Emma felt a wave of humiliation and anger wash over her as Kylian distanced himself. The eyes of the entire crowd, which she had gathered, bore witness to her humiliation. She clenched her fist tightly, restraining herself from lashing out in frustration.Kylian seethed with annoyance. What was Chloe doing at his wedding? Had she come to remind him of his past mistakes?Chloe observed as Kylian walked away from the makeshift altar. For a moment, she thought he was headed toward her table, and doubt crept into her mind about the wisdom of attending the wedding. Max would be furious if he found out she had graced the occasion.But when Kylian strode past her, she breathed a sigh of relief. A small smile crept onto her face. She had achieved what she wanted. Watching the abandoned and lonely bride seething on the altar was quite a spectacle."I feel sorry for her right now," Ollie remarked.Chloe stood up. "We should go, Ollie. The cameras are starting to focus on me, and I don't want to
The door swung open with a forceful slam against the wall, announcing the passionate entry of Chloe and her partner. They burst into the room, propelled by a magnetic pull they couldn't resist. Without wasting a moment, they crashed into each other's arms, their bodies entwined in a desperate embrace that spoke volumes of their fiery desire.Their lips collided in a hungry, feverish kiss, a blend of longing and pent-up yearning. Chloe's moans escaped her throat, muffled by the intensity of their connection. As their lips danced and tongues intertwined, their hands roamed freely, exploring each other's bodies with fervent urgency.Overwhelmed by the electrifying surge of desire, Chloe and Max stumbled backward, their movements fluid and instinctual. The plush couch welcomed their entangled forms, offering a sanctuary for their fiery passion. They sank onto its cushions, limbs tangled together, their bodies eager to merge and lose themselves in the depths of pleasure.Chloe clung onto M
Max dialed the number of the head security officer at the specific site.Chloe felt worried. Whatever Shelley had told Max couldn't be good news. His hands trembled as he dialed the number on his phone.She held his shaky hand, offering silent comfort."William, what's happening at your site?""Sir... sir..." William stuttered. "There was an explosion. Several men are injured. It happened during the change-over time."No.Max's heart skipped a beat. "And the structure?""Everything collapsed, sir."Max's phone slipped from his hand, and Chloe steadied him, preventing him from falling to the ground.He picked up the fallen phone. "I need to keep this news contained. No one should find out until I'm there.""Sir... the ambulance service is here to rescue buried bodies, and the police are also present.""Damn!"Chloe had never heard Max swear before, and she grew increasingly concerned by the conversation and the expression on his face.Max stood up and faced Chloe. "I have to go. I'll b
The duo walked closely behind the police officer as he led them toward the ruins. Chloe firmly grasped Max's hand, gracefully maneuvering over the shattered debris strewn across the ground.James came to a halt and exerted his strength to push a sizable rock aside. Struggling with the effort, he spoke, "We're not entirely certain yet, but it appears there was an actual explosion here."Max couldn't shake the realization that if the explosion had been intentional, it must have been orchestrated by a formidable adversary. At that moment, as he gazed at the remnants of the explosive devices, his mind fixated on Kylian Kincaid.There could be no other person to hold responsible for such a vindictive act but Kylian. And Max was determined not to let him escape the consequences of his actions."We're currently in the process of interviewing the conscious workers, and we'll conduct a thorough investigation," James stated as if he could discern Max's thoughts.Chloe exhaled sharply, embracing
Chloe decided to make a stop at a massage parlor while she waited for Max's call. Anxiety was never her strongest suit, and she wanted to find a way to relax. After the massage, she headed to KFC to grab two burgers.When Chloe arrived home, Max still hadn't returned, and there was no call from him either. However, she received a call from Kayla, who had reached out to the office while tackling a mountain of dirty laundry. The previous week had been too hectic for her to address her laundry situation, but now seemed like the perfect time to take care of it and clear her mind. She also contemplated changing the painting in her room."Kayla, any news?" Chloe asked, pressing the button on the vibrating machine and leaning against it."There's an invitation from the governor's wife," Kayla informed her.Chloe raised an eyebrow, amused, and peeled herself away from the vibrating machine. "What invitation?""The annual gala she hosts," Kayla replied.Chloe couldn't help but smile. Receiving
Chloe couldn't shake off the persistent thoughts about Max's peculiar behavior when he received that phone call. His sudden departure and evasiveness had triggered her deepest insecurities, reminding her of the painful betrayal she had endured in her past relationship. Despite her overwhelming love for Max, she knew she had to be cautious this time.Max sensed Chloe's unease, his eyes picking up on the seriousness etched across her face. Concerned, he reached out to her, his voice filled with genuine worry. "Are you alright? You've been awfully quiet."Chloe mechanically took a bite of her cheese bread, but her mind was far from focused on the flavors. Her thoughts consumed her, preventing her from finding solace in the present moment. "I'm fine. But who was on the phone, Max?"Max hesitated, realizing that Chloe didn't fully believe the explanation he had given. He understood her skepticism and the importance of her trust. "Oh, that was just the site engineer for the North project."
