CHAPTER 7- THE MUTE PRINCESS

"Good morning sweetheart."

Allison woke up to the sweet smell of bacon and scrambled eggs with a cup of hot coffee by the side of course. Davian was holding the tray of an apology breakfast which he set down on the table beside the bed, leaning closer to Allison and kissing her forehead.

"Good morning, Davian." She smiled, readjusting her glasses.

Do you think you'll have time to eat before you dash off to the office?

Hmm, I think I've got just about thirty minutes to get ready, out of which I'll use five to eat.

Workaholic....He teased but Allison only smiled.

Will you be going to the hospital today?

Yes yes, of course.

Call me when you get there and give me updates on how his doing.

I will.

Alright, eat up. I need to shower. He said, standing to his feet.

She nodded, placing the tray on her lap as she watched him leave the room. She let out a sigh. Davian, the angel was back once again and it was as if last night never happened. Given this present state people would call her deranged if she were to accuse him of physical assault.

DOREEN MANSION

3:00 pm

Allison was so overwhelmed by the doctor's verdict. Her father was likely to remain in coma for the rest of his life and as it was, it would take a miracle to revive him but until then, they would keep doing their possible best. Davian was there all through that time, holding her and comforting her as she tore down. Once again, what would she do without him?

Allison wiped her teary eyes before getting out of her car. She wanted to stay in his bedroom the rest of that day. Since He couldn't talk to her anymore, she was hoping to find solace there but just as she stepped foot in the house, her sisters had attacked her again.

What is this Allison? Ruth approached her with a printed copy of all the outrageous expenses being spent from the company's account.

Not now Ruth please..

Not now? You've clearly been wasting away Father's money ever since he fell ill. Sixty whole million within the past month. Her sister further accused.

I bet she's very happy with Dad's condition. Just look at how she's been spending extravagantly. You should be proud of yourself Allison. Ivy said in support of her sister.

If you must know, these "extravagant spending" as you put it, has been all on Father's health! Allison yelled.

Lying bitch! Lina shot back.

Listen to me, Allison. You have two days to return the money you stole....Ruth threatened.

....or else what? What exactly?!

How dare you tell you insipid little thing! It was Pearl jumping in as she graced Allison's face with a slap. The disbelief was evident in her eyes as she stared at her four half-sisters.

What will you do? Fight back? Pearl asked.

She wouldn't dare. Lina giggled.

Father's no longer here to save you, Allison, so you best keep your tongue in its place! Ivy spoke.

I don't care if you choose to believe me or not. It's clearly written that the money transferred all goes into the hospital's account, isn't it? So leave me the hell alone. She said, rushing through the stairs into her father's bedroom. She shut the door with a bang as she threw herself on the bed, sobbing.

Allison was still in the middle of crying when one of her sisters came in holding a glass of milk. It was Pearl.

Allison...?

What is it?

Oh please drop the tone. Pearl walked closer and sat on their father's bed. I only felt sorry for what I did earlier.

You..? Sorry? Allison mocked.

Pearl sighed. Of course, why would you believe any of us would be capable of feeling remorse but I have to admit I went a step too far.

Allison still stared, not able to believe her.

If you must know, I actually snuck in to apologize. Ruth would have my head if she found out what I did.

I guess...Allison replied, finally loosening up.

I'm your elder sister, after all, you can't stay mad at me for long, can you?

Allison chuckled lightly. Maybe not.

Here...You need to stop crying. I'm sorry. Pearl smiled handing her the glass of milk.

Thank you. Allison smiled back, taking the glass and gulping down the contents till it was half full.

I'll be going now.

Of course

I'm sorry once again.

It's okay.

If you want, I could apply balm to help with the....

It's okay Pearl. I appreciate the gesture. Thank you.

I honestly wish we could be like this all the time. What's the use of being at each other's throats all the time when we can live in harmony?

Left to me I would want nothing less but it all depends on the four of you if peace is to reign.

True...Alright bye for now. Pearl said, getting to her feet.

Bye.

