Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"Nice move," Azrael taunted as Ash dodged a punch. "But how long will you keep running? Fight me. Prove you're not a coward!" Azrael was a master of manipulation, skilled at breaking people's resolve. It was how he had once controlled Ash before.

Ash was a capable fighter, yet facing someone he had once respected made it difficult to focus. His rage wasn't enough to steady him. "Try harder, bastard," Azrael said mockingly, twisting Ash's wrist after dodging a punch.

Ash growled in pain but used the moment to land a blow on Azrael's cheek, forcing him to release his grip.

"Bring it on," Ash said coldly as they traded punches.

Both were bruised and bleeding, their energy dwindling. But they wouldn't stop until one of them fell.

Azrael, seeing his chance, pulled a hidden knife to deliver a lethal blow. But Ash anticipated his deceit, drawing his own dagger in return. Both attacked at the same moment.

Azrael clutched his chest, blood pouring from the wound Ash inflicted. Ash, on the other hand, felt intense pain in his abdomen.

Azrael cursed weakly, coughing blood. "Fuck..."

"This is the end..." Ash rasped, his voice low as blood dripped from his lips.

A tear fell from his eyes, remembering how he wanted to be with Sapphire for the rest of their lives. But seeing the situation now, it feels impossible. However, for him, it doesn't matter anymore. All matters now is that Sapphire would be able to live a normal life-something she had dreamt for a long time. "See you in the afterlife... Azrael," Ash muttered as he pushed the knife further, and Azrael reciprocated it.

***

SAPPHIRE

While facing Mason, who was sitting across from me and simply watching, I toyed with my lips using my index finger, keeping my eyes fixed on my phone. Earlier, people were shocked to see Kesha lifeless on the floor, but when I declared she was a traitor, they quickly cleared her body.

"Where is he already?" I asked Mason again about Ash, but he shrugged.

I rolled my eyes at him, crossed my arms, and leaned back on the couch. He's always like this-whenever I ask him something, all I get is silence.

All I could do now was calm myself as I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. I can't even go out since Mason locked the door, making sure I won't be able to escape. Against my will, I waited for seconds, minutes... until an hour passed, and still, nothing happened.

Frustrated, I stood up, ready to leave. But I jumped back when a gunshot landed near my feet.

"Really, Mason?!" I yelled at him, turning to see him looking at me seriously, his gun pointed in my direction.

"I'm serious," he replied without hesitation, gesturing at the couch I had just left. "Sit the fuck down, Sapphire." Having no choice, I sat back down. "You told me he'd call!"

"And you told me that you trust him," Mason replied, his tone cold. "Just sit and wait."

I glared at him, followed by my phone ringing. Even though the number was unregistered, I knew it was Ash.

"Ash!" I yelled, hearing him chuckle on the other end.noveldrama

However, I could also tell he was struggling to breathe. What the hell just happened?

"I'm sorry if I... If I can't meet you anymore," he said with difficulty, making me stand in alarm. "Azrael's gone. He won't be able to mess with you..." "Ash... Where are you?"

Worry consumed me, and Mason's attention shifted to me, likely noticing the change in my tone.

"Please... just tell me where you are. I'll come to you."

"No need. You won't be able to see me, anyway." His voice cracked.

I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself. I knew Ash better than anyone. Something must have happened, and he didn't want me to know.

He didn't want me to worry, but his actions only drove me to the edge.

"This is the start of your life, Sapphire," he said softly. "Forget about me... and live like you always had."

I imagined his face in my mind, smiling at me, his eyes telling me that everything was finally okay. That all the chaos in our lives had come to an end. "But how can I do that without you?" I asked him, tears streaming down my face.

I couldn't bear the thought of losing him again after everything we'd been through. I can't handle it. I can't...

"I will come back to you once you're fully healed... until you're ready to love me again without fear and trauma haunting you in your nightmares."

Then I heard a noise on the other end, which made me even more anxious.

Mason, curious about my reaction, moved closer to me.

"Ash! Hello?" I shouted into the phone.

But instead of Ash, another voice responded. "Give the phone to Mason."

"Haze? What are you doing there?" I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion. It seemed like they had planned all this without telling me. "Why do you need to talk to Mason? I'm right here-" "It's me." Mason shot me a warning look as he took the phone from me. "I understand. I took care of Evangeline as well."

He ended the call and slid my phone into my bag.

"Take care of who?" I asked, bewildered.

But before I could get an answer, Mason grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room.

"We need to go," Mason said, his voice laced with urgency. "This place will be raided any minute now."

"Mason, what the hell is happening?! Why won't you even tell me-"

Before I could finish my sentence, Mason pressed a cloth to my mouth. I groaned, trying to elbow him in the ribs, but the effects of the drug on the handkerchief consumed my body. In a second, everything went dark.

***

When I woke up, I noticed I was in a hospital.

Fucking Mason. How clever of him to bring me here after knocking me out with chloroform.

"Ugh," I groaned, attempting to sit up, but the pain forced me back down. That's when I noticed the IV in my arm.

I looked around for my phone, but it wasn't in the room. My bag was gone too.

"Where am I-" I was about to ask the person who entered the room, assuming it was a nurse, but my words faltered when I saw who it was. "M-Mom?"

"Sapphire......." she said, smiling as she gently held my hand and caressed it. "Mom's here now."

"Mom!" I couldn't hold back anymore and hugged her tightly.

I felt like I had gone back in time, especially as I heard her soft laughter while she stroked my hair.

I had prayed for this moment countless times-for her to wake up so we could be together again. And now, it was happening.

We were finally together again. I couldn't ask for more.