Allison Swan

Hello dear reader! 🙋🏽‍♀️

Thank you for taking a chance on Allison Swan. With all the fascinating stories to bury your nose in, I literally appreciate you sparing time to explore my little creation.

Firstly, this is a pure work of fiction. Every detail illustrated here are of no resemblance to actuality. If it turns out so, it's merely a 100% coincidence.

Now, this being my very first book, foresee that English not being my first language🙍🏽‍♀️, I do little in using grammatical touch ups, although I am trying. So do bear with me people!😉

I also want to address that these being my drafts, grammatical errors are bound to occur. Please do well to notify or correct me . 💙

Less I forget, while constructive criticism is allowed and well appreciated, rudeness is completely rebuked. Its not necessary.

Then again, I resent any form of plagiarism. It's saddening for writers to toil and create a masterpiece and a plagiarist uses it to obtain credits. Therefore under no circumstance should this story be pirated. I plead to be alerted if it falls in such case. 🙏🏽

In Conclusion...

Thank you for bearing with me so far love.

Be sure to vote and comment 💬 as much as it pleases you. It also will be much appreciated to invite your friends to read along with you.😉

I promise you, I will try to give you a romance novel you have never read before.

Love ~ KikaWrites

Once she stepped out of the grocery store, Allison sighed at the weight of the grocery bags in her hands. She scanned around but of course all faces were unknown to her. People passed, chatting and laughing.

Then she felt the rush of wind, which sent shivers with goosebumps over her delicate skin. This reminded her of the constant warning her grandma gave her -a man's best friend in Coastville is his Jacket at all times- but poor Allison never listened.

She cursed under her breath for not heeding her advice. Without wasting much time standing, she hurried straight home. By taking a quick turn to the right sidewalk, she bumped into someone.

"Watch where you are going." The stranger snapped at her, giving her an expression of annoyance before he passed by her .

"I'm sorry," she stuttered, blinking away the shock and the rude attitude she just received. Looking back at the stranger, all she saw was his back and she wondered if his face also matched his manners too. Who knows.

A touch of the chilly breeze, in addition to the honking of cars in traffic, pulled her out of thoughts so she continued to walk. It was getting dark, the fog wasn't helping and the streets were becoming a blur.

Passing through an empty dark alley, it made up images and shadows of which got Allison paranoid, not to talk of the flickering street lights which were making things much worse. Feeling on edge, she hastened but her paranoia still had more to offer. Just then, a thudding sound echoed and she squealed out loud.

She turned real quick, taking a defending stance adrenaline charged. To her relief, it was merely a cat, leaping from one trash can to another in search of disgusting leftovers.

"Tsk. That's why I hate cats," she murmured to herself.

Suddenly she screamed in surprise as she felt a sudden tug at the back of the collar of her shirt. She was jerked backwards and dragged toward a darker alley. Loosing grip of her items, she turned her head and took a glance at her captor, more specifically, captors. Terrified was an understatement for what she felt at that moment. They dragged her towards a dumpster while she struggled effortlessly to set herself free. Setting her roughly against the wall beside the dumpster, the impact made her gasp with pain while they smirked at her devilishly.

"We caught ourselves a big fly," one of her captors said, rubbing his palms, as well licking his lips.

"Yeah we did, even from her shrieks you'll know." The other affirmed with his eyes filled with absolute greed.

"So I am going to be raped?" She pondered.

Her heard sank deep, deeper than the titanic. She looked at her captors frighteningly and took in their figures.

The first to talk had unkempt hair, with his humongous stature, he appeared like a giant hence he acted as a shield, concealing the shines of the moonlight and from his shaggy dressing, she knew he and his accomplice were burglars, nevertheless with another motive. Alison tried to make out his face but the night wasn't on her side.

But on the other hand, the moonlight maneuvered, giving Allison a glimpse of what the other accomplice looked like. She saw the ugly scar across his face, one that slashed from his eye extending to his neck. His teeth kept sparkling once he opened his mouth, so she assumed he had golden teeth. His eyes went deep. Dark. Although he wasn't as huge as the first, his shoulders were broad as he stood like he had a hunchback.

She knew she stood no chance against her captors. "Please let me go... please. I beg you. I... i.. i.. will give you anything, anything! Money. My purse. My phone. Yes? Groceries? Please, my grandma is waiting for me, don't hurt me please. Let me go! I won't tell anyone." She shook her head, pleading as warm tears trailed down her cheeks.

