“John and I have always planned to take Frank down. That’s why we got you away. Unfortunately, he was very clean. He knew how not to leave tracks. He has been doing this for ages.” Kyle started to explain. Now both of them were back in their chairs. “So was the plan to come back to us?” Alessa hopefully asked.“For me it was. I was too scared. For John, he wasn’t going to stay away too long.” Kyle cleared his throat. “I was hoping to get something big in a few months. Six max. Then a year passed. He asked me to do everything for him. He had a hold on me and he knew. He knew I would do anything because it kept you protected. I got busy following his orders and didn’t spend enough time hunting him down. My fear took over my anger.” “It did. You wouldn’t even let me do anything.” Alessa said, but her hands were tangled in Kyle’s. Her thumb rubbed the back of his hand, her ring finger shining every time the light hit it. “I know, but last night, that all changed. I realized you would n
Peter led both Kyle and Alessa outside onto a balcony. Now, not only the view of the city was accessible, but the crispy night air tickled Alessa’s nose. She took a deep breath. It felt good to breathe without worry. Easy. She stared out into the view of the blocked buildings decorated with lights. Few of the larger windows showed the contents inside. Most of them held quiet desks and cabinets. One however had a woman still working, while a man leaned on her desk, talking animatedly. Alessa imagined they were in love with each other. Perhaps they couldn’t reveal their relationship to the company but when it’s just the two of them, they could be themselves.Alessa smiled. This was no longer a problem for her and Kyle, they could loudly say how they felt about each other now. Like on cue, Kyle wrapped his hands around Alessa's hips from behind. “Let’s celebrate.” He said, turning her so she was facing the inside. Peter was rolling another cart, this one had a small cake and sparklers
“Didn’t you take the test?” Madison asked after Alessa had shared her potential good news.“I haven’t.” “Have you told Kyle?”“No, because I don’t know if I am pregnant or not. He is starting to notice that I am not drinking though.” Alessa said. “Are you going to tell him?” Madison raised her eyebrows at Alessa.“I want to be sure before I bring it up. I don’t want to get his hopes up. It’s a touchy subject for us to begin with.” Alessa sighed.“Well, I hope you are! Take a test first. Text me as soon as you find out! Or I guess after telling Kyle.” Madison assigned.“I will! Thanks for talking me through this.” “Of course. Okay, now go enjoy your engagement and do what you did to get pregnant—maybe.” Madison winked. “I love you.” “I love you.” Alessa chimed in before Madison logged off. Alessa contemplated letting Kyle in on her worries but decided tonight was not the night. At least, not till she was sure. So she slipped out of the red dress and put on an oversized robe she
Ten missed calls. That was still less than the missed calls Alessa had left on Kyle’s phone last night. She was going to let Kyle suffer a bit more. So she left her phone outside while she got ready for work. She showered and thought about how she could surprise him with this news. Maybe she could take him back to the penthouse restaurant and have Peter repeat yesterday? Excited by her stroke of genius, Alessa rushed into the shower so she could call Peter to make the arrangements. Alessa called Peter three times but it seemed like everyone was avoiding calls. It couldn’t be helped. She needed to go back to the penthouse.With thoughts of work completely out of her mind, Alessa put on her most comfortable clothes—her newly acquired hoodie—and walked out of the Milton. She did not expect what came next. A swamp of men with cameras rushed towards her as soon as she stepped outside. Flashes from their devices were causing her eyesight to go glowing white. She couldn’t see anything. “
Kyle texted Alessa, who was slowly moving into the penthouse the next day to come to the mansion once he was done as he needed some help.Alessa only moved half her clothes before giving up due to the fact that she missed Kyle even though she saw him a few hours ago. So she rushed to the mansion where she was greeted by Mrs.Rafferty.“Hello dear. Congratulations.” She said with a motherly expression.“Thank you.” Alessa forced a hug on her.“I was hoping to have you both stay with us again but Kyle has other plans.” Mrs.Rafferty sighed. Alessa thought perhaps their moving into the penthouse was a point of contention but she learned otherwise.A few minutes later, when she went into Kyle’s office—well Frank’s office for the last few months—she found out Kyle’s ‘other plans.’“You're selling the mansion?” Alessa yelled as soon as he informed her of his plan.“And Camelot.” “Are you insane? I thought you did all of this to get Camelot back. To get your parents' company back!”“I did al
Alessa’s sleep that night was a blissful one. The calm one you have without many dreams. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. Until her eyes opened due to a loud bang. First, she was discombobulated as this was the second time her sleep was broken tonight. Once she became more awake, she realized she was in Kyle's room. At first, she thought it was Kyle’s ploy to get her up again for round seven, but he was softly snoring next to her. She stretched out and yawned as she made her way downstairs to the noise.The living room was pitch black. This was odd. Usually, there was a source of light, but she couldn’t see anything. Still, she forged on, though a bit slower and warier now. She walked towards the kitchen to see if maybe the mess they made earlier had caused the ruckus. Maybe one of the cereal bowls fell?The kitchen was equally dark. She knew for a fact they left all the lights on here. Something was off…She turned back around to go wake Kyle up, but she felt a hand wrap
Kyle woke up with a headache. He realized he wasn’t lying in his bed next to Alessa, but tied to a chair. He looked around, and his neck screamed out in pain. His lips were wet. He licked it. Blood.He fought the pain and looked behind him. A gruffly big bloke was napping behind him on his very expensive couch. The fat man gave a loud snore. Perfect, he can get out. The ropes around Kyle’s chest were tried hard, but the idiot forgot to tie his hand. Kyle began wiggling. At first, he could barely move, but the more he moved, the more he loosened the rope, though it was causing burns on his chest and arms. Finally, he found a loose string and pulled at it. He pulled until he got to a knot, and after some contorting with his hands and fingers, he was able to undo the whole thing. The fat man let out another loud snore. Kyle moved slowly and went up to his office. He found the handgun he had in the drawer of his deck and made his way toward the living room. The metal barrel of the gun
When Alessa came to, she realized right away that she didn’t have the capability of moving her arms, or legs. She opened her eyes and noticed she was in a room without any windows. There was old furniture, piled to her right. An old laundry and dryer to her left. A TV with a radio button dial was a few feet in front of her. Alessa tried to move again and realized that she was tied up standing on what seemed like a pole. One found in most basements in America. She could safely assume she was at least in the country. She didn’t know anything else. Like was Kyle safe? How many days had she been here? What day was it? What time was it? Was Kyle safe? Was he safe? Please let him be safe. Alessa could barely keep her eyes open. Whatever they had given her was strong. Again, she fell asleep.The next few times she was up. She was in the same position. In the same location. She was up a few minutes—her guess—and then she was out again. It was always the same. Except one time. She remembered
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