Chapter 1 (Series 1) Prologue

Three years ago Hiding through the hallway in saint Anne Hospital, Alissa knew that she won’t have any other chance to run from there if not now. Animals, all of them. She had thought that he was different. After what his tin had done to her, Alissa had believed his kind words and selfless intention. He was no different from his whole family. Tears prick her lids and she sobbed at one point, right beside the fire extinguisher. She leans her back on the wall and falls in tears. Sobbing and crying at her condition, not even the agonizing pain in her tummy after the C-section 3 days ago could stop her body from shaking. Nine intense months of carrying her unplanned babies but she had cherished them so much as she awaits the arrival of her two miracle angels. A boy and a girl, both were promised to her when she had asked the doctor what she was going to have. Not only the Walton’s has taken that from her, every single one of them has made her alone. She has no one now except for the angel wrap in her pink blanket in her arms. What was she going to do? What will she tell her daughter? How will she tell her how her twin brother is dead? Natural death would have made it at least slightly better but it was evil that has taken her son from her. Memories of Alissa’s mother in law shoving her down the staircase when they were alone. She can still feel her anger, the pain of a mother who had lost a son all due to his lust. Why did she blame her? She didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, she was the actual victim. All she did was helping her mother clean his room. It was never her intention to wear a knee-length dress. It was never her fault she was dressed to entice, so to say. It was just a second-hand dress her mom has gifted her but she still chose to help her clean the house her mom worked at as a maid. Clarke made her fear men. Rich men who bore the lust of an animal. Tearing her precious dress off of her body even when she had begged him to stop. Her eyes became blurry as she felt his lips trailed down her exposed back and sweat drip from his body to her every time he forces himself on her. She remembers how she felt her hair was ripped from her head in a bloody chunk and scratches with bruises marked her body. Being held face down and having no mercy from the man she barely knew. Man who had been nice to her every time she had come to visit her mother. Her 18th birthday became a nightmare the moment she chose to leave her shabby flat to help her single mother just so they could spend her birthday earlier. His cruel words played in her ear while being held facedown, “Happy birthday, angel.” His breath stinks of alcohol since he just drank after a fight he had with his dad. His clammy hands grabbing her thighs as he pushes wide to spread her apart and defiled her as she cried for mercy and help that never came. As soon as he finished doing his inhumane deed, Alissa still lie face down on the bed and sob. Her body was in pain and she can feel his release flowing down her thighs. Surely her blood would be there too since she was a virgin and it broke her heart to know her first time was taken harshly. She hears his jeans were pulled quickly and strings of curses left his lips as he quickly leaves the room. Not a word of sorry or any effort to help her. Him leaving his room in a rush attracts the maid’s attention and when Miss Willow, an elderly lady in her fifty enters, her scream was the only sound she heard before Alissa passed out. Alissa’s daughter cries woke her from her thoughts. Her eyes were closed and her wrinkly hand was making a grabby motion at her. Probably hungry or cold, she didn’t know but one thing for sure, they weren’t safe there. As long as the Walton’s are still there, she would be a goner. She had to leave. The sound of alarm breaking the silence of the hospital made her shocked and her baby cried even more. The sound of heavy rain hitting the building can be heard loudly from the inside. Alissa crawl near a curved part of the wall next to her to avoid detection. Doctors and nurses running around the building as they search for Alissa made her terrified even more. They would drag her back to the room filled with the evil family. She didn't want that. The fact that her son was killed by the matriarch of this family hurts her but there was nothing that she can do. Quickly she covers her daughter’s face and ran as fast as she could till she found the door to the basement. Peaking at whatever around her, she ran for her life until she steps on the street and walks till her feet reaches a bus stop. The cries of her baby pound her head and her feet were swollen and all scratched from the road. Her body wet from the rain and the chillness of the night sky causes her to shiver so she wrapped her bundle of joy tightly against her chest so she wouldn’t feel what her mommy is feeling. When a bus finally shows up behind her, she enters the bus slowly with the driver ignoring her existence, not an ounce of care for the woman donning a hospital robe and just stare ahead. Limping to the end of the bus, Alissa sat on an empty seat and a sigh of relief escape her lips when the bus starts to drove away. She turns her head back and in her chest, she whispers the words of goodbye to her past, her pain, her precious mother and the cruel life she has left behind. Time to start a new. ... After three years “Are you sure you have brought all the documents with you, Lisa?”“One. hundred. percent. Trust me.” Alissa answered with a smile. One hand holds documents while another was fixing her hair which falls softly like a waterfall and curled at the end. She noticed that her caramel brown hair has grown fast and debated whether to cut the thick strands even though she was already liking the length. She did rock shoulder-length hair all her life so why not try something new? Her boss, Gregory aka the man who had asked her to dinner twice now is tapping his feet nervously, looking all worried to face the new company delegation visiting their company. She was picked out among her colleagues when Gregory partner called in sick and couldn’t be present. All the documents she was supposed to carry was left on his partner’s table so all she had to do is take it and meet the visitor in question. Alissa was nervous herself but it was too late to pull back now. She took a deep breath and continue to stare at herself through the reflection from the elevator‘s wall. Her make-up was applied in a simple yet elegant way. Cherry pink lips with her thick lashes accentuate her green eyes. Her white blouse with a frilly front works well with her fitting black skirt which tends to drag itself a bit above her knee. “I don’t know, Lisa. I’m just scared. What if we are not fully ready and make an ass out of ourselves. These are not just any other people. It’s the Walton! We can’t mess up!” Her hand holding her ponytail stops and she quickly turned to her boss, “W..Walton?’ Gregory turn to her and raised an eyebrow, “Yeah. Walton. You know them?” She gave a burst of nervous laughter and turns back. Surely the name Walton is just a common name. She had travelled so far from where she had grown in until she arrived in New York and finally started her new life. Surely the Walton that she is going to meet is just another gentleman with the same name and not THE man who had haunted her nightmares. Stepping out of the elevator, Alissa walks out with her head held high. The floor she was in was filled with her superiors, people more powerful than her and the last thing that she wanted to do is to show how fragile or lightweight she was, how easy it is to take advantage of her. To earn their respect, she made sure to be and feel more confident and careful with the way she acts around them. Following Gregory, she couldn’t see where they were going since Gregory was taller and went to the gym regularly so his buff exterior wasn’t helping. When they enter what seems to be the meeting room, she hears Gregory spoke with such joy in his voice and walk faster to the man in front of him. “Daniel! It’s so nice to see you!” Alissa stops in her track and her eyes widen at the sight across her.

