CHAPTER 1

It's raining.

It's not just the simple mist—but that rain like someone wants to wash. The kind where no matter how strong your umbrella is, you'll still get wet.

My grip on my bag tightened as I walked down the dark road.

It's bad luck, I whispered to myself.

I got home late. I didn't realize the time because of all the school work, and then suddenly it was like this. There were also not many people on the road—just a few pole lights giving light, but not enough to make me lose my nervousness.

I don't know.

Like the weight of the wind.

Something seems wrong.

I shook my head. You're welcome, Ariana, I said softly, trying to calm myself down.

I kept walking, but my steps grew faster. I can't explain why, but something seems to push me to leave the area immediately.

Up to—

Thunder.

I was momentarily stunned when the lightning struck, and it was followed by a heavier downpour of rain.

Great great great great great I am breathless. It's really perfect timing.

I looked around, seeking shelter. Almost nothing. Purely closed shops and dark buildings.

Until I noticed—

an old building on the corner.

Dark. It almost looks broken. There's a little light coming in from the broken window.

I don't know why, but I felt a strange feeling as I looked there.

It seems like something is wrong.

But with the rain coming down, I have no choice.

It's only a matter of time, I whispered, trying to ignore my hunch.

I approached the door.

Creaaaktaah

I pushed it slowly.

I was immediately greeted by the cold air inside. Quietly. Too quiet.

I hugged myself.

"It's so creepy.

I went in, trying not to make any noise. Water dripped from my hair down to the floor. Every step I took was accompanied by the faint sound of my wet shoes.

It's dark inside.

Only light came from outside and through a few holes in the wall.

I took a deep breath.

It's okay, I'm just trying to calm myself down.

But I still can't finish my thought—

I heard something.

Voices.

I stopped.

Just weak at first. Like talking.

I frowned.

Is there anyone? I whispered to myself.

I don't know why, but instead of coming out 200 more I came closer.

I walked slowly to the source of the sound.

The voice grew louder.

Clearer.

This is not what was discussed.

Then you should have followed the deal.

I was stopped behind a broken wall. I peeked around a bit.

And there—

my world stopped.

There are men.

Not just one. There are a lot of them.

And in the midst of them—

a man on his knees.

Bound.

Blood was dripping from his lips.

My eyes widened.

I can barely whisper.

“Please” I heard the man on his knees say, voice trembling. I did everything you asked.

BANG.

I jumped in shock.

My heart seems to have stopped.

I can't breathe.

I can't move.

I saw—

the man's body slumped to the floor.

There's no life.

There's blood.

I grabbed my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

Not exactly true.

This can't be happening.

No, it's not easy.

crack.

I turned on my heel.

I stepped on a broken piece of wood.

And as soon as it's ready—

everybody shut up.

All heads turned in my direction.

I stiffened.

I can't feel my body.

I can't breathe.

And that's when I heard—

a cold voice.

She saw everything.

It's like I had frozen water poured all over my body.

I'm dead.

I didn't think about how—just what i know—

I ran.

Immediately.

I stepped out of the building, nearly slipping on the floor. I don't even think about where I am going—all that matters is, getting away.

My breath catches as I run through the rain.

Running, running, just running... I whispered to myself.

But I don't have to look back to find out—

someone's after me.

I hear footsteps.

Strong.

Fast.

Stop her!

It made me even faster.

My chest tightened.

My foot already hurts.

But I can't stop.

I can't be caught.

I turned left into an alley. Dark. There was hardly any light.

I whispered something wrong, but it was too late.

Dead end.

I stopped.

I took a deep breath, my whole body shivering.

I turned slowly.

And that's where I found them.

Three.

Approaching.

Not in a hurry.

They seem pretty sure I have no escape.

And where are you going? 4. said the other, with a grin.

I trailed off.

I have nowhere to go.

There's nothing I can do.

I don't know them.

I don't know who they are.

But only one thing is certain—

I'm not safe anymore.

I blinked for a moment.

Why me?

Why did I even come here?

Why did I even put it in the bag?

“Please” I said softly, almost in a whisper. No oneI saw you

They are quiet.

Until one laughed.

“You are wrong,” he said.

And as soon as it's ready—

i realized the truth.

It doesn't matter what I saw.

Because for them—

enough that I was there.

Enough to not let me go.

I slowly backed away until my back was against the wall.

No more.

It's that time.

And in the midst of rain, fear, and darkness—

I only have one in mind.

I don't know who they are

but I know my life will never be the same.

Anytime.

