THE CEO'S VICIOUS LOVER

[Artlyn Palace]

It was a night of glamour, mystery, and luxury. Guests in their number, all adorned with elegant god-like attires move around the hall fraternizing and making merry. The captivating orchestra band rendered both ancient and classical music, keeping the hall lively and electrified.

Under the disguise of the event, an underworld gang carried out their mission seamlessly.

"Phoenix, move in on the target. The cat has taken the bait." A slightly rough voice echoed from the other of a blue tooth device.

"Copy, Alpha." Phoenix carefully maneuvers her way through the crowd of happily chatting guests. She carefully scanned her surrounding before walking into the convenience.

Her alluring body was magnificently accoutred in a classic sapphire blue plunging neck dress. She wore a feathery orange-red Phoenix mask, which concealed the top half of her face.

Unknown to her, an attractive pair of deep blue eyes had been transfixed on her when she unconsciously brushed her delicate skin on his arms.

Dressed in a black elegantly tailored tuxedo with a matching phantom wise owl mask was Dex Logan. He is the billionaire CEO of Logan's Aviations. He had earlier received an honorary invitation to the David Kingston masquerade ball themed, 'A Mystical Night With The gods'.

The evening event was held in the prestigious Artlyns' Palace which was located in the heart of Duras city.

"X-ray, you are clear to go in now. Phoenix is on the move." The voice from earlier gave another directive.

"Already ahead of you, Alpha." X-ray grinned. He was three kilometers away from the event venue but his gifted hand was about to cause mayhem.

"Phoenix, you are good to go in 5...4...3...2...and..." X-ray skillfully accessed the Artlyns' Palace security system and shut it down.

The light in the event room suddenly went off causing brief panic. However, before the security details could swing into action, the lights and security system were miraculously restored.

Nevertheless, a momentary security sweep was still initiated, but, since everything seemed perfect, the organizers of the event relaxed their minds

Inside the comfort of a secluded ladies' room cubicle, Phoenix smartly changed into a black leather one-piece cat women's suit. She slid comfortably through the ceiling vent to the targeted room. The room was well secured with laser beams and high-tech security gadgets. During the temporal light glitch, she deftly beat the security check, maneuvering the laser beam like a skillful dragonfly.

With the prized red diamond safely secured, she discreetly found her way back to the ladies' room cubicle. The diamond was to be displayed at the later part of the evening event, but it was gone without anyone knowing.

"Package secured, I'm comiing out!" Phoenix reported and swiftly changed back into her party wear. She reconfirmed her surrounding before stepping into the main event hall.

"Venus, abort mission! Phoenix is out and is moving for the kill," Alpha instructed with a devilish grin plastered on his face as he moved between different guest.

Alpha, a tall handsome guy with hypnotic grey eyes, in an all-black elegantly tailored suit, slightly bumped into Phoenix. His well-defined face was concealed under a black ancient Greek warrior gladiator mask. He was the fierce and ruthless leader of the gang.

Like a professional swindler, Phoenix speedily passed on the red diamond to him, giving him a furtive wink.

"Copy, Alpha! Phoenix, he is all yours. Ready to take the show on the road." A sexy female voice non barcode name, Venus, affirmed on the other end of the phone.

Venus walked seductively toward the Alpha. Her angelic face was partly covered by a purple Venetian carnival mask, with her blond delicate hair cascading down her shoulders.

"I am suffocating in this dress. This is simply torturing." Venus's eyes sparkled as she came face to face with Alpha. She gently cupped his masked face and kissed his full lips.

"Let's get out of here. The show is about to have a premature end." Alpha smirked, licking his lips lustfully. He led Venus of of the ballroom like a gentleman handling a delicate lady.

Phoenix walked seductively to the VIP section of the hall. Her marked target was completely overwhelmed by her enchantress figure. He lustfully scanned her body like an X-ray machine and licked his lips, as she came up to him. This made her feel repulsive but she swallowed hard. Her mission was more important than the disgusting fool.

