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  "Hey, where were you last night?" It just came out.

  "I told you tending to business," he said brushing his blond wet hair with his hands.

  "At that time?" Why was I asking this?

  "Yes Eden," he said simply.

  "I want a car. I want to drive myself places."

  "Did George do something to upset you?"

  "No, Ross I saw Olivianna driving herself and it just looked like freedom. I'm nineteen is time I drive myself places. you do."

  "Okay, we will see, "

  "Where are you going now? You barely slept last night"

  "I'm tending to a very important meeting my business is picking up lots of international traffic"

  What did that mean?

  I never really fully knew what Ross did. I never asked. He had a lot of men working for him and he was super rich, but I never fully understood what it was that he did.

  "What is it that you do exactly?"

  He looked at me as he was getting dressed."

  "I already told you"

  "No, you have not. Not fully"

  "What's going on Eden? Why so many questions why now?" He was getting upset.

  "Because we are getting married soon and I still don't know what it is that you really do for work. You have all this money. All these meetings and now internationally. It makes no sense for a simple motorcycle club gang thing."

  "You're right. I'll tell you what I do is time you know the truth." He said putting on his pants.

  Chapter 23

  Ross POV

  I wasn't going to be stupid. I couldn't fully tell her the truth of what I did. She will never agree with it and she would break up the engagement and probably end everything with me. I had to play my cards right. Luckily for me, I already had a story planned in my head as to what I was going to tell her should she ever ask.

  "My motorcycle gang and I sell goods to international people like international trade" It was sort of true.

  "What kind of goods?" she asked curious little thing. I knew she would eventually ask.

  "we expose vegemite and certain Australian goods to international markets, snakeskin to make boots and stuff"

  "Oh, okay," she said. Grabbing her clothes and heading to the shower.

  "I'm sorry, I just want to know more about you. I feel like there is so much I still don't know. I didn't mean anything bad by asking these questions"

  "No. I understand your curiosity love, is all good" I felt bad lying to her. I had done so much to keep her by my side that I felt bad telling her more lies but I didn't have a choice. I didn't want to lose her for good.

  She gave me a kiss and headed to her room to grab clothes.

  I wanted to hold her and tell her the truth, but I couldn't.

  She left to grab her stuff and I took advantage and left the room. I hurried downstairs.

  "Leaving without eating again?" Carol was like my mother always making sure I ate or was behaving well with Eden.

  "Yeah, I'm in a rush I'll pick up something on the way," I said. "make sure Eden eats though I've noticed that she has been doing the same thing as me. Leaving without eating"

  "if you can why can't she?" carol answered back.

  I gave her a look. "just saying that's how she thinks Rossy" Carol was right that is exactly how she thought.

  "then let's just keep it between us then. Tell her I ate like a horse. I'll see you later" I said and walked out.

  I had four cars but the one I liked the most was the Bugatti Chiron with its top speed a two-seater it was the perfect car to get me where I needed to go fast.

  I got to hell's land in a short time. All me men were already there.

  "Hey Ross," Rock was already there. Ready to go as usual. So were the rest of my men and the new ones I took from Stoner. Everyone was working exactly how they needed to work.

  We had a huge deal in-store. Usually, we exported our drug to local suppliers and to New Zealand but now we were getting ready to export internationally to America. But I couldn't just sell my goods to just anyone. Ever since Eden, I took care to export to people who weren't going to follow my rules. How do I explain it? drugs are drugs, but I wanted to do business with the right people if that made any sense.

  Dad didn't care who he sold our merchandise too. But I did. I took great care in making the right deals to the right people. My current goal was to make drugs that can actually help people in good ways. I had a long way coming but Eden made me think like a better person.

  "Are you sure you want to go this route Ross?" my men questioned my decisions and my motives. They only cared about making the big bucks to continue to afford our lifestyle it made sense. But I just couldn't.

  I went to my secret underground lab. Nobody knew about this place especially Eden. Only a handful of my men knew about it. That's why I kept it here hidden from everyone. It was inside the library. Like your typical hidden places, it was hidden behind steel doors that blended in with the rest of the room's decor. A mermaid statue was the key to opening the door. I typed in the code and both doors flung open. I walked in a pressed the code to close the door again. My family built this underground lab since before my father's father and his father could walk. It has been in the family for many, many years. It started out as a secret room where my ancestors could come in here and have their fun without anyone else knowing about it. But then it became what it is today.

  I went down the round staircase that led down a straight long hall. I made my way inside the actual lab. Tons and tons of bags of cocaine were organized in nice staked piles on shelves. About 100 cannabis plants planted in the green room and two huge desks where the scientist I had working for me did their magic.

  Dr. Dean and Dr. Guag were sitting there on their desks waiting for me.

  "We have to talk Ross," Dr. Dean told me. Dr. Guag just listened.

  "Rock and Jack told us your plans to expand the merchandise internationally. To America is this true?"

  "Yes, it is will that be a problem?" I asked.

