"Where is that girl right now?" Fabian asked as he held his stomach in pain but he did not show that side of him to Mikel as he tried his hardest to portray a strong boss who was not ready to let little things like a stab wound faze him."She has been locked up in the basement according to your instructions boss. We await further instructions on what to do with her today." Mikel responded with his hands behind his back in a respectful tone to his boss.Fabian grunted silently as he thought about what his little pet slave had done. He became inwardly angry at her for ever having the guts and the audacity to even think of harming him, not to talk about actually carrying out that thought in action.I should have just killed her on the spot when I caught up with her as she tried to escape. How dare she try to lay a finger on me? What gave her the mind exactly to do this and try to kill me?Fabian thought to himself as he tried to decide what to do with her but his thoughts only came back
"What's that noise coming outside the door, Mikel? Is that who I think it is?" Fabian asked Mikel who was equally surprised but not for the same reason that Fabian was surprised."I think the tigress is here sir, I think we are hearing it just about right," Mikel confirmed Fabian's shock with the shocking news of who was at the door.Fabian widened his eyes and wondered how that could be possible. The tigress? Here? What is she doing here? And at this time of the day? And worst of all when I'm in this condition?Fabian thought to himself in shock as he tried to figure out what to do and how to maneuver this impending drama that was definitely about to occur."The tigress? Why is she here? And at this time? What could have brought her here?" Fabian asked Mikel in pure confusion to Mikel's surprise as he wondered if his boss had forgotten what he ordered the previous day.Mikel realized that his boss must have forgotten completely about what he instructed him to do the previous day due
Would this be a good idea? Should I take the risk? I had to act fast so that my mother would not put her eyes on Loretta. She is going to do something bad to her if she discovers she tried to kill me.Fabian thought quickly as he put the equation together. Even though he knew the pet girl had done something worth ending her life over, he still wanted to keep her as his pet for some reason.He wanted to be dominant over her and show her that she belonged to him and he would not be able to do that if she was dead. He hated her at the moment so much that he wanted to have her killed too but he also at the same time wanted to show her his power."I am going to go forward with the meeting." Fabian suddenly said out of the blue which startled Mikel and he could not believe what he had just heard which had left him gobsmacked."What? You are going forward with the meeting? In this state boss? What if they find out that…" Mikel started saying in a way to convince Fabian against doing that, kn
The tigress's presence and aura sent shivers down anyone's spine who beheld her at that moment. She was downstairs in Fabian's living room, waiting to see her son come out, but instead, it was his second-in-command who showed up, which she found insulting.At first, Mikel bowed his head slightly without saying anything, searching for the best way to tell the tigress, his boss's mother that she had to wait for her son who would be down in a bit."Are you deaf boy? I just asked you where my son is. Where is Fabian right now?" She thundered at Mikel as she stared at him in disgust and anger at how he left her hanging without a response to her question.Mikel was kind of startled as he did not want any problem with the tigress, but at the same time, he had a pledge of loyalty towards his boss, the Mafia and he had to do everything he could to make sure things were under control."Madam, the boss is in his room right now. He asked me to inform everyone to gather at the dining table for an
"You know Tasha is supported by your mother, how then can you be surprised that she's here?" Rodrigo, who is Robert and Fabian's uncle asked rhetorically as they both watched the women make their way to the dining."But Uncle Rodrigo, don't you find it somewhat weird that…" Robert tried to probe further but he was cut short by Rodrigo, who stopped him before he could go any further."Look here, let's just proceed to the dining table and find out what this is all about from there, don't let us make speculations so early, okay boy?" Rodrigo asked Robert as he got up from the chair and urged Robert to get up too and move along."Okay uncle, let's go then," Robert said and heaved a sigh as he got up and followed Rodrigo to the table where both Tasha and the tigress were already seated in silence.It was so silent and weird that if a pin had been dropped at that moment, it would definitely be heard loud and clear.True to her words, Sandra did not touch any meal as they were already arrang
By this time, the whole family was now watching and Fabian's mother had also started to look in that direction. She was still confused about what was going on, so she just watched on for the moment."Step away from me Tasha, go back to the dining table and have your seat," Fabian said very coldly in a way that Tasha saw was intimidating she now feared for what was to happen next but she still kept her composure as she was not willing to give in to fear."What? Am I not your girlfriend? Can't I even hold my boyfriend anymore?" Tasha asked in frustration to Fabian, who was not even as much as looking at her face.When she did not get a reply from Fabian, she resorted to calling Fabian's mother into the situation as the only person who actively supported her and let her get away with things."Mother, can you see this? I don't even understand what is happening right now." Tasha turned and called out to Sandra, Fabian's mother, who was still watching without saying anything.Fabian had got
'You all must be kidding me right now.' Tasha thought to herself with a bewildered face as she watched the family carrying on without her and exchanging greetings with each other, forgetting that she was still standing where Fabian left her to go and have his seat.Mrs Sandra looked back at her and urged her to come and take her seat and stop standing in one place."Come and have your seat Tasha darling, you can't keep standing there, the meeting is about to start I guess." She said as she called out to Tasha who was still surprised at how she was treated by her so-called boyfriend, Fabian.As Fabian's mother had called her, she had no choice but to adhere and take her seat first before getting to do anything else. They all have to listen to what he has to say first before she says whatever is on her mind."Okay, mother." She said to Mrs. Sandra reluctantly as she folded her arms, pouted her lips, and moved towards her space on the table which was beside the tigress.'Something is wro
"A pet? Is that true brother? That is amusing though." Robert, Fabian's brother said with a scoff as he was both surprised and elated by the news.Uncle Rodrigo was also initially surprised but he kept his facial expression to himself as it was none of his concern, he could not even understand what he was doing there in the first place."Stop right there Robert, let the adults talk, you can see we are talking about something serious can't you?" Mrs Sandra asked as she shot Robert a look which made him recoil and backed out from talking and he decided to watch as the drama continued.Fabian looked at Tasha with a glare as he shot daggers at her, knowing she was the one who would have told his mother about the pet issue.'What is Tasha up to exactly? What is she trying to do? First, she attacked Loretta and lied against her by making me punish her and now she has gone ahead to tell my mother about her. What is she thinking?'Fabian thought to himself in anger as he fumed and still shoot
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