TO BE CONTINUED...

OWNED BY THE RUTHLESS KING

Chapter 2

I can't breathe.

It was like having a heavy hand pressed on my chest as I stood at the end of the alley— no escape, no other way.

They.

Three men.

Approaching.

Not in a hurry.

It's like they already know the ending to this scene.

And where are you going? 4. repeated the other, his voice tinged with teasing.

I stepped back even though I knew there was nowhere for me to go. My back went against the cold wall, and that's when I realized how limp I was.

I'm not ready.

I'm not used to this.

I'm not supposed to be here.

Please please I'm back, weaker. I won't say that I didn't see anything.

Quiet.

One second.

Two.

Until they laughed.

Not the normal laugh.

But that's scary.

“You’re late for that,” the other replied as he approached.

I blinked for a moment.

Is this a deal?

Will it end here?

Suddenly something occurred to me—

a memory.

A voice.

39When you are in danger, don't learn to be afraid. Learn to move.

I was blown away.

I don't know where that came from.

It sounds like something I heard a long time ago.

It's like someone taught me before.

But when?

Where?

I can't remember.

But one thing is clear—

I can't give up.

Not today.

I took a deep breath.

And in an instant—

I pushed the man closest to me.

Argh—! Argh

He backed away, and I immediately ran to the side, passing between them.

Hey! Hey

‣Catch her!

It made me even faster.

I don't even think about where to go—just running.

Rain. Darkness. Fear.

Everything comes together.

Please please I whispered as I ran. 3. Anyone who wants to help me, please do so

But no one would answer.

No one will hear.

And all the more there is no one to help.

I suddenly turn left onto another road—darker, quieter.

Wrong.

I know it's wrong.

But I have no choice.

I can still hear their footsteps.

Closer.

Faster.

I'm not going to allow myself to whisper that to myself, even though my voice is shaking. "It won't end here.

But no matter how hard I try—

I can't run tired anymore.

My foot hurt.

My chest tightened.

And in a misstep—

I tripped.

Ah—!

I sank into the wet cement. I got up immediately, hand shaking, but before I could run again—

someone grabbed my arm.

Strictly.

It hurts.

I got you.

My world seems to have stopped.

Please please let me go I cried, trying to break free.

But he didn't move.

Instead, he pulled me closer to him.

And you thought you could escape? she whispered close to my ear.

I'm closing my eyes.

No more.

It's over.

But before anything happens—

there was another voice.

Colder.

Less so.

And it's more scary.

Let her go.

Everyone stopped.

Also the man who holds me.

I turned slowly.

And that's where I found him.

Standing at the end of the alley.

I can't see his face properly because of the darkness and rain—

but I feel it.

His presence.

His aura.

He's different.

Not like the others.

More heavy.

More dangerous.

Boss 2 I heard faintly from one of the men.

Boss?

My heart suddenly pounded so hard.

Not out of hope.

But because of more serious fears.

Whoever he is—

he was higher than they were.

More powerful.

More dangerous.

He came slowly over.

His steps were silent, but with each approach he felt as though the surroundings were becoming more crowded.

Until he stopped in front of us.

And that's when I saw his face.

Tough.

No emotion.

And his eyes—

straight at me.

It's like he reads me.

I don't seem to have anything to hide.

“She’s the one,” said the man who was holding me. He is the one who saw.

I know.

He cut in.

No emotion.

There was no reaction whatsoever.

But why does it seem more terrifying?

I just stared at him.

I don't know what to do.

If I were to speak.

If begging.

If—

Please please I said softly. I have nothing to say to anyone.

He was quiet.

He just stared at me.

Long time.

It's like measuring whether I'm telling the truth.

Until she spoke.

Too late.

Just two words.

But I feel like I've been judged.

The grip tightens on me.

And that's when I felt—

I really don't have any more fights.

Bring her, he ordered, his voice cold.

3Boss—? one asked. Let's just kill it.

"Did I stutter?

Quiet.

No one answered.

Suddenly the atmosphere was different.

It got heavier.

It got more serious.

Take her to the car.

My vision was blurred.

I don't know what's scarier—

I'm going to die now

or go with him.

Because of his eyes—

I'm only sure of one thing.

It's not the end yet.

This is just the beginning.

And worse is waiting for me.

As they pull me away—

only one question kept repeating in my mind.

Why me?

Awhen I did it to get here?

But no matter what my mind—

there's only one answer.

The place is wrong.

The timing is wrong.

And the wrong person

the one I met..

