Saving Alicia

Brooklyn

9:00 pm

The city was dressed in the finest winter and the snow sparkled in the chilly night breeze. Snowflakes kept falling from the sky. Brooklyn was seen covered in a serene white glow. The air dazzled with the sounds of carolers, the jingling of sleigh bells, and the distant honking of cars making their way through. It was Christmas Eve, the festive season, where families and friends merry in glad tidings.

The festive spirit spread throughout the city.

Right in the heart of Brooklyn, twinkling lights framed around Alicia's window as a group of friends and family gathered around the crackling fireplace. The fresh aroma of baked cookies filled the room. The Christmas tree glittered at the corner. The entire household was merry and the atmosphere filled with laughter. Some sipped on hot cocoa while others shared Christmas stories.

Alicia Evergreen locked hands with her boyfriend, Dylan Campbell, her eyes filled with tears as he serenaded her with a bright smile on his lips.

Everyone watched the beautiful couple except Liam Smith, her childhood bestie who loved her so much. For some reason, he never liked Dylan for Alicia. Of course, Alicia has had other boyfriends in the past, and Liam had his shortcomings with them, but his hatred for Dylan was over the roof.

Liam looked away and sipped his hot cocoa while the rest of the guests admired the couples.

No one knew what Dylan had prepared for Alicia. Only Alicia's mother knew exactly what was about to happen.

Soon, the music came to a stop, and Alicia pulled away in an attempt to leave the room but was stopped by a smiling Dylan, who gently gripped her soft hand and planted a kiss on it.

"You look so beautiful," his words sent butterflies inside her belly.

"Awww!" The entire guests voiced out, but Alicia buried her face in his broad chest out of shame.

Her cheeks flushed red from the embarrassment, and she stylishly pulled away, turning around to leave, but Dylan's words echoed softly through the room, making her halt with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Alicia Evergreen, my beloved, my beautiful Barbie doll. The one who makes my heart beat... I would be damned if I said I don't love you. I fucking love you, babes." Dylan declared his love for Alicia looking deep into her eyes like some priceless jewel. "Alicia, you are the love of my life, you are my best friend and the best thing that has happened to me. You love me for what I am and not who I am. You made me the man I am today and fought for me when others didn't see the light in me. I am glad you are mine and I am so fucking proud of calling you mine. But..." Dylan's sigh broke through the room and Alicia stood in a state of panic.

Is he breaking up with me? Her heart pounded without a care. No...no...no, you can't do this, babe.

As her mind wandered in a state of panic, her eyes suddenly widened in shock at seeing her boyfriend kneeling before her. Her body shook to the point she could no longer control her emotions and held her mouth tightly to hold back the screaming.

Dylan smirked at her reaction and took a glance at the room.

His girlfriend was not the only one stunned. The room was buzzing with whispers.

"Say yes, say yes, girl..." Everyone except Liam screamed with excitement.

Liam's eyes shot red and he tilted his head to hold back the tears. His heart shattered into a thousand pieces and the lump in his throat grew thicker that he could choke on it. His cup of hot cocoa fell to the ground and he dropped his gaze to embrace his sad reality.

"Alicia Evergreen, I want you to be the mother of my children. I want a family with you. I want to grow old with you and behold that beautiful face beside my bed till my last breath. Will you marry me, babe?" He popped out the long-awaited question.

"YES! YES! YES! Of course, I will be your wife."

Alicia screamed in excitement and jumped all over Dylan the moment he slid the ring into her finger.

"Let's get married tomorrow, what do you say?"

"Perfect," she replied.

"I guess my work here is done," Mary, her mother, said and hugged the couple affectionately.

"You fucking knew," Alicia glared coldly at her mother but burst into tears and pulled her closer for a warm embrace. "Thank you so much, Ma. I love you."

"It's okay dear," Mary patted Alicia and flashed a smile at Dylan.

"Congrats, babe," her BBF jumped on Alicia.

Since they were little, the trio always tagged along and supported each other. Liam, Violet, and Alicia have been the best of friends. But when other boys came into the picture asking Alicia out, Liam started acting weird.

If not for Violet, Liam wouldn't have made it here with Dylan around.

Everyone joined in her joy, but when Liam stood up from his seat, the entire room was filled with awkwardness, and everyone took a step back nervously.

