“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
“And I'm right outside the apartment,” Alison said, her left hand holding her phone against her ears. “See you in a moment.” She said and ended the call, before pulling up to Megan's house, concern etched on her face.As she stepped out of the car, she noticed a familiar figure sitting at the balcony and flipping through the pages of a magazine.He was back?"Uncle Carlos?" She called, her voice laced with surprise and a hint of anger and disappointment. "Why are you suddenly back, what took you so long?"Carlos, Megan's lover, looked up at Alison with a mixture of guilt and defiance. "I came back home, Alison, and that's no way to greet your uncle, you know," he replied with a small smile.Alison's eyes narrowed, as she took in his expression. "You just show up after how many weeks? After leaving her and not even bothering to come back when she got into an accident?"Carlos sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alison, I—"But Alison wasn't having it. She kept glaring at him. “What excuse
“Honestly, it was great spending time with you both.” Alison said as she took her stuff, preparing to leave.“You're leaving already?” Megan asked, unable to conceal the shock in her eyes. “I thought you came for a sleepover?”Alison chuckled and shook her head. “Of course not aunt… I've still got a couple of things to put together.”“Tomorrow is Saturday, Alison, you can do whatever you like in the course of the weekend.” Megan said, trying to persuade her. “Just sleep over…besides it's late already.” “I didn't plan to sleepover aunt, maybe some other time” Alison said with a small smile, but Megan still seemed slightly reluctant.“But it's late already, I mean …what if something bad happens?” She asked again and Carlos shook his head. “What if something good happens?”"I'll be fine, Aunt Megan," Alison reassured her. "I'll drive carefully, and I'll be home before you know it, I promise I'd call you.”Megan frowned, her brow furrowed with concern. "But it's already 11: 50 pm, Alison
RATEDThe room was dimly lit, the only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioner. The Unknown Woman, a woman of immense power and influence, sat on her plush couch, sipping a drink and smirking to herself. She wasn't someone to back out when her desires weren't fulfilled and as a woman who always got what she wanted, she knew she was going to get everything back no matter the cost.Just as she was starting to relax, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” she muttered coldly, and the door creaked open, revealing her personal thug, Spider.“Good Evening, my lady,” he winked, and walked in, his eyes scanning the room before returning back to her."What is it, Spider?" she asked, her voice husky and confident. “Did you guys succeed in capturing her?”He hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before he leaned in closer to her."We didn't succeed,” he whispered. “Mr. Rodrigo seems to have his eyes closely on her, he suddenly intervened, sending a convoy to come get her.”The U
Alison kept staring out through the window suspiciously, and the moment she sighted Travis's mansion at a distance, she exhaled in relief.“You were really scared ma'am, you still look scared.” The guard driving teased, staring at her through the rearview mirror. “You're safe now.”Alison smiled shortly and nodded. She didn't want to utter any words for fear that she was really going to break down. She rested her head in her palms and shut her eyes, thinking of what might have happened if the people trailing her had succeeded in getting her.“And we're here,” the man muttered and pulled over at the front of the house.“Thank you so much,” Alison said and picked her bag before stepping out of the car. She met Travis, standing by the door, his arms crossed over his chest, a look of concern etched on his face.As soon as he saw her, he pushed off from the door and walked towards her. “Ally, are you okay?” Alison's eyes welled up with tears as she ran into his arms, sobbing uncontrollab
Rachel suddenly felt some form of discomfort in her sleep, so she stirred and slowly her eyes snapped open.She was shocked to see Bruno still awake and sitting in bed. Her eyes darted to the wall clock and she gasped realizing it was already past midnight."Babe, what's wrong?" Rachel asked, concern etched on her face as she sat up in bed. “You're not asleep yet, when did you even get back?”"Nothing. Just mind your own business, okay?" Bruno snapped. “I need the peace and quiet to think about a whole lot.”Rachel’s expression didn't change. Instead, she moved closer to Bruno and rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes locked on his. "I care about you, Bruno, I really do. And I wish you'd open up to me about what's bothering you.”Bruno sighed, his shoulders sagging, and his defenses breaking. "It's just...work stuff," he muttered. “Nothing to be bothered about, I'll be alright.”Rachel waited, her eyes never leaving his. "What's going on with work?" she pressed. “For you to be s
Alison yawned sleepily, as her eyes snapped open. She shut them back almost immediately, and opened them slowly again, trying to get used to the brightness in the room.She stirred and felt an obstacle behind her. Alarmed, she turned around and was shocked to see Travis sleeping peacefully behind her.Unconsciously, a smile broke out of her face as she admired his attractive facial features. She began trailing his full and black eyebrows."Good morning," she whispered, her eyes fixed on Travis's sleeping face.Travis stirred, his eyes opening slowly. "Good morning, damsel," he replied, his voice husky.Alison smiled, her eyes tracing the contours of his face. "I was just admiring the view," she said. Travis chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you like what you see," he said. “I'm certain a lot of effort was put into creating this perfect masterpiece beside you.”As they talked, Alison realized that she was still tracing Travis's eyebrows with her finger. She pulled
Alison's nerves were on edge as she stood in the kitchen, holding onto Travis's hands.She did not, in her wildest imagination, think that Mrs. Rodrigo would walk into such scene, now what?“Good Morning, ma'am.” She greeted and while waiting for Travis's mother to acknowledge her, her nervousness heightened. Travis, oblivious to the tension, smiled and greeted his mother warmly."Hey, Mom! What brings you here today?"Mrs. Rodrigo's gaze darted between Travis and Alison, her expression unreadable. Without responding to Alison’s greeting, she turned and walked away, leaving Alison feeling uneasy and Travis looking concerned."Mom, wait up!" Travis called out, following after her.Alison hesitated for a moment, then decided to eavesdrop on the conversation between mother and son. She crept closer to the passage, trying not to be seen."Mother, what's going on?" Travis asked, his voice firm but respectful. "Why are you being so rude to Alison, and what's the disgusted look you have on
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