Madison said nothing but walked toward her room, Alessa following behind her. Once they were inside, she turned on Alessa. “How long?” Madison simply asked.“Since John’s birthday.” Alessa honestly answered.“So when he was supposed to be finding a bride to marry, he was wasting his time with you?” Madison’s anger finally cracked. “Well, he is getting married now. You saw that kiss. He is serious about it. I am just a—” Alessa swallowed hard, just realizing her real role in Kyle’s life. “I am just a distraction.”“You know there are some articles with videos of him holding your hand and one of the workers said Kyle was there to buy you something.” Madison went back to being calm. “But he didn't. He ended up following through. Kissed her and bought her a dress. She is the one he is throwing a gala for and is going to marry.” Alessa explained. “He's been telling John he isn't sure if Aspsn is the right fit. Today after Aspen's behavior, John agrees. Which might mean, Kyle won't go t
“The Penthouse? You want to spend the week there again?” Kyle asked Alessa as she rolled out of his bed, trying to sneak out. Madison and she had come up with a plan—well Madison had. Alessa was still slightly against some of the things Madison wanted to do, but the one thing she didn't mind from Madison’s suggestions was having Alessa and Kyle hide out in the place they felt the safest. “Yeah, why not? We were there for almost a week last time. It was the best, don't you think? Plus we have a trusted person there who only blabs to James.” Alessa rolled her eyes. “James can get a wall to talk.” Kyle laughed. “You wish is my command then! Let's do it!” Alessa smiled trying not to think about what came after, she pecked Kyle on the lips and began walking away from him, but Kyle stopped her. “I should really go, I know Madison knows now and she's agreed not to tell anyone but more people can still find out if I keep going in and out of your room.'' plus Madison had also agreed to hel
There was only one night left before the gala and Alessa was determined to spend it at the penthouse, but her plans were mangled by an unknown number’s text.“Please meet Mr.Jason Merlin at Cafe Julu at noon today.” What had Madison done? So when lunch rolled around, Alessa, who worked out of the penthouse today, against her better judgment, went to Cafe Julu, where she not only found Jason sitting at their table but Madison as well.“What are you doing here?” Alessa barked at Madison. “He is not safe to be alone with!”“We are at a restaurant full of people, it will be fine.” Madison rolled her eyes. “I am all caught up on everything that went down with you two by the way. Seems like you were keeping more than one secret from me.” Madison snipped in a whisper.Alessa said nothing but took the seat furthest from Jason, just like Kyle taught her.“There is a bar some of my girls work at. I can set her up there. It’s one of my—on books establishments so no funny business there.” Jason
After another sleepless night, the day Alessa had been dreading, for more reason than one was here. She got ready in her dark purple dress that barely covered her chest or her bum and not the beautiful red dress that Kyle had gifted her. Everyone else had left for the venue and Alessa was to come later with Jason, as per Madison’s instructions. Why was Alessa still following that, she didn’t know. The sad part was, she was looking forward to having Madison out of her life after this. “What the hell are you wearing?” James hollered at Alessa from behind her, as she made her way out to get into Jason’s limousine.“Why aren’t you at the gala?” Alessa asked.“I don’t support what Kyle is doing, so I am not going to go. I am team Alessa all the way.” James raises his hands in a cheer. Alessa couldn’t help but smile, then she remembered what she was about to do. “You’ll change your mind soon James.” She softly said. “Very unlikely. Now why are you dressed like this?”“Because Jason like
The first three months at the bar went by quickly. Alessa learned from Martha, the owner, the basics of being a bartender. It didn’t seem like rocket science—at least at this bar where she was mainly pouring cheap beer or cheap whiskey. Then she got busy moving into the apartment. James thankfully used visiting his mother as an excuse and came down to help Alessa move her things in. Alessa's room was slightly bigger than her servant's room at the mansion, but it still felt foreign. It could just be because she hadn’t been able to sleep more than two or three hours a night since she got here. After all, nighttime was the only time she couldn’t keep her mind busy. During the day, she was running and moving. Working from six in the morning to ten at night. Then, taking Madison's advice she enrolled in an online school for hospitality. All of this chewed up her day, but at night, while she lay in bed, she had no choice but to relive the horrible thing she had done. No choice but to wonde
Madison knocked on Kyle’s bedroom door. She knew midnight was no time to talk to someone, but she also knew no one had been sleeping in this house since Alessa left.Madison knocked slowly but loudly until she heard a clunk on the other side. When the door opened an unshaved Kyle with red eyes opened the door, letting the smell of scotch escape the room.“What?” He said, rudely.“I just talked to Alessa,” Madison directly said.“I don’t want to hear that name in my house,” Kyle said through gritted teeth as he began to close the door.“I am pregnant.” She blurted out.Kyle stopped. “Wh—what?”“Now I know you aren’t going to marry Aspen. So what’s your plan of making sure your niece or nephew isn’t born out of wedlock?” Madison asked.“I’ll marry Aspen.”Madison scoffed. “Yeah, right. You are still so clearly in love with Alessa.”“I told you not to mention that name!”Kyle’s voice got a little louder and Madison finally understood why, in the beginning, Alessa couldn’t stand Kyle. He
“Are you refusing?” Kyle asked.Alessa took a deep breath. Her words stuck in her throat due to confusion. She wouldn’t have ever expected Kyle to ever give in to Jason. “Why, that’s all I am asking. I thought you hated me. Why would you pay for me? Go to someone else.” Alessa demanded.“He doesn’t have anyone else but you, apparently. Should I call and ask? James talked to him last time.” “James? You made him do your dirty work?” Then she whispered to herself, “And he actually did it? Damn it, James.” “Those clothes,” he pointed at the box in her hand, “on now!” Then he moved out of the way so Alessa had a clear path to the bathroom.“Kyle!” “Let me call your pimp.” Kyle flipped his phone out into his hand. Alessa placed her hand on it. “This shouldn’t be new to you, right? Since you're his only girl, you must be used to this?”How can Alessa tell him that she had never looked at anyone else since then, and she had no plan to do so?“You want to do it this way? Ruined everything
John and Kyle had their fill of drinks as Madison and Alessa sipped on water. John sang loudly as Kyle cheered him on. Kyle had paid Martha a nice chunk of money to make sure they had the bar to themselves. “I am getting married!” John finished once he was done with his performance as he climbed onto the bar, dancing to no music. “You know, I can get used to cheap liquor. It tastes quite good. “That’s good. You might need to get used to it.” Madison softly said. “What?” Alessa inquired further, but Madison just gave her a tight-lipped smile and shook her head.“Let me get this guy to the hotel. I am also very sleepy. See you tomorrow at the church, maid of honor?” Madison said, getting up. “What about Kyle?”“He paid for you, so you deal with it!” Madison shrugged.“Paid who?” Alessa asked but Madison and John were already staggering out. Alessa then turned her attention to Kyle who was sleepily sitting on the same bar stool he tormented her from all day. She had no choice but t
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