"Can you have Mr. West call me as soon as he's available?" Chloe requested, her voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and concern.As she awaited the truth, her heart sank at his response. The weight of his statement seemed to pull her down, and she fought to maintain composure."Mr. West is currently in a meeting," she replied, the sound of her shuffling feet in the living room resonating through the phone. Max's footsteps indicated his return."Please ensure he calls me within the next hour," Chloe insisted firmly.With a frustrated gesture, she placed the phone back on the table and resumed her eating position. Max reentered the room, and Chloe tried her best to mask her nervousness. She hadn't expected him to return so quickly, and doubts crept into her mind, questioning her decision to answer the call."You're back," she greeted, attempting to hide her inner turmoil. She hadn't anticipated this turn of events, and she was beginning to question the consequences of her impuls
Emma trembled, her body quivering with anxiety."What?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with fear and confusion."He has lost consciousness," came the distressing news.Emma struggled to calm herself down. Kylian had lost consciousness. Wasn't she just in the room with him a few minutes ago?"You're still alive," she muttered, a mix of relief and frustration coursing through her.In a rush, Emma disconnected the call and thrust the phone into Calvin's hands. "Do something, Calvin! Take him to the hospital. Why did you come to me? Am I a doctor?"She let out a heavy sigh, contemplating how she would handle the news of Kylian's illness. How could she salvage the situation?Calvin hurriedly approached her, and Emma held her breath, fearing yet another distressing revelation.Had Kylian passed away? Was she destined to a life of loneliness?"Mrs. Kincaid," Calvin addressed her, extending her phone. It was then that she realized. She shook her head, unwilling to speak to Linda Kincaid. Lin
Chloe pushed the doorbell of the door where she once lived. It felt like ages she’d been at Emma’s doorstep. The number of calls and the text messages she had gotten at the wedding made it feel like it had been really something urgent.She’d had her doubts about making that visit. The last time she remembered, Emma had wanted her downfall so badly that she had gone to the extent of allying with dangerous criminals, even putting herself in danger in the process.After a while of waiting, she pushed the doorbell yet again. She heard some footsteps trotting steadily in her direction. She held her breath in anticipation as she couldn’t tell why she had been called out there.“Chloe,” Emma said, “You’re here.” She hadn’t expected to see her after all.“Yeah, I’m here.” Chloe’s eyes ran a quick subtle scan through her. Her wandering eyes were caught by the little bump in her belly. She was shocked as she hadn’t been told that part of the story. Max…come on. He had sadly left out that import
“I look stupid!” Ollie exclaimed in a mild tone of disappointment as she looked in the mirror one more time. “I look like a total goof.”“No, Ollie, you don’t,” Chloe protested as it had taken her and the costumier a considerable amount of time and energy to get her in that. “You look elegant.”Chloe looked over at the other girls on the bridal train as they silently complained about Ollie being way too vocal about her own complaints. And her dress too.“Elegant? Are you kidding me right now?” Ollie seemed like she’d never be satisfied, even though she was just a few minutes from walking down the aisle.“I’m not. Besides they’ve put in their best to give you the best, so it’s best that you just…” Chloe was out of words as she walked up to Ollie from behind, her tone becoming more and more hushed as he advanced. “Give them your best reaction. The dress is just perfect, Ollie.”The glistening white wedding gown had a very elegant flay. Maybe just too elegant to the point it puffed proud
Emma was getting uncomfortable in her seat. How had Kylian gotten his hands on all that? It was probably Francis, but how had he gotten to Francis?Her attorney was totally unprepared for that sudden twist in the case. It had been a walkover up until then. That woman’s testimony had them all dumbfounded— she, her mother, and her attorney. They were all thrown in disarray.“Emma, when did this happen?” Her mother, Amelia questioned from behind in a whisper. She had no answer that could appease her mother’s curiosity without implicating her as well. Her lips seemed to shut off their own accord.She knew she was about to face cruel music which she hadn’t rehearsed its dance steps. The look on Kylian’s face when he said, “It’s over,” almost made her lose it in front of the judge. She would be giving herself away before the case was over if she hadn’t gotten her act together.“You could have told me about this,” her attorney whispered faintly in a way that meant that she was really in big
