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
Fabian surveyed Emma and Mikel and for the first time, he felt a certain integrity between them. Despite the whirlwind of thoughts that occupied his mind, he felt a slight solace in the fact that Emma and Mikel were equally wary of Tasha.Mikel, the most sober and realistic of the group, was the first to speak after the silence. “We’ll need to move carefully. If Tasha is keeping something about Loretta or De Silva, she shall be careless at some point. We just have to make sure that we are there when it happens.”Emma’s attention was fixed on the bar, her eyes squinted in a pensive gaze. “How about we take advantage of the coming events? As Galsan likes the publicity of such functions, we will create a situation or discussion, which we will tempt her into supporting.”Fabian nodded but his thoughts were already elsewhere. He used Tasha a little, which he was not comfortable with. She had proven to be most elusive, and it was clear there was a game that one played with her and this was
After thinking for a moment, Fabian replied. “I’ll keep her busy tomorrow, let her think I’m still contemplating her proposal. We’ll draw her out just enough to keep her from interfering with us. But should she come too close, we sever her ties.”Mikel nodded firmly, appreciatively. “Smart. Just remember to control how she turned this one on you. Tasha is a risk we cannot take.”With their plan enacted, the three were aware they had very little time to prepare. They would have to make the most of the night to come because the next day, they would breach the auction, deal with De Silva, and hopefully get to the bottom of Loretta. But even so, when Fabian glanced once more at Tasha, there was still the nagging sensation in the pit of his stomach that he could not entirely dismiss. There were too many variables and too many degrees of uncertainty.Sometime later, following the advancement of the hours and the hectic commotion caused by the party winding down, Fabian found himself basking
Fabian squared his shoulders and looked around the room. The Peg Empire representatives were still present, socializing with other guests. He had to act sooner than later, as the day was still in his favor.“Well, Fabian,” he said. “I will, I shall, and, most importantly, I promise, go to them and make this happen.”Emma smiled, although a hint of worry never truly left her gaze. “That’s good. However, remember, they are watching everything. You have to keep calm, project confidence, and not show them the storm that is raging inside.”“I will manage,” Fabian told her internal chaos notwithstanding, "I can do it. “I’ve been through worse than this.”Emma nodded to him one last time, her tone becoming more gentle. “I know you’re up to it. But you mustn't take them lightly. This could be our ticket out of De Silva’s clutches, and we want all the friends we can muster.”With that, Fabian straightened up his jacket and walked purposefully towards the representatives of the Peg Empire. He w
Mikael was also confused. “So Tasha put all the pawns into the game. This engagement is meant to create some impression of her. And now it creates the impression of you too.”Fabian threw his head back in despair and raked his fingers through his hair. “Right. I know I can’t get out of this engagement without any adverse effect, not just on a personal level, but on a professional one as well. The Peg Empire regards it as a business marriage. If I decide to end it, it might ruin the rapport I have been establishing with them.”Emma touched his arm, her tone firm. “Fabian, if you don’t want to marry her, you don’t have to. But you must be careful. If this engagement is being used against you, you must figure out a way to escape without jeopardizing all that you have achieved.”Fabian agreed, the cogs in his brain working again. “I must find a way to cut Tasha off without dragging everything down with it. But till then, I will just have to play the game as there’s no other choice.”Mikae