It always seems
impossible
until it's done.
-
Nelson Mandela

_________________

Daniel was pissed. Pissed because Annabelle was not planning to let go him, pissed because I wore this dress to the party, minus the fact he likes it, pissed because I choose to dance with John rather him and pissed because the lady commented about my future baby having John's green eyes.

The last one was the last string.

C'mon, I don't plan to have babies. That's out of list. And if at all I was planning to have babies, my children will have my gray eyes or... his gorgeous blue eyes.

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips but I hold it back when I see the look on Daniel's face.

Daniel's eyes flash with fury and he stands up from the bed. One step toward me, his voice low and guttural. "Done with your dance? Or do you want some more time to decide on how to dumb me so that you can plan your future with him."

I grimace, trying to grasp his words.

He's angry, so calm down.

But Daniel's not finished. He gives it to me straight. Another step toward me and he leans down so our faces are just inches apart. "Thomas said you looked gorgeous, which I have to agree with, but I took extreme exception to him saying that you look better in John's arms, with him in his bed than mine."

That annoying old man. Damn him!

I gasp and take a startled step backward.  Daniel moves with me, not about to let me get too far away. His eyes are glazed with anger over the memory of what Thomas said. "You're angry that I touched Anna? I get it. I know I shouldn't have but I didn't want her from the moment I met you. I hate that all those bastards were able to talk to you all evening but I, despite being your husband couldn't even stand beside you. Why? Because I fucked up? I did! I admit that I hurt you when I let Annabelle take me to the guest room but you know nothing happened. It was our first party but you choose to be with my enemy who's waiting to pull me down rather than me."

Relax!

"Dani-"

"It was always you," he shouts. I flinch at the intensity of his voice. "From the very moment I met you in the bar, it has been always you. I tried every second to keep you away from my problems. I tried to close myself but you always crawled in, making me feel more safe. I was stunned when you let Anna touch me, I thought you didn't care. At that moment, I felt there's no use of fighting anymore because you didn't care. If not for you then who else? And that's when you touched your ring, for a second I saw how much you were waiting for me to push her away. I was able to stop Anna from getting what she want because I knew there's a woman with my ring on her finger, who would be broken if I forget my vows."

There are no words to describe how I feel in this moment. The timbre of Daniel's voice, the way his fists are clenched in fury, the proprietary look in his eyes as he practically snarls out his thoughts. I'm going straight to hell, I know for sure, when a slight shiver of pleasure races up my spine. In this very singular moment, I have never felt more protected and valued in my life as a woman. I find I like this feeling so much that another shiver moves up my spine that is pure fear.

Fear of letting this man inside. To stop myself from getting deeper.

He isn't done.

The heat and passion of the moment swiftly dies out of Daniel's eyes. His lips flatten. "But I was wrong. You don't care. At first, I thought you were punishing me for loosing the bet and it felt better. But the moment you hugged him in the dance floor, kissed his neck, rested your cheek against his shoulder and let him fucking hold you, I realized how much you hate me. You hate so much so as to choose humiliate me in front of everyone. Do you remember what that woman, Mrs. Brown said? Babies with green eyes? Jesus, Allison! Do you know how I felt? Mr. Brown knows whose wife you are, the way he stared at me with pity is a sight I could never forget. The look that is given to a man who gets betrayed by his own wife."

Jesus!

"Daniel, you know it wasn't like that."

"Really? You know what hurts most? You don't love him but still you're with him. He seems to have more importance than me. The thought of you counting days for this marriage to end so you can fuck him is killing me. I just feel so wasted. I feel fucking useless."

The passion I felt before seconds is gone. I reach out internally, seeking that feeling of cherished protection he made me feel just seconds ago, and it's gone.

All gone. Replaced by anger.

Calm down!

"Don't do this."

"Don't do what? Was this why you didn't want to do anything with me? You were hedging? Biding your time until you could finish this one like all of your damn cases. Damn, I must've been a real inconvenience. You want to get the custody of your sister and the only way was to marry this loser." Sarcasm and vengefulness dripped from each word. Don't go there, Daniel. Not today!

Allison! He doesn't know about Ashley. Control, okay?

