CHAPTER TWENTY "You are nothing but a piece of shit, a fucking monster, all of you, and I hope you rot in hell. You know... I didn't get to finish my word when the sound of a gunshot resonated around the room, followed by the thud of a body hitting the floor. A loud scream left my lips, and my body shook in fright as I watched the lifeless body of Fabian on the floor. His eyes were open, with blood pooling in them. Everywhere instantly turned black, and I shivered in fear, my breath coming fast. "You are the monster, the murderer, the murderer." The voice echoes, and I sob out, terrified. The sound of gunshots follows. I woke up with a start when I heard the sound of something hitting the floor, shattering into pieces, and I jumped off the bed, shaking violently. My body felt sluggish as I swung to the side slightly. My eyes were blurry with sleep, and I had to blink a few times to get myself accustomed to the lights. When I could finally see, I let out a sigh. Zoey was standing there with a guilty look, giving me a sheepish smile. "I'm so sorry for scaring you." She was apologetic, placing a tray of food she held on the table before looking down at the shattered piece of a vase that had once been placed on the table. "You have been asleep all day, so I thought I would bring you dinner since you haven't had anything." I only nodded because I couldn't bring myself to form any words. I was still trying to calm my racing heart. Zoey's eyes scanned my state, looking deep into thought. It was like she was trying to figure out what was wrong. She takes in a deep breath, carefully walking towards me and taking her seat on the bed. "You look like you had one hell of a night. Your face seems puffy, and your eyes are red." She called out. "Did you perhaps cry?" "I just didn't sleep well." I responded, avoiding her gaze. Last night's ordeal still clouds my mind. "You seriously look like a mess." "I feel like a mess." I confessed with a groan. My head was aching and my eyes felt like they were burning, not to mention the pain I was feeling from Sin's spanking. She takes a hold of my hand, giving it a light squeeze. "Last night must have been quite a scare for you." She says this with a creased brow. "You are probably blaming yourself for what has happened, but Fabian's death isn't your fault. It's going to take some getting used to, but Fabian definitely deserved what he got. I was surprised by her words. I knew she had been in the mafia family for a long time, but hearing her say Fabian deserved what had happened to him didn't sit well with me. "Just because we had our differences doesn't mean he deserves to die. "No one, absolutely no one, deserves to have their lives snatched away from them." Zoey could very well tell my reaction, and she sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I get that you see the best in people, Mani, and I admire that about you. But a scumbag like Fabian doesn't deserve your pity. You have forgotten that you are in the presence of the most ruthless mafia family in the world. That is, everyone here has taken a life and done far worse than you can imagine. So trust me when I say that Sin's taking out a man like Fabian did the world all a favour." As I closed the door behind me, I walked toward the mirror, glancing at my reflection. I grimaced at what I saw, even though I was half expecting myself to look a mess. I looked horrible. Was I really standing in front of Luca and Zoey, looking like this? I was frightened just looking at my reflection in the mirror. I really do need a bath. I winced as I quickly removed Sin's shirt. I looked back at the mirror, turning to my back to see a faint bruise forming below my back due to how hard my back had hit Sin's cold tiled floor. Shaking my head, I stepped into the shower. The moment the warm water hit me, sliding down my bare body and warming the numbness, I felt my tense muscles loosen. At first, my bruises itched and were aching under the warm water, but after a few minutes, all I felt was warmth. I took a deep breath as my body went limp. I lifted my face up into the spray and let the water cascade around me. A feeling of relaxation consumed me as I reached up, squeezed out some shampoo in my palm, and started to massage it through my hair before washing my body. After I was done, I stayed under the water for a few more minutes, letting the heat penetrate my body. I stepped out of the shower on wobbling legs, and when the cool air hit my body, I shivered. Grabbing a towel from a nearby rack, I started to dry my hair and then my body. I wrapped the towel around me and went to stand in front of the mirror. I looked much better. My face was no longer pale. My cheeks were red from the warm water, and my eyes shone brightly. After taking one last glance at my reflection, I towelled my body, changing into a clean top and shorts before stepping out of the bathroom to see Zoey already with our food. A smile made its way to my lips, and I walked over to her, taking a seat on the bed. "Why don't we have our movie marathon tonight?" She asked, and I smiled, nodding in agreement. Title: ReelTalk EP 33 - Unveiling Modern Elegance with Eli Jane Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance Status: ongoing In this captivating episode of ReelTalk, delve into the intriguing world of Eli Jane, a formidable queen whose journey unfolds with both grace and resilience. Discover the profound impact of her experiences, intricately weaving together moments of triumph and challenge, shaping her into the remarkable individual she is today. Eli Jane's narrative transcends mere storytelling; it embodies a modern redefinition of elegance, drawing readers into a realm where vulnerability meets strength. As she navigates through highs and lows, her authenticity shines through, resonating with audiences on a deeply emotional level. Explore the depths of her character as she confronts life's complexities with unwavering determination and unwavering spirit. What sets ReelTalk EP 33 apart is its ability to capture the essence of human emotion and resilience, transcending traditional romance narratives. Eli Jane's journey not only entertains but also inspires, leaving readers with a renewed sense of hope and empowerment. Experience this modern tale of elegance and self-discovery available to read online at CrushReel.