After approximately ten hours of being shut, Alison's eyes fluttered open, and she was met with an unfamiliar ceiling…the last she remembered, her bedroom didn't have a chandelier light, neither was it painted all white, so where was she?She sat up with a start, looking around the room frantically. The room was elegantly decorated with white walls and dark wood furniture. But it was not her room and she was sure about that.Panic set in as she scrambled out of bed, her eyes scanning the room for something, anything, familiar. But there was nothing. No photos, no mementos, no clothes that she recognized.And then, her eyes landed on her clothes. Or rather, the clothes she was wearing. They were not hers. An involuntary scream escaped her throat as she realized that someone had changed her clothes while she was sleeping.Alison's mind was racing. What had happened the previous night? She had gone to dinner with Travis, and then...and then nothing. She couldn't remember anything.Wait…i
Alison watched as Travis's expression changed, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. She felt a pang of curiosity, wondering who it was and what they wanted.But Travis's conversation was brief, and he ended the call "I'll be right there.""I'm sorry," he said, turning to Alison. "I have to go. But I'll be back soon."Alison nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. She had been hoping to spend more time with Travis, to do what? She wasn't sure, but she just wanted to be around him…***Alison pulled up at the driveway in Aunt Megan's house, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She had been feeling quite uneasy after the encounter with Travis earlier, she didn't even bother waiting till he returned before she left.Her last case was a big one, and Aunt Megan and her husband played a major role in the success of its completion, she owed them a lot.As she stepped out of the car and walked towards the front door, she noticed something quite
Alison smiled, feeling a sense of determination and purpose. She was going to take revenge on Bruno and his mother, even if she died trying.The rest of the day passed in a blur, and soon it was getting late and Alison knew that she had to get back to her apartment to prepare for work the following day.“I'd get going now, Aunt,” she said and got off the couch. “It was nice hanging out and thank you so much for hosting me.”“This is your home too, Ally,” Megan said with a soft smile. “Come over whenever you feel like.”“It was nice keeping you company, too Uncle Carlos,” she grinned and the man patted her hair fondly. “See you around kiddo.” He winked and Alison walked out with Aunt Megan, they both shared a hug before Alison got into her car, driving off.***As Alison settled into her apartment, and onto a couch, she couldn't help but feel extremely relaxed and a fresh sense of peace took over her insides.She went to freshen up,before returning back to the living room. She picke
Travis sat on his bed, watching the news with a mixture of disinterest and boredom.He had suddenly received a call that he needed to show up at his company's headquarters for something quite important. He asked Alison to wait for her, and returning, he was shocked to discover that she already left.A part of him was disappointed, and of course he was going to handle that later, but for the meantime, he focused his gaze on the news, waiting patiently for the business update.But as the anchor began to speak about a familiar name, Travis's attention snapped back to the screen."Raquel Castro, the ex-wife of billionaire Travis Thompson, has returned to Chicago after a lengthy absence," the anchor said, a sly smile spreading across her face.Travis's eyes narrowed as he watched the footage of Raquel, smiling and waving at the cameras, before stepping into the convoy that came to pick her up from the airport.She was still dressed all elegant and classy as usual.He felt a surge of anger
The sun had barely risen over the bustling city, but already, Alison's law firm was alive with activity. Secretaries typed away on their computers, phones rang nonstop, and lawyers rushed to and fro, preparing for another busy day.After the case with Travis a few days ago, the firm has been busy with activities, and new clients seeking legal advice, seeking representation and family settlements.Alison herself was seated in her office, discussing with a client whose husband used to be married under the act to a lady, and without dissolving the marriage, he contracted another marriage with the lady. Now he was no more, and the issue at stake was the validity of the second marriage.She listened intently, her eyes narrowed in concentration, as the client explained the details of the marriage.“Under the law, one can only contract one marriage, any other marriage will be considered null and void as far as the law is concerned.” Alison said seriously. “Because your husband failed to term
The sun had already set over the bustling city, darkness was starting to cloud the whole place, although it was attacked by the beautiful streetlights.The music was pulsating, drinks were flowing and people were out in full force having fun at the club characterized with deep blue light.In the VIP section, Enzo, Marco and Bruno were seated on plush couches, surrounded by gorgeous women, whose duties were to pleasure the men and get paid at the end of the day.Two of the women were massaging Enzo and Marco's shoulders, while another was straddling Bruno and feeling grapes from her mouth."Honestly, Enzo. This deal is going to make us millions," Marco said, his eyes gleaming with hunger and excitement. "It's one of the finest we've had in years."Enzo nodded, his expression growing serious. "I think so too but we really need to be careful. I mean they're a lot of other players involved and we can't afford to get caught in the crossfire" he explained and took his gaze to Bruno particu
