When the door opened it was Fabian whose face she met – his features betrayed nothing. His eyes, however, those impossibly dark, bold eyes that were trained on Tasha in an instant, bore into her own holding something other than doubt. Rage. Treachery.“Tasha,” came the low threat in his voice. “We need to talk. Right. Now.”Tasha’s heart began to race. She opened the door wider to let him in, only for her heart to thump harder with each passing moment.Fabian entered the room casually. He was in no hurry to pay compliments. The instant the door was latched, he swung round to face her with an unnerving intensity.“Is there something you’re withholding from me?” he asked, throat constricted in anger. “What is happening with De Silva?”That did take Tasha by surprise. She knew she had two options – either keep lying or get stripped of all her boundaries and tell him everything.The social embarrassment lasted long, but she remained silent.And then, she started speaking but only the fain
Tasha’s frayed nerves were jangled by the message delivered by De Silva. It was a tightrope walk between worlds, one in which she was losing Fabian’s trust and the other where De Silva’s demand was becoming more and more urgent by the minute.She started pacing, the phone still in her grip. There was a whirlwind in her head and she couldn’t help but admit that it was bad. She had managed to bind herself some time with the manipulation of facts but there was a nagging reminder of Fabian’s ultimatum. If he learned how far she went with them, he would hate her. And even worse, if De Silva wanted her gone, she probably wouldn’t even be around to see the mess created.Tasha called the unknown number again, shaky as she was about to hit the call button.De Silva answered with impatience. Tasha, you’re cutting it close. I hate waiting.Tasha struggled a little and kept her voice from shaking. Sorry. He didn’t bite the bait. It’s like he knows you don’t have Loretta, and that’s why he does no
Fabian pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to suppress the weariness that was already setting in. “Tell them for tomorrow evening,” he said without a thorough understanding of the time frames being discussed.Emma stayed quiet as she looked through her files. “Tomorrow evening is the opening of the event for one of their companies,” she said with apprehension. “They will be busy. I even invited you last week to the event.”Fabian raised his eyes in surprise. “Didn’t get any invitation.”Emma's expression turned slightly concerned as she braced herself. “I sent it, Fabian. A week ago.”Fabian slouched in his chair and let out a long sigh. Most likely, he had been too busy to even pay attention. With his quest to find Loretta obsessed with making every investigation count and also managing his business, he had no doubts that some issues were being missed. He had been concentrating too long on finding Loretta and everything else which was quite frankly a waste of time."Fine," Fabia
“Vinnie, what we need to establish is how much Tasha knows,” Fabian spoke, running his fingers through his hair. “It’s possible she had close contact with De Silva during her abduction and this is information that we have yet to explore.”Vinnie inclined his head while wearing a grim face. "I agree. However, I have a suspicion that she is up to something. Her resentment for Loretta can be a very powerful weapon."As Fabian was speaking, his phone vibrated on the table. He quickly looked at the caller's ID, it was an unknown number. He picked up the receiver, albeit reluctantly, as his curiosity got the better of him."Is anyone there?" he asked, sounding a bit unsure and frightened.“Fabian, it’s me, Tasha,” she replied, her breath hot but rushed. “We have to speak. I have something that can turn the tide.”Fabian felt the heat in his blood intensifying. “What information are you talking about?”There was a pause and then Tasha said, “I heard De Silva’s men talking about something. Th
Fabian let out a heavy breath and ran his hand through his hair, “For now, I have to concentrate on Loretta and what De Silva wants. There cannot be any distractions.”“Yes, I can see that”, Mikel replied, “But remember the detail is equally important. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”Fabian massaged his temples, feeling the effect of Mikel’s statement, and tried to forget it. Deep down, he understood Mikel and was also sick about crossing paths with Tasha given the nature of her last demands. Yet, he could not allow himself the luxury to be sentimental due to the foreseeable consequences.“I know Mikel. I just… I cannot shake off the necessity of her,” Fabian confessed. “But she may not want to be left out of anything that may happen which I cannot disregard.”Mikel nodded in understanding. “I see that. But if you’re also attending the grand opening, maybe it’d be a good idea to play nice, but nothing too extreme with Tasha. Find out the rest of her secrets without l
“Not…,” he said with frustration. “This is not what I want Tasha.”She moved back a bit, this time adopting an expression of mock disappointment. “But you still have to face the reality. I need more now.”Fabian ground his teeth in a form of irritation, feeling like he was dancing inside a box and outside one too. “You have made that evident.”“Just keep in mind,” she said, her tone lowering to a whisper, “that I can be of assistance. I can help you get to Loretta, but you will have to support me.”His resolve fortifying, he looked straight into her eyes. “This is not a game Tasha, Loretta’s life is in danger.”“I know,” she replied, urgency lacing her voice. “And I want to help you in finding her. But you need to sort us out first. If we are to find a way out of this, then stop pretending.”Fabian felt his palms become sweaty, but he compelled himself to concentrate on the music, blocking her pleas out. When the song went on, he was trying hard to remain composed, telling himself tha