"Shh shh shh. We're not going to hurt you little girl, we just want to have some fun. Don't you too?Should I show you how?" The first one replied, signaling his accomplice to come closer.

There and then, all hopes of been saved were shattered. She was weak, nobody was going to save her from the devil's men again. She knew enough not to fight back because a vague memory came clear. So poor Allison closed her eyes, awaiting the pains to thrust through her.

Then it happened.

At first she thought it was all in her mind, playing a magician's trick on her, giving her false hopes as always or perhaps, just perhaps, it was an illusion.

So she shut her eyes tight, hoping to ward off her imaginations but the burglars confirmed to it.

As soon as the siren started echoing from a distance, they got alerted and took off hurriedly, leaving her behind. Slowly she opened her eyes and searched for her captors, they were no more.

She was saved.

Staggering out of the alley to the sidewalks with shaky legs, she was expectant of the cops or their cars. But there wasn't one, it was something else. It was a stranger, holding up a loud hailer, playing a cop's siren directly into it through his phone .

"Wait, what!" Alison couldn't find more to say to what she just saw so she stood there, blinking, while trying to apprehend what just happened. Yes, she was still petrified from the near assault, happy and at the same time stunned, feeling all waves of emotions at once.

"That's crazy. I mean it's suppose to be... oh my God." Shaky laughters started escaping from her mouth rapidly as she couldn't help it. She sniffed after a moment, wiped off her tears as she approached her saviour.

The stranger stopped the siren, pulled off his hood, put down the loud hailer and waited for the young lady to come close.He feared approaching her first would trigger a bad reaction.

"Miss, are you ok? Do you need to go to the hospital?" He inquired out of concern.

"Yeah I am ok, just a little shaken." She wrapped her arms around her. "Uhm hey. Thanks, you saved me back there and, and that was cool," she said, pointing at his loud hailer.

"I am Allison by the way." Extending her hand for a handshake.

But he never shook it, leaving her hanging. "You're welcome," he said as he took a step back.

"Ok." Awkwardly, her hand withdrew.

"You shouldn't be here in the first place but sure, glad to help. I better be going now." He took up his loud hailer, attempted to leave but he stopped.

"Uhm, you coming or what?" He asked with a shrug.

"Yeah of course. Let me grab some things first."

She ran back to the scene of her near assault scene, halting and glancing at the dark alley. She wanted to erupt to tears again but she took deep breaths to calm down knowing a stranger would see her in her weak hour. The assault brought back dreadful dark memories, but she didn't want to relive that in front of a stranger. With words of comfort, she picked up her grocery items, went back to the guy then they kept walking.

"Can I help you with those?" He nodded towards her grocery bags.

"Don't bother, I want to hold on to something ."

"Right."

A moment of silence passed before Allison spoke again.

"Hey, I don't even know your name."

"Bryan," he said.

"I guess you don't talk much, do you Bryan?" She joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

"I guess you don't watch where you're going, do you?" He responded in an evasive way.

"Huh? Funny, that's the second time I've heard that today."

"That was me the first time, keep up," he replied, looking at her with a faint smirk on his face.

"Holy moly! That was you?"

"Of course," He took a stance, posing like a superhero. "Now i've saved you from the snare of evil men." He trailed off, comically.

"You sure look like grumpy captain underpants." She declared, bursting out to laughter.

He gasped, holding his heart dramatically. He was surprised she was bold enough to utter a joke after her assault, regardless, he couldn't help but admire her.

"Take that back!"

Allison simply threw her head backwards as she laughed at his reaction. He chuckled and for the first time, she really took a look at him, instantly realizing how handsome he looked.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" He looked at her from the corner of his curly eyelashes, curiously drawing her out from her thoughts.

"Nah, it's nothing." She lied immediately.

"Was wondering what I would've done without you back there. Can I ask you something?" She added.

They were almost at her house so she decided to make it quick. Of course her grandma would be worried sick about her.

He was silent so she took it as a yes.

"How -I mean why...

"By the looks of it, you are new here so you probably don't know. If you must, I lead a revolt against the increment of tax in Coastville. After our awareness tonight, i forgot my loud hailer," He paused to push back strings of black hair falling out of place. "After retrieving it, I saw some odd activity with those men following a lady. I mean I've seen it happen before so I do what I can to save the ladies." He elaborated.

