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SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Harder Than I Thought
I don’t know,” Christian said, raking a hand through his hair. “But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are protected now. “You have to concentrate on recovery and not think about the ‘why’ at the moment.”She slowly shook her head, as the implication of his statement sank in. Healing. It seemed like a strange concept, but one that was needed. “You’re right. I just wish I didn’t feel so lost.”Christian leaned forward and put his hand on top of hers which lay on the coffee table. “You’re not lost. You’re just steering through a storm. This is acceptable because vulnerability is normal and should be expected during the course of the therapy.His hand was warm and she felt her feet touching the ground at that moment. Thank you for being here Christian, I am glad to have you around. This is probably why I don’t think I could process everything alone.”“Then let me help,” he whispered. This is a very good time to say ‘we can go through this together’. I’ll be right by your side.”
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Strange Feelings
Phoebe sighed, and she knew that there was some truth in the words that Sarah had said. Healing wasn’t going to happen instantly and challenging Marlin seemed dreadful but she was not alone. She had people Christian and Sarah by her side ready to help her through the confusion, betrayal and emotional roller coaster.Christian nodded firmly, getting up from the chair. “You can tell me something, I will just let you talk.” I will come back later to see you Phoebe. Do not feel that you are the only one like this, you are not the only one.”“Thank you,” she whispered as he got up, the air of relief coming over the room. She realized that Christian’s presence would always be the safety she needed, whether she still had mixed feelings about him or not.As soon as the door closed on Christian, Phoebe looked at Sarah, and managed a small, exhausted smile. “It was like I was in the middle of a movie and I don’t even know where to begin.”Sarah looked at her gently and with empathy. It’s good t
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Why Being So Heartless
At the same time, in the poorly lit room of a remote structure, Marlin was at the desk, the only source of light on his face being the cursor on the computer monitor. His eyes were sharp, analytical, as he looked at the screen with blueprints and diagrams.This blast at Seth’s warehouse was just the start. This man had been setting up for this for months, plotting every single move, and waiting for the opportune moment to act. Seth had stripped him of everything he had worked so hard to build – the company, his family’s business, and of all things, Phoebe. But soon, Seth would pay for it all with his life.Marlin’s phone rang and he checked the text.“It’s done. The warehouse is gone. “He won’t see the next one coming.”A dark look appeared on Marlin’s face. The next stage of his plan was in progress. Before long, Seth would be a man whose existence was only known by others.“Have fun in your last days, Seth,” Marlin whispered to himself with an evil look in his eyes. “Because by the
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Why Now?
Phoebe’s heart was pounding, her hands were wet and she was looking at the phone in her hand. Sarah tried to shake her out of her daze by taking her hand and holding it tightly. “Phoebe, focus. Christian needs to know everything. Marlin is clearly psychotic – this is no longer a business rivalry anymore. He’s out for blood.”Phoebe nodded, dialing Christian with a shivering hand, and then the phone was ringing in the quiet. She had no time to waste.“Christian,” she exclaimed the moment he said, “Yes, Marlin just called me.” He’she’s planning something big, something worse. He said that the explosion was only the first step.”Christian’s voice was clipped, “What did he actually say?”Phoebe passed the conversation, she was crying as she told Marlin’s threats, and the words he said to Seth, that he has everything to lose.“Oh no,” Christian muttered under his breath. “He’s becoming more dangerous than we anticipated he would.” We need to act now.”“Is Seth safe?” Phoebe asked, the anxi
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Risky Distraction.
