Cherreads

Chapter 1 - Them

RAY LIN

Age: 20

Background: Law student at a prestigious university

Appearance: Long, thick, heavy black hair down her back. Soft eyes. Often seen in oversized sweaters, skirts, or jeans, always carrying a massive tote bag filled with random junk—snacks, notes, chargers, tissues, you name it.

Personality:

On the outside: Clumsy, overly affectionate, talkative, warm. Gives out hugs like candy, always smiling, always laughing.

On the inside: Hiding severe trauma. Beaten and sold by her stepfather. Carries shame like a second skin. Too used to pain. Still hopeful, still believes in kindness—but utterly alone.

At university: Beloved. Professors admire her work ethic. Guards and janitors adore her. Students feel brighter around her. Nobody suspects the hell she goes home to.

Key trait: Ray's sunshine isn't fake—it's her survival.

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SEBASTIAN BLAKE

Age: 25

Background: Inherited both his father's multi-billion dollar company and his mafia empire

Appearance: Tall, sharp-featured, always in black suits. Ice-blue eyes. A face so beautiful it hurts, but so cold it freezes.

Personality:

Cold, calculated, commanding. He doesn't speak unless needed. He doesn't tolerate mistakes. People are terrified to even look him in the eyes.

He believes loyalty is earned in blood, trust is a myth, and love is weakness.

Reputation: Mafia king and CEO. Too powerful. Too rich. Too feared. No one dares cross him—not in the boardroom, not on the streets.

But…

He once saw Ray in a café. Laughing. Clinging to a friend's arm. Messy and radiant. He didn't know her. Didn't even think about it.

Until he saw her again.

Up for auction. Bruised. Silent. Terrified.

Being sold to a rival gang.

And suddenly, he couldn't walk away.

Key trait: Sebastian doesn't save people. He destroys threats. And now, she's his—whether she wants to be or not.

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