"Oh."

The scenario of him saving other girls in distress crossed her mind. She felt jealous. But it doesn't matter now, she was saved.

"What's your story, uhm Allie?"

Allison didn't know if she cracked a smile because of his question or her given nickname, despite that, she was tired from carrying her grocery bags, a slight regret for not complying to Bryan's offer.

"I would really love to tell you but here we are, my home." She pointed at a distant house.

"We could talk some other time, hope you don't mind?" She replied, searching his face for approval.

"Sure, we can. May I've your number to keep in touch then?"

"Of course, just give me your phone."

Bryan brought out his phone from his back pocket, just as Allison stepped her groceries on the ground. He handed it to Allison and she punched her digits and gave it back.

"Here you go."

"Thanks, see you around then?"

"Certainly. Goodnight Bryan and thanks again."

He just waved, shoved his hand into his pocket and stared at her as she walked up to the front door.

Allison felt his gaze on her so she turned slightly, waving one last time before she entered, closing the door behind her.

Inside the apartment, warmth enveloped Allison as she slipped off her flip flops and walked into the kitchen to set down the groceries she bought, hoping none got damaged from the disturbing event.

"Ma Tilda, am home." She shouted, but in response the voice echoed through the house, sending her words back to her.

It was an apartment of a living room, a dinette with a kitchen, 2 bedrooms which possessed a bathroom with a shower each. An apartment too big for two people and too empty. It didn't help that her grandma was old, in her mid eighties and hard of hearing.

"She's probably sleeping without her hearing aid," Allison murmured, at the same time arranging the items inside different cabinets. Relief washed through her when she realized none of the mason jars broke, although they showed little cracks.

It was only when she finished and wanted to leave, that she saw a plate covered on the dining table. Removing the foil wrapped around it, the aroma of lasagna engulfed her. It gave her stomach a quick appetite. Beaming with smiles, she took it upstairs to her room. After a refreshing shower, she sat on the rug and ate her dinner. Eating up to her fill, she went downstairs and washed her plate clean. Skipping up to her room again, she decided to check up on her grandma. Slowly she reached out for the door knob and twisted it, and although the door gave a few crack, it didn't wake her grandma up.

She walked into the room illuminated by the lamp by her bed.

Truly, grandma Tilda was fast asleep on bed, with few strings of sliver hair falling out from her hairnet, her chubby cheeks, kindly wrinkled face and the lines on her forehead made her look sweet. She smiled when she inhaled her grandma's faint smell of lavender perfume, it gave her the urge to hug and sniff her. Gently Allison raised the blanket, tucked her in properly and switched off the lamplight, but not without kissing her forehead and walking out.Then she left for her room to sleep.

•••••

What's your intake on it?I anticipate your comments. And don't forget to vote.😘

Stay Gold.

"You've been a naughty girl, a bad one and you know that's not tolerated here, right? You ought to do what's expected of you, but you don't. You are so difficult! Now I am going to teach you a lesson. When I am done, you will be my sweet little good girl again."

He ripped her shirt off and started to prick words on her back with a sharp piece of glass. She screamed out while struggling to run away from the torture to safety but was tied up to a chair.

"Damian!"

She jerked up, breathing heavily with beads of sweat forming on her forehead. It's been the same nightmare every night. Just then, her alarm went off. She reached out and shut it off, palming her face in her hands before she sighed heavily and slipped out of bed. She stroked her neck and stretched herself. Walking into the bathroom for a bath, she stripped down, turned the hot water on and the steam rose up. She stepped under the stream as it soothed her skin, massaging her back and scalp.

Once she was done, she shut it off, wrapped a towel and walked back to her room.

"Today is going to be better than yesterday. I can feel it," she sang out as she sat on a chair in front of her mirror. Just as she was about to dry her hair with a hand blower, her eyes caught a glimpse of the clock. She focused her eyes on it long enough to affirm it was the actual time.

"Oh my God." She gasped as she stormed out of her room to the parlor.

"Grandma, did you reset my alarm?"

Grandma Tilda looked up from her book with her reading glasses which sat almost at the edge of her nose. She had silver hair and her brown eyes were calm and composed. It made people especially kids draw near her; she didn't even have to try. She had wrinkles on her forehead and was graced with little eye bags every aged human had.

