**The Devil's Prey**
**Chapter Five**
Xavier slowly opened his eyes, soft morning light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his luxurious bedroom. He was sprawled out on the soft charcoal-gray sheets, enjoying the view. Eva's curves were nestled against him, her raven-black hair scattered across his chest.
As he gently disentangled himself, Eva stirred, her emerald eyes fluttering open. "Morning," she whispered, her voice husky and laced with a hint of excitement. It was very rare for Xavier to allow her to sleep in his room; this was a significant achievement for Eva.
Xavier's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he looked away. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet sinking into the marble floor.
"Morning," he replied, his deep voice low and cold.
The bedroom's decor reflected Xavier's refined taste, featuring rich wood, elegant furnishings, and exquisite artwork.
Eva paused, hoping he would ask about her night, but she sighed in disappointment when he headed to the bathroom, leaving her alone.
She waited for him to come out, watching as he dressed, admiring his movements. Her eyes sparkled with unspoken desire, her gaze lingering on him.
"Big day?" she asked, rising from the bed, her silk robe accentuating her curves.
Xavier nodded, his eyes scanning the room, his focus shifting to the day ahead. "Meeting with potential investors."
Eva smiled, knowing the importance of this meeting. "Mr. CEO," she said, her voice filled with admiration.
As Xavier finished dressing, Eva joined him at the dresser, expertly tying his tie. Their eyes met in the mirror, and Eva felt her heart race at the brief connection.
Xavier's phone buzzed, breaking the moment. He glanced at the screen: Damian.
"Time to go," he said, his tone shifting to business.
Eva stepped back, her gaze staying on Xavier's polished appearance—transformed into the CEO. She chuckled, and Xavier glanced at her.
"I'll see you tonight," she said, her voice tinged with anticipation and a hint of expectation.
Xavier's eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. "Okay."
Without sparing her another glance, Xavier exited the bedroom, leaving her in the luxurious surroundings. She smiled widely and dropped back onto the bed for another round of sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**THE RIZZO'S MANSION**
"Dad! You know I deserve to be the one to go!" Aurora screamed at the top of her lungs, struggling to control her anger. Her hazel eyes glowed with uncontrollable fury as her father remained seated on the couch in the large sitting room. A large frame hung on the well-painted wall; the woman in the picture resembled an older version of Aurora, while her husband—Aurora's father—draped his right hand over his wife's shoulder, holding little Aurora in his other arm.
Leonardo Rizzo sighed heavily before proceeding with reading the magazine with him. For a fifty-five-year-old CEO of the second-leading tech group in Italy, Leonard wasn't looking bad. His silver-dyed hair was perfectly styled to the back; his eye colour was the same as Aurora's, just that his own hazel eyes were not beaming with anger at the moment.
"Dad!" Aurora screamed again, almost falling off her wheelchair after getting no response from Leo. She wheeled towards him, her anger not wanting, she stopped right in front of him
"Why her, Dad?" She questioned, her eyes welled up in tears. This time Leo looked up, his eyes meeting up with Aurora's glassy ones. She's just a replica of her mother. Beautiful, Brilliant, Smart and Bold. If only Rose was alive to see how her little Aurora had grown.
If only the accident didn't happen.
If only they didn't go out that night.
If only they hadn't listened to little Aurora.
If only Rose was here to….
"Dad!" Aurora called his attention.
"Aurora, let your sister go for the meeting," he muttered softly, flipping through the pages of the magazine on his lap.
"She is not my sister! She is my Stepsister, who I don't like," She shouted back. "You betrayed mom! You betrayed us, Dad!"
Leo sighed again, a sign of his frustration. He knew Aurora wouldn't let this go so easily. Just like her mother, she is very stubborn. Leo stood up and bent toward her level on the wheelchair
"I love your mother, and I love you," he paused. "Bella was a mistake, and I am a man of integrity. I just had to accept her," he added. It seemed that Aurora had made up her mind; she wasn't influenced by his words or the tone in which they were spoken. All she knew was that she deserved to be in charge of the company, not her stepsister.
"Aurora, I'm trying to pro—"
"Don't protect me! I am your daughter. I deserve to be in charge!"
"And I am his daughter too," Ivory interjected, entering the room with an elegant stride and a mocking smile directed at Aurora. "Rizzo's Tech needs someone physically fit, don't you think so, Aurora?"
"Stop that, Ivory!" Leonard warned. But Aurora remained silent, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions. She quietly wheeled herself out of the living room, leaving her father alone with Ivory.
"How many times do I have to tell you to speak to your sister politely?" Leonard questioned.
"She asked for it. Why would she think I don't deserve this?" Ivory shot back.
"Because she is my first child," Leonard groaned.
"Then why isn't she representing you at the meeting?" Ivory challenged, knowing he wouldn't have a good answer. She knew her father well enough.
Leonard cast her a disappointed look. "Just do your best at the meeting. Xavier Adrian is our potential client," he muttered before walking out of the room.
"Xavier Adrian" Ivory smiled to herself. Just the thought of him made her pussy drip. *F**k" she muttered slowly, her eyes closed slightly.
*****************
**~DARK ROOM~**
Two days. Forty-eight hours. In the overwhelming darkness, Sarah found it impossible to keep track of the time. Minutes, hours, and seconds seemed to blend into one another, erasing her sense of reality. The only break in the silence was the occasional sound of a tray sliding under the door, a reminder of the outside world and the meals left for her. Food? In her present situation?
Her stomach grumbled, a stark contrast to the turmoil in her heart. She had lost her appetite, the fear and sorrow weighing heavily on her, suffocating any desire for nourishment. The trays remained untouched, the food growing cold and uninviting, mirroring her sense of despair.
As she lay on the bed, Sarah was engulfed by her depressing thoughts. Memories of her parents—their laughter, their warmth—felt like whispers of a happier time, now overshadowed by the reality of her situation. The chilling words of the masked scary man replayed in her mind,
"I won't kill you... I'll make sure you wish for death every single day."
Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the dirt and sweat on her face.
Sarah's gaze wandered back into the overwhelming darkness, her heart heavy with desperation. She could feel her body tremble, exhaustion and fear weighing her down. Each breath felt laboured as if the air around her had thickened into a suffocating blanket.
With every minute that passed, her thoughts grew more scattered. Memories of her parents, her friends, and the life she once cherished began to blur and fade, overshadowed by the consuming darkness that seemed to wrap around her like a tight embrace, draining the last bits of hope from her spirit.
Her vision became blurry, and a dizzying sensation swept over her, making the room tilt and her stomach turn. Weariness tugged at her, gently urging her to surrender to its grasp.
She summoned the strength to call out, to scream for help, but her voice escaped her as little more than a whisper, swallowed by the dark emptiness that surrounded her. At that moment, she felt the weight of her solitude and the fear that tightened around her heart.
As the darkness deepened, Sarah sensed herself slipping away, her consciousness fraying like a worn thread until she was left with nothing but the faint echo of her heartbeat in the silence.
In that suffocating void, a chilling realization began to creep in:
"I'm going to die here..."
Her body relaxed almost instinctively, releasing the tension that clung to her muscles as she hovered on the brink of unconsciousness. The darkness loomed large, a cold, indifferent shroud that threatened to engulf her.
With a flicker of her eyelids, she fought to stay present, but they finally settled, her breaths growing shallow and slow—her only testament to life right now in a realm of endless darkness
And then, a profound stillness found her. Everything faded to black.