Captivated Desires

30

Reign's hand moved to the small of my back, pulling me closer to him as he met my kiss with his own. The kiss was filled with a mixture of passion, reassurance, and a hint of desperation. He held me tightly, his large frame surrounding me as he poured his feelings into the kiss. When he finally pulled back, his eyes scanned my face, as if imprinting my features into his memory.

"I'll be back soon," he whispered, his voice gruff but filled with determination. "Make sure you and the kids stay safe while I'm gone, alright?"

"I promise,". Reign placed a final kiss on my forehead, his lips lingering just a moment longer before he finally broke away. His hand left my hip, his fingers touching my skin just a little longer than necessary, reluctant to let go entirely.

The next morning arrived, sunlight streaming in through the windows, casting a warm glow on the quiet villa. The silence of the early morning was interrupted only by the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the soft sounds of the children stirring awake.

With Reign gone, the task of preparing breakfast for the children fell to me. I moved efficiently around the kitchen, preparing their food with care. The smell of pancakes, sausages, and eggs filled the air, a familiar and comforting scent.

The children, still rubbing sleep from their eyes, stumbled down the stairs, lured by the enticing scent of breakfast. Lion, the oldest, led the way, closely followed by Levi and Willow. They made a beeline for the dining table, their small stomachs rumbling. They sat down, their little legs not quite reaching the floor, their eyes fixed on the food I was putting on the table.

"Breakfast, already?" Lion asked, his voice groggy with sleep. He looked at the food with a hint of excitement, his eyes lighting up at the sight. Levi and Willow, their eyes wide with curiosity, also looked at the food, their small hands already reaching for their plates.

"Dig in," I said gently. The kids wasted no time in digging into their breakfast. Lion and Levi started eating eagerly, their forks clinking against their plates as they ate. Willow, on the other hand, waited patiently for her food to be cut up by me.

She looked up at me with her big, wide eyes, and a small smile on her face as she waited for her food. Once I started cutting up her pancakes, she watched with interest, her little face lighting up as she saw the small, bite-sized pieces.

"There you go baby," I said gently as I sat down at the table, sipping my coffee. Willow picked up her fork and started to eat, her tiny arms struggling a little to lift the food to her mouth. The boys continued eating, their attention now solely focused on their plates. The table was a picture of domestic tranquillity, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery against plates and the soft, contented munching of the children.

As I sat there sipping my coffee, I looked at the children, and a sense of peace washed over me. They were young, innocent, and carefree, blissfully unaware of the world's darkness. At this moment, they were just children enjoying their food, and that was enough.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a knock on the front door. The unexpected sound sent a jolt of surprise through me and the children also looked up, their forks clattering against their plates. 

"Stay there," I said gently as I walked over to the front door, each step sending a flutter of worry through me. I had no idea who could be visiting at this hour, and the unknown was making me nervous. The kids, their eyes on me, obeyed my instruction and stayed at the table, their curiosity piqued by the interruption.

I reached the front door, my hand hovering over the handle for a brief moment. My heart pounded in my chest, the reality of the situation setting in. I didn't know who was waiting outside, and that uncertainty was nerve-wracking.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself and pushed down the handle, slowly opening the door. As the door swung open, the person on the other side came into view. The person standing before me was Azar. He looked serious and tense, his eyes scanning my surroundings before settling on my face. "Can I come in?" he asked, his voice low and serious. His gaze held a sense of urgency, his body tense with unknown tension.

"Yeah," I replied, opening the door to let him in. Azar stepped into the villa, his tall frame moving with a controlled grace. He glanced around, taking in the surrounding area before finally focusing on me. The children, curious about the newcomer, watched from a distance.

"Where are the kids?" he asked, his tone brisk and direct. The casual question seemed at odds with his intense demeanour and it was clear that something was bothering him.

"In the kitchen,". Azar nodded in acknowledgement, his eyes flickering to the kitchen doorway. "I need to talk to you," he said, his voice low. "Alone."

I led Azar into the living room, the sound of the children's laughter and chatter from the kitchen fading as I closed the door. The atmosphere in the room changed immediately, the air becoming heavy with tension. "Sit down," Azar instructed, gesturing towards the couch. He remained standing, his stance tense and vigilant, as if he was expecting something to happen at any moment.

As I took my seat, Azar began pacing the room. He walked back and forth, his footsteps measured and deliberate. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his mind clearly preoccupied with whatever he had come to discuss. "I'm not going to beat around the bush," he began, his voice firm but low. "Something has gone wrong, and I need you to brace yourself for what I'm about to tell you."

"And that is?" I asked with curiosity. Azar stopped his pacing and turned to face me directly. He took a deep breath, the weight of what he was about to say evident in the tension of his shoulders. "I've been gathering information," he started, his voice steady but grim. "And I've discovered something serious."