2

Alice Anderson

Next Morning

"Alice, what are you saying?! How could you lost what took you 3 months to get?! Are you saying, after working so hard to get hold of that card, you lost it without any traces?!!" He bombards me with questions. He looks so upset right now. 

"Dom, please calm down. I can explain" 

"Explain what? This is not you, Alice. What happened?" He hissed and roughly ruffle his hair out of frustration. I could tell he was 

getting frustrated already. 

I blamed myself for this. This is all my fault. I asked him for a chance to explain myself and yet, I couldn't find the right word to use. At this point, he is not the only one disappointed, I'm also disappointed at myself for being so careless with something that treasurable. 

"Are you two talking about this?" A cold voice said behind me. I slowly turn around and end up widening my eyes in horror the moment my eyes locked with his deep ocean eyes. 

It's him! He's the bastard that took the card from me. 

"Y.. yo.. you!" I pointed an accusing finger at him. He passes me a wicked smirk and walks past me before slamming the gold card on Dom's desk.

"This.. this is the girl you've been praising all this while? She isn't even capable for fuck sake! She doesn't worth all the praise!" He burst angrily. 

Okay, what's going on? Who is this guy and how, did Dom get to know him?

"Dom, who is he?" My curiosity getting out of me, I asked confused.

I watched as a deep sigh left Dom's lip.  "He's my son, Alissa. Ken.., Kenneth Domanco" He answered before taking a seat.

Shit! 

Whenever he calls me that name then, I know something is not right somewhere. And, the fact that he has a son still amazes me. He never told me he has a devil called a son somewhere.

I look at him, shocked. "You have a son?" I asked. "And, you never bother to tell me about him? We never hide things from each other Dom, but you decide to keep this away from me? Why?" 

He has always treated me like a daughter. We're like a father and daughter just that, when it comes to work... We become boss and employee. We always share thoughts and now, finding out about this is still...... Shit! I can't believe this!

"Alissa, I'm sorry, okay? He was part of the reason I asked you to come over to the house today. Plus, you left home 2 months ago because of this mission. I wanted you to come back home also." he said and I furrowed my eyebrow in confusion. 

"Alissa, I'm stepping down from the throne. My.. my son will be taking over now. And also, I have one more announcement to make. You two will be getting married in two weeks" 

"What?!!!!" We both exclaimed at the time. 

I let out a nervous laugh "Dom, you're... You're joking right?" I questioned as my heart skipped a bit.

"Dad! What the fuck are you talking about?" Ken glared at his father.

"No, I'm not Alissa. This is my wish and I want you to grant it"

"Of course, I can't grant such a wish and you know that! First, you announced you're stepping down out of blue and now, I am to get married to him? Why are you stepping down when you're still fit?" I bombard him with questions.

I want to believe this is all a dream but I'm wrong, It's not.

"I need a break, Alice. I'm getting old. Plus, if there's anyone I trust with my son and the empire right now, then it's you. You've been in this with me for a very long time. considering how he has been away for so many years, he still lacks behind on so many things and I needed someone to back him up. Look, Alice, I need you to be by his side at all times. He needs you the most at this moment." He stated in a soft tone whilst I stare at him stunned.

I'm still overwhelmed over all this he just stated. How can he take up such a big decision without asking me about it first? Without consulting me?

"Dad, I don't care about your thoughts. All I know is, I'm never going to end up with someone like her! I do not want her! I do not like her! Besides, I can take up my responsibility without her! She's just an ordinary girl favored by you and of course, I have men who can run works for me compared to an ordinary girl!" He burst at his father in anger as he slams his hand on the desk.

"I don't care what you think about her also, Ken. I've made up my mind already. All the necessary documents are ready to be signed, I'm transferring all power of attorney to Alice. You two will be married for at least, a year without divorce arising. If you abide by the rules, Alice will hand over the right back to you and, that includes all the companies I have across the world" he announced and I widened my eyes in horror.

