In His Dark World

Episode 2

Megan’s House

"Why didn't you warn me Megan?" Talia asked, frustration clear in her voice.

Megan crossed her arms. "The girls and I tried to warn you, but you're too stubborn to listen. So… he was the reason the Poland investors backed out?"

"Yes," Talia admitted, running a hand through her hair. "And now he wants me to break up with Arnold."

Megan’s face lit up with something close to excitement. "Then what are you waiting for? Do it quickly!"

Talia narrowed her eyes. "Why do you sound happy about this?"

Megan coughed, quickly masking her reaction. "I mean, do as he says. Xavier Montenegro is dangerous, Talia. You don’t want to cross him."

"You want me to leave Arnold and be with him?" Talia scoffed. "Megan, I have dreams. I’m just twenty—I’m still in college! That man has to be nearing his thirties."

"Age is just a number," Megan said with a shrug. "Besides, you might fall for him."

"You’re not helping," Talia groaned. "I love Arnold. I can’t break up with him."

Megan sighed. "And what about your father’s company? He worked so hard for it. You know what the right choice is."

Talia fell silent, biting her lip. Megan was right. Her father had spent years building the company, and now, because of her foolish mistake, it was at risk.

She had no choice. The tables had turned.

The Next Day

"Hey, babe," Arnold called, pulling Talia into a kiss.

"Hi," she replied dryly.

Arnold frowned. "Why the long face? Are you sick?"

"No, I’m fine. Perfectly fine," she said, forcing a smile.

Before Arnold could press further, a student walked up to them. "Talia, the Vice Chancellor wants to see you."

Talia stiffened. "Excuse me, Arnold," she muttered before walking away.

Vice Chancellor’s Office

"Sir, you called for me?" Talia asked, stepping into the office—only to freeze in shock when she saw him.

Xavier Montenegro.

Her heart pounded. "What are you doing here? And how the hell are you the Vice Chancellor?"

Xavier smirked, lounging in the chair like he owned the place. "I have my ways."

She clenched her fists. "You—"

"Enough," he cut her off. "Now, time for me to ask the questions." He pulled out his phone and pressed play.

Talia’s stomach dropped.

It was a video of her and Arnold kissing.

Her eyes snapped to Xavier. "How did you get that?"

Xavier leaned forward, eyes dark with amusement. "I ask the questions, little one." His voice hardened. "I told you to break up with that guy, not let him kiss you. You belong to me—don’t forget that."

Talia’s shock turned to fury. "Arnold is my boyfriend! I have every right to kiss him! And how the hell did you even get that video? There are no cameras in that area!"

Xavier chuckled, slow and menacing. "Oh, about that…" He tilted his head. "I planted a tracker on you. Every move you make—I see it."

Talia’s breath caught in her throat. "You what?"

"I would advise you to be careful," Xavier said smoothly.

Her skin went cold. "When did you—how did you—"

"I’m done answering questions," he interrupted. "You have six days to break up with him. Unless…" He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "you’d rather kiss his corpse next time."

Talia shuddered. Looking into his dark eyes, she knew he meant every word. He just came into her life and he is already turning it up side down.

"I love Arnold," she muttered, her voice shaky. "I can’t break his heart. He loves me."

Xavier laughed—a low, taunting sound. "Are you sure he loves you?" You may not know he might be f*****g your best friend".

Talia frowned. "What do you mean?"

He stepped closer, gripping her wrist tightly, pulling her flush against him.

"I hate repeating myself." His voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "You don’t get to question me, little one. Just do what I say, and your life will be better. But if you don’t…" He traced a finger down her arm, his grip tightening. "You’ll face my wrath.

He smirked at her paling face before stepping back. "Even if you graduate with top grades, I can make sure you never have a future. So think twice before ruining your life for someone who might not even be worth it."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Talia standing there, her pulse racing.

Her fingers trembled as she touched her arms, scanning her body in panic.

"How did he plant a tracker on me?"

Montenegro Villa

Xavier leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips as he watched Talia on his phone.

Talia was pacing around her room, running her hands through her hair in frustration. He could hear every word she muttered, and it only amused him more.

