Chapter 24: Seduction or Illusion?

While Benjamin and Bella question their mother for her dubious actions, DK and his two subordinates board a private flight to California, arriving at night in the city of San Diego where some of the Kicher family's many businesses were taking place, including the hotel where he stayed. He took a shower and went straight to the casino that operated on the top floor of the luxurious building. He sat in a strategic place observing everything and everyone while Oliver and Jacob mingled with other customers. The goal was to understand what was happening in that place. Suddenly, an argument near the bar caught DK's attention. A beautiful woman with medium-length brown hair, tanned skin, a thin body but with some curves, the red dress that was tight on her body that also drew attention, was trying to restrain a drunk man:

"You are being inconvenient and bothering the other customers. Please leave."

"I'm not going anywhere. Do you know how much I lost here? $50,000 dollars. And get out of here, crazy Bitch." the man shouts in a slurred voice. DK, in turn, stands up and walks towards the confusion

“Sir, my patience is running out, this is my last warning. Go away.” the woman stares at the drunk man

“Shut up! And put yourself in your place, bitch.” the drunk man pushes the woman, DK sees the scene and quickens his steps, but before he finally arrives the woman punches the upset man in the face while calling the security guards to remove the now unconscious man.

“You have a great right punch. Are you a boxer by any chance?” DK tries to approach her

“No! I just learned a few things for my own defense and survival.” the woman looks at DK suspiciously

“Impressive!”

“It’s not impressive at all. There’s always some smartass here who wants to cheat.” she continues to stare at him

“Really? Good to know.” DK also stares at her with his penetrating gaze which makes the chestnut shiver

“Who are you?” Before the handsome man could answer, a voice was heard behind them

“Dylan Kicher!? What brings you here?” a tall, well-dressed man with gray hair approached

“Mr. Webster, long time no see.” DK greeted

“I noticed you’ve already met my daughter, Deanna.”

“I just met you. Nice to meet you, Deanna!” DK reached out to greet her and as soon as their hands met he kissed the back of hand without taking his eyes off her.

“Deanne, this is Dylan Kicker, Alexander Kicker’s son, in other words, our boss.”

“Please, if you say that, you’ll end up scaring Miss Deanne and I don’t want that.”

“But you still haven’t said what you’re here for, Mr. Kicher.” Webster noticed the somewhat malicious look on his daughter.

“Mr. Kicher? Don’t do that, just call me DK.” He smiles and continues “I came to have some fun, meet new people, see how business is going, that kind of thing.”

“Let’s do it this way, today you have fun at your casino and tomorrow we’ll talk about whatever you want.”

“Great idea! Miss Deanne, could you come with me?”

“I can’t. I have to work, this place is packed and what if another drunk decides to cause trouble?” Deanne throw her charm for DK who smiles and from there begins a game of seduction that Webster would find very interesting, noticing that DK has taken an interest in Deanne.

“And what is your job here? Miss Deanne, head of security?”

Deanne bursts out laughing, “You almost got it right. I’m the female manager and I like to keep things in order around here, as you can tell, boss.”

“Boss?! You’re a very interesting woman, Miss Deanne.”

“I know.” she smiles, playing 8her charm

“When is your day off?”

“Tomorrow at 8:00 am at Pacific Beach.” Deanne and DK look at each other, it was clear that there was a vibe going on between them.

DK watches the beautiful woman walk away, letting out a malicious smile without noticing Kevin Webster’s eyes perverse on him, but Oliver was attentive to the details, noticing and approaching the two.

“Is there a problem, Mr. Webster?”

“Who are you?”

“This is Oliver, my right-hand man.”

“Okay! I’ll leave you guys alone. If you’ll excuse me!” Webster goes back to his office and as he walked further and further away, DK turned to his friend and subordinate and asked him:

“Why did you approach so abruptly?”

“Sorry! But I didn’t like the way that man was looking at you, and you didn’t even notice because he was focused on the beautiful woman in the tight dress.”

“Damn! Without wanting to I warned him about what I came here to do. But it won’t help because I’m very well trained to catch scoundrels.”

“Who's that woman you were drooling over?”

“Deanne Webster, she's Kevin's daughter.”

“I don't understand your taste for complicated women and as your subordinate I can't say anything, but as your friend I have the obligation to ask you to be careful not to fall into another trap.”

“Thank you for worrying about me, Oliver. I'll stay alert.”

DK decides to go back to the room he was staying in, taking off his suit and getting completely naked, covering his body only with the sheet and closing his eyes. The image of Bella and her look of anger and sadness the last time they saw each other comes to his mind.

“I'm going to forget you, Bella Hahn, you'll be just a bitter memory to me.”

The next day, DK goes alone to the beach that Deanne suggested, finding her already wet sitting on the sand with a surfboard by her side, she was distracted looking at the sea and he approaches:

“Besides being beautiful and charming, you also like surfing? That way I'll fall in love.”

“I thought we were past that phase.” Deanne stands up smiling

“Then we can move on.”

“And what would that be like?” Deanne teases and soon feels DK's firm hands on her body and their lips meeting for an intense kiss.

“Wow! You're good at this.” She looks him in the eyes and DK smiles, looking away from him.

“Can I borrow your board?” He asks a guy who was there with his girlfriend.

“You can take.”

“So how about we both catch a wave?”

“Only if it's now.” Deanne responds

Deanne and DK go into the sea, catching waves and spending the whole morning together on the beach.

“How about having lunch with me?” DK makes the invitation and Deanne quickly accepts the offer. They arrange to meet at a very trendy restaurant far from the hotel. The two meet in the lobby, he gives a mischievous smile when he sees Deanne wearing a low-cut and somewhat short black dress.

“Is all this for me?”

“What do you think?”

“I think you want to seduce me and take me to your bed.” He whispers in her ear and she smiles.

“Ugh! You found out my plan.” The two smile and leave towards the parking lot. Meanwhile, Kevin Webster watches everything through the security cameras with a satisfied expression.

At the restaurant, Deanne and DK savored sophisticated and delicious dishes, and before dessert she looks at him and asks:

“You’re here because of the embezzlement of money, aren’t you?”

“And you’re very insightful and direct, Miss Deanne, and almost fooled me.”