3

Brad felt like a complete idiot as he pronounced her name. How could that have been Alison? That poor orphanage who he catered for and fed, how could this be her with such a commanding tone?

Lily was saying something but he quickly ran away, wanting to be on the call alone. "If this is you, Alison...I mean, how? Are you good? It's been so long!"

"Wait a minute, where the hell have you been? You think it was cool of you to just disappear all this while! I tried to find you, I just couldn't--"

"I believe I've made myself clear now. Leave the house, Brad. I'm no longer selling to you. Call this number again, and that'll only be a waste of time because I'm blocking it right this instant. Goodbye."

"Wait, hold on a sec. How is this possible--hello? Are you still there?" The line had been disconnected before he knew it. Immediately, Brad dialed the number again. Nothing. "What the fuck! Did you actually block me?"

He stared at his phone and scoffed in disbelief, "how dare you, Alison? I am the one who's supposed to be this way with you! What do you even have? How can you hang up on me!" He was pacing around now, angry at himself for some reason. 

"Was I too soft on her? Did she suddenly forget who I am? How can she disrespect me like that--"

"--baby, what is going on?" Lily stepped in, along with the agent who instantly snatched her phone from his hand. 

"Please leave now." She said before turning to leave. 

"Leave? Baby, didn't you tell this person who you were? How can they--baby, talk to me," she was holding his face, forcing his eyes to meet hers. But Brad was already nurturing an internal anger that he bursted his rage out in a deafening tone. 

"Let go of me! We're leaving right this instant!"

Lily flinched. She should have been used to his anger by now but she just wasn't. It was better to do as he'd said, and she can ask questions later. 

Alison felt like she couldn't breathe. "I need some fresh air," she muttered repeatedly to herself. Celine called out her name from behind but she ignored and rushed to the entrance. "I need to breathe!" In a desperate attempt, she made very long strides that it almost seemed like she was jumping, until she was out of the room and already in the elevator. 

There again, she could breathe. She felt a lot calmer being there all by herself. Why was Brad back, along with Lily! They used to be best friends until the whole backstabbing shit! Who got engaged to her best friend's husband behind their fucking back! And Brad, why couldn't she remember the good times with him?

All she remembered was the torture and humiliation he put her through. And there he was asking how she was doing. How dare he!

The elevator door opened and she stepped out. The mall was grand and one of the biggest places to be at in the city. She had rented a space for her photoshoots, but sometimes she used to visit to watch movies. "Should I just buy a ticket tonight and see--"

A man was walking out looking like a big hot mess? Alison didn't have much time to admire him that she pounced on him like a Lion from NatGeo wild and pushed him out of the way of some workers moving some iron. 

He didn't seem to realize she had just saved him. In fact, he looked rather dazzled because Alison was all wrapped around him, holding on to his waist and leaning on his chest. They broke free, taking huge steps further away from each other. 

This was when Alison could see his face up clear now. He was a typical handsome man, only, his version was almost too good he was starting to look sculpted, like he wasn't real. Dark hair made his bright green eyes appear piercing, with his face sculpted in just the right way. He was tall and very well fit so the polo shirt he had on hugged onto his body very firmly. 

His voice, deep and majestic, another feature Alison was quickly drawn to. "I was perfectly fine, you didn't have to go all Avenger mode on me."

Alison blinked. "Avenger mode? I just saved you from colliding with those workers--"

"--I would have been fine." The man replied instantly, appearing very rude to Alison that she started to ask herself why she had bothered to intervene.

"Daddy! Daddy!" A little girl's voice called from upstairs. This produced a low groan from the man before her. 

He looked up and smiled at the little girl, then the moment his face met with Alison's, it was back to a deep frown. 

He slouched, standing like if he stood there for long, he could pass out from lack of stamina. This worried Alison that she opened her big mouth to speak again. 

"You don't look too good. Are you okay?" He raised a brow, making it clear he didn't appreciate her concerns. Alison frowned. "It would be pretty devastating and traumatizing if you just collapsed in front of your little girl. So if you need a moment to keep your shit together, you better do that now. I'll keep her company,"

Whether he was impressed or even more displeased, she didn't know. Finally, with a suppressed sigh, he nodded. "Just five minutes, to catch my breath."

She nodded, then watched him leave. The little girl was being accompanied by a tall hefty man with an intimidating face. "Where's my daddy!" The little girl tugged on her cloth to get her attention. 

Alison leaned down to match her height. "He uh, went to grant your greatest desire. What's your dream gift?"

"A dog! I always wanted one but he keeps saying we can't have one. Do you think he really went to get me a dog!?" The girl said with amusement.

Alison looked up to the guard, then back to the little girl. Was it even safe to lie in that hefty dude's presence? "Um, yes! He went to get your gift. By the way, what's your name? I'm Alison."

"Maggie. Lovely to meet you, Alison. Since you're friends with my daddy, will you come to my daddy's birthday party? It's this Saturday, and I think it would be fun if you came."

Alison didn't know what to say. She had only just met this man, and it was clear he didn't even like her that much! "Um, actually..." She looked around and found the man coming back. "Oh look, your dad is back."