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
Fabian turned to Emma and spoke in a low tone."Emma, the personal touch is what we have to do. Get to know their wives, their interests."Emma nodded, knowing full well. "Sir, you want me to…"Fabian smiled. "Make friends. Send them corporate gifts, courtesy of our sponsored brands."Emma's eyes widened in surprise. "What kind of gifts, sir?"Fabian recollected himself to a backward lean. "Give them exclusive discounts on all our affiliated brands. Make them feel well taken care of."Emma jotted down notes. "Specifically, sir?Fabian thought for a second. "For Mrs. Thompson, a free VIP package in our Bali resort, and 20 percent off all the luxury items from our fashion house."Emma nodded."For Mrs. Lee, a personalized shopping experience in our flagship store, with a 30 percent discount on all high-end jewels."Fabian went further to say, "And to their families, a special privilege to use our business class services exclusively, right from priority reservations to 'A' class restaura
The eyes of Mikel shone bright with great meaning, a secret they both kept.Fabian never used that illegal money to enrich himself; instead, he gave it out in secret, for charitable purposes.In rebellion against his family's legacy.A silent protest against the dirty deal which had been made with the Martinez family.Mikel knew too well just how dicey Fabian's actions were, keeping this from his mother Sandra.One mistake would be disastrous.The Martinez family was an added layer of class.Tasha Martinez had been promised to Fabian families' business merger forged upon it.Fabian was a pity, Mikel knew because he was doomed to live by others' whims.So much passion and power, hemmed in by duty and illusions.Mikel was not under the employment of Fabian, but he had been the latter's biggest and most trustworthy acolyte because of the bond between the two bonds of trust and secret sharing.He had sworn to save Fabian no matter what."Sir, Plan Eclipse will be successfully carried out,