“So you're meeting up with this mystery woman, who supposedly knows everything about you?” Mrs. Francisco asked Bruno, trying so much to conceal her shock. “The same mystery woman also knows about my involvement with the divorce and everything that transpired between you and Alison?”Bruno sighed adjusting his necktie and staring at his reflection in the mirror, with his gaze drowning in it. “Exactly, and what freaks me the most is the fact that I'm not aware of how much she knows..” he trailed off.“I mean, what if she knows about the other hidden things and tries to blackmail me into stuff because of them?”Mrs. Francisco shook her head, then suddenly, her lips curled up into a mischievous smirk. “But you did mention that she has plans to get rid of Alison right?” She asked and Bruno nodded. “Then she should be good news, I mean…it's not everyday you get to see someone who's willing to take down your enemies.”“Mum, Alison isn't an enemy!” Bruno snapped before realization dawned
Seated on her bed, in her almost dark room which was only illuminated by the small lamp by the bed stand, Alison typed aggressively, as she thought about a lot.First, why wasn't Uncle Carlos back yet, despite knowing the nature of his lover's accident and then work…She yawned tiredly, slightly drowsy but she wasn't going to give in to sleep.., not until she was done with ironing out the documents she was working on.A notification caused her phone's screen to flash and she quickly gasped, staring at the time, it was already past midnight, precisely 2am.Not like she was really much of a deep sleeper, but usually, once it was midnight, by default her body system would shut down until 4am but now, she was still agile at 2am, just slightly drowsy.“I should round up and go to bed then,” she mumbled, and was doing so when her phone rang, vibrating beside her.“Weird…who calls at this time?” She yawned and checked the phone.Before she could stop herself, a smile broke out of her lips at
Night passed within the twinkle of an eye, and it was finally dawn. Alison got dressed for work, and hurried on, not forgetting Travis's words.Alison sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the documents in front of her. It was a typical Monday morning, with the sound of keyboards clacking and phones ringing in the background. “Hope you had a great weekend,” Karen waved at her, walking into her office.“Of course, I did,” Alison smiled softly and looking up from the documents before her, her gaze met with Karen. “Woah!! Look who came back from work leave looking all beautiful and hot.” “Don't flatter me,” Karen said, her face already turning red in embarrassment. “I just needed a break you know..”“Of course, and the break reflected on your body.” Alison teased, loving the embarrassed blush on Karen's cheeks. “Anyways, I hope you got me something.”“Of course!” Karen exclaimed, settling into the visitor's chair across Alison. “Congratulations, you guys won the case, honestly, it was a t
As Alison walked out of Travis's office, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. She had made the right decision, she was sure of it. But as she walked back to her own office, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Travis was still going to be a problem for her.They worked together, he'd never hesitate to show her how much he cared, every single time. Was she really making the right decision?Meanwhile, back in Travis's office, he was sitting at his desk, staring blankly at the wall.He expected Alison's reaction, of course she wasn't the type of person who'd easily accept people back into her life after a fall out.He could see that there were still sparks between them, the jolt of electricity was still pretty obvious, and he wasn't backing out anytime soon. He was going to get Alison to fall in love with him again, and make her happy again.His mind was a thousand miles away, recalling the events that had transpired before his marriage to Raquel.He remembere
“And if things ever fall apart, we would have made memories, long enough to last a lifetime.” These words, which were Travis's favourite lines and sort of promises, kept replaying in Alison's head as she sat alone in her office, her mind consumed by memories of her and Travis. What was more crazy, than the fact that he was just beside her office, he still wanted her and yet a part of her didn't want him.She couldn't believe how things had turned out between them. From lovers to boss and employee, it was a complicated situation, one that she wanted to run away from.Just as she was getting lost in her thoughts, Karen walked in, a bright smile on her face. "Hi, Alison!" she chimed. “It's finally lunch time.”“I was starving,” Karen groaned again, collapsing onto Alison's visitor's chair.But again, Alison didn't respond. She just kept staring blankly at her desk, her mind a thousand miles away.Karen observed that she wasn't getting any response and decided to find out what was wro
“And if things ever fall apart, we would have made memories, long enough to last a lifetime.” These words, which were Travis's favourite lines and sort of promises, kept replaying in Alison's head as she sat alone in her office, her mind consumed by memories of her and Travis. What was more crazy, than the fact that he was just beside her office, he still wanted her and yet a part of her didn't want him.She couldn't believe how things had turned out between them. From lovers to boss and employee, it was a complicated situation, one that she wanted to run away from.Just as she was getting lost in her thoughts, Karen walked in, a bright smile on her face. "Hi, Alison!" she chimed. “It's finally lunch time.”“I was starving,” Karen groaned again, collapsing onto Alison's visitor's chair.But again, Alison didn't respond. She just kept staring blankly at her desk, her mind a thousand miles away.Karen observed that she wasn't getting any response and decided to find out what was wro
