Chapter One - In The Enemy Territory

Sienna, Eva, and Alyssa took a quick tour of the luxurious mansion located inside a gated compound. The main house was a three-story structure handcrafted out of native stone. The interiors were lavishly decorated with an open stairway as well as a glass cubicle elevator that provided easy access to all the floors. Alyssa was totally in love with the entire place and checked everything out minutely, intending to buy a place like this of her own one day. The spacious great room included a professional-grade kitchen and an open terrace attached to a wet bar. The huge dining area could accommodate nearly thirty people with ease with provisions for al fresco dining as well. The whole place opened up to the staircase and elevator with the master bedroom and six bedrooms located upstairs. The ground floor had 2 bedrooms, a banquet hall for gatherings, two swimming pools, and an indoor games area but it was the swimming pools that attracted her like a magnet.

“This place is so romantic, Sien. Sad that there are no men to seduce. Why didn’t you invite Lucas’s family? Surely he would be having a few hot cousins to keep us entertained?” asked Alyssa with a pout looking around the entire island from the top floor wrap-around balcony after a thorough tour of the place.

“Not for me. Speak for yourself.” Eva detached herself from the conversation and the reason was pretty obvious to her friends.

“Yes for you! Stop moping around my dumb brother! Eww, what do you see in him?” Eva gave her a death glare and whirled around to leave angrily.

“I’m not interested in your brother at all. I’m not interested in anyone if you must know.” She left and Sienna touched Alyssa’s arm to stop her from prodding Eva further.

“We wanted a hushed-up wedding because of Roman’s threat. Anyway, Marcus and Nicholas will be here anytime if you’re interested.” Alyssa gave Sienna a horrified look as if the thought alone was akin to suicide.

“Are you crazy? Why should I be interested in Lucas’s brothers?” Sienna shrugged and leaned forward to see Lucas’s helicopter in the distant skyline.

“I think Lucas's family is arriving. Let’s go inside,” said Sienna, pulling Alyssa inside. After some time, Sienna introduced her friends to Lucas’s mom, Claudia Donnelly who instantly took a liking to Alyssa as their interests matched a lot. It seemed that her dad and Lucas’s dad, Jonathan Donnelly had been colleagues long back when they had freshly graduated from college and Claudia Donnelly was happy to find a connection with Alyssa. Eva on the other hand seemed to feel more comfortable with Lucas’s granny, Margaret Donnelly.

“Where are Nico, Marc, and Alexia?” asked Lucas worriedly, looking around for his five-year-old daughter and his brothers. Although Alexia was Lucas’s daughter from his previous marriage, she loved Sienna immensely, just like her own mother.

“Oh, Marcus and Alex have gone on a buggy ride. Nico will join us later. He had some work to wrap up. Maria will also join us later as she needs to bring help with her. We would need more help around the house,” said his mom but Alyssa was all ears at the mention of the enemies. So should she feel threatened by Marcus Donnelly? Before she could open her mouth, the main door was flung open and a tall, muscular man, larger than Lucas, walked in, carrying a five-year-old girl on his shoulders. Alyssa panicked noting the dangerous aura of Marcus Donnelly as if he could throttle an enemy alive, and now she was the enemy. Her eyes met Eva’s across the room and she could see that even Eva was a little scared.

Marcus placed the little girl down and she flung her arms around Sienna and demanded to eat a pizza while Marcus glared at the two strangers in the house. Alyssa hid behind his mom but she chuckled.

“You have nothing to fear, dear. That’s my son, Marcus. He’s more like a gentle giant. Wait I’ll introduce him to you.” Before Alyssa could protest, Mrs. Donnelly called Marcus over, clearly trying to play matchmaker like always. He reluctantly approached them while his gray eyes watched Alyssa with hatred. He had instantly recognized his enemy’s sister. After all, she was the cause behind everything! If only Nicholas would know that she was here!

