Chapter 2 Buried Past

• "Liraaaa… you don't belong in this family. You should have died!"
• A man's voice, venomous and cruel, echoed in the dark.
• His silhouette loomed, black and menacing.
• "You killed her. You're a poison in this family."
• "You should have died!"
• "You're the one who should be dead!"
• He shouted with rising fury, lashing out with a belt.
• The sharp crack of leather against skin echoed through the house.
• The stench of alcohol and cigarette smoke clung to the air like poison.
• The house was a mess.
• I was a mess.
• I wanted to run.
• To hide.
• To die.
• "It's not my fault… I didn't kill her…"
• I couldn't breathe.
• I was suffocating.
• "Aaaah!"
• I jolted awake.
• Darkness still clung to the world outside.
• It wasn't real.
• Just a dream.
• I clutched the sheets, gasping for air like I was drowning. My chest heaved painfully.
• The same nightmare.
• The same terror.
• It never leaves me.
• Not a single night passes without it hunting me down.
• Forcing me to relive the life I've buried.
• Those dark days—
• The hunger.
• The bruises.
• The tears I cried into my pillow while my father's rage bruised not only my body, but my soul.
• I try not to remember.
• But the night never lets me forget.
• I don't want to sleep anymore.
• Each night bleeds into the next, heavier than the last. Maybe I should ask for stronger sleeping pills—something potent enough to drown out everything.
• I stepped out of my room.
• Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, washing the hall in a silvery hush. The grand piano stood under its glow like a ghost—quiet, waiting.
• It almost felt like it was calling me.
• "It's been a while," I whispered, barely breathing.
• I sat down. My fingers hovered, then sank onto the cold keys. A soft melody spilled out—fragile and aching.
• And just like that, he returned.
• The way his long, slender hands guided mine.
• The warmth of his breath against my ear.
• "You did well," he'd said. "It's perfect."
• A lump rose in my throat.
• I wanted to see him again.
• God, I wanted to.
• But I never dared to.
• I had already buried that part of me—him, the girl I used to be, the softness I can't afford.
• I chose this life.
• And to have it, I killed every piece that made me human.
• I stopped playing.
• No. No. No.
• You don't get to exist.
• Not in this world. Not anymore.
• Distractions are death.
• Weakness is death.
• And I must be perfect to survive.
• As dawn broke, I sorted through my clothes—elegant, professional, captivating.
• Elira Callista—the perfect woman in every man's eyes, a bitch in every woman's mind.
• I arrived at the Arcelli Empire headquarters. A hundred employees greeted me—some smiles fake, others genuine, some perverted, and a few in awe.
• The usual.
• "Good morning, Director," Troye greeted.
• "Good morning, Mr. Troye. Any updates?"
• "Our project with KIA International is progressing. There are minor changes required by their president, but otherwise, everything's smooth. The chairman is pleased."
• "He should be," I replied coldly.
• "Oh—and the chairman asked for you. He and Madame Isabelle want to discuss something."
• "Another party?" I asked dryly.
• Troye just shrugged and walked away.
• I dropped my bag in my office and made my way to the chairman's room.
• Too early for this much urgency—it must be serious.
• As I stepped inside, I was greeted by an oddly cheerful atmosphere. The chairman and his wife looked relaxed, almost… glowing.
• Happy families.
• It made my stomach churn with envy.
• Then I felt a stare—intense and unmistakable. I turned and saw him.
• Lucien Arcelli.
• "Good morning, Lira. Did you sleep well last night?" he asked, his voice teasing, his eyes holding mine.
• My face burned as last night's memory flashed through my mind—me, asleep in his arms.
• But, there was something about the way he said it—like he knew exactly when I'd fallen asleep. Like he'd been watching longer than I thought.
• Shameless.
• I composed myself quickly.
• "I slept very well, Lucien. Thank you for taking me home."
• The chairman and Madame Isabelle exchanged a look.
• "We're glad you're speaking casually now," she said with a soft smile.
• Then the chairman spoke.
• "Lira, we called you here to tell you something important. We want you to take the lead on our next major project—in Australia."
