom door creaked open. She glanced up to see Gildeon strolling down the hallway in black sweatpants, rubbing his dark hair with a towel. She’d seen him naked plenty of times, but each time, his perfectly sculpted body drew her gaze like a moth to a flame. The way his muscles flexe
MAD END'S DECEPTION 2 - Star-Crossed Lovers
ARAH“Still at the coroner’s office.” She threw him a puzzled look. “Why?”“Nothing,” he said, returning to his dinner. “And no, I won’t come.”Her shoulders slumped. “It’s Plumber Paul’s funeral, Gildeon,” she said, frustration slipping into her voice. How many times had he let her attend community gatherings alone?“Will it kill you to show up just this once?” She stabbed her fish harder than necessary. “I’m sick of making excuses for you.”And sick of the gossip that she was an incompetent wife or that she was trapping Gildeon in a loveless marriage. If only they knew what was really going on within these walls…The irony made her want to bang her head on the table.“I’ve got better things to do,” he said dismissively, not even bothering to look at her.“Like what?” She scowled, feeling the air thicken. “You never tell me what you're up to when you're not at home or at school.”His face froze, his eyes darting at the space surrounding her like he was seeing something she couldn’t.
Latest chapter
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 27 - Nowhere Else to Run
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 26 - Have I Killed Someone
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 25 - A Memory Flashed
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 24 - You Lack Experience
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 23 - Odds Playing Out
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 22 - Scar-Nosed Woman
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 21 - Flushed and Sated
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 20 - Rein It In
- MAD END'S DECEPTION 19 - Touch Me, Gildeon