Chapter 2 Chapter One : Meeting Mr. Walton

Daniel didn’t seem to notice Alissa as he quickly hugs Gregory but when his eyes landed on hers, it was open wide in shock and his mouth was slightly open, revealing his perfect sets of porcelain white teeth. Alissa stood there, frozen to the ground. She couldn’t move her body and continue to stare at the sight in front of her. His dark blonde hair was still the same as it has always been when they were a kid. His perfect nose, his bright blue eyes, five o'clock shadow with his pretty lips has matured like fine wine, making him turn into a greater adult version of himself and his father. Daniel Vann Walton. Even his name exhumes wealth. He has his mother’s features. Greek features and his father’s blue eyes. The word handsome has nothing against him. He was absolutely gorgeous. “Alissa?” He spoke of her name. His voice sends a lightning thrill down her nerves. He moves closer to her but Alissa responded by moving backwards. Her body shivers but seeing Gregory concerned stare resting on her, she took a deep breath and tell herself to calm down. She moves closer to him and nodded, offering her hand and hold his. Like thousands of bugs crawling all over her body, Daniel’s face which mirrored his other half except for Clarke's dark brown hair scares her. That very face is always present in every dream she has and every tear she had shed. “Hello, Mr Walton. My name is Alissa and I will be accompanying Mr Gregory for the meetings.” Daniel frowned at her words and tried to speak more but Gregory stops him. “Now, now. Why are we all standing here? Alissa, Daniel, come take a seat. They’ll be serving refreshment after this so come on.” Gregory, like a kid who has never meet his friends for years, pulls Alissa and Daniel in each arm to sit. Talk about awkward, she wanted the floor to swallow her. It didn’t help with Daniel continuously staring at her and making her nervous. Good, God! ... It has been three long and devastating years since Daniel has last seen Alissa. No more was the shabbily dressed girl with her messy short hair who now sat across him in the board room. He can't help but stare at her, astounded by her maturity, blossoming into a fine young woman. Not that she wasn't beautiful before but the way she looks now is like she was trying to put out a statement. Daughter of an illegal immigrant married to a local man, Alissa looks nothing like it. Her eyes, good God, her green eyes that contrast her fair skin. Caramel-brown hair no doubt from her mother cascades down her back like silk. From how she was fidgeting in front of him and trying to avoid his eyes shows how much she does remember him as he had remembered her. No surprise there since they are both legally husband and wife. Though their union was not based on love, his little dove have always brought a smile and warmth inside his chest. Was it her innocence or her humble personality that attracts him to her? He didn't know but one thing for sure, she belonged to him and he has a paper with a family priest to prove it. Well, pastor Jacob isn't too fond of the arrangement but being his uncle, he felt pity towards the child she was carrying at the moment. Being a Walton, it was necessary that the child must be legitimate and not born out of wedlock. Pride is the number one thing his parents would sacrifice their lives for. Including making sure his twin brother not getting punished for his mistake. Seeing how petite Alissa had look now, he is still shocked at how Clarke would be so cruel to hurt her but he wasn't that surprised by his deeds. Daniel and Clarke is the opposite of each other. While Daniel is all about study, hard work and achieving success, Clarke has always been the life of party and made sure Daniel would be the one to cover up for all his mistakes. When news broke out in the family of Clarke's crime, his father had forced him to marry Alissa to make sure the baby she carried won't be illegitimate as soon as Clarke left town. His father, a strict and proud billionaire could have easily look for his brother but his need to shut the news quickly due to the upcoming election forces him to cover for Clarke's mistake. He never wanted to do that at first but when he had visited Alissa four months after the attack, she looked so broken and so small with her small tummy curved as she holds the next heir of Walton's fortune. After marrying her, he has mostly ignored her existence because a part of him was awkward and she was not allowed to leave his home with the fear of paparazzi disturbing them. Thinking about her child made his stomach drop. All eyes were on the man presenting in front of them but Daniel's eyes were glued on Alissa. His thoughts return to her baby, the poor child who he had seen after Alissa had to be cut open when she fell from the stairs. His nephew didn't survive and the news didn't sit well to her. She had disappeared from the hospital a few days after her surgery and how she had survived the trauma from the loss and pain was shocked. Most of all, when her mother had killed herself due to depression, it became the last news that has set her fate. Away from his fucked up family. Yet again, she had run because he had misunderstood her and say horrible things to her. You are nothing but a cheap whore that had taken advantage of my brother and scream rape. Trash like you should rot. Leave, I never want to see your face again. The things he said was spoken out of anger but it was no excuse for once he realised the whole truth, he had run to her but things took a drastic turn. Now here he is, after three long years, meeting her and he knows that it was a sign from God. It was time to mend his mistakes. When his partner, Umar touch his shoulder, he turned abruptly and see his lips moving, whispering to him that it was his turn to stand and give a word or two. Daniel nodded and stand up to stand in front of everyone. He also took a peek at Alissa who nervously played with her pen and push her hair behind her ear. He chuckled softly. She was nervous about him and it made him happy for God knows why. "Good day everyone. As you all may know, I am here to represent Walton's Publishing in regards to this merger between our two companies. Starting from today, we will be known as Walton & Ross in which I am very happy and very excited to announce after years of doing this and it gives me great pleasure to be here today and launch this simple yet important meeting. I wish nothing but the best to all teams. Thank you again and I hope that we can all work together to achieve the same goals. That is all I have to say and I wish you all the best of luck." Daniel ended his speech and he was served with a huge round of applause in that room. Everyone was already well aware of the news and all seem content by what has been discussed earlier except for him since he was distracted by a certain someone. ... "You done jotting down everything?" Gregory asked while packing his stuff. "Yeah, almost done. I got to go to the washroom after this so you can go down first. I'll be with you in a sec." Gregory nodded and walked by Walton's employee next to him and heading towards the door. Alissa can feel a glare glued behind her back. She was also aware of who is staring at her at that moment. "Where are you going?" He asks without looking at her. "Excuse me?""You can drop the act, Lisa. No one is here.""I beg to differ, Mr...Walton. I hardly know you and I find it weird you are speaking so casually towards me when I have never seen you before." He grinned, " Playing dumb I see? Moments like this makes me miss the little girl, so timid and innocent and easier to speak with than the girl who thinks she can make a fool out of me. She gasped, " How dare you speak to me this way? Who do you think you are_" He moves closer and made sure they were close, " You damn well know who I am, wife . Or have you forgot such important info after years of running away?" She felt tears in her eyes and turns to walk away when a hand grab ahold of her arm. She felt her body being pulled back into a hard chest. She can feel the hard surface behind her and it made her blush. "I have missed you so much, wifey. You and me, we have so much to talk about and I can't wait to go into details." His playful tone made her body grew cold. Her strength was deteriorating and she panicked. He noticed it too so Daniel releases her and tries to apologise but Lisa had already run away and left him all alone. His whisper with gruff tone was the only thing that fills her mind. The exact voice of the man who had wronged her years ago. One thing for sure, she would never forget his voice. It will forever be embedded in her nightmares. "Happy birthday, angel."