"Shit!" Violet cussed under the skin. "Not again. Cheer up! You have to be happy for her." She ran to Liam and pulled him closer.

"And who says I'm not?" His dreadful voice struck and Violet stepped aside.

"Congratulations, Alicia," Liam said with a smile on his lips. "If this makes you happy then I am happy."

"Thanks, Liam," she replied and rubbed her head anxiously. "Thanks for coming."

"Yeah!" He replied.

The party went on and everyone drank in merriment. After a few minutes of excitement, the guests made their way home.

Alicia stood beside the window, watching the guests leave one at a time.

All these years of hoping and clinging to Dylan Campbell, her heart shattered into a thousand pieces whenever she saw other women flirt around him. Dylan always discards the rumors of him dating other women.

Alicia flashed a warm smile at her diamond ring. "It's finally happening," she muttered, wiping the tears that fell from her eyes. "If only Dad and Alice were here to see this day. I miss them so much."

She lost her twin sister when she was just fifteen and her father joined years after Alice passed.

Dylan picked the perfect date for the wedding. December 25th was exactly Alicia's birthday. The perfect Christmas wedding.

She suddenly felt a soft touch on her shoulder and turned to Dylan's warm smile.

"Come here," he said and pulled her into his warm embrace. "I love you."

"I know," she replied and felt his warmth. "Thanks for not letting me down. Is the mother still inside?"

"Yeah!" He replied.

"Babe, drinks are on me," Violet announced from behind, making the couples turn around with confused looks on their faces. "We party till dawn."

"I thought you were gone," Alicia said..

"Let's go. It's still 9 pm, and I owe you a little party before the big day," she twisted her waist with a smirk on her face.

"Don't be nasty, girl," Alicia whined. She gazed at Dylan and tried to seek his permission.

"Don't worry about me, go with her. I will leave once I know everyone has gone home."

"That settles it," Violet grabbed her by the arm and pulled her outside the house.

ONE HOUR LATER

Alicia arrived at the house drunk. Violet managed to drop her off, and luckily for Alicia, the housekeeper was there to help her get settled. Her eyes flickered at Dylan's car still parked outside.

"He waited for me," her heart melted at the romantic gesture. "Let me go, I can walk in. Shush! I need to surprise him. Go away, all of you... shuu!"

Alicia's legs staggered around the house, but she managed to remain calm, not to wake anyone. Dylan might be in the guest room, she chuckled in a whisper and wiped her eyes.

On her way to her bedroom, she crawled up the stairs in her condition, but Alicia crawled past her mother's bedroom; she halted and narrowed her brows at the strange sound coming out of her bedroom.

"Right there," Mary moaned intensely. "Yeah!!! I love how you always turn me on. Eat me raw, baby!!!"

"Silly girl," a familiar voice answered, making Alicia rub her eyes.

"Remember the deal, Dylan. She signs the document on the day of the wedding. Alicia doesn't know it yet but her father willed his company to her as a wedding gift. I want that bitch dead after signing the papers. That damn lawyer wouldn't yield to my instructions. I will never allow her to take charge of my husband's company."

"I can't afford to fail you now. You brought me here for this purpose. Four years of fake relationship with a woman I never loved just to make my baby happy," Dylan locked lips with Mary and intensified the passion in her. "I always come back to taste from your middle. You are so fucking tight for your age, babe."

"That's what you get for being a good boy."

"What the heck?!" Her heart raced unusually. "This must be an illusion. I am drunk.. What company is she talking about?"

The door was slightly open and Alicia took the courage to have a glimpse. She wished that all she had heard was a lie, but when her eyes fell on Dylan right between her mother's wet middle, her throat filled with puke. She couldn't afford to be noticed, so she held her mouth with one hand. Alicia was almost on it, with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Fuck! Come closer," Mary's moaning continued. "Did you check with Alicia? Go get the door, babe."

"Relax! She's out with Violet partying. I guess it's a kind of bridal shower so we won't be expecting her tonight. Let's enjoy the night together and celebrate our victory ahead."

His hands ran through her middle and a loud moan escaped her lips. His smirk deepened seeing how she enjoyed every bit of it.

Alicia couldn't watch them anymore. Her heart already bleeds. With all she just heard, she needs to get out of the house.

