BLACK CARD, SOFT HEART.

LEILA

I realised something was wrong with me the moment the car started moving.

I wasn't afraid as I should have been with a stranger, the night swallowed the city. But my body was relaxed as if I was waiting for a permission to breaking out.

The door sealed with a quite finality. The world outside blurred into a streaks of light.

A buzzed came in on my phone.

Lydia: Leila you will crawled back begging in your knees, and guess what no one ever believes weak girls when they returned.

I fummed in anger, my shoulders folded inward like an apology, my hands in my laps in disappointment, the fact that I'm still that weak girl that can't do anything to people that hurt me in this life time hurts different...

Aiden sat besides me, one arms rested casually on the seat. His presence filling the space even without me touching it.

He hadn't looked away since we drove off.

His not staring but only observing like he was memorizing damages.

" I don't know where we're going" I said softly.

" I do" he replied.

Something in his voice made my spine tightened, not fear but Awareness.

The city light flickered across his face, carving sharp lines into a man who looks is builts from discipline and secrets.

He wasn't handsome in a soft way but the kind of attraction that warned you that something would be taken if gets too close.

"Before we arrived, there are rules". He added.

"Rules?, ofcourse rules, I swallowed big. If this is about money. I_".

He lifted a hand, one gesture, before I could even complete my sentence.

" Rule one" he said " you don't apologize unless you're wrong".

My lips parted instinctively.

He arched a brow, " you were about to apologize".

Heat crept up my neck. " I_"

" Rule two", he cut in smoothly. "You don't explain yourself to people who benefits from misunderstanding you".

My chest tightened, I went numb.Lydia's voice echoes in my head. " You are emotional, careless and weak".

I pressed my nails into my palm, I stay silent not like I refuse talking but because the words refuse me. it's hurtful that I choose to remain silence.

"Rule four" he said, leaning forward just enough for the air between us to changed.

" You don't confuse softness with weakness".

My breath stutter.

" That's all I've ever been", I whispered "soft".

"No, you're not soft, you've only been trianed that way". He corrected calmly.

That sentence landed hard on my face.

" Trained?, like an animal, like a Shadow,like something shape by cruelty, was I born to be trained that way? Or it's just something I inflicted on myself?". Well it all a questions I never get an answer to anyways.

.....

The car slowed, before it stopped completely, he added. " Rule four, if you stay, you don't lie to me, ever".

" If I stay?" I asked.

His mouth curved, not into smile but something Sharp. " You always have a choice, Leila".

The car door opened.

The cold night air rushed in, carrying the deliberate scent of power and a life I never dreamt of, not empty but controlled.

The penthouse was quite Ina way that felt like it was something meant to be owned.

I stood near the entrance, afraid to touch anything.

Aiden loosened his cufflinks, movements precise. " Sit " he said kindly .

I perched on the edge of the sofa, back straight, heart loud.

He watched me for a moment.

Then, " show me your phone" he asked.

My stomach dropped, I hesitated at first but handed it over at last.

He scrolled, his expression changes, his jaw tightens,I could tell how angry he was but he wasn't angry, rather calculating.

" She's enjoying this" he said.

I flinched.

He looked at me one more time, " tell me what she said when you left".

My voice came out small and shaken.

" That I wouldn't survived the media chaos".

He handed the phone back.

" She believes you're still that girl that needs permission to exist".

Tears drip down my side eyes." Maybe she's right".

Silence followed.

Then Aiden stood, walked and stopped in front of me, close enough that I could feel warmt radiating from him.

"Look at me" he said

I did

His gazed locked onto mine, unyielding.

" You're not weak, you're just unclaimed". He said quietly.

My breath caught.

"And people like your sister?" He continue, voice dropping,intimate and lethal, "they mistake patience for stupidity, obedience for loyalty and silence for weakness". He leaned down slightly, not touching me.

" That mistake, is where empires falls" he murmured.

My heart raced faster, my face turned red that I almost freak out.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked barely breathing.

Aiden straightened, " because Lydia believes she's won".

His eyes darkened

" I enjoyed correcting assumptions, you will stay in one of the rooms , we will begin tomorrow".

" Begins what", I asked .

He turned, glass in hand, eyes burning into mine.

" Unlearning everything they taught you".

He moved closer again,too close now, the air charged, my skin hummed in goosebumps, I barely breathe.

" If Lydia contact you again" he said with his gaze dropping briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes, " don't respond".

" Why?".

He smiled dangerous but slow.

" Because I will, and you might have a problem soon" he added retrieving back .

My phone vibrated in my hand.

A new message.

My pulse thundered...