Chapter 3 Chapter Two : Sweet dreams

Taking a taxi from work was not a good idea at all. She had always tried to avoid those leeches in New York since they tend to charge people with a ridiculous amount of bills and she would have taken a subway train home to her apartment if it wasn't too late. It wasn't luxurious. It was just a simple 3-bedroom apartment with great neighbours that has always been nice to her. When she opens the lock to her door, she was greeted by a scream of an angel. Alissa smiled when a girl with long blonde hair jump to her when the door was open. Her front teeth have gaps and her smile with her green eyes, the only thing she got from her mother was all sparkly and beautiful contrasting her fair skin. Her pink Barbie nightdress with long sleeves looked so adorable on her. "Baby!" Alissa giggled as she hugs her daughter closer to her chest. "Momma! You home! You home!" She spoke in her babyish voice. Alissa puts her down and kneels to her height, "Guess what I have brought for you?" Alissa teases her by roll her eyes to her left insinuating she was holding something behind her back. "Ish that a faiwy?" Alissa scrunch her face and smiled, "Why would you think I'll bring you a fairy, baby?" Hope smiled and bit her lips, "Because I wove faiwy. You bwing a faiwy, mama?" Alissa chuckled and take out a box wrapped with glittery pink paper and a ribbon on top. "I sure have a smart daughter don't I?" Hope cheered and screamed her heart out. She starts to jump and celebrate her new gift, leaving Alissa at the door and goes to her room. Alissa just smiles at her and seeing how she was stress the whole day; Hope's smile never fail to put her back in good mood. Sarah, her neighbour's daughter enter the hallway while wiping her wet hand on the apron she was wearing. Her curly brown hair with blonde highlights was put in a bun and even in a messy look, she was still so beautiful and well known in her college, at least that's what her mouthy left neighbour said every time she approaches her when she sweeps outside of her house. "Hiya, Alissa. How was job today?""Oh, it's all good. A bit tiring but Hope always know how to put me in a good mood. How is she today?" Sarah smiled and just shook her head, "A bit livelier than usual but that’s cuz' the new Tinkerbell movie just came out. She was obsessed.""Huh, then that toy that I just bought for her must've times all that happiness. ""Definitely. What was it you bought for her?""What do you think?" She smirked while helping Sarah clean up the living room that is filled with many toys on the floor and used plates on the table. A happy scream from the room next to them made both women laugh. "I don't think she'll be sleeping tonight," Sarah said. "Lucky me. By the way, this is for you." Alissa reaches out to her handbag and passed rolled-up money to Sarah who was shocked by the amount. "You giving me this? Oh, Alissa, it's too much.""It's not. I heard your graduation was two days ago so here's a bit extra for you just to congratulate you. Take it. You deserve it since you have been such a good friend to Hope." Sarah bit her lip and take the money. She was trying to control her excitement and it ended up making her smile even more and Alissa laugh. "I can take it from here. Just go ahead and lock the door will you?" Sarah nodded and fold the apron she was using on the kitchen tabletop. Alissa sighed in the living room. It's a mess so she decides to clean everything up before taking a bath and eat her dinner that was prepared by Sarah earlier. ... All that seems to take some time since once she enters Hope's room, Hope is already asleep with her Tinkerbell doll in her arms and she was on the floor, lying on the furry carpet with all her toys around her. Her light pink room was small and simple but it was pretty. Alissa carry her daughter to the bed and laid her to sleep on it. Pulling Hope's blanket on her petite body makes her smile. Her only child slept in peace without any worry from the ugly world they are living in. She laid next to her and gently tap on her thighs. Humming a lullaby that seems to make her daughter smile in her dreams. Her infectious smile from the day she was born seems to calm her. Nevertheless, there was a sense of hollowness in her chest that made it difficult for Alissa to be fully at peace. In Hope's small bed, Alissa could imagine a young boy her age. Perhaps a boy with blonde hair like Hope or a boy with brown hair like Alissa herself. She didn't know how a twin like a relationship works but it must be a special one. Alissa was surprised to find herself imagining Daniel's face. Was it because how Hope had looked like him instead of Clarke who was his identical twin? Meeting him today was a shock and not how she had imagined it to be It was odd that a rich person like him have never found her and from his reaction, Daniel never did know where she had gone off through. Tears fall from her eyes thinking back to how she is in this current situation. She believes that it was due to her failure as a mother and a daughter. The memory of her mother crying herself to sleep next to her in the Walton's mansion had always broke her heart. She was put on bed rest and wasn't allowed to leave her room after her attack. The incident has already shamed Daniel's parents and the fact that they were blaming her for provoking Clarke made things worse. ... 3 years ago Her body all bruised up especially in her inner thigh area made her feel shameful. Her tears had already dried on her cheek but other tears threaten to fall when her devastated mother sat next to her with her upper body rest on the bed she was in. She felt her lower body ache and sore from Clarke's forcing himself on her. Her skull felt painful as well and it troubled her every time her head rest on the pillow. The door to her room was slammed open and Dinah and William, both Daniel and Clarke's parents enter. While Dinah looked furious, William seems to be more in control of his emotion but deep down, Alissa knows how much he hated her. Alissa's mother woke up and quickly stand beside her daughter. "What is it, sir? Maam?" She spoke in a slight Spanish accent. Dinah wanted to speak but William steps forward and says, "We can't find Clarke. Last news was him leaving the country.""What?" Erika, Alissa's mother raised her voice, "You are looking for him, aren't you?""I'm afraid not, Erika. Clarke, he's a smart boy. He knows that I will track him back to where he is so he has already withdrawn all his cash and hide himself.""Then you must do something! Your son has hurt my daughter! She was innocent and he had hurt her. My poor baby, it was her birthday and he..." Alissa starts to cry when she sees Erika had covered her face to cover her own cries. "Momma...""Enough! Your whore of a daughter must’ve seduced my son and when she couldn't take it, she tried to leave after provoking him to that extent! You dare to request from