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
Fabian’s breath quickened. This could be just the breakthrough he was looking for. But the warning rang in his ears, alone. No way in hell did he want to fall victim to such traps. And especially not when Martinez was involved.He considered his choices, the weight of the dilemma sinking deep within him. But time was not on his side. He could not afford to let fear guide his mind. Breathing deeply, he was able to type out, “I’ll be there.”The moment the elevator doors closed, he steeled himself for the challenge ahead. This night might be a turning point.Fabian exited the café, the atmosphere tense, and saw Delia half leaning on the car, a playful grin etched on her face.“Why did you message me in the first place?” he barked, urgency injected in his voice.Delia simply asked, “You ought to marry Tasha.” This is so pardoning. Even Loretta should be thanked for that.“Loretta’s gone!” Fabian shot back, a tempest brewing inside him. “How can you even say that?”Delia just looked at hi
Fabian's brief encounter with Delia had added to the strain and pressure he had felt beforehand. The strange cryptic alerts, the threat of Martinez, thoughts of Loretta everything was racing through his mind. But the one controllable aspect of all this madness was his resolution regarding the wedding. He had to move.He quickly had his phone out and quickly put it back, very briefly, clenched with a fist before hitting Tasha’s number. The phone rang only once before she answered.“Fabian?” When Tasha spoke, the voice was smooth with a tinge of inquisitiveness; it was urgent."Meeting at the restaurant we talked about last time," he said in a calm voice. "It's imperative I speak with you."There was a moment of silence as Tasha processed this, then she said, "Alright. I’ll be there shortly."As Tasha took her time in coming, Fabien got to the restaurant first and occupied himself in a booth at the far corner for privacy. The soft voices around him, and the dim light that shrouded him i
Tasha inclined her head and rolled her eyes. She had always found Julian’s mood swings to be quite annoying and this time was no different. He was an asset to have around on certain occasions, but she hated how these moments reminded her of his true nature. "What makes you think I owe you any explanations?" she uttered with a coldness that could freeze water. “That is not your business.""None of my business?" Julian's voice was low but seething, "You know damn well I am affected by this. We had a plan, Tasha. Don’t pretend this was your decision alone."Tasha let out a breath as she began to lose her cool. "There are changes in the plans, Julian. This is the best option for me right now. The wedding will take place, that’s all."“You’re making a mistake,” Julian warned, though he lowered his tone dangerously. “You think Martinez and Fabian’s family will just let you go? You are walking into the flames, and when they rise, don’t expect me to rescue you."Tasha narrowed her gaze. “I wi