Her mother and her fiance are making love. What the heck?!

"I have to get out of here. Liam was right about Dylan," she panicked with fear surging through her body and turned around to leave but then, her leg landed on the flower vase beside her mother's door, causing a loud sound.

"Shit! I'm doomed." She trembled uncontrollably.

"Who is there?" Dylan pulled away from Mary the moment he heard that sound. The household has just one housekeeper Mary employed when her husband died to take care of the house. Nanny Agatha never barged in unannounced ever since she took the job.

"What's going on?" Mary asked in a whisper and looked around her bedroom. "Why did you have to put me in the mood only to bail out on me?!" She frowned deeply at her own displeasure.

"Shush! Someone is at the door," Dylan said with a finger crossing his lips and his eyes narrowed at the door.

Before they could catch her, she crawled to her bedroom and trembled on the ground with her eyes filled with tears. She struck her forehead against the wall and grabbed her hair anxiously. None of this felt real but with what she just saw back there, it was all real.

So all these years she feared that Dylan was cheating on her with different chicks in town, she was wrong.

He only loved her mother and fuck her every damn time.

"I have to get out of here," Alicia feared for her life and reached for her cellphone. She dialed on it and panted heavily into the speaker, clutching her shirt tightly. "What do I do now? He isn't picking up. Damn you!" She threw the phone aside and bawled her eyes out with her hand covering her mouth to prevent her from crying aloud.

Her cell phone lit up and she rushed it in terror.

It was a message from Liam.

Liam: What do you want? You shouldn't be calling another man when you are about to wed a few hours from now.

"Good he replied," her fingers began to type on the screen as fast as she could.

Alicia: Liam you have to get here fast, I am in danger. They want to kill me. Please track down my location and help me. Don't let them get me. The wedding is all a trap to take me out if the picture. That asshole is fucking my mother. I should have listened to you all these while. Please help me.

Liam: Stay where you are. Turn on your location on this fucking phone and ,ake sure you hold onto it till I get to you.

BANG!

Her hands trembled when she jolted at the sudden banging on the door. The house was quiet and the perfect arena for a murder scene. What if they found out about her awareness? With how Dylan smirked coming close to her, how is she sure he doesn't know yet?

She nervously gulped down her saliva and shifted on the ground to the side of her bed.

"You are back," he suddenly said to her, tracing his finger around the walls with each step he took to get to her. "I thought you were staying all night at Violets."

For the first time in four years, she saw a different side of him.

So cold and dreadful. His aura was damn fierce and horrific.

Her eyes kept blinking at her future husband with fear surging through her entire body. She felt powerless around Dylan. The fact that she met him here means she knows already. Dylan wasn't supposed to be in the house all alone with her mother at odd hours.

"Babe," her mother's voice echoed through the room. "What are you doing in Alicia's room? Why on earth did you leave like that? I told you she isn't back yet. Let's go back and finish what we've started already. I can't have enough of you..."

Alicia's eyes clouded with tears as she shook beside the wall in her room. She was scared of what is likely going to happen to her. Dylan was still smirking in front of her. Even though the room was dim, she could see his face.

"Please...please...please, I didn't do anything," out of fear she shook her head and pleaded. "Let me go. I promise to disappear without a trace. You have to believe me."

"Why are you scared?!" His cold tone rang through the room like thunder.

"Dylan..." Mary called for her lover when she entered the room, she went ahead to switch on the light to embrace the brightness but suddenly froze in her tracks flickering her eyes around Alicia and Dylan.

"She knows," he said.

"Oh!" Mary's lips curled up mischievously. "Then what the hell are you waiting for. Get rid of that bitch! I guess we don't have to wait after the wedding to eliminate her. Get to work, Dylan. And make sure you leave no trace."

"Huh?! Mother!" Alicia's voice trembled. "Why?!" Her hands embrace the numbness around her.

"Don't fucking call me that. You are nothing but a bitch."

With a loud voice, she shouted, "What are you talking about?!" At this point, Alicia damned the feeling that clouded her. If she is going to die then why can't she just let it all out. "You can't do this to me. I am your daughter! How could you fuck around with Dylan? What did I ever do to you? All of this was your plan to eliminate me."

