It was 8pm at Monalisa’s mansion when Alora finally came back home.
"Where have you been, I was so worried?" Zoey asked immediately Alora walked in, "I went to the beach, this place was so suffocating, then I went to watch the street dancers, that's why I'm returning by this time" she calmly answered and made to go upstairs. "You sent one of my drivers to the hospital because he followed my orders, you even went out today despite the fact that you were clearly grounded". Monalisa said coming downstairs. "You keep crossing all the limits thinking I will not react right?". She asked, feeling really annoyed. Alora sneered softly and gave her a blank look before speaking up."You want to react? But I mean nothing to you, before you think of reacting, you should first explain who you are to me and how I am related to you and how it gives you the right to interfere in my life!". She yelled, making everyone pause, even the maids. "Auntie Zoey, you can come to my room when you are ready to hear about my day, I just don't get why you would let someone you hate so much bother you". Alora added and tried maintaining eye contact with Monalisa, but Mona quickly looked away making her smile. "See, you can't even look at me in the eyes, you can't even stand my eyes, gosh, why do I even care? I'm outta here". Alora said and ran upstairs, a loud bang was heard signifying that she locked her door. "What are you fools looking at?! Get to work". Monalisa yelled then came closer to Zoey. "Go make her happy". She said while Zoey nodded and ran to Alora's room, Her eyes turned from angry to sad. "I can't stand seeing him in you, I'm sorry". Monalisa muttered and left for her room. An hour later, you could hear loud giggles coming from Alora's room. "Stop laughing ". Alora rolled her eyes and made a cute pout with her mouth but it added to the things making Zoey laugh. "gosh, you must have been so irritated that he even talked to you right?". She asked while Alora rolled her eyes again, "Let's talk about something else, he's just too problematic for me to think about and I'm hoping we don't see each other again". Alora said, "Don't worry, you won't ". Zoey reassured her. They continued discussing, laughing and having a good time. A few hours later, Alora and Zoey already dozed off on her bed. Monalisa stood at the door, she seemed to have been watching them for a while. she walked up to Alora and planted a kiss on her forehead, then she tucked her in and adjusted her pillow, she looked at how Zoey arms were wrapped around her daughter and it made her bite her lips torturously before leaving the room, as she left, one of Zoey's eyes opened, she saw everything but pretended to be asleep, she rolled her eyes before cleaning Alora forehead like she wanted the kiss Monalisa planted to be gone, then she planted her own kiss on her forehead and hugged her tightly, resuming her sleep. ………… Next day "Um, Priyanka, I need you to give Mr Josh the key to the penthouse, yeah, Viva's exquisite Penthouse, he has some buyers that would love to tour around before deciding if they will buy it". Mona said as she came out of her room, she was on a phone call. "I won't be at the office today, I need to oversee the site work at Benson Villa, so make sure to call me one hour before the meeting I have with Mr Sky". She added as she came downstairs, as usual her maids all lined up with her morning coffee, she looked at them and walked away like they didn't make the coffee for her. "Marcus isn't at the office yet, I've tried his number but it's not reachable". Priyanka said over the phone. "I knew he wasn't capable of signing that deal, I'm sure he's chickened out. Just set up the application for a new PA and when I come to the office, a red wine should be brought to me". She chuckled before hanging up the call. "Finally got rid of him, he thinks he's so perfect "Monalisa laughed and got into her car, she remembered reading his resume, she took note that he was three years younger than her. "Why did you make me lie?"Priyanka asked as the call ended to reveal Marcus face, "Chill, yunno I love drama"he winked at her. ………….. [ELITE'S ESTATE] ~Monalisa's mansion Alora sat on the kitchen cabinet, rolling her eyes playfully while Zoey kept talking about all the reasons she shouldn't miss school, she was given two days suspension but she turned it into four. Zoey was making pancakes and they looked appetizing. "Yeah, yeah. I've heard you, I'll go tomorrow with Karen. We planned to leave together, don't worry she's coming tomorrow". Alora said as Zoey fed her some pancakes, then she drank her milk and burped cutely showing she's full. "Fine, I understand, but missing school for two days isn't good for someone who still wants to remain the topper of her class ". Zoey said while Alora groaned, "Auntie, I'm very smart. Even if I don't go to school for a whole month I will still top all my classmates because I always studied ahead," Alora reassured Zoey, making her chuckle. "Yes, miss smartie pants, I trust you but still I can't let you laze around all day so let's go to the library, I'll be your teacher for today". Zoey said while Alora jumped happily. "Yay, this is like home schooling, yippie". She danced around as they both left for the mini library in the building. The library isn't the only thing in the mansion, it has a swimming pool, a basketball court, a large dining hall, infact new rooms are discovered daily... It's really big.Marcus sat in his office, his mind drifting back to the conversation he had with Alora and Karen the previous night. It was about Barry's petition for guardianship. Alora's words echoed in his mind, " Trust me, he doesn't care for me. He's only after my mom's wealth.""But he's rich too". Marcus thought, Karen replied, "Guess, he's just being greedy at this point."Marcus's expression was grim and he was feeling uneasy about the whole thing. He also wants to adopt Alora, so that means Alora can't go with Barry. Just then, his assistant knocked and informed him that the lawyer that he requested had arrived. Marcus nodded and the lawyer walked in. After exchanging greetings, the lawyer settled down and Marcus briefed him on the situation.The lawyer listened attentively, his expression growing serious by the minute. When Marcus finished, the lawyer sighed and said, "This is going to be a tough case. Even if we try to convince the court that Barry isn't eligible to be Alora's guardian,
[Evening, Monalisa's mansion]Karen plans to stay over so that they can read for their tests and Alora is already regretting why she agreed because, she's still pestering her to find out why she decided to come to school, why she's suddenly acting normal few days after her mom's death and why she's suddenly giving the cold vibes to everyone."I'm not hiding anything,Karen. I've gotten over my mom's death, I've cried enough so it's time I move on with my life" Alora shrugged, Karen was still not satisfied."I can't believe that, I know you, Alora. Do you know what you looked like when your mom was kidnapped? And you're expecting me to believe that you're fine now that she's dead. I've known you for years, girl. I'm not buying that". Karen said, Alora sighed, she quickly thought of a way to distract Karen so that they would forget the topic, luckily she found a reason.They were walking around the compound and she's been noticing that there are a lot of maids but there isn't much work.
