Elise's pov;When morning light filtered through the curtains, I roused myself from sleep, feeling the need to escape any potential encounters with Mr. Alarcon. Hurriedly preparing for the day, I quietly slipped out of the house, finding solace in the familiar sights and sounds of my store. As my mind flitted anxiously to Brian, a sense of guilt tugged at me, knowing I hadn't bid him farewell. His peaceful slumber seemed suspended in time, prompting me to depart without disrupting his rest. The bittersweet air of my departure lingered, leaving a void where parting words should have been spoken.Teresa stood before me, her eyes filled with curiosity as she directed her question about my attire. She was already donning a festive elf costume, serving as a stark reminder of the occasion we were celebrating. Across the room, Theo, Morgan, and Harry emerged from the changing room, fully adorned in their respective outfits, adding to the jolly atmosphere that filled the space.In response to
Elise's pov:As I was diligently reviewing the financial records for the past two months, meticulously documenting each expense, my focus was abruptly interrupted by a soft knock on my office door. Theo, my trusted assistant, stood there with a sense of urgency as he whispered, "He's here, boss."Rapidly shutting down my computer and grabbing my phone, I made my way out of my office, the wooden door creaking faintly as I closed it behind me. Mr. Alarcon, a long-time associate, awaited my arrival by the reception counter, his presence commanding attention even in a bustling environment.With a level of composure befitting my leadership role, I turned to Theo, who stood by my side, and issued clear instructions, "Take care of the store in my absence." His response held a trace of friendly banter as he remarked, "This store certainly sees more of the boss than any of us employees."As I gently patted him on the cheek in jest, a light-hearted smile crossed his lips, expressing a mutual un
Elise's pov:At the bustling bakery store, a sharp-dressed man named Jake Turner caught my eye as he took a seat directly across from me. He exuded an air of sophistication with his tall stature, defined facial features, and sleek black suit, suggesting he had just rushed from a day at the office to meet me. Despite my lack of interest in conversing with him, the curious gazes of onlookers like Theo, Harry, Teresa, and Morgan added to the strange energy surrounding our encounter. To my surprise, even Mr. Alarcon and Brian, whom I had recently discussed this mysterious newcomer with, appeared among the spectators. Teresa, with her usual grace, set down a latte and a delectable strawberry lemon trifle before each of us before mingling with the rest of our acquaintances. Before I could even collect my thoughts on the unexpected turn of events, Jake Turner took the initiative and inquired, "So, you run this place?”With a simple nod, I confirmed his assumption, bracing myself for further
Elise's pov:Mr. Alarcon's embrace was warm and reassuring as he held me close, his voice gentle yet firm as he uttered words of comfort, urging me to release the burden of guilt that weighed heavily upon my shoulders. "Stop blaming yourself, Elise," he whispered softly, his eyes filled with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. He reminded me that dwelling in self-blame would only cause more pain, emphasizing that the past could not define my present or dictate my future. I could sense the depth of his concern as he observed my struggles, his touch tender as he lifted my face to meet his gaze. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" he inquired, genuine curiosity lacing his words. In the midst of our emotional exchange, a single teardrop made its way down Mr. Alarcon's cheek, prompting a surge of surprise within me. "Why are you crying?" I reacted instinctively, moved by the display of vulnerability from someone whom I had always seen as a pillar of strength. His response was unw
September 28, 3.48 pm. A dispute had apparently arisen between two individuals that led to a physical altercation."You son of a b*tch! Do you believe you can get away from me?" He further threatened that he was capable of ending the other's life with a single forceful kick. As he made these verbal threats, he also resorted to physical violence, throwing a closed fist directly into the face of the other man, who was pinned under him and unable to defend or protect himself at that moment. Without warning, the individual drew a concealed firearm and discharged it in the direction of the other person situated below. The unprovoked nature of the act likely resulted in shock as such violent behaviour in close proximity. ~ Three hours earlier that day, It's a nice time to relax and enjoy the last of the summer's warmth before the cooler weather of September arrives. Ideal for spending time with families and friends... and the best time of year for apple picking. Should I add more apple d
Elise's pov:"Are you sure it's him?" Lizzy asked, handing me a water bottle. "Is it really the one who shot him?" she asked as she leaned forward.Still thinking about what happened back there, I nodded and sipped from the bottle. Lizzy, "Didn't you say he's a wealthy and rich person?" "But the guy who shot him doesn't look like that…"I showed her a picture of Maxton Alarcon on my phone as she was talking. She snatched my phone and zoomed in and out on his image, exclaiming, "It's really him." "Why did he shoot him?" she wondered. "Like I knew the reason." "I'm already in a shock after seeing something like that." "I don't know what to do next.""Elise, you should tell your parents about this otherwise-""No!" "No. They should not be aware of this. I'm not going to tell them anything.” "Nor do you.""What are you saying?" “How are we going to keep something like this from them? They should know about him before-""We didn't see a movie to give a review to my parents, Liz," I inter
