Alyssa

I took my sweet time getting ready for dinner tonight. We were supposed to be there in forty five minutes and the house was thirty minutes away. If I could delay for thirty more minutes we would be too late and unable to go.

Now how do I stall?

I took one of my earrings off and threw it under the bed. They were a gift from Cassy and I loved them but I never wore them for fear that Hailey would take a liking and take them from me. Now that she couldn't, I could wear them as I please.

There was a knock at my bedroom door, no doubt it was Nathan.

“Alyssa?” He called. “Are you ready yet?”

I moved my blanket around to make a rustling sound. “Yeah, I'm just looking for my earring.”

“Well, can I help? We need to leave soon.”

Um... “Sure.”

I went over to the door and unlocked it. He opened it, his eyes landing on me first. “You look beautiful.”

I blushed slightly. “Thank you.”

“So where did it fall?”

“What?”

“Your earring?”

“Oh, um, I think it was around here.” I gestured to the small lounge I had.

It was a nice place to sit or sometimes I took a nap on the longer couch. Plus it was far enough from the bed so no matter how much we bent down, we wouldn't see my stashed earring from here.

“Let's get to it.” He moved the throw pillows around unceremoniously while I moved around the sofas pretending to search. “Maybe it fell undernearth.”

He got down on one knee, checking under the seats and I copied his actions. It wasn't long before he huffed in frustration as stood on this feet. “Can't you just use another pair?”

“No, I bought these specifically for this outfit.”

“That's funny. I didn't receive any notice of a withdrawal on my phone that day.”

I froze in my kneeling position. Busted. “Well,” I started, looking for an excuse. “I used my credit card.”

“No you didn't. I remember we bought that jumpsuit online, the day we stayed in.” He stated. Oh, do that's where I got it from. “And the shoes are from London.”

How did he remember that?

“Why didn't you get something new for yourself?”

I stood up so his height would be less intimidating. “I didn't want anything new.”

“I wanted you to have something new.”

“I didn't feel like having something new when I have all these clothes that still have price tags on them.”

“So? You can wear those some other time.”

“And I can wear this today. I don't always need to get something new for every occasion.” I pointed out.

“I can afford it.”

“I know you can. But it really isn't wise to waste money like that.” I didn't like this topic, I had to digress. “Just help me find this earring so we can leave.”

He sighed deeply, scanning around the room. He moved wordlessly to my bed and bent down to pick something up. It was my earring, guess I threw it too hard because it had come out through the other side and was lying on the floor all this while.

Nice.

“Here.” He placed it in my hand. “Let's go.”

I walked behind him, trying to put on the earring with my purse under my armpit. Nathan opened the door to the passenger's seat and waited to me to get in before he closed it and slid into the driver's side.

The drive was quiet, a bit awkward actually. He didn't bother trying to talk to me and I didn't even want to either. I didn't stall long enough so we got there right on time, not even a minute late.

A maid opened the door and led us to where Christopher, Rebecca and Hailey were waiting for us. I couldn't help the fear that came over me just before we set eyes on them. I quickly inched closer to Nathan who placed his arm around my waist, pulling me to him.

“Nathan, Alyssa, it's so nice to see you again!” Christopher was the first to welcome us.

He shook Nathan's hand and pulled me in for a surprising hug. My body became tenser than it already was as he pulled me to him. I was frozen as they took turns hugging me. It was already risky being in their house, having them hug me was just sharing fate.

“We really missed you, Alyssa.” Rebecca said as she embraced me.

Hailey was last. She barely put effort into her fake smile or her hug. “Hi, Alyssa.” Her gaze turned to Nathan and her face broke out in a grin. “Hi, Nathan!”

Nathan was even surprised when she grabbed him and held on tightly. He even had to pry her arms off his waist. “Hi, Hannah.”

Hailey scowled. “It's Hailey.”

He pulled an apologetic face. “Oh, sorry, I'm really bad with names.”

