Maurice had taken Alessa to a guest room and helped Alessa slip into a tight green dress that made her white skin shine and clashed with her red hair. The dress stopped well above her knee and left nothing to the imagination. She looked like she was cosplaying a dirty Peter Pan. He had also done a soft pink makeup look and was doing the third touch-up on it since Alessa could not stop crying.“You’ll be okay dear,” Maurice kept saying. Though she could tell he was uncomfortable preparing the prey.Just as Maurice finished dabbing at Alessa’s tears, someone—Alessa knew it was Kyle—knocked on the door. “All good in her, come in,” Maurice said. Kyle opened the door.Kyle looked at Alessa for a few seconds. He looked like he was unable to breathe. “That’s what he got her?” He asked, shocked as he traced her dress.“Well, she isn’t going into his room to talk about art or politics,” Maurice said. “It’s appropriate for what he wants.”“She wasn’t supposed to be going in at all. He just got
At the sight of Kyle, Alessa kicked Jason where the sun didn't shine, and crawled out from under Jason. “What is the meaning of this? You are the one who offered her up to me, and she clearly seems interested in joining.” Jason spat. “Don’t even look at her in the future, do you understand?” Kyle yelled. He then picked up the jacket from the floor, and wrapped it around Alessa, hiding her behind him. “Get the hell out of my house!”“Oh I will, and you can forget about me investing in your movie.”“I don’t give a fuck. Get out!” Kyle bellowed.Jason scoffed, but rushed out, clearly terrified by Kyle’s anger. “Are you okay?” Kyle turned his attention to Alessa. She wasn’t okay, in fact, okay. She was livid! More so from the fact that the person who put her in this situation was asking her if she was okay. “What did you say?” She said, slipping his jacket off her. There was no need for it now and it was unable to protect her when she needed it. “I—““I am leaving this house. I can’
When the morning fully bloomed, Alessa was called downstairs to the main kitchen by Mrs.Rafferty. There she was served a full plate of breakfast.“I heard you were only having one meal a day girl. Well, that’s not allowed in this household. Kyle has demanded you eat at least three meals a day.” She berated her. “Eat up.”So she did, keeping her eyes on all the doorways in the dining room to see if Kyle would join her. After all, this was breakfast time at the mansion, but there was no sign of him. That night, Alessa noticed the bed in the new room caused her to have a sleepless night. Of course, she was overthinking about her blunder with Jason but the softness of the bed didn’t help any. She was used to the hardness that her dungeon mattress provided. So finally at three in the morning, she made her way to the kitchen to get water and maybe something to drink.When she made her way down, she saw Kyle and James. Kyle was on his laptop, typing, while James was watching basketball, and
The party preparations were in full swing. James was running the show front and center and using it as a way to get Alessa to talk to him. “The venue is going to be an old castle!” James offered up without Alessa asking when they ran into each other in the hallway. “Great, have fun setting all that up.” Alessa rolled her eyes.“Apparently, Kyle is giving your picture to the guards so they can stop you.” He laughed.“He can waste his money any way he likes. I will not be showing up!” Alessa said. However, her words were turning out to be a lie. Madison had bought her a shiny blue gown and a mask to match it. So when she got to the PHAT office that day, she was forced to try it all on as Madison shoved her into the bathroom in her office. When Alessa squeezed into the gown and emerged from the bathroom, Madison gasped!“I knew blue was your color! It’s so shiny too.” She continued to admire.Alessa walked towards the mirror in the corner of the bathroom and saw herself in an off-sho
The guards did indeed stop both the girls at the door.“Please remove your mask.” One of the much taller and burlier guards demanded, putting his hand out in front of the doorway.“I am John Danny’s special friend, I think I am okay to go in,” Madison said, opening her mask to reveal her face before hiding it again. “Yes, Miss.Kelly. Please go ahead.” He let his hands down. “You on the other hand,” he turned to Alessa, “we need to verify the identity.”“She is my friend. I have the okay from John Danny to bring her with me.” Madison butted in.“Still need to verify her identity.” “Is that really necessary? My friend has a bit of an injury on her face. She is embarrassed.” Madison lied. “Doesn’t matter!”“You're going to say no to“—Madison brought her voice to a whisper—“John Danny’s fiancée?”“What are you saying?” Alessa also whispered, thinking of Madison. “That’s supposed to be well hidden.”The guard just laughed. “I don’t care who you are. I only take orders from Kyle Danny. R
Alessa ran toward the tall Camelot building, parking in the streets Willy-nilly. It was 12:01 and she feared Kyle’s cleaning crew was expected to be as punctual as he was. She was right. There was a group of people all wearing the same yellow clothes waiting outside the main gate. One of them, texting on their phone.“Stop!” She yelled. “Don’t text anyone. I am here.” She dashed towards the crew, holding her blue gown up high as she did to make sure the puffy long bottoms didn’t trip her. Then huffing and puffing, she swiped her PHAT card, which had been programmed to work for Camelot since the day they merged, at the gate keypad. The keypad beeped a few times, flashed a green dot and the doors clicked. “Thank you, ma’am! I was just about to text Kyle.” “It’s a good thing you didn’t. I’ll do it for you. I’ll call.”She sighed with relief and she also wanted to hear his voice.She pushed Kyle’s name in her phone screen, and waited, with bated breath, for his voice to sound off on
