AT THE EDGES OF HATE

THE CELEBRITY SECRET

DIANA

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Everything I had planned to ask or say when I finally met him, all the preparation I had made flew out of my head at that moment.

Two seconds elapsed. Adonis glanced at the watch on his wrist before looking back at me.

"Time's up," he pointed out.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I..." I struggled to find the right words.

He held up a finger, stopping me before I could continue.

"If you want an interview, Miss..." he drawled, checking my press badge. "Moreno, the proper procedure is to contact my public relations team and book an appointment."

His tone remained calm,yet held so much power.

He continued. "You don't show up at someone's workplace unannounced and expect them to rearrange their schedule for you."

My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag.

"I thought if I could just speak to you for five minutes" Surprisingly, I found myself stammering.

"If." He tilted his head slightly. " Your actions is unprofessional.. and you call yourself a journalist"

His voice rose slightly. "If your request is approved, you'll be contacted."

Without another word, he let my press badge slip from his fingers.It landed on the polished marble floor with a soft clatter.

For a moment, neither of us moved. Then he stepped on it as if it wasn't even there and walked past me. His bodyguards immediately fell into formation behind him. Within seconds, they disappeared down the hallway.

The lobby gradually returned to life. Employees went back to work. Some walked past me as if nothing had happened.

I, however, remained frozen. Embarrassment burned through me. Tears rushed to my eyes, but I blinked hard, refusing to let them fall. I had never felt this humiliated before.

I had rushed past security, chased one of the most famous men in Italy across his own lobby... only to be dismissed in less than a minute.

Slowly, I crouched and picked up my press badge. I clipped it back on and lowered my head.

Without meeting anyone's eyes, I walked toward the exit.

Outside, the excited screams of Adonis's fans still filled the air. To my surprise, he stood smiling and waving at them.

Wasn't he the same person I had met a few seconds ago?

He was the complete opposite of the man I'd just encountered. I made up my mind that Adonis Castillo was nothing but a two-faced b***h.

...........

LATER IN THE DAY

It was already dark as I walked along the streets, my phone pressed against my ear. I was on a call with Bobby.

"So, how was it?" he asked, obviously referring to my interview with the so-called ladies' man.

Since the interview, I hadn't gone back to the office. I had only told him I couldn't make it because of something that came up.

"Fine," I lied. "He promised to send a message through his manager about the date."

"Really?" Bobby's voice lit up. "I knew you could do it. I mean, you've never missed a beat."

"I guess." I bit my lower lip. Guilt was already eating me alive. I knew I could tell him almost anything, but not this. It was too embarrassing.

I couldn't bring myself to face anyone by go back to the office empty-handed. It would be the first time I had failed to secure my assignment.

Instead, I wandered around the city, doing absolutely nothing. Yet somehow, the scene kept replaying in my head.

"Your actions are unprofessional... and you call yourself a journalist?"His words clung to me like a stain I couldn't wash away.

I stopped in my tracks.

"I'll call you back," I told Bobby before ending the call.

Slipping my phone into my bag, I studied the building before me.

It was a pawnshop. But according to my research, it was more than that. Though it bought and sold authentic antiques, that was only a cover.

I drew a shaky breath and stepped inside.

The shop was eerily quiet, filled with all kinds of antiques. In one corner sat a man. I walked over to him.

"What do you have to sell?" he asked, polishing an old object on the table.

"I need you to find something," I replied.

He paused and looked up, then smiled.

"I guess you aren't selling anything." He set the object aside.

"What is it?" he asked.

I pulled out a sheet of paper from my bag and placed it on the table.

"Three crosses," he said after studying the drawing.

"It's a tattoo," I corrected. "But each cross has an eye in the center."

"And why do you want me to find this?" He asked again. I hesitated which he noticed.

"It's for the book," he said, "I need to know what I'm getting into."

I exhaled.

"Fine... it's my only lead to finding something."

I couldn't reveal much. It was the only clue I had that might lead me to Maxine.

"Okay."

He pulled out a black notebook from his drawer and scribbled something inside.

"Five hundred and no negotiation." He tapped the payment details taped to the table.

It was expensive, but as long it got me the information needed, I didn't mind paying.

I took out my phone to transfer the money.

Suddenly, I heard a scream.I paused and glanced around before my gaze settled on him.

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

"I heard nothing," he replied, with a creepy grin." What did you hear?"

I gave him a strange look for a few seconds before completing the payment.

"Done," I said, showing him the confirmation.

"Good. Don't contact me. I'll call you when I have any information." He

"Okay." I dropped my number for him and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a hand gripped my wrist. Startled, I looked back at him.

"Don't look anywhere," he said seriously. "No matter what you hear, just keep walking."

A chill ran down my spine.

"Thanks." I gently pulled my wrist free and rubbed it with my other hand.

"My name's Gary," he said with a wide smile.

I nodded, gave him one last look, and stepped outside.The moment I left the shop, I heard another scream.

I stopped walking. It came from the alley beside the shop.For a moment, I told myself to ignore it that it wasn't my problem.

I took another step.

"Please... somebody, help me!"The desperate cry echoed through the night.

Curiosity got the better of me. I swallowed hard and slipped into the narrow alley, moving on tiptoe. My heartbeat quickened with every step until the alley opened into a deserted clearing.

The moon bathed the empty space in an eerie silver glow. Keeping myself pressed against the brick wall, I slowly peeked around the corner.

The moonlight illuminated everything.

A man was on his knees, pleading with another man standing before him. I couldn't see the standing man's face because his back was toward me.He was holding a hammer in his hand.

"Please..." the kneeling man begged between sobs. "I won't tell anyone. I swear."

Without thinking, I pulled out my phone and started recording. The man raised the hammer. He slammed into the kneeling man's head.

The man collapsed instantly.Blood spilled across the ground.

I flinched in horror, clamping both hands over my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

The attacker crouched beside him...Then struck him again, and again.

Each sickening blow echoed through the empty street. Blood splattered across the pavement, glistening beneath the moonlight.

Tears blurred my vision.

"Dear God..." I gasped.I was watching a man being murdered.My trembling fingers lost their grip and my phone slipped from my hand.

The sound shattered the silence.The hammering stopped.Every muscle in my body froze at that minute.

Slowly...The man stood.

My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest.I quickly picked up my phone and pressed myself flat against the wall before he could turn around.

"Please... don't find me." I muttered under my breath .

"Come out."His voice came.My heart beat tripled. I squeezed my eyes shut and held my breath.

"One." He called out, followed by a gunshot. The bullet slammed into the wall opposite me.

A scream escaped my lips as I dropped to the ground, covering my ears.

"Two." He called, with another shot. Concrete chips flew as the bullet struck only inches away.

I was crying already knowing I just didn't get caught but also halfway dead.

My legs went numb at the thought. I forced myself to stand. Slowly, I stumbled out from behind the corner, my entire body trembling uncontrollably.

"Three." He shot the gun. I screamed and went down at one covering my head. The bullet struck the wall just behind me.

Silence For a brief second, I foolishly thought it was over. Slowly, I lifted my head. My eyes met the murderer's. The gun was still pointed directly at me.

My breath caught in my throat.

No way!" I exclaimed, unconsciously.

Standing before me was the last person I ever expected to see.

Adonis Castillo.

His face was expressionless.

Moonlight reflected off the blood at his feet. My gaze travelled past him to the body on the ground.

In that moment, I realized, I found out something terrifying.

The famous celebrity is a murderer.

My gaze met with his again. He stared at me with eyes as cold as winter. His finger tightened around the trigger.

Without hesitation or any hint of mercy. He pulled the trigger.

Bang!.