Chapter Thirty-Three"I'll work with you only if you'll let me handle MAGIC."Pierre's jaw dropped and he blinked in shock, as Lana said those words,"you'll work with me? Here in Oakcrest City?!" He had to ask again so he'd be sure."Yes, Pierre." Lana replied, her face set with a very determined expression.Pierre had a shocked smile on his face, "This was getting better and better." He thought, gleefully.However, a slight frown crossed his face as he seemed to remember the next words she had said, "And MAGIC is the catch? Why, if I may ask?"Lana remained silent for what seemed to be the longest of minutes. Her fingers clenched and unclenched as she debated within herself."Does he really need to know about Laura's parcel? I mean I could use all the help I need." She thought, biting her lip in indecision "But then, this is a delicate matter. I need to check things out for myself first, then recruit help."She inhaled deeply and answered with a cheerful, affected tone, "uh..nothing
Chapter Thirty-FourZaire sat in his office, scrolling through his iPad. A slight smile curved his face as he read the headlines of trending posts.It's been three days and the posts were still hot, ganering more and more attention. They were all talking about Lana, who was currently the most sought after model in the industry.This was because other fashion companies CEOs bugged him for information on the model, as they wanted to make use of her as well.Zaire had his IT team tell the media, the model for the finale dress was not a professional model so nothing could be done from their end. This was after SERENE was sold out for the season in a night to royals, celebrities, foreigners everywhere across the country.It was amazing considering the almost scandal that went round about her the night of the show. However, it not only brought more attention to her, it led to him selling out for the season.Zaire stood up from his desk, then went to the small bar in his spacious and impecc
Chapter Thirty-Five/DAMIEN ROMERO, C.E.O OF ROMERO EMPIRE, ENGAGED TO LONG TIME GIRLFRIEND, RINA CARTER!/Rina's lips pursed in a satisfied smile as she read the headlines from the trending posts from her iPad. She had a cup of steaming coffee in one hand, her pinky held out in a very classy fashion. She was yet to take a sip and the milk poured atop rich brown liquid, was still in its delicate design of a leaf. Rina closed her eyes, sniffing in the heavenly scent from the tiny cup, then took a sip.It was scalding hot but it didn't stop the satisfied purr that escaped her lips, as the rich taste of coffee burst in her tongue, tantalizing her senses and energizing her.Besides she likes it hot, just the way the comments on the post right now were hot.She relaxed fully on the lounge in the huge terrace of her room, and settled down to read the comments, which gladdened her hearts and delighted her soul./Our power couple are finally getting married! I'm so happy for them! In your fa
Chapter Thirty SixRina scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You can't do anything to me! You seem to forget that you're not the only one out for blood here!" She snarled, "You sit on your ass all day while I'm out here working! You call me useless?! I can make you useless, so watch your tongue, bitch!"She concluded angrily, and the sound of her own breathing was the only sound that could be heard for some time. She stared down at the phone and realized the line was dead."Ugh, so annoying! I wish I'd strangle him from here!" She grunted, gripping the phone tightly. The urge to smash it as well overwhelmed her but she shook it off.That was enough smashing for the day. And besides, it'd ruin things for them. He'd not be able to reach her since this was the only way he could.He was getting more and more on her nerves, but she could not blame him. This was supposed to be easy.Seduce Damien Romero and become his wife. Bear his heir and get the Empire through him, then wipe out the family.Si
Chapter Thirty-SevenThe silence in the office was so thick, you could hear a pin drop from miles away. Rina's eyes widened instantly and filled with hurt, "How could you say that, Dami?" She started, trying to give closer to him but Damien stretched out his hand.Right on cue, Liam scrolled through his iPad, found the page he was looking for, and placed it on Damien's hand.Damien's eyes never left her face and he was definitely not fooled by her innocent look, "I pay good money to ensure that MAGIC stays on the chart with top designs from so called "talented designers" but all I get is this mediocrity!" He threw the iPad to the desk with a loud clang. Some of the employees jumped at the sound, and Rina flinched as well.She reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the iPad. Her heart dropped at what she saw there. There was a picture of Muse's famous design alongside hers. The dress was a little sequin number, cinched at the waist with a flared skirt. The only difference be
Chapter Thirty-Eight"It's here!" Clarissa cooed as she walked into Lana's office, holding a dress, which was still wrapped up in a transparent bag. She held up the dress and did a full twirl with it, then stopped when she noticed that Lana was not alone in the the room."Sorry." She muttered, as she caught Lana's disapproving look. Lana shook her head as she stood up and straightened her suit. The other people in the room did as well. They were her team of directors, and had been with Lana since the company was established.They were highly capable and Lana could trust them fully, especially now that she would be away from some time."Well then, I leave everything in your care." Lana said, stretching her hand out to the head of the team.She had entrusted the company over to them and this Head Director would be in charge of things in her stead. She was capable, efficient and damn good at her job. Lana knew she was doing the right thing here.The woman shook her hand, heartily with a