us?" Erika cries harder and huddles next to Alissa who had hugged her. Even in pain, it didn’t matter to her when her mother is hurt so she holds her closer and prayed to be left alone. "Darling, that is enough," William said in a stern tone. Dinah bit her lip and back away. William moves closer to Alissa's bed, staring deeply into her eyes. William, a mogul in his state was well known by many. His thick salt and pepper hair used to had deep brown strands that were much similar to Clarke while Daniel fits more of his mother with her blonde hair. William wore a thick beard which became a great photo image for his election ads and campaign, a face that appeals to the public as a family man and hard-working 'sir' especially deep in Texas, but right at that moment, it looks so cold. "Here's the thing. I know my son is at fault and I can assure you, he won't do it again. I ask that the two of you to keep it hush and I'll make sure to treat you with enough savings to keep yourself alive till the end. Will that settle everything?""You are joking, right? You expect me to keep quiet when your son raped my daughter?" William smirk, "It's a simple matter, Erika. My son became rough and accidentally hurt your daughter. Surely you know how sex can be a bit...messy. With how your daughter looks like, even I'm shocked she is still a virgin." Erika became so furious that even in her tears, she starts to curse at him with all the worst things he could think of in Spanish. William rolled her eyes and turn his gaze at Alissa. "If I were you, Alissa, I'll make sure to keep this matter private. You know, seeing your mother is not well. We don't want anything that happens here to affect her, right?" Alissa's eyes widen. He was using the fact that Erika has breast cancer. His threatening gaze was so evil. Alissa was so angry. She was devastated to be in such a situation. "Would you leave us for a minute, Erika? I need to speak with your daughter. ""Like hell, I'll allow any of you Walton's dog near my daughter!""Momma!" Alissa shouted. Erika turns to her in shock. Alissa put on a little smile. "Just for a moment, momma. Please.""Baby...""I'll be fine. You're near. Nothing bad is going to happen. just go." Erika hesitates but after a few seconds, she left feeling dejected with Dinah that gave her a hateful glare before leaving. Once the door was closed, William approach her and smiled. "You must be that good to push my son to commit a crime that could potentially make him lose all his inheritance." Alissa closes her eyes. Her blood is boiling in her chest and she wanted to scream at this man for justifying his son's action. What is wrong with this family?? "You mention my mother. Surely you are not doing what I think you are?""It's simple early. I am a sensible man. What my son did is bad. I'm not stupid to know that and calling the cops to imprison him is the right thing to do but my election means more to me than all these silly matters.""My mother told you didn't she? How I was a virgin? And your son took that from me. He wasn't just rough ! Even when I cried he never stops and leaves like I was some doll he can treat like garbage. I am not a rich person, not well respected like you or by your community Mr Walton but I know that I don't deserve any of this. Threatening my mother is a horrible way of convincing me to stop reporting this to the cops.""That is true but you see, I can do whatever I want. Unlike you, I can just hide this all away without a second thought about your feelings but as I said, I am a sensible man. I have an offer." Alissa kept quiet and just stare at him angrily. "I will give you a million dollars to go on with your life. Besides, even if in court, you would never get your hands on this kind of money and I can assure you, your mother will be taken care of till the end of her days. Full medical help and a good life for your own.""And if I say no?""Your mother will have no money nor any job to keep her sustain. It wouldn't be fun for you either. As I said, I am a wealthy man and I can just make you two disappear with a snap of my finger. Plus, Erika is illegal right?" Alissa's eyes widen in fear. "I hit a nerve, didn't I? Good. so take my offer or the first thing I'll do is sent your mother away. Understand, Alissa?" She looked down at her fingers gripping tightly to her blanket. She didn't know what to do. Even her own father wasn't here to help her and nowhere to be found. She was all alone and left with no choice. Her mother was everything to her. With a heavy heart, she nodded and William took that as a cue to leave the room. Before he takes out his phone, her words made him stop. "What if I'm pregnant?" William turns back. his eyebrow was pulled down altogether. Alissa understands now that even he had forgotten about the consequences of what his son had done. "He didn't use a condom?" Alissa shook her head. "I was a virgin. I have never... He did it inside of me and because you refuse to bring me to the hospital..." She let her words trailed off and his face was turning red. "It's just one time. If getting pregnant was that easy, Dinah would be having more kids by now but sadly, it wasn't meant to be.""That's why I ask, what IF I get pregnant?""Then I will deal with it. You just need to keep your mouth shut." She nodded as her head bowed down to stare at her finger. William wasn't done as he approached her closer and a pull on her hair made her flinched and groan in pain. "Listen here you whore, you don't deserve to carry any of my heirs. My blood won't be soiled by the likes of you. And if you are pregnant, know that if it is indeed my heir, I will take him from you. I have been nothing but nice to you so mark my word, you test my patience, I'll make sure to wipe off your existence. Got it?" She nodded hysterically as she bit her lip to stop herself from crying out from the pain. It's bad enough he was clutching the area where Clarke had ripped her hair from. He shoved her head away, causing her to almost fell off the bed and cried softly when the room to her door was closed. .... That nightmare, till now has never gone away. Alissa sighed and she turned to see her sleeping daughter. William told the truth. The vow to take her child away from her and his wife was made true. Because of him, Alissa had lost every good thing her old life has to offer. He had taken her mother from her and if she hadn't run off with Hope three years ago, she would've lost her too. She wipes off the tears threatening to fall from the edge of her eyelids. She huddles closer to Hope and inhales her sweet berry perfume from the fairy princess cologne bottle she had bought for her. Hope always spray the pink liquid cologne all over her body after shower and though it was a cheap product, it does have a long-lasting effect. She closes her eyes and falls into a deep sleep, praying for a sweet dream that would fill the darkness that still inhabiting her dream.