He slow clapped in front of my face. "You got the custody. You got everything you want so why act as if you you care. What did you just do to me? You had to swoop in to 'fix' me." He put his fingers up into air quotes. "Go and live with your sister and that fucking John. Party with your friends and fuck your John. Win your da-"

That's it!

Nooo!

"Stop it," I shout at the top of my voice, pushing Daniel back with all the force causing him to stumble back. "How dare you?"

"All-" Hope says, walking towards me. I raise my hand, cutting her off.

"You think you know what I want?" I ask, pointing my finger at his chest. I shake my head. "You don't. You think I want to fuck John and I'm not doing it because my parents messed up my mind? Yes, they messed up my mind but that isn't why I didn't fuck him. It's because I don't want him as much as I want you. You want to know why I choose John? I choose him as you hate him so much. I wanted you to know that you made a wrong decision," I say, my voice getting louder and louder.

"Did you imagine how I felt today? I had a shitty day and all I wanted was you to hold me. I was waiting for you to hold me like you always do but instead it was that Anaconda who had your arms around her. That fucking hurts. Did you ever think what would have happened if someone else walked into that room instead of me? It would have end everything. You walking out with her whether it's for talking or whatever was a stupid idea, one you shouldn't have chosen. You still think you can trust her? You can't. You can't seem to relax around her. It was so obvious that a part of you still gets affected by her. It may be due to anger, frustration or fear but it doesn't matter what it is. For the people around you, it seems like she holds a special place. You were jealous that another man held me? You were jealous that I rested my cheeks against his shoulder? I don't fucking care. You aren't the first man in my life, Daniel, get used to it."

I take another step forwards, my gaze fixed on his face. "You think I was happy dancing with John? I wasn't. It was payback. Do you think I would choose the the path my mother walked through? There's no love between us, Daniel but there's loyalty. I trust you to not cheat on you. I know you would never do it no matter what others say. You wouldn't do it." My voice starts breaking, emotions pushing it's way into my chest. I take another breathe when I see Daniel's face calm and steady. His anger all gone while my emotions are playing with me.

"I know everything you said was due to anger and that you trust me. Your eyes never lie to me, Daniel. I get it, you're angry but I'm angry too. Not because you lost the bet but because I won it. I didn't want to win it. For the first time in my life, I wanted to loose so that I'd get to dance with you. You feel useless? It's not you, it's me who feels useless."

I place my hand on Daniel's chest, gazing at his blue eyes. "After everything I did you still don't understand how much you mean to me. You aren't a man that I choose to fuck and finish my itch of. You're the man I choose to spend six months. Whether it's one or six months, I made it clear whom I belong to. I agreed to make a commitment which I never did with anyone. I let myself have your surname, I go around correcting people when they call me 'Miss' because I know whom I belong to. Even after divorce, I'd always be a woman who was once married. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take it so far. I'm so sorry that you were humiliated but I didn't mean to do it. I'm sorry that you had to defend your action of marrying me in front of Thomas but it was clear whom he wanted to be with you. He wants Annabelle as your wife and he made it clear from the very moment he met me. I'm sorry. It was childish and stupid. I won the bet and I wanted to realize what you lost because of a stupid decision of walking out of the room. I'm glad that you didn't betray me but that's not enough, Daniel. I don't want you to get tangled with whatever that Anaconda is planning and that's the reason I'm here."

I take deep breathe to stop myself from breaking down. Daniel's arms comes around me, pulling me closer. I rest my head on his chest for few seconds because I need it right now. His lips touch my hair, chills running down my spine even when I'm exhausted. I pull away from him, stepping back. Daniel stares at me with his usual blank expression and I realize that we're okay. We're back to how we were before this evening happened.

I take one more step back. "I..I.." I take another deep breath. "Ashley..." I close my eyes and I feel a hand on my back. I knew who it was. Hope! The one who knows that I'm one step away from breaking down. She holds me while I try to form words.

Damn them! You don't want anyone. You were fine without anyone beside you. So flip them off.

