"You went on a date with him? Really?after how many days apart? " Matteo asked, looking very disgusted."It wasn't a date," Diana coldly said, refusing to look Matteo in the eye"So what was it?" Matteo asked, trying to keep the rage in his voice from showing."It was a fundraiser!" Diana said desperately."So you decided to play Cinderella at the after party?"Matteo asked sarcastically. "Yes, I might as well make the most out of this situation," replied Diana, determinedly.She rolled up her sleeves and started to work on the project with full dedication and focus, ignoring all distractions and obstacles."Do you like him?" Matteo asked, looking very disgusted."That is none of your business," Diana coldly said."Technically, we're still married, so it rightfully concerns me," Matteo replied defensively. "I just want to make sure you're not using it to your advantage,"Diana's smirk unsettled him."And what advantages would that be?" She asked, raising an eyebrow,"You know what I me
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILIf looks could kill, then Priscilla would have dropped dead.For the way Maria glared at her if she had a gun; then she would have shot Priscilla by now.Maria was going through a barrage of emotions, she sat rigid wishing Chad would look her in the eyes. She was not even ashamed she just pitted him greatly."Well, this must be quite uncomfortable for you, Chad. You must want a little dignity don't you?" Priscilla slithered while she looked from Maria to Chad who was still pressing her foot.She had always liked a bit of drama and this was just the type of entertainment she wished she could have every day. It amused her that Chad actually had a girlfriend who cared about him. She was enjoying playing the villain in their little love game."Enough!" Maria yelled, unable to contain her anger at the humiliating treatment of her boyfriend.Chad flinched and stopped immediately. He looked to the side and hid his face. He was too ashamed to look up at her."Who said y
THREATENED BY THE DEVIL Nicholas locked himself in the office and ignored anyone that knocked. He needed time to process everything that had transpired. The phone continued to ring and emails piled up, but he remained quiet.He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he knew that his boss had crossed the line and he couldn't wait to get even.He reluctantly went on his office computer and searched for Sapphire Diamonds, he copied the company number and put a call through to make an appointment. However, his experience with James Molten and his daughters pushed him to do his own research about what kind of family they were.He got up from his office chair and went straight to Diana's office, he needed to confirm something. He walked quickly and knocked on her door."Come in," Diana answered from the other side of the door.He entered with a polite smile on his face."Hey, I was just wondering before I go, did you by any chance tell Matte
JEALOUSY AT ITS HIGHESTDiana was diligent when it came to her job, she knew that she had been extremely lucky to land something like this, so she was going to give it all she got. She arrived at the office early every day, stayed late, and worked tirelessly. She was done for today and it had been a very dramatic day at work. Her secret had been blown but her husband had taken it surprisingly well.She wondered what he was thinking right now as she fought the urge to go to his. She got up and decided to see Nicholas in his office, she needed to let him know about the pictures that had mysteriously appeared on her desk. As she entered his office, she noticed he was not on seat. Her phone rang, it was Matteo calling. She groaned. "What does he want now?" Diana complained loudly as she answered. "Diana, I would like to see you in my office right away," Matteo said firmly. Diana rolled her eyes in frustration. "I am on my way," Diana said. Diana composed herself and hung up the pho
THE BILLIONAIRE SIBLINGSNicholas drove angrily with no destination in mind. He had reached a boiling point but he knew he had to keep his emotions in check if he was going to plan his next move carefully."You have my attention. What do you want?" asked Nicholas, in a composed tone, ready to negotiate."I need your help with a delicate matter that requires your expertise," replied the mysterious caller. Priscilla said, with an air of urgency.Wary, Nicholas indulged."And what would that be? If you don't mind me asking,"Nick inquired, still brimming with unbridled rage."How do you feel about going on a date with Diana, all expenses paid?" Priscilla offered eagerly."I am not really down for the whole matchmaking," Nick said, unsure of Priscilla's endgame."You will lose her to Matteo if you don't accept my offer, Mr. Nicholas," Priscilla sternly warned.That shut up Nick for a moment. He knew Priscilla had her there. His bad blood with Matteo wasn't exactly a secret at the office."
THE THERAPISTDiana was getting to know another side of Matteo she did imagine she would ever see."Blackmail? Really Matteo? That low?" Diana asked with heavy mockery."You must see that I'm doing this for our best interests," Matteo proclaimed stubbornly."You don't even know what you are talking about," Diana countered "You are only doing this because you are insecure about an employee,""Please do not involve that snake in this discussion, and I am never insecure about anything regarding him," Matteo said."If he is a snake, then what do I call you? A man who thinks blackmailing his wife into therapy is going to clear all the wrong things he had done," Diana coldly remarked.Matteo scoffed angrily because he had nothing to say. He knew he was making decisions based on desperation, anything to keep his wife from leaving. He was beyond shame at this point. He stood up again and walked a little bit closer to his wife."I just want to make things right, let me right my wrongs Diana,"
THE DEVIL AT PLAYFirst, it was his car, now his home. He tried to even out his breathing as he struggled to control his breathing. He didn't want to believe what he was seeing but it was right there on the marble counter in the kitchen.The box contained two surgically severed hands with the palms opened. There was a pair of human eyes placed on each palm."Do you like your present?" Priscilla's voice jolted him from his shock."What the fuck!" He yelled helplessly, still staring at the body parts in the box"You know who those belong to? Might wanna look closer," Priscilla giggled maniacally as she suggested.Nicholas, without thinking did as Priscilla suggested, there was a gold band on one of the hands and with great horror he recognized whose hands they were."Your informant was caught snooping both offline and online about what should not concern him," Priscilla, as if reading Nick's thought from the end of the line stated menacingly."So you killed him?!" Nick demanded still in
THE DEVIL'S PASTPriscilla lived in a dark world. She loved it though, as she found beauty in the shadows and the unknown. She loved knowledge and power but most importantly, she loved love.However, her ways of showing her love was deadly and it wasn't even her fault, she was just born that wayRight from when she was a child, she always knew she was different, she never threw tantrums nor did she complain. Her mother noticed how calm and collected she was, but thought nothing of it.Then things took a turn for the worse. Since she was basically an heiress, she was exposed to a lot of strange things growing up. One of these peculiarities was her fascination with seeing people in despair - she claimed it gave her a rush like no other.When Priscilla was eight, she witnessed a fat man in an expensive suit suddenly go down on his knees and begged for his life in front of her father. That scene played over and over again in her head.She marveled at how her father who only sat calmly on
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