Chapter 4 Chapter Three : Intermission

3 years ago "No. I won't agree to this and you can't make me." Daniel tries to stand up but his father pushed him down and point his finger at his face. William Walton is no doubt an intimidating man but once you grew up past your 20s and basically built better than your old man, Daniel would have no problem pushing William down. For some additional kick, he might just kick his old man in the guts for all the pain and frustration he causes him. Too bad. He knew that he was better than William. Better as in more in touch with his humane side and knew that if he were to try and hurt his father physically like his father use to do to him growing up, he would have lifelong guilt following him for the rest of his lives. "You listen here boy, you owe me for everything I have done for you. Without me, you'll have nothing." He hisses through his teeth, making Daniel laughed. "Oh, dad. You are using that line on the wrong twin. I won't be responsible for what Clarke did. In fact, why in the world are you forcing me or even want him to marry her for his crime. He should be rotting in jail for what he did!""Baby, please. We don't have to do this. We can always get rid of that bab_" Dinah was thrown to the floor as her husband landed a strong slap on her cheek. Daniel stood up and push his father hard and with how he almost towers his old man, William staggers to the back and rage mask his face. "Fucking bitch, you try to erase my bloodline. You speak of such idiocy again, I'll do worst.""And you do that to mom again, I'll fucking end your life got it? I'm not some kid you can ignore like you did when I was a teenager. I'm not marrying her and that's final." William got up to his face and start taunting him, "You sure about that,  boy? You sure you want to defy me?""As I said, I'm not some kid you can taunt. In fact, let me help you with your problem. I'm going to the cops after this and tell 'em what Clarke did. You know, with the white supremacy and 'me too' shit going on now, I can assure you that people will believe Alissa just fine. "  He answers his father with a grin. After helping his mother to sit, Daniel was about to leave when his father drops a bomb on him. "You do that, boy, I'll make sure Alissa is wiped off from the end of this earth. Including that illegal mother of hers." Daniel turns his head. Disgusted by what his father had just said but he couldn't show him how affected he was by what William had said. " And why would that scare me?" William chuckled. He got near to his face and continues. " You, my son has always had that soft side inside you that made you slightly stupid compare to Clarke. I know how much you care for sweet Erika but trust me on this, you tell anyone about this and put our family's name in jeopardy, I will make both of them disappear. I can do that  boy and I will." Daniel glared at him, shock and disappointment merge at once. He knew that Daniel has always cared for Erika. Her kindness, strong dedication and always being a great supporter when it comes to his studies and probably spent more time with him than his own parent made it easy to care for the maid. He had found out about her immigration status a few years back but it didn't change the love he had for her. In fact, it was never a problem or an issue. Her beauty and kindness practically made it not even the last thing probably something he would never think about at all. When he heard about what Clarke had done to her daughter, Alissa, he was ashamed and angry and disappointed with his younger twin. He didn't have the heart to meet Erika seeing how he and Clarke was an identical twin with just slightly different features. He even visited Alissa secretly and seeing what his brother had done, he wanted to find Clarke so badly and kill him himself. He had known Alissa a few times and it was when she would accompany her mother to clean his backyard and at the kitchen. She was beautiful in the most natural of ways compared to the women he met in school. She wore no makeup and her silky, thick brown hair was cut to her shoulder length. Her green eyes contrasted her fair skin and her lips were almost a crimson red as if she had worn a lipstick the brightest shade of red. He didn't fail to notice how appealing her body was. Despite wearing oversize clothes and none too stylish, her body was gorgeous. Just the right amount of hourglass figure and a curvy waist that fits perfectly with her perfect breast. His cheek always ends up bright red when he thought about her like that. How can he, she was a Latin goddess that looked like young Brooke Shield. Her daughter more likely and the fact that his brother had defiled her in the worst kind of way and now left him pregnant, he couldn't face the family anymore. "You wouldn't be that cruel.""I would burn this fucking house if that my heir will be born as an illegitimate. Understand this, my pride is my everything. Worth more than you or your brother. I refuse to have my bloodline removed or born out of wedlock especially to a dirty girl with a low-status background. You marry her and make sure her baby is safe before we'll take it from her in which I'll allow you to divorce her after that or you get out of my life and I'll make sure both woman's existence will be gone. If you get the drill." His father was right. He didn't want to sound full of himself saying how kind he was but he couldn't bear to see an innocent mother being treated like that. His father was a psycho. A crazy man with an old dictator mindset and growing up with him wasn't easy. If this was Clarke's way of pissing him off, he succeeds but unlike any other time, he had chosen to betray Daniel and left him to clean up for his mess permanently. "So what's it going to be boy?" .... Three years ago was the day Daniel have said I do. Three years ago was one of the toughest times he had ever gone through. Being forced into a marriage to save two innocent women after his family's cruelty was exhausting. It seems that his sacrifice was half put to waste when Erika died after committing suicide believing that her existence has affected