"Don’t worry,” Kylian’s attorney told him not to do the one thing that his mind had been doing subconsciously since he’d set foot in the courtroom. “You’ll be fine.”“Sure I will,” he said, trying not to discourage his attorney before the grueling duel began. Either way, he wouldn’t be that much of a mess. Worst case scenario, he’d have to see Emma at their board meetings.“Kylian,” his mother called out from behind in a whisper. “Keep your composure out there, our fifty percent depends on it.”“Thank you, Mom, you’re doing such a great job at easing me of the pressure of the moment. Very commendable.” He said, harshly sarcastic.“Thank you, Kylian. Just don’t fuck this up for us.”He was a bit taken aback to hear his mom say the ‘f-word’ in public. “It’s really sad you called me just to tell me this.”“Now’s not the time to get in your feelings, young man. Go out there and get our family’s legacy. That’s all the pep talk you need.”As much as he hated it, she was right. He inhaled de
Max had his shades on as he walked through the construction site on the hot sunny afternoon.“The long-awaited upward progress has finally begun.” Mr. Singh mused as he was almost following all of Max’s footsteps throughout the site.“Isn’t it lovely?” Max replied with a smile. “Feels like we started just yesterday.” He was glad that it had been all running smoothly despite him being occupied with all the many personal challenges that he somehow managed to see himself come out on top.“It sure does.” Mr. Singh seemed like he had a default positive response for everything he had to say. It had Max wondering if he’d ever get to see Mr. Singh mad, even just once. He itched to see that moment, except that it didn’t have to be on the job that he was doing for him.Max believed that it was all because of the remarkable presentation that he had put forth. He strongly believed that it was still speaking for him up until then. He hadn’t questioned his moves and followed him with blind trust. H
Ollie picked up her phone and dialed frantically, “Did you hear about Alejandro on the news?” The report on the news seemed untrue, and she assumed that Chloe hadn’t seen it yet. “Alejandro has been arrested on numerous charges?”“Yeah, I heard,” Chloe said, unalarmed like they hadn’t lost one of their biggest potential partners after they had set quite a huge part of their budget plans around him and his cash, especially. “He’s been arrested.”“You know what that means?” Ollie still believed that she wasn’t getting the full scope of the impact of that news in particular. “What’s going to become of our plans and all?”It took Chloe quite some time to get a sigh out from her end of the line. “Well, we are going to figure something out, Ollie.”What? She meant to ask but swallowed it in as she sought a much better response but she couldn’t find any other, that forced her to say it out anyway, but more softly and politely that didn’t make it seem like Chloe had said something unreasonabl
“It’s on the news, Chloe,” Max stared at the TV screen in wild wonder, calling out to Chloe who came running, “They finally got him.”“Businessman known as Alejandro Navarro has been finally apprehended by the forces on charges of illegal drug trades, manslaughter, sex trafficking…” the TV presenter went on and on with his many dirty deeds.“Damn, he’s got quite a lot going for him at the moment.” Max remarked as he reclined on the couch, “Good thing they got him. There could’ve been trouble if they didn’t.”“Yeah,” Chloe said looking on in anticipation, “Nothing on Diego yet?”“Wait for it.”“Alongside the underground drug lord, the notorious gangster, Diego Gutierrez was also found in the building. After much resistance and shots fired, the swat team was able to break in and apprehend the two men and a few other survivors from the heated exchange. Two hostages were found in the basement of the building, a male and a female, suspected to be victims of his trafficking crimes…” The pre
It was the D-Day of the raid. Gray couldn’t deny how nervous he was, but he had to what had to be done. His heartbeat surged forcefully with each stop and turn of the vehicle.Most of all, he hoped the resistance they had predicted would what they’d be faced with. He’d heard stories of how vicious the Mexicans could be, and he didn’t want the mission to be a continuation of that tale.“Alright,” he finally got the courage to speak up amid the men in the large trunk of the van, he was about to attempt to make them not feel what he was feeling. He took out the large tablet that had the blueprint of the building.“The operation is simple.” He didn’t believe it was, but he had to say it anyway. “First, we surround all possible exits of the villa, which include the main gate, the back gate, and one other hidden gate on the Eastern side of the fence…”“Second, we ask Alejandro and his men to come out peaceably. If they don’t, which they most probably wouldn’t, we first hit them hard with so
Kylian tapped on the door, hoping that he’d somehow made it to the right door, following Maya’s directions to her place.The block of flats had way more homes than it appeared to have while viewing it from the outside. One could easily get lost in there. It had him wondering how the inhabitants kept from mistaking another door for theirs.He tapped yet again. He heard some faint footsteps approaching the door and expected to see Maya’s dazzling face. He could hear hands working desperately at the lock and that made him brim with anticipation.Finally, he thought, till the door opened for him to see a tall macho man with overgrown beards and tattoos scattered all over his body. The shock from seeing the stranger made him almost unable to speak. He had heavy rock music pounding in his apartment.“Can I help you mate?” his deep voice could make anybody’s knees buckle with frightful intimidation.“Sorry…I came to the wrong door,” Kylian broke out in an uncoordinated stutter, “I was lookin