"Shut the fuck up! I am not your mother, you piece of shit. I can never be your mother. You fucking killed my daughter, Alice. How dare you raise that tiny voice of yours at me?! You are nothing but a murderer. My daughter was just a little girl but you pushed her down the stairs and now, I am going to make you pay for everything you did to me. You killed your sister!"

"We were little and Alice fell on her own. I never pushed her, Ma. Don't play mind games with me. You are fucking around the man I am to marry. How could you?! You are nothing but a whore!" She yelled through the lump that settled around her throat.

SLAP!

"How dare you?!" Mary slapped her cheeks and grabbed her hair, "I am going to kill you..." she shoved her to the ground and dragged her daughter down to the living room like a criminal.

Alicia had bruises on her from all the shoving around.

Her silk dress tore and she smeared dirt and blood.

Dylan did nothing to defend her, he was enjoying the show. His lips twisted in mischief and he crossed his hands without a care in the world.

"Get the fucking papers, she has the damn papers tonight."

Dylan acted like the obedient gigolo he truly was and fetched the document accompanied with a pen. He came back with a cruel smirk on his lips and grabbed her hair, yanking her head back, making blood drip from her scalp. "Sign the damn papers Alicia." He forced the pen on her.

Her scalp burned and she yelled with tears falling from her eyes. "Why?! You are both evil!"

Dylan's smile faltered a little bit yet he remained indifferent.

"You bitch!" Mary smacked her on the face and blood gushed out from her nose. She grabbed her hair and yanked her head back.

She raised her blazing gaze on Mary fiercely and thrust the pen right into her fingers and drove it deep.

Mary yelled in pain and released her. "You bitch!"

Dylan punched her right in the face and grabbed her throat, squeezing it so that her breath felt shortened, "You do have a death wish, don't you?!"

"Fuck off," she spat on him and he slammed her face on the ground, making blood gushed out from her head, he kept on hitting her head on the ground with tears falling from her eyes, the entire room spun and she felt the darkness around her. "You pathetic traitor."

"All you have to do is sign the damn papers," he lifted her head and slammed it against the wall.

BANG!

Suddenly, the door burst open and everyone was in shock. His imposing figure commands attention. He growled as his piercing blue eyes scanned the living room, locking onto Alicia's pale face.

"Get the fuck away from her," he roared with so much anger.

"Huh?!" Dylan's eyes widened at the sudden slam against his head as he embraced the darkness around him.

Mary gripped her wrist tightly and faltered her eyes around the living room in fear.

What the hell just happened to him?

Nanny Agatha and Liam were just at the corner with a baseball bat in her hand. She breathed heavily and shot daggers from her eyes at Mary whose hand was bloody.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Mary shouted.

Nanny Agatha didn't get the poor man hit. It was Liam all along. He didn't need the weapon the older woman had. All he needed was a little combat skills in the right places and that settled it. Nanny Agatha was the reason he was able to access the house. She helped him get in to save his friend.

"Don't you dare touch that little girl. I have tolerated your bullshit enough. No more, Mary." Nanny Agatha suddenly screamed with her face hardened.

"Thanks," Liam bowed slightly and ran to Alicia who was leaning against the ground almost lifeless. "Shit! That jerk!"

"Liam?! Is that you?" Alicia's gasp and tears flooded her eyes. "I should have listened to you. I shouldn't have loved him. I'm sorry for everything I said to you all those years. Please forgive me."

"It's okay, let's get you out of here," he replied and carried her in his arms to her hands wrapped around his shoulders. He felt her hot breath on him and his face hardened at the jerk lying in the ground. He should be punished for doing this to her. Even Mary should feel the wrath.

"Get back here," Mary snapped and grabbed her hand. "I am not letting you go anywhere. You will not get away with this."

"Let her go..." Nanny Agatha slammed her bat on the same spot Alicia had bruised and Mary thundered with a loud voice. She fell to the ground and grabbed her hair to ease the pain.

Mary was lucky Liam had one rule against hitting women.

"Let's fucking go," Liam said in a hurry and rushed outside the house with Nancy Agatha beside him. He had Alicia in one hand as he ran to his bike. Even since they were young, Liam always loves riding bikes. He had no crew and didn't belong to any gang and that was the exact reason Alicia was able to get along with him. She hates bad boys and Liam was different from the rest of the gangsters she grew up seeing along streets.

