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
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
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
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
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
Bruno stood alone by the balcony, the calm and serene neighborhood stretching out before him like a tranquil oasis. His mind was still reeling from the last deal he had just concluded with a Chinese firm, the numbers and details swirling through his head like a vortex. He felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment wash over him, the thrill of the negotiation still coursing through his veins.Just a few months ago, Alison and the stupid case with Travis had tried to pull down his achievements and crash his investment…but for whatever reason, he was back on his feet.Just as he was about to turn back inside, his phone rang in his pocket, with a shrill sound,breaking the silence.He pulled it out and answered, his voice low."Bruno.""Hey, Bruno. It's Marco."“Good Evening Marco.” He greeted. “Your call came right in time.”“And why is that? If I may ask?” Marco asked, a hint of curiousity in his voice. “Although I called for something else.”Bruno's instincts prickled slightly at
Alison sat alone in her house, reeling from the confrontation with Rachel, Bruno's wife. She couldn't understand why the woman had suddenly changed her tone. One moment, she was seeking Alison's help with her divorce, and the next, she was accusing Alison of trying to steal her husband and threatening her with her son.Just as Alison was starting to feel overwhelmed, she heard a knock at the door. She got up to answer it, expecting it to be a delivery or perhaps a neighbor. But to her surprise, it was Karen, her colleague from work, and a very good friend."Hey, Karen! Come on in," Alison said, trying to sound cheerful despite her earlier encounter with Sarah.“Ally” Karen beamed, walking in, looking concerned. "Alison, I was worried about you all day! You said you were ill, but you look...fine," Karen said, eyeing Alison's healthy complexion.“I got better over time, you know.” Alison winked, grinning from ear to ear.“I know you better Alison, what have you been up to?” She asked,
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
“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