Travis walked out of the supermarket, his guards carrying bags of groceries behind him while he walked side by side with Oscar.As he made his way to his car, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been growing inside him since his conversation with Raquel. She had warned him about potential threats, and he had taken her words seriously, he was definitely going to call for additional security measures to be put in place. He spent some years with Raquel and those years thought him never to take her words for granted.As he drove away from the supermarket, Travis's mind wandered to Alison. He had been thinking about her nonstop since their last encounter. He couldn't believe how much he still cared for her, how much he wanted to be with her.His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He answered, listening intently as his security team updated him on the latest developments. After a lengthy conversation, he ended the call, his mind racing with possib
As Alison handed Drake a glass of wine, she couldn't help but notice the peculiar glances exchanged between him and Karen. The atmosphere had suddenly grown thick with an unspoken understanding, and Alison's curiosity was piqued."Hey, what's going on here?" Alison asked, raising an eyebrow as she sat down beside them. “Is there something that I'm unaware of?” She asked again sensing the chemistry.Drake and Karen shared another knowing glance, and then, in perfect synchrony, they chorused, "You!"The room erupted into laughter from Karen and Drake, leaving Alison staring at them lost in thoughts.“It's been how many years?” Drake asked, his expression growing serious. “I knew the aura was way too familiar for merely a coincidence.”"I knew it!" Karen exclaimed, playfully hitting Drake on the arm. "I knew you were the one I met at that music festival five years ago!"Drake chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I knew it too! But I never thought I'd see you again, Karen. What were
As soon as Layla left the room, Bruno turned to Enzo and Marco, his expression uneasy. "I don't know if I'm comfortable with this," he said, his voice low. “I mean…her reaction and stuff are all weird and it's crazy, kind of.”Enzo raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong, Bruno? I don't think it should be so much of a big deal…observing the matter critically, it's quite obvious that this is a two way thingy.”“What are you fears, exactly?” Enzo asked.By now, the two men had their gazes fixed solely on Bruno.Bruno hesitated, unsure how to articulate his concerns. "I just don't trust her," he said finally. “There is something else up her sleeves.”“I think there is something you're missing here.” Enzo said with a chuckle. "You don't have to trust her, Bruno. You just have to use her."Bruno's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"Enzo leaned forward, his eyes glinting with amusement. "She's the one who got our bar and club released, remember? She's got connections, Bruno. And she's willing to u
Alison stepped into the office, her eyes scanning the familiar space. After skipping work yesterday, she knew she couldn't keep avoiding Travis every single time by skipping work.The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to hum in sync with her pounding heart. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering anxiety from the events of the last weeks.As she settled into her office, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from her Aunt Megan.Alison settled into her chair, cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder. "Hey, Aunt Megan," she said, trying to sound cheerful."Hey, sweetie," Megan replied, her voice warm and comforting. "How's everything going? How was your day?"Alison hesitated, "It's been... interesting. I mean it only just began.”Megan's tone turned sympathetic. "Oh, baby, what's going on? You can tell me."Alison sighed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "It's just...Travis and I...we're trying to figure things out. His mom is being really difficult,
“Get the whole documents across to Blain group and ensure you meet the CEO directly,” Bruno said and glanced at his watch, surprised to see that it was already noon. “I'm done with the mails too, let Wayne know about that, so that the necessary things can be put in place.”His secretary bowed and walked out of the office with an expression less expression.“Okay, that was a whole lot,” Bruno murmured. He had been working non-stop since morning, and his stomach was already growling with hunger.Just as he was about to take a break, his assistant buzzed him, announcing the arrival of his wife, Rachel. Bruno's eyes narrowed, his instincts telling him to be cautious, considering that it's been ages she last showed up here.Rachel's behavior had been erratic lately, and he wasn't sure what to expect from her.He watched as she walked in, a bright smile plastered on her face, a container of food in her hands. "Hey Knight, I brought you lunch," she said, her voice cheerful. “Your favourite