After she left, Allison finished the remains of the glass and went to sleep tiredly but not before leaving Davian a text. How's work going? Really wish you were here right now. For how long she slept, she didn't know but when she woke up everything was wrong!

Allison stretched her arms as she yawned, reaching out for her glasses on the table and putting them on. "Hello crystal clear world!" She thought pathetically as the glass helped to completely clear out her blurred vision.

Darn It! How long was I asleep? She opened her mouth to say but the words weren't forthcoming. What?! Almost as if her lungs had been drained of oxygen.

A few more failed attempts to say something and now she was in a panic frenzy. The same panic she felt after her mother slapped her across the eyes and she went temporarily blind. That feeling of hopelessness only now, her father wasn't here to save her.

No no no what the hell is happening to me?!

Allison panicked at her sudden inability to speak. Wasn't she fine before she went to bed that afternoon? Then her eyes fell on the glass of milk Pearl had offered her earlier that day. Could it be? Allison peered into the glass, circling the inside of the empty glass with her finger only to find certain undissolved whitish particles inside.

Dear Lord, No!

Allison rushed downstairs still, wearing loose jammies and her hair was a wild mess. When her sisters saw her descending with a panicked look. They all burst out laughing.

Finally, the mute princess has awoken! Pearl snickered, followed by her sisters.

She had tricked her!

Allison fumed, her hands fisted by her sides but she couldn't say a thing to let out her anger. She could only watch her sisters say hurtful words, and soon she couldn't hold the tears that trickled down her eyes. How could they do this to her?

Aww, adorable! Ivy pouted.

Don't fret it Allison you're lucky it's temporary. Should wear off in thirty minutes or so. Ruth laughed.

Allison sighed, relieved, turning to leave when all of a sudden, three black

cars drove into the Mansion with several Men armed to the teeth in black uniforms making their way through the door.

How may we help you? Ruth asked.

Your father had certain unfinished business with us.

We...we have no idea whatsoever. Lina said, surprised.

Well...He's owing a debt.

How much? Ivy asked. Maybe we can pay, he's currently ill.

We know. The sum He owes is not in our position to disclose. However, we're only here for the collateral.

What could that be? Ruth asked.

Who, not what. The man said.

The five women froze in shock, who would want to be carted away by these seemingly assassins? What kind of trouble had their father gotten himself into?

Who amongst you is...Allison Doreen? The man asked.

Her sisters immediately pulled her to the front. Allison looked on in fright. Urgh! The least they could do was to lie that no one amongst them was named Allison. Who was she kidding? Her sisters were more than happy to finally get rid of her.

She followed helplessly into one of the cars. The one in the middle. She sat in the backseat with two of the strangers seated at the front. One of them was driving. She was so scared but then again wouldn't this mean she was finally going to meet the Master behind her father's misfortune these past weeks?

Darn it! She wasn't feeling so confident right now. Was this what her father warned her about? And what did these schmucks say about her as collateral? No, her father wouldn't. He loved her too much. Yes, there was certainly some misunderstanding but for now...what the hell was going to become of her? These Men looked anything but friendly.

Allison Doreen...The driver's voice broke her thoughts, she could see his eyes staring at her through the front mirror.

You have no idea what kind of ditch you're in, do you?

(No I don't but nevertheless none of you bastards would dare lay a finger on me!)

She wanted to say, yell it out In fact but she hadn't regained her voice yet which was a good thing because it stopped her from letting it out and now she realized that saying something that vulgar might have earned her a bullet in the head.

Holding your tongue I see. Good decision. The Man added. The other one turned to observe her in the back seat before drawing his conclusion.

I think she's mute Man.

What? The one in the driver's seat turned back too, observing her frightened silence.

Really? Wow! She's too pretty to be dumb. Oh well...He shrugged as they kept driving away in silence.

What?!

These Men actually thought she was a natural mute! Oh how that made her mad but what could she do about it? She suddenly felt an itch in her throat, prompting her to cough, and in the next second, she realized- her voice was back

But wait! Wouldn't it be foolish to talk now? These people obviously think she was dumb so why not just let them keep believing that? Maybe if they found her useless, they would let her go....or kill her. Either way, she had to try the first option first.