Chapter 26

Allison POV

"I told you Toniann, I am fine," I lapped my feet over each other, digging into a small bucket of ice cream, relaxing after dumping all of Hussain's roses into trash bags, "Plus you should have seen the look on his face... He didn't care,"

"Don't be so sure about that Allison... You know men and emotions," Toniann sat beside me massaging my shoulders,

"I am okay, Toniann... Trust me. And don't you have work in the morning? I told you I was fine, and you insist on coming over,"

"You're my friend, in fact... You're my best friend and I will always look out for you... Always,"

Staring up from the delight, I gazed at him, I saw the sincerity gleaming in her eyes, I never heard she used that term before, best friend. Thinking about it, she is right... We have been through so much, I cried on her shoulders for so many things, she knows my deepest, darkest secrets, and I know hers.

"Oh, Toni... You really mean that?"

"Yes... I do Allison,"

My eyes began to sting as I tried to hold back the tears, I didn't know if I was crying because of what she said or what Hussain did,

"I love him Toniann," I cried out, gasping for air after every word, "I thought... We were getting you know, I did,"

"That's ok," she cupped my cheek, "it's ok don't feel bad, it only proves you're human, and he is a monster,"

"You shouldn't be talking like about your boss," I snuffled, chuckling as I dried away my tears "It's after work hours," Toniann giggled, trying to cheer me up,

"Thank you Toniann for being here, you're a great friend... My friend,"

"I know, and I... I am going to take a shower, then we are to eat ice cream, take crap about and watch lifetime movies about wives killing husbands," she giggled, pacing backward into my room, "I will be right back,"

The smile left my lips when I realize I was alone, back into my thoughts searching for reasons to feel even stupider than how I looked last night in front of everyone. How I could allow myself to fall into this mess, into this trap of his... But I was the one who willingly signed that contract... And I was the one who broke the first rule. To make matters worse, this maid scandal was over the net, it was everywhere, on news, social media, newspapers... Everywhere.

"Hey, Ali," Toniann called out from the bathroom,

"Ye-Yeah," I cleared my throat, 'You're out of tampons, can run by the store and get me some,"

Out? That's impossible, I bought a new pack the other day,

"Are you sure? I swore that I grabbed a pack the other day,"

"Yes... Please,"

"Alright," I rose from my seat, tucking ice cream away in the refrigerator, "I will be right back... And start the movie without me,"

"I can't promise that!"

"Toniann!"

"Ok... Ok, I will try, but you're going to take forever, if only you had taken my free driving lessons,"

"The same lessons that almost ran us off the road?" I chuckled,

"Oh, fuck you, Allison!"

Chuckling lowly, I closed the door behind me, taking a deep breath of night air as the evening falls into darkness. It was a beautiful night, perfect for a walk. The store wasn't far away, and I needed the time to think. Stuffing my hands in my sweats pocket, I regret not wearing a better top, this one had tiny straps, leaving my upper back, cleavage, and arms bare, exposed to the pristine wind. It was cold out, colder than every other night, even the skies looked a little dark like it was going to rain. Pacing quickly, I pushed the doors to the door, marching straight towards the aisle I knew the feminine products were. Grabbing a few packets, I walked up to the counter, pushing them towards to blonde cashier, I wasn't familiar with this one, maybe she is new.

"That will be twenty bucks," she smiled sweetly, I remember when I was filled with joy like, but it's so long ago, I don't even know what it feels like anymore.

Sliding her a twenty dollar note, I snatched the bag from counters, heading back into the streets. Lowering my head, I kept my hands in my pockets. Giving attention to the screeching of tires, I became paranoid, pacing faster away from the following car, clutching on the bag in my pocket firmly.

"Allison..." I heard his voice next to me,

Shifting my gaze, our eyes met, he was behind the wheels instead of Aiden, my heart singed with pain the longer I stared, "Following me now?" I kept walking, as the car drove slowly beside me

"Get in the car Allison, I want to show you something"

"Can't do Myers, Toniann is waiting for me,"

"No, she isn't,"

"What do you she is—" I stopped in my tracks, "She set me up, that bitch,"

"Just get in the car Allison, please,"

"Why would I, so you can terminate the lift you are giving halfway?"

"First of all, it's going to rain soon, and secondly I need to talk to you."

Glaring at him, I looked to the skies. It was going to rain soon, and I didn't want to get wet.

"Alright, you have five minutes to say whatever, then you carry me home,"

"Deal," he muttered Pulling on the car door, I slide in the passenger seat, saying nothing. The car ride was silent, he was focused on the road, driving up a familiar path,

"Where are you taking me?"