Alessa led Kyle to the nearest train station to catch their first train. Kyle trailed behind her cautiously.She led him down the sticky and dirty staircase that led to the equally sticky and dirty station. Unfortunately for Kyle, it was peak rush hour, so when they got to the station it was full of people, waiting to get onto the next train. The small platform barely had room for them all. Thankfully, a brick wall behind them had a TV screen that indicated the next train was on its way in two minutes.“That is nuts!” Kyle observed looking around. “This is New York. True New York. Not the New York you see from your ivory tower. This is my New York.” Alessa smiled taking in the humid stench of the subway. “Maybe I should show you my New York next,” Kyle said, staring at a gentleman with several face piercings and blue hair.“I see that New York every day. I am not a fan of it.” Alessa scoffed. “Look, the train!” Kyle smiled away from Alessa and she couldn’t help but mimic him. The
“Shit, he already left for another meeting!” Kyle said, looking at his phone, in the middle of the hustling and bustling Times Square.“Oh, now what?” Alessa asked.“Oh well, can’t be helped. What did you need to do here?” “I needed to go to a fabric store but I think it’s closed on Mondays.” Alessa was also on her phone looking up at the store, which showed a red “closed on Mondays” on her screen. “Now what?” Alessa asked. “We are in the most New York place there is. Maybe we can explore. Show me your New York.”“Okay!” Alessa smiled. “First thing first, you need to try a bagel here. You can literally go into any of the bagel shops and you will not get a bad bagel.” Alessa began walking, and as she expected, Kyle followed behind her. She led him out of the busy street into one of the smaller, slightly quieter streets. She saw the first shop and turned in.At the corner, she said to an uninterested teen, “Two jalapeños and cheese bagels with egg and cheese please.” “Is this food h
5 years later… “Put the flowers right there.” Alessa directed her oldest, now four-year-old daughter, Melissa. “You put the flowers right next to hers.” She told her youngest son, Ross, almost three years old to do the same. Then she placed the flowers in her hand on the grave as well. “Thank you for looking over me, for looking over us,” she prayed. Urging her kids to do the same. They loosely repeated their mother. Tears were starting to well up in Alessa's eyes. “Sorry, it’s been so long since I’ve been here.” “Don’t cry. It’s okay. He is looking down and smiling at how far you’ve come.” Madison said putting her hands on Alessa’s shoulder. “He is thankful you came into my life,” Alessa said. “You're the reason I have all of this.” She pointed at her two kids. “Kyle had something to do with this.” Madison laughed. “What did I have something to do with it?” Kyle joined the cluster which included Madison, John, and their four kids. Aspen and James. Alessa and their two ki
Kyle took her hands as soon as Alessa got to him. “We are all gathered here today to join this okay-ish man and this wonderful lady.” James started. Kyle glared back at him. James cleared his throat. “Ok sorry.” He added. “The couples I hope have written their own vows because this is as far as I’ve got in my speech.” Kyle gave James a look of disbelief but he nodded and Alessa, who wasn’t told they were doing this, blankly stared back. Kyle took out a piece of paper out of his tux pocket and began reading, as Alessa began panicking. “Alessa, from the moment I met you, I knew you were my person.” “Took you long enough to admit it.” James quibbled. Alessa agreed with a small nod and this helped easy her nervousness. Kyle glared back once more at James. Then Kyle continued, “I know the journey here wasn’t a straight line. I am not sure it was ever a curved line. We’ve been to hell and back and somehow back again. It was more than most people see in a lifetime, but today, a
Alessa ran down to the fifth floor, where the elevator was stuck, and met with a cluster of firefighters. “Move. Move. Move.” They all shouted as someone fiddled with a box full of wires next to the elevator. “Kyle!” Alessa said. It looked like the elevator was a room that had fallen ¾ into the ground. You can see the top half of the elevator and Kyle, the second half was hidden underneath the floor. “Hey babe. This is my bride.” Kyle proudly told the firefighters. “Sorry for this mess Miss. We’ll get your groom out shortly.” One of the helmeted men said. Alessa kneeled down so she and Kyle were eye to eye. Kyle rested his chin on the ground and Alessa rested her forehead on his. “I thought something horrible happened!” Cried Alessa. “I am okay. Wish I could just jump out of here but I’ve been advised against it.” Kyle pecked Alessa’s lips. “I did learn a lesson in all of this.” “Yeah? What’s that?” Alessa asked, raising her eyebrows. “My wife is always right. Learned the
