Chapter 9 Secret Ties

Weeks before Dorian's Crane death….

The young man, in his finest of suits, lemon colored, ornamented and dangling before the very eyes of everyone who beheld him. He was a signature everywhere he stepped into. Always looking fly, the perfect description of a smug.

That very afternoon, he was at the Golden Boys Lounge, one of the most exotic lounges in Orlando. It was accessible only by the top gun and Dorian Crane was no exception. As the manipulator and crafty man that he was, his presence always had a mission attached to it.

His interaction with Viktor Sterling had been nothing but a view into expansion of wealth hence his proposal to marry his daughter, Delphine, who on the other hand, refused to give in.

“Are you sure she is going to be here? I can't be here for too long without getting anything done,” he spoke softly to one of the staffs whom he had bribed to keep an eye on Delphine.

Information reaching him was that Delphiine was coming to the lounge to cool off and he plans to make another attempt. “Perhaps, when I show her my actual self l, in flesh and blood, and lay out the benefits our marriage would be for both our families, she would think it through and accept me..”

“.....cause I mean who would want to lose such a golden chance at liaising with a Crane? I mean even a newbie in the world of wealth would know I am a greater acquisition to possess,” he muttered to himself, adjusting his suit every minutes he gets the chance to.

He kept sipping his drink until, after a while, he noticed the change in music in the background. It was a flex action peculiar to the lounge; the genre of music was always changed by the DJ in respect of whoever came into the lounge, especially a recognizable figure.

At this point, he knew Delphine must have walked in. He sighed from afar, watched her sit and order a drink and without further hesitation, he stood up to join her table.

“Hello, damsel…” he greeted with a warm smile.

Delphine smirked and answered reluctantly, “Hello Dorian..I'm surprised to see you here. Shouldn't you be with my father doing your industrious chase and glorified clout deals?” She commented.

“Common, don't be mean. What is the use of all of these things if I don't have you beside me?” He said in a pretty seductive tone but didn't seem to get her attention still.

“I'm sure your father has told you about my plans. We are good for each other, Delphine and you know it too..”

“Hold it right there. I don't care what businesses or conversations you had with my father but it shouldn't involve me. I can't get married to you cause I don't want to…”

“Not even with what you and I stand to gain? What our families stand to gain??” He added like it was a spice she was missing out on.

Delphine seemed ready. Like she knew she would bump into him. His words were hitting a wall in her heart and bouncing back.

“What is so difficult in all of this? Like, can't you see that I actually want you? The Sterling and the Crane family, bounded by love and business…just take a look at the headline written in my hearts,” he said, extending an arm to her like he was expecting to rest her hands on his.

“Nope….I don't see it happening and let this be the last time you would approach me with such offer cause I have someone already and if you don't know I am married to him and he would be here shortly,” she answered in a rude tone.

Dorian scoffed…..”I actually heard. I didn't want to believe it was true….that you would choose some commoner over me?!”

“Commoner? Is that what you think? Is that who you think my husband is? Whatever, just leave my table..I am expecting someone more important,” she hissed.

He walked away, covered with shame but he wasn't ready to give up. A lot was at stake. He needed the alliance to happen. The merger was the only thing that would get him the power and the wealth he was selfishly desiring.

He stood at a distance and watched. He was eager to see Mylo. the supposed husband who is a better option than him.

Minutes later, Mylo Archer walked in and hugged Delphine, landing a soft kiss on her cheeks.

“Quite funny so that dude right there is the reason I am going through all of this stress…such bullshit!!”

He dialed a number and placed the phone tightly to his ears whilst he kept looking at Delphine's table. His anger rose and it made him feel less of himself but something else caught his attention.

About the way they were. They were acting like newbies or maybe he was wrong. Mylo didn't seem like the man over there. He could hear as Delphine ordered him even whilst they sat opposite each other.

Maybe he was wrong. “Maybe he is just overly romantic to her……off..that's mid tho,” he commented with hate in his eyes.

“Hello,” the person on the end of the call finally spoke after much waiting.

“Tell me you have something on him…”

“Of course, Boss. You are right. His story really doesn't check out. Mylo Archer does exist but we could piece together some inconsistencies in his history records…”

“It’s shady, Boss, if you’d ask me. I think the young man isn’t who he says he is, or better put, there is something about him that just doesn’t add up right now..”

“What does he own? Is he a commoner or what?”

“I need something tangible. Spare me these detective talks. I'm not your kind. Give me something to roll out on. I am staring at the motherfucker right now and all I can think of right now is shooting him in the head for blocking my way!!” He lashed out angrily.

“Just give us more time, Boss…We would get something on him..”

“Meanwhile, I hope we have everything we need on that merger?” He asked.

“Yes boss, all traces. They won't see through it and if the

y do, it will already be too late…”

Dorian chuckled.

An evil smile.