“This deal, if successfully completed, will earn us billions of dollars” Enzo said with hunger in his eyes, and gulped down all the content of his glass. “Plus the risk involved is only with oppositions. We don't need to bother about the Governmental agencies, I've got them under control.” Marco shook his head and stared at Bruno whose gaze was distant, who looked lost in thoughts. The trio were seated in their usual lounge, sipping their drinks and discussing business as usual. The atmosphere was tense, with an undercurrent of unease, the unease was mostly unspoken, so it was more like the atmosphere held a lot of words, and none was willing to talk about it. “Bruno, are you alright?” Marco asked softly, his gaze lingering on Bruno. “You've been lost since we got here, are you no longer interested in the business?” Instead of giving a response, Bruno shrugged, not knowing how much to reveal. “It’s nothing Marco, just that I've been trying to figure stuff out.” “You want to t
“So, what's this about?" Travis asked, his eyes scanning the room, before he took off his shades and dropped them on the table.“Have a drink first, then we can talk.” Enzo offered him a drink. “If not for anything, for old times sake.”"I don't have time for small talk. Tell me why you invited me here." Travis said, sternly. “I've got a couple of things to deal with so…”Enzo's face darkened, and he looked like he was about to explode. "Fine," he spat. "If you insist then, we invited you here because we want to talk about the past, when you still used to be a member of this brotherhood.”“What brotherhood? I thought we were just a group of friends, rather Elite men?” Travis asked “So what brotherhood are you both referring to?”“We…we're the brotherhood, Travis, we've always been.” Enzo said.Marco jumped in, his voice smooth as silk. "Yes, Travis. We've been thinking, and we realize that we made a mistake by letting you go."Bruno and Travis exchanged glares, the tension between th
Travis walked into his office, his gaze fixed on his iPad and Oscar following closely behind, and reading to him his schedule for the day.“Okay…so cancel all my appointments from 4pm downward, just reschedule or do something about them.” Travis said after clearing his throat. “And…send a mail to White Castle group, let them know that I've gone through their proposal, and we won't be objecting to it, so they can have the contract.” “I'll do just that sir.” Oscar replied and Travis sighed, dropping his iPad on his desk, and collapsing into his chair. “Any other thing?’ Oscar asked and Travis shook his head.“None for now.” He mumbled, then suddenly recalled something. “one more thing Oscar… have you seen Alison today?" Travis asked, his brow furrowed in concern.Oscar shook his head. "No, sir. She didn't come to work. I tried calling her, but she's not answering."Travis's expression turned thoughtful. "I'll try to stop by her apartment again on my way home. See if she's okay."Osca
The warm sunlight streaming through the dining room window cast a comforting glow over the breakfast table.Bruno, still reeling from the whole incidents that's been going on around him lately, and trying to understand why it suddenly seemed like he was growing soft, found solace in the quiet morning moments with his son, Theo. The young boy chattered excitedly about his upcoming school play, his bright eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, and a child-like excitement Bruno suddenly found himself drawn to."I'm going to be a pirate, Daddy!" Theo exclaimed, waving his spoon in the air. “I'm the only person that got casted for the role.”"That's amazing, buddy! I will make sure to come watch you," Bruno replied, smiling. “I'm sure you would make me proud.”"I'm going to sing a song, too," Theo said, his voice filled with excitement. "You want to hear it? Or would you rather wait until D-Day?”"No no…, kiddo, let's hear it now," Bruno grinned, leaning in.Theo cleared his throat and began to
After pulling up at the driveway, the car was opened for Travis by one of his guards, while another held his briefcase as he walked into his company's magnificent building.“Good morning, chairman,” The receptionist greeted respectfully the moment he stepped in, and he nodded curtly in response.“Uhm sir..” she trailed off. “I hope you enjoyed your weekend.”Travis's gaze lingered on her for a moment and he nodded. “Of course I did…do you want something?”The lady hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.“Do have a nice day, then.” He mumbled and made his way for the VIP elevator, with the guard holding his briefcase and two other guards behind him.As Travis got into his office, his mind still reeled from the events of the weekend. He had waited all weekend, looking forward to seeing Alison and talking to her about what had happened between herself and his mother, and now, it was finally Monday, hopefully he would get to see Alison and talk things out with her.After settling