"What the fuck are you talking about father?!!" He burst angrily and banged his fist on the table with a deadly glare on his face. "Our initial agreement was to work with her and not marriage!" He growled.

"Kenneth Domanco, I'm not asking for your permission on this, this is an order." Dom said firmly like it was the simplest thing. I'm trying so hard to control myself right now as It's becoming too hard for me to breathe properly.

Of all trials, why marriage out of blue?

"I'm sorry to say this but, you can't just enforce me into doing what I do not want, Dad. This is my life and decision. I know you're like a father to me also, I made a promise to always make you happy and do whatever you asked but this... this is too much. I can't do this! You can't just force me onto someone I do not want or know" I tried, reason out and hoping he will understand me.

"Alissa, I know you respect me so much and, if I mean anything to you like you said.., you'll do just this one thing for me. Be with him, that's all I ask for" he repeated the same statement in a calm tone.

"I'm out of here!" Ken suddenly blurted, turning his back on us

"Where do you think you're going to, young man? We're not done yet." His father's voice stopped him.

"I have nothing to discuss with you, Father. Do whatever pleases you but do not involve me in your silly games, please. I'm never going to marry her and that's final" he hissed and walked out.

I stood there with Dad for some minutes and neither of us say a word to each other. I expect him to tell me all he has been saying was a joke but, when I raise my head to look at him, all I could see in his eyes is the look he always portrays whenever we were about to embark on a deadly mission.

No, this is not happening to me.

"Dad! Say somethi-"

"I'M DYING!!" He suddenly blurted, making me widen my eyes in horror. Tears instantly welled up in my eyes.

"W..wh..what?!" I stuttered, stunned.

I walk slowly towards where he was sitting and crouched to his level. "What did you just say?" I questioned him again as tears finally stream down my cheeks.

"I'm sick, Alice. I have cancer and I'm at the last stage. I can't escape it"

"No, no, no! This can't be true. Tell me you're joking?" I asked, shaking my head vigorously.

"That's why I need you by my son's side. I'm sorry to make you go through these but, this is the only way to protect him. I know you'll do your best in protecting him just as you've always done for me. I... I do not have much time left."

"Wh.. what do you... you mean?" I stuttered.

"After the test was conducted, I was told by the doctor that I only have three more months left." He announced and so does my shoulder fell.

"No! You can't be serious right now!" I yelled as I jumped up.  "How can you tell me this now?! Why can't you be cured?! Why are you leaving me now?! You have the money, Dad! You're the richest man in the world, you can foot the bill so, get this done and be fine again! You can't just leave me like this! I'm your favorite Alissa, remember? And I'm asking you to get yourself treated! I don't want to lose you, PLEASE!!" I beseech with tears flowing down my cheeks uncontrollably.

"I understand how you feel but, this is the truth."

"No! There's no way I'm going to believe this! You look fine to me! Of course, you're not sick. You're probably saying this to me so I can heed your request, don't you?"

"No, you're wrong. I only did well in hiding my pains. Showing that side of my pain to you is going to make you weak and I do not want that. Alice...." He called my name as he walk towards where I was standing. He smiled down at me and caressed my shoulder softly.

"Is Ken aware of this?" I asked, looking intensely into his eyes.

"No, he is not." He shook his head. "Do this for me, Alice. You always promise to repay my kindness, now, is the time to do that.. okay?"

"But, Dom-"

"Just go back home and start getting prepared." He ordered, turning his back to me. I could see the threatening tears that were about to fall out of his eyes.

For the first time in so many years of staying with him. I get to see this side of him. The weak side of him.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry but I can't do this. I just can't do it." I said in a small tone before rushing out of his study room.

I heard him calling after me but I never listened. There's no way I'm going to agree to this.

For me to agree to this silly request of his, I should leave for good. I'm going to leave this place for a faraway place. A place where no one can find me.

Not even Dad!