"Ashley was lying along with Cassy. I can't enjoy with my sister just as you said. I didn't get everything I want. I don't get to party with my friends because they stabbed me in the back. Those damn cases that come everyday are the only thing that keeps me sane after knowing that everything is out of my hands."

I turn around and walk out of the room without another glance. I stop once I reach the garden, I take another deep breath and I sign in relief when I realize I didn't cry. I still didn't cry! I didn't shed a drop of tear in front of them and I'm damn proud of myself.

Argh! Always damn proud of yourself.

What? I'm amazing.

Seriously?

I smile brightly when I find Mr. Brown and Mrs. Brown in the garden, talking about something serious. Mrs. Brown smiles warmly when she sees me walking towards them while Mr. Brown raises his brows.

"I want to tell you something, Mrs. Brown," I say when I reach near them.

"Call me, Hana. What is it, dear?" Hana asks, stepping towards me. Concern replacing her smile.

"John isn't my husband," I state, my voice sharp. "I'm Daniel's wife."

Hana's eyes widens slightly. "Oh. That explains why Daniel wasn't happy. He looked like he might eat John alive." I chuckle at her words.

"Ah... We had a fight so I just.. ignored him," I say, biting my lips, not sure how to explain the situation.

Hana's head whips around to me and her face lights up as she claps her hands together. "I get it. I always do that to Jace when he's annoying the hell out of me. Men need to be kept on their toes. I'm sorry I misunderstood and don't worry, your baby will have blue eyes." I giggle, grinning wide. "Look at that smile. I'm sure you're Daniel's wife, you definitely didn't look like you do now when I talked to you at the party." She has that motherly vibes similar to that of Carla. The vibe that I missed throughout my life.

"Hana, go and sit in the car. I'll join you soon," Mr. Brown says, shaking me from my thoughts. He smiles at his beautiful wife, places a kiss on her blonde hair.

Hana rolls her eyes, her beautiful face smiling at me. Though aged she still looks beautiful. "He's always bossy. I'll see you next time and then we can fix plans for lunch," she says, pulling me for a hug. I accept it, wrapping my arms around her. She's shorter than me so it feels better to hug her, makes me feel better. Much better.

Mr. Brown turns towards me once Hana walks towards the parking area. "Why did you tell this now?"

I smile at him, a genuine one. "I didn't want anyone to think that I wasn't Daniel's wife. I don't ever want him to be embarrassed like today. I want everyone to know that I belong to Daniel in every way possible."

Mr. Brown smiles at me, his brown eyes staring down at me. "I thought you were cheating on him. Guess, I was wrong. When I think about it, everything finally falls into place now. You were with John all evening but your eyes were fixed on Daniel so you definitely didn't plan infidelity. When Daniel announced his wedding suddenly, everyone expected it to be a business deal but I guess that's not the case."

"I don't care about the business deal or anything."

"Daniel might loose his position soon. The board members scheduled a meeting excluding him to discuss about Annabelle and Daniel," Mr. Brown informs, my eyes widens slightly.

Dammit! They're planning to take action against him.

"We got information that Annabelle and Daniel were involved in a romantic relationship before and after marriage."

"No," I say, my tone sharper. "He wouldn't cheat on me. I know that. Whatever was between them, it was before our wedding."

Mr. Brown nods, his face calm. "Maybe but your word is not enough. I know Daniel and I trust him to handle the company but there are certain rules and regulations. Board members shouldn't have any type of romantic relationship with each other, it was clear. Nobody is certain about anything but Annabelle has been pulling threads. Moreover, the company focuses on family relations more than anything. More than ninety percent of the members are married and decent men. Very few like John are bachelors. So even a rumor of Daniel cheating on you can sway the support he has from the members. Moreover, Thomas is against you. He thinks Annabelle is a better option for Daniel than you."

I'm going to kill that old man.

I nod my head. "Don't inform Daniel about anything. I'll handle this."

Mr. Brown nods his head in approval. "Allison, I don't know what's going on between you both. All I know is an intelligent woman like you wouldn't stand with Daniel unless you think he's worth it."

Oh, he's worth every second. At least his hotness is worth it.

Shut up!

"Can you tell me when the meeting is scheduled?"

"I'll email you the details."

"Thank you."