her daughter for, like him, William threaten her and use her mother against her. Sitting on his office chair glaring outside his window on the 30th floor was very satisfying. His huge glass window takes over every inch of his wall. It's been years since he had left his family and started his own company. It's not just a dream he had planned for years but a way to prove to his father that he can succeed on his own. Though his last name was the main contributor, he made sure that he started from scratch to finally, a company that he had spent his blood, sweat and tears to bring to the top. A meeting with Alissa's company and meeting her herself was like a punch to his gut. She has grown so beautiful and that same innocent girl before Clarke's violent attack. She was stunning and it took his breath away. He scolded himself for intimidating her but he can't help it. He hungers for her and he wanted her. He understands tho that she does belongs to him legally as they are still married and technically, they have never divorced since she ran away from the hospital three years ago after her accident. Guilt washes over his face knowing it was partly his fault when he had misunderstood her and left her in the clutch of her mother. Daniel never knew that criminal activity in his family was hereditary from his father, a corrupt mayor, his brother the rapist and now his mother, the unborn baby killer. Their doctor friend who was in charge of saving Alissa started to hate them and stay away from them after what happen since only he knows about how the baby died and refuse to let them know where Alissa went, claiming he didn't know. Even though his mother had regretted it and was ashamed of herself for accidentally pushing her off the stairs in anger, it wouldn't change anything. Throughout their marriage, Alissa's mother committed suicide after seeing Alissa's badly treated day his family when he wasn't around. Putting the ugly memories behind him, he decides that he want to start anew. He never felt his heartbeats that fast seeing her before but now, it's like a horse galloping inside his chest. Was it the way she was all nervous around her or the redness of her cheek when he surrounds her? One thing is for sure, Alissa was attracted to his charm. He wasn't stupid to not know how handsome he was since he carries his mother greek features more than his father. He took his phone and made a call. A grin took over his face knowing the thing he is planning to do to have Alissa's close to him. "Hey, Gregory. It's Daniel. Yeah, I have a favour to ask you. Remember I told you how my secretary is on maternity leave right? Mm, yeah! That's right. I need your help because I have someone in mind to help me with that..."

Chapter 5 Chapter Four : Temptation

Heading into the office was like any other day for Alissa. Greeting everyone in her pathway, going to the pantry and get herself a hot cup of coffee and just sat in her space and keep her mind calm and peaceful before go on with her day. After leaving Hope with Sarah, she felt calm knowing she was in her great care. However, the memory of meeting Daniel wouldn't stop taking over her thought. He was everywhere and last night, she even had a dream about him. It was such a weird almost erotic dream where she was laying on her bed in a room that seems to be surrounded by clouds and bright lights. She would think that she was in heaven and out of nowhere, Daniel strut into her bedroom in his white loose shirt and white pants. His messy blonde hair with his trimmed beard made him look like a modern Greek God. He was so handsome and his body, Jesus, he was built like the men in the Avengers movie. She remembered clearly how Daniel, in her dream was going towards her, standing in front of her bed, and gave her the heart-melting grin. He just stands there looking at her like she was some kind of a meal. She just lay there with a surprised face and her thin nightdress made her feel bare to his gaze. Before the dream got to escalate with him touching her the way that she had hope, she woke up with the sound of Hope crying so she rushed and take care of her sweet daughter. She sigh. Later, she suddenly became annoyed. What are you doing, Alissa? Why would you want to have that dream continue? Are you crazy? For a moment there, his dreamy eyes made her forget about what his family had done to her. The hell they had put her through and if it wasn't for Hope, she would have probably join her mother in the afterlife. That was how much she was affected by the whole ordeal. Pushing her mug to the side, she was about to switch on her laptop when Gregory spoke to her. She tilted her head and gave a short cry. "Oh my God Gregory! Why do you sneak up on me like that? You could have given me a heart attack.""Sorry about that, Lisa. You know me. My good looks always get the ladies in the most mysterious of ways." He nods his brow and Alissa rolled her eyes. Yeah right "What do you want? I'm about to check all the inboxes from Simons Co. " She was staring at her laptop for a long time until a name caught her attention. "What did you say?" She shifts her eyes towards Gregory. "I said, starting from tomorrow and for 3 months, you will be in the top-level and become Mr. Daniel Walton's secretary while he is on maternity leave. Mr handsome thinks you are impressive yesterday and wants to work with you.""What are you, crazy? I barely spoke to the guy let alone show how 'impressive' I was. I don't want to be his secretary or anything he has to offer." Gregory sighed, "I don't know about any of that, Lisa but you working close to him will be great for this company. If you can keep a close relationship with him, you might never know, other than the partnership, he would probably give us extra donations for future projects if you could, I don't know, charm him with that emerald eyes of yours." He winks at her. Alissa's eyes widen, "You want me to seduce him? Okay, I know now you are crazy. You can ask anyone here but me, okay? I love my office, I love my space and as much as you are just being a dick right now, I prefer working with you like him." Gregory