"Fabian is up," the doctor announced, walking towards the Antonio family as they were all asleep, apart from Mikel, who was guarding the entrance of the door.Mikel would have summoned additional guards to secure the perimeter, but the fewer people who knew Fabian was in the hospital, the better.Sandra rubbed her eyes as she sat up on the chair she had slept on. "What time is it, and where is my son?""It's seven in the morning, and Mr. Fabian is still in the VIP ward," the doctor answered, but Sandra wasn't listening. She was checking her phone and realized they had not only fallen asleep but also overslept.She quickly sent a text to her assistant, 'Reschedule the meeting to the evening. I'm unavailable at the moment.'"Great, now let's go see him." Sandra gestured for everyone to stand, but just as they were about to move, the doctor stepped in, blocking their path.Sandra stared at the doctor as if he had lost his mind.What was he trying to do? Stop The Tigress from going to see
"Excuse me?" Fabian's eyes bulged out and his voice faltered."Oh, don't pretend. I may not have heard everything you said, but I am not stupid," Sandra retorted, steadying her gaze on her son."Please, Mrs. Antonio," Mikel began, trying to discourage Sandra from pushing the topic as he knew it wouldn't end well for anyone. "Fabian needs his rest—""Exactly, rest from what?" The older woman scoffed. "Your boss has refused to tell us why, how, and who stabbed him, knowing fully well that we are all worried sick.""I believe he has his reasons, Mrs. Antonio. Maybe you can have this conversation another time," Mikel pressed on."Get out of my sight, Mikel, before I lose my temper," the tigress scowled."Yes, ma." Mikel nodded and was about to leave the room when Fabian called him back."I have asked him to be here with me, Mother. He isn't going anywhere.""Then you have to choose; me or him?" She tilted her head slightly."Are you for real right now? I don't have the strength for this c
Loretta was still wallowing in her pain when the door to the basement was pushed open.Loretta shuddered as she feared her death was near. She began to regret not succeeding in her attempt to kill Fabian.The thought of how he had survived three stabs still messed with her head.She could remember Fabian catching up to her though he was injured; it was as if he didn't feel a single pain."Who's there?" She played strong, though she believed it was time for her death."It's me. I need you out of here this instant." Wilma ordered. "What?" Loretta was surprised. "Is he killing me himself, or is he getting someone to do it?"Wilma stared at Loretta as though she was going crazy. "Are you okay?""Am I okay? Does that question matter at this moment? I am about to be killed, and you're asking me if I'm okay? How can—""You're not dying, Loretta, at least not today, so come out of here before I change my mind."Loretta was surprised by what was happening. She couldn't believe she wasn't dyin
Loretta couldn't believe her ears. She stood frozen in place as she wondered how true Tasha's words were. Fabian breaking up with his girlfriend because of her wasn't a story anyone could buy. "I... I'm sure there's a misunderstanding... somewhere," Loretta stuttered. "That's your business. Meanwhile..." Tasha took a few steps forward, and Loretta swallowed. "Who attacked Fabian?"All color drained from Loretta's face, and her heart began to pound as Tasha asked that question. How could Loretta tell the blonde lady that she stabbed the mafia boss? Tasha wouldn't hesitate to kill her. "Mr. Fabian was attacked? How?" Loretta had to play dumb. Tasha chuckled a bit, "You might be able to fool Fabian, but I can see right through—"Tasha was interrupted by the sound of the door closing. "I'm done with you. We'll continue this conversation later," Tasha spat and left the room. Loretta sat on the bed and began to think about her actions. On the other hand, Tasha had gone down to narr
"Please, please, don't tell them, please," Loretta pleaded with Mikel, always coming down to tears as he caught her trying to climb up.Mikel stood for some minutes, weighing his loyalty before signaling her to go up.He didn’t do it because Loretta begged, but because, for some reason, his boss cared about her.Loretta didn’t hesitate for a second as she ran back to her room, turned off the lights, and jumped on her bed, covering herself with her blanket.Loretta didn’t want to die, and now she had eyes on her: Tasha, the tigress, and maybe Mikel.All she wanted to do was leave this place and escape with her father. Dying in there would break her father's heart, and she didn’t want that.But just as she heard some cars start and drive away, which she knew would be Fabian’s mom or Tasha’s, everywhere grew silent.She heaved a sigh of relief and adjusted herself on the bed, only to hear approaching footsteps toward her door."Please don't come here, please don't come here," she muttere
"What the—" Loretta sprang up from the bed and found Fabian sitting in front of her.She looked out the window and realized it was morning already.What was he doing in her room? How long had he been there? Did he plan to kill her in her sleep?"Good morning, Miss Cruz, is anything the matter?" Fabian greeted with a warm smile on his face.Loretta held her blanket tight, holding it so close to her like her life depended on it. She kept wondering how he was still smiling, knowing full well that she had stabbed him.But then again, why would he call her by her surname? He was up to something, but what?"W—What... are you do–doing here?" Loretta stuttered, her voice barely audible."I think you should be asking me how I spent my night, not why I'm here. Or did you expect me to die at the hospital?"'Hospital? He was at the hospital? Damn! This is bad, so, so bad,' Loretta cried in her head."I'm sorry." Loretta's voice broke."Why are you sorry?" Fabian ran his hands through his perfect
It's been more than a week, and Loretta had not stepped her feet out of the room.She was worried and was already feeling bored. The only events she engaged in were waking up, bathing, and then having breakfast, lunch, and dinner offered to her in her room.She couldn't help but wonder why Fabian had not come to check on her.Was he still angry about the stab? Tons of thoughts kept filling Loretta's head.She wasn't a little girl; she knew what it meant when a Mafia boss got a woman as his pet.Apart from the last time she met Fabian, that was his only attempt to kiss her, which he didn't succeed at.Wait a minute, why did she care about him and his touch? Was she missing him already?Missing the man who shot her father's leg and dropped her here? The man she tried to stab and escape from? Well, the situation was complicated.Loretta had considered leaving or escaping several times, but she remembered the Mafia boss's threat.First, she didn't know how he knew her plan as she never sa
"I'm sorry, what?" The brown-haired woman couldn't believe her ears...Go out with the most feared and respected mafia and billionaire? That was something way above her league.But why was he doing it? The reasons weren't clear to Loretta."I said that—""I'm sorry to interrupt, but what would you like to have?" The waiter with a strong Italian accent asked."Whatever she will have is fine by me," Fabian said with a smile on his face.Why the hell did he do that? Well, it seemed like Loretta wasn't in the mood for games, so she ordered, "I'll have a Bruschetta, just a small one, and a half portion of the Carbonara, okay? And a glass of Pinot Grigio, thanks."The waiter bowed and left."Didn't know you like things in halves?" Fabian asked, but his hands were drawing some circles on the back of Loretta's wrist, and it did something to her.She was uncomfortable, but she liked the discomfort. She wanted him to stop, and at the same time wanted him to continue.Snapping herself out of it,
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