'Hide her where they can't find her…?' Alessia wondered, lost in thought. 'Is that… even possible?' She knew that Dervan was a well known tycoon, but she didn't think he had the kind of resources to hide someone from one of the largest criminal organisations in the country.
No matter how rich and powerful he was, it wasn't a piece of cake to simply erase someone from existence from the sight of the mafia. They had eyes everywhere.
Alessia leaned back into her chair with a sigh, "I don't think that's possible."
Kiera scoffed. "Then you don't know enough to think it's possible." She paused. "But you do whatever you want, Lessie. If you would rather go back to your so-called Father, then I'll gladly come with you, no questions asked."
Alessia was silent for a moment. "And if I don't?"
Kiera shot her a determined look. "Then you best believe that I will do everything in my power to get rid of your cowardice."
Alessia stared at her wide-eyed, her mouth slightly agape. 'So she'll force me if that's what it takes.'
That didn't sound too bad…
* * *
"I'm so sorry, Miss." A man behind a counter told Alessia regrettably. "But the slot for this store's job is already taken."
Alessia chewed the inside of her cheek as she nodded. "It's alright. I understand. I'll… go look somewhere else."
The moment she stepped out of the small convenience store, she let out a miserable sigh. Ever since she woke up that morning, she'd been walking around far and wide looking for a part–time job.
She couldn't go back to that cafe after what happened last night. Only someone fearless and ready to die would dare step foot in that street again after encountering that… creature.
Alessia had been to about five places now and they either didn't have any free slots or they weren't even looking to hire in the first place.
She tiredly walked over to a wooden bench in front of the store and collapsed into it, closing her eyes. The gentle ray of the sun basked on her face and she let out another long sigh.
'I don't think I can do this anymore.' She thought dejectedly. 'Just my horrible luck… I just hope everyone in that street stays safe. I would report it but I don't think the police will even give me the time of day…'
She would give anything to remain in one job for at least a month. But now, if it wasn't Vince stalking her, it was a monster chasing after her!
'Do I have to find a church priest…?' She thought in a daze. 'My luck keeps turning out for the worse!'
Suddenly, Alessia opened her eyes and adjusted her posture. 'Is there really a need to find a new job? Since I'm going back…'
A series of goosebumps peppered her skin at that thought and she shivered.
She didn't want to go back… she really didn't want to. But she didn't want to go to jail either and so her only option was to take Dervan up on his offer.
If she remained neutral and ended up in prison, her Father might just kill her to silence her but if she got married to Dervan…
Alessia squeezed her eyes shut as if to stop her thoughts. It was ridiculous, and if things didn't work out right, she would die or worse… Kiera would die…
She chewed on her lip. 'What do I do?'
"Umm… excuse me?" A cheery female voice sounded from above her. "Are you alright? You look a little pale… would you like me to take you to the hospital?"
Alessia's eyes snapped open at the person's voice, her gaze took in a lush wave of golden brown hair, a pair of bright hazel eyes and the smiling face of a very pretty young lady.
Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head and she flinched, almost jumping out of her skin as she quickly moved a few inches away from her.
'E–Evie?! Evie Alrosa?!' Alessia's heart felt like it had jumped to her mouth and her skin paled even more. 'What is someone like her doing here? Does… does she know something?!'
These rich people didn't seem to want to remain where they belonged these days...
Evie tilted her head to the side a little as she watched the girl seated in front of her, her eyes filled with concern. 'Is something really wrong with her, after all? She doesn't look good at all…'
Alessia swallowed, it felt like a hard rock had gone down her throat and settled in her stomach. "You… you…" she started but no words came out.
Evie quickly raised both her hands in front of her as if in surrender. "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you!" She said in a rush. "You looked like you were sick so I just wanted to check!"
Alessia stiffened, searching Evie's eyes for any sign of recognition. 'Is she… being serious…?'
Alessia nodded once. "I'm… fine." She answered with difficulty, trying her best to control her breathing.
Evie's eyebrows furrowed lightly. "Are… you sure? You're breaking out in sweat and the weather isn't even hot today."
Alessia wanted to pull at her own hair and shriek. 'It's because of you!'
She abruptly stood up from the bench she was sitting on, crumpling a flyer in her hand that she picked up somewhere along the line. "I'm fine." She repeated as firmly as she could. "There's… no need for you to worry."
And with that, she stormed off, like there were rabid dogs on her heels.
Evie could only watch in shock, blinking the moment she couldn't see Alessia's back anymore. "She's a bit odd…"
….
Alessia leaned against the dirty wall of an abandoned alleyway, panting heavily. She crouched after a moment and lowered her head, trying to catch her breath.
'What was Evie Alrosa doing there?!' She thought as she pulled at both sides of her hair. 'Did Dervan tell her something? Did she come to feel me out? But I… I can't go to jail!'
Tears fell down Alessia's cheeks and she began to wail like a child, as if she hadn't let out her sorrows in years.
"But I don't want to go back to him either…" She sniffled as she tried to wipe at tears that kept flowing.
There was only one way she could escape from both horrible options. She either went back to base and continued as she lived, miserable, and in risk of being sent to prison and dying by her Father's hand or she took Dervan at his offer and betray the mafia…
Possibly making Kiera suffer a miserable fate because of her foolish decision.
It was obvious that Dervan's offer was better… but it was still too much of a risk.
A buzzing came from her pocket and she flinched, before realizing it was her phone. Her face took on a confused expression when she looked at the screen to find out it was an unknown number.
She sniffed. "I don't think it's safe to pick this…"
She concluded, dropping the phone on the ground beside her before burying her head in the crook of her knee to continue crying.
But the unknown caller kept calling and her phone kept buzzing, disturbing her mourning session.
A vein popped at Alessia's temple, before she snatched the phone off the ground and took the call.
"Who is this?" She asked sharply. "Can't you let a woman cry in peace?!"
The line was silent for a while, before a familiar, grating voice came through the other end. "Lessia darling…" A male voice cooed. "You're still ever the crybaby, aren't you?"