In a dark room, strokes of brushes could be heard. A tall figure with broad shoulders was sitting on a stool, painting a bit violently. He was shirtless, exposing his perfectly chiseled abs. He had a baggy jean on, with his boxers brief slightly peaking out.

Some of his wavy hair stuck to his face due to a little sweat on his face. He had some streaks of paint on his face and body too. He had muddy green eyes which were calm but stern. His breathing was calm as he painted,the canvas vibrating with every stroke.

The painting was almost finished, it was room. The room didn't not have a particular color as it was white. There were stains of red giving the illusion of blood all over the room. A little boy standing in the middle of a pool of blood.

Then, there was a knock on the door. He stopped. "Come in" he said with a deep voice. He turned to the door, it was his right hand man, Kingsley at the door, he turned back to his painting.

"Mr Colins is at the foyer, Sir" Kingsley said. He sighed, dropping his paint brush. "I see. I will clean up and be downstairs soon. Move him to the Parlor. Let him think he is important at least " the man said "Sure, I will" Kingsley nodded slightly and left the room. "This man..." Christian shook his head.

In a clean, crisp black T-shirt that wasn't buttoned all the way up, with his chiseled chest peaking out and a pant trouser, Christian walked down the stairs with authority. Approaching the parlor, he stared directly at his visitor with a blank look.

"Oh Christian my boy, I was just telling your maid how beautiful she looked. Come on you should give her to me as we would soon be business partners" Mr Colins, a man in his mid-40s said chuckling loudly, eyeing the curvy brunette servant in her maid's uniform.

Mr Collins was a short man in his mid-40s, his hair line already receding. He had a somewhat big tummy which was being suppressed in his tight T-shirt. Mr Collins was Christain's godfather's friend. He had been in business with him for a long time. His godfather had suggested to Christian to work with Mr Collins.

"My servants are not your play thing." Christian said sternly as he sat on the single couch "Leave" he said without looking at the girl; she bowed and left.

"Now, Kingsley here tells me you're being stubborn about releasing the ownership papers to us" Christian said crossing his long legs. Kingsley was right beside the chair Christian sat in, his hands crossed behind him with a blank look.

"Well, you see, my price has gone up now my boy" Mr Collins said shifting a bit on the couch and looking at Kingsley with some sort of annoyed look but Kingsley barely looked at him.

Christian's lips twisted in annoyance, "Mr Collins, we had an agreement, 50 million for the estate." Christian said staring the statue of an angel at the corner of the large parlor, tapping on of his hands on the arm of the chair.

"My boy, another competition wants this estate and he was even willing to pay 30 million more than you offered. But because you are my boy I am here making you another offer. Of course I would increase the price. Come on just pay and I will release the ownership papers to you" Mr Collins said.

"This isn't much money in your eyes, pay the 100 million and the papers are yours. Consider me, I'm practically like your godfather too you know...I would profit a whole lot if you pay" the man continued.

Christian knew the man was just being greedy, he had already paid for the estate and now he wants him to pay double. Just because another person wants to pay more for it. There was no way he was going to agree to such demands.

He turned to him "Now why in your right mind would you think I would pay you again for something that is already mine" he said, he was beginning to lose his cool at the thought of someone trying to scam him.

"My boy-" Mr Collins was about to say something but Christian cut him off by raising his hand gesturing him to stop talking.

"You have grown too comfortable calling me that, old man. You have a lot of audacity coming into my home, making stupid demands. Christian continued to speak "I have been incredibly patient with you as you are my uncle's business associate but you are proving more dumb than you already are "

"Don't test me old man, don't think you have an advantage over other realtors just because of Mono. You are deluded to think that" Christian's eyes stared hard at Mr Collins as if daring him to speak back.

Mr Collins was offended by the words coming out from the mouth of someone he could father, but he knew he was going to be face-to-face with death if he continued to push the man's buttons. Christian though was calm and somewhat level headed he was not one to mess with.

"I paid in full for that estate. 50 million dollars. I have my construction team waiting for my call to go ahead and here you are talking about some competition , who I don't give a flying fuck about, telling me to pay extra. That's a lot of audacity even for you Collins." Christian's voice was still calm but there was an underlying anger in it.

"My bo- I mean Christian....sorry. Christian, I am a business man I have to consider my options and think of profits" Mr Collins tried to explain to Christian calmly, hoping he would by some miracle understand.

