Ten years ago.
“Ali, I’m scared.” A teenage girl wearing a uniform of one of the prestigious Academy in America whispered in fear to her friend who was lying beside her. Both of them were tied up and left lying on the ground by the people who kidnapped them. Sweat and dirt accumulated on their faces and uniform due to being roughly handled by their kidnappers. Fifteen years old, Alisha Meyer moved closer to Yany Anderson. “Don’t be afraid. Help will come.” Alisha tried to sound confident and strong but Yany could still feel a trace of fear in her voice. Still, Yany nodded and believed her friend’s words. Help will come, and they will be saved. Alisha tried to adjust her eyes in the small dark room and examined it. Aside from them, a few boxes and plastic was stored in a corner. There was no windows for her to see whether it’s been day or night that's why she didn’t even know how long they’ve been imprisoned in this room. There were also no guards standing outside the said room since she’s been trying to listen for any sound outside. She couldn’t even hear a single whisper. Alisha and Yany have tried to free themselves from being bounded but they just couldn’t. The ropes used on them were too thick to be cut and it was tied up pretty tightly. Realizing that their situation was really at the worst, both girls tried to stop themselves from tearing up. As daughters from wealthy families, they are the ones mostly targeted by the kidnappers. They could not show weakness in front of those people or else they’ll be taken advantage off. They could only pray and wait for their families to come to their rescue. Because as teenagers, what can they do but wait? *******Present time. “Alisha, long time no see.” Alisha felt a tap on her shoulder so she instinctively moved her shoulder away to stop the person from touching her any further. Gathering herself, she coldly turned and look at the person behind her. “Zach Evans.” She uttered those words like it was a curse. Alisha didn’t hide her hatred at the guy as she stood in front of him with a cold suppressing aura. The woman who was with Zach could clearly feel the heavy atmosphere and unconsciously took a step back. The said target of hatred simply ignored the actions of his date as his entire focus was concentrated on Alisha. He even flashed a sweet smile in front of her making it look like the two of them have such a good relationship. “It’s been so long. Do you have time? Let me treat you to a meal.” “…” She stopped herself from violently tearing the smile away from Zach’s face as she distanced herself even more to him like she was allergic to him. She clenched her fists harder that she could feel the nails embedding on her skin. “If you don’t have time, let me have your number instead. Just call me if you have a free time to have a meal with me, okay?” Zach pulled out his phone and tried handing it to her but what she did is slap away his hand with so much force, Alisha felt her palm stings. The phone made a loud sound as it fell on the floor. It garnered the attention of other people passing by them as Zach stood in surprise with her actions. “Zach have you forgotten what I said about not showing yourself in front of me?” Her voice laced with rage could clearly be felt. “Alisha, are you still blaming me because of that incident. Ten years had passed. Why are you still hang up on it?” Alisha snorted in disgust with his words. This person is acting like an innocent and unrelated to what happened years ago. As if he has the right to be. “You’re mere presence disgust me the most.” Alisha stopped herself from tearing up as the memory of Yany's last moments flashed in front of her eyes. It was because of this guy that caused everything. It was his fault why Yany…. died. “It’s been 10 years, haven’t you moved on? It’s clearly not my fau—” A resounding slap was seen by the people watching them. Alisha was completely blinded by rage that she didn’t even notice the crowd slowly forming around them. “You of all people do not deserve to say that.” She turned and started walking away from him when she stopped to look back again.She did not direct her sight to Zach but to the woman beside him. “Miss, just a piece of advice. If I were you, I’ll leave that guy. Didn’t you know? His ex-girlfriend died because of him.” Alisha saw a shock expression form on the woman’s face as she swiftly turned her head to look at Zach. Zach looked in panic at his girlfriend as he tried appeasing her. But Alisha didn't care. She smiled in contempt as she achieved what she wanted to do and continued walking away from them. She quickly hailed a cab to bring her home. As she relaxed herself on the seat, she opened her hands to see a trace of blood and crescent-like wounds on her palms. Staring at the blood and wounds, another memory flashed in front of her. She immediately shut her eyes to stop herself from remembering it any further. Without opening her eyes, she leaned back her head to the headrest. Her memory. Her hand that was stained with blood.Everything will be forever carved in her mind and Alisha knew without a doubt that she could never wash all those painful memories in her lifetime......................Kristoff Montenegro spent the whole day working in his office when Lucas knocked on his door. “Mr. CEO, the headquarters just informed me that the young master was missing.”Then all of a sudden a loud sound of something breaking echoed inside the room. With all his might, Lucas tried to reduce his presence in the room. The moment he received the call from the CEO’s home, he knew that a disaster was inevitable. But as his personal secretary, no one but him could report it that's why, his life was always hanging by a thread every time his boss would explode from anger. “What are they slacking for?! Tell them to find him immediately!” Kristoff bellowed. He was beyond furious. He was already angry because of those incompetent bugs that kept pestering him everywhere and now, even his subordinates couldn’t look after a child?! Kristoff stopped himself from throwing another object inside the room. He didn’t want to spend another penny for a new table. Kristoff hastily stood up and left t
