WILLOWWaiting in the subway for an hour, Allison, who volunteered to pick me up, arrived with a bag of chips. We hopped on a train to the other side of town, now rebranded as Good Luck Alley from its former name, Greenwood Alley – a change that intrigued me given its previous reputation."Hey Allison, can I ask you a question?" I inquired."Shoot." she nodded, handing me some chips"Why do they call this place goodluck alley?" I asked she slowly nods her head sideways."You don't wanna know" she says"Oh come on, I wanna know please" I whimpered like a five year old."They call it Good Luck Alley because, well, good luck trying to get out alive," Allison replied, sending a shiver down my spine."And we are walking." I panicked while she snorts laugh like a pig at my discomfort."I'm joking, relax. This place doesn't get worse than it already is by midnight, and it's only nine, so we're safe for now," Allison reassured, the last part delivered with a mischievous attempt to spook me."I
THIRD PERSON POVWillow sat down blindfolded and tied up having no clue of where she was, making use of her other senses she tries to make out where she is."Hello" she yells as loud as she could but only hearing her echos."Hello sweetheart" She gulps at the familiar voice."It can't be," she quivered in her thoughts. Shaky and sweaty, she prayed fervently that her worst nightmare wasn't becoming a harsh reality.Her blindfold slowly unmasked revealing the handsome devil of a man before her, Tristan."How comical" just her luck that she's seeing the handsome devil once again."How comical indeed, miss me? " He winked at her as she Blush a Little forgetting about her unfortunate state."You've got the guts to be comical when you have me hostage. I swear, when my father hears about this," she threatened, but he laughed, dismissing her empty words. He walked up to her, squatting down a little, and smiled as he looked right into her eyes—something he couldn't help but find captivating, as
WILLOW"I get to have you as my bride"The words reverberated in my ears, and my breath hitched. This had to be a nightmare, a twisted dream I couldn't escape. Yet, the strong, piercing scent of Tristan's cologne confirmed it was a horrifying reality. Tristan withdrew from my side, studying my reaction as he locked eyes with me. Shocked beyond words, I refused to display any emotion. I looked away, denying him any clue about my feelings. I wouldn't meet his gaze; I wouldn't let him see my vulnerability. Pretending as if his heavy breath hadn't brushed against my skin, I shifted my focus down to his torso.His warm breath against my skin intensified, nearly undoing me. Slowly, I averted my eyes from his torso, locking onto his gaze. Initially oblivious, Tristan's eyes eventually met mine. Once our eyes connected, it felt sinful to look away from his deep blue eyes, as profound as the sea. I found myself ensnared in a trance, immobile, worries dissipating like mist in a safe haven. Anoth
WillowWe disengaged from our awkward hug as Tristan made his way towards her."Who's she? I've never seen her dance at the casino," she said, almost making me choke."How long have you been standing there?" Tristan asked, seemingly unconcerned."Long enough to shoot you a dozen times. You left me at the party with that detective of a nurse to find clues, deserted a party you were supposed to host, and now I find you in the hands of a random stripper," she said, scrutinizing me until her eyes lit up."Is that all.." Tristan said not giving a damn."No, you need to stop acting like your actions don't have consequences, you can't just kill anyone you don't like, the doctor called saying you let that man slide In a coma" she yelled."He deserve it probably if he survives he has learnt his lesson." he said hands down In his pockets leaving me clueless about any idea what they are talking about."Tristan." she scowled at him he just huffed a smirk pushing back his hair In a slick motion."T
WILLOWA week has passed, I'm still locked in this room, though it was adorned with all the comfort one could get, I felt like a prisoner.I couldn't leave my room, talk less leave the damn house, Tristan had the best chefs prepare the most healthiest food filled with nutrients, I wasn't allowed to eat any thing like junk food, Tristan forbid it. It didn't make sense why he forbade it but anytime I asked he always seemed to ignore me.I wasn't allowed to keep any connection with the outside world not even my dad, so I wasn't granted a phone.And I haven't set my eyes on Tristan on the past one week, for some reason, I was disappointed.I shouldn't be after all he's done to me.I wonder how dad is, did Tristan pay him a large chunk to keep him quiet?And Allison , I wonder what Tristan did to pay her off as well, does she worry about me? Or has she chosen to forget me.It was already dark, and I lay down on my bed, lost in thought until my door creaked slowly open, revealing Hailey . Sh
Willow "You want something?? " she tried making the atmosphere less tense at the moment seeing I was frozen in thoughts."Wait, yes, what? What makes you think I'll let that arrogant prick kiss me? He doesn't even want to kiss me," I exclaimed. Hailey just shot me a wide smile, walking toward me, pulling me into a hug with one hand in the air holding the paper plate and the other hand slowly patting my back."Oh, Willow, you're such a doll—" Hailey began when the door handle started to turn, someone attempting to get in. My eyes grew wide in shock as I imagined who might be on the other side."Hailey are you in there?" I heard Tristan yelled from the other side, as we both disengage from our supposed hug, we both wore worried looks as Hailey sent me to open the door and hid the plastic plate from behind her as I unlock the door and opened it for Tristan.His appearance was different; his usually combed-back hair was messy and scattered as he ran his fingers through it, making him more
