Alannah awoke, stretching out her arms before daring to look at the clock next to her bed. With a quick glance, she saw it was only seven in the morning and she was a bit disappointed with herself. She knew she’d never be able to get back to sleep, but she’d so hoped she’d sleep until at least nine, maybe even ten.
With frustration running through her, Alannah stumbled from the bed and dragged herself to the bathroom. The long, hot shower woke her in a refreshingly pleasant way, and she scrubbed the rest of the wedding stench from her body.
‘No more weddings… Not for me…’ she thought
She took her time putting her hair up and applying make-up. She wanted to make her father wait on her for some r
“Sir, another letter has come in.” Darius turned, only half-listening to the man who’d just walked in, speaking to Edwin. Alannah was late. Darius watched as her father nervously looked toward the door, then the clock. Darius didn’t miss anything, and he could see the fury brewing in Edwin’s eyes. It seemed he didn’t like his daughter taking her sweet time getting there. He didn’t like waiting on the spoiled girl, either, but his irritation was pushed down as he watched Edwin grow more upset. Women were notoriously late, and Darius didn’t see a reason for the rage behind Edwin’s eyes. ‘Interesting…’ he thought.“What are you talking about?” Edwin snapped at his head of security.&nb
He watched the emotions flicker across Alannah’s expression. What was that he was seeing? Fear? Anxiety? Apprehension? All three of them and more? The girl was genuinely afraid of something… or someone? Was she afraid of him? Was she afraid of… her father? ‘Yes, that was it... Her father scared the life out of her just by saying those two words and by using that tone…’ Darius observed. The fear of her father was obvious, but there was more to her story. There was something just below the surface of all the other emotions. He almost laughed aloud at the thought. He was paying good money to find out more about Alannah Miles. Her father was basically selling her to him. Darius was starting to think he was the one who’d gotten the bargain
Darius observed as she glanced to the ground, placing a mask on her face before she looked back up to her father. His body hummed as he sat next to her, thinking of the possibilities of all the hours they’d work together. He felt a powerful attraction to Alannah that seemed to be growing by the minute. It had been a while since his last… arrangement with a woman. Darius knew better than to get involved with employees. However, Alannah Miles wasn’t going to work for him forever. What would be the harm if they had an affair? He’d still get what he ultimately wanted, and after all, they were both consenting adults…“Mr. King… I… Uhm… I don’t think I’m qualified for this job,” she said, bringing him back to their conversation.&nb
Alannah stood next to the stretch limo, unsure of how she should say goodbye to her father. She had to bottle the excitement she was feeling at escaping him. He’d probably strangle her on the spot if he knew the extent of her happiness. She was unsettled about Mr. King’s expectations, though, and couldn’t keep a bit of that from showing through her otherwise stony expression. Still, Alannah couldn’t push away the thought that she was finally getting away from her father. She hoped and prayed she’d never have to step foot inside his house again. “I’d like to speak to my daughter alone for a moment, Mr. King,” Edwin said as the three of them stood beside the sleek car. “Make it quick, Miles. I have an important stop to make before the jet takes off,” Darius said as he glanced at his watch. A
Erik rolled his eyes and then looked over and noticed Alannah standing awkwardly next to the two of them.“Oh, hi there! Sorry, I didn’t see you… I’m Britany, Darius’s best friend, though you wouldn’t know it since the man never comes to see me anymore. The handsome man up there is my husband, Erik, and he’s holding our son, Matthew,” Britany said as she introduced herself and her family.“Very nice to meet you all… I am Alannah Miles… Uhm… I am Mr. King’s new employee,” Alannah said, stumbling over her words a little. Her nervousness could be felt by everyone in the room. Darius felt a bit of guilt over not explaining where they were going.“Mr. King? Ha! That’s so funny! Don’t worry about formalities here, Alannah. It’s a four-year-old
“I was wondering… What exactly am I supposed to be doing for you, Mr. King?” Alannah asked as they buckled their seatbelts and prepared for take-off. She wasn’t a fan of flying and hoped he’d at least speak to her, take her mind off the fact that soon they’d be flying over the ocean for the next twenty or so hours. She’d been in awe of his private jet, which had luxuriously soft carpet, a comfortable seating area, two bedrooms, a full-sized bathroom, and a kitchen. Her father had a company jet, but it paled in comparison to Darius’s. She felt like she’d stepped into a whole other world.“How about calling me Darius for a change?” he said looking at the airstrip.“I’ll try…” she said slowly. “So… Darius… What am I supposed to be doing for
Alannah looked at the outside of the tall building in front of her and felt her stomach drop. He was really there? A spa? Seriously?“What the hell am I doing here?” she whispered and shook her head. She should just turn around and go back to their hotel suite. She had no business being there. But she was tired of sitting in the interminable room, waiting for Darius to say something, to make her do something… to even acknowledge her presence. Every time she called Darius, it went immediately to voicemail, so Alannah was out of options. It was either this or… Well, she didn’t really have an ‘or’ in mind. She loved the suite, especially the deep tub in the bathroom, and twenty-four-hour room service. The room was stunning, beyond luxurious, and she’d
With growing confidence and increasing rage, a shiver of alarm still traveled down her spine. What if she was sent straight back to her father? What if her father locked her again from the world? Hit her again and again? No… Alannah couldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t.She’d rather die. She remembered the day he told her why he wouldn’t let her leave, why she had to pay him back for her mother’s sins. Whatever those sins were… It had been a dark and terrible day. Apparently, her mother had been extremely unhappy during their marriage, telling Edwin she was going to leave him. She found out a few weeks later she was pregnant. Instead of being overjoyed, he’d been jealous, claiming she must&