“Still I have been monitoring the activity of every associate of De Silva. Just in case," Emma began, her tone steady, devoid of any frivolity. "And I don’t like it. Perhaps it is nothing. But it is beginning to happen at a rate which cannot be normal." Fabian took in this new information and felt a new urgency. "Do you have any idea in which direction the money is being routed?” “Not at this point, but I am on it,” Emma said. “I wanted to advise you so that if the situation deteriorated, which it very well could. There will not be much time at our disposal before De Silva strikes again.” Fabian nodded his head, understanding Emma’s premonition. “Good job. Notify me as soon as you know something else.” Emma dimly smiled, yet concern still lingered in her gaze. “I will. And Fabian… take care of Tasha. She is not the only one who is playing.” “I am aware,” Fabian said quietly, casting a sideways glance at Tasha who was now busy accessing her phone with a serious face – overly serious fo
“Absolutely not…,” he said with frustration. “This is not what I want Tasha.” She moved back a bit, this time adopting an expression of mock disappointment. “But you still have to face the reality. I need more now.” Fabian ground his teeth in a form of irritation, feeling like he was dancing inside a box and outside one too. “You have made that evident.” “Just keep in mind,” she said, her tone lowering to a whisper, “that I can be of assistance. I can help you get to Loretta, but you will have to support me.” His resolve fortifying, he looked straight into her eyes. “This is not a game Tasha, Loretta’s life is in danger.” “I know,” she replied, urgency lacing her voice. “And I want to help you in finding her. But you need to sort us out first. If we are to find a way out of this, then stop pretending.” Fabian felt his palms become sweaty, but he compelled himself to concentrate on the music, blocking her pleas out. When the song went on, he was trying hard to remain composed, telling h
Chapter 163Weeks filled with anxiety and unsolved conundrums, deception, and intrigues had passed. The search for Loretta however had shifted into overdrive for Fabian in a dangerously obsessive manner. Each piece of information brought him closer to a revelation but still, every single one of them failed to prepare him for what would come.On a chilly autumn day, Fabian received a telephone call from an unknown caller. His heart raced as he picked up the call, fully aware that this could be the call he had been anxiously waiting for.“Fabian”, the voice on the other end sounded slightly familiar. It was the detective that he had hired to help him after Edward went missing. “We have a situation. We have located Loretta.”Fabian felt his heart race when a small house at the edge of the city came through after the address had been given. Without thinking, he took his keys and dashed to the door. The trip was a haze, all of it filled with thoughts of Loretta. What did they do to her? Wh
As he rode, memories came flooding his mind and brought him back to that time when all he was was Maria's assistant lingering in the shadows of her ambitions. He could remember how he would sit for hours on end and watch her enchant and flirt with Fabian; hear her laughter echo down the halls of their office.He had seen the moment of fate when Maria was wrapped in Fabian's arms, her eyes sparkling with delight, accepting him as her boyfriend. In that instant, Lucas felt jealousy mixed with frustration; how could she not see what Fabian was? He knew there was something wrong with the man she idolized depth of darkness behind the polished surface.Maria, you need to be careful," Lucas had warned her, his voice edged with concern as he faced her the next day. "I've seen the way he operates. He's not who he seems."But she had brushed him off, dismissing his worries with a wave of her hand. "You're just jealous because you're not in the spotlight, Lucas. Fabian is a powerful man. You can
As he walked down the streets of the city, he felt a surge of invincibility take over his body. He felt that no one could touch him after all, he had eliminated one of his major threats. Edward's absence would leave a huge hole, and Lucas intended to fill this vacuum with his ambition.He reached a secluded area, parked his car, and sat for a minute or so to collect his thoughts. He had to think now. Edward was out of the way; next came keeping Loretta in his grasp. She was the only way he could use both Fabian and Tasha to his advantage, and he wasn't going to let her get away from him.He whipped out his cell phone and sent a text to Maria. "Let's meet. We need to discuss the next move." In a second, he received a response: "Where?""The warehouse. I'll be there in 20."Lucas wheeled the car around and headed in the direction of the warehouse, his mind racing with possibilities. Loretta, he thought, considering how they might use her in their scheme. To be sure, she was a chip to be
