I'm sorry it's taken me a while to get back. I know many of you have been anxiously waiting, some have even gone to my social media to send DMs. Please know I've recieved them and I'm sorry if I wasn't able to reply.
Aside from being busy with work (yes, I'm not a full time author, I only do this part time) and with the holidays I had to work on other novels as well.
I'm back and I promise to do my best to make up for lost time and chapters. Hopefully I'll be able to publish much much more this month and on the succeeding months.
Thank you all for still being around, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
“They must fear the Essen Mafia that badly.” Robert said as he crossed his arms on his chest.Stephen had asked all of his friends to come over so that they could brainstorm how to give Jacob over to his brothers without being too obvious about it.Then there was still the matter of having to take down the entire group from its core.“Do we have everything ready yet?” Stephen asked John who chose to stand rather than sit. “The setup is almost done, boss. It should be ready soon.” John confirmed as Stephen looked at the drink in his hand. “Jacob needs to be made aware that his brothers are in the city.” Edward said as he gave his opinion on the situation.“But how?” Andrew asked as everyone remained silent, pondering what could be done.“Does Gabrielle know about Jacob’s family?” Stephen asked John.His right hand man in the Essen Mafia was in charge of monitoring the bug they planted on Gabrielle. “She seems aware.” John said as he took out his laptop and quickly searched the note
“The Villanueva brothers seem to have come over for other reasons as well.” John told Stephen. “They have been asking around about the Essen Mafia.”“I’m not surprised.” Stephen said with a shrug. “Their father will want to know who the head really is. Why don’t you meet up with them and remind them how powerful our reach is.” John nodded and spoke into the phone, giving commands. The next day Stephen sat in his car, watching as John entered the restaurant where he was supposed to meet up with Manuel and Miguel.Stephen asked John to take with him several bodyguards.He was worried that the Villanueva brothers would try something bad to get a reaction from the head of the Essen Mafia.“We’re in, boss.” One of the bodyguards said, reporting to Stephen. “Keep your mic on, I want to hear what they discuss with John.” Stephen ordered. “Senor John!” Stephen heard Miguel greet. “We were surprised by your call, how did you find out our phone numbers?” “We have our ways, Mr. Villanueva.”
“Stephen Cho!” Gabrielle’s grandfather greeted Stephen as he was escorted by a butler to the main dining area of the mansion. “It’s been years since the head of the Cho family has opened the doors of this majestic home to others.”Stephen nodded as he resisted the urge to be rude to the elder man. He wanted so badly to tell him that he would not be welcomed again. But Stephen needed to keep a close watch on him. He needed to know everything they were planning.“My grandfather had been coping with my grandmother’s death.” Stephen said calmly. “I hope you understand my family’s hesitation in letting others in.”Gabrielle’s grandfather nodded as he smiled at Stephen. “Well, we are honored to be invited to the inaugural party.” Gabrielle’s grandfather was beaming with pride thinking that this was the biggest social event and they had been included.“But Stephen, isn’t this the second party here?” Vanessa asked as she showed up next to Stephen with Claudette, Stephen’s mother, in tow.“N
“So you don’t know where he is?” Manuel asked as he spotted a familiar person in the crowd. “I don’t, but if you corner her or follow her, I’m pretty sure she’ll lead you to your brother.” Stephen grinned. “By the looks of it he is hiding from someone. I think their relationship is not accepted by her family.” “And how certain are you of that?” Manuel asked Stephen as they continued to watch the direction Gabrielle had disappeared to.“Only time will tell.” Stephen shrugged as he waved towards John.“Mr. Cho.” John greeted with a nod as he pretended not to know Manuel or Miguel. “Mr. John, I’d like to introduce some friends of mine to you. I’m sure they would appreciate the introduction.” Stephen said as he smiled as if he knew something they didn’t. “I thought you might appreciate the introduction since you are in the same line of business.”“And what kind of business are you trying to imply, Mr. Cho?” John asked in a slightly threatening tone. Manuel and Miguel froze at Stephen’
Stephen was pleased as he stepped out of his office.They already had a plan in place and things would finally settle down after they did away with Gabrielle’s grandfather and the people around him.“You seem happy.” Vanessa told her husband as he came up beside her and interlocked their fingers. “I am.” Stephen said with a nod. “The world is perfect, our lives are perfect.” He said happily.It wasn’t just his plan that was falling into place, a few days ago he received a very promising call from his friend, Jonathan. Based on his grandfather’s test results and the preliminary treatment the old man was receiving, it looked like he would get better.“I take it things are falling into place?” Vanessa asked her husband as she leaned on his side.“Yes, surprisingly.” Stephen said as he spotted Angel speaking to his sister in the corner of the room. “There is someone I want you to meet.” Stephen whispered in Vanessa’s ear before pulling her away.“One of your mistresses, I hope.” She te
“Stephen Cho.” Henry Lu greeted Stephen.Henry was around the same height as Stephen, he had light brown hair and striking blue eyes.He was much fairer than Stephen and growing up, women preferred Henry to Stephen, at least until they all realized how much of an ass Henry was.Henry was not alone, as usual he was accompanied by several men that Stephen liked to refer to as his henchmen.They were still the same people that flocked around Henry when they were younger.Most of them were sons of other rich families of Marina City and it’s nearby provinces.“Henry L
“They’ve arrived.” John reported to Stephen as he walked into the restaurant. “Good, warm them up, I’m just finishing some work at Philip Tower.” Stephen said as he watched a recording of Gabrielle and Jacob fighting. It was most likely due to the fact that Gabrielle had accidentally told Jacob’s brothers at the party that she knew their brother.“Any chance he will leave the country?” Stephen asked Andrew as he glanced back at his assistant who was arranging documents on his desk.“No.” Andrew said, shaking his head. “His bank accounts are frozen. The banks are simply telling him that there is an issue with his account, not that it’s frozen.”Stephen smiled and nodded.There was a benefit to owning the biggest bank in the country. He knew that Jacob would approach another bank soon enough, but this was enough to delay the man from leaving.“Mr. Ong and his companions?” Stephen asked as he reviewed the documents on the table. “We have all the information we need against them.” And
Manuel and Miguel stared at Stephen as he took his seat and devoured his meal.John and Andrew who were seated next to him also acted as if it was no big deal. They behaved like it was an ordinary meal between friends.“Why aren’t you eating?” Stephen said as he stopped and looked up at the two young men before them. “How?” Manuel asked as he looked at Stephen in shock. “Are you asking me which rumor is true?” Stephen said as he placed down his utensils. “Well, it’s a mix to be honest.” “No, no, how is it possible that you’ve been standing before us this entire time and we had no idea you were the leader of the Essen Mafia?” Miguel asked Stephen, explaining where his and his brother’s confusion lay.Stephen shrugged as he took a bite of his lunch.“It’s probably because you viewed me as incapable of doing harm or living the way you do.” Stephen told them as he looked the brothers in the eyes and smiled.“So does John here do all the dirty work and you are the brains?” Miguel asked