Taking a long sigh, she pressed the lock and opened the door to her apartment, stepping in. Now focused on a different problem within moments, how she will ensure Antonio attends the meeting.As Mikel left Emma's home, he remembered how they almost kissed and a smile came to his face. A heat rushed through him, and he lost the ability to control the thrill that rose within him. Without knowing what he was doing, he pressed the button that would open the window.“Yes!” he yelled to the sky on the silent street. One hand holding the steering wheel, and the other was pushed out of the car as the cool wind came in, ruffling his hair. He laughed, feeling lighter than he had felt for a long time.The evening had its fair share of embarrassing silences, quiet tension, and things left unspoken, yet the way this all unraveled at the end – the intimacy, that look in Emma’s eyes – all seemed so worthwhile. The kiss on the forehead had been an impromptu action, safe but affectionate. He had his d
As if he had been expecting her for a while, his father’s gaze was already on her when she entered the living room and found him seated in his regular chair. There was a flash of something serious in that gaze and she halted for a second.“Tasha,” he called out, his voice even and nonchalant, “what were you doing?”“Doing nothing interesting,” she said, attempting to shrug it off. Well, she had not done anything to be ashamed of, but rather, in recent days, she had been crushed by the burden that was…the reluctance of Fabian. Any thoughts regarding his impending marriage brought fear and excitement to her in equal measure.“Because of that, please remember what I was reading long ago, where have I entered into I want to know more,” Father rolled over opened the newspaper, and narrowed his eyes.Thinking of the name she mentioned, Tasha felt a pang of excitement in her chest. She composed herself and met her father's stare. “What about him?”Her father let out a heavy sigh, the tightne
He was well aware of Martinez’s expectations, a mere outline devoid of any uncertainties, which highlighted the purpose of the marriage between their two families. The merger was dependent on that marriage, the last curve of a big scheme that had existed well before he and Tasha had even been introduced to one another.Fabian rubbed the back of his head, memories of yesterday returning to the fore of his mind. He had told Tasha that he would try, that they could make it work. But now, with Martinez a hallway away awaiting his presence to finalize an agreement that would tether them both in ways they had never imagined detrimentally, he felt the ever-present enemy within, fighting to overpower him once again.Mikel had always excelled in social interactions, especially when it came to women in the workplace. Fabianski raised an eyebrow but otherwise ignored the comment. Flirting at the office was the least of his concerns given the meeting that was fast approaching, and the trouble he
Mr. Martinez bent toward them, focused. “We don’t want your lofty ideas of love, Fabian. We want dedication. You have to do it for the sake of these families, this dynasty. You have to do it. There are no feelings in this game.”Sandra did not speak but looked at Fabian as if willing him to do what she wanted him to do.Fabian felt the walls closing in again, the inflexibility of their expectations pressing strangleholds on him. He had believed a discussion with Martinez would help clear things up. But now, it felt like nothing had changed.Fabian balled his fists by his sides, feeling his heartbeat accelerate. He had always recognized this day would arrive, that the shackles of responsibilities thrust upon him since his formative years would become impossible to evade. But that surely did not make the pill easy to swallow.“You’ve both made your positions clear,” Fabian said, his voice low but firm. “But marriage should not be understood as a business transaction. Tasha is worth more
A few moments passed in silence for Fabian as he listened to the one sound present in the room – the ticking clock affixed to the wall. Fabian felt as if he was at a dead end; every alternative he had seemed to be leading to the same conclusion. Give up everything for a deal that he was unsure he even still wanted- was he expected to do that?“What are your views about this Emma?” Fabian finally opted to ask as he turned to look at her. “Is there a way out of this?”Emma seemed to think carefully before moving towards the desk. “Ali?” She asked. “Yes, it’s possible, but it is quite difficult. You can speak to Martinez, maybe, there is a possibility of negotiating the merger and not the marriage. But, knowing how much he wants that marriage, that’s so hard to believe.”“Understood, and what if I decline that option as well?” Fabian asked after a pause.Emma's demeanor became severe. "If you choose not to, Martinez may back off, and you would lose the deal. It would be even worse if the
Fabian’s hands became knots at the mention of his mother’s saying. She was aware of who Loretta was, but not of the extent of the whole mess or how far Fabian had gotten in it. Also, if Sandra got wind of Loretta being missing, he circled as it would come back to haunt him in that too.“I will assure that,” Sandra added at the end of the conversation, sounding as if the last nail was driven into the coffin.Fabian was quietly fighting between his concern for the wellbeing of Loretta and the depression brought about by his mother. The net was tightening and he did not know how much more wear he could put on the mask.His mother exited, and for a brief moment, Fabian sat still in his chair and pulled his hair. Activating his mind was very complicated indeed. Loretta continued to be missing and Martinez was also raising the stakes for him with this engagement thing. He was in a corner but not ready to concede yet.He quickly dialed his friend Tasha. After a few moments, the ringing cease
“Even if I am his godson, I am beginning to dread myself,” Fabian said. “That does not guarantee anything. People like Martinez don’t consider relationships how we do. To him, they are only means to an end. If I do not play the game that is required of me he would gladly wind up on me.”“Nonetheless, reflect on it,” Mikel pleaded, moving in. “Once you marry Tasha that merges the two families and the process. You would have a united front. If worst comes to worst, you simply yawn and leave after a year. You’ll still have the firm and you will not be left in the cold.”Fabian ran his hands through his hair and began to think about all the things that went through his mind. “You don’t know Martinez the way I do. He has a unique knack for making people just… disappear. This is not limited to only being away from communication; it is also in the context of being alive. If he feels he has been treated unfairly, he could very well bring down everything I have managed to achieve. The Salazar
As Martinez’s back receded from her vision, Sandra’s focus remained on her son. “You have to be realistic about this, Fabian. It’s for the best. For the family. For business.”Fabian continued to stare at her while deeper layers of frustration began to surface. “You are both in a dream world. This is not about what’s best for me; this is about power. You two are negotiating my life.”Sandra took a step forward. She spoke in a softer tone. “And if you choose not to comply, you will be left with nothing. You think I don’t know the repercussions of you not going through this marriage? I do. Martinez will turn his back on you and use his reach on you.”Fabian shuddered involuntarily. “So this is how it is?” he asked, his voice even-tempered even with the inner storm. “What am I to do, marry Tasha, or bear the consequences?”Sandra inclined her head in agreement, her face betraying no warmth. “You know the stakes. It’s a matter of the Salazar legacy. You cannot afford to be weak and allow
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