Alessa was determined to get home as soon as possible and without the help of her potential billionaire boyfriend because after a weekend of thinking, she had come to one conclusion, she missed Kyle when he wasn't around, and that had to mean something, and he was willing to risk everything for her. So she could find the courage to talk to Madison. So the first thing she did was text Madison saying, “I have something to confess to you. It's about a boy, and it might be a big shock.” “Omg, wish I could call right now. John’s in a Camelot board meeting and I am spying on them. Get home soon, we'll talk.”Madison replied back with several laughing emojis.She booked a rental once she was done clearing the house and left before the sun’s light lit the sky. Alessa also tried not to stop unless needed to, so on her first stop, she loaded up with food and water for her seven-hour drive.The drive overall was an easy one. Thankfully the Sunday traffic was light and she only needed to stop
Apparently, forcing someone to propose also meant planning his every move. Through the days before Kyle was supposed to propose, a hired event planner had come to the mansion every single day till the deed was done. Just to lecture Kyle on the dos and don’ts.Alessa, who was now required to come to breakfast due to that being the perfect time for Madison to give her the wedding list rundown, had to sit there and listen to this woman tell Kyle to “knee only for 5 seconds, “ or “make sure to memorize your speech. This is a new video of yours that will go viral!” All of this went on while Alessa avoided Kyle’s daggers. He looked at no one else but her and she feared he was making his actual desire very visible. “Kyle. I want to start looking at venues, when do you think I am allowed?” Madison asked. “Oh I am on retainer for only 6 months, so any time after that should be good but maybe even sooner!” The planner spoke for Kyle. “Six months!” Madison cheered. “My gosh, so soon.” She co
Alessa and James took Kyle back with everyone, silent the whole ride. All three of them were too preoccupied to say anything. Alessa kept thinking about James' advice which suggested that she keep seeing Kyle despite his being married to someone else. Kyle was asleep. And James was concentrating on driving. Besides James' suggestion, however, Alessa’s mind kept going over how unfair this was to Kyle. Even if they hadn't met each other, the fact of the matter was, that Kyle was being scarfed for Camelot, for Madison and John, for trying to help girls under Jason's control. How was any of that fair? And why was Kyle, a pretty powerful person going along with it? Once they got back to the mansion Alessa dropped Kyle off to his bed—taking his flask with her—and made her way to see John, who was working in his room according to James. Alessa knocked on John's door. “Come in,” she heard and did what the voice instructed. John was sitting on a desk in the corner of his room where
“Move out of the way you lackey!” Alessa yelled as she tried to move him out of her bedroom doorway. She had just showered and was ready to go talk to Kyle, though not sure exactly what she was going to say to him. However, James was standing in the doorway, his arms holding each side of the entrance—or in this case, exit. “He told me he can't see you today or he won't propose again. Yesterday, having you on the boat was a bad idea. His words. Not mine.” James firmly said.“I need to talk to him.”“You can. In an hour, after he’s done doing what he needs to.” James replied.“I want to provide him with words of encouragement for his proposal.” It didn't matter whether she saw him before or after he proposed but she just wanted to see him as soon as possible. Not because it was urgent but because she missed him. Missed spending time with him that didn't revolve around sadness. “No!” was all she got in return. She huffed and puffed to get James' attention but he didn't give in. He stoo
Kyle was gone for the rest of the day. Alessa stayed in his room, wearing one of his button-down shirts that met her at her thighs. His smell filled her nostrils all day.No one interrupted Alessa as she lounged around, giggling to herself thinking about the events of the morning. The daze of her and Kyle together got her throughout most of the afternoon but as lunchtime rolled around, her hungry stomach made it hard to think. Maybe she could sneak down until Kyle came back, she thought. That was until she heard a knock on the door. “It’s James and food.” A voice said.She slightly opened the door to find James beaming at her with a covered plate of food“Thanks!” She whispered, taking the plate. She considered what she was going to say for a few seconds before asking, “Did he do it?”“Yes, he did. It will take a while. There is a whole press tour package being created with their pictures.” James explained.“Right. Glad it went well.” Alessa said, whether she meant it or not was h
Alessa woke up later than usual and took her time to get ready. She wore a slightly revealing pink dress, which had spaghetti straps and showed a little bit of her cleavage. She also did her makeup in the hopes that Kyle would come to breakfast today. Unfortunately, when she got there she didn't see Kyle. Only Madison and John, John looking worried. “What's the matter?” Alessa asked, taking a seat next to Madison. “Kyle isn't up yet. He is always the first one up.” “Oh, did someone try waking him up?” She asked, feeling silly for asking such an obvious question. “Why are you so dressed up? And why do you have such dark lipstick on?” Madison interjected. “It's a new color I bought. I wanted to try it.” Alesaa quickly lied. “Why are your boobs so out?” Madison continued, causing John to choke on his bite, and Alessa to fold her hands over her chest. “They are not,” Alessa yelled. “For anyone else, this is normal, for you—you might as well be naked.” Madison laughed.
Despite Kyle’s insistence that Alessa couldn't help their wedding, Madison volunteered Alessa to take Aspen for her dress fitting. “I am not going. I can't stand that woman.” Madison said as they left the PHAT office during lunch. Madison was in the process of begging Alessa. “I thought you and her had the same ideas for your weddings and you wanted to help her first?” Alessa shot back.“That was before she called you a servant!” Madison yelled. “Come to think of it, I hated it when Kyle called you that too. They must be perfect for each other. Both, arrogant!” Annoyance stirred in Alessa’s chest at hearing someone call her man arrogant. “I am not going!” Alessa retorted. “She took my dress this morning, remember?”“I am not going either. She called me an assistant!”“Oh, how dare she call you that! It's the lowest form of insult!” Alessa sarcastically said. “Ugh—fine. Neither of us will go!” Madison stomped her foot. “Screw her. She can ruin this wedding for I care.”“Don't say t
Alessa staggered back into PHAT, eyes puffy red by this point. When Madison saw Alessa walk through the door, she rushed to meet her.“What happened?”“Kyle told me to leave, so I left,” Alessa said. “Why are you crying?”“I am not,” but Alessa knew her puffy eyes and gruff voice betrayed her.“Did Aspen say something? Kyle?” at Kyle’s name, Alessa’s lips began to quiver. He had been calling her since she left, but she could not answer. She was too upset, and she wasn't sure if she had the right. “That jerk! Why is he always making you feel like this? I've had enough of this!” Madison yelled, and again Alessa didn't like someone calling Kyle a jerk.“He told you he didn't want me involved. Why did you send me?” Alesaa yelled back.“What? I didn't. You volunteered at the end there! I never forced you to go.” Madison retorted.“I don't want to talk about this anymore. I won't be helping Aspen with anything going forward.” Alessa sternly said, spilling some of her hurt onto Madison, w
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