In Love With My Sworn Enemy

Annabelle's eyes snapped open, her heart racing as she gasped for air. The nightmare that had plagued her for years still lingered, refusing to let her go. She was drenched in sweat, her sheets tangled around her legs. As she struggled to calm down, the memories of that fateful night came flooding back.

She was only twelve years old when her father, Abel Rossi, was brutally taken from her. The masked man who had pulled the trigger still haunted her dreams, his cold, unyielding eyes gleaming with a sinister intent. Annabelle remembered begging for her father's life, pleading with the killer to spare him.

"Please don't kill him. I will do anything as long as you don't kill my Dad. Take me instead and do whatever you want to me but please don't kill him."

But her cries fell on deaf ears. The masked man had dragged her father away, leaving Annabelle alone and shattered.

Determined to find justice, Annabelle had vowed to track down her father's killer. She had assumed a new identity, Annabelle Wilson, and had been living undercover, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

As she walked to the bathroom to splash some water on her face, Annabelle caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her eyes looked sunken, her skin pale. She knew she couldn't let her emotions get the better of her. She had to stay focused, driven by her quest for revenge.

With a newfound determination, Annabelle steeled herself for the challenges ahead. She would stop at nothing to find her father's killer and make them pay for their crime. The past may haunt her, but it would not define her. Annabelle was ready to take control of her destiny and makes sure she gets her revenge.

As Annabelle descended the stairs, her mind wandered back to the fateful night that changed her life forever. Moving from Las Vegas to New York where she lived ever since then. She recalled being abruptly taken away from the gruesome scene of the pool of her father's blood where he was beaten.

Thereafter, he was taken away from her sight to where only God knows.

Viper, one of her father's loyal men and now her guardian, had arrived just in time to whisk her away to safety. The attackers had been merciless, targeting her father and his men with precision. Annabelle remembered pleading with Viper to tell her what had happened to her father as they sped away from the carnage. But Viper's expression remained stoic, his silence deafening.

Annabelle's tears eventually subsided, replaced by a numbness that lingered as she drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, with no one in sight. Fear gripped her heart, and she began to cry once more.

As if summoned by her sobs, Viper entered the room, accompanied by a woman with striking features of cat-like eyes, oval shaped face,small round lips painted red with long, straight black hair and a curvy body. The woman's eyes filled with compassion as she approached Annabelle, attempting to comfort her. But Annabelle recoiled, her tearstained blue eyes wide with fear, unsure of trusting the woman.

The woman who had now become a mother figure to her - Vivian, also known as Lady Red, the Master of Seduction. A ruthless member of her father's mafia gang, Vivian's reputation preceded her. It was said that she could bring any man to his knees with her captivating looks and seductive charm.

Vivian had approached Annabelle with caution, her hand outstretched in a gesture of peace. Annabelle, still reeling from the trauma of witnessing her father's murder, had slowly placed her small hands in Vivian's. This simple act of trust had forged a bond between them, one that would last a lifetime.

Years had passed since then, and Annabelle was now a young woman on the cusp of completing her college education in one of the best universities in New York. As she entered the kitchen, she found Vivian busily preparing a grand spread, a far cry from their usual breakfast fare.

"Good morning, Vivi," Annabelle said, her voice husky from sleep.

Vivian, startled by the sudden greeting, turned around with a bright smile. "Good morning, princess! How was your night?"

Annabelle's tired expression spoke volumes. "Same as always," she sighed, her eyes betraying the lingering memories of her nightmares.

Vivian's expression turned sympathetic as she gazed at Annabelle's tired face. "I think it's time we found you another psychologist, don't you?" she suggested gently.

But Annabelle was adamant. She shook her head, her eyes flashing with determination. "No, Vivi, I'm not going to see another psychologist. This would be the fifth one this year. I need to figure out how to deal with this on my own. It's my problem, and I'll solve it myself."

Vivian raised her hands in surrender, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Okay, if you say so, princess."

Annabelle quickly changed the subject, her curiosity piqued by the sumptuous spread on the table. "Wow, Vivi, you've outdone yourself this time! Are we expecting guests?" she asked, her eyes scanning the array of dishes.

"Yes, we're expecting guests," Vivian replied, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Viper and three other members of the gang will be joining us."

Annabelle's expression remained nonchalant, but her curiosity was piqued. She wondered who the other members were and what had brought them together. "Oh, I see," she said, trying to sound indifferent.

Vivian's gaze turned maternal. "Princess, don't you have classes today?"

Annabelle nodded. "I do, but they're in the afternoon."

As Vivian returned to preparing the meal, Annabelle's attention was drawn to the array of dishes on the table. Her stomach growled with anticipation, and she couldn't help but grumble, "When will they arrive? I'm starving!"

The delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen only added to her hunger, and Annabelle found herself glancing at the clock, willing the time to pass quickly.

About ten minutes later, the bell at the front door rang, breaking the silence. "I'll get it," Annabelle said, leaving the kitchen to answer the door.

As she opened the door, she was met with a familiar face - Viper, his muscular physique still imposing, with the tattoo of a snake's head visible on his neck. It had been three years since Annabelle had last seen him, and his presence brought back a mix of emotions.

Alongside Viper stood three men who, at first glance, seemed to share a striking resemblance. Each had sandy brown hair and piercing green eyes. However, upon closer inspection, Annabelle noticed subtle differences in their height, build, and frame, setting them apart from one another.

As the group entered, Annabelle was greeted with warm smiles from the three men, who seemed to share a striking resemblance. Even Viper, known for his stoic expression, cracked a small smile as he rubbed Annabelle's head, saying, "Hello, princess."

Annabelle playfully swatted Viper's hand away, arranging her scattered strands. "Stop patting my hair, I'm not a little girl anymore," she said with a pout.

Viper snickered, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yeah, the little princess is all grown up," he said sarcastically.

Vivian emerged from the kitchen, laughing at their banter. "It's been a long time, Viper. I thought you'd forgotten about us," she said with a smile.

Turning to the triplets, Vivian greeted them warmly. "Logan, Lucas, and Liam, how have you been? I see you've met our princess. She's grown up nicely, hasn't she?"

The triplets introduced themselves, their smooth voices a surprise given their rugged appearance. Liam, the apparent spokesman, said, "Hello, little lady. I'm Liam, this is Logan, and that's Lucas."

Annabelle's confusion was evident as she looked at the triplets. "Do I know you guys?" she asked.

Liam replied, "No, you don't, but we know you."

Vivian intervened, sensing Annabelle's growing unease. "Okay, enough introduction. Let's eat!"

Annabelle's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Oh, finally! I thought I'd starve to death!"

Vivian chuckled, shaking her head. "Foodie."

Annabelle protested, "I'm not a foodie!" but her grin betrayed her excitement.

As they sat down to eat, the group shared warm smiles, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and conversation.