Alisha gasped in shock. She suddenly want to slap her mouth shut after realizing how careless she was with her previous questions. She must have hurt the kid’s feelings when she pestered him and now she didn’t know what to do. But before Alisha could make any more coherent words, the little guy reacted once again that caught her attention. “Ah.” Something in his eyes flickered to life. His gaze wasn’t empty anymore. Mixed in it was various feelings. Alisha followed where his eyes were looking at and noticed a couple hugging their child. It seems like they were there to pick up their child from the playground as the mother carried the child back to the car before the father drove away. Even the other adults that were there had begun to picked up their own children on the swing and started walking away after bidding their goodbyes to each other. She blinked. Ah, so that was why. She looked back at the little kid beside her who was still staring away at the leaving car. Her heart
Montenegro? Hearing that familiar surname, the face of her boss instantly flashed in Alisha’s mind. Her eyes unconsciously traced back to Quentin's face with her thoughts in a mess. Alisha carefully examined his features and noticed some familiar similarities. The pair of jet-black eyes that seems like a whirlpool pulling you into it and that funny curly hair that kept sticking out just above his nape. Alisha have always made fun of Kristoff Montenegro's hair on her mind. Because the cold man was always so neat and proper from top to bottom but always, always… it’s that part of his hair that’s very out of place. Every once in a while, her giggle suddenly slips and her boss for some reason would know what she’s been laughing about and turns back to her to give her a death glare. After awhile, her thoughts floated back to reality. Could he be…? Nah. That couldn’t be. She’s been working for him for three years, she of all people would’ve known if he’d dated someone, got married an
"Let's go home.” “NO!” "LET'S GO!” “NO!” While the father and son duo argues, Alisha and Lucas remain quiet. The two secretaries eyes wandered back and forth towards the big and small blocks of ice arguing with each other. The big block of ice was towering over the little kid as he emitted an aura of extreme anger.The little block of ice on the other hand stood his ground against the big boss despite his height and did not surrender to his father's order.Quentin was desperately embracing the bowl of eggs on his arms like he was protecting it against a monster trying to steal it away from him.“Lucas, drag him back.” The emperor CEO finally gave his final verdict. Since the little kid wasn’t moving a budge, then he will take him away by force.“NO!!” Before Lucas could make his move, however, Quentin quickly placed the bowl on the table and ran to Alisha’s side. He clutched her shirt as he stood behind her to hide from his father, the Great CEO Kristoff Montenegro. “I’m staying
"Big Sister, this is so yummy!!” Quentin childishly exclaimed as he took a spoonful of the fried rice. Contrary to his stiff behavior with Alisha when they first met, he was completely settled in at her home and ignored everyone in his surroundings except Alisha herself. That's why, the continuous drop of temperature in the room. Lucas and Alisha’s backs were already drenched in sweat despite the cold temperature as they sat stiff on their seats. Alisha was actually marveling at the fact that Quentin was completely ignoring his father’s state. Quentin just kept on digging through his food and ate happily like the simple fried rice they made is the best food in the whole world. “Big Sister!” Alisha paused from her thoughts and saw a spoonful of rice being reached out at her in front of her sight. Blinking, she glanced at the little smile that Quentin was giving to her. Her heart softened when she realized what he was trying to do. Was he trying to feed her? She held her squeal and
Alisha can feel her insides shaking, and suddenly felt fear for her life. Seriously, if looks could kill, she may have long died from the dagger-like stare that her boss is exuding. She wasn’t sure if he was glaring at her or at his son but either way, both aren’t good news. On the other hand, if she didn’t die from the hands of her boss, she would surely die from lack of air. She'll surely die of suffocation from the tight locked hug of Little Quentin at her neck. ‘Little kiddo, I know you don’t wanna go with you Dad but please don’t kill me just to run away from him.’ Alisha cried in her heart as she tried gasping for air. After a minute, she realized that the boy was clearly afraid of his father and do not have the inclination to let go, so she finally made a decision to save her life. Grabbing the arms of Little Quentin, she pulled it away and hugged him instead by locking his arms around hers. This way, she won’t quickly cross the bridge of life, right? “Boss,” She coughed
Speak of the devil and he shall come. How scary and true that saying was. Alisha silently thought as she sat beside her boss, Kristoff Montenegro while she listened to the person talking about some business-related details. For almost an hour, she desperately tried to ignore Harold Kennedy's presence in the room. The flirty jerk did not even try hiding his flirtatiousness and would always look her way for every minute. And when Alisha saw his actions she will shuddered in disgust and had to stop the urge from calling the security to have him dragged outside of the building. The meeting took about almost 2 hours before they finally came to a final decision. “Montenegro Corporation won’t collaborate with Milano Italia International with this project.” Kristoff Montenegro announced his decision that surprised Harold Kennedy, and the 2 other representatives from their respective company. On the other hand, Lucas and Alisha weren’t the least bit surprised to what he said. After all, t
"Marry me.” Then Alisha was startled from the sudden noise! It was actually the elevator sound that meant they have arrived on the presidential’s floor. Without delaying for even just a millisecond, Alisha’s body automatically dashed through the still opening doors barely fitting in between. Her body moved like it had a mind on their own that she ran to the ladies’ comfort room. She didn’t dare turn her back and immediately closed the door to lock it. “Hah….” She didn’t know if she was panting because she ran all the way from the elevator to the restroom or because her heart was thumping so hard against her chest that she has trouble breathing. Her hand still clinging onto the doorknob, her knees finally gave away that she was now kneeling on the floor. She didn't even noticed how dirty the floor is. Her thoughts were in jumble that she couldn’t even create any coherent thoughts. All she knew was that she had to run away from her boss and be alone. Her heart was thumping like cra