CHAPTER 31- A WOMAN'S CHOICE

"Yes Karl, don't worry about coming to pick me up anymore."

"Are you sure Miss?"

"I'm already on my way home. I'll just take a taxi, don't worry."

"If you say so."

"Yes thank you."

Allison hanged up on the phone as she walked out of the building that evening on her way home but to her surprise, the front door was crowded with the media authorities who were all wagging their tails earnestly for a statement from her or in this case, 'wagging their cameras'. Oh maybe she should have let Karl pick her up afterall.

"Miss Hamilton! Miss Hamilton!"

"A statement please, just a statement."

"What do you have to say concerning the events of the past few weeks?"

"Is it true it wasn't an accident but a deliberate plot by your company?"

"Will there be any hope of Hamilton rising to it's feet again?"

Allison took a breath, the raised voices almost driving her crazy but she had to maintain composure at all times.

"There's not much I can say right now but trust me this was all an accident and we're currently working on getting everything back to normal. We never meant for the losses suffered believe m...."

"LIARS!" A voice from the mob shouted.

"Yes! These people are all liars!"

"The Hamilton's' don't deserve forgiveness."

"Enough of them!"

Suddenly a mini chaos broke out and the angry crowd started throwing rotten vegetables and other stuffs at Allison.

"Oh my God!" She gasped, unexpectedly.

The thrown items came in their numbers and so were the flashlights from the cameras taking pictures of her.

"Urgh! My eyes...stop..." She squinted, painfully. The lights were too bright and for awhile all she could hear was the chaos, the yells, the violence and....that day....

Her hands hit my eyes...I can't see Daddy, my eyes...it's all black... I can't see....

Stop crying Angel, you'll be fine.

Will I...will I be able to see again Dad?

Ofcourse you will.

I won't be permanently blind will I?

No no no. Daddy will make sure nothing happens to you. You'll see again I promise.

"Please....turn it off...the lights...it hurts..."

Allison whimpered, trying to avert her eyes but the camera lights flickered and flashed from every angle. Just in the middle of the chaos, someone stood in front of her, backing the cameras and shielding her away from the lights and the physical assault.

With his dark shadow towering over her she could see clearly. Had her dad come from the dead to rescue her? No the dead had no such power, it was him - "Hades." For a moment she was speechless, she hated this man playing hero and villain in her life all the time. Hypocrite! She thought. She could see his eyes holding hers. Strange enough, He reached and closed hers down, rubbing the ache away with his thumb. Then He let go.

"Mr Lenshaw...What...are you...doing h..."

"Where are your glasses pet?" He asked with a frown.

"What? He...He knew it was her!"

"Excuse me? I don't..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes finally caught sight of some men sending the journalists and the mob away- his bodyguards.

"Thank you." She muttered.

"Why would you go out without your glasses?"

"What glasses? I don't use glasses." She defiantly replied.

"That's a lie." He said, eyes narrowed.

"Well? As you can see, my eyes work perfectly fine. I don't use glasses."

"Where are your glasses pet?"

"Excuse me? I don't..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes finally caught sight of some men sending the journalists and the mob away- his bodyguards.

"Thank you." She muttered.

"Why would you go out without your glasses?"

"What glasses? I don't use glasses." She defiantly replied.

"That's a lie." He said, eyes narrowed.

"Well? As you can see, my eyes work perfectly fine. I don't use glasses."

True. He thought. But how?

"I have to go." She said, eluding his confines.

"I'll drop you home." He said.

Allison looked back. "No!" She refused. "I'll find my way."

"What if you run into the reporters again?"

She was speechless for a second. "I..."

"Come on let's go."

"I said no!" She said, walking away upset. Why was she so worked up? This Man was bad news itself. She needed to get away from him.

"You're vulnerable on your own Allison."

The lack of emotion in his voice made her turn around.

'Vulnerable', how dare he use that word with her again?

Just then a black Mercedes pulled over and Karl alighted from the car. She hurried to meet him. Her life saver! Right on time as usual.