Mr. Brown places his hand on my head, caressing my hair in a gentle, parental way before stepping back and walking away. I close my eyes, already done with everything that's happening.

He would be broken if he realizes they're taking an action against him.

What's your plan?

Unless Alex gives me some information, there's nothing for me to do. This is moving faster than I expected.

Being careful not to cut myself, I sing, "Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn around. Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the ground. Teddy Teddy bear, polish your--" Why should my teddy bear polish shoes? I'm not wearing a shoe. "Scratch that, Teddy bear, Teddy bear, eat your ice cream. Teddy bear, Teddy bear, off to sleep." I listen to the sound of my voice bounce off the walls around me. I stop singing when I reach Thomas room as I hear a sniff.

Is that voice of someone crying?

I hear another sniff. Curiosity gets the best out of me so I did what any human being would do.

Don't forget curiosity killed the cat.

I don't care as it's not my cat and I don't even like pets.

When will you grow up?

I slowly peeped inside the room. My eyes turns wide when I see Carla crying. Is she okay?

What now?

I sit beside Carla on her couch and hands her another tissue to wipes her nose. "What's the matter Carla," I ask in a low voice, with slight hesitation.

"W..Within another half an hour, it's Thomas' birthday but he's still working," she sniffed, lowering her head. "He shouted at me when I asked him to get some rest. H..He's always kind to me but t..today," she sniffs again and grabs another tissue from me.

"Don't worry, I'll bring him back here," I say with a smile.

"Really?" She asks, her eyes lights up in wonder. "He might shout at you. He's so grumpy today." I almost laugh at her choice of words. Grumpy?

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," I say with my best grin plastered all over my face.

Ten minutes later, I marched towards Thomas' study, its eleven twenty five precisely. I should finish my talk before twelve. I stop when I reach in front of the door, I slammed my foot against the door, kicking it open.

Thomas was sitting behind his desk, studying an open file in front of him. He raised his eyes from the file resting on the desk in front of him and met my gaze.

"What are you doing here at this time, young lady?"

I grin as I storm into the room, closing the door behind me. I marched up to his desk with a grin. "We have some important matters to discuss."

"We do?"

"Yes," I confirm, he narrows his eyes and closes the file which was placed in front of him on his desk.

"So what's the matter?"

"It's high time you stop being a dick," I say as I sit on the chair placed in front of his desk. He blinks at me as if I had two horns.

I'm not a monster Thomas, you don't have to worry.

It's me...Sweet little Ally.

I wouldn't call you sweet.

"Explain yourself young lady otherwise I would like you to go back to your room," he tells, pushing the file which was kept in front of him on the desk to the corner.

"Are you by any chance asking me to get out?" I stare at him, raising my eyebrows at him, pulling them together.

"Yes, young lady." I glare at him.

"Gosh, stop with 'young lady'. I do have a name." I smile. "Allison, you can call me Ally since you're being so sweet," I say sarcastically, folding my arms across my chest.

"Young lady is a very suitable name for you." Suitable? Is he even serious? What's with men and nicknames. Why do all of the men I have ever met insist on nicknames that are weird?

"Fine, as your wish, old man."

"Old man?" His face turning into a frown. Thomas can be cute at times too.

"I decided to give you a nickname since you gave me one." I wink at him, he sighs shaking his head. "Why are you working so late? It's your birthday after few minutes. Carla is crying because you yelled at her for asking you not to work and take rest. You shouldn't being a dick to a woman who was with you for years, tolerating your mood swings."

His face breaks into a smile. I bet even now he has girls lining up for a small touch of his. Old man doesn't suit him well but it's okay as someone needs to remind him that he is getting old. "I hate parties and Carla knows that but she insisted on a birthday eve party. I reluctantly agreed but I didn't expect tons of people to show up. I just don't like it, I like spending my day with Carla in my arms but I couldn't so I ended up letting my anger on her by shouting."

Is he by any chance telling me about his love life?

Of course he is. Isn't that sweet?

No, it is not. I don't want to hear his love life. I'm not interested.

Oh really? Maybe you're not interested as you're jealous that you don't have one.

Shut up.

