After the meeting, Alice and Khan took the first flight back home. Alice was sitting in her apartment when she looked at her phone ringing on the coffee table in front of her. She had expected the call. Alice stared at the phone as it vibrated on the table. She let it ring until it went over to voice call. As expected the phone rang again. She leaned forward picked up the phone and answered.
“Hello,”“Where are you?”“In my apartment?”“Is this some kind of joke? What gives you the right to think you can speak to me like this? Come home right this instance.”“I can’t,” The bitterness hearable in Alice’s voice.“Excuse me!” What do you mean you can’t? Alice, you better make sure you are here in ten minutes or I will send someone to come and drag you here. You know what will happen to you if I do.”“Father. How do you expect me to come to you when I can barely walk?”“Alice!”Alice felt her blood boiling. She hated this man to the core. But she had to contain herself until it was the right time. First Alice wanted to test his reaction.“Father I was almost assassinated. Did you not get the news.”“What?” His tone sounded genius confused. “No, I did not. Were you not at the meeting?”‘He was one darn good actor. Can you believe this idiot, he almost succeed in killing me and when he did not he ask me about the meeting. The audacity of this man kept surprising me’ Alice thought to herself“Yes, I have. After I barely survived I went to the meeting the next day.”“Only the next day?”“Yes, father. I did not want the dirty their floors with my blood, so Khan had arranged for the meeting to be moved to the next day”“I do not like the sarcasm in your voice Alice!” Adriano said annoyed.Alice ignored his comment and stayed silent.“What happened on your way to the meeting?” Adriano asked. There was no trace of care for her in his tone. It sounded more like he was obligated to ask than he wanted to ask.Alice did not want to go too deep into detail so she decided to tell him only part of what happened. “On my way to the meeting, I was attacked. I had fought them all off but another man came out of nowhere and shot me in the leg, before I could react I was shot in both shoulders.”There passed a moment of silence between them.“That is unfortunate. How did you manage to escape?”“Before I passed out I shot him in the head.”“How was the meeting?” Adriano changed the subject without even showing an ounce of care toward her well-being.“Good, they wanted to increase the product.”“And, will we be able to comply with their demand?”“The time frame they provided us with makes it not possible. We will deliver the first four thousand and the rest as the availability of the product allows us.”“Was the client satisfied with that.”“Yes, they are.”“Good…”“Father, I will be working from home. Oliver will manage everything at the company.”“I gathered that. I will talk to you later.”“Okay.”Alice kept the phone against her ear as she listened to the line ending from the other side. Alice looked emotionless at the phone that fell out of her hand and dropped to the floor.Khan’s words echoed through her mind….“Alice do not show Adriano any sign that you know he was behind your assassination. You trust me right?”Alice worked from home. She attended meetings through video conferences and the rest Oliver handled at the company. Khan did not have to accompany her at home so she did not see him much. He came once a week to check on her but that was it. The image of Kevin never left Alice’s mind. First, she thought of him when she was in a daze but then she started dreaming about him. It just didn’t make sense how this Kevin who approached her reminded her so much of her Kevin. He even looked like him. She could not shake the feeling that just maybe it was him. After a while, she argued that it was her subconscious playing tricks on her. Her mind kept telling her that she wanted it to be Kevin so badly that she started accepting the thought of him being alive.The first delivery to LLC Corporation along with everything at the company went smoothly. After a month Alice returned to the company. Khan accompanied her as per their usual arrangement and everything felt like it had before the accident. As the day ended Alice walked out of the building. People were passing her as they walked toward their cars. She did not notice a man walking straight toward her he accidentally bumped into her as he passed.“Hey watch where you are going…” Alice yelled afterward. Her gaze froze when the person turn around.“Kevin.” She whispered.He turned around and continue walking.Alice looked around and noticed Khan busy talking to someone. She hurried after Kevin afraid that he would disappear. She decided to confront him straight on and ask him what he want. Alice increased her steps as she notice him disappearing between the crowds but unfortunately lost him. She stopped and looked around. She felt a hand gripping her arm and she was suddenly pulled into an Alley.She shook his arm lose and took a step back when she saw who grabbed her“What do you want? Why can’t you leave me alone?” Alice asked enragedKevin started at Alice with a smile.“I made you a promise that I intend to keep.”