After Alison rejected his offer to work for him, Bruno had been having difficulty navigating the project he was handling.Since it was something that had illegal dealings involved, he could not properly maneuver it, or else he would get caught.He could not afford to look like a loser in front of his mother or even Alison. He needed to make it work.As he sat behind the table, tapping his hand occasionally on the table, he looked at his lawyer, who had his head bent low."So, what are you saying now? That you cannot handle it...is that it?" He asked, gazing at him.The man, who seemed to be in his early forties, shivered and was unable to look at him in the face.“Mr. Francisco, I really think we should consider our options here,” the man said, swallowing hard.He was afraid. He could not deal with such an affair. He could feel Bruno's gaze on him, and it was like he was about to reap his skin off of him.Bruno leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He tried not t
Bruno knew his mother was upset, he had to do something to make her calm down.As he went out of his office, he reached out to his mother's office. He pushed it open, and bowed, walking towards her."Mother, how about we go out and eat? Let's focus more on the success of the project, because once I am able to get them to pull this through, then we are guaranteed about the success of the project."Margaret glanced at him, knowing fully when that he was only trying to calm her down."I'm busy, just get a drink from the wine cabinet," she said, waving her hand off.He chuckled, and walked to the cabinet, picking up a wine with less alcoholic percentage.He took the glasses and set them on the table, opening the lid of the bottle.Carefully, he poured the wine into the two glasses and then set it down."Cheers to a successful project," he said, raising his glass for a toast.His mother glanced at him for a couple of seconds, before raising her glass for a toast.The two glasses clicked, m
Margaret sat in the back of her black SUV, scrolling through her phone. She was engrossed in a series of photos from last year's women’s conference, and she wondered what she would wear for this year's women's conference.“Maybe a luxurious yellow dress,” she thought, mentally picturing how it would look on her and how everyone would praise her for her outfit.She glanced up and saw a black Roll-Royce, one car she admired but was only available in limited slots. Her heart skipped a beat, as she kept staring at it, her mind daydreaming out of reality.Suddenly, the car jolted forward, and Margaret was thrown back against the back seat. The driver cursed under his breath, as he turned to her.“Sorry, ma’am! Just a little bump!” he said, looking away immediately.“What do you mean a bump?” Margaret snapped, widening her eyes. “What did you hit?”As the driver reversed a bit, Margaret tilted her head to the side to see the side of the car she was admiring now dented. Even her car had a sc
It was finally the day for the employees' party. Alison had arranged everything perfectly well, so much that no one suspected anything.The employees were even happy seeing that the CEO decided to give them a break from work and allow them to relax.Alison stood at the entrance of the hall, her expression mixed with anxiety and anticipation. Everything seemed normal, and for some reason, she started to doubt herself, wondering if what she was doing was right or going to even work. Anyway, the party was just beginning. She just had to observe everyone around and not lose focus.Although she could not interrogate the employees, she had checked their resumes and there was just a particular person her instinct was gnawing at.Melissa.She was a junior staff in the production department.“Can I get you a drink, Ms. Harper?” Clara asked, interrupting her thoughts.Alison did not want to get distracted by anything or anyone. Her eyes were still fixed on the employees gathered together.She
Alison knew that the restroom was not a safe place for them to have this conversation. She held Melissa by the hand and went to the balcony. “Melissa,” Alison said, lowering her voice as they moved to a quieter area on the balcony, “we need to talk now. Who is Marcus? And why are they paying your mother’s hospital bills?”Melissa’s eyes darted around, her body shaking. “I told you, I don’t know who they are. I just… I can’t risk losing my job here or putting my mom in danger.”Alison understood that she was just afraid, so she did not mind taking it calmly with her. “You are putting yourself in danger, Melissa. If you are involved with people who are doing illegal things, this is only going to end badly. You need to be honest with me. Do you trust me?""You are a lawyer. What if you report me to the CEO and have me arrested?" She mouthed."If I wanted to report you to the CEO, I would have recorded your call. I am really here to help you, but I need you to help me too."Melissa could
Melissa took out her phone from the bag and opened it. She swiped to the call log, but the number was not there. It was not visible on her end, which was surprising to her.Alison smiled, "he used a burner phone and installed a disposable or temporary number. He hid the number from your logs. We can't track him that way, except on the day when he calls you." Alison explained.Melissa was beginning to understand the intensity of what she was getting her hands into, and she wished she was lucky to get out of it."What do we do?" She asked Alison, who was already thinking of a way.The door opened, and a nurse walked in disrupting her thoughts."Hello," she greeted, bowing slightly.She was holding a tray and a syringe inside with a little bottle that had a tag, which Alison could not read because she was standing afar.The nurse held the syringe out and injected it into the drip bag.“Excuse me,” Alison called out, stepping forward. The nurse glanced at her, a look of annoyance flashin