Chapter Thirty-NineThe night of the galaPierre's mid-year gala was held in the Oriental Hotel, one of the most expensive hotels in Oakcrest.It was a seven star hotel, which boasted of the best facilities in the world, for the comfort of their guests.The gala itself proved to be a huge affair, with celebrities and every renowned person in attendance. The entrance to the hotel was filled with paparazzi and the press. Throngs of screaming fans lined both sides of the red carpeted entrance.Car after car rolled in and the crowds screamed louder, anytime a well dressed favorite celebrity stepped out onto the red carpet.When the Limousine rolled up to the hotels entrance, the crowd held their breath at the sight of it, straining their eyes to see past the tinted glasses.When the Romeros stepped out of it, the crowd went wild and the camera flashes increased, calling out to them, each one vying for their attention.The crowd could not get enough of them, and they screamed their pleasur
Chapter Forty"We're not a couple, Mr Evans. The engagement is false." Damien uttered coldly.There was stunned silence for a few seconds as those words sank in.Rina had gone pale and her mouth twisted into a grim line as she stared up at Damien, "D..Dami.. how could you?" She uttered in a broken whisper.Damien glanced at her and the icy look he gave her, sent shivers down her spine. Her hands on his arm dropped to her side, and she clutched her dress instead, to keep from trembling."Well, this is... surprising," Pierre uttered, completely flabbergasted with the sudden turn of events."Miss Carter and I are not engaged. That was a false article, Mr Evans and it's been taken down already," Damien continued, glancing at Lana once again "Just to clear the air from any misunderstandings.""Damien, how could you say that?" Vera whispered fiercely as Rina slumped against her, whimpering, her eyes burning with tears of rage. She cast a hateful glance at Lana who met her stare with an impa
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty SevenThe men arrived at the room, breathing hard. Pushing the bed aside from the wall, Damien ran his hands all over the wall the way he had seen Lana do in the footage.He let out an erratic breath as the wall opened up in front of him and Paul. It even seemed more ominous than it had in the footage.Takong out his cellphone, he activated his flashlight, illuminating the whole of the passageway."Mother of pearls." Paul muttered in astonishment as they stared into the long dark space.It was a freaking passageway.Why had Lana walked into the wall? No matter how much Paul thought about it, he thought it was extremely brave of the young miss, especially since she did not know what was on the other side of this passageway.Without further ado, Damien bounded into the wall."Romero!" Paul called out after him but Damien did not stop. He kept running down the passageway, till he turned a corner and went out of sight.This was becoming more crazy, Paul th
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-SixDamien stood in the middle of the white little room and looked around in quiet disgust.The fact that Lana had been in this place all along had filled him with so much fury that he felt like tearing the walls down with his fists.That thought was fueled by the fact that she was nowhere to be found. They had arrived Monero a little over six hours ago. Monero was only accessible through a port and when the men had arrived there, it was already quiet late.Rina had finally revealed the locations of Zaire's villa in Moreno and even though it irked Damien to grant her anything in return, he had to fulfill her request for Lana's sake."Your little informant had better be correct, Romero." Paul had said earlier on the boat, "The Young Miss had better be in Monero when we get there or you will face Fernandez's wrath."Damien had been silent, even though impatience hummed in his blood.He knew she was in Moreno.She had to be in Monero.He wondered what he w
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-five "Let's go in, first." Anila said urgently as she walked into the corridor and pressed the button on the wall, watching with bated breath until the shelf slid back into place.She turned to Adrian then, "What about the young Miss?" She asked as she walked past him, "Is she okay?""Screw the young miss." Adrian spat out loudly in anger as they both entered the small room, "What the hell is going on? Who the hell were those men?!"Adrian was clearly frustrated. He did not mean to yell and rarely lost his cool, but he was pissed with what just happened a few moments ago in his own house.Anila sighed, "if you will only let me explain, then I will. Stop yelling at me." She reprimanded him as she walked over to Lana.Lana was huddled on the bed, cowering under the bed covers in fear. She and Adrian had stayed back in the room when Anila had gone out.She had been trembling and whimpering in fear as they heard the men ransacked the room, while Adrian pace