"You're here!"

There was so much gladness in her voice, Hades couldn't help but wonder who He was to her. Bodyguard? His outfit was far too casual to be a bodyguard. He thought.

"I saw the news. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let you leave the office by yourself."

"How was this your fault?"

"Your clothes!" He exclaimed in surprise.

"Well, the mob decided to play dirty."

"Vera's gonna kill me."

Allison chuckled. "You're exaggerating, let's go already."

"Ofcourse." Karl held the backseat door open for her as she go in. His gaze locked with Hades' for a few seconds before He got into the driver's seat and drove off.

"Who is He?" Karl asked.

"Lenshaw, he's a big time business partner with my aunt." Allison said, curtly.

"I see."

Lenshaw....He knew that name. Why did that name sound so familiar?

HAMILTON'S MANSION

10:45PM

The Mercedes drove through the gates and Karl parked carefully before letting the door open for Allison. Walking through the door, she could see her aunt seated on a sofa, waiting for her.

"You look a mess!" She gasped.

"I'm okay Auntie." Allison smiled.

Vera let out a sigh. "Thank you for your service Karl, you may leave now."

"Goodnight Mrs Hamilton." He bowed slightly before leaving.

"Why didn't you come with Lenshaw?" She asked.

"What? How did you know he was there?"

"I sent him to you."

"Well Auntie, that was very unnecessary of you."

"And risk my only heir getting blind?"

"I'm fine Auntie."

"Only because he stepped in just in time. You know how sensitive you are to bright lights Allison."

She scoffed, disbelievingly. "You...you told him about my condition? How could you Aunt Vera? You know how much I've worked hard to get away from who I used to be. Why did you have to let someone know and none other than Hades Lenshaw?!" She yelled, upset.

Vera smiled. "You look so mad. Seems you two had a terrible history together."

"Not directly but with my father."

"Well like I previously said, let bygones be bygones."

"Ofcourse Auntie, all the more reason why I'm mad at you for this."

"Well you may choose to be angry till you're red in the face but He already figured it out before I said a word."

"What?" _That Devil!_

"Yes."

"I'm sorry I yelled." She apologized.

"It's fine and I have something to tell you before you retire to bed."

"Yes Aunt Vera? Please go on."

"I've sorted out a way to restore Hamilton's former glory."

"Really?" Her eyes shone with hope. The company was in the mud as it stands. This was indeed goodnews.

"I'll decided to merge both Lenshaw and Hamilton in one."

"What? How?" Allison was confused.

"You'll work with Him from now on but it will only be temporary."

"I won't agree to this aunt!" She said, angrily. "I never want to have anything to do with that Man again."

"Watch your tone young lady."

"I mean it auntie. When have I ever defiled you?"

"Never."

"I'm glad you know but this time, I'm going to have to make an exception."

"You wouldn't dare Allison."

"Watch me."

"You seem to have forgotten this whole mess was your fault in the first place."

Allison stiffened.

"And only you will fix it Allison. I won't have a hand in it. You will raise this company from the dust you brought it to."

Her eyes clouded with tears from her aunt's cruel words.

"I...I can't...I won't work side by side with Hades!"

Vera scoffed. "I believe when I said merging both parties I didn't make myself clear enough"

"Wh..what?"

"I meant in holy matrimony."

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

FLASHBACK

"Vera, this is very crucial what you're asking of me." Hades said, hesitating.

"It's not too big a favour Lenshaw. I beg of you."

"This...this union...that you speak of" The idea was causing an awful ringing in his head.

"It will only be temporary Lenshaw. I promise you."

"You mean a contract marriage?" He asked, stunned at the lengths this woman was willing to go.

"Yes exactly. With a wedding and as the husband, you'll be the new owner of Hamilton and with a new face, the people might trust you more than us."

"And when Hamilton is back in its feet?"

"You can get a divorce."

Easier said than done. He thought. Hades got to his feet and walked to the balcony rail, still deliberating.

