Chelsea was still for some seconds after hearing those words from him. She didn't expect it. Not in a couple of days, not in a couple of weeks, not even in a couple of months. It was just so sudden and unbelievable that she froze for some seconds. It was expected of her to freeze after all. Dylan had portrayed a very hard and defensive attitude all the while they were together. It was never easy for her to understand him. His automatic switch of demeanor, his never ending mood swings and his seemingly split personalities made it impossible for her to know who he really was. He had shown her different sides of his person. He had shown her love, he had shown her resentment. He had shown her care and he had also shown her unconcern. He had shown her several opposite and conflicting shades of emotions and she had come to accept it as his way of life. She had known he had feelings for her. But he never acknowledged them or even spoke about them. Whenever they got near the topic, he switc
Joyce's eyes immediately gave way to tears. All the pent up emotions deep inside her poured out intensely in a flood of tears. She immediately fell to her knees beside the bed and took hold of Derek's hand. She gently squeezed it in hers and looked Derek in the eye. "Grandma, why are you crying? Why is dad here? Where am I?" the little boy asked question after question as his eyes darted around the entire area around him. Dylan gently walked towards him. He didn't give way to tears or break down. That wasn't to be expected of him anyway. He simply walked to the bedside and gently caressed Derek's hair. His eyes were full of affection. That was one thing he couldn't mask. "What do you remember, Derek?" he gently asked. It felt awkward though that the first words he said to his son in a long time were a question targeted at his memory. He was definitely going to win that Worst Father of the Year award. "Uhm..." Derek tried to recall his last moments of consciousness. Then his eyes sh
Dylan was surprised at his son's sudden declaration of his taking a liking to Chelsea. And this was just their first meeting. Chelsea's words must have charmed the young man and instilled a measure of approval in him. And Derek wasn't someone who easily liked someone else. He had seen firsthand how Derek had rejected the company of many of his friends and even most of the staff members of his company. Back when they were together, he had taken Derek to Cross Enterprises for a tour of the company and Derek literally rejected the gestures of almost all the staff members in the company. He didn't let any of them touch or carry him. He had to be stuck attending to him all through the tour of the company. It was only when his former secretary, an elderly woman offered to carry him did he oblige. Why Derek chose to let that woman, of all the other staff members, carry him still remains a mystery to Dylan. Now he was expressing that he had taken a liking to Chelsea and so fast? It wasn'
The awaited facility from New York finally arrived at the hospital. Derek was discharged and the medical bills were forwarded to Dylan's official personal mail. They exited exited hospital building and walked towards the parking lot. They all stopped between the two vehicles. Dylan shared them to the two vehicles. "Chelsea will come with me and Hugo. Ma, you'll take Derek with you in the SUV. There should be just about enough space for him to lie down there. We'll settle some things at a meeting and join you all at the mansion later" he assigned them and walked to the driver who would be delivering the facility to the mansion. "You'll be following the SUV to the estate. No prying gazes in the estate or unwarranted detours along the way. For your own safety. Just deliver the facility and exit the estate, all the while following the instructions given you by the security personnel. Understood?" he concluded. "Yes, Sir. Understood" the driver replied affirmatively. "Alright" Dyl
Hill parked the Urus in the parking space of the Cross Estate and stepped down to open the door for Joyce and Derek. He assisted Joyce in gently carrying Derek inside. As they walked in, the guards and maids around bowed as Hill passed them with Derek in his arms. "Welcome back, Master Derek" they murmured. Those who were there when he left still recognised him and accorded him the due respect of a young master. Those who didn't know him simply followed suit in what their colleagues did even though they didn't know the person they were greeting. "Welcome back, Ma" they also greeted Joyce who simply smiled back at them as she followed Hill towards Derek's room. She was so excited about Derek being under the same roof as her that she paid no attention to the details of the house in her absence. She didn't even bother to supervise or crosscheck the work done by the helpers. To her, getting Derek settled into his room in his father's mansion was paramount. As she followed behind Hill,
Chelsea opened her eyes and looked around the whiteness the filled the luxurious hotel room. She felt Dylan's arm firmly fixed around her and turned to him. He was already awake and his eyes were already fixed on her. She smiled and kissed him lightly on his lips. "How long have you been awake?" she asked him. He smiled. "An hour or two" he replied. She chuckled. "And you've been staring at me all the while? Am I really that pleasing to look at?" she asked, smirking as she expected his reply. He chuckled. "Dare I say, you're the most pleasing thing to my eyes. Even when you're not naked" he replied. She laughed lightly. "I don't know if I'm to blush for that" she turned away. "You don't need to. You're already blushing" he informed her. Damn! She thought. Why did she always have to get so red when he complimented her? And she could also feel that tingling sensation down there. She cursed her arousal. She really had to work on her arouses around him. If it wasn't his eyes, it