“What promise. When did you make me a promise?” Alice looked to the entrance of the Alley making sure they were alone. She dropped her guard once and it caused her to get shot. She would be stupid if she make that mistake again.“Alice, I came to warn you. You are trusting the wrong people.”“Are you expecting me to believe you? I don’t even know you.”“Alice I am Kevin. Your Kevin.”Kevin looked around and rubbed his neck out of frustration when he saw the unbelief in her eyes.“You are not my Kevin. My Kevin is dead.”Kevin stared her in the eyes,“Did you see me die in front of you Alice? Why are you so bent on me being dead.”Alice turned away as she remember the gruesome photos that Khan had shown her when she was young. That image she had forever imprinted in her mind“Open your eyes, Alice. Things are not the way they seem. You have been used as a chess piece this whole time.”“By whom?”“Khan.”“No! Khan would never betray me.”“Why not? Why would he not betray you?”“Because - Because…”“Why will you not believe I am Kevin but you believe Khan? Alice. I will not tell you who to trust and what to do. But you need to believe me when I tell you that I am Kevin.”Alice stared at him baffled then shook her head."Do you remember that day we were in the meadows? I watched you as you twirled around in your dress. You looked so happy. Do you remember what you told me?”Kevin waited for her to respond but she only looked at him with a complicated stare. ‘Well, at least she is listening.’ He thought to himself. “You stopped and smiled down at me as I was lying on the ground watching you. You fell next to me and asked me if I love you. Do you remember what I said?”Alice looked at him with wide eyes. “How…?Kevin continued, “I told you, that you were still a child and do not know what love is.” A silly smirk appeared on his face as if he was taken back to that day. “You argued with me and said you do know. You looked so determined that day. Then you told me you would marry me one day.” Kevin stopped and took a step toward Alice. “What did I say, Alice?”Kevin waited for her to answer. He wanted her to go back to that day and remember her feelings for him. Even if she was a child they were important to each other.“You said - you said. No. I will one day marry someone better than you who would give me more than what you could ever give me…” Alice said in a whisper. “There was no one around us that day Alice. If I am not Kevin, how do I know all of this? Do you remember the promise I made to you before I left the orphanage?”Alice nodded.“I told you no matter where you are I will come and find you”Alice's eyes welled up with tears. She opened her mouth to respond but stopped when she heard Khan's voice calling out to her.Kevin's eyes followed Alice’s. This was not the time for him to have an encounter with Khan, so he had to act fast. Kevin looked at Alice and continued“Think deeper Alice. Why are you trusting someone who killed everyone in the orphanage? He is using you. Wake up.” Kevin took a step forward not missing the confusion in Alice’s eyes. He reached out toward her hand. Alice's eyes widened. She felt baffled about what she wanted to do. Her body stood frozen as she watched him motionless. She looked stunned down at the crumbled-up paper he pressed into her hand. The warmth of his hand lingered a bit longer on hers before he pulled away.“It is up to you to figure out everything. I will always be here for you Alice. I never stopped loving you.” Kevin stared into her eyes saying nothing further. The genuinein his eyes telling her more than words ever could. She noticed him lifting his arm reaching toward her face but hesitantly stopped. He lowered his head then turned around and walked away
Alice never knew two days could feel like an eternity. The gates of the salt factory stood open so Alice could drive through. The place that was once filled with workers was now an empty deserted place. Alice looked over the rim of her sunglasses at the factory. She had read about this place in the newspaper once when the bank had foreclosed the factory and sold it off in an auction. Alice secretly bought the building knowing that it will come into use one day. Alice parked in front of the building and climbed out walking to the front of her car. A black luxury car stopped next to her. The driver's doors opened, and black leather sleek shoes were the first to be seen as it stepped on the ground. Jackson knew how to make an entrance so the more dramatic he made it the better. Jackson straightened his long black coat and took off his sunglasses. A slight smile formed on his face letting his light greenish eyes give off a glint in the sunlight. Jackson placed the sunglasses in front of h
"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Jackson asked.“Let's work together, from now onwards. I will only run things behind the scenes while you will be the leader.”“What do you have in mind?“First, I need your help to take care of personal business, but in the meantime, no one can know about our clan’s existence. We need to be like ghosts.”“What about Kevin? Don’t you think that poor boy will be heartbroken? Everyone needs a bit of love even you.”“No. After everything I have done… No. To avenge Kevin was my whole reason for living in the first place, but now that he is alive. I have to return the favor to those that betrayed me. I will pay them back in tenth folds in what they did to me.”Jackson stared at Alice's cold glare. Her eyes shone with pure hatred in them.“Who will fund our operation?” Jackson asked out of curiosity.“Me.”“Okay then. Sounds fun. I’m in. So, partner, what's the plan, and who is the target?”“The Berardi clan”Jackson’s eyebrows raised shocked by h