The general was the seventh loyal commander and stakeholder in David Kingston's trusted circle of friends. He was in charge of the security details for David and he was ruthless at his job. He took so much pleasure in brandishing his havoc recking cannon on any young girl that as much as wink in his direction. At the age of forty-eight, he was as lively and agile as a stallion in its prime. The girls loved him for his handsome figure and his wealth. In return, he fulfilled their heart desires after savagely satisfying his monstrous appetite.

"And who might this angel be?" The general's husky voice rapped in Phoenix's ears.

"I am your Cleopatra, offering my entire body to you, free of charge." Phoenix seductively trialed her hands on his conspicuously exposed face, sending exhilarating shivers down the general's spine.

"Ooh la la! I'm all yours!" The general sang, gently grabbing her slender waist and leading her to his office.

When they were finally alone and away from nosy security details, the Phoenix struck like a bolt of lightning. She swiftly asphyxiated the general like he was nothing but a mere puppet in her hands. The general's lifeless body slumped on the floor with a gentle thud. She further spent ten minutes, ransacking the general's office and confiscating important documents. After planting a ten-minute timer explosive device in the office, Phoenix discreetly left like she was never there.

The explosive device was designed by Volt, - the nineteen years old male physicist and weapon designer.

Phoenix was about to exit the venue when someone blocked her path. "You guys can leave without me," she cautiously notified her gang. "I need to diffuse a tricky problem in my path. Don't worry, I'll leave before the fireworks start."

"Okay Phoenix, be safe," Alpha reaffirmed.

"Hello, gorgeous!" Alex walked up to the beautiful lady before him. "The Phoenix, right?"

Phoenix's hazel eyes widened. She never told this breathtaking daredevil her name. "How in God's name did he discover me?" A thousand questions clamored for attention in her head. "Is my cover blown?" She stole furtive glances at the gigantic clock ahead. "Eight minutes left to the showdown!" Her stares became frosty.

"How..."

"I guessed from the mask you are wearing. It is the Phoenix, right?" Dex interrupted her.

Phoenix glares softened. "No need to snap his neck," she thought. "Good guess! Now if you'll be a good boy and excuse me!" She spoke in a slightly irritated tone, tapping Dex on his clean-shaven well-defined jawline.

Her touch, though not on purpose, sent stimulating chills down Dex's entire frame. He shuddered and smiled. "Not after you dance with me." He offered her his right hand and prayed deeply in his heart that she would accept.

Phoenix bit down her lips in annoyance. This man was testing her patience and time was not on her side. She had barely six minutes left.

"You want to have your last dance in life?" She smirked devilishly at him.

"Yes! As long as l have that dance with you." Dex's heart melted at her intense stares. He felt an arrow pierce through his heart as an overwhelming emotion enveloped him. "Cupid must have struck me," he thought.

Phoenix let out a bitter chuckle. She had five minutes left to leave this hell hole. Otherwise, the damages she may sustain would be detrimental to her future mission.

"How about you take me to your bedroom in your house and I might give you that last dance." She took Dex's right hand, squeezing fiercely, she dragged him out of the hall to the car park.

Dex winced in pain but still tagged along. "How could a delicate and fragile creature like this beauty possess such an Amazon warrior grip?" He pondered.

"Your car!" Her voice was fired up as a lanky male valet approached with Dex's exotic grey Porsche car.

Phoenix snatched the keys forcefully from the valet like she owned the car.

"Get in!" She commanded Dex in an icy tone.

Dex who was currently, hopelessly in love followed her every directive like a bee, being lured to its death by a magical nectar-producing flower.

Phoenix looked at the time again, she had a minute and thirty seconds left to drive out into a safe distance from the imminent havoc.

"Phoenix, I just got word that your uncle has left the masquerade events with some of his circle of friends for a secret meeting." Alpha notified her.

"F**k!" She cursed out loud and sped out of the premises like a professional car racer.

"Why the hurry?" Dex gawked at her with a puzzled and mesmerized expression.

