122. BEFORE HELL BREAKS LOOSEDiana was going semi-off the grid. First, she switched off her phone. Then she burst into tears. She had worked so hard to build an identity for herself and Matteo just took that away.She had seen Nicholas approach her with questions on his face but she was in no mood to talk nor did she have any answers for him. She just wanted to be alone.She was sure as hell not going to get any work done today. She felt numb from her meeting with her husband.She heard a loud knocking on her door but made no move to get it.Diana knew it was Nicholas but she did not want him to see her like this. The knocking on her door became a little consistent. She heard a few rattling on the door and it swung open.Nicholas walked in looking upset. A janitor was hooking the spare key back into his work pouch."Why did you not answer me? I was worried, tell me what is happening," Nicholas, ignoring her plight demanded.Diana did something she never thought she would ever do. She
THE REAL PLAYER"I do not understand why you will not let me put that man in his rightful place," Black Hound angrily complained to Matteo when he entered the office."It's not yet time for violence Mr. Hound, I need Nicholas angry so he will take drastic decisions," Matteo calmly replied."The little tantrum he threw was part of the plan?" Black Hound asked in slight surprise."I need him to break up with my wife before I finally rid myself of him," Matteo revealed.Black Hound nodded thoughtfully. He was beginning to understand how Matteo operated. While he used violence as a means of communication, his boss used diplomacy, manipulation, and negotiation to achieve his goals and maintain his power."I don't understand, if you do not want Wilson around, why did you hire him?," Black Hound inquired with a hint of confusion."I hired him because of his leadership skills and experience not because I like him, it's business, nothing personal," Matteo answered."I think it's personal now t
124. MRS ARMANIThe clerk at the receptionist was rude and arrogant to Diana up until she identified herself."I'd like a Villa suite please," Diana said politely.The receptionist leaned over the counter to look at her from head to toe and scoffed in disgust. She faced the laptop in her front and continued typing."I'd like a room, preferably a Villa suite and if you ignore me again I will reach over the counter and smack you in the face. Wanna call my bluff?" Diana said it loudly so the whole lobby would hear."Please do not make a scene..." The receptionist trailed."Then don't be a bitch, and give me a god-damned room!" Diana cut her off angrily."I could call security," The female receptionist threatened as her eyes hardened. She believed she had the upper hand."Yeah, that will be good for a public sensation, Armani resorts refuses to lodge in its employee," Diana replied sarcastically."You work for this company?" The female clerk asked in disbelief.Diana said nothing and glar
125. INEVITABLE CHANGESMatteo entered the secret office and behind him followed Black Hound. Cubicles were numbering ten in total. Inside each cubicle was a worker whose head was facing a computer.The sound of typing filled the air as the workers focused intently on their screens. Every once in a while, someone would get up to grab a cup of coffee.There was a man who was walking in and out of cubicles inspecting their work.Quiet rage filled Matteo as he looked around the office. This was where important company information was being stolen. His legacy and dream were being threatened.The supervisor, a man dressed in an expensive suit sauntered arrogantly toward Matteo and Black Hound."As you can see, we are at full capacity, we don't need any extra workers, be on your way." The supervisor said, with his nose turned up in distaste.Matteo said nothing, he just gave the man a cold glare. He knew that getting into an argument wouldn't solve anything."Where is this fat twit when you
126. NEW TRUSTDiana followed the lady, her right hand aching from the slap she unconsciously delivered to the side of Nick's face. She had caused a scene immediately after she resumed work.She felt so humiliated that Nicholas would put his hands on her but in the end, she could not blame him. She had been dishonest about herself from the start."Are you okay? Do I have to call security just in case?" Vivian asked in concern.Diana shook her head and massaged her right hand. The lift opened and the two women stepped out.Diana has been to Matteo's office a few times but the changes he made to her accommodation surprised her. Even his secretary was nowhere to be found.Vivian opened the door for her and both women entered. Matteo was busy with his computer."Morning boss, Mrs. Armani is here," Vivian announced.Matteo looked up from his work and stood up. His tie was loosened and his sleeves rolled up."Thank you, Vivian, that will be all," Matteo said as he walked towards the women.
127. A RISKY PROPOSALNicholas knew he had fucked up. He had let his emotions get the best of him and ended up grabbing another's wife whom he had fucked ever so lovingly.He felt so betrayed. He felt so used and most of all, he felt like a fool. The humiliation that bitch put him through made it hard for him to leave his office.He had to change his mode of approach with Diana. Most women he was with never fought back when he tried to assert his dominance but she did. Publicly. He was not going to let her go just yet.The door to his office gently opened and in came the man behind his woes.Nicholas reclined on his chair arrogantly. A fight was brewing and he would go down swinging.Matteo looked down at his sitting employee. He had imagined ways he would make Nicholas pay in the elevator and a perfect plan had appeared in his mind.He pulled the chair in front of the table backward and sat down.Nicholas, eager to make Matteo hurt could not resist the voices in his head blurted out.
