ALAYNAThe bed is vast. The ceiling is high, the floor-to-ceiling windows are open and overlooking the city. The walls are bright, the furnishings smell new like wood. There’s a stunning pine tree mural on the wall. The bed is so white, as though inviting me to jump on it.Finally, after so many months of longing, I can have Brandon Lucien all to myself. My breath is shallow, my heart pounding in excitement, and I can’t seem to take my eyes off him.Slowly, Brandon takes off his wristwatch, then he moves over to me to unbutton my blouse. My buttocks touch the bed. He smiles in a heart-stopping way. He is just too beautiful; it makes me feel I don’t deserve all of him. His gray eyes are mesmerizing, his new short beard irresistible. Brandon bends and takes off my shoes. I should’ve gotten to the foot spa. I wonder what he’s thinking.But I watch him continue. His eyes dart to the zipper of my white pants, and he unbuttons them as well. The anticipation is already killing me. After unzi
ALAYNAEleven years ago…“Shut the hell up!” My algebra teacher’s voice reverberated throughout the room of two dozen sophomores. All eyes and attention swung to the front of the class, and next to Mr. Hill was a tall, gorgeous guy. He stood about six feet like my adoptive brothers, Jason and Chris. He had chiseled jaws, dark blond hair, and light green eyes so enthralling you could get lost in them. Yet, he was also so familiar.Mr. Hill cleared his throat. “This is Drake Mallory, and he’s going to be joining us in class starting today.”The murmurings echoed within the classroom were becoming a vibrant noise. I heard my classmate, Phil, sitting at my back, whispering, “Mallory? Mayor Mallory’s son?”“Is that him?” another voice said.“Why is he in our school?”“Oh my gosh. He is freaking hot.”“But isn’t he supposed to be a senior?”I covered my mouth in shock as I remembered. I saw Drake when Dad visited the mayor’s office a long time ago. That was how I knew him! We had only met o
Mom prepared a feast for dinner, which was something she rarely did. Drake Mallory was the mayor’s son, and Dad worked for the mayor, so naturally, she wanted to make a good impression. Currently, it was Dad who was managing—The Mallory Foundation. Dad’s first profession was as a pediatrician and then found his way to helping Mayor Mallory’s vision of assisting foster children in finding a new home and providing them with free medications.Drake wiped his mouth with a napkin delicately and properly placed it back on the table. “Thank you for the delicious dinner, Mr. Hart,” he said politely.“It’s not every day Donovan’s son visits our house,” Dad said, “the first time, actually.”“Yes, sir. I would have come sooner if I knew Mrs. Hart cooks the most excellent food. Better than what our chef cooks, actually.” He smiled, and we caught each other’s eyes. I instantly blushed.“Mommy, I want more cake! I want more cake!” Rosy, my four-year-old sibling, suddenly kicked her feet as she dema
Jason told me Drake’s place was nowhere near our house, but ever since that day in the kitchen, Drake had walked me home every day from school.“Thanks for walking me home again today,” I said as we strolled into our neighborhood, looking at our shadows on the pavement. The sun was setting with a dramatic filter of orange hitting our faces.He smiled. “No problem.”Drake Mallory was a gentleman. He would carry my books when we walked, and he listened diligently to anything I would say. He also smiled a lot and could laugh easily at simple things. We didn’t talk about anything very personal and only discussed important school activities… until the day he showed me his art.“Alayna. I’m going to show you something.” He opened his backpack, drew out a black, thick sketchpad, and then flipped some pages before presenting it to me.He showed me an etched drawing of a beautiful girl with her long fingers brushed on her hair and as though her charcoal eyes were looking straight at me.“You c
NOW“What do you think I should wear? This—” I lift the rose-gold Dior sequined evening dress “—or this?” I show Brandon the black Burberry embellished satin dress.Both dresses were brought by John today and various other glittery versions since Brandon wanted to be sure I was wearing the best. He even had the store owner pick out everything personally and deliver it to the penthouse.He deliberately didn’t tell me because he knew I would oppose. I typically would, but there was no point debating with him now. I have nothing decent to wear, and I won’t go to the art exhibit in Brandon’s arms unmatched by his designer looks.The love of my life looks away from his phone, slipping it back into his pocket, then gazes up at the dresses. He is already immaculately and deliciously dressed in a crisp designer tux.“They’ll both look good on you, I’m sure.” He studies me with the visible desire in his eyes. I have been walking around in dresses in his penthouse all morning.My shoulders fall
“Now, here is what you’re going to do. Give me your phone number, and let’s keep in touch, mm?” Drake pinches my chin, staring straight into my eyes. It was the same eyes I fell in love with all those years ago.I hate it. I hate that I’m still urged to obey him because he will hurt me if I don’t.I clench my fist.I need to resist him.I survived when he left me.It took me so long to gather myself and my sanity. It’s as if he still has this power over me, and the compulsion he used to groom in me is still present, though I prayed for it to stay gone for good.Yet, I find my hand slipping into my purse, and I hand my phone to him with my shaking hands. I shut my eyes.“Shh…” He brushes his thumb on my cheek. “No need to be scared. We have a lot to talk about. I wasn’t always like this, remember?”And he would always say those words to manipulate me.‘I’m a good person, Alayna. I wasn’t always like this. Please don’t give up on me now.’I pucker my lips. My skin shudders as my body dr
“It was a disaster.” Brandon sighs.“What was?”“They were fighting outside,” Brandon explains. “She was screaming her lungs out in Oliver’s face. He’s livid.”“What were they talking about?”“Her family forced her onto the plane, and now, here they are.”“Oh, God. I’d probably be furious too. Are they sure they’re going to marry? Do you know her?”“I know her family. Daphne’s mother is a Dragoumis, but I don’t know much about her. I see her on family occasions. She seemed opposed to their upcoming union too.”“Lovely name,” I comment honestly. “But who would want to marry someone they didn’t love, right? Who wants an arranged marriage these days? It’s too old-fashioned.”“Not in my family.” Brandon exhales. “And it’s not the case anymore with him. Oliver chose this.” He takes my hands and brings my knuckles to his lips. His soft mouth tickles my skin. “Anyway, you look upset. Something happened.”I want to tell him badly that Drake found me, but I’m afraid. I don’t want to keep thing
Eleven years ago…Drake hadn’t spoken to me since the incident with the mayor. He had been quiet the past few days, and not even our classmate could talk to him. He was distant from Jason too, and my brother knew he shouldn’t bother him. I had the urge to approach him since I thought we’d finally become close, but I didn’t want to make anything worse, so I kept my mouth shut.The bell rang after the PE class while Arianna and I went to the girls’ locker to change.“Do you think Drake is okay?” Jenny abruptly asked, interrupting our current conversation.My senses were automatically on high alert after hearing his name.Arianna glanced at Jenny, then pulled her t-shirt off her head. I continued peeling off my tops, trying not to let my curiosity show.“Drake Mallory is transferring to his rightful class if that’s what you’re talking about.” Peach, our class president, joined in. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”“What do you mean?” Mae asked.“I mean, he’ll be a senior starting next week,” Pea