Bruno was still sitting in his study, his conversation with Layla still playing through his mind as he wondered how to go about it, when Mrs. Francisco stormed in, her face a picture of fury. "What is the meaning of this, Bruno?" she thundered, slamming her hand on the desk. “What exactly is the meaning of what I've been hearing?” Bruno, looked up at her with a mixture of anger and frustration. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mother," he said, trying to sound calm. “I'm just as confused as you are.” Mrs. Francisco's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't play dumb with me, Bruno. I know all about the withdrawal. You're incapable of running this Empire. You've failed to do something as simple as take care of our conglomerate." She spat. “Do you even realize the impact this withdrawal will have on Cisco groups?... we'll go into bankruptcy with no way out.” Bruno sighed, he hadn't really thought about the effect although he was aware that it would be something grave. And now what?
Travis pulled up to Alison's apartment in his sleek black SUV. He stepped out of the vehicle, adjusting his watch as he gazed up at her building. He felt a thrill of excitement, anticipating their date tonight. The driver, noticing Travis's gaze, smiled knowingly. "Sir, shall I escort you to her door?" Travis nodded, and the driver accompanied him to Alison's apartment. He took a deep breath, rang the doorbell, and waited. After waiting for a couple of moments, the door opened, revealing Alison in a stunning black dress. Her hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow," Travis breathed, his eyes roving over her. "You look gorgeous." Alison blushed, smiling. "Thanks, Travis. You look good." Travis grinned, offering his arm. "Shall we go then?" Alison nodded, taking his arm, and they walked to the SUV. The driver opened the door, and Travis helped Alison inside before following her. As they drove through the city, Travis asked Alison
Monday morning dawned bright and cheerful. To Alison, she had quite a cheerful weekend, one she didn't intend to come to an end anytime soon. She'd spent so much time with Travis over the weekend and had the most fun despite the drama that played out over the dinner. Alison walked into the office with a spring in her step, and a bold smile on her lips. She returned every greeting she got until she stepped into the elevator. “Good morning ma'am.” the receptionist greeted as she shifted deeper into the elevator. “Morning Joyce” she smiled back. “I hope you enjoyed your weekend.” Joyce nodded with a big smile. “You look good ma'am.” Alison's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “Thanks. It has a pocket though.” “That’s amazing. Have a great day ma'am.” The receptionist said as soon as the elevator stopped, before she stepped out. “You too Joyce” Alison said, before the door went shut again. As she stepped out on her own floor, Alison didn't fail to notice Oscar seated in his own
Alison was still trying to understand the note when a figure emerged from the shadows with a knife. “We meet again isnt it?” The person asked and she froze. “Who are you? S..stay away from me” she managed to utter, although trying to feign brave, but her voice kept failing her as it cracked, Indicating how scared she was. “What is it you want?” “Too bad I'm not even alone” the figure replied with a smirk and another man joined him. “So it's just you, against the both of us.” “What do you want from me?” She aske, she no longer wanted to look or sound brave, all her resolve had broken down and what she wanted was to be free or just find out that all of these is a nightmare. “Did you drop the dead flowers and the note?” “Does that matter?” The second man smirked. “Just in case the note made you scared…you should calm down , I mean you really need too, since we're not here to kill you.” “At least not yet” the second man said, and lunched an attack on her. Alison screamed, the noise
The soft air getting into the room was a total contrast to the energy lingering in the room. Bruno and Rachel were both seated on their bed, with each of them having their gaze fixed on their respective phones. The tension in the air was palpable as Bruno's gaze darted to Rachel from time to time, trying to see if she'd start the conversation they both knew they needed to have. For the last two days, she had been withdrawn, not saying a word to anyone, not even him. They had been sleeping beside each other, but the distance between them felt like an insurmountable chasma. After forever, when it seemed as though she wasn't going to make the first move, Bruno finally asked. “What's going on?I mean, what's the attitude you've been putting up lately?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You know exactly what's… wrong, Bruno," Rachel replied, her voice firm but slightly cracking at the end. “There's nothing I detest more than you knowing exactly what the matter is, yet feign
