She exhaled and turned to him, rolling her eyes. "The look and tone you use when you want to put me under that your ungodly spell" she replied. He noticed that her robe was a bit loose at her chest region. He could clearly see her cleavage with her two frontal loves comfortably clinging to each other. The view was so appealing, he was lost for a second. He found his lips curving as he relished in the undeniably good feeling. Chelsea then folded her arms across her chest, disrupting his view. He blinked and looked up at her. Her expression was a mixed one, indicating both a knowing smile and a disappointed pout. "What were you saying?" she asked, her pout deepening. "Who's putting who under a spell now?" Dylan asked as he smiled. "You are the one wandering about with your eyes, mister" she replied. He chuckled. "You've always captivated me, Chelsea. So this shouldn't be a surprise to you" he replied. She sighed and released her hands. "Sadly, the sentiment is mutual" she sai
Chelsea observed her appearance in the mirror. She was pleased with her reflection. She had taken her time to make sure she looked her best. The event was a very special one for her. And it was so special for a couple of reasons. First, it was her first public outing with Dylan in a long while. The last time she remembered being to a public party with Dylan was when she infiltrated The Imperial Place as an undercover agent for Dylan Cross. She had gone under the guise of her mafia persona, Raven. And now that she recalled the event, it wasn't even much of an outing for them both. Victor and Bishop were both there and it was mainly business. She hardly even spent time with Dylan there. A bare few minutes at most. But now this was official and she was bound to spend more than a couple of minutes. Secondly, this was actually her first time going on an outing as a partner to Dylan. It meant that he wouldn't have to introduce her to other guests as Raven or as his Chief Assistant at Cro
The chairman of the show introduced the event and outlined the way the event would unfold, giving a detailed programme. "We will love to start with a brief introduction from the guest of honour himself. He's in our midst. Many, if not all, of you already know him. The man, the king, the legend, Dylan Cross!" he announced, gesturing towards the area Dylan sat. The spotlight immediately shifted, focusing on Dylan's sitting area. Chelsea and Derek were also illuminated in the spotlight. Dylan smiled and stood up, gesturing towards everybody. There was a tremendous ovation of applauses as he gestured. Dylan chuckled to himself. Even those who wanted him dead were obviously clapping as well. He smiled and blew kisses as the applause died down. "As most of you are already aware, I'm Dylan Cross. I'm a businessman and I've managed to establish a couple of businesses here in Miami and in other parts of Florida as well. I'm very honoured to be with you all today" he said. The chairman c
Chelsea stepped out of the bathroom and saw Dylan sitting on her bed. It wasn't an unusual sight at all. It wasn't the first time, it wasn't second time, and definitely not the third time he had entered her room while she was bathing and made himself comfortable. She has even come to expect it. Whenever she was bathing, she would have the feeling that he had come in and was sitting down waiting for her. So most times she tried to walk out of the bathroom as elegantly as she could, expecting to see him sitted waiting for her. Though most times it was simply her imagination. Today's wasn't though. As she stepped out she walked straight to the mirror to announce that she was out under the pretense of drying her hair. "You know, I think you've already dried your hair, Chelsea" he said, obviously seeing through her facade. She turned abruptly. "What?!" she blurted. He simply smiled at her. "You're not the one to tell me when and how may times I should dry my hair!" she fired. He ch
Chelsea stood in front of the mirror and took one last look at her outfit. She was donning a long red gown that modestly reduced her bodily features. Her make-up was light but her lips wore a thick shade of black. She didn't want to appear beautiful or enticing. She was trying to limit her attractiveness as best as she could. After satisfied with her rather normal beauty, she put on her feathered party mask, perfectly concealing her identity. She immediately exited her room and walked towards the exit of the mansion. She saw Dylan standing at the massive doorpost with his back to the inside of the house. He was seemingly surveying the Cross Estate from his view. Or maybe he was relishing in the view itself. Strangely, he was clad in a white suit that had shades of black and grey spiral designs. Was he going out as well? Maybe he had some business to attend to too. She just wished that he wasn't coming with her to the meeting with Omar. That would definitely spell trouble for her. She
Skylands Hotel After stepping down from the Bentley Continental, Chelsea walked gently and elegantly towards the entrance of the hotel. She walked into the reception hall and immediately made her way to the elevator. "Hey, Madam!" she heard a familiar voice call and instantly knew she was the one being called. She stopped in her tracks and turned around. It was Beatrice Chadwell, the annoying manager of Skylands Hotel. "Hello there" she replied with an expressionless face. "I take it you're here to see Mr. Omar" Beatrice said in a defiant and uncaring tone. She was definitely not concerned with Chelsea's lack of expression. This slightly pissed Chelsea off. But she had to maintain her cool. "Yes. Can I go see him? I already know my way to the private bar" she replied. "I just wanted to make sure you still remember. It would be bad if you got lost and started wandering about. You might make the other clients uncomfortable" Beatrice said. Chelsea could clearly see this woman was
Chelsea still maintained her calm composure. Her blank facial expression gave off no indications of tension or panic. She kept a relaxed and unnerved demeanor with her eyes fixed on Omar. Her lips were straight and void of any expression. Of course that was all behind the mask. In her head, her thoughts were already spiraling out of control. She was already considering random routes to take to get out of this situation but none seemed to appeal to her. The more she kept listening as Omar rambled on, the more agitated she became and wanted to react. But she couldn't. Maybe not yet. Omar chuckled. "Don't worry, there's no need to act calm and collected. I can see through all your facade now, Ms. Landore. I've already had everything figured out. And I've got enough evidences as well. So just hear me out completely and then we can re-evaluate the business deal again" he said with a smirk that Chelsea found rather agitating. He continued. "So after I put two and two together, I was able
Chelsea smiled for the first time. She immediately switched places and took hold of Omar's hands. She noticed his eyes light up a bit as the move was unexpected. That was her specialty, her unpredictability. And she was going to show him the true Chelsea Landore. The one his investigation could never show him. "That's exactly what I've been waiting for" she said. He was a bit confused. It was written all over his eyes. Then he regained his confidence. "You're not playing with me, are you?" he said. She chuckled. "I know it sounds ironic but, Omar, I had already fallen for you way before you even gave me a drink. From the first time I saw you back at Hakeem's suite in The Imperial Place, I immediately felt a tinge in my heart that you were a perfect young man. And I'm not one to mince words. "I've been with men, a lot of them. So I know what a perfect man for me should be like. And you've just proven that fact. The fact that you were able to deduce my true identity and even my affil
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,