At the accusation, Edward's face darkened as his mind raced to concoct this verbal assault by Lucas. "And what exactly do you think I did? I was trying to protect my family, just like you should be."Lucas tightened his fists in growing frustration. "Protecting your family? By disappearing? If you knew something about Loretta's whereabouts, you should have come forward. You have no idea what I've gone through trying to find her!Believe me, I know precisely what it's like to be helpless," Edward replied in a low-intense voice. "But you don't know the whole story. I couldn't come forward. Not yet."Lucas stepped closer, his eyes locked on Edward's. "Then tell me the story. What's going on? Where's Loretta?Edward cast a look backward toward the house as if to weigh in his mind just how much he wanted to involve Lucas with the fact. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and spoke. "I was taken captive, but I was able to escape. Those who abducted Loretta are still on the loose, keeping my ev
Maria's eyes flashed at him as her gaze narrowed. "I'm not obsessed. I just know how things work in this world. Tasha doesn't stand a chance against someone like me. I know his weaknesses. I know what he needs.""Is that why you're trying to bring her down? Because you think you can step in and show him what a real partner looks like?" Lucas asked, intrigued.Maria shrugged, and much of her confidence returned. "Exactly, I'm just helping him see the light. Tasha is just a pretty face, a distraction. I'll make sure he realizes that."Lucas watched her, impressed yet cautious. "You know this could backfire, right? If you push too hard, you might end up pushing him away for good."Not a chance," Maria shot back. "I know how to play my cards right. While Tasha's busy playing the perfect wife, I'll be working behind the scenes, turning his head. I will make Fabian remember who he is truly meant to be with."Lucas shook his head, feeling a mix of admiration and trepidation in his chest. "Ju
Maria crossed her arms, leaning in closer, a smug look on her face. "I'm just making an observation. It's just amazing to see how fast somebody can change their tune once they snag a rich husband. Isn't it, Lucas?"Lucas gave Tasha a worried look as if to say he didn't want to be part of this. Tasha drew in a deep breath, attempting to keep calm. "You don't know anything about me, Maria. This isn't about Fabian or the money. It's about being loyal to the people I care about. Something you wouldn't understand."Maria stepped back, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, please, spare me the moral high ground. You're not some saint just because you put a ring on it. Do you think marrying him makes you untouchable? I wouldn't be so sure.""Enough!" Tasha snapped, firm in her tone. "You need to stop with the petty jealousy and move on. Your constant need to undermine me is getting old.Jealousy? That's what you think this is?" Maria laughed again, her tone hard, unyielding. "I am just looking after the
She pulled her phone out and opened the contacts list before peering at the number of Lucas once again. She dialed his number and let it ring a few times before he finally picked up, his tone tired but alert. "Tasha? Is everything okay?"Not exactly," she replied, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I just spoke with De Silva, and he certainly made it clear that he's not letting go of our past. I need to know if you have any leads on Loretta. He's becoming a problem, and I can't afford to have him interfering.Lucas squirmed in his chair. "I've been doing some work trying to locate Loretta, but she's vanished into thin air. I'll keep searching; it's not concrete at this moment."Tasha felt a sense of doom. "We can't let him know we're working together. If he finds this out, he might screw everything up.I know, Lucas said his voice grave. I'm keeping a low profile, doing my best. For now, just focus on Fabian; he is your priority.I can't just sit around and wait. De Silva is unpredicta
Tasha set the glass down, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I don't know what you mean," she said, her voice steady, though her insides were in turmoil.He smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You've always been a good liar, Tasha. But remember… I can always tell."Her breath caught, but she hastily masked the fear with a small, nervous-sounding laugh. "There is nothing to tell, De Silva. I'm just… adjusting to everything. You know how stressful things have been."He raised an eyebrow. His fingers brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, a gesture that felt more possessive than affectionate. "Stress, huh?Tasha nodded, conscious of the weight of his scrutiny. She needed to be cool, needed to make him believe all was right with her world. But sitting as close as she was to him, feeling the heat emanating from his body and the intensity of his gaze, she wondered how much longer she could play the facade before he uncovered her betrayal.De Silva leaned back, taking the glass from
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a deep sigh. "We have to be smart about this, Tasha. If De Silva's onto us, we need to figure out our next step, fast."Tasha pressed her fingers to her temples, the weight of the situation closing in around her. "You think I don't know that? I can't afford to slip up again, especially with him watching my every move."."We need to keep calm and stay according to plan," Lucas finally said, his voice much more even now. "He doesn't have proof as yet, just suspicions. We'll keep everything low-key for some time; make it appear as if all is business as usual. We still have leverage De Silva doesn't know about our deal with Vinnie."Tasha tightened her jaw. "What if Vinnie talks? What if he gets scared and tells De Silva everything?"Lucas was silent for a moment before his voice dropped to a low octave. "If it comes down to it… we'll have to take Vinnie out before he gets the chance to open his mouth."Tasha's stomach churned at