Monday morning dawned bright and early, but Alison's mood was far from sunny. The events of the weekend still lingered in her mind, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. She knew she couldn't face Travis at the office, not after their steamy weekend together and what had transpired between them. So, she picked up her phone and dialed Karen's number. "Hey, girl, what's up?" Karen's response was bubbly as she answered on the first ring. “It's Monday again..” "Not much, Karen. I'm just not feeling too well today," Alison said, trying to sound as convincing as possible, although her voice was already betraying her. Karen's tone immediately turned concerned. "Oh no, what's wrong? Do you need me to come over? Have you gone to the hospital?” Alison quickly waved off the offer. "No, no, I'll be fine. Just need to rest a bit, that's all." Karen wasn't buying it, but she promised not to pry. "Okay, if you're sure you're okay... But if you need anything, don't hesitate to ca
Theo looked up at Alison, his innocent eyes filled with a mix of sadness and curiosity. "Mommy, I asked Daddy yesterday why you weren't living with us anymore," he said, his voice trembling."And what did Daddy say?" Alison aske, expecting the worst since she was so sure Bruno hated her."He said it was adult stuff, and that you and him couldn't live together under the same roof again," Theo whispered, knotting the hem of his mother's shirt.Alison took his small hands in hers, and led him to sit down. "Theo, sweetie, Mommy and Daddy love you very much, but sometimes grown-ups can't live together anymore and at that point, the worst thing that can be done is to force things..""Why can't you come back, Mommy?" Theo asked, his voice cracking. “All of my friends have their both parents living in the same room, while I have just dad and granny and Aunt.”"Because, baby, sometimes things don't work out between grown-ups," Alison explained again. “But we all love you and there's no doubt
Alison's eyes scanned the crowded park, her heart racing with fear. She had been searching for what felt like hours, but she couldn't find who she was looking for anywhere."Theo!" she screamed, her voice hoarse from shouting. "Theo, where are you?"But there was no response. Instead, she heard the sound of laughter and chatter from the other people in the park, and the rustling of leaves in the trees.Alison's eyes scanned the playground, her gaze lingering on the swings and the slide. She saw a little boy with curly brown hair climbing up the ladder, but it wasn't Theo.She saw a woman with a stroller walking towards her, but as she got closer, Alison realized it wasn't Theo's stroller.Panic set in, and Alison started to run. She dashed across the playground, her eyes scanning the crowds, but she couldn't see Theo anywhere."Theo!" she screamed again, her voice echoing across the park. "Theo, please answer me! Don't do this to momma, I love you with my life.”Just as she was starti
Bruno walked through the front door, excitement radiating from his very being. He had just had an incredible day, getting back his club on the same day and still getting more people to invest in his empire just when he thought he would go bankrupt was enough to make him go crazy with excitement.But as he entered the living room, he was met with a surprise. His wife Sarah was sitting on the couch, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face, as she tapped her feet against the floor impatiently."Where have you been?" she demanded, her voice dripping with venom. “You step out in the morning and see the time you're just getting back. Is it fair?”Bruno hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to get into a fight with Rachel, not when he was feeling so happy, but she was pushing him and he knew that sooner than later he might have to react."I was just out," he said vaguely, trying to brush past her.But Rachel was not having it. She had had enough of just being that wife whose
Travis sat on his couch, staring blankly at the wall as he tried to process the events of the past hour. Alison had left his house in tears, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a terrible mistake…his mum had done what she loved to do best once again.He couldn't think straight, his mind racing with thoughts of Alison and what he could have done differently. He needed someone to talk to, someone who could help him make sense of everything, or at least help him to check on Alison.He pulled out his phone and dialed Karen's number. Karen was the only person who came to his mind, she was one close friend of Alison. He hoped that she could provide some insight into what was going on with Alison."Hey, Karen," Travis said, trying to sound calm. "I need your help. Alison just left my house in tears, and I have no idea what's going on. Can you go check on her?"Karen's voice was sympathetic on the other end of the line. "Of course, boss. I'll go check on her right away. But c
Alison pulled over at the driveway and after getting her stuff, she dragged herself out of her car, heading towards her apartment, her feet heavy with the weight of her emotions. She had just left the most intense and confusing encounter with Travis, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of vulnerability that lingered within her. Was asking him for space too much?And why did it seem like the entire universe was against her union with Travis.As soon as she closed the door behind her, Alison let out a sob, allowing the tears she had been holding back to flow freely. She collapsed onto the couch, burying her face in the pillow as she cried uncontrollably.“You'll scale through, Alison, just like always, and this time you'd be better,” she muttered to herself and wiped the tears that were already slipping out of her eyes. “You've got this..”Just as she thought she was alone in her misery, Alison heard a gentle knock on the door. At first she ignored it, but the knock persisted, and