It's been a week already since Alison moved in with Travis, and this past week has been peaceful for Alison. It's Saturday evening and Alison and Travis were lounged on the couch in Travis's bedroom. Travis rested his head on her bare thighs, his eyes close in contentment as her fingers massaged his hair. Meanwhile, his hands were busy caressing her nipples through the soft fabric of her top. Alison's eyes were shut in pleasure, her moans filling the air as Travis's hands caressed her breasts. She was lost in the sensation, her body arching into his touch. "So really Alison,, what's next?" Travis asked, his voice low and husky. “After taking revenge on Bruno and his family, and taking Theo, what next?” Alison's moans grew louder, her words barely intelligible. "After...I take...revenge...on Bruno..." she gasped, her eyes still shut. Travis's fingers teased her nipples, sending shivers down her spine. "And then?" he prompted, his voice dripping with desire. Alison's body tremble
Alison remained seated at the driver's seat despite having pulled up close to fifteen minutes ago. “You no longer want to go in?” Travis asked, observing her reluctance. “Is something else the matter? Or you would rather not talk about.” “It's not like I don't want to go in” she replied, slightly fidgeting. “I don't have any idea about what Bruno wants, and the thought of that alone is freaking me out…what if he wants to attack me or something?” It took everything in Travis to stop him from bursting into loud laughter. “Come on princess…if Bruno wanted to attack you, he would have done that in a rather secluded area, and not call you out to the open.” “I want to believe that…but it's difficult to” She mumbled, her lips obviously quivering. “You can do this, my darling. He's just Bruno, your ex-husband, and not some Demigod.” Travis whispered, his voice soothing, and his hands patting her hair softly. “Besides I doubt he ever hit you throughout when you were married to him.” Alis
“So what now? All the beauty and bliss I spent the last three years building has finally crashed and come to an end huh?” Rachel mumbled as she gathered her stuff, folding them in boxes, and maids coming to get the boxes afterwards. “I gave all of me, and now what is left?” The divorce between Rachel and Bruno was finally concluded, and the tension in the air was palpable. Rachel packed her belongings, tears streaming down her face as she carefully placed each item into boxes. Bruno stood by the window, his eyes fixed on her, but his expression was blank. Rachel suddenly turned to him, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "Are you really happy I'm leaving?" she asked, her voice trembling. “Like it's what you've always wanted, to see me out and far away from your life and family.” Bruno shrugged, his shoulders barely moving. "It's important that you leave. For the safety of your own mental health.” He muttered. “You're still quite young….instead of wasting your time with me and this
Alison smiled widely settling onto a long couch, with Travis by her side, and her gaze darting around the room, to the happy faces of her guests - unexpected guests actually.Forgiveness felt exciting, it made her feel lighter, like a heavy weight just got lifted off her shoulder.“This has to be the most underrated pill.” She whispered, snuggling closer to Travis.“What's that?” He asked, staring in her eyes, with his arms wrapped around her.“Forgiveness.” She responded, and broke off their eye contact, allowing her gaze wander off. “You know, when I got Bruno arrested alongside his mother, and gained custody over my son… it did not feel this satisfying.”Oscar and Karen stopped their conversation and had their entire attention fixed on the couple, who were just starting to reinkindle their love.“I felt thirsty, like there was so much more I was missing out on.” She continued. “You know that feeling when you have already gotten everything you always wanted, and yet it was not as sa
The moment he sighted Alison walk out of the room looking like a ghost, better still, a frame of her former self, Travis' eyes widened in shock, so did his mouth. There was not any way he would have believe that his Alison would lose so much weight and life in just a matter of twenty one days. Her collar bones were glaring, deep enough to hold water in them. Her eyes were red, and so was her face… a testament to the tears she had to shed and the pain she'd gone through.Alison on the other hand, kept staring at him, although at first she didn't want to admit it, he was looking so haggard and unkept, his hair was messy and his moustache was starting to grow wild.Only twenty-one days apart did this to the couple, who would have thought so.Still standing apart, the couple kept staring at each other, with so many words running through their minds, yet no one was uttering any words.Who would?Travis who was articulating his thoughts and thinking of the perfect way to get Alison's for
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