In his vengeance

Chapter 1 Bella “Hey… did you invite security?” Ana asks, raising a brow. I blinked. “No. Why?” “Those men over there—” She motioned subtly toward the entrance. I followed her gaze. Four men in tailored black suits had entered, one after the other, without a word. No smiles, no interest in the art. They stood at the edges of the hall, their expressions cold and their eyes pacing around like they were scanning for a target. My stomach twitched. I rented this place last week for my gallery opening, and it’s all set now, perfect view and a strategic position in the city. I pulled out some work to invite some prestige elites to this opening. I was excited that I was finally coming out of the shadow of just an upcoming artist into cementing my place in the industry, and this was my first big step. I have put in so much effort into this, a lot of late nights stroking each color on the canvas, bringing my creativity to life. Now my big opening and exhibition. Not even this cold, annoying-looking men in black suits can spoil my day. “Probably just rich assholes with bodyguards,” I muttered, shoving any negative energy off. “This is New York. They probably own a tech startup or an oil company.” Ana didn’t look convinced. “Still. Be careful, okay?” Anna has been Anna's best friend since college. She’s my number one fan and my emotional support. While we studied together, I pursued art while she went for dance, and she's pretty good at it, if not the best. I always tell her that. We always have each other's back. “I’ll be fine.” I squeezed her hand. “Can’t let paranoia ruin my moment.” All of a sudden, a strange hush fell over the room, slowly as Conversations faded. Glasses clinked in awkward staccato. I heard footsteps approaching behind me, too fast, too purposeful. I turned, and then the front glass doors shattered. Gasps and screams filled the air as shards rained down. Men in black suits flooded the gallery with cold faces, drawing their weapons. Panic spread through the crowd like a virus. I looked to my right, a lady knocked over a sculpture, causing the wine from a table across to splash on the marble floor. “Get down, everyone,” one of the men shouted. You better be kidding me, not now, not at my opening, I just needed at little more time, at least show my potential partners or investors to just take a look and invest in me, and also the money, this was the whole goal and now this dangerous looking people are at the brink of ruing everything with their guns and I can't stand the sight of guns. “No, no, don’t shoot,” Someone pleaded from the crowd. People ran over, taking cover, some frozen in one place. Another woman near the back screamed as one of the men grabbed her by the arm and shoved her aside. My eyeballs almost popped out of my head as I hear my name. “Bella Moreau!” a cold voice yelled. I couldn’t move. My legs became stiff. How did they know my name? What is happening? “Ms. Moreau,” a man stepped toward me, tall and broad shouldered, his face unreadable beneath the sharp angles of his jaw. He reached into his coat. “No wait.” Ana tried to block him, but he shoved her aside. “Don’t touch her!” I snapped, my voice trembling. “Who the hell are you? What do you want?” He didn’t answer. Instead, he raised his wrist. A small earpiece glinted beneath his collar. “She’s here. Bringing her in.” What? Two more men closed in. I made a run for it toward the rear exit without thinking twice. A pair of arms caught me mid-run, locking around my waist. “Let go of me!” I kicked and twisted, my heel slamming into someone’s shin. “Help! Call the police!” No one moved. The crowd pressed against the far wall with frightening eyes, but no one had the balls to intervene. A gloved hand covered my mouth out of no were over. The world fell still, I hauled backward. “Easy,” someone growled near my ear. “Don’t hurt her.” Panic roared louder than the ringing in my ears. I bit down hard on the hand. “Son of a.” He yelled in pain, but his grip still tight. I screamed and struggled as they wrestled me into the arms of another man. My heart beat hard at my ribs. Then a voice spoke, smooth and calm spoke. “Enough.” Everything stopped. He stepped through the broken entrance like the eye of the storm. His silhouette radiating dangerous and devilish Aura. He didn't need to say a word; his presence alone spoke for itself. He must be their boss, I thought. The air shifted, and everyone became silent. "Who the hell is he?" I whispered to myself. He turned his head, his eyes cold and brutal. Our eyes met. And my blood ran cold as I shrunk under his gaze. “Bring her.” He said to the men holding me “No, wait, please.” I twisted, fighting again, but someone yanked my head back by my hair. “You should’ve stayed hidden,” he said with a cold tone. I swallow hard, my heart pounding heavily against my ribs. Who is he? And what's he talking about? Does he know me from somewhere, or it's just a mixed up? He continued. “But your kind never knows when to disappear.” “Who are you? And what the hell do you want from me?” I yelled. “I don’t even know you!” He tilted his head slightly. “Neither do I.” Relief flush through my body, this is probably a mix up, and so I snapped back. “Then let go me, you have made a mistake!” My heart skips at his reply. “You’re a mistake,” he murmured. “One your father made a long time ago.” Before I could take an inch, the man behind me jammed something into my neck. A syringe pierces my skin, too fast to even feel the pain. Instantly, my vision fades, then Darkness.