128. ENEMIES FOR LIFEMatteo stretched his limbs to loosen his muscles and balance his core. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with fresh air. As he exhaled, a sense of tranquility washed over himHe wore his fighting trunk and wrap-around black knuckle band. He left the locker room and walked to the octagon. He saw Nicholas already waiting inside, his muscles tense and jaw clenched.It seemed like the underling wanted to prove himself so badly.Nicholas tried to get the doubt of his mind as he saw Matteo's fit-form approach. He saw a vacant look in his rival's eye. He realized that all his underhanded tactics were not working.Nicholas saw Matteo's lapdog sit in front of a small bell that he must ring after every three minutes. There was going to be a three-round bout. There was no need for an instructor or referee.The rule was simple. Only one person had to be conscious by the end of the fight. Both men watched each other intensely, their eyes locked in a fierce battle of de
129. THE FALLNicholas felt a blow across his face and found himself laid out on his back, dazed from the kick. Everything in his vision seemed doubled. His ears were ringing and his head pounded painfully. It sent his senses reeling and he did not trust himself to make any decisions. He had to wait for it to wear off.It took him a while for his vision to clear. He was all wobbly as he tried to get to his feet. He stumbled a few times before he finally stood up. He saw Matteo looking at him like he was nothing.That was when it dawned on Nicholas that his opponent was not an ordinary fighter. He had underestimated him. This was his first mistake, never to underestimate his opponent.Matteo stood in the middle of the octagon with his arms folded across his muscled chest. Patiently waiting for the slime to get his shit together.He was going to take his time breaking down Nicholas piece by piece. He had not even broken into a sweat yet."Ready princess?" Matteo asked in cold sarcasm.N
147. IS THIS THE END?Suicide and Chrome were both exhausted from their ongoing combat with this huge guy. They had wanted to go after Matteo as he was carrying his wife's unconscious form away.It was the sound of the gunshot that made them realize just how deeply they were fucked. They saw Nicholas, his face already white from blood loss holding his severely bleeding crotch, twitching and jerking involuntarily in pain.Suicide and Chrome realized to their horror that Nicholas was never going to have sex again. They both turned and ran after Matteo only to be blocked by a giant they had not even heard coming.Suicide brought out a wicked-looking jack knife, military-grade, while Chrome had on a pure gold knuckle duster on his right fist and a shining silver one on his left fist.Black Hound knew that both men were a package deal. He had done a quick reading of their bio-data to have a feel for how they both operated.Suicide would attack first with a knife from a flank and Chrome wou
THE RESCUEMasters Randall was neither a superstitious man by nature nor a religious one per se. But today of all days did not feel right. He could not tell what was making him uneasy but he was sure something was amiss.He had not spoken to his daughter in days now and he was worried about what shit show she may have started behind his back. He had failed that daughter of his and there was nothing he could do to change that.This morning when he had called Martha on his phone, there was no answer. That gave him his first reason to be concerned. Martha always answered his call no matter where she was or what she was doing.The second person she answered like that was her grandson. So what was the reason why La Matrona of the Consortium refused to pick up the phone?Had Priscilla run her mouth again? There were so many questions going through his old mind he did not know which one to answer.Masters had spent the night in his study with a cup of scotch and a Cuban cigar, his head tingl
145. END GAME"I hope that I can trust you, Mr. Armani," James Molten said as he was about to get down from the vehicle.Matteo assured him confidently. "Your shares are safe in my hands James and I plan to stay here for a while. I am not going anywhere."James Molten nodded and opened the door to get out without saying another word.Matteo was left alone with his driver as the car sped on."There is something you need to know," Black Hound said as he looked straight ahead. There was a graveness in the way he spoke.Matteo listened with rapt attention."I got some recordings that you will want to hear," Black Hound said. "I want you to listen to it in this vehicle because as of now, it is the only secure place," He finished.Matteo was becoming uneasy. "That bad?" He asked, looking at the rearview mirror to see the eyes of his bodyguard."I think bad is an understatement, it is going to be a shocking revelation," Black Hound said in a solemn tone."Alright, let's hear it," Matteo said