"Shut the f**k up, as***le!" Her frosty eyes shot ice piercing darts in Dex's direction.

BOOM!

A loud deafening sound could be heard from a few meters behind them, and the ground shook like an imminent earthquake was about to take place.

"What the hell was that?!" Dex screamed as he turned around to a horrific sight behind him.

"I just saved your worthless life, idiot!" Phoenix stopped the car and glowered at him, with the fleeting thought of punching his masked face.

Dex stared at Phoenix in horror, wondering why she was so hyped and furious. He stared at her and at the chaos behind them. Somehow, he suspected that she knew something about the partly exploded Artlyn Palace.

"Y...you knew this was g... going to h....happen?" Dex stuttered in bewilderment.

"F**k!" Phoenix struck the steering wheel angrily, making her hands turn red.

Phoenix took in a forced breath to control her rampaging emotions. She was slightly frustrated that her Uncle, David Kingston, narrowly escaped the sixth, and almost successful attack on his life.

'How many lives does the beast even have anyway?' Phoenix hissed.

The last hit targeted at David had been on a chattered airplane he boarded. The gang struck when credible intel confirmed his presence in the plane. Unfortunately for them, he was alerted of the imminent danger. So, he escaped the plane unscathed in a parachute before it exploded.

After this failed mission and a major successful robbery, the gang went under for three months as a nationwide manhunt was issued against them.

David also enlisted the services of a high-ranking detective, Ivan, to help dig up information about the true identity of the attackers. However, luck wasn't on Ivan's side as the gang were like ghosts that could not be detected in the physical world.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6,..." Phoenix heavy breathing softened. Counting numbers backward gave her mind a simple task to focus on, thereby distracting her spiraling thoughts. Also, the extra oxygen derived from this nerve-calming task helped her rechannel her frustration to something productive.

"I didn't get your name earlier!" Phoenix spoke gently as though she was calculating her next assault.

Even though her eyes had a sinister glint in them, Dex's anxiety dissipated and his entire being was engulfed by her beauty. His soul felt an electromagnetic pull toward the magical angel before him. He was tempted to remove her mask but he feared the repercussion of doing so.

"I am Dex Logan and it's my pleasure to meet you." He removed the mask from his face and extended his right hand. His smile revealed a perfect and dazzling dentition.

Phoenix gawked at him in awe. She was rendered speechless by his godlike beauty. Earlier, she had a feeling that he was a cute guy, but her mind didn't prepare her for the beauty she was now beholding.

From the dimly lit car, her hypnotic hazel eyes drank in his handsome features. His stylishly cut light brown hair perfectly complimented his well-defined square-shaped face. His deep blue eyes were mesmerizing and she felt sucked into them like quicksand. His long, straight and downward-pointing nose looked like it was artistically created. And his full lips...

"What's your name?" Dex interrupted her thoughts. "How did you know the Artlyn Palace was going to explode? Are you an undercover FBI agent? Were you trained in the military or something? Don't you think we ought to go back and help out rescue some victims of the explosion? There would be a lot of wounded people in need of urgent medical attention."

Dex was slightly worried by her mysterious and fascinating stares. He also had a hunch that she belonged to a secret agency.

"You better shut that hole in your face or I will be tempted to..."

Distance sirens blaring from emergency ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles made her alert to danger. She quickly started the car and zoomed off.

"Give me the direction to your place!" Phoenix requested in a commanding tone, and Dex willingly disclosed his address without a fuss.

The gang was supposed to leave the city in a private jet that night. But Phoenix was already running late and she was not satisfied with the outcome of the mission. At a safe distance, she stopped the car.

"Why are we stopping here?" An alarm rang in Dex's mind. "My house is still far off. Did you forget something?"

"Shut the f**k up, frightened kitten." Phoenix hissed, a potent rancor registered in her eyes. "Stay here and don't move! I'll be right back!" She swiftly stepped out of the car, holding th Le car key firmly. She walked a few steps to avoid eavesdropping and alerted her gang.