"Please Lenshaw..." Vera pleaded, desperately.

"Does she even know about this?"

"Not yet but I promise she'll agree to it. She never disobeys me. I am her life and Allison knows that."

"On two conditions..." He turned.

"Anything."

"I'll only marry her when she agrees to this arrangement until then the farthest I can go is an engagement."

"Fine by me."

"Secondly...I want a child out to this."

"What?"

"Nothing goes for nothing Vera. A child that will be mine at the end of the day. A child that Allison will have no attachment over."

She thought over the condition painfully.

"But you know the history don't you? Women from my generation have only been able to give birth just once. It's a genetic flaw or something similar."

"So I once heard."

"She won't be able to have anymore after this, she would remain...."

"Your choice Vera." Hades said, cutting her off.

She sighed. Anything for her company, anything for Hamilton.

"Deal!"

"There's no way you're serious auntie." She smiled, hysterically. "You're joking right?"

"It'll be fine, it's temporary and you're only needed to give him one child. That's all!"

Allison's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What did you say Aunt?"

"I believe you heard me clearly the first time."

"How could you...."

Allison stopped to fight back the tears stinging her eyes. One thing she hated about herself was the fact that in every argument she always tend to end up in tears thereby choking on her own words. It was a flaw she was still working on.

"I'm not getting married to anyone aunt." She said, firmly.

"You will my dear. You will because this isn't a plea Allison it's a command and a must!"

"Why does it have to be Lenshaw?"

"Unless you know someone else who's wealthier then....be my guest."

"Are you really going to do this to me aunt?"

"I see no big deal Allison you're the one  making too much of a deal out of this for heaven's sake."

"It's not a big deal?" She looked at her aunt, distraught. "It's no big deal that you're marrying me off and putting me up as a baby making tool!"

Vera smiled. "You make it sound so horrible Allison."

"Please Aunt Vera, there has to be some other way."

"The more we delay, the more Hamilton decays. Our company before any other thing Allison. I made that clear to you a few years back."

She fisted her hands by her side, angered and hurt. Vera noticed she was very upset. The woman got on her feet and patted her back.

"It'll be fine sweetheart, sleep over it. You should be in a proper state of mind by morning."

"How can you put this on my shoulders Aunt?" She asked, eyes breaming with tears.

"We're women Allison, our choices...are never easy."

11:45pm

The bar was open as usual that evening. There were several tables and loungers with people chilling and having a good time. Karl was sitting at the counter, waiting for his order, he was also on an important phone call at the same time.

"Investigations are still on going but I don't think the police will find anything meaningful. Our cover up was just too good."

"Good. That's what I like to hear. I'll report back to the boss. You keep an eye on them for now."

"Ofcourse."

"And yes if you happen to...."

'Karl!'

Someone familiar called out to him in the distance and turning around it was Allison. She was in a black skirt and a tucked in blue shirt, holding nothing but her car keys. She looked devastated, almost as if she had been crying a few minutes ago or was she?

"Roberts? Roberts?" The voice from his phone called out. "Are you there? Did you hear what I just said?" He further yelled.

"Hold on, I'll call you later."

"What? Are you out of your m..."

Hangup!

"What's wrong? Why are you out so late?"

"I'm sorry, I just...was that my aunt?"

"No. Someone else."

"Thank goodness, that means she's still asleep."

"Still asleep? You snuck out?"

"Sort of." She said, taking notice of the empty stool by the raised counter.

"Is this seat empty or are you with someone?" She asked.

"It's empty."

With a sigh, Allison sat on the stool.

"What's wrong? You look....hopeless."

"I guess that would be the right term." She said, dejectedly. "That's yours, isn't it?" Allison asked, referring to the wine tumbler in front of him.

"I just got it but now I don't think I'll be able to drink while you're here."

"Why?" She asked, surprised."

"It wouldn't be proper if I were to get drunk on duty. Who would protect you then?"

"On duty? You're not on duty anymore, this isn't the confines of work. You can do whatever you want."

