Bride Of The Ruthless Killer

Tobi Ryder

Tall and muscular, with broad shoulders straining against his tailored suit, Tobi gave off an aura of danger and allure. His neatly groomed beard concealed the charming smile and dimples that only a select few had ever witnessed.

The cabin door opened, shattering the silence. Kyler, Tobi's right-hand man, walked in, worry written all over his face. Tobi's piercing eyes moved from his cigar to Kyler's anxious expression; his thoughts interrupted.

"Boss," Kyler started, his rough voice cutting through the quiet. "I've got news. One target is down, the other is still breathing."

Tobi clicked his tongue, irritation flashing on his face. He took a deep drag on his cigar, let out a cloud of smoke, and spoke. "I didn't want blood in my hands today, Kyler. You know that's not how I prefer to operate. Even a saint would bare his fangs. It seems our Rivals have forced our hand."

Tobi strode toward Kyler, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light, sending a shiver down Kyler's spine. "I want the survivor alive; no excuses. Death is too easy. When you cross Tobi Ryder, you deserve to suffer. Make sure he gets the message."

Kyler shifted uncomfortably, concern etched on his face and hands. "Thane won't take this lying down, boss." He tried to kill us, and now he's lost two top guys. He'll be raging."

A sly, sneaky grin spread across Tobi's face, making him look like a mastermind of evil. "Awesome! I love a guy with some guts! It's going to make things way more thrilling. Send a message to Thane and tell him Tobi Ryder can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve. Let's see if he's brave enough to take down the king of darkness."

"It's as good as done, boss." You're the boss," Kyler replied, sounding a mix of super impressed, terrified, and loyal.

**************************

Ralph was bouncing with excitement as he guided his blindfolded dad, Thorin, around their house. His little hands were holding his dad's bigger ones, carefully leading him around furniture and through doorways. "No peeking, Papa! Just a few more steps and... surprise!"

Get ready for the ultimate surprise! Ralph whipped off the blindfold, and Thorin's jaw dropped in awe. Their ordinary living room had been magically transformed into a vibrant party paradise! Sparkling fairy lights twinkled above, casting a warm atmosphere everywhere. Colorful balloons floated mid-air, and shimmering ribbons adorned the walls. And the pièce de résistance? A show-stopping, heavenly chocolate cake sat proudly on the coffee table, gleaming with tempting chocolate goodness.

Thorin's gaze melted as he took in the decorations, his heart overflowing with love for his family. His eyes landed on a handmade card nestled among the balloons, and he reached for it with fingers that trembled with emotion. Clearing the lump from his throat, he read aloud, his voice dripping with feeling:

"You're the guiding light that shines bright in our lives, our rock in every storm. You've given us the world before we even knew what to ask for. Life without you is unthinkable. You're the ultimate da and the most amazing husband anyone could ask for! Happy birthday to the incredible person who makes our world a brighter place just by being in it!"

A mixture of joy and guilt caused Thorin's heart to swell, causing tears to prick at the corners of his eyes and threaten to spill over. Could he be the amazing father and husband they thought he was? The weight of his secret hung heavy over him, a burden that grew with each passing day.

Just then, Iris stepped in, her beautiful voice filling the air with a happy birthday tune. The family joined in, their voices blending in perfect harmony as they danced around Thorin, wrapping him in a tight group hug that almost squeezed the breath out of him. Yet, despite the festive atmosphere and the love surrounding him, Thorin's smile slowly faded, replaced by a haunted look of deep thinking.

In a heartbreaking moment, he turned to his wife Grecia, his voice a faint whisper. "I'm consumed by fear, Grecia," he confessed, his words quivering with unspoken secrets. "How will our kids react when they uncover the harsh truth about us?"

Grecia's sparkling eyes now brimmed with unshed tears as she responded in hushed tones. "I'm even more terrified of what they'll think when they discover my past mistakes," she admitted, her voice cracking with emotion. "I can't bear the thought of them seeing me in that light, of disappointing them so deeply."

Thorin shook his head, regret etched deep around his eyes and mouth. "It's not just you, Grecia. I'll lose their respect too. They might forgive you eventually, but me? I don't see that forgiveness coming. Not after everything."

Grecia's voice was laced with anger and hurt. "How can you forgive your siblings for all they've done, but not me? That's just hypocritical, Thorin!"

Thorin's face contorted in a mix of emotions—anger, pain, and a lingering love. "I have forgiven you, Grecia," he said, his voice tight with restraint. "But I can't keep pretending everything is okay. It goes against everything I believe in, everything I've taught our kids. And don't try to shift the blame—you made your choices, and now you have to live with them."

Without another word, he stormed out of the room, leaving Grecia in tears.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Violet was performing a special prayer in her temple. The soft glow of the diya candles lit up her serene face as she moved with grace, the tinkling of bells accompanying her movements. When she finished, she offered a blessing to Clara, who had been watching her with respect.

"Take some prayer, Clara," Violet said warmly. "May it bring you peace and divine blessings."

Clara took the offering, looking puzzled. "Maa, you usually do your prayers at 7 AM sharp. What's special about today?"