It was a week later. Alessa looked perfect as she examined herself in her bathroom full mirror. Her lace white dress hugged her in all the right places and fell in a circular pattern around her legs. Alessa walked out to meet the girls. As soon as she did, Madison handed her her white and pink bouquet. “Thank you!” Alessa smiled at her. The girls—Madison and Aspen—were in the penthouse, in Alessa’s room. The herd of people who usually fix Alessa's hair and makeup had already done their thing and she was now just waiting for Kyle. He of course decided to work today of all days despite Alessa warning against it, saying, “With everything going on, work did fall on the back burner. I’ll just run to work and be ready by the time we have to say our vows.” “I think you should put your hair up. The ceremony is outside, and it’s windy and cloudy today.” Madison warned back on the couch she had been sitting on as Matthew cooed in agreement in her lap. “It looks better curly and out like i
Alessa and Kyle walked all around the venue to ended up by a hidden back door. Kyle led Alessa up a set of stairs until they ended up at a balcony. The same balcony they had their first kiss at. “No one else is allowed up here,” Kyle said as they walked over so they could be under the string lights. “But what about the party? Shouldn’t I mingle? Get introduced as your fiancée?” Alessa asked. “There is time for that. I just wanted us to spend some time together. I haven’t had the chance to see you alone since the night you told me we were having a baby.” Kyle sat Alessa down on one of the many scattered chairs. He took a seat right across from her, still holding onto both her hands and playing with her ring. “Won't hiding out on the roof of your party interfere with your message, what was it? Rebrand and reassure. Camelot, a family business again!” Alessa asked. “Eh, let it. One party isn’t going to change the damage Frank did to Camelot’s reputation.” Kyle shrugged and kissed Al
Madison was back. Alessa was really excited about that but there was just one problem, she and Aspen couldn’t get along. Kyle and John had decided with everything they have all been through the past few years, they wanted to have a party to celebrate, a masquerade ball to be specific. “It will be for my birthday this time. Lord knows we need a celebration.” Kyle had said. Now, Alessa was stuck dress shopping with a very pregnant Madison, who was hormonal, and Aspen who didn’t hold her tongue. Alessa twirled around in all different dresses in front of a large mirror while the girls commented behind her. “I like the white one better. You are going to be a bride eventually after all.” Aspen said as she sat next to Madison on a couch the fitting room held. “She can’t wear white for the ball, it isn't her wedding that day. It’s just a ball. Wear this blue dress. That’s the color you wore last time.” Madison said pointing at the dress Alessa was currently adorning. Alessa gave anothe
Alessa had just finished telling her side of the story to the cop who was kind enough to come to the penthouse to ask her instead of making her go into the police station. She was still in bed. After Kyle carried her into their bed last night, she had slept for close to 17 hours. Kyle had been by her side the whole time. He had just left now when the cop had asked him to. She told him all about Jason threatening her, almost rapping her, about Jackie’s situation and help. She also gave detailed descriptions of how Jason and she got into a fight after he pointed a gun at Jackie. “After sending Cindy away I tried to get the gun out of his hands—I don’t know who pulled the trigger,” Alessa said.“What about Frank? Did he have a gun?” “No, he didn’t.” “Why did you shoot him then?”“Because he kidnapped me.” Alessa matter-in-factly said.“So it was revenge?” The cop asked.“No, it was fear. Fear that he was going to hurt me or Cindy or Jackie.”“A handicapped old man?”“A man who orches
“Come on now Jackie. You are supposed to be on our side. That was the only way we could ensure that little Cindy was safe.” Jason said. “At least for now. Eventually, she could work for me. Say at the age of 15? How does that sound?” Jason laughed. “Wouldn’t you agree Frank?”A few seconds later Frank hobbled into view. “Keep your perversions to yourself.” Frank moaned. “Jackie, go tie up Alessa. I am giving you one more chance.”“Stay away from her and stay away from my daughter.” Jackie gripped the gun harder.“Jason. You like touching the filth. Tie her up.”“My pleasure!” Jason said, moving towards Alessa. Alessa hid Cindy behind her. Jackie fired a shot but missed Jason. “You little bitch.” Jason yelled, turning his attention towards Jackie. “Jackie, Jackie. I need you to relax. You forget, I still have Adam tied up to some really bad stuff. It can put him away in jail for a very long time.” Frank warned.“I don’t care about him. He probably deserves it. He lied to me. Now all
“See this is why you leave things for girls to do. Just so you know James, we find out anything anyone is hiding from us.” Aspen said. Aspen, James, and Kyle were back at The Milton. Aspen had been feverishly researching for Jacqueline Hue on her phone.“What did you find?” Kyle said before James could defend himself. “From your FBI friend, we know she got arrested in Ohio, which is where she had her child, and where, up till now she was living. Till Adam got in trouble and he probably hid her and his child away somewhere.” Aspen hashed out. “We already know this, what else.” “Right, but Jackie—that’s the name her friends and now enemies call her—has an Instagram. Of course, it’s private but the girl world is small. Someone I met on a business trip a few years ago follows her. I reached out to her and she shared some pictures, and guess what I see.” Aspen turned her phone towards the boys. On it was a picture of Jackie. She looked young there, but the picture looked old. In it, sh