"I don't think so." He smiled, wearily.

"If you won't then I will." She said and before He knew it, she snatched the tumbler from the table and gulped down the entire contents.

"God it's awful!" Allison said, putting down the glass and scrunching her face from the vile taste.

"Well you could have asked me for a heads up." Karl laughed.

"How's this supposed to make me forget everything? I don't feel a bit dizzy or sleepy." She said, staring into the glass as if the answers were there, which suddenly made him realize.

"You're here to get drunk?"

"Why do you sound so shocked."

"Because you never drink Alcohol Miss Hamilton."

"Call me Allison."

"What?" He was surprised and a bit confused for awhile.

"You're always so judicious in addressing me formally."

"That's because we are a formal affair."

"Well you can call me Allison from now on."

"In that case Allison, why are you getting yourself drunk?"

"Maybe the circumstances demand it."

"In that case, one glass won't do the trick."

"What? You mean I need more of that awful thing?"

"Yes you do." He chuckled.

"Waiter!" She called out.

"Whoa!Whoa! What are you doing?" He asked but she ignored him instead.

"You called, ma'am?" The barman asked.

"Yes I did, please help me with a bottle of..." She turned to Karl. "....what's this called?"

"Martini" He answered, amused. He had never seen his boss like this before well maybe it was because this was their first casual meeting aside from the office.

"Help us with a bottle of Martini please." He told the barman.

"Aren't you going to join me?" She asked, few minutes after the bartender had come back with their order.

"No." He waved his head. "One of us has to be sober enough to get you home at the end of the day."

Allison scoffed. "Stop acting so diligent. I could still fire you if I wanted to."

"Well until then Miss." He smiled. "You haven't still told me what happened?"

"Don't worry about it." She smiled, faintly. Miserably in his point of view. "I'll be fine like my aunt said. It's only temporary anyway."

"What's temporary?" He tilted his head to meet her downcast eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it Karl. Just tell me a story while I have a good time."

"Drinking miserably isn't having a good time." He said, but how would she know what it meant to have a good time after dedicating every second of her time to her business.

"It wouldn't be so miserable if you had agreed to join me." She countered.

"Nice try."

"Not even a sip?" She asked, stretching out the tumbler to him.

"No"

"Karl..." She whined and that was when He realized she was already drunk.

"You're drunk Allison." He sighed.

"What? I'm not drunk." She smiled, sheepishly, laying her head on the table. "You're the one who's drunk." She laughed.

goddamn it, she's drunk. He thought.

"I'm on a cloud Karl."

"What cloud?" He asked, finding her childish behavior amusing. This was a side of Allison one doesn't see everyday. A different side of her. Way different than the overly strict boss lady.

"Cloud number nine?" She grinned.

"Tell me more about this cloud." He said, resting his hand on his chin and staring into her face as he smiled.

"My dad's there."

"Just him?"

"Just him and me. As it should be." She smiled broadly.

"Come on sleepy head, let's go home." He said, getting to his feet.

"Where are we going?"

"Home."

"Will my dad be there?" She asked, peering sadly into his eyes.

"Yes yes he'll be there."

She giggled slightly before lurching forward and going unconscious in his arms.

"Shit! Fucking great!" He cussed with a sigh, helping her up and taking her outside. Once outside, He took her keys and drove her back to Hamilton Mansion. By the time He got in and parked inside the garage. He looked back at the sleeping lady in the backseat.

"This would have been the perfect opportunity wouldn't it? The perfect time to complete everything."

But why wasn't He taking it?

He took her in his arms to the house. Some of the servants which were still awake were surprised to see her as none of them had a clue that she had previously gone out. They pointed him to her bedroom and He lay her down on the bed and tucked her in. She was sleeping peacefully.

So vulnerable...He thought.

"You shouldn't be so careless Allison. What if I hadn't been there today? What if you had fallen into the hands of one of those goons?"

But wasn't he one of those goons himself? So why should he care?