Author's pov:The grand wedding hall was filled with the most esteemed members of high society, as relatives and acquaintances of the groom and bride engaged in polite conversation while awaiting the ceremony's commencement. The magnificently decorated venue, replete with the finest floral arrangements and décor befitting such a significant occasion, exuded an aura of expectancy. The great ornate doors at the hall's entrance swung open at precisely the specified hour, bringing all eyes in that direction. Mr. Maxwell Alarcon entered, dazzling in his expertly fitted black suit. The superbly made suit, cut in the current trend, complemented his aristocratic body.Accompanying the groom was his best man, who stood proudly at his side as they took their place at the front of the hall, faces turned expectantly towards the entrance. The prestigious gathering grew silent as everyone awaited the entrance of the bride. The guests in the wedding hall had grown restless as more than a quarter-h
Elise's pov;Lizzy looked at me with concern, "How long are you going to hide yourself away from those people, Elise?"I was placing the last piece of clothing inside my bag saying, “As long as I can.”Lizzy continued, "You can't hide forever. His men are everywhere - at your home, my place, and all of our friends' houses too. They're keeping watch like hounds, just waiting for you to turn up. Do you know how difficult it was for me to slip away from their gaze to come see you?”I locked my bags and sat down heavily on the bed. "What about the things I asked you to get?" I asked, changing the subject. Lizzy let out a sigh and handed me the plane tickets, ID documents, and a new cell phone. "Running away isn't the solution to this problem, Elise," she said gently.I took the items, saying "It will only be for a little while. Once they find a new bride, they'll forget all about me. It will be like I never existed. Until then, I have to get as far away from them as possible." Lizzy loo
Elise's pov:Mr. Alarcon's embrace was warm and reassuring as he held me close, his voice gentle yet firm as he uttered words of comfort, urging me to release the burden of guilt that weighed heavily upon my shoulders. "Stop blaming yourself, Elise," he whispered softly, his eyes filled with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. He reminded me that dwelling in self-blame would only cause more pain, emphasizing that the past could not define my present or dictate my future. I could sense the depth of his concern as he observed my struggles, his touch tender as he lifted my face to meet his gaze. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" he inquired, genuine curiosity lacing his words. In the midst of our emotional exchange, a single teardrop made its way down Mr. Alarcon's cheek, prompting a surge of surprise within me. "Why are you crying?" I reacted instinctively, moved by the display of vulnerability from someone whom I had always seen as a pillar of strength. His response was unw
Elise's pov:At the bustling bakery store, a sharp-dressed man named Jake Turner caught my eye as he took a seat directly across from me. He exuded an air of sophistication with his tall stature, defined facial features, and sleek black suit, suggesting he had just rushed from a day at the office to meet me. Despite my lack of interest in conversing with him, the curious gazes of onlookers like Theo, Harry, Teresa, and Morgan added to the strange energy surrounding our encounter. To my surprise, even Mr. Alarcon and Brian, whom I had recently discussed this mysterious newcomer with, appeared among the spectators. Teresa, with her usual grace, set down a latte and a delectable strawberry lemon trifle before each of us before mingling with the rest of our acquaintances. Before I could even collect my thoughts on the unexpected turn of events, Jake Turner took the initiative and inquired, "So, you run this place?”With a simple nod, I confirmed his assumption, bracing myself for further
Elise's pov:As I was diligently reviewing the financial records for the past two months, meticulously documenting each expense, my focus was abruptly interrupted by a soft knock on my office door. Theo, my trusted assistant, stood there with a sense of urgency as he whispered, "He's here, boss."Rapidly shutting down my computer and grabbing my phone, I made my way out of my office, the wooden door creaking faintly as I closed it behind me. Mr. Alarcon, a long-time associate, awaited my arrival by the reception counter, his presence commanding attention even in a bustling environment.With a level of composure befitting my leadership role, I turned to Theo, who stood by my side, and issued clear instructions, "Take care of the store in my absence." His response held a trace of friendly banter as he remarked, "This store certainly sees more of the boss than any of us employees."As I gently patted him on the cheek in jest, a light-hearted smile crossed his lips, expressing a mutual un