144. THE LAST MOVE~SOME HOURS EARLIERNicholas, tired of standing went back inside after watching the box burn. He still had felt no closure. He wanted nothing but revenge. The phone in his pocket buzzed and he fished it out of his pocket.It was an email from the company. He pushed the notification and read the contents of the message.The iPhone struck the wall with tremendous force and shattered into small pieces, the parts clattering everywhere.Nicholas was fuming and growling, his hands tightened into fists. How dare they fire him? Who the fuck did they think he was? He was not going down without a fight.The pain he was going through fueled his rage. He would make them pay one way or another. He stomped down the stairs blind with fury. He pictured his hands wrapped tightly around Matteo's neck.Then the neck slowly transformed in his head, morphine into a small slender supple neck that belonged to Diana. A sick smile played on his lips.He went into the kitchen and opened the
143. GRANNY TIMESDiana was glad to get out of her lodge. She was happy it was a work day. She was excited to get back to work despite everything that had happened around her.She had also become fast friends with the clerk that was rude to her on the first day she had tried to get a room. There was no point in dragging things out with another woman who was just trying to survive.Her husband had surprised her last night. It threw her off for a minute when she realized just how thoughtful he had become.She was just preparing herself for the next day which was today. The time was seven thirty in the evening when a knock interrupted her preparation. She left what she was doing and walked to the door.As she opened it, she was met with the sight of a familiar face.Nana gazed down warmly at her. She had behind her luggage that was pink in color."Nana? Come in," Diana said waving her hand towards the inviting living room.Nana shuffled into the living room, dragging her luggage with he
142. SHOW DOWNThe silence was deafening, except for the rustling of leaves that got blown around by the wind. It was obvious that all five wealthy people who were sitting together around the dinner table that late Monday morning were enemies.Each figure had his or her agenda at the pit of their dark twisted minds.Priscilla wanted Matteo and everything that came with him.Ashley wanted her father's company and Katie— well, it was not clear what she wanted.Matteo knew that there was no logical way out of this. However, he did have an advantage and he could not wait to use it. He suspected that Priscilla may have figured out his secret plan, but he wasn't too concerned.There was no stopping what was about to happen. Once and for all, he was going to stop all her incessant dealings and manipulation.He could tell that she was worried and she was right to be. This game had gone on long enough. He could also tell that James Molten wanted out.Matteo vividly saw the look of desperation
141. DARK NICKYThe past two days had been rather strange and unpredictable for Nicholas Wilson. First, he woke up with pain on a soft sofa which had dried drool all over his face. Everything hit him all at once. The pain, the hangover, and the nausea.He had no idea where he was or how he had gotten there. It was until a woman with a stark resemblance to Diana approached him with concern, breaking the disorienting haze of his mind. Her gentle yet determined voice pulled him back to reality and into her warm embrace.Then everything had come back to him and he was filled with embarrassment. He quickly shook off the lingering humiliation and focused on the present moment.He was supposed to meet with her for his mental health. His head was pounding. He turned toward her still disoriented only for a glass of water and some oblong white pills were shoved in his hands."It will help with the hangover," Lexi's voice echoed and rang into his ears as he stared at the assortment of pills un
140. THE KING OT CHESSMatteo understood the concern coming from his bodyguard but this was something he had to do alone. He needed the closure."Sir you realize that you are going behind enemy lines," Black Hound voiced out with slight annoyance."I understand but this is something that I have to do alone, it is a personal matter," Matteo casually replied to his bodyguard.Black Hound said nothing else. There was no changing his boss's mind."Besides, I do not want them to know about our business just yet," Matteo further added."That is if Priscilla is going to be present," Black Hound said."She is the mastermind behind this, of course, she will be there," Matteo said with certainty."Is that not more of a reason for me to come along? The stakes are higher than before sir," Black Hound insisted."The more reason for you to stay back. After all, you are my Trump card," Matteo replied as he adjusted his tie."How do I look?" Matteo turned and asked his bodyguard."You look like you a
139. CHAT WITH THE SHRINKNicholas said nothing as he stared ahead with a straight expression on his face. The car was filled with an uneasy silence, creating an oppressive atmosphere. This was mostly because Nicholas was at the center of the matter.He had been bailed by Dr. Amorr and was sitting in her car. He had pretended to be so ashamed of himself when she had come for him but dropped the charade in the car."You can drop me off at home, thank you," Nicholas arrogantly said as he relaxed to rest his eyes.It had been a long day. He opened his eyes and stretched his tired muscles, feeling the tension slowly dissipate. He looked outside the window ignoring the driver who had earlier helped him."Welcome," Dr. Amorr abruptly interrupted his short sightseeing.Nicholas made to get down and hissed in pain. He had felt so relaxed that he had forgotten about his sprained ribs. He slowly got down from the car, wincing from the pain it caused him with every step that he took forward.B