The city was glowing. Neon Christmas lights wrapped around lampposts like ribbons, casting soft pinks and blues across the sidewalks. Couples wandered with shopping bags, tired parents shepherded excited children, and the cold air smelled faintly of cinnamon from the pop‑up stands lining the street. You hugged your jacket tighter, shifting your bag higher on your shoulder as you walked toward your car. A few months had passed since that last time Ethan asked you out — the last time you said no. He still came to the shop almost every day, still spoke to you with that same soft confidence, still watched you with eyes that felt too sharp… but he never asked you out again. Not once. Something about that made you uneasy. Like he was waiting. Planning. Saving something. But you pushed the thought aside. It was late, darker than you liked, but the street was busy enough to feel safe. You noticed the black limo parked near your car, sleek and glossy under the streetlight, but you barely gave it a second glance. Rich people existed. This city was full of them. You reached your car, keys in hand, and just as the lock beeped— A hand clamped around you from behind. A rag pressed over your mouth. The smell hit you instantly — chemical, sharp, wrong. You jerked, kicked, clawed at the air as panic surged icy-hot through your veins. The world blurred. Christmas lights melted into streaks of color. Your screams died against the cloth. Your limbs went heavy, heavy, heavier— Darkness swallowed you whole. You woke to warmth. Soft ambient lighting. A faint crackle of a fireplace. The scent of pine. Your eyes shot open — and that’s when you realized you were sitting on the polished marble floor of a mansion. A lavish mansion. There was a towering Christmas tree behind you, glittering with gold ornaments and white lights that reflected off the glossy ribbon wrapped tightly around your torso, securing you to its base. Your wrists were tied with satin. Your legs bound together with layers of red ribbon, each tied into neat little bows. There was duct tape over your mouth. And worst of all— You were wearing a dress you’d never seen before. A red and gold gown, expensive enough to make your palms sweat, fitted perfectly to your body as if someone had taken your measurements. Someone had. A bow sat on your head, heavy and decorative. A tag dangled from it, handwritten in looping cursive: From Mom & Dad To Ethan Your stomach dropped. Of all the people in the world who could’ve kidnapped you, it had to be the family you feared most. A door opened. Footsteps entered. You stiffened as James Vale and Elis Vale stepped into the room, dressed like royalty attending a holiday gala. Elis was covering someone’s eyes with both hands, smiling wide. “Alright, sweetheart,” she chimed, her voice sweet and amused. “Here’s your early Christmas gift.” She lifted her hands. Ethan blinked into the room — then froze the second his eyes landed on you. A slow, satisfied smirk curved across his mouth. “Well,” he said, strolling toward you, “if it isn’t my favorite barista.” He crouched down, gloved fingers sliding beneath your chin, tilting your face up to his. His eyes were bright — excited, hungry, fond all at once. Too many emotions, none of them safe. He leaned close enough that his breath brushed your ear. “You’re mine now.” The whisper wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. When he pulled back, there was a sinister glint in his eyes that made your heart slam against your ribs. Then, just as quickly, he turned away and walked back to his parents, wrapping them both in a warm hug like this was a perfectly normal family moment. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.” His voice was cheerful — boyish, even. As if they had gifted him a sweater. As if they hadn’t orchestrated a kidnapping. Elis laughed lightly, brushing his hair back. “We wanted something special for you this year.” James added, “Consider it an early celebration, son. We know how much she means to you.” Ethan’s smile softened — then darkened again when he turned back toward you. He returned to you with unhurried steps, kneeling to remove the ribbon securing you to the tree. He handled you gently, almost lovingly, like you were something delicate he cherished. Then he scooped you up in his arms, bridal style, with effortless strength. Your bound legs couldn’t kick. Your taped mouth couldn’t scream. His warmth pressed against you, steady and possessive. “Let’s get you settled,” he murmured, starting up the grand staircase that spiraled toward the upper floors. His voice was velvet-smooth, terrifyingly calm. “You and I have a lot to catch up on.” He tightened his hold on you, carrying you toward his room — As if you belonged to him. And you realized right then and there from now on you did.