"You sound romantic, old man." He grimaces. "Well, why don't you wrap up your work and go to your wife so that you end up in bed with her in your arms."

"Payback," he says and I freeze. "I want her to know how much I wanted it." I give him my greatest grin.

"You sound like a person I know," I say. He nods his head lightly.

"Sounds like an intelligent man."

I grin. "Of course and the woman whom you addressed as man is none other than me." He looks at me with a blank expression and then he just shrugs his shoulders.

"A mere coincidence. Sometimes foolish people do say something intelligent." He nods his head again.

Foolish? Damn the old man.

I grit my teeth. "Yeah, a very pure coincidence."

"Anyway I was just going to finish off and go back to console my wife. She must have filled my room with tears."

"Don't make fun off your wife, old man." I stand up from the chair and moves towards the bookshelf where books are arranged in a neat manner. I pick up the brown cover book and opens it.

"Are you fond of my wife?" He questions and I nod my head without looking at him.

"She's a great woman and one among the few women who's quite fond off me." I walk towards the couch and plop down on it.

"Few women?"

"Yes, old women aren't exactly fond off me which includes my mom, aunt, grandmother," I say before opening the book which was held in my hand. "Anyway old men like me. I mean everyone like me except few people but I guess old men do have a special interest in me. Maybe because I never hit them."

I felt the couch sink and I lifted my eyes from the book only to find Thomas sitting beside me with a smile. "You hit your mom?"

What? How can he even say that?

Hmmmm.

What?

Hmm... Nothing.

"No," I say immediately with wide eyes.

Thomas raises his eyebrows at me. My lips slowly turn into a smile. "I may or may not have locked up my grandmother in a room and maybe added a bit more of salt in her food. I may have even threw a frog into her room," I say with a smile and to my surprise, he laughs. Thomas laughs.

One of the world wonders.

"So, who're the old men that like you?"

"Judge, my grandfather, Maths teacher, the uncle working in the ice cream parlor that's near my home, the janitor and you. There are many so it may take long time to mention everyone." I start reading the book, slowly absorbing each and every word.

"Me? You think I'm fond of you?" He asks with a frown. I immediately nods my head.

"Yes. You don't want me to Daniel's wife because you think it was a forced choice but as a person, you do like me."

He remains silent as if he's thinking something deep. What's there to think so much? Did I ask him something very difficult? It's a simple question. He shouldn't take much time to answer that.

"I am, young lady. I'm quite fond of you. Nobody dared to walk into my room and talk to me the way you talked. Maybe Carla few times when she was pregnant. Other than that none has dared."

I snort. "That's because you didn't meet anyone like me."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you speak a lot?"

I giggle after hearing his question. "Oh trust me, I have heard that a lot. Now tell me do you have another child?"

"If I had a son then you would have been my daughter in-law." I stare at him and shake my head.

No way in hell. I would have not agreed to marry anyone.

But you did agree when it came to Daniel.

Okay, I may have agreed only if the guy have a task for me and a six month deal.

Really?

Yup!

Liar!

"Definitely not. I hate the thought of getting married," I tell him before continuing to read the book in my hands.

"Then why did you marry Daniel?" I freeze. I look up and find Thomas smirking at me. "Do you think you can continue to act in front of me and I'll believe it. You didn't marry Daniel because you love him then why?"

He caught you Ally!

No he didn't. He still sitting far from me. He didn't even touch me.

Stop with the sarcasm and think straight.

Straight? Is there straight and curve to think?

For God's sake, use that pretty brain of yours.

Of course my brain is pretty, you don't have to remind me that. I know that very well.

"This is why I like you, old man. You're quite intelligent like me. I knew it would be difficult to convince you." I close the book and place it on my lap before turning towards him. "I married Daniel because I wanted to. Simple. I hate the idea of marriage but with him it didn't feel that bad anymore. I wanted to help him."

"Help him?" Thomas snarls. "You caused more trouble than before. He loves Annabelle and wants to be with her. If you didn't come in between them then they would have been together by now."

Jesus! He's annoying me.

"No, she was his sex buddy," I say and Thomas gives me a stern look. I clear my throat slightly after seeing the look Thomas is giving me. "They had sex and there's nothing more than that."