"She’s still thinking about that guy?" he mused, chuckling to himself.

His fingers tapped against the table as he watched her. "He’s a cheat, and she’s too blind to see it. But that doesn’t matter." His gaze darkened. "She kissed me—I didn’t force her. That was my first kiss. She stole it, and I don’t let thieves walk away so easily."

His smirk widened when she let out an exasperated groan, ruffling her hair in frustration.

She intrigued him. He had never been easily impressed, yet this woman had stolen something from him—his first kiss. And from the moment her lips touched his, she became his.

A message buzzed on his phone.

"Master, we caught the spy."

His smirk turned sharp.

Finally.

He grabbed his keys and strode out, his mind momentarily shifting from Talia.

It was time to deal with another problem.

The Clan

The room reeked of blood and fear. Hefty men stood like statues, their hands resting on their guns, their gazes sharp and unreadable. The air was thick with the scent of iron, a silent warning that death was a frequent visitor here.

As soon as Xavier stepped inside, every man in the room bowed in respect. Without sparing them a glance, he moved toward the torture room, where the spy was bound and waiting.

Clarissa, his second-in-command, stood beside the prisoner, her arms crossed. "He was planning to escape to Mexico with his family," she informed him, her voice devoid of sympathy.

The spy trembled. "Please, Master... I’m sorry," he begged, his voice quivering.

Xavier tilted his head, his smirk cold. "No one betrays me and runs away," he said, pulling a pocket knife from his coat. "I have eyes and ears in every corner of Italy. Did you really think you could escape me?"

Before the spy could respond, Xavier grabbed his hand and, without hesitation, sliced off his left fingers. A blood curdling scream filled the room.

Clarissa watched, a satisfied smirk on her lips. She admired him—his ruthlessness, his control. She had always imagined them ruling the clan together as husband and wife.

Xavier crouched beside the sobbing man. "I don’t give second chances." With a swift motion, he severed three fingers from the other hand. "Because of you, six of my men lost their lives. I need to get Justice for them."

Blood splattered across the floor as the spy writhed in agony.

"Please… have mercy," the man choked out.

Xavier chuckled darkly. "Mercy?" His gaze darkened, memories flashing in his mind. "I once knew someone who begged for mercy... and they weren’t spared." His jaw clenched. "So don’t insult me with that word."

Without another warning, he plunged the knife into the spy’s legs, drawing another scream. Then he turned to one of his men. "Finish the job."

With that, he walked out, Clarissa close behind.

---

Xavier's Office

"What do you want?" he asked, when he saw her, not bothering to hide his irritation.

She hesitated. "Are you okay?"

He stopped walking and turned to her, his expression unreadable. "And when did we become close enough for you to ask me that?

"I just… I just want to make sure you’re fine," she said softly. "You’re my boss, but—"

Like you said I am your boss" he cut her off coldly. "Stick to that."

He turned and walked away. Clarissa also came out staring at him

Behind her, Manuel, one of the clan members, chuckled. "Stop trying, Clarissa. Master doesn’t have time for love."

Clarissa clenched her jaw as she turned to face him.

"You should stay out of my business," she snapped.

Manuel only smiled. "Just come to me, Clarissa. I’ll take good care of you. I may not be as powerful as Master, but I can give you the love he never will."

She scoffed. "Take care of yourself first before worrying about me."

She walked away, but his voice followed her. "Don’t waste your time on him! I’m here, Clarissa!"

---

Montenegro Villa

Xavier stood under the shower, letting the water run down his body, but it did nothing to wash away the memories.

"Please... spare us... have mercy!"

Stepping out of the bathroom, he wrapped a towel around his waist before pulling on a simple shirt and pants. Instead of sleeping, he went straight to his laptop.

The screen flickered to life, showing a live feed of Talia’s room. She was fast asleep, her lips pouting slightly as she shifted in bed.

Xavier found himself smirking.

"Who is this girl?"

She made him feel something he couldn’t explain. Something dangerous. Something… alive.

He stayed up all night watching her, unwilling to close his eyes. Because whenever he did, the past came crawling back.