"Alpha, I'll be staying back at the city to assess the situation. I have found myself a love-sick puppy. I think he has a connection to David and I intend to use him as bait. You guys can leave without me. I'll be on the island in three days."

"Copy. Make sure you keep a low profile. Also stay away from trouble and have fun with your bait." The line went dead afterwards.

Phoenix stood for a while lost in her thoughts, mentally planning her next move when she sensed someone behind her.

"I thought I told you to stay back in the car!" She instinctively spun around to meet Dex's affectionate gaze. Her irked and haunted scowls did not frighten him. Instead, he moved closer to her, emboldened by her fierce glare. Their intense stares were like fire and calm flowing water.

"You have been standing out for a while and the night is freezing." He gently placed his jacket over her shoulders. I don't want you to catch a cold."

His kind words and caring expression showered like soft rain on Phoenix stone cold heart. It made her feel warm within. She felt something thumping weakly within.

"Is that my heart? Do I still have one? What the hell is happening to me?" Phoenix mentally questioned herself. Her haunted glares dissipated like a dark cloud giving rise to a little rainbow.

"No! I can't allow this to happen! This handsome daredevil is playing with fire. And I'll happily scorch him." The momentary glint of peace disappeared from her eyes and was replaced by frosty glares.

She took off his jacket and tossed it in his face. She walked up to him, closing up the little space between them, and scoffed at his slightly startled expression. "If you want to survive this night, never go against my instructions! Otherwise..." She shoved him forcefully aside and walked back to the car.

Dex stood transfixed on the spot due to her cold words. He was amazed by the amount of hatred in her eyes.

'How could a beautiful angel possess such a dark soul?' He pondered subconsciously. 'Maybe, she had never known love? Maybe, she grew up in a chaotic world? Maybe, something evil was eating her up?'

Dex slowly turned around only to meet her piqued expression from a distance. "Hmm... It's so easy to hate but very difficult to love. I'll love you, Phoenix! Even when you despise or physically hurt me, I'll love you more, until you learn the beauty of love." He vowed and walked towards his car.

"I thought you were driving?" Dex quizzed her with a raised eyebrow, as she took the front passenger seat and tossed the car keys at him.

"You're are testing my patience, pretty boy!" She scowled at him and slammed the door in his face.

Dex smiled and walked over to the other side. He calmly entered his car and without saying anything, he drove off

********

Back at the Artlyn Palace, the entire surrounding was littered with blaring sirens of ambulances, firefighters, and police cars. Lots of casualties; who sustained minor and major-degree burns and injuries were attended to by paramedics. Cops and investigators swept the whole area, cordoning off the hazardous spot from eager journalists, friendly neighbors, and onlookers.

"We are coming to you live from the grand Artlyn Palace, here in Duras city; the state capital of Clectopia. A horrific incident just took place some few minutes ago." A journalist reported dramatically, while the camera was pointed toward the direction of the blazing building; firefighters were heroically putting off the fire and rescuing some trapped victims. "We are yet to get reliable intel as to what led to the explosion but an anonymous source claims that this was the handiwork of the a crime syndicate.

At that very moment, a black exotic bulletproof limousine escorted by a black bulletproof armored SUV pulled close to the scene of the incident. Every reporter rushed towards the cars trying to get first-hand information from the occupants of the vehicles.

"Get those hawks away from my car! Daviv Kingston boomed in annoyance to his security details, over the phone.

Yes, boss!" His bodyguards affirmed and jumped down from the SUV like military men about to go for battle.

They swiftly cleared the crowd of reporters before David stepped out of his Limo looking like a demigod. He was garbed in a high-collar, muted grey minimalist jacket and trouser combo. His look was complemented with a dark round frame shade, giving him the demeanor of an evil villain plotting world domination.

Even from a far distance, most adamant and vibrant reporters kept screaming David's name in a bid to have a one-on-one interview with him.

"Mr. Kingston, who do you think is responsible for this assault?..."

