The Secret Heiress

When I turned three and realized that I was alive and could dream, I said my first sentence, which was, “Let’s move to New York.” We had moved to the Countryside and it was our first winter there. My mom had gotten a job at the central mall and one day, after working, she had bought movie tickets for us. I was so excited. At the cinema mall, my eyes were wide open and I barely missed a scene. This was the first time I saw New York. Yes, in the movies. New York was the land of possibilities where dreams become realities and for the first time, I imagined my future and it led me straight there, to New York. I continue– “Alyssa!” Brawn yelled, cutting Alyssa from her endless daydreaming, her eyes snapped up and she instinctively reached out for her leather jacket. “Caught up in your daydreaming again? Huh. I was talking to you,” he muttered. “Where's my money you little thief?” Alyssa sighed sadly, trying not to cry. A few minutes ago, some money had gone missing and now, Brawn was accusing her of stealing it. “I didn’t do anything!” She cried out, trembling. “I didn’t take it!” He gave her a cynical smile and grabbed her arm. “You can never tell a thief from their appearance now, can you?” Alyssa choked a sob and dragged her arm away from him. She worked at a chain restaurant, China Meal. It wasn’t a Chinese restaurant but the owners had gotten the name from a popular chain restaurant from a New York blockbuster movie in the late nineties and Brawn Shredder was the manager. Alyssa wasn't in Brawn’s good books because she was the only employee who stood up to him, but she never thought he'd blame her for stealing like he was doing now. Brawn let out a loud, forced sigh, “Okay then, explain why you were in the accounting office when everyone was on duty.” “I just wanted to get some rest, I was really tired and…” Alyssa tried to explain. He let out a loud cackle, “And you chose the accounting office?” “I swear it is not what it looks like, I just wanted to rest for a while, I would never take any money,” Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, “Please believe me, I didn’t, I swear I didn’t do it.” “But everyone says it's you,” Brawn insisted. A look of satisfaction playing in his eyes, he had never seen her cry before. Her eyes widened.“I would never do something like that!” She turned to Trisha, her colleague. “Right, Trish? You know I wouldn’t do something like this.” Trisha was the only co-worker who she had gotten along with. “Trish?” she called again after she got no response. “I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” Trisha bit her lip, refusing to look at her. “Everyone’s saying it’s you.” “Trish?” Her words failed her, the betrayal forcing away all thoughts, freezing her limbs. She did have one question for her, “Why?” Trisha rolled her eyes. “Don’t ask me that, you stole people’s money! I can’t defend that.” “Trish… how… could you?” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Enough of your babbling. Alyssa Williams, your services are no longer needed here. You are hereby permanently dismissed. Get out.” Alyssa's world was crumbling. This couldn't happen, if it did, she was sure it would be put on record and no one would hire her again. “No, please, don’t do this, you know what would happen to me, no one would ever hire me again, I’ll lose everything, I won’t be able to work, I…” “Do I call the cops then?” He failed to hide his grin, his face flushed from how miserable she looked. “Would you prefer to be arrested for theft?” He leaned into her ears, “Actually, I would love to see you behind bars.” Her breath hitched and she stood frozen, knowing everything had come to an end. She picked up her bag and walked past the door. Her feet aimlessly walked down the bare street, her thoughts were all over the place. Her path was empty and she felt like she had failed herself so terribly. She struggled to keep her thoughts in check and the tears that welled up in her eyes became harder to control. The snow increased and it became harder for her to keep moving. Suddenly, she saw a black car speeding toward her, she turned to see that it was very close to her. She didn't even realize she had crossed the street. When did I even cross the street? Her mind willed her to move but she couldn't, she was frozen with panic. She closed her eyes but the car came to a screeching halt, barely missing her, the fragile collision causing her to fall to the floor. She heard the car’s door open with a hurry and somebody running toward her. “Are you okay?” A deep baritone spoke delicately. Her heart was beating wildly and she could barely move but there was something about the voice that gave her peace. “Everything is fine, open your eyes, ma'am.” the voice spoke. The fruity fragrance of his cologne filled her nostrils with sweetness. When she opened her eyes to meet the speaker, she was met with the most impenetrable pair of deep hazel eyes she had seen in her entire life.