TRISTAN I can't believe it was coming out of her mouth my eyes grew wide in shock, my heart froze instantly, but I can't stay.A Week EarlierThe day after I took Willow, my hands were in my pockets, and I was exhausted after Hailey made me run through the casino's files at home and left me in the middle to give Jaxon a blow job.The weight of the casino keeps becoming a burden day by day; I don't even know how I was able to survive. Striding down the hall to my room, my phone rang in my pockets. I picked it up to see Bernice, one of my one-nighters, calling.She was a developer interested in the casino's growth and gave me a lap dance in my office, which led to a hot make-out session and eventually banging in my office, which of course, Hailey doesn't know. She's just too desperate and doesn't understand what a one-night stand means.I back against a door opposite Willow's room and memories from yesterday kept flooding back.For some reason my chest thump I felt like she was staring
Tristan Time skipped to a Week laterI can't stay, I can't break any of them but she won't let me go."I can't stay." I muttered to her, I doubt she could barely understand me, her sleepy eyes were half closed and her grip on me tightened."Please stay." She pouted I could not say no, I'm the reason she was locked in the basement."Only for some time, when you are asleep I'm gone." She nods in agreement as I got on her bed. Gently, she let's go of my hand her eyes became heavy and tired."Goodnight," she yawned, her eyes dimmed shut. I waited for some time until she was in a deep sleep, placing pillows as a barrier between both of us.Willow is a restless sleeper, continuously turning and twisting until she broke down the barricade of pillows between us. I scooted a little away from her, but she found her way back to me, her leg brushing against mine. Quietly, I got up, successfully lifted her leg, and moved it away from mine.I yawned, feeling tired. It's almost 11, and I've been try
Willow's POVAfter I got my shift off, behold, I saw Hailey . She rocked black ripped jeans and an imprinted denim crop top. I wouldn't believe her if they said she recently gave birth; talk of she put to birth early, and guess what? Twins! I'm so happy for her and Tristan, and recently they got married. I swear Jaxon has his hands full with a boy and a girl; the boy's name is Allister, and the girl's name is Willow."I thought you were in London," I said as she pulled me into a hug."I'm on the run, and I missed you, and Jaxon wouldn't permit me, so I stole a jet and came here. So, how's the hospital?" she asked, clinging tightly to my arm and pulling me away from the hospital."Great! I'm getting full validation having over the hospital documents. You are free to call me Doctor Willow," I teased."After you go to med school," she said, ignoring my protests."Hey, I've not fully checked out yet," I cried, but she didn't listen."Jaxon is on the lookout for me, and I don't have much t
WILLOW'S POV"What if he doesn't like me?" Tina panicked, jolting back and escaping from my grip."He's my dad, and I'm sure he'll be happy to welcome you into his heart," I said as she looked into the community center for old people. It's been five months now, and she's nervous about meeting Dad.We've both had lots of time together to bond, and I'm sure she forgives me for the whole stealing her boyfriend thing, I think.My dad recently woke up from his coma, and Tristan permitted us both to see him. It didn't matter, though, because we were both going to go anyways."How do you know he will like me?" she said, clinging tightly to the frames of the door. Tina Mendoza, nervous? I think not."You've strutted the runway, eaten competition, and broken your competitors, and you're afraid of meeting your stepfather. Tina, he's heard so much about you and really wants to see you. Show him the real Tina Mendoza," I said as she let go of the frames and hugged me."It's Tina Shawn Davis to yo
WILLOW'S POVI'm in a wedding dress, and all eyes land on me. I feel very uneasy; they won't stop staring. Maybe it's because they are surprised to see a bride at an airport. Markus said we are getting married the moment we land in Croatia and start a new life away from troubles. As pleasant as all that sounds, I feel like I'm leaving a big part of me behind, like an other half, but every time I try to remember, nothing comes.It's my turn to pass through the metal detector. It scans for any metal but dings green. I prayed for it to ding red so that I might be held back, but it didn't. Markus took me by my hand, ushering me to the plane he booked. I can't believe it, and I don't know why I'm feeling miserable. The cloud is heavy, and it looks like it was about to rain. Maybe lightning will strike the plane because death is optional. Right now, I don't want to leave, but I'm afraid to tell Markus ; the way he reacted earlier scared me."Are you ready?" he said as our luggage was being