"Mr. Kingston, was this bomb intended for you?..."

"Mr. Kings, will the perpetrator be apprehended this time?..."

"Mr. Kingston, how many deaths have been confirmed..."

"Bastards!" David simmered in fury as he walked up to the detective in charge of the investigation. "Those bastards are going to pay dearly this time."

"Ah! Mr. Kingston, welcome. We have been trying to get in touch with you." Detective Ivan's voice slightly trembled as he extended his right hand. He swiftly withdrew his hands when David took off his shade, revealing his bloodshot eyes.

"You better have something for me, you disgusting fool!" David was piqued by the slight hint of cheerfulness in Ivan's eyes.

"I...I...I... I'm working on it, Mr. Kingston." Ivan stuttered as he hid his trembling hands behind his back. "These people are good at covering their tracks. They are uncommonly skilled. But since they are not aliens, I promise you, we will find them and I will personally hand them over to you."

"Isn't that the same line you have been quoting to me for months now, you pathetic loser?" David snarled. "You have until the end of today to come up with useful information. Otherwise, I'll castrate you and feed your balls to my hounds. And when I'm done with you, I'll pay a nice visit to your family. Even your pet animal would not be spared."

Ivan's heart began slamming against his chest as he watched David leave. His mouth turned dry and his chest tightened at the thought of David's threat. His face was beaded with cold perspiration as he dished out frantic orders to his team of investigators. "Listen up!" He boomed. "Give me names! Give me samples! Give me motives! if there is any little thread, pull it, until you get something. I want the list of every guest that attended the party, like yesterday! Secure every evidence obtained. Give me something people.

David walked close to the badly destroyed Artlyn Palace and scrutinized the level of damage in agony. This was one of his most prized structures and now those soon-to-be slaughtered miscreants dared to lay their filthy fingers on it. He breathed down his volcanic fury. "Whoever these people are, I'm going to make them pay dearly for this," he vowed out loud. "I'm going to enjoy killing them." He turned around and walked towards his nearby underground structure.

"Mr. Kings, the red diamond was stolen." One of David's secret investigators informed him as he stepped into his underground heavily fortified office close to the Artlyn Palace.

"What!" David's eyes flashed in fury. "Where is the general?" He inquired in a deep and terrifying tone. "I don't care if he is severely injured or on his way to the hospital. Get him here!" He said between gritted teeth.

"T...t...the general died in the blast! Bits and pieces of his body were littered everywhere in his office. I think the bomb was planted there." The investigator's mouth twitched in horror as he watched David pull out a golden pistol and cork it.

BANG!

The investigator's lifeless body dropped on the floor with a heavy thud. His forehead oozed with fresh blood that flowed gradually on the tiled floor.

There was complete silence as everyone in the room feared that they may be next to suffer a cruel fate from their piqued boss.

"That would teach you a lesson for giving so much bad news at a stretch." David hissed and spat at the dead man's corpse. "Take that fool out of my sight and clean up the mess!"

"Yes, boss!" Two security details quickly jumped to the task.

"Also, send a message to the general's family for messing up my evening party. Take pictures after giving them a beautiful death and send it around, as a warning to anyone that fails on their task." He ordered and went into his inner office to calm his demons.

-----

Phoenix stepped out of Dex's car and smiled mischievously. "Hmm... So my lovesick puppy is a wealthy young man? Nice! These three days are going to be fun!" She mused incoherently.

"You have a nice mansion, pretty boy." she genuinely complimented Dex, who smiled and said a simple,

"thank you".

Dex's luxurious and elegant mansion was located on the outskirts of Duras city. It was the only house in a serene, peaceful, and lonely area. It was perfect for a quiet and discreet life. The mansion was equipped with captivating water fountains at the entrance, swimming pools, an enchanting garden, and a helipad. It also had a wide expanse of land for various outdoor games and stables for horses.

