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ALAMEA

I was scared to open my eyes, afraid that might find myself at the same place with those two men again.

A loud thump sounded and I cautiously opened my eyes, zeroing in on the back of a man punching the wall.

I blinked a couple of times to clear my vision and realised I was in a hotel room.

Armano.

I could see the side of his face, his clenched jaw as he drove his fist into the wall once again, his knuckles bruised.

"Fuck." He sounded pissed as he mumbled to himself, whirling towards me and pausing abruptly when he saw me awake.

Anger melted away from his face, replaced by sadness, eyes rimmed red. "Mea", he whispered.

A lump formed in my throat, eyes burning with tears and I forced a smile onto my face. "M-Mano."

He walked closer to me, dropping to a crouch beside where I lay.

A sob escaped my mouth followed by tears and his own eyes glistened.

He took my hand in his, holding it against his cheek. "I promise to make them suffer."

"I'm sorry..." I croaked.

His brows pulled together. "What the hell are you sorry for?"

"I am such a disappointment." I cried. "I couldn't even save myself...even with all the training..."

He shook his head, squeezing my hand. "What the fuck? No."

"Please don't tell anyone...not even my parents...please..."

"Mea, that's ridiculous. It's not your fault. Your training isn't even complete yet."

I felt so disgusted with myself. So disappointed. What would the others think?

"No...just don't tell anyone..."

He didn't look convinced making me beg, "Please, Armano. Promise not to tell it to anyone. Please?"

"Fine, I won't. But you are not a disappointment. None of this is your fault. First, promise me that you will stop thinking that way."

I didn't say anything, tears flowing down my cheeks.

He sighed softly and wiped away my tears, his jaw clenching. "Did they..." He trailed off.

I knew what he was asking and I shuddered at the memory, slowly shaking my head. "They...groped me...and...shoved a...gun inside me..."

His face twisted with fury and he nodded curtly. "I had to...dress you up. There was some blood on your...inner thighs."

Surprisingly, I didn't feel disgusted by the fact that he saw me naked and probably touched me to dress me up. I trusted him. "Oh."

"That man..." I said after a pause, "...who saved me...?"

"His name's Ralph. He works for us. I have asked him to keep those two alive for now. I will deal with them later."

I nodded.

He got up, watching me softly. "Do you want to stay here for a while or should we go back?"

I didn't want to face anyone yet. Staying here was nice. "Stay. If you want...you can go back--"

"I'm staying." He stated. "I am not leaving you alone."

"What about the...sleepover?"

He paced around the room, running his fingers through his hair, ruminating.

"What was your friend's name?" He asked.

"Chloe?"

"Right, Chloe. Text Cel and your parents and tell them that Chloe had a breakup and she is extremely heartbroken and needs you with her tonight. Tell them that you will be spending the night at her house. Then text Chloe and ask her to cover up for you just in case anyone asks."

I nodded, agreeing with him. I was feeling kinda numb and my brain wasn't even working so I just did as he said.

He handed my phone to me and I sent out the message to Cel and my parents.

Dad saw the message within a minute and called me immediately making me panic a little.

"Take a deep breath," Armano instructed. "And talk to him calmly."

I hope I don't start crying.

Clearing my throat, I picked up the call. "H-hey, Dad."

"Do you really need to spend the night with her?"

"Yes...she is crying so much...I feel bad leaving her alone."

"What about your sleepover at Cel's?"

"Um...I...can't do anything...I would rather be with Chloe and console her..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Dad."

"Okay, love you."

"Love you too", I murmured and hung up the call, once again bursting into tears.

Armano made his way over to the bed and climbed up beside me.

My eyes fell closed the moment his fingers grabbed my cheek, caressing it and wiping away my tears.

"You should..." I whispered with my eyes closed. "...choose someone else to be your third in command. I don't think so I am capable of that position--"

He grabbed my jaw firmly, squeezing it. "Shut the fuck up, Mea. I don't wanna hear this nuisance again. I chose you and I won't be deterred from my decision."

When I continued to cry, he sighed. "Come here."