"Do you want your head on a spike?" Mr Collins shivered at the sudden threat, his eyes wide at Christian's words. He shook his head vigorously.

Christian finally stood up "I am giving you a week,no, 72 hours to get my fucking papers. I don't give a fuck about no fucking competition all i want are my damn papers. Do not try to be sly with me" the way Christian spoke was calm but his eyes told Mr Collins a different tale. Christian didn't give him chance to reply and he walked away with Kingsley right behind him.

"Do you want me to look into this so called competition?" Kingsley asked Christian looking at him, trying to decipher what was on his mind. Kingsley too was a tall man, almost as tall as Christian tanned skinned, with dark brown eyes and a stubble beard.

"There's no need to. I could care less. It should be the fucking president for all I care, my interest are the papers. We shouldn't be the ones to bother about this. Let him run around like a headless chicken. He thinks he can play smart with me. He would be face to face with the devil if he doesn't get what we need by the end of the week" Christian was relaxed about the whole thing, which told Kingsley that what he had in store for Mr Collins would send him to his early grave.

In his home office Mr Collins sat in worry, a glass of whiskey in his hand as he thought of the possible way of settling the matter. His original idea was to sell two separate estates but get extra cash from them, but Christian wasn't budging. 'I knew this would be a bad idea' he thought to himself taking the last gulp of the drink.

He decided to bring the papers for another property to Micheal worth a less than what Micheal had actually paid and give Christian the first deed so he wouldn't lose on both ends.

This was his best option because if he gives Micheal the first deed Christian would definitely kill him. Getting on Christian's bad side was the worst way to die. Micheal wasn't one to notice the smallest details as he was very rash and sometimes thoughtless and he was banking on that, he just hoped Micheal wouldn't notice the switch.

A maid knocked on the door, "Sir? The car is ready" she informed him with her head bent low. "I am coming" he waved her to leave. Mr Collins left his home office in a rush, he wanted to get everything finalized to get the targets of his back.

Less than hour later he was driving into Micheal's compound. Turning off his ignition he sat in his car parked in Micheal's compound. His head on the steering wheel. He was nervous, beads of sweat on his forehead.

He was now stuck between Christian and Micheal, two of the most notorious men. 'God help me, if this works this would be the last' he said to himself with a loud sigh.

He had thought the deal would go in his favor and he would get even triple the actual amount of the estate but now Christian has proven to be as smart as everyone says he is.

Taking a deep breath he wiped off the sweat on his forehead and face with his handkerchief, tucked it back in his trouser pocket and then he got out of the car. Entering the house he was welcomed by the butler who directed him to the parlor. Micheal wasn't there which he was both happy and unhappy about. He wanted to get things done and over with.

After what felt like hours to Mr Collins Micheal had finally came. He was in a red robe with his boxers brief still visible, he had no shirt on exposing his somewhat hairy chest. Micheal sat on the chair that almost looked like a throne, his legs crossed, giving a domineering gaze to Mr Collins which made him more uncomfortable.

Mr Collins looked up from the stairs where Micheal came from to avoid his gave and he could see a girl with black hair flowing down her shoulders, also in a robe, a black one walk down the passage.

"Oh Mr Collins, My man how I love to see you this bright Sunday afternoon" Micheal who know had a bright smile seeming to be in a good mood, Mr Collins chuckled nervously. He couldn't read the man which made him a bit more fearful.

"Well uh how are you doing today Mr Micheal?" Mr Collins didn't know how to act normal. "Collins, you can call me Micheal drop all that formalities come on where are the papers. I need to get my project on the roll" Micheal said rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Mr Collins cleared his throat and began going through his briefcase for the papers. Because of how nervous he was, he was finding it hard to find the papers. He could feel Micheal's strong gaze on him.

He found the papers and handed the papers to him, praying silently that Micheal wouldn't notice. Micheal began to go through them, he then paused and looked up to him.

"Collins now I know you're an old man but you can't be that old. This is not the property I am paying 80 million for. Are you trying to scam me?!!" his voice progressively became louder. Mr Collins could not fathom how he would begin to tell Micheal that he couldn't give him the estate.

Mr Collins swallowed hard as he prepared to speak "Well the thing is that property...It was already sold, I made a slight mistake very very small mistake but this property here is the same price very very good-" Mr Collins was interrupted by the intensity of Micheal's glare.

