Merged By Fate

CHAPTER 4

"I came up empty," I told Mia, accepting the coffee Mia offered.

Images of the man I met flashed through my mind and I couldn't quite place the reason why I haven't stopped thinking about them.

Especially the young man.

“Girlfriend, are you here?” Mia said, bringing me back to reality with a slight tap on my shoulder.

“Yeah…” I nodded.

“Didn't catch a single soul, not even someone in charge of the building?" she inquired, sliding a chair next to me.

“Nobody. Plus, I nearly got hit by a car," I confessed, causing her eyes to bulge.

"Goodness, I'm sorry, girlfriend. You're not hurt, are you?" Mia's concern was palpable.

“I'm fine, but let's keep it from grandma," I requested, as thoughts of Jason intruded.

"He's just as you said," I murmured.

My thoughts slowly drifted to Jason and I still can't believe he not only betrayed me.

Taking away the most precious gift my father left me is not what is bothering me.

The big deal is my grandmother's life depends on the property he sold.

Had it been he had given me some shares I wouldn't be mad at him.

"Who are you talking about?" Mia's brow lifted. Her voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Jason,” I mumbled.

“Oh, girlfriend. I told you to take your mind off him.” She mentioned squeezing my hands.

“I…try to but I can't. I don't think I can ever get over what he did to me.” I uttered almost in tears.

“Hey, don't cry,” Mia commented, wiping the tears welling down from my eyes.

“I’m such a fool. I trusted him and now loo—” I wanted to say but Mia cuts in,

“That's enough. Forget about him. Don't let him bother you. It'll all work out. Come here," she coaxed, opening her arms for a hug, which I gratefully accepted.

_____

TROY POV.

"Are you yelling at me over some nobody?" Allison's voice boomed, and her tone grated on me.

"Ally, we're in my office. Keep it down," I insisted, striding across the room.

Her recent behavior baffled me; despite my love for her and envisioning a future together, her current demeanor was unbearable.

"Shutting me up, really?" she retorted. I took her hands, drawing her close.

"Please, settle down. I'm sorry if I upset you. But we nearly hit someone today. What if she'd been seriously hurt?" I implored, searching her eyes for any sign of regret, but found none.

"Since when do you care about random people?" she scoffed.

"Come on, Ally. Show a little compassion," I said calmly.

“And since when did you become Santa Claus because I don't understand why you care so much about a total stranger,” Allison muttered, her hands resting on her chest.

“Ally, I can't believe you're saying all this.

You were the one who told me to treat people rightly the other day and now you are acting all angry because of what happened a few minutes ago.” I fired back, losing my patience.

One thing I can't tolerate from Allison is her constant change of mood.

She says something today and the next day, she turns her back on it.

"I can't believe we're arguing about this," she muttered.

“Me neither, babe. Let's not fight over this small thing. Come here," I said, pulling her closer.

Before she could say anything, I leaned down and kissed her gently, my hands gripping her hips.

She let out a soft moan, and our tongues intertwined. I lifted her onto the desk, and a mischievous smirk appeared on her face.

I lifted her dress, and she wrapped her thighs around my waist.

I continued kissing and nibbling her neck, making my way down to the center of her legs.

"You're mine, babe," Allison whispered. "I love you so much, babe," I responded, deepening the kiss.

That's when we heard the door creaking open.

"What the heck is going on here?" a booming voice interrupted us, causing Allison and me to freeze.

"Dad!" I muttered, and Allison quickly composed herself, covering her dress.

I turned around, shaking my head in embarrassment at my father's unexpected entrance.

"Excuse me," Allison said as she hurried out of the office.

"Since when did your office turn into a bedroom?" my father questioned.

"Since when did you forget to knock on the door, Dad? Where's your manners?" I replied, adjusting my shirt.

"I could have knocked but you left the door open. That girl's a bad influence on you," my father said, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

“She's my fiancée, Dad. How many times do I have to tell you?" I said, sitting on the edge of my desk.

"And how many times do I have to tell you she's no good for you? Look at yourself," he said, giving me a disgusted look.

“I love her, Dad. I don't care what you think. I'm marrying her," I said firmly.

"Not under my watch, Troy. You're not marrying that woman," he fired back, and I could feel my fists clenching with anger.

"Please, don't talk about my fiancée like that," I said, trying to stay calm.

"Then be prepared to lose the company," he threatened.

“What?" I responded, shocked.

“You heard me, son. Find someone else to marry or I'll give the company to someone else," he said, tapping my shoulder before leaving.

I chuckled slightly, not believing he was serious.

“You don't mean it, do you?" I asked.

“I do, son. I meant every word. It's your choice: the company or that woman," he said, and I was left alone in my office, wrestling with my thoughts.

This wasn't the first time my dad had made this ultimatum about Allison, but this time he took it to a whole new level.

He threatened me like never before.

Why did he hate Allison so much? Why couldn't he stand seeing us together?

The thoughts overwhelmed my mind as I flopped on the chair beside me.

“Boss, you have a mee—”

“Get lost!” I yelled at my assistant Valeria before she made her way into my office.

******************

"Yeah. Love you, grandma, please do not forget to take your medicine." I said on the phone as I walked towards the uncompleted building.

“Bye. Take care of yourself.” I hung up immediately and placed my phone inside my purse.

"Oh boy, I hope I don't get into trouble," I whispered to myself as I entered the unfinished building.

"Hey, anyone here?" I called out, looking around. Suddenly, two big guys appeared, one from my left and the other from behind.

“Hey cutie pie, what are you searching for?" one of them said.

“Um... the owner of this place," I stammered, stepping back.

"The owner's not here, but we can show you around," the other guy said, getting closer.

"No need, I think I'll leave," I said, trying to walk away. But the other guy blocked my path.

“Hold up, pretty ass," he said, grabbing my waist.

"Please, let me go!" I shouted.

"Not after this," the other guy said, leaning in and forcing his lips on mine.

I couldn't believe what was happening. I struggled to break free from the guy's grip.

“Calm down, we won't hurt you, baby," the guy said, with a creepy smile on his face as he tore my clothes.

"Why are you doing this? I haven't done anything to you," I cried out, tears streaming down my face.

“Just shut up already!" the guy holding my waist snapped, his voice filled with anger.

The other man chimed in, making a disgusting comment about touching my chest.

I couldn't let them have their way. I thought to myself, "No, this can't happen to me."

With all the strength I could muster, I kicked the guy in the groin who was holding me.

I wanted to run away, but before I could, the other man grabbed me from behind, his hands tightening around my neck.

I fought to get up, but he pushed me to the floor and slapped me hard across the face, causing blood to trickle from my lips.

"Please, don't hurt me! Please, I'm begging you!" I screamed, my voice filled with desperation.

Just as the man started to undress, there was a loud bang behind him.

He was pulled away from me, and the two men quickly fled the scene.

As I tried to process what was happening, I saw a young man in a black suit, his hair slicked back, standing in the room.

There was something familiar about him, but I couldn't quite place it.

Have I met him before? The question in my head was answered when he turned around

“You again.” The words blurred out of my lips…