✔️ SLANDEROUS INTENTIONS | +18

Chapter 7

ANTONIO

My home is my realm.

Like a king in his castle, every hand in my realm works for me. Just as time is marked by a hierarchy, so is my realm, with me at the top of the pyramid. They welcome me, obey me, serve me, and follow me because I am the ruler.

The gates open upon my arrival, welcoming me into my home. I drive through the gate and park the car in front of the door, leaving the key in the ignition for the guard to drive it back into the garage.

Then, we head into the mansion and go into the dining room to see Beth and a few other maids setting the table. I sit down before having dinner served by a maid. "Is there anything else you need, Sir?" the maid asks, serving me.

I look up and see the girl I had slept with last night. "No, you can go, Triana. I'll call you if I need anything," I say, dismissing her before starting my dinner. I want hungry, but not for sex.

"It's Ti-Tiffany," she corrects sadly, still standing by my side. Sighing, I cast an irritated glance her way, giving her a subtle nod my head and motioning for her to leave. Not dense enough to shrug off my change of mood, she backs off and walks away, standing near the other maids.

"Isn't she the one who brought us food at the company? Your one-night stand?" Donatello asks, watching the girl as I give him an affirmative nod. "She looks like she fell in love with you in one night, you heartbreaker..."

"Her feelings are not my concern," I huff. The maid knew what she was getting into. My intentions were transparent. I asked for one night, nothing more.

"But know I am curious ... what's your secret in the sheets that women get so obsessed with you after one night?" he asks, taunting me. Being a brother, he loves to play the little shit

"I'm not going to discuss my sex life with you over dinner," I tell him with a stoic face, he is starting to piss me off. "All right," he says with a shrug, "what about after dinner?"

"Your tongue is reckless, too long, brother," I tell him, reciprocating his smile, though mine is shady in contrast to his. "I feel like it might need a trim." I stick my knife into the chicken and cut it into halves with a slice.

"I think I've lost my appetite," he mutters, getting up and taking his leave. "But we've just started," I taunt.

"I need space, and my long tongue for my date," he replies as Xavier enters the dining room. Xavier is responsible for the safety of the place.

"One matter after another, I feel like I can never rest," I sigh and get up. "We can also interrogate her tomorrow if you want to retire to your room," Xavier suggests, noticing my tiredness.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit; let's go," I say, leading the way. I want to find out if she is connected to the Drakons. "Where is the necklace?"

"I thought you would ask for it, so I carried it with me," he says, pulling the necklace from his pocket and handing it to me. I take the necklace, and it looks indeed like the pendant of the Drakons. A very expensive pendant. And it found its way into my realm.

Now, I am more enthusiastic to meet the keeper. The closer I get the more do I hear her melodic screams calling for me.

*****POV SWITCH*****

HELENA

I run to be free.

But my freedom is robbed away from me. I am in a chamber of chains, the light is dim. Very dim. It's almost pitch-black. Darkness immerses me — it swallows me in a deep hollow.