KIDNAPPING

"Yours!" I mutter with boldness. 'I will give you what you want, as long as you promise that none of my people will get hurt," I mumble, almost choking on my own words.


Just how ridiculous would that be, huh? Me, handing my fortune to this pesky witch! Even the heavens would curse me for that!

She was staring at me after my words, and she now bursts into chuckles, which don't last long.

"And you think I am a fool to buy your lies? Tell me, how did you come to this decision? How did you convince that jerk-arse husband of yours to step down for me, huh?" She queries, her miniature making her way to her side.


"You must have a puppy for a husband to just agree to things like that, dear sissy. To think that I was thinking of having some fun with him. You know, like what I did with Leo?" Nelly brats.

Cool, Ellie! You will teach these fools a good lesson soon. For now, you have to play your cards well because you know what is at stake here.


"If you think you can fool me, Ellie, go back to bed and dream again. I know that stupid son of Riccaforte wouldn't agree to something like this," Gracia hisses again.

She is not a dumbass after all, huh? "And that is why I am here, Gracia," I state, catching her attention. "Damian doesn't know. Yet!"

"So, what are you here for?" Gracia asks.

"It would be difficult, if not impossible, to persuade Damian to consent to this without giving him enough reasons, and I don't want you to do this your way. So I have another deal." I state, crossing my fingers in the hope that I succeed.

She cocks an eyebrow after trading a glance with her mini witch. "I am all ears," Gracia speaks.

I got you, witch! I just hope you fall for this.

"I need time. It took a week, utmost, to organize everything and convince Damian to hand over the position to you. In the meantime, you can be the COO."

"COO?" She mumbles.

"Yes, but only for a week," I emphasize.

"Sounds good, but still, too farfetched! I will give you the benefit of the doubt, though. But for your own good, you better not play games with me because it is Damian who will suffer the consequences first, and I swear, I won't show any mercy," she warns, screeching under her nose.

"I have given you my word, Gracia! In seven days, you will get what you have always wanted, but until then," I close the gap between us, looking straight into her murderous eyes and speaking with a strict tone that scares them both, "Don't you dare even dream of harming Damian! For him, I can give up the world, but I can also fight the same world for him." I finish and step back when I am certain that my warning has sunk into their empty skulls.

"You and your mother are just the same. You love too much for your own good. Be careful; you might up end up the same way as"

"As my mother?" I cut her off. That was exactly what she was going to say, right? So, she knows my mother did not die in an accident? All that was her doing? She was the enemy even back then? "Come on, spill it, Gracia! You know what happened to my mother, don't you?" I speak calmly, hiding my claws in my palms as I clench my palms into fists.

She smirks, annoying me to the core because her sister's smirk speaks volumes. "Not yet, Ellie! Just. Not. Yet! You will know the truth eventually, just not now. Now leave and start working on the deal. The count down to seven days is already ticking, you know."

She is a monster! She is the monster! ‘I will make you pay so dearly, Gracia! I will avenge both my mom and nanny, Gracia! And I will find out how the angel of death happened to have notified you beforehand that my father would not make it through the surgery for you to start preparing his funeral that soon! I will make you pay, you black witch!'

I turn to leave before I say something that would compromise everything, but her venomous voice stops me. 'Before you leave," I turn to face her, 'I will let you know that your two foolish friends are in my custody."

My face drops to the floor with shock and fear! What? "One wrong move and you'll find their dead corpses in your bed! Watch what you do, Ellie!"

"Mom! Does it have to come to this?" Nelly speaks, seeming like she is taken off guard just like I am.

She has my friends? How on earth did that happen, huh?

"In a game, Nelly," she starts while I battle with shock, 'you use all the means possible to win, including cheating and killing your opponent if possible. And since the dead don't compete, you emerge with the victory."

"But where is the fairness in that?" I ask.

Another smirk, as if she has been in this game far too long to know the basics. "Nothing is fair in this world. Bo.li.eve, that! Now get out of my sight, Ellie, because your sight irritates my demons so much." She states.

"With pleasure, Gracia! But I will tell you something that I told your daughter some months ago: Karma is a bitch! And you won't know when it will strike you."

"I am karma, Ellie, and I am getting everything that was taken away from me and crushing everything that stands in my way. Seven days, Ellie! Seven! Now leave!"

Alright, Gracia! But on the seventh day, it's not you who will wear the crown of victory, but me! The clock to your downfall is ticking way too fast, because now I am getting a connection to all your actions. On the seventh day from now, all your sins, crimes, and secrets will all be put to light, and you will suffer the fate you deserve! Seven days