She drew a little away from him, her gaze up to his face, and there was stubbornness in her glance. "I have to be. I’m not going to let you go in there to face Marlin by yourself. We’re in this together."Seth sighed, pulling the hair that had fallen on her face to the back with her hand. I don’t like this at all, but… I trust you."Phoebe felt her heart sink, but she didn’t mind his trust, she was scared for what they were about to come across. "We’ll get through it. We have to."At that moment, Christian came into the room with a look of a man who had a lot on his mind and little time to do anything about it. He had a folder in his hand, with papers Phoebe presumed were part of his strategy. He looked at Seth and Phoebe and fixing his gaze on them he waved them to take a seat.“Okay,” Christian said softly, “I will.” Since Marlin has kept silent after the explosion, he is preparing for the last move and that is what he is going to do. He believes he has time to plan and that is whe
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Dangerous Gamble
Seth pulled her closer instantly and grabbed her arm softly but firmly. Phoebe, I said no, this is too dangerous. I can't let you do this. If something goes wrong, I am never going to forgive myself.”Phoebe looked at him right in the eye and she was determined. ‘And if we don’t do anything, Marlin will keep coming for you, Seth.’ He’ll never stop until he gets what he wants. I can’t just sit idly by and watch him bring ruin to all that we hold dear and the people we love.Seth looked at her, feeling the urge to shield her from everything and at the same time, realizing the position they are in. His voice softened. "You mean too much to me. I can't risk you like that."Phoebe, her eyes filled with tears, caressed his cheek. And you mean too much to me to let him take you away. We have to end this, Seth. I’ll be okay. We’ll all be okay."Christian who was watching the exchange said something in a very concerned tone. "We have to move fast. Marlin’s not going to sit around and do nothin
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD The Shutdown
Phoebe could hear her heart beating in her chest, her hands were even sweating as they entered the building. There were security people on board, Christian had rehearsed with them all and had gone over every single detail many times, but still there was this nagging fear that never left her.They entered the conference room where the fake business meeting was to happen. The room was neat with no signs of life, the quietness pregnant with expectations. Phoebe joined Seth and she looked around the room for any sign of Marlin or his men.Days were long and each day seemed to be an hour longer than it was. Any sound broke the silence, any shape cast a loom on the wall. And then, just when she could bear the tension no longer, Christian spoke into the microphone."He’s here," he said quietly. "Get ready."Phoebe was almost fainting with anxiety. This was it. Marlin had taken the bait. Now it was their turn to perform, to pretend ignorance of what was going to happen next. But when the door
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Drop The Gun
The room went cold. Phoebe felt the blood rush to her head as she looked at the gun in Marlin’s hand. It was no more a war of the tongue or the mind. Anticipated risks were considerably higher than ever before. She felt her heart in her throat as she swallowed hard afraid of what was going to happen next.Seth did not flinch, and he stared right back into Marlin’s eyes. “You actually think this is going to make me quit?” Seth said it, his tone even and calm. They will say, ‘If you pull that trigger, everything you want will slip through your fingers.’ The authorities will be on you before you even leave the building. You’ll lose everything."Marlin’s smirk flickered for a moment before it resumed again. "Ah, Seth. Always so noble. But do you really think that I do not have an evacuation strategy? You don’t really think that I have not considered all of the angles do you? The only thing that separates you and me is that you are not willing to go the extra mile. You? You are still tryin
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- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
"What Regret"
“Regret,” she said with a sneer. Regret is just a euphemism for guilt. It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t wipe the slate clean, and it definitely does not heal the mess that you made.‘Christian,’ she said softly, ‘don’t come any closer.’ He stopped, as she decided to step back from him.Phoebe flared up again and asked him: “You said you came for the truth?” “Fine. Here’s the truth, Christian. I loved you. With everything I had. And you destroyed me. You were able to make me question myself in ways that I never knew existed. And now you stand here, asking me for what? Closure? Redemption? Forgiveness?”“No,” he said firmly. All I am demanding is an opportunity to prove that I can improve.” That I am better.”She scoffed. “And you believe that one conversation is going to make a difference?” You think I can just what? Stare at you and forget the years I struggled to climb up the ladder and get a life again?“No,” he repeated again, and there was no quiver in his voice. “But I can’t
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
Need You
Christian did not answer this for a while. He looked down, his hands were tightly bunched into fists at his sides. “I know it caused pain,” he said, his voice rising in a hoarse whisper. “I know I can’t undo that. But I can’t just let things be this way. Not anymore. If that means living with your hatred then let it be so.Phoebe only chuckled bitterly and began to pace in front of the fire. ‘Christian, you keep saying all the right things.’ Saying sorry, admitting my mistake, promising to take my anger on myself. But you don’t seem to understand. It’s not about you. Not anymore.”He stared at her with a frown on his face. “Then what is it about?”“It’s about me,” she said angrily, turning to him. ‘That’s about the years I’ve spent struggling to climb out of the pit you dug for me to fall into.’ It is about finding out how to be independent, how to live without the feeling that my chest is going to collapse. It’s about healing, or at least, about trying to put myself back together aft
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
Believe inYou
