Ariana smiled heartily." Did I disrupt something?" The smile fading slowly.
"Of course not." Maxwell quickly answered,not breaking eye contact."I wasn't expecting you..."
"Then I'll leave." She turned to leave,but Maxwell grabbed her arm.
She flinched,a smile spread across her face slowly like a smirk.
"You can't leave Ariana... c'mon...sit." His tone was calm as he held her arm, directing her towards the couch.
Ariana sat and crossed her legs."I'm sorry I didn't call to inform you of my visit."
"C'mon darling... you're my girlfriend and that means you are free to visit at any time you like." He reassured, smiling widely.
"Seriously?"
"Indeed .So tell me what may I offer you."
She paused thoughtfully, placing a finger on her lips."Can I get those cupcakes your maid usually make? They're quite delicious."
"You're delicious." He blurted out unknowingly, licking his lips while staring at her.
"Excuse me?"
"Ah. of course. Liah!"He called.
"Yes sir". She lowered her head before him after greeting Ariana.
"Get her two cups of cupcakes and a full glass of strawberry milkshake."
"Yes sir." She hurried away.
"Awwnn". She said softly." You remembered my favorite."
" How could I forget."He replied warmly
"Anyway...while Liah is getting the snack can I say something?" Ariana placed her legs down, shifting almost to the top of the chair.
"Feel free."
"The day I came to your house you were about to leave...my intentions was to surprise you cause that day was your birthday..."
Maxwell gazed at her with full focus.
"But you were leaving so I turned to leave,but i saw your men putting on a mask. Seeing you also with a mask increased my curiosity to know what you were up to... I'm sorry for spying on you. I just..."
"Shhhh." He placed his hands on his lips." Anyone would have acted the same way. So continue...what did you see?"
"Oh.yes... I...i followed you and your men till you stopped at Ridge view street, watched you and your men go into a building then I began contemplating whether to follow or return back home,but finally when I made up my mind to follow I heard gunshots. Not once or twice. So I ran back to my car, heading home. "Her brows knitted into a frown,her gaze confused and concerned."What kind of business are you into Maxwell? The gunshot...was it Drake that got shot? Cause I haven't seen him since. C'mon...tell me would you? Don't you love me anymore?"
"I do." Maxwell stood, walking towards her,he pulled her to stand and placed his both hands on her shoulder, gazing into her eyes. He smiled deeply and with satisfaction*"So she doesn't know what business I'm into and she doesn't know I'm responsible for the gunshot she heard."*
"Aren't you going to tell me?"Ariana pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Of course I'll tell you... I run a private security firm. And we handle high risks protection job. Sometimes things gets really tense which is why we wear masks for our safety. So the gunshot you probably heard wasn't Drake who got shot, He is still alive enjoying his holiday. The shot was just used as a threat. Nothing illegal, I promise." He touched her cheeks softly.
"Okay. I'm sorry for spying."
"I won't hold you for that." He kissed her forehead, gazing into her eyes,he felt the sudden urge to kiss her,he drew closer,his lips almost brushing hers,but she jerked off.
Her phone began to ring. It wasn't someone calling,but an alarm she set to ring when Maxwell tries to do anything silly.
Luckily it rang at the right time. She sighed in relief as she drew out her phone from her bag." Sorry I have to answer this call "
"No it's okay." He spoke quickly,a hint of disappointment edging his tone.
She walked farther away from him and pretended to speak to her friend on the phone."Hey Charlotte... Yes I'm at my boyfriend house. What's wrong?" A frown formed on her face."But you were alright when I left... How did it happen?" Her tone was filled with concern and worries." Alright I'll... I'll be heading home now. Please stay calm okay." She cut the call, turned and faced Maxwell,her gaze filled with pain." I'm so sorry Maxwell,but I have to head home now. My friend just had an accident."
"I'll send one of my men to attend to her quickly." Maxwell spoke out,concerned.
"No!" She blurted out unknowingly." I mean I can handle the situation myself..." She sighed out, walking towards him,she held his hands in hers." I just can't be here while my friend is hurt..."
"Shhhh." He placed his fingers on her lips."you can go... I understand."
She smiled."Tell Liah to package the cupcakes and milkshake for me, you'll bring it for me tomorrow right?"
"Of course."
She turned and hurried away.
As soon as she got Into her car,she began to laugh cynically."Oh my. I'm such a great actor. Now I'm sure he won't be planning to kill me for spying on him." She paused.a frown suddenly forming on her face." He mentioned he works under private security firm... Why do I find it hard to believe everything he said. Or maybe... maybe I should keep spying on him. Wait...puff. what am I even thinking." She rolled her eyes."I just got myself out from a dangerous situation and now I'm trying to get back in. Girl. You gotta wisen up." She slapped her forehead."I better head back home before Maxwell suspects I was pretending all along."
She drove off.
.....
Blackstone mansion.
Nyla was sitted on her bed,her gaze not leaving the door as she waited patiently for Kiara to walk through that door. Her mind still kept replaying what Xavier said.*"Once I find a way to end Dark, don't expect to breathe."*
"Why would he want to end Dark?"
