Alyssa

“Bye Mommy!” Oliver yelled, waving quickly at me as his teacher ushered him into the class.

“Bye, sweetie, have a good day!” I returned with a smile mirroring his.

It's been a few days since the encounter with Jodie and we haven't seen or heard from her since, something I was grateful for. Ever since, I've been Oliver's mommy. What I was doing wasn't so different from when he called me by my name but it felt different.

It was more intimate when I woke him up in the morning and when I kissed him goodbye as he left with Nathan for school. I felt complete when Nathan and I would tuck him in at night before we retired to our own room.

I don't think I've ever been as happy as I've been in the past few months and it's all thanks to Nathan and Oliver.

I was seated in my car when my phone started ringing. It was just a number, which was strange, I don't recall giving someone my number and not getting theirs, it's not something I do. Against my better judgement, I pressed the answer button.

“Hello? Is this Alyssa?” The voice was not new to me but I didn't know whose it was.

“Yes, who is this?”

“Please, don't hang up, it's Jodie.” How did she get number? “I know it's weird and unexpected but can we meet up? It can be anywhere you want, I just want to talk to you.”

Getting past my surprise, I said. “Why do you want to talk to me? How did you even get my number?”

“Please, I just need to speak to you, it's urgent and I don't think I can go to anyone else.”

This is so confusing. Why does she think she can come to me with a problem? We're not friends, or even acquaintances. Why does she think I would want to speak to her?

“Please, Alyssa, I need your help.” She pleaded further.

Cursing my good heart, I let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine.”

“Thank you so much, where can we meet?”

I contemplated. I doubt Sophia would like to see Jodie in her bakery and I certainly can't invite her home. There was a little coffee shop not far from the house that we could go to. It always had just the right amount of people so it wasn't too crowded and not so empty, perfect.

I gave her the address and the time, thirty minutes before I had to meet Nathan at his office and she agreed to it, thanking me multiple times before I ended the call.

I spent my time writing few chapters of my book and when the time came for me to meet Jodie, I made my way to the cafe. I was dressed in a simple burgundy sleeveless A-line dress with a white belt and matching flats. I could've walked to the cafe but I was meeting Nathan after and walking this office was unreasonable.

I spotted her sitting a the furthest table from the door. She wasn't dressed like she was the last time. Instead of a figure hugging dress and unnecessary make up, she was in a black jumpsuit with a red belt and matching heels and her makeup was minimal. I interrupted her nervous fiddling as I took the seat opposite her.

“Hi.” She said with a nervous smile. “Thanks so much for coming.”

“What's this about?” I demanded.

She sighed. “I know this is a lot to ask but I want to be in Oliver's life.”

I resisted the urge to laugh. Does she really think that she can ull what she did the other day and make think kind of request?

“Please, I know that I'm crazy to ask for this but I just want one chance.” The way she spoke tugged at my heart a bit. “I know leaving him was a mistake but I want to fix it.”

She sounded so broken and looked it too. A part of me wanted to help her but the other wanted to smack that first part and call it stupid. Why did I go through with this?

“Please, say something.”

“Why did you abandon him?” If she really wants to have a relationship with Oliver, which is something I'm not sure I'd allow at this point, she'll have to answer a few questions.

“My family, mainly my mother, was not happy about the fact I got pregnant so young, they didn't really like Nathan and threatened to disown me.” She explained. “At first they wanted me to abort him but when they heard the risks they decided against it. Instead, my mother took me out of the country and made me cut off all communication with everyone, including Nathan. The last time I spoke to him was when she told me to tell him I was going on tour for my modeling career and wouldn't be able to talk so much.

It was hard. I wasn't allowed to leave the house we were staying in and everyday she'd tell me how much of a disappointment I am for getting myself pregnant. I knew I was going to have to leave Oliver after he was born so I asked that I give birth where I knew Nathan would be and begged the doctor to say that the baby died due to complications after birth so my parents couldn't put him up for adoption as they planned.