crossed his arms, "What's up with you and Daniel? You act as if you know him? Ex-boyfriend or something?" More like husband "I don't okay. He's just...I just don't feel like leaving my post plus I have many things to settle here so please, give it to someone else." She pleaded to him but it didn't seem to work. "No can do, Lisa. He wants you and no one else. Besides, it's only for three months and it will all end well not only for you but for the company as well. Jessica will handle all your work from now on plus she needs that extra pay for her upcoming wedding. See, you're doing something good that could benefit everyone.""And how does it benefit me?" Alissa glare at him. "Lisa, darling. The company gets higher pay, you get a higher salary. Plus I know how you're planning to buy a car, don't you? I'll back you up on that if you help me this time.""How the hell did you know I'm trying to buy a car?" Gregory pointed his finger towards a picture of Alissa’s dream car, the Nissan 2020 Pathfinder. Well, it wasn't like a big deal of a car but she actually helped out with  Gregory when they were visiting another company and one of the managers offers to send them home and the moment she step into her dream carriage, she was in love and could imagine having her and Hope sitting there. She looked up at Gregory and bit her lip, "You sure? Just for three months?" Gregory holds his hand to his chest and says, "Cross my heart and hope to die. You won't regret this, Alissa." She sighed. She was already regretting it right now. ... It was bad enough she was told to become her husband's new secretary, Alissa was told to pack up her things that instant since Daniel need a secretary at that moment. She taps her shoes repeatedly in the elevator while carrying her bag with her laptop inside and a couple of boxes of her things to her new space. She notice the old lady behind her was becoming annoyed by her tapping so she stops and smiled at her. Didn't seem to work since she was being ignored and when the elevator door open, the old lady quickly limps away and she too steps outside of the same floor with her. She sighed about 50 times today seeing how exhausted she was. Physically and mentally. She took a deep breath before heading towards the office at hand. Alissa steps into the hallway and a few more steps bring her to a huge office space filled with so many people looking so busy and barely have time to greet her. She just move faster to the room with the glass door. She enters and inside the room was another door with a translucent glass wall and a wooden door. She took a deeper breath this time and knock on the door. "Who is it?" The voice she was all too familiar with. "I...It's me. Alissa Pere. I'm your new secretary." Ugh, she even hated saying that. A long silence fills the air between them so when Alissa thought that she would be ignored, she was about to leave until the door was open so quickly making her flinched at the strong air. Her eyes widen to see Daniel in a light blue shirt and his sleeves were rolled up, displaying his huge arms and veiny hand. His shirt did nothing to hide his lean physique. His dark blue pants looks so good on him and his darker than sin blonde hair was styled neatly to the side. Wait, what? "You're here?" He ask with a surprised look on his face. "You knew I was always in this building." She answered almost angrily and she steps in after lightly pushing him aside. Alissa slammed her things on the table and Daniel took it in his interest to lock the door. "Why am I here?" Alissa asks angrily. "What do you mean why you_""I mean, why do you make Gregory push me to be with you?" Daniel grin, "Be with me huh? Straight to the point, I see. Well, I want you to work with me.""As your secretary?""Yes and I want to offer you a spot in Walton’s Publishing. With me, obviously. I've seen your documents and I'm impressed with what you have done so far. It's amazing and I think you would have a better future here with us than with Gregory.""And you expect me working with you will not hide everything that is going on between the two of us?""Everything as in you being my wife who ran away three years ago and left me without even a decent text or letter?" Alissa steps forward and pokes his chest,  "Don't you dare make me the villain here. You know what you and your family did to me. Especially you." His smile drops and regret paints his face, " Lisa, I'm so sorry about what had happened before. I never meant to..""Meant to what?" Tears brim in her eyes. "Accused me of something so horrible? Being the reason why your mother falsely accuse me to a point of pushing me and killing my baby? You people are sick and let me see, your mother and brother are still free, aren't they?" Daniel looks away, shame falls over him of her words. She took it as a yes. "I see. And you have the audacity to apologize to me when all those people in your family who have wronged me, walk away scots free? I don’t think so. So now, you can go ahead and tell Gregory that I won't be working with you and if you have even the smallest of decency to be sorry about what you did to me, you will find another person to be your secretary." Alissa was about to step away when he pulls her hand to face him, "No! I want you. No one else but you. My wife.""I'm not your wife and if you're referring to the legality of our relationship, then I want a divorce!" Daniel grin, "As if. I've spent years trying to find you Alissa and now that I do, I won’t let this opportunity go to waste." He walks closer to her until she found herself trapped between him and his desk. "What opportunity? You want me to work with you that bad?" She starts to stutter and looked everywhere but him to find anything that she could use to hit him. "You, baby. I want you." He whispers in a husky voice. Alissa was beginning to think that he was insane. She didn’t understand what he was talking about when there was never any romance between the two of them. "What are you_” She felt his fingers buried in her loose hair and when it tightens across her caramel strand, his lips landed on hers. Almost taking her breath away. Oh my...