Elise's pov;When morning light filtered through the curtains, I roused myself from sleep, feeling the need to escape any potential encounters with Mr. Alarcon. Hurriedly preparing for the day, I quietly slipped out of the house, finding solace in the familiar sights and sounds of my store. As my mind flitted anxiously to Brian, a sense of guilt tugged at me, knowing I hadn't bid him farewell. His peaceful slumber seemed suspended in time, prompting me to depart without disrupting his rest. The bittersweet air of my departure lingered, leaving a void where parting words should have been spoken.Teresa stood before me, her eyes filled with curiosity as she directed her question about my attire. She was already donning a festive elf costume, serving as a stark reminder of the occasion we were celebrating. Across the room, Theo, Morgan, and Harry emerged from the changing room, fully adorned in their respective outfits, adding to the jolly atmosphere that filled the space.In response to
Elise's pov;I came to Mr Alarcon house at 8 pm because we cleared out some stuff for decorations. When I came to the house, I saw Mr Alarcon and Brian eating at the dining table. Wasn't it too soon for dinner time? According to Mr Alarcon's rules. Brian yelled, “Emily, be quick. Let's have dinner together.”After seeing them together, I said, “It's alright. I ate out with my friends.” And I headed upstairs to my room in order to not disturb them. I dropped down on the bed as I stared at the ceiling above me. Mr Alarcon told me he'll help me but how am I going to ask him? And how should I do it? Should we make another deal? It's not a big amount to make a deal though. Let's just think of it as a loan and borrow from him. I feel hungry. I should have at least eaten the brownies which Teresa made at the store. I can't even go down stairs since Mr Alarcon and Brian are having their dinner. I sprang up from the bed and took my wallet and went downstairs. I said to Mr Alarcon, “I'm mee
Elise's pov;When I woke up, I was in the hospital bed this time. The white ceiling and the antiseptic smell surrounded me and when I lifted my head, I saw Mr Alarcon on his phone. After seeing me, he hung up on whoever he was on the call and asked me, “How do you feel now?”Why is he acting like he care about me? “What happened to me?” I asked as I sat straight on the bed. “I'll call the doctor.” And walked out of the room. The door opened and Mr Alarcon walked in along with the doctor. The doctor asked me, “When did you had your last meal?”“Morning.”“So that means you skipped lunch and dinner?”When I gave him a nod, he continued, “Skipping meals will make your blood sugar levels to drop that's why you fainted.” “I'll prescribe supplement tablets for you. You can take them after your meal. But avoid taking them in empty stomach.”Mr Alarcon asked the doctor, “Can I take her home then?”“Yeah, you can discharge her now.” And the doctor left. Mr Alarcon said, “I'll finish the d
Elise's pov:pov;When I entered the office, I saw the models who had been chosen for the work, so I went to them and sat next to them. Owen walked into the room as he yelled into the phone, "Last time when you were caught, it was hard to get rid of that reporter. Don't make a mess as much as you want to -" he stopped for a moment when he saw us staring at him and continued on the phone, "Come to the office in ten minutes." And hung up on whoever he was talking to. He smiled at us and said, "Excuse me. I will briefly introduce TA company's rules because most of them are new here. There are three rules you must follow when working with us. First, do not promote other products while working with us. Second, you cannot work for another company until your contract with us ends. Third, if you are in a romantic relationship, wait until the contract is over. That's all for today. Did you all sign the contract?" As we nodded in unison, he said, "Sweet. Thanks for coming, guys. And one more t
Elise's pov;Mike, "I think I made a decent decision in keeping him here.""What?"While he was handing me the meal in the service area, Olivia called him back to the kitchen. What made him say that?I served the food to the customers after bringing it out of the kitchen. The couple who received the food from me, both laughed and glanced at me. Is it my imagination or are they laughing at me?Emily brought me to the counter and said, "I know you were married recently and have a great husband, but do you have to flaunt it like this?" "How many times do I have to advise you not to refer to him in that manner?"She put her hand on my neck and whispered, "Listen to me, Do you want all of our customers to know what a wonderful night you had?""What!?"I dashed to the restroom to see what it was. When I looked at my neck, I thought, "A hickey?" Can he really do this to me? Now I see why everyone was staring at me. I'm humiliated. I'll start by changing my shirt.When I exited the restroom
Elise's pov;After Mr Martinez made a call, The police arrived and then arrested them and left while some remained behind to investigate what had occurred.When they investigated me, I told them what happened in the office. They began investigating Mr Martinez after my turn was finished."They forgot to ask you a question," Big Brother said as he approached me."What?""They didn't question you about why you were on the second floor in the middle of the night when your room was on the first.""I… I couldn't sleep so I wandered around…""Mr Johnson, come here!" said Mr Martinez.Big brother said, "I'll ask you once more. Prepare yourself." And then he left.Should I tell Big Brother about what I was doing in Mr Martinez's office? What if he stopped me from looking into the thing I was looking for? What if he tells me to stop?I have a doubt about Olivia. This isn't retaliation, but I can't let Olivia go free after what she did to my mother.The following day,In Mr. Martinez's office,