DANE
It had been a week since that night. That perfect night that I won’t forget, and it was the first of many. I had to admit, since then, things have just gotten hotter. Every moment we got alone, that passion and desire fuelled by our love consumed us. I liked seeing Dahlia get more and more comfortable with me. In fact, she even told me to shut up... then apologised right after. I had to tell her that it was all good and I liked to see her be herself.
On top of that, Warren had been arrested on charges of attempted blackmail, and with enough proof, I doubt he’d get out anytime soon. The power of the El Nazari far outshines Murdock’s influence. Furthermore, the police had found proof that he had ordered someone to tamper with my car brakes, not that that came as a surprise to me. Attempted murder also added to his crimes and that was enough to keep him locked up with no chance of parole or even bail. The Murdock’s lost what business footing they had
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DAHLIA I sent Dane the message before I rang the doorbell to Elizabeth's apartment. I had found it very absurd that she had phoned to invite me over for tea, especially after I knew what she had tried to pull. She had told me she was planning a surprise for Dane so wanted my help, and not to mention it to him or anyone, as she didn’t want the surprise to be ruined. That had been the biggest alarm bell for me, so I had decided to text Dane exactly where I was headed. Thinking ahead, I had even brought along a voice recorder that I often used in meetings and could playback if needed. Perhaps I was overthinking this... But one thing I have learned recently is that you can never be too careful. The door opened to a smiling Elizabeth. She was dressed simply in black leggings and a tank top. "Come on in!" She said, greeting me with a hug. I stepped inside, a faint smile on my face. "Thank you for the invite, Elizabeth. I wasn’t expec
DANE After that call, I straight away drove towards Elizabeth's place, ringing Dahlia several times. Where was this woman? Why wasn’t she picking up? Panic and worry only seemed to grow within me with each passing second. What do I do? I quickly dialled Markus. He should be with her, right? Pick up, pick up… "Hello, Mr Altaire." He answered, a glimmer of relief flooded me as I signalled left, zooming ahead of the other cars. "Markus, is Dahlia with you?" "No sir, actually she took the car herself today. Is everything ok?" "I'm not sure, but you know how risky things are, how come she went alone? She isn't even answering her phone." I asked, thinking fast. Despite sounding calm, my heart was beating fast. "I do apologise sir, but she is the boss… She said she was just visiting a friend. Sir, all of the madam’s cars have a tracker, I can send you the location and head there myself if you are worried?" He suggested, sounding panic
DANE An hour later, I was pacing the hospital corridor. Dahlia had awoken but I hadn't been able to see her. From her medical examination it was clear he had indeed not gotten far at all. The man was in police custody and a search was out for Elizabeth. We were yet to hear Dahlia’s statement. "Sir you can see her… She’s rather distraught." A nurse said, stepping out of her room. I didn’t wait for a second reply as I walked past her and into the room where Dahlia was struggling with a nurse. "I need to! Let go of me!" "Please ma’am, calm down-" "Princess…" I reached her quickly and pulled her tightly into my arms. My own heart was thudding as she held me tightly, trying to stay strong. I could hear her taking deep breaths, her hands clutching my shirt. "It’s alright. No one can hurt you." "He- He tried to…" She trailed off. I felt her shaking as she suppressed her tears. "He didn’t succeed." I told her quietly. I knew it wasn’t
DAHLIA It was two days since the incident and Elizabeth had still not been found. Although this was a very disturbing matter, it was only a matter of time before she was caught. Dane had also shown me the information that the detective had found. Kendra, she had been the one sneaking the parcels, but since Warren’s arrest she was nowhere to be found. Although we had notified the police, there was still no news on her. I was quite surprised. She was a rather simple woman, so for her to get so sneaky confused me a little. Did she have help? Had it been Warren? I decided I’ll visit him in prison one of these days. I had told Dane and he had agreed as long as he was the one to accompany me to the station. We hadn't been able to go to Dane’s parent's house that day due to everything that happened. But today we were going, and I was more than nervous. Unlike when I met Warren’s parents who loved me, obviously because of my status. Dane’s parents actually disliked the wealt
DAHLIA My heart skipped a beat, I knew Dane had been in one serious relationship, but I had never pried or asked him more on it. "What happened son? Remembering how that one went?" His dad taunted him. "I don’t know why you don’t settle for a nice woman like Elizabeth, one who would understand this family and not look down on us." I frowned slightly. How was I looking down on them? "Your precious Elizabeth is a lying, manipulative woman. She’s tried to hurt Dahlia in ways worse than you could ever imagine and she may have been behind the troubles between Emily and I!" Dane snapped. I took a sharp breath as his mother gasped. Our reactions for very different reasons. Hearing that from Dane was something I wasn’t expecting. He hadn't told me that… and I wouldn’t lie, it stung. The slice of jealousy and insecurity rose that perhaps if it wasn’t for Elizabeth… Dane would have been happy with someone else… And the silver lining on top that
DANE Damn, I hadn’t told Dahlia that for a reason… Without all the answers, I didn’t want to burden her with more. "We aren't sure if that’s a hundred percent true." I said quietly, glaring at Dad who was looking at me with scorn. "Do you want to see the post-mortem results?" He spat. "Mama, can I have some juice, please?" Aria said and I gave Dahlia’s hand a squeeze. I could see the pain and confusion in her eyes, although she placed them behind a mask once more. Hell… why did I hide it… She poured a glass for Aria, kissing her forehead softly. "Yeah, maybe if you gave me actual proof things could have been easier." I said icily to Dad. "Did my father know about the results?" Dahlia asked softly. I knew she was hurt despite how calmly she was speaking. "Why should I share that? They put it down as a suicide and he didn’t give a crap what happened to her." Dad said. "I think it's high time we spoke to Ba
DANE It had been over two weeks since the visit to my parents. The day after, Mom had given me a lecture on why I needed to find a young child-bearing wife, not an older businesswoman who already had a child. That pissed me off and I had said a good few words. I loved both Dahlia and Aria. Regardless of the fact that Aria had chosen to call me father, I loved it. I don’t care that I had only known her for a few months, to me it felt like forever. I was her dad no matter what anyone said. As for Dahlia, I loved her and what Mom said, I didn’t really care. I made it clear that this was the family I wanted and would always cherish. Besides she was only thirty… I'm sure when the time came we could have another child. I had also begun to look at some houses. Call it ego, but I didn’t want to live at Dahlia’s place, I wanted to at least put a roof over their heads. Somewhere new to start fresh memories. I thought to have a look first and then talk to Dahlia about i
DANE "Maria… You’re Maria’s nephew? Wait… Does Dahlia know this?" He asked, looking at me sharply. "She does." I said, sitting down. "But the thing is, there are so many questions that have no proper answers too. Questions that I want answers to. My father still beats himself up over finding her that job. A job that cost her, her life." "She committed suicide…" He said, his eyes were shadowed as he now looked at his hands. "Yeah, so I've heard. But I want to hear what you know. Please Mr El Nazari, don’t hold anything back." I said quietly. He sighed deeply, looking out the windows past me, his eyes lost in memories of long ago. "I loved her. After the loss of my wife, Dahlia’s mother, in a car crash… I never thought I’d love again. Until I met Maria, she was the breath of fresh air we both needed in our lives and she loved Dahlia dearly. Do you know that was what made me love her even more? I wanted Dahlia to have a mother who would l