The sun had long since set, casting a warm orange glow over the bustling city. The sound of laughter and music filled the air as Alison and Travis made their way through the crowded gala. They were done with work for the day, and after settling their disagreement, a memo for a dinner that had been planned for a long time suddenly got Travis's attention so he asked Alison to be his date.They walked though the crowd as a stunning couple, Alison's red dress perfectly complementing Travis's tailored tuxedo.As they mingled with the other guests, Alison couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and peace of mind. “It's been long since I've been in this kind of gathering.”Travis, smiled, then turned to her "You look stunning tonight, I didn't think the dress was going to suite you this well." he said, his eyes burning with intensity. “Lady Anne did a good job.”He had taken her shopping after work, and told Lady Anne to do what she knew best, and this moment, one thing he could boast of
The energy in the mansion had been awkward for over a week now, the tension between Bruno and his mother palpable. They had barely spoken to each other since the incident with Alison, and the silence was starting to feel oppressive.Despite that Bruno promised his mum that they were going to talk when he got back from the meeting the last time, he literally ignored her afterwards.Bruno's mother, Mrs. Francisco, sat in the living room, her eyes fixed on her son as he entered the room. She looked older, her face lined with worry and concern."Bruno, I wanted to talk to you," she said, her voice hesitant. “But it seems that you've been avoiding me.”Bruno's eyes narrowed, his gaze wary. "What is it, Mother?"Mrs. Francisco took a deep breath before speaking. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I know I was harsh with Alison."Bruno's expression remained neutral, his eyes searching for any sign of sincerity. "You have strong feelings about her, Mother."Mrs. Francisco'
Travis lay in bed, his eyes fixed on the bathroom door as he listened to the sound of Alison moving around inside. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over him as he thought about their encounter the night before.As the bathroom door opened, Travis's eyes locked onto Alison's figure, wrapped in a plush white towel. Her hair was damp, and her skin glowed with a soft, radiant light."Hey," Travis said, his voice low and husky as he sat up in bed. “Good morning, Angel.”Alison's eyes met his, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Hey," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.Travis's eyes roamed over her body, taking in the sight of her wrapped in the towel. "You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity. “And attractive, and gosh…words cannot express how I really feel.”“Stop flattering me, Travis.” Alison's whispered, her cheeks flushed with color as she felt Travis's gaze on her. "Thanks.”Travis threw off the covers and got out of bed, hi
“Travis, talk to me, is everything okay?” Alison asked, panic obvious in her expression. “The news isn't telling the truth, right? It was just some rumors right?”Travis sighed and walked fully into the living room. “Alison It's.. it's just a whole lot.” Alison’s hand went up to Travis's face and she ran her fingers through it, locking her eyes with his.“Trav, I'm here for you, I always will be here.” She whispered. She could see the exhaustion and worry etched on his face, and deep down she hoped the news were just not true.His eyes, normally bright and confident, were sunken and red-rimmed. His shoulders slumped, and his usual sharp jawline was now gaunt and pale. Seeing that he really needed all the emotioal comfort he could get, she embracing him tightly. “You can count on me my darling. Just trust me, okay?”He sighed and hugged her back. “Thank you so much, babe.”“It is nothing, I mean it's why you have me, right?” She grinned and planted a soft lingering kiss on his lips.
“Wait up, Bruno you really did a good job.” Enzo grinned staring at the television with a smirk. “It has been ages since I have been thinking about bringing that rude brat to his knees, and that is exactly what is going on.” The Elite men were seated in their usual spot. The luxurious lounge was dimly lit, with soft jazz music playing in the background, creating a sophisticated ambiance. The walls were adorned with expensive artwork, and the floor was covered with plush carpeting, giving the space a sense of opulence. Marco, Enzo, and Bruno sat comfortably on a sleek, black leather couch, sipping their drinks and watching the news on the large screen TV.“Honestly, Enzo I can't be more glad that this is happening.” Marco replied and took a sip out of his drink. “And… the beautiful thing about everything that transpired is the fact that I tried to warn him, yet he would not listen.”“I have had all of these evidence for a long time now, I was simply waiting for the right time.” Brun
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