Matteo already had a premonition that his home was going to be a lot more silent until he figured out what to do about his failing marriage. He tried so much to keep Priscilla out of his mind as he tried to sleep.He readily admitted that he that had foolishly believed that his wife would be at home waiting for her but he had been met with the same old dreaded emptiness and coldness that greeted him in her absence.Matteo's once fulfilled and happy life had turned into an empty, cold and lonely existence. He was completely consumed by the sense of isolation and heartache that had come with the end of his marriage. Once upon a time, he had shared his life with Diana, building a home, and a legacy. But now, all that he had with her seemed like a distant memory, and he is left feeling hollow and exposed.For the past few mornings, he would awake feeling the same sense of emptiness, and the hard reality of his current situation would hit him like a ton of bricks. He missed the sound of Di
Diana and Nicholas had been sitting next to each other on the private jet for the last few hours but hadn't spoken much. They had both been busy working on their laptops and had hardly taken their eyes off the screen.But as the plane began its descent and the seatbelt signs came on, Nicholas turned to Diana."So, how are you finding the job so far?" he asked.Diana looked up from her laptop and smiled at him. "It's been great," she replied. "The team has been really welcoming, and I'm enjoying the work. How about you?"Nicholas grinned. "Same here," he said. "It's good to be working on something new and exciting."They chatted for a few more minutes about their work and their backgrounds, and Diana couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to Nicholas. He was friendly and engaging, and there was a warmth about him that made her feel at ease.As they landed and made their way to the headquarters, they continued to chat and joke, and Diana began to feel like she had made a new f
Maria was beginning to suspect Chad because he had been exceptionally distracted anytime they got together. He was either looking around and fidgeting nervously, or peering at his phone like he was expecting a call any moment from now."Is every thing okay?You look troubled," She noticed as they hung out at a Cafe last night. She had dressed a bit casual because she was comfortable around him."It's this business deal I am hoping to close, y'know, yacht stuff," Chad had answered trying to sound relaxed."And this deal is why you're having a nervous breakdown?" Maria asked, all confused."Well, it kind of involves a lot money, so yeah I am having a mental break down," Chad responded, trying to hold back his anger.It was the first time Maria had seen him upset. Chad always seemed to be in tune with his emotions. She decided to drop the issue.Maria wanted to give him some space and time to process his thoughts. She knew that pushing him further could only make things worse."It will be
Chad Stanley had a gambling problem and had lost all his savings and was deep in debt. He decided to seek help from a support group for compulsive gamblers. But he left after a while, they could not help and he knew it.He had been avoiding Maria , his girlfriend, which he knew would only bring trouble. He didn't want to bring her into his life. He had inadvertently upset her during their date at the city Cafe. He apologized, but she remained distant.He had tried to hide his failings from his colleagues at work, but rumors were starting to circulate.Chad Stanley sat nervously in his office, his fingers drumming a quick rhythm on the edge of his mahogany desk. His business deals had been falling through left and right, and he knew he was close to going under. He had managed to keep up appearances so far, but he knew it was only a matter of time before his investors caught on.He picked up his phone and dialed his go-to man, John."Hey John, it's Chad. How's everything going?""Good,
Husband and wife had slept in separate rooms last night. They had argued well into the night and realized that no one would give in."You realize we are both going for two different reasons, and your reason is selfish and unfair," Matteo had forcefully accused his wife."And what have you been in this marriage? Kind and loving?" Diana demanded angrily. "I tried my best!" Matteo yelled back. "If your best was enough, we would not be here," replied Diana with a hint of disappointment. Matteo's face fell, as he realized the weight of Diana's words. "I understand," he said softly, "I'll leave you to it then."Diana nodded silently, turning away to face the window.Diana had to tell him the truth about her feelings, but couldn't find the words. She had been hurt for so long that her heart had become numb to love.She had to call Nicholas, about being absent from work tomorrow but she did not know what to tell him lest her secret got out. This morning, Diana had woken up with anxiety in
48. THE BOSS AND THE WORKERNicholas missed Diana's presence in the office, but he knew he had to focus on his work.He tried to keep himself busy by attending meetings and ticking off his to-do list but it did not help in taking his mind off the new woman. He found himself constantly checking his phone, hoping for a message from her.The flirting female co-workers were not alluring enough to keep him distracted, he could not help but think about her and the way she smiled.Nicholas sighed and dropped the files he was working on. "This is not helping. I wonder if Diana is fine," he thought out loud.A thought of Matteo entered his mind. He found it strange that his boss had not been in the office since they last spoke. It infuriated him to be reporting to someone like Matteo.He decided to take matters into his own hands and schedule a meeting with Matteo to discuss their working relationship. He could not stand how nonchalantly the CEO ran the company and it miffed him as to how Mat
CHAD'S SINSChad Stanley was Maria's boyfriend but he was also bankrupt and struggling to keep up with his finances every month. He was also a debtor who was paying off his debt in the most humiliating way possible.Chad found out the hard way how sadistic Priscilla Randall could be. She made him do all sorts of depraved things. Things that would make Maria break up with him.He knew he had to get out, but he also knew it wouldn't be easy as Priscilla had once shown him other ways of payment."Listen to me carefully Mr. Chad, I can sell you to people who will do very fucked up things to you but I choose not to because I believe you can be useful, do you want to be useful to me Chad? Or should I sell you to the lowest bidder?" Priscilla had broadly threatened him while he massaged her feet. He had been stripped down to his underwear and was on his knees gently rubbing her feet. Priscilla closed her eyes in contentment and sighed as her stress melted away. "Yes ma'am, I will be usefu
THE UNSPOKEN FEELINGSMaria Jones was a popular internet personality with a massive following on social media. This meant that in her world, there was no such thing as coincidence, everything that showed up on the net was premeditated and served a purpose in the digital realm.The first time it had made no sense to her as to how her media team had been hacked with a virus because the attack seemed personal and no one took responsibility for the attack.Her team had recovered quickly from the online attack and had even increased their online security to the highest update. Now she wanted answers. * * *Dr. Lexi Amorr had heard enough out of Matteo and Diana. Their bickering had not only infuriated her but she got to see first hand just how emotionally detached Matteo really was. She was greatly relieved to see that their session was over. "Diana, do you mind if I have a private discussion with your husband? It's regarding the court mandate, and whether I can continue to be your ther
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