  "No. except we might need more help. We already work on the merchandise all day every day pretty much. We can use another hand especially if we need to make more"

  "fair. You guys both choose one of your best colleagues put them on board explain the huge paycheck and get them started. I will get to expand the lab, but it is going to take some time. You have to be patient. Right now, the important thing is making enough merchandise to keep all of our customers happy and to continue to afford our lifestyle."

  They both looked at each other as if they wanted to say more.

  "Is there anything else gentlemen?" I asked.

  Dean looked at Guag as if he was asking him to speak to me silently.

  "Rock also said that you were planning on only selling to a select group of people," Guang said. He was more serious than Dean and he barely spoke. Only when something really mattered to him.

  "Yes, that is true"

  "But what if the supply doesn't get sold to everyone?"

  "It will. International people want this stuff all the time, but I will not have it fall in the wrong hands. I have rules."

  "Look Ross we never really asked about anything. Who you sell it too? You who do business with. We just make it and help grow it you take care of the rest" Guang was saying.

  "And I make sure you are very well paid for it" I said bluntly.

  "Yes, but what if our pay suffers because you will only be working with some people and not all people."

  I stayed quiet for a moment. To process everything, I wanted to say in the best way possible and so that they could fully understand me.

  "I live by a code. Maybe I didn't before but I sure as hell do now. I am marrying a wonderful woman soon who will never approve of any of this. But I have to make a living, and this is the only way I know-how. As long as everything flows right"

  I had hope that everyone would understand my reason for my particular choice of who I sold too. I didn't want to screw anyone's paycheck u
p, but I also didn't want to get my stuff to the wrong hands of people. My people stuck by me at all times though. I hope they always would.

  Dean and Guang looked at each other.

  "We trust you, Ross, you and your father Norman have always had our backs since we were expelled from the science academics. You guys gave us a chance. You have proven loyal to us and we will stick by your decisions now and always" Guang said.

  That made me feel so much better. These two were excellent at what they did, and everyone seemed to love their stuff. Myself included. Although I did less of cocaine these days. Eden had really changed me. Before she was just another girl more like a little sister. But since I discovered that I had strong feelings for her and now she was going to be my wife things changed. I changed. I wanted to do better for her, and I was already on that path.

  I could never really be fully honest with her about what I did. But If I played my cards right, she would never have to know.

  I got a text from one of my suppliers I am trying to do business within Los Angeles.

  "Hey, Mr. Lyner I got a potential client for you. Exactly how you asked. They are willing to follow all of the rules you asked and will sign your contract. But they want to meet you in person here in Los Angeles. Is that something we can work out?"

  Los Angeles going to Los Angeles? this was becoming more realistic by the minute. I always dreamed of expanding internationally. I knew my products were the best.

  "Sure when?" I text back. It didn't take long to receive a reply back.

  "How does tomorrow sound?" They said.

  Tomorrow? I felt like I had something important to do here. But I couldn't remember at the top of my head what that was.

  "Yeah, sure! I'll book my flight now" I said.

  "Great! we will send you all the details when you get to L.A see you here we can't wait to be partners" they said.

  I didn't know about all of that. I really like working alone. With my small group of people and no one else. That's one of the reasons why my men were a little reluctant too. Adding new people to our team was always a risky move. We didn't know who they were and what they were going to bring to the table, but one thing was sure. I was the damn boss, and everyone had to follow my orders! If they didn’t, they would get cut off immediately!

  I said my goodbyes to the doctors and headed back upstairs. I had to talk to my men and get everything settled and situated. The trucks were ready to go and so were the boats. I was so thankful that Eden hadn't found any merchandise while she and Earl took my boat that day. I got the police we worked with onboard and everyone knew their place. That's why I was always so late coming home to Eden. I was super busy with this new international deal. All the preparations taking place had to be exact. But tonight, I was going to dedicate myself to her.

  "What time are you going to be done there, my love?" I texted her.

  She took a while to reply back but she did.

  "I’ll probably be done by 8 or 9 tonight."

  "leave Olivianna there doing the stuff come home I'm taking you out for dinner and then... You are all mine" I said.

  "well, how can I resist? I'll be there in about thirty minutes" she texted back.

  I ran out of there as fast as I could. I said my goodbyes to my men left Rock in charge while I was gone. Tomorrow I will fly to L. A. I didn't know what to tell Eden. I wanted to make tonight special for her. It was so last minute, but I needed this deal. This was my life. I had to expand. I wanted to always afford to live the way I do and give Eden the best of things.

  I got to the house and she was already outside waiting for me. I took a bit longer because I was buying her Gardenia flowers her favorite.

  She got in. "Hi," she said.

  "Hi," I said back. we both laughed and kissed each other passionately. Her arms around my neck tight.

  "Before we go to dinner can you please take me to the mall? I want to buy something extra beautiful" she said.

  "But love you already have so many beautiful stuff beside you look good with what you have on now," I said.

  "Is not for now silly. It is for our opening night. I want you to pick something out for me. something you want me to wear."

