Alicia’s POVThis wasn’t the first time Cross wanted to see met so I took that at face value, even though it irked me a lot. The last encounter we had hadn’t been pleasant and it had been a wonder that he even dared to call for me again now that I had no choice but to follow. What was his problem?As I followed the manager, I silently braced myself for what was to come. Whatever he was calling me for meant that he was up to no good. Was he going to punish me for refusing him now? Torture me? Or just try to hurt me with another set of pictures about Acker and Mikael with other women??I had already made up my mind. I didn’t want to fall for what he would try to toy with me with.There were too many possibilities and with Cross, he was unpredictable. Anything could happen and I had to be prepared for it.Despite my preparation I was still cut off guard at the room the manager led me to. I thought he would lead me to Cross’ office yet I was led to a lone room filled with a dressing table
Alicia’s POVI woke up to the feeling of touches and prodding on my arm. I shut my eyes tighter to shake it off without thinking, embracing the draw of sleep-“Alicia!”I jolted at the call, alertness seeping into my bones. The call for sleep drifted away as I heard the call several more times, an urgent whisper. It took me some more time to recognize the voice as Andy's.I opened my eyes, blinking blearily to see her face in the dim lights. She ushered me to sit up and I did without thinking.What was she doing here? Why did she sound so urgent? The confusion finally hit me. Before I could ask, her voice cut me off.“Get ready. We have to go now. It's time.”That was the last straw that drew me out of my sleepy haze. Any lethargy was replaced with shock and panic. All feelings of sleep left me. What did she mean now?“Now?” I asked incredulously, “What do you mean now?”It was only yesterday that I agreed to the plan and even then she said there was more time. What happened so sudden
Alicia’s POVThe waiting was the worst part EDM music streamed in from one of the apartments of this floor; whichever one it came from I really couldn't tell. J checked the time again: nearly 6 in the nor int already. Only a couple hours since we escaped. There was no time.The entire apartment hallway smelled of cigarette smoke and booze and trash littered the floor.My belly churned with nausea. Hours had passed as we waited in a small hallway of the dingy apartment we were directed to while a man loudly worked.I had to pay nearly all the gold I had except for the watch and some small earrings while Andy had paid half of the cash that Matt had given to her to the man in order for us to get new passports, documents and IDs and new identities in a short amount of time. Andy was giddy with excitement beside me, near shaking.“After this, we're free, Alicia. Can you believe it?”She was much more excited than I was, I only felt worse as time went in. I was nervous and paranoid about
Alicia’s POV Five years later“Bye Emily, send my love to Harry!” I said in my curated English accent and waved goodbye to Emily, my coworker who dropped me off with her tiny fire engine red car.“See you Alice, enjoy your weekend!”I smiled, waving at her until her car disappeared down the road before I let my hand fall. I let out a sigh, checking my phone for any extra texts and calls. Most of the texts I had were from my coworkers wishing each other a happy weekend.I would have never believed my life would end up like this. In the past I had a shitty job with Daya and hid away, afraid and wary to be seen. Now I work as a secretary, mingled openly , and made friends. The past Alicia would have never openly laughed and smiled and gone for drinks with her coworkers.But I wasn't Alicia. I hadn't been for the past five years. I was now Alice Duncan Alcott, regular office worker and a single mother. That's how I'd lived for the past five years.Turning back to my driveway I walked tow
Alicia’s POVA lump formed in my throat as I looked at my father's gravestone. His name is clearly written amongst his achievements and flowers. It was as lavish as someone of his position, filled with flowers and garlands but still a grave nonetheless.Guilt and regret filled me to the brim. I hated that I wasn't able to see him before he died. I hated that I couldn't talk to him for fear of my safety and his. He died without seeing me or my sons, his grandsons.I reached out for my boys, to hold their hands. They wouldn't hesitate to do the same and I knew it. Yet all I grasped was thin air.What? I turned to the side to search for them only to find neither of them by my side. Where were they? Where on earth had they gone.“Dante? Ash?” I called out. But the graveyard held no sounds. Panic sank into me. As I turned around. Every corner I looked at they weren't there.“Ash?” Suddenly the entire place looked vast and wide. What happened to Andy? My sons? Where on earth were they?“We
Alicia's POV By the time we were done with unpacking, it was almost the designated time Jason had told me the driver would arrive. Entering my temporary roomI changed to a simple black sheath dress and a pair of matching flats before entering the children's bedroom to wake them up.“It's time to wake up.” I whispered. Once they were fully awake and alert I got them prepared, helping them wear the clothes I'd picked out for them for this occasion.“Where are we going mom?” Dante asked, always the more outspoken one while Ashford didn’t bother saying anything, simply staring at me with the question written all over his face. I crouched down to their level, meeting their curious gazes. Leaning in, I kissed both of their foreheads before cupping their cheeks.“Today” I said, giving a small rueful smile as grief settled in on me, “We are going to send your grandfather off.”Flashback:I closed my eyes to try to quell the growing headache. Exhaustion filled my eyes, but it was nothing com
Alicia’s POVI looked up at the cloudy sky, meeting the gate of the mansion my father owned for the first time. Dante and Ashford were mesmerized, looking through the windows with open awe and wonder. The solemn silence had faded and the mood had lightened thanks to them. I didn't mind their sudden enthusiasm, not when I felt the same in my own way.Once we drove in I saw how truly large the place was. The road seemed to go on for miles, with large lawns stretched out though that seemed to last forever. I nearly had to purse my lips from shock. So this was where he had been living this whole time.“Mommy, mommy look, it's huge.” Dante spoke in a low whisper, looking at me with a toothy grin that reminded me a bit too much of his predecessor. Pushing away those thoughts, I reached out to ruffle his hair. “Yes, yes it is.” I murmured.“This was where your grandfather lived.” I whispered to them, meeting their eyes full of awe. Despite the morose and dull melancholy this visit held, t
They led me and my sons through the labyrinth of halls until we reached a place.“This was his study.” Ashley whispered to me right as Jason opened the door. There were people already seated there, the older woman that glared at me included.While Jason, and Ashley moved forward , I stayed back, sitting in the back row of seats with my sons. Despite Jason's insistence I still doubted that he had left anything for me. I was only here as an obligation.The lawyer sat in front of the desk with the will presumably in his grasp. After looking at all of us, he nodded.“Now that all Mr Stevens close relatives are here, we can now commended the will reading. The will reads as follows;To my only son Jason, I hand over the majority of my property and my responsibilities to ensure that his mother lives a good life.”I looked at Jason who nodded, as though he had already expected it. The will reading continued while I listened throughout, reading all their expressions.Ashley got her trust fun