Ties That Bind Us
; the pain was unbearable as
had I bee
ldn't
n, and a maid entered, her foo
othes for Michael's funeral. The sudden flood of light as she flicked the
ble, she did her duty and lef
ubtedly,
ealized I was in HIS house, in HI
from the sofa, taking in my su
ut meticulously arranged. Every surface was cloaked in darkness, j
t locks were a tangled mess, cascading untidily around my shoulders, while the black shirt
r Michael's farewell. The black dress, its halter neckline draped solemnly around me, hung just above m
makeup on, and for whom? I just don't feel like it, I j
hy shades would tell you the depth of
ardwood floor chilling my bare feet
ally tucked into his pockets. He was already dressed in his somber blac
n's reflection in the glass, a su
ded an air of effortless confi
, revealing a hint of his toned chest beneath. A silver chain adorned his neck, glinting subtly in the dim light o
ted me further. Every line, every contour seemed designed to provoke. His dark ar
ed jaw, I tor
grumbled, his back
hing over me. "You should be thanking me for showing u
"And you ought to appreciate the chance to bid farewell," he countered, his
't be much of a surprise then," I countered,
usement dancing in them. "Planning to go barefoot?" h
n't exactly have a wardrobe to choose from,"
boxes sat waiting. "You could have made an effo
table and opened the boxes. Inside were two pairs of shoes - o
onto my feet with resignation. When I turned back, Adrian was loo
the heels," he remarked,
hin. "I don't need fashion advice from yo
king the hair on my neck stand on its end. "Mind that tongue, sweetheart, unless you're ke
walked out the d
im. Coming out of the room I noticed a few
imposing presence of the Rolls Royce
d watch, their vigilant eyes scanning t
ed into my spot, keeping a deliberate distance from Adrian. The silence be
nd sat on his side doin
ultuous storm raging within me. Adrian's presence beside me only served to int
esperately for this nightmare to end. But each bump in the road reminded me of the harsh truth, it wasn't a dream. It was the cruel real
an's voice pierced the suffocating sile
No wandering, no escape attemp
ger surged within me, cutting through the numbness. With
around," I snapped, the w
sten up and listen good. I ain't one to repeat myself, and you're starting to grate on my last nerve. If yo
chest like a drumbeat. I knew better than to test his threats; this place was cra
my voice steady despite the adr
ar, he extended his hand towards me, a silent command in his gesture. Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his, not
sed in black. Each step towards the gravesite felt heavier than the last
casket. The polished wood bore a bold 'S' engraved upon it, signifying hi
ved one of mine put to peace. Adrian stood beside me, his presence a cons
ble to compose myself, and not br
e, threatening to overwhelm my fragile composure. Tears pooled in my ey
and unmoved, his expression betra
ces etched with sorrow, or it was all a show, I wasn't sure. Together, they lowe
oignant tradition that spoke of finality and
all come and to which we all return. With reverent gestures, they cast the dirt upon the casket, each grain
it was
ds, I scooped up a handful of earth,
l, a silent farewell to the man I loved with all my heart.
ngers, mingling with my tears, I
d my world with a single bullet, w
sacrifices must be made, I would un
ved, until I had answers to the questi
certain. And when the time came, he would face th
o gaze at the man behind everything I lost! Who stood like a statue, like he didn'
had only
us, a man abruptly stepped into our path, blocking our way. I instinctively s
anor oozing with arrogance and entitlement. I couldn't help but
poke, his voice dri
an responded tersel
?" Oscar questione
rian replied cryptically, leaving me
sive? Maybe because he
tugged at my memory. I couldn't quite place him, bu
y, Oscar turned hi
?" Oscar inquired, eyeing
at the disresp
e, only to be stopped by Adrian's swift intervention. With a menac
" Adrian growled, his voice
's warning, his gaze lingering on me
ing for this girl?" he
tightening possessively around m
D HE JU