"Good morning to you too dear child."

"Morning ma," she replied, fidgeting while trying to remain calm.

Ma Tilda put her reading glasses as well as her book down. "Well, I thought it was best you have a restful sleep so I set it an hour to before," She disclosed. She stood up from the chair and walked up to Allison.

"Are you ok dear child?" Concern filled her face. "Tell me."

Allison rushed to explain her ordeal as quickly as possible because she was running out of time at the moment. "Ma I got a job but now, I am late for my first day," she said sadly.

"Oh."

After few seconds of feeling guilty, she proposed a suggestion.

"Why don't we go upstairs and work it out.We still have time." Allison knew she didn't have time to argue, so she agreed.

They hurried upstairs immediately. Allison sat in front of the mirror again, putting on some light makeups while her grandma dried her hair, styling it into a neat ponytail. She put on her pale yellow blouse and a black skirt on, which were laid out on the bed already, then she instantly pushed her white heels on.

Checking her reflection in the mirror, she smiled satisfied with herself, admiring the blouse which complimented her caramel skin. Her grandma came close, smiling with teary eyes before cupping her face in her palms.

"You look just like her," she said as Allison's lips gave way to a smile.Grandma kissed her forehead and turned to leave but Allison got hold of her hand, giving it a light squeeze.

"We are going to be alright," she declared with certainty.

Ma Tilda nodded and left while Allison admired herself in the mirror once more. Suddenly, she rushed to pickup her phone to check time.It was 7:38 am, barely few minutes to 8am.

"Phew, I can do this," She said,offloading determination.

••••

"What do you mean by I don't have coffee? I always have coffee!" She rolled her finger while pacing in her huge office.

"Every morning!" Miss May added, aggressively.

"Antonia tell me, where is my new assistant?"

In great panic, Antonia just stood close by the door, in case Miss May decided to get wild and throw objects at her.

"I requested for a better one after firing Jennifer. Clearly this one doesn't know how to assist, talk of being punctual on her frst day!" She snapped again, tapping her 6inch heels on the tiles.

"Am-am ver-very sorry Miss May." Clearing her throat, she added "I'll see to it that you get the best assistant you desire." Her voice sounded terrified.

"What are you waiting for then?" Grabbing a stapler from her desk, she quickly aimed and threw it at Antonia.

Luckily, Antonia duck in time as it flew pass her.

"Get out! Go find me a new assistant." She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm her temper.

"Inhale, exhale, inhale."

"And coffee." She ordered.

Antonia ran out with haste in avoidance of flowing objects aiming at her again. Just as Antonia got to her desk beside the counter, she saw someone waiting for her.She comported herself despite the little chaos her boss caused.

"Yes. Good morning. I am Antonio Ellison. Welcome to Fashion Fay. How may I help you?" She politely asked.

The receptionist in front of Allison had red hair and black calm eyes. It was a surprise that the lady before her didn't tie her scarlet hair. The white v neck she wore in combo with a lilac skirt corresponded with her smooth light skin and the smile she evolved looked professional to it's peak.

"Umm hi. I am Allison -Allison Swan. Am actua...

"What?" Antonia's eyes dilated.

"I said am-

"No, I heard you the first time. It's just," Taking a sneak peep towards her boss's office, she walked out of the counter to drag Allison to the ladies private room to talk. "Miss May is really furious right now. If you should waltz inside that office to introduce yourself, you are clearly coming out battered."

She gasped in shock, realizing her new boss's reaction was worse than expected. Her shoulder fell as she brought her pale face down. Antonia went ahead to explain that she was about hiring another assistant for Miss May.

Allison tried as much as she could to fight the urge to let the tears roll down her cheeks while Antonia pat her back constantly in an endless way to relieve her worries.

Just then an idea popped in Antonia's head.

"Ahhha!" She clasped her hands together. "How about we don't tell her about you, thereby presenting you as the new assistant, huh?" She suggested, folding her arms slyly.

"Wait," Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "You want to help me out?"

"Sure!"

"Oh my God." She reached out and hugged Antonia as a drop of tear finally rolled down.

"I don't know what to say. I am very grateful. Literally. Thank you."

"Okay okay, you are welcome." She hugged her back, smoothing her hand on her back. "Don't get all merry yet. We still have to convince Miss May you are not her suppose-to-be ex-assistant." She pointed out. Allison felt a lump on her throat as she nodded.