  Oh fuck!! that was the important thing I was forgetting. The opening of her restaurant. I can't believe I was going to miss such an important part of her life. Now telling her I wasn't going to be there became even more difficult.

  '

  Chapter 24

  Ross POV

  I had no idea how to tell her the truth. That I wasn't going to be there.

  That I was going to be in Los Angeles.

  "What's wrong?" She asked. She knew something was wrong. But how to tell her?

  "Nothing I just...Eden, I'm sorry but I'm not going to be at your restaurant opening".

  "what?" She said. Surprised. Alarmed. Upset.

  "I have a very important meeting in Los Angeles."

  "Los Angeles? As in the United States?"

  "Yes"

  She stayed silent.

  "I'm so sorry this was so last minute. Please don't be mad. My business is expanding, and it requires that I travel internationally".

  "then let's not go anywhere tonight. We have to pack your suitcase and get your plane ticket and take you to the airport and..."

  "And make love," I told her. She smiled.

  "I promised to take you out to dinner. I want to spend time alone with you"

  "We can spend time alone inside. In our room. I'll have Carol prepare us a delicious meal and we can eat it in your room...or I can prepare something for us, "

  "No. I want you all for me. Have Carol make something. Tonight, I want you to be all mine."

  "Okay, " she said. We got out of my car and went upstairs to our room. Eden went to tell Carol to make us dinner.

  While I waited for her to return, I wanted to make this night extra special for her. I wasn't going to see her for about a week. Ever since I met her seven years ago this was the first time, we were going to be apart. I didn't like the feeling.

  "Done," she said. "I asked Carol to make us cheeseburgers with chips since you are going to America might as well eat like them too at least for tonight.

  "I'm going to miss you so much," she said sitting on my lap.

  "Are you kidding me? You are all I think about" I said.

  We both went for each other lips in unison.

  I placed her on her back slowly and took off my shirt. I kissed her softly.

  "Ross...I'm really going to miss you is like I don't know who I am without you"

  She said kissing me slowly. Her kisses felt warm and passionate on my shoulders, neck and lips. Soft traces.

  "I'll be back love, and I won't ever leave you again. I'm sorry is so last minute but enough talking"

  I took off my pants and briefs slowly. I took off her clothes as well. I stayed on top of her just looking at her. Two naked bodies admiring each other as if it was the first time, we had made love. But tonight, was different. I wasn't going to see her for a week, so I wanted to memorize her face her body like this. Here and now. I kissed her and she rose up to kiss me.

  I went inside her. Deep but slow. I wanted to make this moment last. One thrust at a time was a memory of how much I love her. Deep. She started moving with me following my movement.

  "I love you, " she said.

  I couldn't help myself.

  "I love you, " I said it back and we kissed.

  **************************

  I didn't let Eden take me to the airport it was going to be too painful to say goodbye to her but more painful was the lies I had told her about why I was really going there.

  "Good luck man, you should have let me come with you Ross, "

  Rock was almost in tears.

  "No, I need you to stay here and take care of Eden for me while I'm gone. Teach her to drive she insist on getting a car." I smiled. Couldn't imagine her behind the wheel Brisbane watch out.

  "Make sure she doesn't get in
to any trouble. You are the only one I trust with her. I know you will take care of her, brother" we gave each other a hug something we have never done before.

  "Take care man and call me as soon as you land hurry back," Rock said putting his hands in his black leather jacket as he slowly walked away.

  I was going to miss it here. Most importantly I was going to miss Eden like crazy. We had so many history. This was the first time I was leaving her side and her mine, and I had no idea how I felt about it. Luckily this meeting was only for a week.

  ******************

  L.A was loud and crowded super crowded. Crossing the interaction felt more like crossing a border between two countries. The city of dreamers L.A. people came here from all over the world trying to make it, especially in the showbiz industry. This was the place where actors can dream of making it in a feature film and being seen all over the world. But damn too much traffic from all sides and corners.

  It was warm while other places in the country were cold. Even around this time of year.

  I drove to my hotel which took me a good hour or so with all the traffic. The hotel was grand and luxurious just as the chef ordered.

  I checked in and made it to my room. A huge space welcomed me. The bed was in the middle with a large sofa in front of it. The big screen flat tv was on the wall above the sofa. Which made no sense to me at all. Why would they put a TV above a sofa? The balcony was huge overlooking the city. Beverly hills. With two chairs and a small round table in the middle.

  The bathroom was next to the bed. A large round tub and a separate large shower awaited with double sinks and the toilet. It was a bit bathroom almost as big as the one from home.

  There were these little stairs that led to the downstairs kitchen area with a small lounge. This was going to be home for the next week.

  "Hey babe, I made it here okay. Traffic sucks but is all good. I'll keep you informed on my adventures ha-ha love you, "

  A quick text because of the time difference I couldn't call Eden. Although she said to call her whenever. I didn't want to bother her with the restaurant opening soon she had to get her rest. I just wanted to get this done and run back to her as soon as possible.