Away From The Press.

The alarm woke her up, it wasn't the first sound, it was the fifth sound that dragged her out of the bed.

She squinted her eyes and groaned. It had been five days in the penthouse, but she hated how much light she had to see the moment her eyes opened.

Ever since the news scandal, every day seemed like a chore, if it wasn't the blogs or her social media accounts buzzing, it was the paparazzi that followed her.

She had denied the baby belonged to Roman, Zane urged her and she agreed but every time she rubbed her belly, she knew the lie would haunt her.

“I can't take that back, He did me wrong, you will understand some day.” Alessia said as she rubbed her belly, she stood up and decided to stare at the clear skies.

This was her life anyway, her new life. Something caught her eyes, she looked down and flinched, she didn't see a bug- if she had she sure would be glad, instead it was the street below- flooded with paparazzi.

“What the fuck?” She mouthed, she turned her head and realized the street was blocked, there was no going in or out without being seen by the mob.

She walked over to the couch, picked up the remote and turned on the news.

Unsure if it would be streamed live, it was.

“Alessia, We have Questions!”

“Is Zane Wolfe the real father? Or did you lie on national television?”

“Was this an affair before or just sudden?”

Her mouth parted and she gasped, she listened.

“This is insane. I know they aren't at Roman's office camped with their questions, he could be enjoying a heavy breakfast and enjoying this unravel!” She groaned as she sat down, this was defeat.

She stood and paced around, she couldn't leave even if she wanted to, where would she go anyway?

“I can't stay here.” She immediately freshened up and wore a plain tee with baggy jeans, a black cap and a mask too.

She grabbed her phone and headed to the elevator, she called Zane but he wasn't answering the phone.

“Zane, pick up, I want to see Roman. He has to stop this madness. I can't take this anymore.” It went to voicemail, she didn't care anymore.

She pressed the elevator button, but it wasn't empty, so Zane's driver walked out.

“Oh good, you are here.” Alessia said as she wore her glasses, the thick dark glasses that hide her eyes.

“We are going to Roman's office.” She added as she searched her bag, pulling out her lipgloss.

“I am sorry ma'am. Sir Zane said not to leave the building without him, it's too dangerous.” Alessia's shoulders slumped as she heard, two more guards came in from the other elevator.

She was grounded, she turned and went back to the couch, this wasn't what she wanted. She should have jumped off the bridge when she had the chance.

Not this, not watching her life being aired on national television and not without her best friend, Lisa.

She hadn't even told Lisa yet, her best friend since the time she dropped out of college.

Alessia never knew her dad, her mum always called him a deadbeat and that was until four years ago, when her mum died; the doctor said it was heart failure but she always knew that was a lie.

She knew her mother was killed but she had nothing to defend her accusations.

Alessia shook her head, turned off the television, she didn't need any more reminders, what she needed was support and Zane.

*******

“What do you mean my meetings have been cancelled?” Zane asked as he slammed his hands on his mahogany wooden table.

Chase shook and blinked. He gulped, walked closer to Zane and finally he spoke.

“The stocks are dropping, and a journalist from Crown Ledger is offering cash to an audience. He claims that he knows about Belgrave.”

Zane’s eyes widened. This was something that Roman and Zane knew about, and a few other people, the rest were silenced.

“Roman wouldn't dare!” Zane scoffed, biting his lower lip and shaking his head. He exhaled, biting his inner cheeks.

Memories unlocked at the mention of Belgrave but Zane pushed them aside, this wasn’t the place or time.

“If he wants war, he will get war.” Zane muttered as he stood up, he had plans for Roman, plans that stretched out for years, plans that involved Alessia and her baby.

“This is Roman’s doing,” Chase mutters.

“He’s unearthing ghosts.” Zane doesn’t deny it, he stood up and stared outside his glass- walled office, the sight of the city calmed his nerves.

“How is Alessia?” Zane asked as he walked over to his fridge, grabbing the bottle of scotch and pouring himself a drink, Chase adjusted his blue ray glasses as he parted his mouth.

He swallowed and gathered his thoughts. Chase had been running all morning, from the meetings that were cancelled, to checking the stocks that had dipped.

He didn’t care about Alessia, why should he? He was only obligated to Zane, Alessia was someone who barged into their lives, making his job more difficult.

Chase immediately checked Zane voicemails and the messages that her driver had left him, all it took him was a few seconds of swiping around.

He knew Alessia could either make things worse or easier for Zane, she was a walking time bomb.

“We are going to the penthouse, I won’t sit here and allow her to be bullied by the media, make the phone calls.” Zane ordered, Chase adjusted his glasses, rolled his eyes, sighed and got to work.

This was another era of Zane Wolfe being in love.

Zane and Chase immediately headed back to the penthouse, the car ride was silent.

Alessia is waiting. She’s pale but composed.

“I’m done hiding,” she immediately said as soon as she saw Zane.

“Let them take photos. I will wear a crown.” Zane’s gaze hardens.

“No. We’re leaving.” Zane leans in on her, closing the gap between Alessia's breath hitch.

He lifted her chin and made her stare at him.

“I will protect you, okay? The estate is ready. We leave at noon.”

She blinked. “Estate?”

“A place no one will find you.” Zane assured as he walked over to the kitchen.

“No one or someone?” She asked, he raised his brow, they both knew how they were referring too.