She breathed heavily behind him and her tears fell on his palm.

Is she crying? Now is not the time.

"It was an accident with Alice," she said faintly. "I didn't push her. She fell, so I tried to help her. Why did mother do this to me?! She took everything from me. My Christmas wedding. My birthday is ruined. They said I have an inheritance I don't know about. Father was just a local baker with mother to help him. How is that even possible?!"

"I have to get you out of here," Liam looked around to make sure everything was secured. He carried her on his bike and supported her with one hand as he slid on top of his bike in a haste.

"I will get going now," Nanny Agatha bid them farewell. "Make sure you are safe and please take care of her. She is just a child. I beg of you." She glanced at Alicia and wept for her. Nanny Agatha rubbed her cheeks gently and dropped her gaze to the ground and ran off without looking back. She needs to save herself too. Back home, she has families who need her.

"I guess it's just us now," Liam sighed and turned on his engine. "Hold onto me. Don't let go."

All he could hear from behind him was humming. She was exhausted from all the smacking she took back there. Because she needs to get answers after tonight, she gripped his waist firmly and leaned her head on his back.

He jolted for a minute and gulped down his saliva. Liam's eyes flickered around and goosebumps formed on his body.

"Where the hell are they?" Dylan roared, slamming the door open at the entrance. "Damn you! I am going to kill you both."

"Shit!" Liam cussed and zoomed off at high speed without looking back.

"What are you doing standing there?!" Mary yelled at her lover and slapped the back of his head, "Go get them and make sure you come back here with her damn signature. I am not going to allow that bitch get away with this."

He ran towards the car and sped off. Dylan has come too far to end up failing. Four years he invested his time in Alicia and for what purpose? To get the life he always wanted. Once Alicia willed her company to Mary, Dylan would automatically become part of the empire. All those years working for Mary and slamming inside her every damn time, he got the information that will likely change his life for good.

"I am not going to allow you to get away with this. Damn you Liam! I should have eliminated you long ago. Get out of the way," he slammed against the horn.

"Watch where you are going," a man shouted from his car.

"Get the fuck out of my face," Dylan yelled back and slammed his car against the man's car.

"Hey! You asshole!"

He slid up his middle finger and sped off. Every stop was damn frustrating fur Dylan. How is he going to get them now?

The road was bustling with traffic. It is hard to chase after someone in that condition.

A sudden car blocked his way and Dylan was caught in the middle of traffic he couldn't escape.

"Damnit!" He slammed his fist on the steering.

****

Liam drove fiercely on the road. It was the most business town ever for the people of Brooklyn. The road was jammed with traffic but thanks to his bike, he was able to scale through but he feared if Alicia could make it. Her hands were slipping away from him. She was getting tired.

"Alicia please hold on," he turned around to have a glimpse with fear in his eyes. "I will take you to safety. You have to keep fighting...."

Behind his bike, he heard a strange sound. "Don't tell me I don't have enough petrol? What the fuck?!" His bike suddenly stopped moving when he got to the highway.

"Argh!" He yelled.

Liam carried her in his arms and ran to the side. He dropped her on the ground gently and ran his fingers through her hair.

"You are going to be fine. Just hang in there. Here you go, eat this. Your favorite chocolate."

"Thank you Liam," she rubbed his cheeks and flashed him a smile. "Sorry Liam. I should have listened to you."

"It's okay, all that matters is that you are safe now. I don't see any sign of Dylan."

Liam leaned on the ground beside her and watched her eat the chocolate with tears all over her body. His heart bled for her. If only he could cuddle her and comfort her. Alicia would never give him the opportunity to get that close.

Liam was conscious about his surroundings the entire time.

Out of nowhere, a group of luxurious rides surrounded them. Liam covered his eyes from the light and shielded Alicia behind him. His face hardened and he clenched his fist ready to throw the first punch. Even if he has to give up this life for her tonight just to protect her, he didn't mind.

Alicia trembled behind Liam and wrapped her hands around his waist tightly. Just like before his body reacted to her touch.

Liam had a mouthful of saliva and glanced at Alicia with a cranky smirk.

Why on earth does she keep punishing him? What in the world does she want from him?