Venom's Alliance: Loyalty's Fracture

Chapter 01

Kalia's POV

The scent of rain filled my room, stirring up a flood of sad memories. At seventeen, it felt like the start of a love story that would last forever—our souls perfectly entwined. Little did I know, it would become the darkest chapter of my life.

It was a love story gone wrong, where the boy I thought was my savior turned into my worst nightmare. He promised me care and affection, but instead, he became the source of my misery, breaking my faith in humanity.

"What a cruel joke it turned out to be," I muttered, bitterness in my voice.

Rain always held a special place in my heart. To me, it meant a fresh start. I believed that, with time, everything would be washed clean and forgotten. Memories, no matter how vivid, would lose their grip, and pain would fade away. Eventually, I hoped I would forget and move on, that one day I could overcome my mistakes and live a normal life. Eventually.

Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed something was off—it was unusually quiet, with fewer cars than usual. Despite the eerie stillness, I continued with my routine, heading towards the entrance as I had done for the past five weeks. As long as I stayed invisible, I hoped to go unnoticed, at least until I could find a way out.

Inside, a cheerful brunette hostess greeted me with a smile.

"Name, please?" she asked, even though she clearly recognized me.

"Kalia Gomez," I answered.

"Got it! Please follow me," she said, leading me to an eerily empty table. The sight was unusual, considering the restaurant's usual buzz.

"Is it closing early tonight, or is it just a slow evening?" I asked, feeling uneasy.

The hostess, her composure faltering slightly, replied, "No early closure. It's just a quiet night."

Thinking about how lively it was last week, I pressed on, "Last week, it was packed. What's changed?"

An unsettling wave of fear washed over me as I looked at the empty restaurant. This wasn't just any restaurant; it was a place for the rich, including him. If I was alone here, what did that mean for me?

"Maria, are you alright? Are you coming?" a male voice broke my thoughts. I turned to see who it was, recognizing him instantly. His grin made me even more suspicious.

"Sorry for the delay. Please, sit down, and I'll be back in about ten minutes to take your order," Maria, said before rushing off, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Sitting at the table, I still felt confused by the restaurant's emptiness. Yet, a small part of me felt happy. Here, I could sketch in peace, surrounded by the artwork on the walls.

Pulling my sketchbook from my bag, I flipped through the pages, looking for the drawing I needed to finish. Lost in the lines and shadows, I barely noticed the time passing. The menu lay untouched, my attention fully on my art.

But when the bell at the entrance rang, my focus shifted. I hoped for a rush of customers to fill the empty space, but instead, only three men entered. The dim lighting hid their faces, casting shadows.

The first man, with a buzz cut and inked arms, looked relaxed in his casual clothes. The second, tall and impeccably dressed, had a stylish man bun. The third man, seated next to him, shared a similar confidence, his slicked-back hair adding to his mystery, only that I knew who he was, and I hoped my senses were wrong and that tonight would be like any other night.

With a sigh, I turned away from the men, blocking my face with the large menu, ready to order. The place had many things, famous for the steaks and delicious desserts, but I found my usual fish dish for Friday nights.