Alice glared back at him.“Don’t give me that bullshit. I will ask you again what are you doing in my apartment.”Khan leaned forward as his eyes were still focused on hers. His nose brushed against her. Alice stood her ground. She refused back down. A few seconds passed with the intensity rising between them. Khan pulled back and sneered.“You never learn do you.”‘Oh, I do, you just don’t know.’ Alice thought to herself.Khan turned around and walked back to the couch. He took a seat and crossed his legs.Alice leaned against the door frame while watching Khan.“Where were you?” Khan asked.“Why? Did anything happen at the company?”“ANSWER ME, DAMIT!” Khan screamed.It’s kind of intrigued Alice to see him get so wound up. She knew he felt like he was losing control over her and that pissed him off the most,“Khan. I went to see a client.” Alice said calmly showing him that the threats in his voice did not bother her in the least. She folded her arms as she walked up to him. Alice s
Alice was quite impressed with Jackson. He had managed to arrange all their men, start their business, and equipped the whole base in a manner of two weeks.It was Friday night. The night their first heist would take place. The day the LLC Corporations delivery was scheduled for. Alice felt confident as she stared at the motorcycles in front of her. Everyone was suited in black leather attire and was awaiting her orders. She wanted to be physically present when they take over the trucks. The plan was straightforward. They would take over the trucks and burn all the products inside.Alana secured the headset at the side of her mouth and put her helmet on.“Is everyone ready?” She called out over the headset.She was answered by the revs of the motorcycles. Jackson was watching everything from a drone in the air.“Let’s go.”Alice stayed at the back and kept an eye on everything from behind. They had gone through the plan numerous times. Everyone knew exactly what to do. She also went t
Alice's eyes traveled over the people.“You want a beer?” Jackson asked in a raised voice. The music was quite loud making it difficult to communicate in a regular voice.Alice nodded at him. Jackson climbed out of the booth and walked toward the bar. Alice liked to look at the people and watch what they were doing. She never could understand how people think. Her eyes stopped at a bunch of young girls in their early twenties, dressed in short skirts and high heels. The crop tops they had on made sure to cling as tightly as possible around their boobs which made them almost pop out.Jackson came back and caught her staring into the distance with a troubled expression. His eyes followed hers and spotted the young girls. He shook his head as he chuckled then slid the beer to Alana. He clicked his beer against the rim of her bottle before sitting down.“Cheers,”Alice raised her beer towards him and then took a sip. She placed hit down and motioned with her chin toward the girls.“Are th
- Warning - This chapter contains foul language.Alice threw the guy into the alley that was next to the bar. He scrambled on his hands and then to his feet. His nose was bleeding profoundly, making his face covered in blood. He bent his head down and charged toward Alice like a bull. Alice effortlessly dodges him. She turned around and kicked him on the butt causing him to stumble forward and fall flat on his belly. Alice leaned against the side of the building waiting for the scumbag to get to his feet again. His clothes were already torn. His pants struggled to keep themself up showing his crack.Alice pulled her face in disgust. It was a waste of her energy to fight with him any longer.“Go home!” The boredom could be heard in her voice.Only a dimmed light from the streetlamps shined into the alley which made the alleyway quite dark. As the scumbag stood up, he grabbed a hand full of loose gravel. He turned and immediately threw it into Alice’s face. The gravel hit her and caused
Kevin gently stroked Alice’s hair. After a while, Alice pulled back and stared up at Kevin. Kevin was not much taller than her, but she still had to look up a little bit to look him in the eyes. Alice's eyes revealed what she wanted him to do. Kevin did not think twice, he cupped her face with both hands. Alice closed her eyes taking in every moment with him. ‘How could something like this be real? How could he finally be holding me like this? This must be some kind of dream. Things like this do not happen to me.’ Alice thought to herself. Then she felt his lips against her forehead, Alice kept her eyes closed not daring to open them. Kevin softly kissed her on the tip of her nose. She felt him pull away. She felt his stare on her lips. One second, two seconds, and then she felt his soft lips against hers. He kissed her as if she would disappear as if he did not kiss her hard enough. She let him slip his tongue into her mouth. Alice had never kissed anyone before, but she let Kevin