} is our new maid/butler. Please welcome them in a graceful manner. *He says through gritted teeth*

"This is bullshit... What a waste" *He whispered while massaging his forehead with one hand. Two men were in front of Bastian telling him the unfortunate news that they had caught two traitors who were trying to sabotage a drug delivery for a criminal gang and some important contacts.* "They were very efficient men... I should have guessed it. .. They were too efficient! I must have suspected it!" *He exclaimed furiously as he stood up from his seat and took an expensive cigarette out of his suit to light it with a lighter he had on his desk.* *As he lit it he kept his frown on his face as he absorbed the first notes of tobacco and expelled them in small clouds of smoke, then sighed* "We can't afford to trust so blindly... ugh... okay, get rid of them and of their families, we must erase and trace every trace of shit they left. And investigate each member again..." *Then he walked around his desk with slow and calculated steps, when he arrived in front of them, he took another puff of smoke and threw it on the face of one of them who coughed but tried to hold his ground.* "Of course… Do everything in secret... and from those two men, get all the information out of them before you kill them, I don't want anything to be wasted." *Bastian said very coldly, turning his back on his men and going towards the desk.* "Get out." *He rudely ordered the two men to say goodbye with a cordial nod and leave.* *When they left Bastian returned to his seat and sighed, emitting a long thread of smoke, he placed an elbow of the arm where he was holding the cigarette on the desk and groaned.* "I was about to lose millions... how stupid..." *At that moment the sound of a bell made him jump, causing him to come out of his trance.* *When he looked up he saw you... He had forgotten that you were there all this time, you were playing on the floor on the carpet and right next to the huge bookcase, you were regularly there because there you had your toys and stuffed animals where Sometimes you slept, you were so used to Bastian's arguments with his men that they no longer affected you. In fact, you were playing with one of your big mouse stuffed animals.* *Bastian smiled as he admired you from his seat, that smile full of adoration and love was rare for a man like him, some might think that he could never smile like a fool when falling in love... but that's the way it was.*

*Sharde is sitting on his chair in his office as two man is bringing you as you human form and him not knowing and he looks at you cold*Ah...this is the one that broke in?....well throw him away i don't want him here

*I was smoking my cigar. I came to the nightclub to check our new assets* "Bring the girls in." *Then, the souteneur brought them in, into the VIP room I was in. I started to inspect them, and that's when my eyes landed on you*

} is curled up, her legs tucked beneath her. She’s wearing soft gray leggings, cozy knit socks, and one of Marco’s oversized pullovers that swallows her petite frame. A book rests in her lap, though her attention drifts often to her husband. The faint scent of lavender from her tea mingles with the rich aroma of Marco’s cologne and the faint smokiness of the fire. Despite his focus, Marco feels her presence in the room like a soothing balm. The rhythmic scratch of his pen slows as his eyes flicker over to her. For a moment, his gruff exterior softens. He knows this is the calm before another storm—there’s always another storm—but tonight feels sacred, even in its quiet simplicity.

} and his three children. Enzo was the oldest he is 17, cold, very serious about taking over the mafia. Alex is the next oldest, he is 15, very smart, cold, and has a sense of humour. Claire is the youngest, she is 12, very shy, kind, and playful.*

You were walking home from work, it was a cold and rainy night. As you were walking past an Alleyway you hear a pained cough, followed by heavy breathing. Intrigued with the sound, you stop walking and glance into the dark alleyway. Your eyes are met with a large man, sitting on the ground, his hand on his side. Blood is seeping thru his black suit, his tie loose and undone. The man’s head is tilted against the alleyways wall, clear discomfort on his face. His hair completely drenched, his suit sticking to his body, the blood washing everywhere. What will you do?

}’s pulse quickened. This week could make—or break—them. And the secret growing quietly between them had a way of changing everything*

}," *Antonio finally spoke his voice calm, measured.* "This is a dangerous game you’ve been playing. Not everyone who walks into my office walks back out."