Chapter 6 Chapter Five : Tease

A/N: Hi guys, I will try to upload every day but this month is a bit busy for me due to an online exam from my university but still, I will do my best and I hope that you enjoy my story as much as I love writing it. Do rate and leave a review. Thank you so much💕 ... Standing here in almost what seems to be 30 seconds was the sweetest yet the most horrible, not worst, the thing that could ever happen to Alissa. Daniel was no doubt a great kisser. His sudden approach to cut her air was a surprise, definitely but the way he move his lips over hers and his tongue, oh, the way it twist and turns inside. With his fingers fisting gently on her hair which brings a mild sting but still slightly pleasurable, she can’t help but dwell on his sweet pleasure. Was it because I have never had proper sex before? Is this why I allow my husband, the brother of my rapist to kiss me like there’s no tomorrow? And on that note, Alissa opens her eyes and pushes him away. She even took that moment to slap him making his head turn sideways. Alissa’s mouth was open as she pants for air and she quickly rubs her lips that already has been smudge by him. Her pink Maybelline lipstick made a slight mess on his lips too and rather than be angry about what she did, Daniel grinned. He took a napkin and wipe his lips. “Didn’t know you into pain. Imagine how interesting our marriage will be? I never thought that gentle swan I marry turns out to be a feisty tiger.”“I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And to add up, I want a divorce. I refuse to stay married to you.” Daniel goes to the left side of his office and sat on his black leather sofa. “No can’t do. Unlike you, I want to work on this marriage, Alissa.”“But I don’t!” She chimed on angrily. “I am done with all of this. You know, normal people that went through what I did would have hung themselves already and here you keep pushing me on why I haven’t done exactly that!” The smile on Daniel’s face drops and he instantly stands to approach her, “Did you?” His face darkens with fear. “Have you ever thought about it? I have people that could_" “Save it! I am fine.” She looks aside. “I’m not like a mother. I have something to fight for so no unless I am as sick as her aka cancer, you and your family will be seeing me alive for a very long time. Sucks to be your mother.” Daniel gave a long sigh, relief wash over him knowing how strong Alissa has been. When he first found out about Erika's death, he was struck with guilt. Such a gentle and kind lady drove to end her life with a letter saying her daughter won’t be trap in his toxic family made him so guilty especially after Alissa's miscarriage. “I haven’t seen mom for a long time already." Alissa frowned at his statement, “Long time means?”“Three years. The same month you left. I was angry at what she did but it was partly my fault too. I accused you of something vile even though we all know what happen that night. I’m so sorry, Lisa. You must truly understand how sorry I was. I too mourn for the loss of my nephew and I should have brought you away far from my family. I chose to be your husband and I failed to fulfill my duty.” Alissa didn’t know how to react. This is the first time he talked about that night. She remembered his words that lead to another one of her tragedies. This is what you are, isn’t it? Trying to trap my brother into marrying you just so you could get your filthy hands on our wealth? Now that you failed to cage him, you try to do that shit to me. Leave! Get out of this house and never come back! I never want to see you here! He had spoken it out of anger when he had heard her father sneak into her room that evening how Alissa could funnel money from the Walton's and used her rape to get it. It broke her heart that being his daughter, she had expected him to defend her but like her mother once said, his father, Elijah Sander is only interested in money, booze, a perezoso who does nothing. When Daniel found him, he had thought she shared the same goal as him. Daniel was so furious that night and when he left, turns out his mother was there, listening to what had happened. “ I...I’ve long forgiven you, Daniel. You misunderstood and I get that. It’s been 3 long years so you don’t have to feel guilty about it anymore.”“But I do. That baby is innocent and so were you yet my anger got the best of me.” He stood up and approach her once more. Not trapping her or intimidate her, he holds her hand and stares deep into his eyes. “All these years, I tried to look for you but at one point, I stop because even when I have left my home, my father was still on my back. Now that I’m fully independent and he’s not connected with me anymore, I want you back, Alissa. I want you by my side. I want to take care of you and perhaps, lo_" “Please don’t say that, Daniel. The things that you are saying are only because you still feel guilty about what happens and I told you, that I have forgiven you. Besides, you have never actually done anything to me. Clarke did and you were forced to be with me. It is I who should apologize. Please, just divorce me and you don’t have to feel like you owe me or anything. I am fine.”“But what if I told you that I want us to stay married because I want you.” Alissa’s gasped, “ You...want me? But why? We barely know each other! What makes me so special you want to make this hoax marriage continue?”“Because I can't get you out of my head!” His voice becomes loud. Alissa turn back to see whether anyone had heard him and quickly put her palm over his mouth. “Can you be quiet? People could have heard you!” Daniel looks annoyed now. “So what? What if they know we are married? Why should it affect them?”“It would affect me, alright? No one knows I’m married let alone to a Walton. Please listen to me. I’m trying to help you out of this sham marriage. It’s for our good. You can finally find a wife  you deserve and I can get on with my life.” He snorted. “With another man? I don’t think so? I want to stay married, agapi mou. We’ll make this work.” He turns around to sir on his chair. “You are out of your mind! We have no feelings for each other. How can you want to stay married to me?” He smirked as he open his files, “That’s what you think, Lisa. I would prefer to talk about this another day but for now, I’m actually quite busy. Oh, and don’t forget we’ll be meeting a client for dinner tomorrow. I’ll send you a dress to wear. Nothing too formal, don’t worry.”“But it’s Saturday. It’s my time off!”“ Unfortunately, being my secretary means you’ll be working whenever I tell you to.” He put on a lazy grin which again, affected her so much that she refused to look at him directly. “And starting from today, you need to bring a hot cup of coffee, black and please make it good, my last secretary kinda suck at it but you, can't really break a pregnant woman's heart, can you?" You sure did it to me. She rolled her eyes. "And make sure to check my business emails every single day and let me know about anything important I should attend to. I’ll send you my email and password after this. Easy isn’t it? You can start doing it now and your dress will be sent to your home tonight.” She flinched. “Wh..who is going to send it? You?”“Of course not. I’m a very busy man. I’ll have my chauffeur send it to you. Unless you want me to..”"No! Chauffeur will be fine. You don't need to come over." She crossed her arm and glare at him. “ What's with the chauffeur? I thought you don’t depend on your dad anymore?” He rolled his eyes but still make sure his focus was on his files, “If you must know, I have worked my ass off for this past three years and I was able to find success all on my own of which I am absolutely proud of. You, agapi mou is married to a rich self-made billionaire. You should be proud. Why you want to keep this relationship a secret is beyond me. “ She wanted to slap him just once to tap down his arrogance. Without saying a word, she decides to leave but Daniel calls out to her with a request. “Before you go, agapi mou , shouldn’t you be kissing your husband goodbye?”“Over my dead body.” Alissa gritted through her teeth. Daniel nod. “I see then maybe I should let Gregory know about our relationship so you’ll be less nervous to keep our secret. Heard he has a big mou_" He was holding the office phone and started to type something until Alissa quickly slam the phone down and kiss his cheek roughly. “Done! Happy now?” She was breathing so hard and staring angrily at him. Fearing he has more request, she quickly leaves his office and head to do his coffee. She needs to have that shot of caffeine as well. Daniel on the other hand chuckles at how adorable she was being. Even when she was mad, she looks gorgeous with her green eyes flaring and glittering like emerald and her brown hair cascading her back like silk. He had a gorgeous wife and pretty smart at that based on her achievement in the company so far. Though she didn’t have a degree, Alissa was able to work herself to the top with just a high school certificate and Daniel is beyond proud. She thought that he has no feeling for her. He is about to prove Alissa’s wrong. Things are definitely going to be interesting from now on. He is looking forward to it.