“Hello, it’s me, Marcus. You wanted to know about Rodrigo Internationals, right?”“Yes, that’s right. Is it in chaos like I hoped?” the tall man asked, leaning on the swivel chair with his leg crossed over the other.He had a glass in his hand, as he took a sip of the alcohol, anticipating the news.There was a pause, and Marcus responded. “Actually, no. They are holding a party tonight. Everything seems fine on their end. It is not what you expected. I don't think it worked out.”“Damn it!” he cursed, slamming the glass against the wall, as they broke into many pieces. “This can’t be happening. I need this to work. He won't be able to focus on the trial if he is distracted by the internal chaos. What the hell went wrong? Didn't you promise to handle this?"“I’m sorry, boss. But there is nothing I can do for now. I need to lay low and wait for more updates. You need to find another angle, too, just in case this one doesn't work out. The trial is in a few days.”The man exhaled sharply
Alison panicked, seeing how the car swayed left and right with no particular direction. She was a bit relieved because no car was on the road as, at that time, his car was moving carelessly.Alison’s heart raced as she hailed a cab, turning to the passenger's seat. “Please, I need to get to my friend’s car!” she pointed to Travis' car swerving dangerously.“Hang on!” the cab driver shouted as he hit the gas pedal. “What happened?”“His car is malfunctioning!” Alison replied. “I think someone tampered with it. We have to get to him before it is too late!”The driver nodded. “I will do my best. Just hold on!”The man stepped on the accelerator and sped towards Travis' car.“Please, go faster!” she pleaded, gripping the seat as they drove. “I’m trying!” he said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.“Travis!” she shouted, “Stop the car!” But he could not hear her at all.She had only noticed the flat tire, but she did not know his car brakes had been tampered with, as well.The more he
Alison's eyes slowly opened, and she found herself lying on the couch.The living room was bright, as Alison always remembered and the television was still on, the news precisely, and Travis's face still covered the screen.Guards stood at strategic positions, their faces stern and alert."Where...where am I?" Alison stammered, her mind foggy. “I remember standing here just now, so why?”The remaining words got stuck in her throat when she sighted Karen sitting beside her with a concerned expression. "You passed out, and the maids wanted to call an ambulance, but I stopped them," Karen explained gently. “When did you get in here?” Alison asked, feeling a slight headache. “The last time we spoke you were on your way here.”“And that was more than an hour ago. I met you unconscious when I walked in here.” She tried softly.Alison's memories came flooding back, and she sat up with a start. "The news...Travis...the scandal?" she asked, her voice trembling. “They were all a dream, right?
Alison woke up to an empty bedroom, the television still on, and Travis's stuff scattered around the room. “Travis,” she called and sat up in the bed. “Where did he go to this early?” She yawned and got out of bed, wondering why Travis had left for work without her. Her eyes darted to the clock and she was shocked at what time was. “It's 9 am already?” She gasped and rushed to the bathroom to freshen up.She got back to the room and there was still no sign of Travis, it seemed as though he had not even bee around.She finally decided to reached for her phone to call him. Since they began living together weeks ago, he has never gone to work without her, so why all of a sudden?“Is it probably because of what transpired last night?” She asked herself ad the moment she turned her screen on, but it was flooded with a lot of notifications.70 missed calls from Megan, Carlos, Karen, Drake, and other numbers. Alison's heart skipped a beat as she scrolled through the calls, but Travis's n
The night had descended, casting a dark and foreboding shadow over Alison's apartment. She lay in bed, her body shivering under the duvet, despite the warmth of the room. Travis, sensing her distress, reached out and gently petted her hair, trying to calm her down."Hey, it's okay, Alison. Try to relax. You need to get some rest," Travis whispered softly. “And get a grip of yourself.”“Travis, I can't,” She whispered. “It's just that everything is happening so fast? Like it has already been planned from the onset and is simply playing out.”“How do you mean?” Travis asked, adjusting beside her. “Is there something else you know, that I am not aware of?”“Not exactly. But can't you read between the lines and see what I'm trying to say?” She asked, getting slightly frustrated as her gaze grew distant. “Travis, those men that have been trailing me definitely want something and it is obvious they'd stop at nothing to get it.”“Okay?” Travis raised an eyebrow getting even more confused. “B