• "Australia?" I repeated.
• "Yes. This will be the start of the Arcelli Empire's expansion into Europe. You and Lucien will spearhead this. I trust you more than anyone, and I know you'll be a great asset to him."
• Me. And Lucien.
• It's a massive opportunity. A global project—exactly the kind of thing I've dreamed of.
• But working with Lucien?
• I have to think.
• _____
• A heavy sigh escaped me.
• I couldn't decide. I didn't want this to slip through my fingers—this project was everything I'd worked for. Power. Recognition. A seat at the global table.
• But why did it feel like I was standing at the edge of a cliff?
• Like saying yes would mean losing more than I could afford.
• I stared out the office lounge window, city lights blurred through the glass. In the reflection, I saw Lucien standing behind me.
• "Lucien," I said quietly. "Did you agree to this?"
• He stepped closer, his presence looming like a shadow I couldn't shake.
• "Yeah," he said, voice smooth. "There's nothing to argue about. This project is massive. It'll give the company—us—more power."
• His eyes swept over me, slow and deliberate. I felt it like heat on my skin.
• "What's bothering you?" he asked. "What's on your mind?"
• I didn't answer.
• He waited.
• Then, softer—too soft—he added, "What's making you hesitate?
• Are you afraid of me?"
• I turned away. And then I felt it—his fingers brushing the back of my neck, warm and electric. A quiet invasion.
• "Lucien," I said, voice sharp. "Keep your hands to yourself."
• "My apologies," he murmured, not sounding sorry at all. "Your skin… it looked too delicate not to touch."
• I shook it off. Took a step forward.
• Then I turned on my heel.
• "I'm not hesitating," I said, meeting his gaze head-on. "And I'm not afraid of you."
• Lucien stared after her as she walked away, a flicker of lust dancing in his eyes.
• He craved her—without understanding how or why.
• But Lucien always got what he wanted. And right now, he wanted her.
• —
• Outside, in the underground parking lot, he leaned against the cold concrete wall, lighting a cigarette. He took a slow drag, but his focus wavered.
• Then she appeared.
• Lira stepped into view—wearing a pink suit tailored perfectly to her frame, the white blouse beneath softening her usual steel. The fabric clung in all the right places, every curve subtly demanding attention.
• Lucien's jaw tightened. He tossed the cigarette to the ground.
• Lira was shocked when she spotted him. His figure, half-shadowed in the dim light, looked almost predatory.
• "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice wary.
• "Just getting some fresh air," he said, too casually.
• Lira let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Fresh air? We're underground, Lucien."
• He didn't respond.
• She glanced at him, expecting a comeback—but instead, he was just looking at her. Really looking.
• "You look beautiful when you smile," he said. "You should laugh more."
• Lira froze. Her chest tightened.
• She hated how easily he could slip beneath her skin. How every moment spent near him chipped away at the walls she had built so carefully.
• And worst of all—part of her didn't want to stop it.
• She got into her car without sparing him a glance.
• No goodbye. No second look.
• The engine roared to life, and she drove off like she was running from something—
• Or someone.
• As if her life depended on it.
• Lucien stood frozen in the dim light of the parking lot, brows furrowed in thought. Confusion twisted into fixation.
• He needed to know more.
• If he wanted her—truly wanted her—he needed answers. Every piece. Every hidden part.
• He pulled out his phone and dialed.
• "Kenneth. I need you to look into someone for me. Thoroughly. Carefully. I want every detail. Leave nothing out."
• "Who's the target?"
• "Elira Callista."
• A pause. Then a low chuckle. "Man, I suggest you don't."
• "Why not?"
• "Everyone in this damn place has tried to dig into her. But there's nothing. Aside from her education and public records, her past is a blank slate. It's like someone erased her… or she buried it herself."
• Lucien's voice sharpened, laced with irritation. "I don't take no for an answer, Kenneth."
• Another pause. Then a resigned sigh. "If it's you, I'll try. Just… be careful. That woman's got pride thicker than steel. You push too hard, she'll bite."
• Lucien smirked. "She's more like a cat in my eyes"