Chelsea placed the contact card in her purse and sat up on her chair. If he was playing a game, she would show him she knew how to play along good enough. If she could swindle moneybags and bigwigs what was a little back and forth game that she couldn't play?She opened her company Skype account and searched for Fred's contact. He had already sent her a message. She clicked and read the message. Truly, it was all about business. He was giving details of prospective deals and contracts that he had in store for Cross Enterprises. But every businessman had a bad boy button somewhere on them. She was about to turn on Fred's bad boy button. She typed a short but demanding response and hit sent. 'When are we meeting?' It read.Then she relaxed, awaiting a response. Before long, the notification dinged. She opened the message and saw a picture with a text underneath. The picture was a selfie. He was in a restaurant, sitting alone on a table, probably awaiting his order. Under the selfie he
Chelsea smiled as she looked at Dylan, sitting majestically with his blunt in hand. He exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes still fixed on her."I asked you a question" he said in a grave but calm voice.Chelsea exhaled. "I'm coming from a meeting with Fred Martin" she replied, her hands clutching her purse in front of her.Dylan closed his eyes and tilted his head backwards. "Leave us" he commanded. The guards stationed around immediately walked out to different locations. Dylan gently stood up and extinguished his blunt's fire in the ashtray beside his chair. He dusted his hands gently and put them in his pockets. Slowly, he walked towards her and started walking in circles around her."Fred Martin, huh?" he chuckled. "Yes" she replied confidently. "What for?" he asked again."To discuss about future business deals and contracts between Walmart and Cross Enterprises" Chelsea heaved."And what deals did you conclude on?" "None, yet. I postponed the meeting to another time" she answ
They finally got to a large red door. Chelsea could feel the horrors oozing out of the door. It felt like there was an evil world behind the door, like it led to a place of no return. A place of death.She shuddered as she watched Dylan open the door. He held it open for her to enter. She inhaled and exhaled deeply before gradually stepping in. The metallic smell of blood instantly invaded her nostrils. As she walked in, she could see blood splattered everywhere.In the middle of the room, a man was hung by two chains holding his hands apart. His legs were also chained to the ground, positioning him in a crucifix fashion. His head hung low as though he had expired but his chest said otherwise. He still heaved, an evidence that he was still alive and breathing. Only that his breathing was laborious and rather slow.Two other bodies hung beside him but their fates were much worse. They were completely lifeless. Why not? Their eye sockets looked nothing like eye sockets anymore. It looked
Chelsea sat in her room, reflecting on what had happened in the torture room. A part of her felt sorry for the man as she remembered him screaming incessantly. Another part of her was relieved that it wasn't what she feared that Dylan was talking about.She smiled as she remembered his last words before they left the room. He had taken a long look at her horrified face and said:"Don't let this be Fred Martin. I'm sure both of us would not want to loose such a valuable client" He had said it with such calmness that she felt he already had an operation planned out for the poor Walmart manager. Right there, without directly saying it, he had expressed his jealousy and how serious he would take it if she defaulted again. That was exactly what she wanted. Her smile broadened as she felt her plan coming ever closer to an actualization. She had indeed played well.Even though a gnawing feeling deep down haunted her, she had already made her decision. This wasn't her first time after all.
They got to Golden Petals and alighted the vehicle. Dylan feigned disinterest as he walked slowly, tagging behind Chelsea who led the way. Chelsea didn't dilly-dally, walking briskly towards the reception where she obtained their access cards. She walked to the elevator and entered it, turning around to wait for Dylan. She leaned on the inside, taking her left leg upwards a bit. Dylan scratched the tip of his nose and walked into the elevator. He turned around and stood beside her as they watched the elevator doors slide close. Then the facility began its ascent to the destined floor. They both felt the heat building up inside the elevator but neither made a comment. They kept silent as though they were strangers but each one seemed to know what the other wanted.Chelsea groaned silently and threw her purse forward. She walked to it and bent to pick it up. She let it slide from her hand and it dropped again. "Ugh" she groaned softly. She bent further this time, arching her back as
Dylan stood up immediately and rushed up to the door. He saw Fred trying to get in and stopped him."Hello" he smiled. "Are you the Walmart manager who's supposed to meet us for a business deal?" he asked in a warm manner. "Uhm...Yes. Good day, Sir" he greeted, his face holding a hint of confusion. "Alright, come on in" Dylan replied and stepped aside for him to step in. He closed the door behind him and turned around. Chelsea was no longer there. He exhaled in relief and put on a smiling face. "Do make yourself comfortable, Mr. Martin. Ms. Landore will be joining us soon" he gestured to an armchair by the side."Very well, Sir" Fred smiled in return as he sat down. His eyes darted about in search of Chelsea. Dylan sat across him and scoffed as he noticed his eyes wandering. Then he smirked as he remembered what just happened before the Walmart manager stepped in. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction as he didn't grant Chelsea's wish for him to go in himself. She wasn't going t
Dylan and Chelsea finally got home and alighted the Urus. Dylan nodded for her to go on and she obliged. She walked elegantly, taking gracious strides into the mansion. As expected, she saw Joyce standing with her hands clasped together in front of her. And as usual, she had a radiant smile on her face. "Good Evening, Ma'am" she greeted courteously. She had begun to accord the woman a great deal of respect since she learned that she was Dylan's foster mother. "Evening, Chelsea" Joyce beamed. "How was work today?" she asked with a knowing glare. "Pretty splendid" Chelsea answered cheerfully. "Hmm. I can tell" Joyce replied with a sly smile. Chelsea laughed softly and walked past her, heading for her room. She got to her room and took off her dress. As she undressed, she observed her form in the dressing mirror. She studied her body admirably, pleasing her eyes with what she saw. She caressed her hips and rubbed upwards on her torso. Her hands got to her breasts and she outlined th
Chelsea felt her heart skip a bit at those words. She had expected to see a regular prisoner, or worse, a tortured captive who was either unconscious or bleeding his soul out. But this was different. The prisoner was the secret lover of Dylan's ex-wife, Clara. And he had no marks whatsoever that showed evidence of torture or beatings. "Every day I've held back the urge to slit his throat" Dylan said calmly, hatred brewing in his voice. The man kept on looking at Chelsea, not saying a word. His nose twitched occasionally but his eyes were fixed on Chelsea. Then he suddenly smirked. She stepped back in fright. "What's he doing?" she asked Dylan nervously."He's just a demented asshole. Maybe that was the look he used to give Clara before they had intercourse" Dylan replied with contempt. His grip on the bars tightened and Chelsea could see the vein on his hand. His sleeves were rolled up as though he was ready to land deadly punches at any time."This could have been Fred Martin had
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,