"Collins, that estate is what I want, I don't want any left over I don't care how but I want that estate." His face twisted in anger. "Yes yes I understand that, but that estate is currently unavailable, I was not aware of the sale. I will not be able to give it to you..." Mr Collins voice trailed as he saw Micheal look at him perplexed "You will not give it to me??" Micheal found Mr Collins audacity glaring and insulting.

Mr Collins realized his obvious bad choice of words, he needed to choose his words carefully, so as to not set him off. "This estate is still good trust me. Probably even better than the last one, not a left over at all" Mr Collins' shirt was already drenched in sweat as he nervously tried to explain to Micheal.

"Don't try to be smart with me, that estate is what I want. Got it?!!" Micheal asked loudly, his eyes wide with anger, Mr Collins gulped in worry for his life, "Yes yes I understand" he nodded frantically.

"Get out!!!" Micheal roared his voice echoing in the room "Yes yes I'll do that" Mr Collins said nervously and he hurriedly took his briefcase and began to leave.

Dimitri, a tall blonde, who has a bit skinny walked in, his hands behind his back, in a dark blue suit. "Sir" he said in a low tone bowing deeply. "Find out who the bastard sold my estate to" Micheal ordered his assistant. "Sure sir"

"Sir the food is ready" said a maid, her voice very inaudible. Micheal already annoyed turned to her "Bitch you better speak up before I put a bullet in you throat" he threatened. "Lunch is ready sir" she said very loudly this time shaking in fear.

Micheal stood up ready to leave then he asked "Where is my wife?" he always liked to eat with Ella because she was very beautiful to look at. He felt like she was his prize "I'll go get her now" the maid said leaving hurriedly.

Ella came into the dining room now with a loose red gown with short sleeves stopping right above her knee with her hair tied in a pony tail. She walked towards the farthest seat in the dining room "My dear you know I don't like you far from me when I eat. Come on" Micheal urged for her to come closer. She walked to a seat by his left and sat there. Not ready to cause him to vent his anger on her.

The servants brought in their food. After the maids left Micheal began to speak "How are you my love" Micheal always acted like some darling husband until he was pissed off by something and then he'd blow off on her.

Ella felt like he was bipolar. She looked at him with a blank expression, "I heard you talking to someone downstairs" Ella picked at her food as she spoke "Ah yes some old hag who thinks he can scam me" Micheal said with irritation visible on his face as he chewed his food.

"Mhm, You didn't kill him" Ella subtly said as she took her first bite, Micheal chuckled "No, my money is with him and I don't have the deed yet. I can't kill him. Not yet at least"

Dimitri walked in and bowing to Micheal, barely sparing Ella a glance. "Sir, I found out who he sold the property to" Dimitri began "Christian Estoniel. He bought it at 50 million . But he also doesn't have the deed. Seems as though he is trying to pay Collins extra money so as to not let the property go to you" Micheal drank water as he listened to his assistant give him the information.

"Christian...I remember him. He's arrogant as fuck. Met him once at some diner party had heard so much about his work, wanted an audience with him just for him to walk past me like a freaking nobody" Micheal said then he dropped the glass loudly.

"Collins is playing a dangerous game with me. He thinks I would let that property go and to Christian of all people. Hell no!!" Ella listened quietly eating her food.

She overheard the conversation between Mr Collins and Micheal. Dimitri had interrupted them in the room, informing him of Mr Collins' arrival. After Micheal had been through with her, he left her to go downstairs. As she walked to her room in her robe, she could see the old man who was looking upstairs. She decided to hide behind one of the pillars to eavesdrop on their conversation.

She could tell the man was just being shady and she knew he was in the brink of death if he continued down the dishonest path he was going. She had heard of Christian, but never met him. Her husband was egotistic there was no way he would let this go.

That same night, almost close to midnight, Ella was sitted in the parlor dressed up in a crimson red satin dress with a deep V neckline with a daring thigh high slight. She wore dangling gold earrings, a bracelet and a simple necklace. Holding a gold sparkly clutch purse.

Her arms crossed, tapping her ankle strapped heel on the floor,impatiently. Her makeup was simple with just a bit of powder and blush with some pink lipgloss.

'So he makes me dress up for some stupid event just to make me wait here for almost an hour' she thought to herself. Micheal had instructed her to get ready for some dinner party but now he was no where to be found.