WILLOW'S POVThe nurse keeps asking me questions about who Tristan Donovan is. I don't even remember how I got here. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but did I just have an operation or plastic surgery that I don't remember anything? A doctor walked in with a cunning grin. I looked down. I'm wearing a wedding dress in a hospital. Something is definitely wrong because weddings and hospitals don't mix."Willow, you are alive. I thought those hitmen would finally get to you, but I made sure you wouldn't pass into the cold hands of death," he said, walking towards me. I feel like he's a bad omen or something."Who are you, and why am I in a wedding dress?" I asked."We were about to get married, but this man tried to kill you. He's already arm's length away from you, and to be safe, we need to leave the country," he said, showing me a picture of a man I think I remember but can't."Why?" I asked."I'm afraid you are not safe here. We will be departing from the hospital to the airpor
WILLOW'S POVBeing escorted by bodyguards, I slowly wiped my tears dry. I didn't like what I was about to do, but I had no choice. As I reached where Tristan was being held captive, I tapped gently, even though I didn't have to, before letting myself in.Tristan, pale and looking almost dead, brightened up. His eyes lit up in hope upon seeing me, as if he had been awaiting my arrival."What took you so long, and what's with the wedding dress?" he asked with a faint smile. His smile was so contagious that I looked down to the floor. It hurt so much coming here, it hurt so much seeing him in person, I felt soulless and inhumane to even be here to tell Tristan what Markus wanted me to say to him."I hate you." I started. It felt as if I got punched on my throat. "I don't love you anymore," my heart bled on mentioning that, it wasn't any better but I thought it might soften the blow."What exactly are you trying to say?" he asked."You're not deaf; you heard me. Like you said, you don't b
JAXON'S POV"Willow... Willow..." I yelled at the top of my voice over the phone, but I got no reply until I heard a scream, and eventually, the call hung up."What happened?" Sam asked, wearing a worried look, waiting for my reply."He got her..."WILLOW'S POVYawning, my eyes slightly opened to everything white. A sharp sensation hit my head as I tried bearing the migraines. I attempted to massage my temples, but my hand was pulled back; clearly, I was chained to a hospital bed. I looked around, seeing pedals on the floor. I struggled with my chains to break free, but they were solid metal. I felt a sharp sting at my arm. Why did it hurt so much? Oh right... I remembered that bastard shot me, and I bled so much. But how am I still alive? I think I lost a lot of blood.I looked down to see myself clad in a wedding gown. I could hear wedding bells playing, but how was that possible when I was chained to a hospital bed? There was a TV in the middle of the room."Help!" I yelled at the
JAXON'S POVI looked into the files with Tina's laptop, logging into my email to receive whatever Willow sent, but she cut the call. As we clicked on the file, it was called "Black File.""They look like normal computer programming to me," I said after minutes of searching, unsure of what Sam touched, logging us into another program."That's strange, these are all files of security tapes at the hospital where Caden got his surgery, but they look hidden," Tina said."And these look like contacts for the explosion of a plane to Ukraine," Sam added. "And these are contacts to the goons that chased us," she added as I got back into focus."That's not the only thing. Look at this, Willow is the rightful owner and heir to everything. This is Clara's original will, but in digital form because she left Valentina , which is Tina, some property," I said."It makes sense. That's why Clara wrote that secret message on the will. She was forced to write that fake will. Clara never willed Willow," S
91 "Mr. Donovan , you have a visitor," one of the cops yelled as they opened up the cell and cuffed me violently, escorting me to the visiting room. They pushed me into the room, instructing me to sit down on the chair while I wait for my visitor. I hope it's Willow. She hasn't picked up my calls, and I haven't heard from her. The only phone call I had, I used it to call her, but she didn't pick up. It's like she disappeared. The door opened, and my eyes lit up in hope but were crushed later on as Tina made her way in. I didn't spare her a look. All I wanted to see was Willow, but she's nowhere to be heard from. She grinned, sitting down on the chair opposite me, bringing out a plastic takeout and pushing it towards me as she gestured for me to eat, but I refused. "Come on, Tristan, eat up, please," she pleaded. I froze. I didn't want to eat anything. All I could think about was Willow. "Is Willow okay?" those were the only words that escaped my lips. She hissed at my reply, frow
WILLOW'S POV "But Willow, your mother knew she was going to die and she knew her killer. I'm sorry, but I think Tristan killed Clara..." Sam said. "It's not true..." I violently shook the table, driving both Rhett and Sam away from me. "Willow, is there any other proof? The evidence is right before our very eyes. Tristan killed Clara." "He didn't kill my mom, OK? This is just a coincidence..." I growled, trying to convince myself she's wrong. She has to be wrong. "Raelynn and Clara's clearly state someone was going to kill her, and it all points to Tristan . Tell me it's just a joke that you think he's innocent..." she said as I got up. "They didn't write Tristan's name, did they? And why would Tristan want to kill my mom? The government was after me, not Tristan . This doesn't make sense," I sighed in frustration. "Didn't you see the news? He killed Caden and probably burnt down his property... And it was just confirmed that he killed Caden with identified evidence. You