TO BE CONTINUED

OWNED BY THE RUTHLESS KING

CHAPTER 3

I don't even know how long I was inside the car.

All I know is that the nervousness in my chest still doesn't stop. We were quiet as we drove along the dark road, and all I could hear was the rain—the repeated dripping of it on the roof of the car, like a reminder to the children that this is not a dream. All true. And I have nothing to lose.

The man next to me still had a firm grip on my arm. My hand is almost numb from the pain, but I don't have the strength to move. Even if I like it, my body doesn't seem to move at all out of sheer fear.

I looked out the window, expecting to see even a little light or human being but it was all darkness and rain pouring down on me. It's like there is no world outside. It's like I have nothing to go back for.

Suddenly, Lia comes to mind.

The last conversation we had earlier.

Text me when you get home, don't disappear.

I close my eyes tightly.

What if I can't go home?

‣Stop moving.

I gasped when I heard the cold voice of my next door neighbor. I didn't realize that I was trembling. I was instantly silent, never moving, never speaking.

Until the car stopped.

It was like someone had pulled my stomach down. I can't explain it, but I know there is no going back from the point of stopping.

Out. out

They pulled me out, and just as the door opened I was immediately struck by a cold wind and light from outside. I closed my eyes for a moment longer before looking ahead of me.

A big mansion.

She's not the kind of pretty just—the type you would admire. He's scary. Quietly. Clean. But there seems to be no life. It's like everything there is controlled, and you have no right to ask why.

Move.

They pushed me in, and as we walked inside I couldn't count how many times I swallowed. The size of the space, but the weight in feeling. It's like even when you take a breath, someone holds it back.

The boss is waiting.

Boss.

It's him again.

The guy I saw earlier. The one that's even scarier than everything I saw tonight.

They took me into a room, and as soon as I entered it, I saw her immediately. He was standing by the window, with his back to us, it was quiet but you could feel his presence right away. He's not moving, but he seems like the most dangerous one in the whole place.

2Boss, the other one said. She's here.

He didn't move immediately. He was silent, until he slowly turned to face her.

And that's when I saw his eyes again.

Straight at me.

I don't seem to have anything to stand for.

Leave us.

Without a second thought the men went out, and before I knew what was happening we were the only two left inside the room.

I was more nervous.

It turns out it's even scarier when he's alone.

He approached, slowly, as if in no hurry. But with each step he took, the air around him seemed to grow heavier. Until he stopped in front of me.

He's taller. Closer. And it's more intimidating.

Namo.

Straight. No emotion.

A-Ariana 20 my weak answer.

Full name.

I blinked for a moment before replying. Ariana Valez.

He was quiet. She just stared at me, as if checking whether I was lying. I couldn't stand the way he was staring at me, so I bent over.

You saw something you weren't supposed to.

That's not a question. He already knew.

I didn't mean to say that quickly. I didn't know that there was such a thing

Stop.

I was immediately silenced. It was like my voice had disappeared from just one of his words.

Do you think intentions matter in my world? he asked, his voice cold.

I can't answer. No matter what I say, nothing will change.

He slowly lifted my chin with his hand, and I was forced to look up at him. It's closer now. Clearer. And scarier.

2Look at me.

I don't know why, but I followed. I stared at him, even as I shivered.

And that's when I saw—he had no mercy. Everything that happened seemed normal to him. It's like the life that was lost earlier just isn't there.

People who see too much... He said softly, "Live long.

It was like my whole body suddenly went cold. I couldn't help it, my tears fell.

Please please please I almost whispered. I swear, I won't tell anyone about it.

He was silent again. Long time. It's like he was waiting for me to lie, but I can't add anything else.

Until I noticed—something had changed in his mind. Not angry, not pitying, but like she was interested.

Interesting.

I frowned. I don't understand.

He let go of me and stepped back a little. Most people beg differently, she said, as if thinking about something.

I don't know what that means, but it makes me more nervous.

Take her to the guest room.

I turned away from the door when someone entered immediately.

Boss? kill it.

She's not dying tonight.

My world seems to have stopped.

I'm not going to die? Not yet?

I don't know if I should be happy, because from the tone of his voice, it sounds like things are going to be worse next time.

As they pulled me out, he looked at me again. Straight. Cold. And with a unique depth.

You belong to me now.

I stiffened.

I can't answer. I can't move.

Because for an instant, it seemed like I lost everything - my freedom, my life, and myself.

And that's when I realized that I can never go back to how it was. Because from now on, I'm owned by the man I should be afraid of.

TO BE CONTINUED....