"You know nothing," Thomas snaps, his face getting hard. "He always liked her. He couldn't marry her because of the company's damn rules and his father's blackmail. Otherwise he would have been with the one he loves instead of a fake one."

Ouch! Fake one? Jesus! None ever called me fake and it freaking annoys me.

I told you, I don't like this guy.

He's a nice person. Daniel likes him and they care about each other. That's why he's angry at me.

"Are you done?"

"No!" I smile at his annoying face. "You like John then why don't you date him instead of staying with Daniel."

Punch him. Now!

Shut up!

I walk towards the shelf and places the book in it's place. I move towards Thomas and pull him up. "What do you think you're doing?" He asks trying to pull his hand away from my grip.

"I'm taking you to your wife," I say dragging the old man with me. "You need some taming old man."

I pull my hand away from Thomas when we reach his room. Carla stands up from her bed and beams at us. Thomas walks towards her and pulls her into his arms. He presses a soft kiss on her forehead while she smiled at him with tears. I stare at the clock which was hanged on the wall. It is twelve three and finally his birthday. "Happy birthday, honey," Carla whispers pressing her lips on his. I smile at them before turning around to leave. It's better if I walked away before they could move to further things.

"Young lady." I stopped when I heard Thomas voice. I turn towards him.

He hasn't stopped this young lady yet.

Shut up and concentrate.

"Give me few minutes, sweet," he says to Carla before walking towards me and holding my hand. He pulls me out of his room to the hallway, his gaze focused on the garden. I follow his gaze only to find Daniel sitting on a bench, drenched in the rain.

You got to be kidding me.

"Go and apologize to him. You're the reason why he looks lost," Thomas says and I shake my head.

Has he gone nuts? Does he want me to get sick? Why the bloody hell will I stay in the rain with Daniel?

Because he's your husband.

No way in hell. I don't want to get sick and then just drink soup. I hate soups and injections aren't kind either.

Seriously?

"He's hurt."

Damn the old man. Don't continue, I don't wanna hear. Don't try to melt me.

Are you by any chance melting?

No, why will I?

If you say so.

"I want to see him live happily with... Annabelle." A knot forms in my chest when I hear that. "He never got what he wanted. I want him to know what happiness is all about and he won't get it through you."

Seriously? How dare he? Just tell him everything.

Daniel choose to not tell him anything about Annabelle and I respect his decision.

I nod reluctantly at Thomas. I lean towards him and whispers in his ear. "Happy birthday, Thomas." He freezes. He stares at me and then finally his lips curve upward showing a small smile. "Thank you, Ally."

Finally!

I grin and he walks back to his wife. I turn and stare out of the window and watch Daniel.

I stare at my husband who is sitting on the bench and getting soaked. He must have lost his sense to sit here like that while it's freezing. I walk towards him. "Are you having fun sitting alone, hubby?" Daniel stiffens, slowly he lifts his head, his eyes comes in contact with mine.

"Want some company?" I ask but he doesn't reply. I shrug, walks towards him and sits on the bench beside him. "Miss me?"

Of course who wouldn't miss me?

I wouldn't!

Shut up!

Hey!

Yesterday, I got a message from one of the readers asking why I don't write author's note anymore. That's when I realized it's been long since I talked to you guys!

Miss me?

Anyway, what do you think about the chapter? I know the plot is slightly different from the previous version so it might be confusing but trust me this is going to be much better. Any suggestions? Or anything you think that could be done in a better way? C'mon, every reader has a writer deep inside them, wake up him/her.

Did I tell you that I'm 19 now? I feel so old, guys! My mom keeps nagging me about how I've grown up so soon. 'Rolling eyes'

So guys, as always feel free to message, comment or even mail me. I'll definitely reply to you no matter what. I know some might be disappointed, some might be happy but whatever it is, let me know about it.

Also follow me in Instagram — allisonash66.

My followers are very less there when you compare it to what I have here. I don't know how many of you're IG fans but I'm a huge IG girl.

I'm not going take more of your time. Keep smiling, take care. Love you all ;)

Allison❤️