Phoebe shook her head, her arms wrapped around herself. “You don’t get it, Christian. Other people also had the same feeling as you; they were scared. I was terrified too. Of losing you, of not being good enough. But I stayed. I fought. And you didn’t.”“I know,” he said and his eyes welled up with tears. “And I hate myself for that. I wish I could have been stronger and did not leave when I did. But I’m here now, Phoebe. And I’m not running this time.”She glared at him and her eyes were red with rage, hurt and something else which she could not describe. “You say that now,” she whispered. But what happens when things get hard again? This begs the question, what happens when the cracks start to show?“They won’t,” he said firmly. “Because I’ve come to realize that running in particular does not solve anything. It just leaves a trail of broken pieces behind.”Phoebe only shook her head and a tear rolled down her face. She gently removed it as if she was embarrassed to show her weaknes
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
“I’m confused”
It’s convenient. You were waiting until you felt I was ready and powerful enough to take the news. Until you thought I didn’t need you anymore.”“That is not true,” Christian said quickly, getting up, his voice a high pitched note. “I have been taking this guilt with me every day since I left.” I did not return because of convenience. I returned because I could not continue living such a life knowing that I destroyed something that was wonderful.Phoebe whirled on her toes, glaring. “And what about me? Have you ever thought what it feels like to wake up every day with the marks you have made on others? To have to break yourself down and begin to build yourself up again from scratch just to have the one who was responsible for tearing you down appear with an apology?”“I do now,” he said quietly. “Because I do, I see it in your eyes. I hear it in your voice. And I hate myself for being the reason it’s there.”She was breathing raggedly, her hands were balled up at her sides. “You don’t
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
Either you believe or not
Christian sighed deeply and rested his hands on the table. “I am a man who wants to know how to accept what I have done. To challenge it, rather than avoiding it. To be able to admit that I can change the future but I can’t change the present and I can’t change the past.”Phoebe scoffed. ‘You really believe that taking responsibility is sufficient?’ You really believe that saying you were wrong in any of this makes it alright?”“No,” Christian said quickly. “It doesn’t make it okay. Nothing can make it okay. But it’s a start, isn’t it? A step toward being better. Towards becoming a person who does not destroy things.”Phoebe looked at her sister with her face impassive and then shook her head. “You want to be better? Good for you. But you don’t get to use me as your redemption arc. I am not some check-point on your way to self-improvement.”“I’m not asking you to be,” Christian said, his voice quiet, but commanding. I don’t need your forgiveness or your approval for anything I am doin
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
Lingering pain
“Phoebe,” he started cautiously, “I’m not here to put more load on you regarding this.” I know you didn’t want any of this and I’m not going to say that I’m so great for coming here now. But I’ve been attempting to take responsibility for my actions. And part of that means realizing how much I caused you pain.”Phoebe’s lips formed, her arms drawn tightly around her in the manner of a shield. “It does not heal the wound, Christian.” Oh do you think that knowing you regret it will give me back the time I lost? The trust I lost? The parts of me that had to be reconstructed?”“No,” replied Christian, who now looked ashamed. “I don’t. And I’m not asking you to forget what I did or even forgive me. I just had to tell you that… I can see it now. I can now understand how self-centered I was and how unable to notice your suffering.She tilted her head to the side, her mouth tightening as she looked out the window and saw the rain running down the glass. “Blind, huh?” she said with much bitter
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
All about Phoebe
Phoebe went back to the fire, her hands folding over her chest. For what seemed like a long time she did not respond. The fire crackled in the background, and its heat was the only thing that made the atmosphere between them warm.“What do you want from me, Christian?” she asked after a long time her voice was so low that it was barely audible.“Nothing,” he said quickly. “I don’t want anything from you. I just… I had to share it with you because it is the truth. To say sorry and let you understand that I noticed your suffering. That I see you.”Phoebe only managed to stifle a sarcastic laugh. “You see me now? That’s rich. Where was this clarity two years ago?”Christian moved a little closer and spoke slowly and calmly as if he was pleading with her. I was blind back then Phoebe.” As if the rest of the world does not exist, or, at least, I don’t exist to the rest of the world. But now… now I see everything I should have seen before. I understand how powerful you are, how much you inv
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
Get rewarded
“Sorry isn’t enough,” said Phoebe, tears rolling down her cheeks. “They think they can just come out and apologize and that’s the end of it.”“I’m not expecting that,” Christian said quickly. I know that I can never reverse the wrong I have done. But I had to tell you. I had to stop bringing this with me without doing something about it.”Phoebe exhaled hard and then rested her weight against the windowsill. “Well, did you even know what you left behind?” “How much I had to tidy up after you?”“I’ve thought about it,” Christian said, softly. “But I know that thinking about it isn’t the same as living it. I still can’t fathom how difficult it must have been for you.”Phoebe looked at her and shook her head, fuming again. “And you didn’t just hurt me, Christian.” You made me doubt, everything, including us, including myself. I used so much time thinking why am I not enough. Why I couldn’t repair whatever was ailing you.”Christian cringed as if the words that came out of her mouth had h
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD
Another Game
One part of him wanted to kick Christian out, shut the door and never see him again. But there was another part, a lesser, more contemplative part of him that was interesting. What if Christian really had transformed? What if this wasn’t just another one of his games?“Alright,” Phoebe said in the end, the word coming out sounding more like a bitter grumble. “You want to talk? Talk. ‘I’m not making any guarantees here,’ I tell him.Christian nodded and his shoulders dropped down as well. He looked around the room, and then looked at the couch. “Do you mind if we sit?”Phoebe frowned, then reluctantly gestured at the couch with a nod. He stayed on his feet, leaning with his arms folded against the wall, a defensive air about him.Christian leaned back on the couch, placing his elbows on his knees and his hands on top of each other. He looked at the floor for a moment with a blank face, then he said something.“I know I hurt you. And not just once—repeatedly. You wanted to help me and I