"Fuck this" she stood up ready to go to her room when the doors flung open. "Ellaaaa!! Come on baby, let's go, let's go party!!" Micheal shouted drunkenly. Ella turned around to see her husband in a dark blue tuxedo but his bowtie was all messed up and hair let down.

It was obvious he was tipsy "Micheal, you're drunk there's no need to go for this event" Ella saw this as an opportunity not to go anymore but Micheal didn't seem to budge "In the car now. The guards are waiting outside already" Micheal demanded turning to leave. Ella sighed adjusting her dress as she followed Micheal.

The hall glowed with liquid gold, chandeliers bleeding firelight across marble floors polished enough to mirror the guests. Silk drapes fall from the ceiling like rivers, while tables float under their own spotlit halos, stacked with exotic drinks in crystal glasses.

The guests were dressed extravagantly like a gallery of living art. Dresses ripple like whispers, jewels scatter light across the room, and suits mold to bodies with ruthless precision. Conversations move in currents every smile feels rehearsed, every gesture engineered to dominate or disarm.

She walked side by side with Micheal, she felt a bit overwhelmed, her palms a bit sweaty. Ella never liked going out with Micheal because he was an open flirt looking at everything in a skirt while she just stood there looking like a fool. She moved to the bar tired of standing as her husband spoke to his business associates.

She took drink after drink watching the exotic dancers, dressed in colorful costumes, trying to enjoy herself a little, ignoring some of the loud chatter "Ella come over here" Micheal shouted from where he stood "Ella!!" He shouted again, everyone staring at him.

Ella sighed going to him "I'm here, I'm here" she said smiling tightly "You must be Ella. I'm Griffin pleasure to meet you " one of Michael's associates said bring his hand forward. He looked like he was in his 30s, he was young looking with a full beard.

"Yes, uh same, pleasure is mine" she said shaking him and Micheal immediately noticed this gesture and dragged Ella's lower arm bringing her closer to him violently.

"Mind yourself Ella, don't whore yourself around here" he said through his teeth, squeezing her arm. "Griffin, you should know her father is some scruffy old man who couldn't keep his business in check. He had to beg me to help him. Aren't I the nicest guy ever" Micheal taunted as he took a gulp of his whiskey Griffin felt awkward and decided to change the topic.

"About the restaurant in downtown LA I think it needs some remodeling don't you think?" Griffin said sipping his drink, but Micheal wasn't even paying attention as was staring at a girl who walked past them. Ella noticing this became even more uncomfortable and decided to excuse herself.

"Uhm...if you would excuse me, I need to use the bathroom " Ella said softly and Griffin nodded with a small smile, but as she turned to leave Micheal still held on to her tightly not letting her go and whispered in her ear "Don't let me begin to wonder where you flew off to" Ella just stared at him for a short while saying nothing and walked off.

Ella walked into the bathroom sighing loudly. Turning the faucet on, she washed her hands frantically trying to get the prints of his hands out. She stared at her reflection gripping the side of the sink. She felt trapped.

"Ugh!! That that...that bastard. He mentioning my father all for what exactly just to put me down even more??" Tears gathered in her eyes but she refused to let it fall.

She was frustrated with her situation she just wanted the ground to swallow her. Micheal never failed to remind her about her father and what had happened, mocking her but she couldn't do anything about Micheal, she was powerless against him.

When she first got married to him she had tried to run away that night but he found her and locked her in the dungeon for 2 days and her father had even gotten beaten up. Now she has been married to him for almost 2 years but she still couldn't accept that this was now her life.

She was being held captive, her life was no longer hers and Micheal never failed to remind her of that. "I can take your life whenever I want to you are living by my mercy" Micheal would often say. He was playing God.

Running her hands through her hair she sighed. She wanted to scream, to shout out her pain but she couldn't. She was trapped in something that wasn't even her fault. Something she had no control of.

She was a compensation for her father's problem. Her own father betrayed her. Now she was nothing more than a sacrificial lamb at the mercy of Micheal and no one was coming to save her, she was all alone.

She washed her hands more gently this time and turned it off and dried it. Applying more lipgloss staring at herself saying " Everything will be fine" with that she walked out of the bathroom only to bump into something hard.

She was going to fall, closing her eyes shut ready for the impact but she didn't, instead she felt a hand wrap around her waist.