I was the one who gave the doctor Nathan's number and told him what to say. I knew Nathan wouldn't refuse the child after confirming it was his so I had nothing to worry about. As much as it killed me to leave, I had to but I'm happy I did. Oliver wouldn't have been happy with me. My parents have been on my back since then and they'd make life hell for him if he was with me or he'd be in some run down foster home suffering.”

I took a while to take what she said in. I thought she left out of her own selfish will, I would've never assumed she had no choice. I sort of felt bad for her, she really went through a lot.

Or is she lying to you?

The thought crossed my mind momentarily. Nathan mentioned that she was manipulative, maybe this was a trick, maybe she just wanted to to feel bad for her and let her have whatever she wanted, maybe she wasn't back for Oliver, maybe she wants Nathan. If she wanted peace why did she come to our house so abruptly?

“I'm sorry I came to your house the way I did. I had a bit to drink and I'm extremely lightweight, I wasn't thinking rationally. I know it's no excuse and I caused a lot of problems, I'm sorry for that.”

That explains the smell that irritated me that day, I thought she used some crappy expensive perfume.

“I don't know what to say, Jodie.” I told her.

“I know it's a lot to take in. I understand if you don't want me around but please think about it, I really want to be in Oliver's life. Even if it's just a few visits, I just want to get to know him, just a little.”

“I don't know, Jodie. It's not even my decision to make, I'll have to talk to Nathan before I can say anything.”

A grateful smile made its way onto her face. “Thank you.”

“There's no guarantee he'll agree.”

“I know, but thank you for trying and I'm sorry for the trouble I caused.”

“It's fine. You can't have any alcohol near Oliver, we can't have you say or do anything to upset him.”

She permitted herself to laugh. “Don't worry, I got rid of every drop in my house yesterday.”

“Good.” My attention went to my phone when it began ringing. It was Nathan. I was supposed to be at his office twenty minutes ago. “Oh, shoot!”

“Is there a problem?” Jodie asked, concern etched on her face.

“I have to go.”

“Okay, thanks for coming.”

I nodded to her, rushing out of the cafe. I settled in the car before hitting the answer button. “Hi, Nathan, I know I'm late, something came up.”

“What came up? You were supposed to be her twenty minutes ago. It's not like you to be late for anything, I got worried.” His smooth voice laced with worry had my heart nearly bursting. The fact that he noticed my constant punctuality was endearing.

“I'll tell you later. I gotta hang up now, I'm driving, see you soon.”

“Okay, bye. I love you.”

I will never get tired of hearing that. “I love you too.”

I hung up after and concentrated on driving. I didn't want to think of the situation with Jodie just yet, I didn't even know what to think. There was a lot on my mind and I had the feeling that there'd be a lot more.

I didn't bother talking to anyone as I made my way to Nathan's office. His assistant gave me a nasty look but I disregarded her. Knocking wasn't necessary and Nathan wasn't surprised when I walked in.

“Hi, Love.” He greeted, standing to give me a hug.

I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder, enjoying the warmth coming from him. “Hi, sorry I'm late.”

“You're here now. Let's sit down, I have a lot to show you.” We took a seat on the sofa by the window, my attention going to the folder Nathan picked from his desk.

A week ago, Nathan told his friend, Jacob, to look into Christopher and his family and judging by the fullness of the folder, I'd say he found a lot.

“Ready?” I nodded and he opened the folder, letting me go over the first page.

It was a copy of my father's last will and testament but everything was different from what Christopher told me. Christopher told me that there was no will, only a note stating that everything went to him and nothing was mine.

He lied.

The company, Love For All, the shares, the money, it was all mine. The company was supposed to be managed by him until I turned eighteen and everything else was supposed to be locked away till then.

I was meant to inherit billions of dollars in cash and property and there was even a trust fund for me. It states that I was a member of the company's board of directors from the day he died.

I could feel my chest tightening and my throat clogging as I read on.

I leave my daughter, Alyssa Camille Jordan, in the care of Miss Cassidy Cooper, in the event of my wife's death and no will is provided, and a sum of ten billion dollars and our current home to be released to her on her eighteenth birthday.

