Fabian's mind was a mesh of memories of Maria-it was a rollercoaster of the entangled past, the betrayals, and the bloodshed.He cleared his mind of the emotions, focusing on the present.Maria did not coincidentally show up.She had something to do with Loretta's kidnapping.And De Silva.The phone in Fabian's pocket broke the silence.Mikel."Sir, I found Maria's location," Mikel said, his voice low."Where?" Fabian asked him."Maria De Silva is having dinner at 3 at Echoes Restaurant," Mikel informed him through the phone.Fabian's eyes stuck to the information."Book me a reservation," he said, instructing.There was a brief pause from Mikel."Sir, are you sure? You want to face Maria?"Fabian's smile was cold."A devil has got to face his demons, Mikel. Fix the time and send me the details immediately."He hung up and turned toward the room.Only to find Sandra standing behind him.Her eyes blazed with anger."Maria is back, and you want to go see her?" Sandra spat. "Are you stup
Maria's smile spread. "You were always so careless, Fabian. Back then. You didn't even know you were followed."Fabian frowned."What are you talking about?" he asked.Tasha's heart dropped to her stomach.Had Maria seen her?Fabian sounded genuinely perplexed.But Maria did not flinch."You never suspected a thing," she said, now entertained.Fabian eyes glinted. "Who followed me?"Maria threw her head back and laughed, and the sound sent shivers running down Tasha's spine."Oh, it wasn't me. But someone very. Interested in your activities."Tasha's mind reeled. Who could have followed Fabian? And why?Fabian's face darkened. "Tell me, Maria."Maria's smile beamed. "Maybe later, Fabian. For now. Let's say that you have more enemies than you think."Tasha's hold on her glass tightened, Maria's words lingering in the air.Enemies?What had Fabian gotten himself into?What did she know?The tension between Fabian and Maria crackled through the air like an electric current.Tasha held he
Tasha flung her bag to the floor as anger welled up inside her.She threw herself onto her bed, frustration boiling over."Why?! Why does he get to hurt me like this?!" she shouted, punching her pillow.Downstairs, her parents exchanged worried glances.Her father's face hardened."It's time we paid Fabian a visit."His wife nodded in agreement."Somebody needs to make him understand the pain he's causing our daughter."Tasha's father stood up, determination etched on his face."I'll schedule a meeting with him tomorrow. This ends now."In her room, Tasha lay awake, seething.Fabian's face burned in her mind.She'd make him regret hurting her.Her parents' whispers wafted upstairs.".can't let him continue hurting her."".time to take matters into our own hands."Tasha's eyes narrowed.Would they help her? Or stand in her way? Only time will tell.The night wore on, and Tasha's resolve hardened.Change would arrive one way or another starting tomorrow.The next morning, Tasha ran down
Tasha's eyes flashed, shooting Emma a death glare."Just wait till I get married to Fabian," she spat."Your job will be the last thing you'll lose."With that, Tasha snatched her bag and stormed off.Her heels clicked angrily on the marble floor.She burst through the door, into the scorching sunlight.Tasha yanked open her car door, slamming it shut behind her.The silence of the car enveloped her.Tasha's façade crumbled.Tears welled in her eyes, and frustration and anger surfaced."SSstop, Fabian, making this hard for me!" she cried.Her fists pounded the steering wheel.Why did he need to push her away? Couldn't he see how much she loved him?Tasha's body shook, sobs racking her frame.She had thought their love would last.Now, there was a nagging feeling that it would not work out after all.She had cried like any other woman would, releasing her sadness mixed with desperation.Just then, Tasha's phone buzzed.Ignored.She didn't care; only Fabian's answer counted.And he said
He stepped in, wordless, his hands rose to frame her face. Tasha felt the electric spark of heat when his mouth crashed down onto hers, sending a kiss roaring through her soul. The taste of him was intoxicating, and she felt herself drowning in him.He drew back an inch, his eyes locked with hers. "Take me," he whispered, the words low, sultry.Tasha's boldness flared from the alcohol, from the moment. Reaching out, her hands explored his body, touching the warmth of his skin. He was responding in kind, his roving hands on her back tugging her close against him.His lips deepened, pressing their bodies together as they lost themselves in each other. Tasha's hands slipped lower, under his shirt, over the smooth skin of his back. He gasped, the sound sending a thrill through her as she felt herself harden against him.He pulled away, eyes dark with desire as he looked down at her. "I want you," he said, thick with need.A wave of possessiveness washed over her as her hands found their w
Tasha woke with sunbeams dancing across her face. She had a pounding headache from all the liquor she had consumed yesterday evening. She squinted around the unfamiliar room, trying to recall how she ended up there. Everything seemed vague except for the frenzied night of passion with some man."Fabian?!, " she called out, and nobody answered her."Where am I?" she stammered out in confusion. Immediately, the door opened and a maid walked in carrying chicken soup on a tray."The boss will see you soon," the maid said with decorum.Tasha's heart was racing. "Boss?" she muttered under her breath, puzzled. This was not the way things were supposed to go.Tasha turned to the maid, furrowing her brow. "Who's in charge?" she asked urgently. But the maid stared at her with a blank expression before turning and leaving the room silently.As the door closed behind her, a tall figure stepped into the room. Tasha's heart started to pound in her chest."I can see you're finally awake," he said, h
De Silva tugged the duvet from her clutches.Tasha's heart sank and her body quivered as it dawned on her how precarious a situation she was in. Yes, there was an unnatural glint in De Silva's eyes.His intention couldn't have been plainer. Yet, Tasha's legs refused to budge.But his eyes did not release the rebellion there. Silent resignation washed over her as Tasha climbed onto the bed.De Silva's lips twisted. "Good girl," he whispered.His eyes raked down her insulting caress. Tasha lay open, helpless.And yet, still, which way he would go remained in the balance. The ticking silence was heavy with portent. Tasha's fate still clung in the balance, out at the mercy of de Silva's every whim and fancy. De Silva's gaze stayed transfixed upon Tasha's quivering form. His smile grew endless, increasing with her every sense of fear. *** Pressing his gaze steadily on hers, he moved closer. Her heart was racing with anticipation while waiting for his further move. "Undress," he commanded
Fabian went to the window and looked out into the city's skyline, his mind racing with possibilities. Was De Silva's next move a threat or an opportunity?He turned to his desk and looked around the room. On his desk was a photo of Loretta. Suddenly, guilty and worried feelings jabbed him inside. Where was she? Was she safe? Fabian's determination hardened. What was whatever it took, he would find her.It buzzed again. Emma's voice was heard over the intercom: "Sir, your car is ready. The board meeting is in 30 minutes." Fabian nodded to himself. This was the time to face the unknown.He reached for his briefcase and headed out the door. The meeting would say more, but he was ready for anything that might come up.As he entered the boardroom, faces turned to him; a look of concern etched on their features. The chairman, Mr. Jenkins, stood. "Fabian, thank you for coming. We have a critical situation.""What is it?" Fabian asked.Mr. Jenkins hesitated. "De Silva's made a move. He's acqu