“Yes, mom. Do you need something?” He stood waiting for his mom to speak, crossing his fingers behind his back. One look at his mom, and he was sure what was cooking inside her head. After his older brother had found his match, all she could think of was to force him to settle down.

“What’s the hurry, son? Meet Alyssa, Sienna’s best friend. Her dad and Jonathan were colleagues at FinServe where they did an internship together. Isn’t it amazing?” Alyssa noted the bored look on Marcus’s face and somehow didn’t like the guy at all. It seemed that the feeling was mutual as Marcus showed no reaction at all to what his mom said.

“Mom, do you have anything important to tell me?” he asked impatiently not interested to know about Alyssa Van Every, of all people on earth. His dad, Jonathan Donnelly died of a cardiac arrest and Nicholas handled his business, so his colleague from Yester years didn’t interest him at all. Before his mom could answer him, his granny called her and she walked away leaving him alone with the enemy’s sister.

“Why are you here, Van Every?” he gritted out, making Alyssa’s eyes widen with panic. He knew her!

“How do you know me? I’m seeing you for the first time.” Marcus gave her a look of disgust and turned to leave.

“First time? Either you have a terrible memory or you are putting up an act. Wait till Nicholas reminds you everything!” He walked away before his words registered in her head. Alyssa gaped at him not understanding a word he spoke but one thing was certain. She didn’t like Marcus Donnelly and now there was only one more enemy to deal with, Nicholas Donnelly. If he turned out to be as bad as Marcus, she would have a tough time surviving three days here in the enemy territory.

However the doorbell rang and Maria, who was Lucas’s housekeeper arrived with a maid. Alyssa was thankful that it wasn’t Nicholas Donnelly. Strangely, Marcus Donnelly followed the young maid who came in to help, like a lost puppy.

His mom was annoyed with him while he was distracted by the girl, Cara Rose Sullivan. Alyssa was relieved of his distracted state and enjoyed herself with her friends while she could. The next day their friend Hayley arrived and the fun multiplied. With Marcus leaving with Alexia, Alyssa dragged her friends to the swimming pool but Sienna declined as she was feeling a little exhausted with her pregnancy and wanted to rest.

After ten minutes, her friends Eva and Hayley escaped into the house but Alyssa swam to her heart's content, the cool water doing good to her mood. Ever since Marcus had arrived, Lucas hardly spoke to her and she now realized what Alex had said was true. Marcus hardly acknowledged her presence. It all proved that the enmity was strong between her brother and them. Her life wasn’t in danger in the enemy territory only because of her friend Sienna. The cool water calmed her. Alex had been calling her non-stop but she hadn’t accepted his call yet. She knew how angry he would be but she just couldn’t skip Sienna’s wedding. It meant more to her than some stupid enmity. She lay floating on the water's surface and looked at the sky. The sky was darkening as if a storm was brewing somewhere. It didn’t seem like a late afternoon at all.

A helicopter appeared in the sky approaching them. Now, who was coming? Her thoughts instantly went to Nicholas Donnelly, the third and the actual enemy who was the root cause of their enmity. After Marcus’s statement, she had started dreading meeting him.

She watched the helicopter as it swooped downwards, flying low over her and whizzing past towards the helipad of the island, ready to land. Alyssa was strangely aware of being watched as the chopper passed by. The sky darkened a little more but she didn’t feel like leaving the water. Swimming had always been her favorite activity and her dad used to call her a water baby when younger.

“Swimming in the storm?” said a deep, husky voice, making Alyssa’s eyes fly open. She had been lost in her own world, thinking about her childhood when her real dad was alive. She gaped at the sinfully gorgeous man who stood at the edge of the pool watching her with hooded eyes. His expensive suit and neat appearance indicated that he had directly come from work or might be straight from a fashion photoshoot! However, it was his ocean blue eyes that had her floored. She was sure they looked familiar but where had she seen them? She couldn’t remember at all!