Fifteen Years Later           Alannah was exhausted… Like her body was going to be swallowed by the ground under her feet exhausted. Deeply, utterly, fall-on-her-face exhausted. She also had a feeling of pure accomplishment. The wedding was finally over... thank God! No more endless discussions about cake, and flowers, and the wedding gown and everything else. "If I am ever going to get married, I want none of this. I'll keep it simple... just me and the man I love... if I'll ever find him," she whispered looking around with utter disgust.          With zero regrets, she tossed the slightly wilted red roses and white freesia into the nearest garbage can and then found a chair to rest in for a few minutes. Thank God she was alone at this wedding! No man to take care of, no dancing to be done... no one but her.     

          Alannah awoke, stretching out her arms before daring to look at the clock next to her bed. With a quick glance, she saw it was only seven in the morning and she was a bit disappointed with herself. She knew she’d never be able to get back to sleep, but she’d so hoped she’d sleep until at least nine, maybe even ten.          With frustration running through her, Alannah stumbled from the bed and dragged herself to the bathroom. The long, hot shower woke her in a refreshingly pleasant way, and she scrubbed the rest of the wedding stench from her body.          ‘No more weddings… Not for me…’ she thought          She took her time putting her hair up and applying make-up. She wanted to make her father wait on her for some r

          He watched the emotions flicker across Alannah’s expression. What was that he was seeing? Fear? Anxiety? Apprehension? All three of them and more? The girl was genuinely afraid of something… or someone? Was she afraid of him? Was she afraid of… her father?           ‘Yes, that was it... Her father scared the life out of her just by saying those two words and by using that tone…’ Darius observed.           The fear of her father was obvious, but there was more to her story. There was something just below the surface of all the other emotions. He almost laughed aloud at the thought. He was paying good money to find out more about Alannah Miles. Her father was basically selling her to him.           Darius was starting to think he was the one who’d gotten the bargain

          Alannah stood next to the stretch limo, unsure of how she should say goodbye to her father. She had to bottle the excitement she was feeling at escaping him. He’d probably strangle her on the spot if he knew the extent of her happiness.           She was unsettled about Mr. King’s expectations, though, and couldn’t keep a bit of that from showing through her otherwise stony expression. Still, Alannah couldn’t push away the thought that she was finally getting away from her father. She hoped and prayed she’d never have to step foot inside his house again. “I’d like to speak to my daughter alone for a moment, Mr. King,” Edwin said as the three of them stood beside the sleek car. “Make it quick, Miles. I have an important stop to make before the jet takes off,” Darius said as he glanced at his watch.           A

“I was wondering… What exactly am I supposed to be doing for you, Mr. King?” Alannah asked as they buckled their seatbelts and prepared for take-off.          She wasn’t a fan of flying and hoped he’d at least speak to her, take her mind off the fact that soon they’d be flying over the ocean for the next twenty or so hours. She’d been in awe of his private jet, which had luxuriously soft carpet, a comfortable seating area, two bedrooms, a full-sized bathroom, and a kitchen.          Her father had a company jet, but it paled in comparison to Darius’s. She felt like she’d stepped into a whole other world.“How about calling me Darius for a change?” he said looking at the airstrip.“I’ll try…” she said slowly. “So… Darius… What am I supposed to be doing for