Dylan finally released her from his grip and kissed her forehead. She smiled and looked up at him. "Let's go see Derek already. We've spent too much time here" she said. He smiled. "It's really adorable the way you're concerned about him. Now I'm feeling much less of a father for having to be reminded about my son" he chuckled. She laughed lightly. "You really don't have to feel that way" she replied. "Alright" he said in accordance and then he got up. She sat up on the bed and grabbed a pillow, clinging it as she watched Dylan stand in front of her. "But he should be okay though. Ma asked me to give two of them some time before I came home. She said she wanted to share a few moments with Derek. That's why I even decided that we make the detour to this place earlier" he informed her. "Oh. I'm glad we made the detour though" Chelsea replied. He smirked. "Why wouldn't you be glad? You're always glad at any opportunity to be alone with me" he retorted. "What?!" she shot. "You're
Immediately they stepped into the parking lot, everything happened like a blur to Chelsea. A masked man waved something that looked like a pistol in the air, a couple of shots were fired and the next second found her on the ground with Dylan over her. All their purchased items scattered all over the ground. Dylan immediately got up and looked around but the masked man was nowhere to be found anymore. Pandemonium had already broken out as people were running helter skelter. The man must have mixed in with the crowd and blended in, thus evading any inconspicuousness. Dylan helped Chelsea up and they left all the purchased items on the ground and hurried to the bus that was waiting for passengers. They occupied the only remaining seats and the bus immediately set off for its destination. They arrived at the hotel and Dylan immediately brought out his phone and dialed the number of the person he put in charge of handling the responsibilities for the management of the mall. He paced abou
Dylan got to the mansion alighted the Urus. His entire clothing was roughed up and covered in blood. He looked around and noticed the Bentley Continental missing. He immediately had a bad feeling and dashed inside the mansion. None of the guards asked him any questions. This made him even more worried. He got to Chelsea's room and opened the door without knocking. It was empty. He found the safe open and empty as well. His heart began racing. He dashed to his room but he didn't see her in there either. He felt his knees getting weak. He checked the study and all then rooms on the down floor but he didn't find her inside any. He got upstairs and checked the accessible rooms and halls in the mansion but still nothing. "Chelsea!" he yelled. His voice echoed throughout the entire hallway, back and forth. There was no response. "Chelsea!" "Chelsea!!" "Chelsea!!!" Dylan slowly came down from the steps. He got to the base of the steps and sat down on the last step. His face was deje
Chelsea shuddered on hearing his name. Was this fate playing games with her? Just when she had finally gotten a shot at a happy life. Just when she had decided to start anew. Now her past had come to haunt her future. Why was life cruel? Dylan continued. "He just attacked one of my warehouses. He has challenged me to come face him or he'll destroy my name with the evidence and proof he has on me. I never expected him to stoop so low but I guess Ceaza has always been a scumbag. "I've already made arrangements for Joyce and Derek to be taken to a safehouse. You'll be safer here. I'll be going to face him off at the warehouse now" he added. "Why are you going? It's obvious he just wants to kill you. Why not send someone else? You have capable hands" Chelsea fired. Dylan smiled. "No. This is a personal battle that started years ago. I have to finish it myself" he replied. "I don't want anything happening to you, Dylan. Please don't go?" Chelsea begged. Her eyes became teary. She trul
Chelsea was dumbstruck. She had been expecting it but it still came as a shock to her. There he was, Dylan Cross, the King of Miami, the kingpin of the most notorious mafia cartel, the leading businessman in the city, on one of his knees, asking for her hand in marriage. It all seemed so surreal to her. She was stuck in a blur that she didn't know when time flew by. She returned to reality and saw Dylan still positioned on one knee, his hands holding out the box that contained the shiny diamond ring in it. He was patiently waiting for her answer. She was still contemplating. Was this what she really wanted? Was this really her way out from the life she had been living? To be a wife and mother now? Her life events flashed before her eyes. It was a big decision. One that would change her life forever. She had to make the right choice. As she was still thinking about it, she heard a familiar voice behind her and turned. "Aunty Chelsea!" It was Derek. He wore the same suit as his fath