I knew Nathan was doing it on purpose to tick Hailey off but he didn't understand that whatever he did to anger her would have repercussions on me. I couldn't leave Nathan's side because if I did Hailey or someone else would take the opportunity to hurt me.

“So how have you two been doing?” Rebecca asked as if she really cared.

We took a seat opposite them when Hailey sat on the same couch we did but to our right, occasionally inching towards us to be closer to Nathan.

Nathan is a married man, she knows that. Why doesn't she respect that? She needs to respect that and get rid of her stupid infatuation.

She had moved so much and was merely half an inch away from Nathan. She was in a slutty red dress and way too much make up. She looked like the kind of girl Nathan was use to dating. Maybe he didn't like me because I wasn't like them, perhaps I should try to be more like them.

A maid came to inform us that dinner was ready and we all made our way to the dinning room. Christopher was at the head of the table, Rebecca to his right. Hailey was about to sit at his left but he stopped her.

“Why not let your sister sit there this time?” He suggested.

“But daddy, I always sit there.” Hailey complained.

Her father narrowed her eyes at her. “Sit elsewhere today.”

“But...”

“Hailey, listen to your father.” Rebecca interrupted.

Hailey grumbled under her breath and glared at me as Nathan pulled that seat out for me. My anxiety spiked as I landed on the chair. Sitting next to Christopher was never good, he always found a way to hurt me, I had a feeling that tonight would be no different.

I barely ate anything out of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, you never know what they could put inside. There was an unshakable dread in the pit of my stomach, like something bad was going to happen I just didn't know what.

“So Nathan, the press seems to know about your marriage now, though it was a private event, how are you going to explain it to them?” Christopher asked after we had finished eating.

Nathan shrugged. “I promised a press conference next week. Alyssa and I will come up with something.”

“Do you think Alyssa can handle that? She doesn't have a good reputation when it concerns talking to the press.”

That was because whenever I faced the press, I had injuries or I was sick due to stress. Usually afterwards, they would use the fact that I slipped up as an excuse to punish me with a few more injuries. I was always so scared of messing up that I did worse.

Quite ironic really.

“Well, I'll be there to give her the support she needs.” Nathan answered smoothly, sliding his hand into mine under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze.

He turned and sent me a smile. He was the only one stopping me from having a panic attack. I've had a lot in the past years.

“So, Nathan, daddy says you two will be seeing each other more, maybe we'd see too.” It was Hailey that time. The girl just won't quit.

“Perhaps, but the project won't commence till after new year's for the time being, Alyssa and I are getting to know each other.”

I could see Hailey's anger growing. She clearly didn't like the idea of Nathan and I getting closer but why would she when she was so adverse to us getting married.

“That's nice.” She commented through clenched teeth.

“Anyway, could I use the bathroom, please?” Nathan requested.

Oh no. He can't leave me, I know something will happen if he does.

“Let me take you there.” I offered quickly but Rebecca was quick to shut it down.

“Don't worry Alyssa, dear. I'll show Nathan the bathroom so you can catch up with your father and sister.”

No. No no no no no no no.

“But...”

“Don't worry, Love, I'll be back soon.” He told me gently.

As soon as he left all traces of whatever kindness they were showing vanished. Christopher gave me his usual angry glare while Hailey had disgust in her eyes.

“You must feel so high and mighty now.” She sneered. “Just know that Nathan will never have any true feelings for you except pity because you're pathetic.”

She got up quickly and stormed away, her heels clicking against the floor as she walked. Christopher continued glaring for a while before he spoke.

“You seem to be doing well, Alyssa, enjoying your new life?” He asked.

“I...” I was at a loss for words. He was planning something, something big.

“I'll be frank with you, the company is losing money and we need funds.” So why is he telling me this? “You can get those funds for us.”

“How?”

“Nathan owns a billionaire dollar company and you are his wife.” He pointed out. “You can get the money from him.”

