ALANNAH Chapter One

Finding herself sitted and waiting in the car; Alannah was deep in thought. Although she'd just been released from jail on bail and it felt great to be free once more. But her freedom had come completely out of thin air. A mysterious miracle. She was desperate for answers but she'd been asked to wait in the car by her benefactor. He'd introduced himself to her earlier as Connor.

She'd asked herself why Connor helped her. She knew he wasn't doing it for charity because who the hell bail people out of jail for a living? Clearly, he wants something in return. But what could he possibly want in return? Only one way to find out, she thought.

Few moments later, he was in the car. He seemed quite calm and composed and in no rush to explain anything yet. But she didn't have that kind of patience. She turned, fixing her stare on him which was supposed to make him uncomfortable and start talking. Fortunately, it worked.

“What’s wrong? You look shocked” Connor said, in a deep, calm tone. A ghost of smile on his face as he did.

“Who are you? " Asked Alannah, with a tightened brows and a serious face.

“My name’s Connor, I told you that already, are you slow?” He said with a smirk. He took to the wheels and got on the road at a slow pace.

“I know, but I don't care what you're called, duur” She fired back at him.

This time, the smile on his face was sharp. “Then what do you wanna know?” he asked.

“Everything", said Alannah. She adjusted to use the seatbelt. "Who you are, why you bailed me out and what you want", she added.

“Well, I saw you needed help or do you wanna go back? I can always drive back and ask them to lock you back up”.

"Oh, so you bail people out of jail for a living"? She retorted.

“Well, If that's the case, you'd be my first", he replied with a wicked grin.

Alannah could tell he's enjoying this. Maybe he knew exactly what he is doing. Or he is mistaken. She felt he needed to know what and who he's dealing with.

“Well in that case, you should know I’m not innocent. I sell". “I know” he said gently.

“You do? Then why?” Alannah asked, still curious.

“Why I’m helping you"? He took a pause, like he was trying to be careful and calculative with his choice of words.

"I see you have potentials and you seem like a really valuable asset.” He explained, with his eyes still glued to the road.

A valuable Asset? She thought. "What do you mean by valuable asset?" she asked with questioning eyes.

He took a glance at her and he could read her thoughts.

“No, not like that” He said. “I know how hard you’re fighting to be clean" He added.

With every word he said, she had a million questions for each.

How’d he know? Has he been stalking her? For how long? And what does he mean by her being a valuable asset to his company? Why would he choose do that for her? What does he really want in return? For a moment, Alannah was lost in thought, processing each questions and trying not to sound too impatient. One at a time, she said to herself.

“How did you know about me?” She finally spoke out.

“Oh, I saw you, Once, torn between losing your mind and taking the drug and seeing how you handled your situation, I must say you’re a very Strong lass” he answered

“When?” She asked. Confused.

**Flashback**

Connor had left Alannah - walking out after giving her his jacket- to go smoke. He stood outside, gazing at the tides, admiring the stars and also wondering why he had stood up for the girl back inside. “Why has he? He barely even knew her and besides, it was none of his business, he’d been known to always mind his business and always stayed out of any sort of trouble. But, there was something particular about this Woman and although, he doesn't know what it is but he sure is going to find out.” He thought.

Walking back in, Connor heard sobs and slight screams. “What was going on in there?” He wondered. Opening the door to a small room, he saw the physique he thinks he recognized! That was the lady he’d thrown punches for. But, what is wrong with her? Connor was still wondering, When he saw some white substance on the table. The girl - Alannah - was too distracted to have noticed that someone was watching her. Looking at her, she seems torn and she looks like she was fighting back really hard, then it dawned! She’s an addict! The White substances on the table were drugs and she’s torn between slipping back or almost going crazy, but, seeing as it is, seems she’s really fighting hard to not slip back into drug usage. Connor walked out and what he’d seen almost caused his heart to ache and there and then, he promised himself to be there for that young lady, despite not knowing who she is or whatever she was going through, all he wanted to do is walk her through the addiction.

**EOF**

“I saw you fight addiction and even though you could’ve gotten back into drugs, you didn’t, you chose to stay clean” Connor explained.

“Oh” Alannah managed to say. He was the one staring at her in the room, she remembered she felt his gaze on her, but she couldn’t say anything

“We’re here” Connor announced, driving into a mansion. Jerking Alannah back into reality.

“Welcome” Connor said, Opening the car door and helping her out. Why is he so gentle to her? Alannah thought. She stared at the beautiful mansion, but said nothing. He had fleets of different-coloured cars. A nice and very Spacious garden, Alannah was still admiring the house when a voice greeted. “Mr. Connor, Welcome” the voice had greeted. Alannah turned to see a middle aged woman, she’s sturdy and have a really beautiful smile. “Nanny McPhee, Thank You. Meet Alannah, Alannah, Nanny McPhee” Connor introduced. Alannah had thought she was his mother, but, why would his mother refer to him as “Mr”? The introduction helped her understand that she was his Nanny. “Nice to meet You Nanny McPhee” Alannah said with a smile. “Nice to meet you too, Just call me Phee, please, that is what everyone in this house asides Mr. Connor of course, calls me” Nanny McPhee said laughing.

“I’d stop calling you that if you stop adding Mr. to my name” Connor laughed and leaned in to give his Nanny a kiss on her cheek. She laughed back and returned the kiss. “Come on in” McPhee said, inviting them in. “Thank You” Alannah said, Walking inside the house.