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
Tasha strode elegantly across the dance room in a dress that sparkled beautifully in the pale light as she stared ahead. As usual, she sensed the people’s attention on her but tonight had more weight. There had been an announcement concerning their engagement for a reason – it should have been Christopher’s victorious moment, only she had seen something in the earlier wisps of Fabian’s eyes that told her otherwise. He was going with the motions, but she was wise enough not to think that he was altogether hers completely.Tasha felt the tension building up inside herself and so quietly excused herself from the stuffy ballroom and headed to the restroom for a breather. The gentle tap of her heels on the marble floor as she walked into the restroom was, in fact, so loud, her strides measured, and her face so blank and expressionless.When she walked in, she heard some muffled conversation coming from inside one of the toilet stalls. Stopping, Tasha strained to hear more of the voices.“H
Fabian held his tongue for some time but was hardly able to when Mr. Chen grinned broadly and walked towards them. “Ah, there you are, Mr. Antonio! I was just on my way to look for you. There is something I would like to discuss with you concerning our collaboration.”“Yes, of course.” Fabian covered his face with a courteous business expression once again.”Sarah, and Ms. Martinez I’m glad to see you too!” he added, his eyes shaped into slits as he stared at Tasha for a bit too long. “You make quite the dynamic duo. I genuinely believe there is considerable potential in our two companies working together. I can already picture the possible headlines, ‘Peg Empire and Antonio Enterprises A Union for the Future!’”Tasha was delighted with the compliment, basking in the glory. ‘Thanks so much, Mr. Chen! The prospects for our corporations are very thrilling,’ she said with exuberance.Fabian inclined his head albeit in a stoic way, but Tasha could tell there was something more to the way
“Don’t you wish to be powerful, Fabian?” Tasha posited, now with a hint of persuasion gracing her voice. “That is how we reposition ourselves. If you are frightened by Loretta, just picture how harmless she would be after the Peg Empire and our families are on our side.”Fabian flicked his defeat and shook his head. “It should not be power hungry. It should be what is right. We are talking of losing lives here Tasha.”She moved a little bit closer to him, softening her face. “I understand and I want to help you with the search for Loretta. But we cannot do this without the right people in place. Believe me, Fabian. I am on your side."After scanning her for a moment, he considered her words. There was such a look in her eyes, as if full of an inner fire, which fascinated and alarmed him at the same time. “Okay,” he finally said, but in a low voice. “Only, please be truthful with me. I'm no longer interested in any tricks or ulterior motives.”“Truthful, I vow,” she said, taken aback b
Tasha began climbing the stairs to her bedroom, and once inside the room and slamming the door shut, her thoughts became more chaotic. The suffocating force of the door closing sounded even louder than it typically did in the house. She released her handbag to the ground, obviously irritated as she threw her shoes away. Decorated tastefully and lit by subtle lighting, her room was almost always pleasing, but tonight it was warm and oppressive.She stood in front of the bed, unable to rid herself of the distasteful mixture of feelings assaulting her. The moment with Fabian kept replaying in her mind, it was his pause, that politeness he insisted on keeping between them. It hurt more than she wished for it to.Tasha let her body sink into the bed, gazing blankly at the ceiling above for every possible reason, except for due to peace. It infuriated her how much she cared how much she had wished things were different, wished for anything to go beyond what it was that they had. But it was
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