“I-I c-can't.”

“Let me make this clear, Alyssa. If I don't get that money, a certain little boy will have a few more accidents.” He threatened lowly.

Little boy? Little boy!! Oliver!! How did he know about him? The press had barely anything on him.

My shock was visible on my face. “H-how...?”

“Steven might have mentioned Nathan having a son a while ago.” He stated nonchalantly.

“Please, don't hurt him.” I begged. “He's just a kid, he has nothing to do with this.”

“If you don't want Oliver Graham to be injured more than he already is, you get me five million dollars from Nathan.”

I gasped at the amount. “I can't get that much.”

“Then I don't think little Oliver is going to come out of his next accident with just a broken arm.”

It scared me that he could talk about this so indifferently. “Were you... did you...” I couldn't finish my question.

“No, I had no hand in what happened to him but know this Alyssa, if I don't get my five million by the end of next week, his arm is the least you'll have to worry about.” His low voice sent shivers down my spine and not in a good way. “Understand?”

“Can I please just have some more time?”

“I'll give you an extra week. If at the end of that time I don't get my money, well, I don't need to tell you what'll happen.”

I nodded slowly, trying to stop my raging heart. I knew we shouldn't have come here, why didn't I try to convince Nathan more?

As if on que, the man returned and Christopher was back to being the nice and caring father he wanted Nathan to believe he was. Thankfully, Nathan wanted to leave and said a quick goodbye to them while I just muttered absentmindedly.

My heartbeat didn't slow down even when we were in the car, on the road. I can't even describe how bad this is. Where am I going to get five million dollars? Asking Nathan is out of the question. If I ask him he's going want to know why I'd want so much money.

But Oliver can't get hurt. If anything happens to him, I'd be so guilty. Oliver is a sweet, innocent child, but leverage to Christopher. If he knows about Oliver, maybe Hailey does too. Keeping Oliver away from them was keeping him safe, I didn't want them to know about him for obvious reasons and I failed. Oliver might get killed all because of me.

I need to fix this. Fast.

“Alyssa?” I was brought out of my thoughts by Nathan's call. “Are you okay? You're so quiet, is anything bothering you?”

Yes. “No, I'm fine, just tired.” I forced myself to say.

“We'll be home soon. In the meantime, can we talk?”

If we do I'll end up spilling my guts to him. “Nathan, I'm really not in the mood to talk.”

“Then, please, just hear me out.” I didn't say anything and he took that as a sign to continue. “I'm sorry for our argument earlier, I was being irrational. You're right, just because I have so much money doesn't mean I have to spend it like that.”

I let out a deep sigh. That wasn't even on my mind anymore. “Thanks, you didn't need to apologize for anything.”

“No, I did.”

“Well, thank you.”

At least that's one issue resolved.

*********

“Ally!”

Who is that? What's going on?

“Ally!! Help me!!!” It's
Oliver.

“Olly?! Where are you?!”

I was dark, I couldn't see him, I couldn't see anything. Why?

“ALLY!!”

“Oliver?!” Where is he? Why is it so dark here?

“I warned you.” A familiar voice taunted me. Christopher? No. “Time's up, you little wretch.”

I failed, I didn't get the money. “Please, leave him alone, don't hurt him. I'll get the money soon, please!” Tears began falling from my eyes as I sobbed out my pleas.

“I gave you enough time, Alyssa. Now, say goodbye.”

A bright light came on suddenly, a street light illuminating a small figure. It was Oliver. He was on a road, tears pouring from his grey fear filled eyes, his cast still on his left forearm.

“ALLY!” He cried, trying to get to me but something held his legs in place.

I heard a loud horn and turned to clearly see an eighteen-wheeler headed straight towards Oliver. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me but it seemed like the more I ran the further he'd get. The horn blared again, only louder this time, and the last thing I heard was Oliver's terrified scream.