Phoenix walked towards the water fountain by the entrance to the mansion as though she owned it. With each step she took, she purposely flaunted her hour glass figure. When she got to the fountain, she slowly turned around and placed one hand on the fountain's concrete water basin. Striking a lustful pose, like a superstar model about to be captured for a Playboy magazine, she signaled a totally mesmerized Dex with her forefinger.

Like a hypnotized zombie, Dex came forward and stopped in front of her. His heart was thumping loudly as though it would jump out of his chest in the next second. His whole body ached to see the beauty under the mask. He felt like wrapping his hands around her waist and professing sweet love to her.

Phoenix smirked devilishly at Dex's longing look. "Some men are so fragile in the presence of a beautiful lady". She gently stroked his chin. "You are lusting over me even when you have no idea of my true identity. I could be a serial killer, yet you brought me down to your home, without questions. Don't you think you're very been a fool?"

Dex was unperturbed by her words. He gently took her hand that was igniting fireworks on his face and planted a soft kiss on it. "Please, may I see your face?" He gazed lovingly into her sparkling eyes.

"I rarely like men, and anyone who see beneath this mask dies without knowing what killed them. However, I'll make an exception for you. Do you know why?"

Phoenix deep hatred for her uncle and the male assassin who assaulted her when she was just seven years old, transcended to the male folk. Overtime, she mastered the art of craftiness by using lust and seduction as a potent weapon for assassination.

Dex looked at her with a burning curiosity. "You are joking when you say you kill men, right?"

"You will find out soon enough if you decide to hang around me," she chuckled softly. "So do you want to know why I will make an exception for you?"

Dex, unsure of what to say simply shook his head in response.

"Good boy!" She pulled her hand free from his hold and released him from her seductive charms. "Because I'm beginning to like you. You seem like one of the good ones. So..." She slowly walked towards the mansion gate and stopped a few meters away from him. She turned around, revealing an icy cold stare. "I'll give you a choice: Number one, I take off my mask and you get to see my face and suffer the consequences. Number two, I walk away now and you never get to see me again. What number will it be pretty boy?"

"Number one." Dex didn't think about the threatening clause behind the first option as he quickly made his choice.

"Hmm... Is that your final answer?" Phoenix walked back to him and stared directly into his eyes. "Because, once I take off my mask, there's no going back. You will be in for a long and bumpy ride."

"Take it off..." Dex reiterates, sounding like he was referring to something else than the mask. He eyes glinted with deep longing as he gazed into her glimmering eyes.

"As you wish, pretty boy," she slowly took off her mask revealing the face of an angelic beauty. As if that was not enough to mesmerized the shamelessly gawking Dex, she carefully removed the hair pin holding her updo butter blonde highlighted brown hair.

Temporarily shutting her eyes, she shook her head from side to side, causing the wavy hair to flutter freely before cascading down her shoulders. She batted her long beautiful lashes severally as she opened her sensational hazel eyes. She gently licked her full and sumptuous lips. Then she softly bit down her bottom lips causing Dex to drool over her like a dog in heat. Her Olive skin tone complimented the golden highlight of her natural brunette wavy hair.

"Close your mouth, pretty boy," she smirked devilishly as she lifted a finger and shut Dex's open mouth. "You don't want the night flies to camp in them, do you?" She giggled and walked away from him.

Dex stood transfixed on a spot for ten seconds before he got back his senses. He shook his head to cast out the hypnotic spell that Phoenix placed on him before turning around to face her.

She turned her head slightly backward and gave him a lopsided grin. "You're making this too easy for me, please lead the way."

Dex eyes sparkled as he smiled and walked up to her. "Did you just say, please. I think I must be dreaming!" He teased. "This is the first kind word you've said to me all night. And I pray you use more of such words."

"In your dreams!" Phoenix scoffed and nudged him to lead the way. "Do you live alone or is there someone I should be worried about," she quizzed as she quickly scanned her environment.

"I'm live alone for now except for the mansion staff. I'm also single and available, if you'll have me." He winked at her.

"Keep dreaming!" She sneered.