Zoey bustled around the house, directing the maids as they cleaned and prepared breakfast. She felt a sense of satisfaction, enjoying the power and authority that came with Monalisa's passing. Marcus arrived shortly, as he usually did, to feed Alora before heading to his office. Zoey's face lit up when she saw him, her mind went into fantasy land, where Marcus is her lover.Marcus approached her, flashing a smile but she was lost daydreaming to even notice his presence. "Zoey!" He called out, jerking her back to reality."Are you alright?" Marcus asked, out of concern as he placed a hand on her forehead, Zoey felt a flutter in her chest, as she struggled to compose herself."Yeah, it's just stress." She lied, chuckling awkwardly.Marcus returned his hands to his trouser pocket, his expression neutral. Zoey smiled, trying to regain composure. " Breakfast is ready, Bacon and eggs are today's treat.""Okay, I'll go call Alora." Marcus said, heading towards the stairs. However, he pause
[Kings Mansion]Marcus sat at the dining table, going through his laptop to search for things that could cheer a teenage girl up, no one else was in his mind apart from Alora. Did he cry when he heard of Monalisa's death?---more than required. Did he think of committing suicide?-- immediately but why is he still alive? Because her daughter is alive, he has buried his anger and all the things he planned to do to himself for not watching her very closely and letting a kidnapping happen under his nose. He blames himself greatly and to make up for it, Alora has to be his responsibility. He has seen enough from Barry, that man can't possibly look after Alora.It's now his duty to make Alora happy, help her grow till she's independent. He fancies no other woman apart from her.Even his mom doesn't understand how deeply invested he is into Monalisa.Speaking of his mom, Polaria. She came downstairs, making her way to the kitchen when she decided to peep at what Marcus was doing. She smil
[Zoey's room]Words can't describe how Monalisa's absence feels like a good thing to Zoey. When they returned to New York, she hired all the maids Monalisa sent away with the excuse of still being in shock due to the accident and she has been living like a queen while Alora didn't bother. Alora rarely steps out of her room to know what's happening around her.She just had dinner, watching one of the maids clear the plates in her room. She locked the door immediately after the maid left, picking up her phone to dial a number, Stacia's number."Your royal highness". Stacia laughed and called out, making her giggle."Oh please..." Zoey fanned herself dramatically, cracking Stacia more."Kidnapping Monalisa is the best decision you've ever made, like... should have done this years ago, I feel so free". Zoey laid on her bed happily. "You're finally happy, that's good," Stacia smiled."What about you? How do you plan to get back at Barry?"she asked,Stacia smirked."Slow and steady dear, I
[Nashville City hospital]Barry sat with his head bent, and he tapped his feet worriedly, as he held Alora's hand. She was still unconscious on the bed, though the doctor assured him that she should be up soon.He muttered words, trying to calm himself. Seeing her in such a state is something he had never imagined."Wake up princess, please..." He begged but got no response, he wiped his tears, as he felt a slight movement, his eyes widened. Slowly, Alora opened her eyes, scanning the room and trying to recall how she got there. Then it dawned on her.There was an accident! The car drove towards a tree. Before she lost consciousness,"Mom! Where's my mom?" She asked, trying to get up, but the pains held her down, Barry quickly helped her."You're not strong yet, just lay on your back for now" he said, she still asked."Where's Zoey? My mom too?"A nurse walked in immediately, "Miss Alora, you're awake." She smiled and said."You're a strong girl, don't worry you didn't sustain any ma