"Here's how it's going to happen.You follow behind me steadily, don't say a word unless she refers to you. Ok?"

Allison had no option but to nod again.

"And one more thing, duck when I do."

Confusion claimed Allison's face but she waited in anticipation for an answer.

"Look, Miss May gets too aggressive for a lady who's in her mid forties," She quietly stated out with her hand on her hip "But she can be a nice sweetheart some times, I can vouch on that." Antonia assured her. This helped second to none as Allison felt overwhelmed with nervousness.

"Come on girl, being a worker in Fashion Fay isn't a bed of roses. Miss May makes sure to add a few thorns to work us up. And it's no surprise we stand first to none."

Allison saw reason with her within seconds and her willpower resurfaced. "You are absolutely right. Let's do it," she declared, holding her fists in mid air.

"Yeah, that's my girl power right there." Antonia gushed in happiness. "Lets have lunch together." She raised an eyebrow with a simper plastered on her lips "That's if we do survive." She added.

Few minutes of interacting with Antonia, Allison knew she was a great personality to behold and anyone would be lucky to be in her small circle.

As instructed, Allison walked behind Antonia till they reached the boss's front door.Taking a deep breath, Antonia gently knocked on the door. Seconds later, there was no reply but she attempted twice before the door was opened by a man who stepped aside for them to come in.

As soon as a faint tsk escaped Antonia's lips, Allison's ear grabbed it immediately. Just when Allison was about to enter, the man loose grip of the door, walked pass and dropped on a couch situated by the left side, away from the big desk, burying his face on his phone.

As Allison stepped in and closed the door, she took in her environment. She was left in awe at how fashionable, big, luxurious and the fragrance the office invoked, from the sky blue tiles which were being illuminated by the brightest chandelier that shone like blue diamonds, to the walls coated with frames of portraits of the best models signed under the company, pictures of Miss May bagging grammy awards and on red carpets. In summary it was a wall of fame.

The big desk filled with arranged paperworks was made of glass hence she had a thought about clients sitting across, having a view of what Miss May hid underneath. She could see the chair which looked majestic in black leather too. Facing the right side was a balcony with it's closed glass doors, she couldn't help but imagine the view of the town from there, beside the transparent doors were fresh lilies in a vase, seated on a stool, no doubt giving the office quite a pleasant smell. Her eyes also caught sight of a mini bar behind a counter, loaded with expensive and exquisite champagnes and wines. Still acquainting her self with the office, Miss May walked out from a door beside the bar.

Each click of her heels on the tiles was filled with imperial splendor and composed charisma. Standing before her was her role model since college: a pearl, elegant, beautiful, blue blooded and industrious idol. Her antique gold jumpsuit hug her body like an hourglass while her black hair cascaded from her shoulders, reaching her back. Despite being average, she wore heels, denoting superiority. Glancing at her accessories made Allison scold herself for not trying hard enough to impress her.

"Yes?" Her voice came out strong and powerful.

"As requested I found an assistant Miss May," Antonia replied politely. She stepped aside for Allison to step forward.

Nervously, Allison came forward, and although her hands were sweaty, she wiped it off on her skirt and stood erect.

"Good day Miss May. It's my utmost pleasure to finally meet you," Allison said the statement she spent hours rehearsing, nevertheless pondering if her statement was enough to create an impression.

Within minutes of interrogating Allison, Miss May pouted, walked slowly to her desk and sat on the edge with her hands laid on it to support her balance. There, Allison's heart started pumping faster. If her assumptions are correct, Miss May is about to discard her. More so, she's nothing in comparison of a worthy assistant to a great celebrity. Instantly she felt discomfort in her stomach.

"Say Ry, what's your take in this?" Miss May stuck out her perfectly manicured slender finger at her, while her head turned to another direction.

Following the direction of her face, Allison's eyes bulged at another sight to see. Her face was drained to utter a word, goosebumps sprouted quickly. She felt cold. She was engulfed in the wonders of the office to had noticed him earlier, because on the couch sat the man who saved her from the horror of that night.

Bryan.

But he looked different from that night. For starters, his hair went from raven black to copper and his eyes were piercing dark. He looked up from his phone, folded his hands and inspected Allison.

"She seems intriguing," he said approvingly.

•••••

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