The morning sun was shining brightly as Alison prepared for another day of work. She was excited to be working at the headquarters of Travis's conglomerate, and she couldn't wait to dive into her new yet temporary role. Travis needed a legal practitioner to review some documents, and terms of contract and instead of going by the traditional method of using the conglomerate’s lawyers, he hired Alison, probably because he wanted to keep seeing her face everyday.As she got dressed and ready for the day, Alison felt a sense of nervous energy. She had always been drawn to the corporate world, and she was thrilled to be a part of it. But there was something about corporations that always made her feel nervous, instead of the original idea of confidence.After grabbing a quick breakfast, Alison headed out the door and made her way to the office. As she walked into the building, she was greeted by the friendly face of Travis's secretary."Good morning, Ms. Harper," the secretary waved with
Alison yawned tiredly and shut down her desktop and almost immediately, the transparent door to Travis’s office opened, revealing Travis.Alison decided to tease him a little bit before they went for lunch, with a mischievous grin, she asked. "You're still as overprotective as ever, aren't you?" she teased.Travis raised an eyebrow, trying to deny it. "I'm not overprotective," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "Where is that even coming from?”“Don't play dumb” Alison said, and sat on her work desk. “The event with Ryan…you should have let me go with him, I'm sure I wouldn't be this famished.”“You're still dumb,” Travis laughed, moving closer to the table on which she was seated, he pinched the bridge of her nose. “He was going to take you for dinner, not lunch. So you'd still be this hungry.”Alison playfully punched his arm. “I thought we were over this already..I'm not dumb!” She pouted.“Tell that to however is willing to listen,” he chuckled, and smirked leaning in, makin
After so much hesitation, Travis finally planted a soft knock, on the door of Megan's apartment.“Who is it? How can I help you?” He heard Megan's soft voice ring from inside, and moved back slightly.As sounds of footsteps approached and grew louder, so did Travis’ heartbeats. What if she sends him away rudely?Alison must have told her about everything that happened, so how was he going to face her now?“Who is it, yo …” Megan's voice stopped halfway as she sighted Travis standing by the door, looking pale.“Y..you're here,” she said, obviously shocked. “I never thought you'd stop by.”“I'm sorry, I swear, I'm really sorry.” He said and Megan folded her arms under her chest.“What do you want? Why are you here?” “Aunt Megan, please… I need your help, don't say no, I beg of you.” He pleaded. “A lot happened, and I really need to speak with Alison.”“Well… sorry to disappoint you, but Alison is not here.” Megan shrugged and turned to go in, but Travis held onto her hand, with guilt
Travis tried to trail Raquel, but she was nowhere to be found, apparently she had already gone too far.“Fuck!!” He groaned in annoyance, punching his steering and screaming his lungs out. “I've lost everything!”Before he could stop himself, tears began slipping down his eyes. He got to the side of the road and parked.“Why did I let it get to this point?” He asked himself, ruffling his hair in frustration and crying out. “Now she has gotten what she wanted and is nowhere to be found.”He tried to calm himself down but it just was not working out.‘why not just head home, hopefully you would meet her and explain everything.’ His subconscious mind suggested and Travis shook his head.“I fucked up already, what explanation is going to make sense to her?” He muttered, his eyes already red from crying and his fists bruised.Eventually, he decided to drive home, not knowing exactly what to expect, but hoping for the best nevertheless.The drive was rough, with Travis growing more emotiona
“What the hell is going on here?” Alison yelled in shock, and Raquel got off Travis thighs, deciding to play the victim.“Sweetheart, what is she still doing here? I thought you said you were no longer with her?” Raquel asked Travis, pointing at Alison and crying. “I should never have trusted you again in the first place.”“Alison, I swear I can explain.” Travis whispered getting off the couch and swiftly going over to hold Alison.“Don't touch me!” She snapped, slapping his hands off her. “I should have known that this is what you were up to when you suddenly woke up and created the idea that you were going to work from home.”“Cupcake, it's not what you think.” He said going on his knees. “I promise you, I was actually working from home.”“It can even be what I think, but what I saw Travis… this bitch was straddling you and you didn't even push her off, what is she even doing here? And what does she mean by you said we'd broken up?” Alison asked, feeling her feet grow cold then she