Violet's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're right, my dear. I felt driven to seek extra blessings for the new chapter starting in our lives."

*******************

Grecia's eyes were filled with tears, but as her fingers brushed his, a glimmer of hope appeared in them. "What if... what if we gave our marriage another chance? For the kids' sake? We could try to make it work, to be the family they deserve."

Thorin abruptly pulled his hand away, his expression hardening into frustration and pain. "Are you serious?" he whispered, his voice laced with hurt. "We've been down this road before, Grecia. You agreed to our arrangement. Why bring it up now?"

******************

Clara's curiosity was intrigued as she raised an eyebrow, her head tilting slightly to one side. "What's going on, Maa? "

Violet's excitement was transferring as she shared the news, her words pouring out in a rush. "You remember Grecia and her daughter Iris from the charity gala last year? I've been talking to them, and I think a union between Iris and Tobi would be perfect! And the best part? They've agreed! Isn't it awesome?"

Clara's face fell, her expression clouding over as concern crept into her voice. "Iris and Tobi? Are you sure that's a good idea, Maa? I mean, Tobi doesn't even know her! Shouldn't we talk to him about it?"

Violet's tone turned firm, her voice filled with conviction. "Clara, I've made up my mind, and I've given my word to the Thorins. This union will happen, and I'm certain Tobi will love Iris once he meets her. She's a lovely girl, and they'll be great together."

Clara's jaw clenched, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. She loved Tobi as if he were her own, and she was shocked that Violet would decide to change Tobi's entire life without first talking to her. She vowed silently to find a way to stop this arranged marriage, her mind already racing with plans.

Meanwhile, the Thorins family gathered at Apex Mall, eager for a reunion. Thorin's heart swelled with hope for reconciliation and healing, despite the bitter past. Iris, however, was far from excited, muttering under her breath, "Why are we doing this? Haven't they hurt us enough already?"

Thorin's calm and composed attitude was a warning of hope as he addressed his daughter's concerns. "Iris, forgiveness is the key to nurturing relationships and personal growth. It's the highest virtue, and we all deserve a second chance."

Iris raised an eyebrow, her doubt noticeable. "Forgiveness is one thing, Papa, but this reeks of hidden agendas. They've suddenly had a change of heart after years of silence. I'm not buying it. People don't change overnight, and I'm sure they want something from you."

Just as the tension was building, Thorin's phone rang, interrupting their heated discussion. It was Thane on the line, and Thorin's warm tone put everyone at ease. "Hey, I'll meet you at the main entrance and guide you up."

Turning to his family with a reassuring smile, Thorin said, "Wait here, everyone. I'll bring them to the club. I promise it won't take long."

With that, Thorin left to fetch the rest of the family, and Iris's curiosity got the better of her. She wandered into a nearby bookstore, losing track of time as she devoured a novel. The owner's voice eventually snapped her back to reality.

"Excuse me, miss. You've been reading for 20 minutes now. Are you planning to make a purchase or just borrow our library?"

Iris was taken aback by the passage of time. She glanced at her watch, her eyes widening in surprise. "Twenty minutes? That can't be right. Why hasn't anyone called me?"

She hastily returned the book and rushed back to the gaming club, her mind racing with worry. Scanning the area for her parents, she spotted Ralph, who was completely absorbed in a racing game, his fingers moving with practiced ease.

Iris's voice was laced with urgency as she approached her brother, Ralph. "Where are mom and dad? Didn't they notice I was gone?"

Ralph's eyes remained fixed on the screen, his fingers moving rapidly as he navigated a challenging level. "Mom said she was going to the washroom, but she's taking forever," he replied, his tone distracted. "And Dad hasn't returned either. I thought they were with you."

Iris's heart began to pound in her chest as she quickly dialed both parents; her nervousness mounted with each unanswered call. With growing desperation, she embarked on a frantic search of the entire mall, her footsteps echoing through the increasingly empty spaces.

As the minutes ticked by, the mall's lively atmosphere began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of abandonment. Iris's search became more racing, her frustration and fear increasing with each passing second. In a last-ditch effort, she convinced a security guard to make an announcement over the mall's speaker system, her voice trembling with urgency.

Iris's anxiety was noticeable because the security guard softened his tone. "You okay, pretty? Lost your parents? Don't worry, it happens. Go look for them, and I'll radio my team to keep an eye out. Go check the food court or the main entrance. Your parents are probably searching for you. I'll keep an eye out here."

Do you have a phone number to reach them?"

Iris nodded, fumbling through her pockets for her phone. "Yeah, I think so."

The guard nodded, his expression softening slightly. "We'll figure this out."

Iris's voice barely above a whisper, "Okay..."

Her hand shaking, she tried their number again, but this time it went to voicemail. Something seemed off, and Mummy and Dad would not leave without telling us.

As the stores closed around her, Iris stood by herself in the deserted mall, the silence overwhelming. Fear seeped into her being as one hunting question consumed her thoughts: "What if Mom does not show up?"

Just as she checked her phone for what felt like the hundredth time, a thunderclap shook the air, making her jump.