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-FourThe banging on the door continued and silence fell in the room.It took a while for Lana to realize that the banging was not actually on the door to the room.It sounded farther, but that did nothing to ease the trembling of her body or the loud thumps of her heart beat."I said, open up!" Another yell came and this time it was accompanied by a solid thump, like a vicious kick to the door."What the hell? Who knocks like that?" Adrian said, frowning in annoyance. He was about to walk towards the door when Anila stopped him."No Adrian! Don't go." She called out to him, holding out a hand to stop him.Adrian looked from the door to his mother, "What?" He asked, his confusion becoming more apparent. Lana exchanged a frightened glance with Anila, who was calmer actually.She patted Lana's hand then stood up and walked towards the door."I will go out and meet them" She said calmly to Adrian."Excuse me?" Adrian asked, arching an eyebrow at that state
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-ThreeThe words were hardly out of his mouth when the door to the room was pushed open and a middle-aged woman appeared.Lana turned to the door sharply, fear written all over her face as the woman walked into the room silently, and her eyes met that of Lana's. The next instant, they widened with joy and relief."You're awake! Oh thank heavens!" She said as she rushed towards Lana and took both of her hands in hers, "I knew you'd come around! Bless the heavens!"She turned to look at the red haired man, who went about his watering as calmly as before."Look Adrian, I told you she'll be fine." She said as she beamed up at Lana, because she was clearly four inches shorter than her."I know mother," The red haired guy, Adrian replied drily, "I treated her."Lana stared at him, "Treated?" She asked, eyeing the guy in surprise.He was a doctor?The middle aged woman nodded, "Adrian had found you in the forest when he went for his morning walk." She explained
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-TwoShe was in the forest, running with her hands stretched out in front of her as she stumbled over fallen tree logs. Her dress was torn and her knees were scraped. She was limping due to the cuts under the sole of her feet, which the cool damp earth of the forest did nothing to soothe.Yet, Lana ran.She was blinded by a film of tears and terrified gasps came out of her mouth as she stumbled through the dark forest."LANA!"He was close!He would get her and throw her back into that suffocating place. Taking control of her whole life."No, never..." Lana muttered breathlessly as she ran. The moon was hidden behind the huge rain clouds filling the sky now. Now, and then, lightening cracked through the sky, sending a flash of white through the forest.The rumbling of thunder will follow soon after and it made Lana shriek and shudder in terror as she ran.No! No! Stay away, please!Suddenly, a hand shot out from before her and grabbed her throat tightly,
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-One.Lana turned sharply and looked into the darkness behind her. It seemed as though she'd heard something scream. Or was it her imagination?Imagination or not, it was definitely the cue she needed to open the fucking trapdoor. Luckily, the trapdoor wasn't locked and opened up easily before her to reveal another darkness below.Lana swallowed hard as a sudden rush of cold air hit her face. She shivered uncontrollably and willed her beating heart to calm down.This was just the same as walking into the passageway, she reminded herself, Everything will be fine. There are no snakes waiting down there.The way the wind whistled from below made her wonder how far the drop was.She laid down the trapdoor, and peered down into the hole with her torchlight. The beam flashed on a slab of wood below her, then another and another all connected with a rope.A ladder!She allowed the light of the torch to travel down until she finally saw the ground.It was not ve
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty Zaire was still in his study with Aryan, who was making numerous calls.It really seemed like Romero was on his way to Moreno, due to the tip off that Rina had given them.Zaire regretted ever revealing this place to Rina. He had brought her here as well and a bitter taste filled his mouth, as he realized how her presence must have tainted his precious sanctuary."I really should have killed her a long time ago." He thought to himself as he downed the contents of his second glass of whiskey.Well, there was still time.He could still kill her and also give the same treatment to his beloved half-brother. A slight smile curved his lips as he relished the thought of Damien coming to challenge him on his own turf.He'd be able to come in easily but to go out will not be so easy.He also regretted the fact that he'd brought Lana to Moreno. He could have easily taken her to Italy or Cuba, but he figured they were too far away and he needed to still be able to
Chapter One Hundred And Seventy-NineGripping the metal torchlight to her chest, Lana hurried back into the room and climbed unto the bed once more.She glanced back at the door, her ears picking up every little sound. She expected it to open up at any moment and Zaire would walk in.She'd get caught before she even started anything and faced with more torment than she could imagine."There's no time to waste." She reminded herself as she edged closer to the wall, "Let's get out of here, Lana."Slowly, she reached out her hand to the wall and pushed it. The wall did not budge.Lana swallowed hard as her heart started beating faster once again.What the hell? Why isn't the wall opening up now?She pushed the wall again with all her might and still nothing."Okay Lana." She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "Remain calm and think. We have to open this wall."She closed her eyes and tried to remember how she'd had managed to open the wall earlier that day.Her memory was fuzzy w