In the event of my daughter's death before or after she turns eighteen years old, if there is no will provided, all nonmonetary property is to be auctioned off and the money be distributed to the various charities listed below.

Love For All is to be handed over to Miss Amelia Smith with a sum of five billion dollars for the charity.

My brother, Christopher Jordan is to be given a sum of ten million dollars in cash, nothing more.

The rest was just him signing off.  I had to take a moment to breathe and collect myself while Nathan rubbed my back comfortingly.

I wasn't even supposed to be in Christopher's care, I should've been living a happy life with Cassy not tortured everyday to the point I hoped to die. Everything was supposed to be different.

I remember the day the court gave their ruling on who I should be with. Cassy looked so sad when Christopher presented a letter, supposedly from my father saying he should have full custody of me. I wasn't even there when it was decided the company and everything else should go to him.

“Breathe, Love.” I heard Nathan remind me.

I obeyed, taking a long breath of air. When I was ready, I turned the page, meeting with a letter, the very letter Christopher presented to the court. It was a fake, the handwriting, though similar was so different from my dad's and definitely not my mom's but it was familiar. I'd seen it on countless documents before.

This is Christopher's handwriting.

The contents were the direct opposite of the will, the only thing being similar was my dad's signature and name. I can't believe this. Christopher lied to the court, to me, the press, everyone.

Who had the will?

The next page answered my question. The man holding my dad's will was found dead shortly after the accident. He was a man I recognized. Adrien Bill was shot right between the eyes in his home. The police found no evidence pointing to anybody so the case went cold.

Could Christopher have… no, he wouldn't.

The next information was about a gang Christopher was associated with. It wasn't just a small street gang, these people were a mafia and Christopher had business with them. I saw phone records, conversations typed and printed and I couldn't help but read them.

Christopher: Is it done?

The name of the person he was talking to wasn't found out.

****: Yes, the man's dead and the stuff will be sent to you soon. Why do you need to steal a will anyway?

Christopher: You don't need to know but handle it carefully, your money depends on that will. I'll pay you once everything's finalized.

****: You'd better.

There was another conversation dated to a few months before the accident.

Christopher: I need a favor. My brother, I need him and his wife gone.

****: Why?

Christopher: You don't need to know but make it look like an accident, I don't care what you do. I just want him dead.

****: I thought you said they have a daughter, what should we do with her?

Christopher: Don't kill her. She's important. I heard my brother say everything goes to her if he's gone and if she dies nothing's mine.

****: Okay, I expect to be compensated.

Christopher: You will.

The next was from the day of the accident, if I can all it that anymore. Christopher called the man to cancel the hit on my parents, happy about the fact that they had died on their own.

He had another talk with this person just a few weeks before I married Nathan.

****: You still haven't paid us for the shipment and I'm getting impatient.

Christopher: I know. I was thinking, what if I pay you in a different way?

****: What way?

Christopher: I have a girl, beautiful and can satisfy the needs of all your associates.

****: What are you suggesting?

Christopher: I want to give you the girl as payment, you can do as you like to her. I think she'll do well as one of your sex slaves.

****: Send us a picture and we'll think about it. She better be worth it.

Christopher: Of course. Keep her alive though.

“Love?” I didn't answer. “Alyssa? Breathe.”

I tried to but I couldn't. My chest was too tight, my throat felt like someone had jammed a sock in it. There was a ponding in my ears steady but getting faster as the seconds passed. The folder was ripped from my hands as I was pulled to lean on something.

My vision was slowly darkening and the last thing I heard was Nathan yelling my name before I collapsed.

Author's Note:

Hi everybody, I'm back. Thanks for waiting so patiently, you guys are amazing.

Questions: (Please answer this is how I know what to put in the next chapter)

1. Did you like the chapter?

2. Do you think Jodie should have a chance with Oliver?

3. Do you think she's telling the truth?

4. Why do you think Christopher wanted the will?

Thanks for reading. Nathan's POV coming next and don't forget to hit that star button and leave your comments. ❤️❤️

- E