Turns out it was almost the last thing Alessa did. Alessa got to the PHAT office and metaphorically chained herself to her work. She looked at the column and started reading it. It talked about a hat some actress was wearing at some premiere and how it was a mishap of the century. As she read, her phone buzzed. Kyle was sharing his stream of consciousness with her and also pictures of his bed, him shirtless, and other body parts she had just seen hours ago. To distract herself Alessa became highly critical of the way Fashion Fever was written and moved some periods and commas around, then came to its initial spot, then back again. She then changed whole sentence structures and the meaning of the whole article started to change. Now the hat was the boldest choice anyone has made this century—oh well. Around 10 pm Alessa gave up ignoring Kyles's messages and gave herself permission to look at his latest message, a picture of him making dog eyes at her. She couldn't help but giggle.
The next few hours, days, weeks, maybe even months passed with Alessa being in and out. when she was up she was unable to move or eat or go to the bathroom. Most days she was too drugged up to remember. Until finally, the haze slowed down a bit. She started to remember conversations she had with James or Madison a few days earlier, though she didn't know how much earlier. Then, one day she remembered being so conscious that she knew she had a third eye surgery coming up in a few days. Slowly the time-traveling from one day to the next started decreasing. She even began moving. Every Wednesday or Thursday someone came to get her out of bed. Help her learn to walk. But what really helped her fully come back was her conversation with her doctor. He was younger than she expected when he pulled up a chair next to her bed and checked her heart rate. Then he asked the room to be cleared. So James, Madison, and John slowly shuffled out, Madison keeping an eye on Alessa as she did. “How
Alessa and Kyle were both sitting next to each other at the edge of the bed. Kyle didn't say much after Alessa had finished talking but he did cover her hand that was holding on to the edge of the bed. So Alessa continued.“When he told me I was pregnant my first thought was I was going to have a family again but it was taken away from me before I could even celebrate it.” Alessa cried, and Kyle’s hands squeezed her tighter. “And now you are married to the person who stole them away from me,” she yelled.Kyle still said nothing. “I won't forgive her for this. Let me get better—then she will see. She is messing with–”“No!” Kyle snapped up off the bed. “I almost lost you, I am going to get you so away from all of this.” Alessa got up as well, meeting Kyle’s eyes. Winching in pain, “We lost a child, Kyle.” she roared. “You're okay being her puppet knowing what you know?” “It doesn't matter. You—” Kyle grabbed her face. “I was mortified. It's been a month and you still can't move with
Alessa ping-ponged from sobbing like a lunatic to not being able to feel anything for the next few days. She mourned the loss of a child she could've had, she missed Kyle, she hated all the people involved, Aspen, Uncle Frank, and a bit at Madison and John, but mainly she was mad at herself. Why did she call Aspen to the wedding? Why didn't she listen to Kyle when he told her to be with him? “You have to eat something!” Madison hollered at Alessa. “You haven't eaten well for months. You're half the size you were.”“Food tastes like ash and glass, Madison. I can't eat.” Madison walked towards the bed where Alessa had laid for god knows how long now. She grabbed a tray of food on a nightstand next to the bed. The tray had a sandwich, a bowl of fruit, and boiled veggies. She picked up the fork resting on the fruit stabbed at a strawberry and hovered it around Alessa’s lips. “You know I ran away from my parents when I was in school but you don't know that my father, when he found out th
Alessa wore the proper attire as she walked back and forward outside the iron gate at midnight. The majestic garden in the back was slightly in view making her relive the older, happier memories. As Alessa promised herself, she got better the next few weeks, she was walking almost normally now. So good, she was able to get released from the hospital. Madison was on her way to London after battling with Alessa to join her for a few weeks. Alessa was adamant about staying, lying and saying she wanted to go visit her childhood home once more before they left. Madison hesitantly agreed and left, promising Alessa that she would pester her every day till Alessa booked her ticket to London. Now Alessa was staking out of the mansion, a big window in the living room almost visible to see what was going on inside. So far there had been no activity. However, after 20 minutes of waiting she saw Aspen come out from the garden, fixing her hair, and her dress. After she disappeared inside, James
About year later Alessa scrubbed the 50 billion white plates, all the same, as the men behind her rushed to cook the meals for the restaurant patron. This went on for hours until finally, someone screamed, “Family dinner.” The rest of the service is canceled. We get to go home after dinner.” Everyone cheered. “What is it today?” Someone asked. “Fish and chips from a few blocks down.” A young man with red hair, pink skin, and freckles announced. Everyone groaned, including Alessa. “Oi, eat this or I throw this all in the trash and you all go hungry.” He threatened. Alessa’s stomach growled. It was 8:30 at night. She's been on her feet all day and she was ready for any excuse to sit down. She grabbed a bag from her redhead boss and walked out to the now-empty dining area. While the rest of the crew did the same, but walked outside the restaurant instead and made plans to meet up at the pub.“Just you and I again, huh?” Wade, the redheaded head chef said, taking a seat across from Al
Turned out, that staying with Wade and his teenage sister—who Alessa shared a room with—was a good idea. The teenager was studying for an exam and needed absolute quiet so her room was dark except for the little light from her laptop. Due to this, she was able to sleep as early as 9. Alessa woke up at 3:30 and Madison, who was up due to breastfeeding and just wanting to spend some time with John, decided to drop off clothes for Alessa. They met in the lobby of Wade's apartment. Sipping their coffees while Matthew—Madison’s little one—was strapped on her chest.“How was your adult sleepover?” Madison asked, blowing in her decaf coffee.“Wasn’t an adult sleepover. I slept in his sister's room.” “Why? Honey, it’s been a year. Kyle’s married and doing whatever the hell they tell him to. John was saying he was good. It’s your turn to live your life and this Wade guy has been trying for months now. Give him a chance.”“He asked me out again yesterday.” “And you said no, right.”“I’ve mov
“What do you mean our last day?” The brunette cried.“I mean I am bored,” Kyle said, and Alessa could feel his eyes on her while she continued chopping. “You were good company the last few nights but now it’s time for me to move on.” “Bored? But we just got together a few days ago. How could you be?” She cried.“I am a married man, surely you didn’t think this was long-term. I belong to someone else.” At this, Alessa looked up and Kyle and her eyes met. He took a deep breath but never let it go. She blinked away. The girl scoffed but didn’t respond. Alessa meanwhile was wringing her hand in nervousness. “Your hand okay?” Wade asked, coming to grab her hand again. “Yes, thank you,” she said, turning her attention to Kyle, but moved her hand away from Wade.“She is fine, but my food is still missing. Wade, did I pay you to flirt with your worker or cook for me?” Kyle rudely interjected. “Yes sir,” Wade said, though there was an edge to his voice.Besides Kyle, the girl sniffed. Ale
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