Opening my eyes, I looked at him through the tears and he pulled me into his arms.

All the voices inside my head fell silent as soon as my face pressed against his chest and his arms wrapped around me.

He cradled my head, stroking my hair. "You are in lots of pain right now but I promise to be by your side. I won't leave you, Alamea. Never. Whatever doubts you have about yourself, tell them to me, let me clear them, okay?"

"I'm right here", he spoke in the softest voice. "I am not going anywhere no matter how disgusted you feel."

I cried silently but at the same time, I didn't feel so numb, there was a warmth spreading through my body and I just wanted to stay in his arms forever.

A minute later, he gently tried to pull back but I tightened my hold on him, refusing to let him go.

"O-kay..." He mumbled and shifted around a bit so that he was comfortable before he resumed holding me.

After crying so much, I felt exhausted, my eyes feeling heavy and it wasn't long before I fell asleep.

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ARMANO

Mea was asleep in my arms and it was weird how fucking contented I felt.

My devil is a fucking strong girl, I have never seen her cry minus the times she cried as a baby. It fucking breaks my heart to see her like this.

I am going to fucking kill them both. Torturously. Make them regret their whole life.

I dropped a kiss onto her hair, resting my cheek against her head. I feel so grateful that Ralph coincidentally reached there on time. I will make sure he is rewarded heavily for that.

My phone pinged with a notification and I picked it up, opening the message Kian sent me.

Kian: where are you?

Me: I am not coming tonight.

Kian: why?

Me: I have something important to do.

His reply didn't come instead he started to call me.

I declined his call, not wanting to wake Mea.

He called again.

"What is wrong with you?" I whispered, picking up the call.

"Why are you not coming?"

"I told you I have something else to do."

"What?"

"Fine. I found this really hot woman who is leaving for France tomorrow so now we are spending the night together. Happy?"

"You are not coming to the sleepover that you planned for a pussy?"

"Yeah, so?"

He hung up without replying making me sigh. It was nothing new. He doesn't say a hello or a goodbye.

I never dated anyone, every girl was just a fling and I would never miss any family event for a woman no matter how hot she was.

But this is different. Alamea is my friend and despite all the bickering, I do care about her. Right now, she is my priority.

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"How are you feeling?" I asked her the next morning when she woke up.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at me with tear-filled eyes. "I don't know."

"Okay." I placed the takeout bag on the coffee table. "I got you all your favourite breakfast. After this, we are going home."

She looked unsure. "I won't be able to face anyone."

"Yes, you will. You can't keep hiding forever. Get up."

She shook her head.

"Mea. Get. Up."

Grabbing her hand, I forced her to her feet and dragged her to the bathroom, forcing her inside.

I made sure the door was slightly opened and then I ordered her to freshen up, handing her another pair of new clothes.

I decorated the table with all the food I bought and waited for her.

My hands itched with the thought of all that I had in mind for those captives. I can't wait to make them beg me for mercy.

When she finally emerged from the bathroom, I made her sit on the small couch and served her a plate of food.

She kept staring at the plate on her lap.

"Do you want me to force-feed you? You didn't have dinner either. You better eat all that."

When she didn't move at all, I sat down next to her. "Okay, how about this...if you finish the food then at any time, anywhere, you can ask me to be your slave for a full whole day. And this offer lasts forever meaning you can choose when you want to cash it, it can be now, tomorrow or even after a few years. Sounds good, right?"

I was trying to lighten her mood, the old Mea would have jumped at this opportunity.

She stared at me unblinkily.

"Not a good deal? So, how about a whole week? Just think about it, Mea. Me, your slave. You can make me do anything and I won't say no."

"C'mon." I encouraged her. "Me as your slave in return for eating. You won't get a better offer."

She leaned against me, a hint of a smile flickering across her mouth, her eyes on the plate.

Then very slowly, she picked up the smallest piece of bacon, putting it in her mouth. "I'll make you regret this", she mumbled.

A smile broke out on my face and I kissed her cheek loudly. "We will see, my devil. We will see."