Decorations were at their most glamorous. The lighting, the music and every aspect of the hall depicted a billionaire's taste. The guests had already started arriving. And true to Dylan's words, they were really the most prominent and powerful people in the society. Business tycoons, politicians, powerful billionaire families, and people of equal calibre were in attendance. In the garage, there were no cars less than the best of the best. Most cars there were even the only pieces ever produced. Customized and special editions. Chelsea stood from the balcony above as she observed the guests. She had her hair done at the last hour and put on her special dress that Dylan had imported without her even knowing. It was a white gown with designs of gold on it. She didn't even know when he planned and organized everything without her having a hint. What even surprised her more was the hall. She never knew the mansion had such an enormous hall within it. There were places she hadn't explored
Chapter 144 - An Introductory Party Two Months Later Dylan and Chelsea were now a public item. The news, social and other media carried it in droves. It was a blast. Different stories rose up. Several hypothesis were raised and conclusions drawn. It was a highlight for the city of Miami and Florida at large. Both the public society and the underground world were taken by surprise. They went to parties together. They shopped and dined together. They went on trips together. They practically did everything a couple did together. Always holding hands as they walked. They shared kisses in public. Even on interviews, Dylan always mentioned her name and called her his partner. There was never a shortage of pictures and clips on the media. The news also transcended the borders of Miami, Florida and America, reaching far across the globe. Dylan's cell and inboxes were flooded with calls and texts from both old acquaintances and new. Some were subtle with their questions while others went st
Inside The Hades Room Dylan held Clara's body as it gradually turned cold. Her eyes still stared at him with pure hate and intense resentment. He gradually dropped to his knees, his eyes fixed on the face of his ex-wife. She was beautiful, there wasn't a doubt about that. She had to be beautiful to be Dylan Cross's wife of course. But she also had a darkness in her that was too contaminating, it eroded her beauty. He couldn't quite understand why she hated him so much. People tend to accept society as it is and live with it. But she had to go out of her way to hate him and want him dead. Not that it was possible anymore. But still, she was once his wife. "But... you could have at least shot her in the leg. You could have rendered her immobile. You didn't have to kill her, Victor" Dylan said gently. It was plainly obvious he didn't didn't her dead. Maybe he still had a soft spot for her. "I'm sorry Pope. But I doubted that would have stopped her. I'd rather prefer you lose your ex-
Clara opened her eyes and met Dylan's cold stare. She could see the steam from the nose if the pistol. Her ears still whirred a little. She turned slowly and saw a hole in the space beside he head on the chair she sat on. A bullet was embedded in it. A real bullet! He had deliberately missed her head. Even so, this was unexpected. Did he really just shoot at her? "Is that supposed to scare me?" she mustered up the courage to say. Dylan smiled. "It wasn't meant to scare you. It was simply meant to warn you. My patience is simply a thread. And like all threads, it runs out. I'd hate for you to be the person who makes the last pull" he said calmly. He was so calm that it sounded too dark and evil. Clara knew it was best not to provoke him further. She was already aware that he didn't love her anymore. All he had for her was just out of regard for her being Derek's biological mother. That aside, she was just like any other lady in his eyes. She knew how bad he was when he snapped. Sh
"What did you say?" Dylan's pupils were dilated. Victor immediately turned around and saw Dylan already up from his sit. He had grabbed Nick by the neck, lifting him and shaking him vehemently. "What did you damn say, Nick?!" Dylan screamed. Nick was still dejected. His face still dropped downwards everytime Dylan shook him. He couldn't look Dylan in the eyes. He couldn't look the boss he had betrayed in the eyes. "It's the truth, Pope. Madam Clara was the one who hired us" he replied quietly. Dylan gritted his teeth. He couldn't believe his ears. The same woman he had once called his wife had sent an assassin to kill him. The same woman who had born his child. It sounded rather inconceivable to him. True, he was dark and bloody. He had done many despicable things to people. But this one outdid him. To think that Clara would go this far. And Nick just said "us". There were more? "Us?" he gently asked, his teeth still gritting against each other. "How many of you did she hire?"
Dylan and Chelsea laughed and discussed as they ate and drank, occasionally having their little disagreements and fights until one conceded to the other, of course always Dylan. He knew Chelsea would never accept defeat. So if he didn't, the argument would continue. He wasn't ready for that. After much pleasant talks and exchange of passionate words, Dylan felt it was time to do the deed. If he didn't do it now, the date would drag on for long and Chelsea would grow even more suspicious. He had to quell her curiosity now while still stalling for time so the assassin would make his move. Just as he reached into his inner coat pocket, they heard a loud sound. Bang! It was a gun shot. If Dylan heard well, it was a sniper. That was it! The assassin had taken the bait. He stood up abruptly, much to the confusion of Chelsea. His hand dropped the ring case and took hold of his phone instead. He brought it out and immediately dialed Victor. "Vic" he spoke into the phone. "Already on it,