The notion that ‘time flies’ had never made more sense to Alison. Just like yesterday, she was fighting to get her son back, then she lost him, and now three months had passed already. She had finally embraced the fact that her Theo was gone and she was never going to see him again. Deep down, she was grateful to Travis, who had always been her knight in shining armor, walking her through every single stage of grief. She finally opened her heart to Karen, Megan and Carlos, letting them comfort her. Although Alison never believed the saying that ‘time heals’ she'd a testament to that. “You're awake?” Travis muttered with a small smile as Alison tried to sit upright. “How was your night?” “It was good, I mean… I slept well,” she replied and smiled back at him. Her gaze caught the time on her clock and she gasped. “It's 8am, already? I have to get to the office.” She said and swiftly got out of bed. “Wait, you're resuming, already? You sure you are ready?” Travis asked, with
“I can't keep watching her do that to herself.” Travis murmured, as he sipped from his drink at the bar. “It's been more than two weeks already, and she is still refusing to talk to or see anybody.”Oscar sighed and then patted Travis’s back softly. “You've got this boss. Although Miss Alison needs som time alone, you should be by her side, comfort her and and reassure her that you're always going to be by her side and she hasn't lost her only reason to live.”“I had no idea you were really good with advice.” Travis chuckled lightly, and took a sip of his drink. “She's extremely vulnerable at this moment, and I am too…it's difficult consoling her, when she keeps blaming herself for everything that has happened.”“The more reason you have to be there for her, help her get rid of the emotional trauma.” He said, his expression unreadable. “It's better that way, so she doesn't feel like she's alone.”“I'll try to do that, and I hope she'd finally agree to go out. I can't watch her in that
Tears, pains, guilt, regrets and sorrows suddenly redefined Alison. It has already been a week since Theo's death, but to her it was no more that yesterday.Words of encouragement came in through one ear and went out through the other, leaving her drowning in despair and a walking shadow of her former self.“Where did I go wrong?” She asked no one in particular, as she sat alone in the room Theo spent his last week in. “Why do forces seem to be standing against my happiness? One moment, I'm at the verge of achieving my dreams, and the next minute, it's like everything has been turned upside down.”Travis who had been watching her from the door which was slightly ajar, shook his head in pity.“For how long will you keep doing this to yourself?” He finally asked. Alison didn't flinch despite how sudden his voice came, neither did she react, she just remained motionless, holding tightly onto Theo's bloodstained clothes, as if they were going to disappear if she let them go.She had ins
After running over Theo, the person behind the wheels smirked triumphantly and drove off without bothering to wait.When he had gotten to a reasonable distance away from them, he pulled the mask over his face revealing Spider.“Too bad, the little boy had to pay for the sins of his parents.” He repeated Raquel's words from the last time and then dialed her number.She answered on the first ring.“Hey spider, what's good? Did you succeed?” She asked, panic obvious in her voice.“You don't trust me?” He asked proudly. “To think that they made things easier for me, I didn't have to trail or…”“You're saying the kid is dead already, right?” Raquel cut him off impatiently. “Not yet, but with the level of harm I caused, I doubt he will survive it.” He reported.“Are you already on your way back here?” Raquel asked, and he could hear a hint of disdain in her voice.“Why asking?” He asked back.“Don't come back to the Cartel yet. Those people are smart enough, they would have you trailed and
**ONE WEEK LATER**“Travis, do you think I am a bad mother?” Alison asked, one morning before breakfast. She was seated before her mirror, staring at her expression, while Travis sat on the bed behind her, working on his laptop.“Where is this coming from?” He asked, clearly shocked by her question. “This is not about Theo, is it?”“It's him, and I just can't help it.” She muttered, then a tear slid down her eyes. “He does not seem happy, I have tried my best.”“He will come around very soon, it's not so easy moving away, and then blending in with new people just immediately, try to understand him.” Travis explained, keeping his laptop aside.“It's been a whole week already, Travis! I spent years praying for the day when he would finally be by my side, and call me mom without interruption. I longed to hold him in my arms and play with him…” she chocked on her tears, swallowing the bile that rose to her throat. “And now that I finally got the chance to do so, he isn't even happy.”“Hav
Alison couldn't utter any words, not like she was overjoyed, or overwhelmed, she just didn't have the ability to react, especially not at that moment, What would she even say?She remained mute as she watched Bruno and his mum get led by the cops to a van, the one that was eventually going to drive them to jail.As they walked out, being led out like criminals, Alison couldn't stop staring, as a sudden feeling of guilt overwhelmed her.Was that all? The whole vengeance she spent so much time fighting for, was that everything or more was still ahead? It did not taste as sweet as she imagined it would, rather, it was bitter—You know the taste of bitterness that just keeps enveloping your taste buds, the more you keep sipping the more you yearn for more. That was exactly how she felt.She just stood there, no longer conscious of her environment or her achievements, all she could do was stare into space.“Hey, pretty lady! I told you, didn't I? I said you were going to make us proud, and