The day of the second trial had finally arrived, and Alison was feeling slightly nervous and confused. She had spent countless hours preparing and gathering evidence, Justice Thompson wasn't an easy one, and he seemed particularly interested in this case.Despite her preparation, Alison just couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that lingered in the pit of her stomach.What if Judge Harold decided to upturn her evidence and rule against Travis?“You can do this, Alison,” she said to herself, staring at her reflection in the mirror, and just then, her aunt, Megan, showed up in her bedroom.Aunt Megan was the exact person she needed to see at that moment, there was just this aura that she carried around, that passed reassurance and peace of mind."Hey, sweetie," Megan waved, and walking fully into the room, she enveloped Alison in a warm hug. “I know this case means a lot to you…but how are you feeling?”Alison took a deep breath, not sure what to reply with. "Although I'm kind
CHAPTER 50"Based on the evidence presented, I find the defendant, Travis Rodrigo, not guilty of all charges," the Judge declared, his voice firm.The Judge's words echoed through the courtroom, as it fell dead silent .“I'll rise,” the judge said and stood to his feet, alongside everyone else in the courtroom, they bowed together too, before the judge headed back to his chamber.Travis let out a whoop of joy and swept Alison into a tight hug. Alison hugged him back, feeling a sense of elation and relief wash over her. She succeeded…once again she'd succeeded and won yet another case for her friend "We did it!" Travis exclaimed, his voice muffled against her shoulder.Alison laughed, feeling tears of joy prick at the corners of her eyes. "We sure did," she replied, her voice shaking with emotion. “I didn't think we could, honestly…Judge Thompson was a hard one.”When they finally broke apart, Alison's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the crowd of people gathered in the hallway
"Honestly, I can't be more glad that you agreed," Travis said to Alison with a broad smile, as he ate slowly from the food before him. "Considering the fact that you were the same person emphasizing on professionalism"Alison's face reddened in embarrassment as she looked away. "This is different Travis, I mean we are only celebrating our victory right?""Goody two shoes," he mocked, "there is always an excuse.”Alison heard him, and, of course, she was not going to let that slide...she was a lawyer for a reason.Alison's eyes widened in amusement as she set down her fork, locking her gaze with Travis's. "Coming from the cold, jerky CEO huh?" She wriggled her eyebrows and returned her gaze back to her food innocently."Oh so now you're playing dirty, huh!" Travis laughed, his deep voice resounding through Alison's head and reminding her of old times."Hey..don't get it twisted alright? Ssomeone has got to keep you on your toes, Mr. CEO," Alison grinned.The banter continued, and unlik
The dimly lit room was filled with the sound of clinking glasses, thick smoke in the atmosphere and muted conversations. The Elite men were in Marco's mansion, seated around the classy table in his lounge.The blue disco bulbs illuminated their faces, revealing their worried expression. I mean it was not everyday your business partner gets into trouble and narrowly escapes at the cost of the multimillion dollar investment.Of course, the bakery was more than just a bakery, even the club was more than just a club, a lot of other activities used to go on around there, but now…“Honestly, I never envisaged losing the organization,” Marco whispered, taking a long drag from his cigarette.“Me neither,” Enzo mumbled, his hands clenching tightly against the cup he drank from."I still can't believe he won that case," Bruno growled, hitting his right palm against the table in frustrated annoyance. "That judge was blind, or maybe he was just paid off by Travis."Enzo, his expression calm and
After a couple of conversations about work, growth and stuff the dinner date finally came to an end. Although she wasn't going to admit to the jerk she was out with,Alison knew that the dinner date was one of the things she really needed. Over the past few years, she's really never felt the love of an outsider or anyone else apart from her family. When clients acted as though they really cared, she'd grown to understand that those clients are only after what she has to offer them- her services. Wasn't she even overthinking? A lawyer is only needed to render services so what was she expecting? “Let's leave, Miss Ally” Travis whispered playfully. “You're ready right?” “Sure,” she smiled. As they walked out of the restaurant, into the cool night, Alison noticed Travis's guards surrounding them...the guards were so many, that she had to ask. “Young man…the last I checked you're not interested in people babysitting you all in the name of domestic staff” she grinned mockingly. “So wha
The soft glow of the restaurant's interior cast a warm light on Mrs. Francisco's face, but her expression was far from warm. Her bulgy eyes held a disgusted expression as she gazed at Alison and Travis,eating and joking about something.How dare Alison move on? As though escaping from prison wasn't enough, now she was out here flirting and frolicking with one of the wealthiest young men in the whole country.Exactly what did she think she was? The woman kept glaring until she saw them walk out of the restaurant, accompanied by so many guards.From the look of things, Alison just wanted a fling…it seemed like something else was going on, something more serious.“Snap out of it my darling” the woman seated across Mrs. Francisco said tapping the table. “You seem like you're going to eat us all up.”"Look at that," Mrs. Francisco spat, pointing towards the window, her voice low and venomous. "Alison, the little tramp, leaving with Travis Rodrigo. I'm sure she's sleeping her way to the
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'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