The door knob turned and Kiara walked in.
"Mum!" She ran in and hugged her mum. Her eyes suddenly became teary." I've missed you so much mum... I'm sorry I didn't come to see you since after my wedding. Xavier commanded I stayed indoors. Mum I'm so tired. I just...I just want to die." Tears finally poured down her eyes.
"Hush." Nyla placed her fingers on her lips. Then she wiped off her tears."Mum's here don't cry." She pulled her into a warm embrace. She released her from the hug."I called you here because of Xavier."
Kiara sat back,wiping off her tears." What's wrong with him. I hope he's dying soon?"
Nyla laughed." I wish. I approached Xavier today and I begged him to tell me why he is so heartless and ruthless."
"And he...he told you?"
"Yes he did... It's a long story,but I'll cut it short. His father and younger sister were killed by his true love due to certain crises."
Kiara gaze were filled with pity.
"But the main issue I called you is because Xavier mentioned that if he finds a way to end Dark we shouldn't expect to breathe... Why should he be finding a way to kill Dark when he could easily do that. I mean he is president Xavier."
"That's strange." Her brows knitted in furrows." I need to inform Dark... But how am I going to do that when I have no phone or his number."
"There's only one way,but it's risky." Nyla placed part of her lips between her teeth,her gaze worried.
" Which is?"
"Xavier..."
"No! Mum I... I can't. That's risky. He might kill me this time if I get caught."
" Then don't get caught." She grabbed her cheeks and looked into her eyes with love and pity." I know it's risky,but there's no other way is there?"
Kiara nodded.
"Just be careful not to get caught. Dark has to know what his father is planning ."
"I'll try.... If he finds a way to kill Dark. Those statements only mean one thing."
"What did you suspect from his statement?"
"I think Dark's birth wasn't ordinary. I mean...why will Xavier be finding a way to end him and why has he never lay a hand on him,but protect him?"
"You're right. Xavier sure has secrets."
....
Nova core university.
The next day.
Maxwell walked down the hallway, Colin beside him.
They were both heading to meet Dark.
Mia,so engrossed with her phone, she didn't realize Maxwell was heading the same direction she was coming out from.
They bumped into each other and her phone fell.
She gritted her teeth in rage."Are you blind!"
Colin attempted to slap her,but Maxwell stopped him.
He moved closer to her and whispered in her ear." We both bumped into each other so quit getting angry."
She hit his chest hardly, pushing him back." You threw my phone to the floor you asshole."
Maxwell smirked." You should be glad the trash you call phone wasn't destroyed to pieces by me.... Next time you watch where you're going." He pushed past her.
"Argh! Come back here and pick my damn phone you asshole!"
Maxwell found him right where he'd been told.
Dark was sitted at the far end of a secluded courtyard . It wasn't a place students passed ,too quiet,too hidden and the best place Dark finds great to be all alone.
He sat with his legs stretched,head tilted back,lost in his thoughts.
His eyes flicked open as he heard Maxwell approached, deliberate footsteps.
Maxwell didn't speak at first,he stood a few feet away from Dark, scanning the surrounding.
" You don't seem to flow well with Nova core." He finally spoke, breaking the silence.
" And you seem like you're trying too hard."
"I don't force myself on people." He spoke,coming closer." I'm only here to talk... " He paused, studying Dark's face,but his expression were unreadable." You and I—we're alike.You have a family who hates you so much they think sending you away could fix everything."
Dark sat up,his gaze suddenly cold.
Maxwell smiled cynically. His plans was simple: push every button—even anger him if that's what it takes to convince him."Well my family did the same." He continued." They thought sending me away would solve their problems,but they're wrong. This people... they don't deserve to breathe. They deserve to pay for the hell they put us through."
"Us?" Dark snapped ,his tone filled with irritation." Don't compare your pain to mine. You don't know anything about me."
"Oh really... What if I did?" He dipped his hand in his pockets and brought out a rumpled note and began to read it out."He'll kill us all just like the rest. Why is this written hastily?"
Dark eyes widened. He stood and snatched it from his hand, cursing himself inwardly for carelessly leaving his bag in the hall." You went through my bag!" He growled."How dare you!"
"My goals dared me." He said calmly ."Look,Dark... I know the person who wrote this is your worst nightmares and you want that person dead as much as I want my parents dead...So stop pretending and let's work together and destroy the people who made us look like trash."
Dark's grip tightened on the note. He doesn't want to trust Maxwell ,but his father darkest secrets still lay hidden and he couldn't ignore the truth.*"His father needs to pay for making him feel like trash.Maybe he could be of help... Once I've achieved my goals I'll cut all ties with him."*
"I'm in," He spoke slowly,his tone low and cold."But you owe me,when the time comes I'll name the price."
"Price? But..."
" Then I'm out...."
"Fine." He rolled his eyes." We start tomorrow."
Dark turned and left in silence.
Maxwell smiled darkly."It wasn't as hard as I thought... Now my plans will run smoothly. Dark Hubbard." He smirked." What an interesting coincidence."