“Bruno darling, have you finally decided what you intend to do about Alison?” Mrs. Francisco asked, as she watched a television show with him. “I mean, if you wanted to do anything, then you should start doing it already.”“Mum, I'm planning something already,” he muttered, although he had his gaze fixed on the television, his mind was far away. “Just try as much as you can to stay away from it.”“Bruno, what about Theo? Are you still not going to let him feel your affection? The kid needs you.” She said, her eyes holding a glint of guilt.“Mum…” Bruno groaned. “Please allow me time to think, I already told you that I am not ready to unleash the version of me that the kid brings out.”“Clearly Bruno, you are neglecting the kid. Does that not bother you?” She asked again. “Look Bruno, I'm still a mother and I have the motherly affection in me. Letting Theo stay without your affection will definitely give Alison more grounds.”“Mum, I'm not in the right frame of mind for this conversati
“Calm down, Ally Wally, get a grip of yourself” Karen whispered, her gaze drifting to the road and back to Alison whose hands were trembling against her thighs where they rested. “I know that was quite traumatizing, but come on.” “Karen, I swear you can't understand,” Alison managed to utter. “To me, this goes way beyond being trailed, Karen, the last time I got trailed I was attacked! I was trailed down to my apartment and attacked without remorse.”With her gaze fixated out through the window, Alison's mind wandered back to the attack. “You know… I could have been killed if I hadn't learned Taekwondo back then,” she whispered, pressing her face against the tinted car glass. “Clearly, the men were caught off guard, I could see it written in their faces, Karen, it was all clear! What if I was not strong enough and I got raped? Or killed?”“Alison, calm down, stop overthinking this… yes, we got trailed and almost attacked, but we escaped, right? Is that not all that should matter?” K
Layla kept pacing around her room anxiously, her gaze darting between her wall clock and outside the window.“Where the hell is Spider?” She spat and pushed everything off her vanity table. “Show up!!”After waiting for hours with no sign of Spider, she opened her bedside drawer and took out a pack of Cigarette and a lighter.Then a sharp knock sounded on the door. “I don't want to see anyone, just get out!” She snapped and lit the cigarette, staring out through the window. “Get out!”“You wouldn't even ask who it is,” she heard a familiar voice from outside. “Anyway, it is Spider.”“Damn!! Come on in. Why did you not speak earlier.” She snapped. “So any progress?” She asked, her gaze still fixed out the window.“If I had spoken earlier, it would have been for you to be a bit nice knowing it was me.” Spider replied, walking fully into the room. “Why does everywhere look so messy and scattered, I don't want to believe you lost your mind again.”“Of course, you were not showing up, and
“So, what now?” Travis asked staring at Oscar as they walked towards the elevator which read, ‘out of bound’Only the managing board members were permitted to use it.“Boss, it was in the news last night.” Oscar replied, his voice measured. “I thought we'd talk about it first before I think about how to handle it.”“Of course, it was, and that's why I'm bothered. I hope you didn't make the payments? I mean I hope you did not buy any shares,” Travis asked.“Not yet sir, look the files are here already. I just needed you to append your signatures on them before going to pay for the shares.” He replied, pointing towards one of the files in his hand.“Why do I feel like this was all a plan, supposed to be a set up or something?” Travis asked, his gaze growing distant. “Just a few days ago, Gold&Sparkle Group was doing just fine, and today they've gone bankrupt and are about to shut down.”“In my opinion sir, I think this is exactly why they began selling out shares. Think about it… when l
“Hey babe,” Travis said, walking slowly down the stairs, with his phone against his left ear. “You're there already?”“Yes, and I recall you made mention of me letting you know when I arrive.” Alison said and he smiled.“Trying to be a good girl, huh? I like that,” he winked as if she could see him. “Anyway, say me well to Megan, and have fun.”“I will, don't miss me too much though,” Alison whispered and Travis could already imagine her expression.“I won't miss you, trust me, I'll just be here having fun all by myself.” He replied, his lips curling up into a pout. “Take care,” Alison mumbled and he ended the call.“She is definitely going to be the end of me,” Travis grinned and settled into his favorite armchair, phone in hand.“So.. what is today going to be about?” He asked himself. “Oh my goodness, Tristan!!” He exclaimed recalling that he bumped into Tristan at the fundraiser and promised to call him.He immediately dialed Tristan's number and as he awaited a response, his min
Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful, and Alison woke up feeling like the luckiest woman alive. She was snuggled up in Travis's arms, his warm breath tickling her ear."Good morning, beautiful," Travis whispered, his voice husky with sleep.Alison smiled, feeling her heart flutter. "Good morning, handsome." She whispered back, her eyes sliding open slowly. She shut them back again, before opening it slowly again, and allowing herself get used to the brightness of the room.They lay there for a moment, enjoying the warmth of each other's bodies. Then Travis leaned in, his lips brushing against Alison's in a gentle kiss."I love you," he whispered, his eyes locked on hers. “I have always loved you, my princess, and I will always love you.”"I love you too," She replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Staring in his eyes, Alison asked. “Why are you suddenly sounding like this?”“Nothing much…” Travis trailed off, but deep down, Alison knew it was something else.“My love…talk to