“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