"You'll see," the car came to a stop in front of my old workplace, Venn’s. It didn't have the sign anymore and it was being repainted. Getting out of the car, Hussain marched up to the door, fumbling with keys in his hands,

"What are you doing," I shouted in a whisper. "We shouldn't be... here," I stammered, realizing he had opened the door with a key,

"Come," he marched inside,

"What's this Hussain... Why did you take me here,"

"Allison, I am sorry, the baby... Maria, I am not the father,"

"So what, Hussain? What difference does it make?"

"Toniann tells how much you like it here, owning a diner has been one of your life goals... So, I bought it. I bought it for you," he stretched out the keys to me.

Staring down at his hands, I said nothing, I didn't know what to saying and I don't know if I should say anything,

"Allison, please take it... I even finished your painting," he pointed me behind me Sitting firmly on the wall was his drawing, he did finish it as he promised. Glaring back at him, he pulled a four sheeted document from his pocket, striking a match, igniting the end of the paper,

"I am burning the contract, Allison. I just want to make things right—"

"A hundred roses," I sobbed, "a hundred roses, burning the contract, a diner, a painting, money... Nothing fixes our... Friendship... Do you enjoy mocking me, Hussain?"

"No, what?"

"Then leave me the fuck alone," I stormed past him. Outside the rain was trickling down, I stared up the stairs, blinking uncontrollably as the tiny drops poured down,

"I love you!" I heard him cried out to me, I wasn't sure I was hearing correctly or did the rainwater somehow blocked my ears. Turning around slowly the face him, he was a few feet away from me, both of us soaked in water "What… what did you say?"

"I said I love you, Allison... I don't how it happened, but it did... I love you and it's ok if you don't—"

"I love you too Hussain," I mumbled, there was quietness between us, and the only thing that disturbs that was the rain, falling heavily around us, washing away our phony feelings, exposing the real ones, "I love you too... Always," I sprinted toward him, crashing my lips onto his."

Epilogue 3 years later Marching back and forth on the dance floor, Allison kept her eyes focused on Toniann and Aiden across from her and Hussain. She was confused about it all, how it was right under her nose, and she never guessed,

"It's your wedding Mrs. Myers, the whole room is looking at us, and you're staring at your best friend and her boyfriend," Hussain chuckled "I am sorry love," she rests her head on her chest listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, "it's just that… Toniann and Aiden, it surprising to me, aren't you a bit curious?" She smiled up at her husband,

"No, I am not, actually I kind of figured out... I kept taunting Aiden until he finally confessed that he fucked your friend the night I begged him to watch over her at the club."

"He did? But Toniann said..."

"Your friend didn't tell you the entire truth, she did leave her car at the club, but they fucked... In your bed,"

"In my bed?"

"In your bed," Hussain chuckled against her lips, pulling her in closely they swayed to the music, stroking her hair, how did he get so lucky? A man who had no love is here celebrating his love with a woman he never knew he would have ended up with. Glancing around the round his heart became heart with emotions, he wanted to cry. Hearing her husband's heartbeat change, Allison looked up at him, trying to search his eyes for answers,

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah... Everything is perfect,"

"Oh, thought you were having a second guess,"

"Allison we are already married, if I wanted to change my mind I would have a long time ago, but I have found my diamond in the haystack... And I am claiming it in front of the world"

It's beautiful how a woman and a man could be together for so many years, and still, she would be red as a tomato every time he compliments her,

"Diner is doing well, I was thinking about expanding, what do you think?"

She changed the topic, "You tell me, just say the word, and I will get it done," he ogled down on her lips,

"I don't know yet, I am thinking about it,"

"Ok,"

"You know," Allison shifted her gaze over to where Hussain's family sat, fixing her eyes on his parents, "I am glad they didn't get a divorce... Kids should see their parents together,"

"Yeah, we will make sure of that," Hussain mumbled, smiling down at his trophy,

"Oh really," she chuckled, "how many kids are we talking about now?"

"Mhm..." Hussain knitted his eyebrows together, pretending to be thinking long and hard, "six should be enough,"

"Six!" Allison accidentally spoke too loudly, attracting the gaze of other guests, and covered her mouth with her hand. Hussain laughed at this, finding it amusing, "Six?" She shouted in a whisper, "I want three and no more,"

"You know..." Hussain licked his lips, staring down at his wife, "I can't stop thinking about you have underneath that wedding dress," he whispered against her ear "Hussain," she warned, "People are watching us,"

"Then let's find a room,"

"And you don't notice that we are missing?"

"Who cares,"

"I do Hussain, your mother is right over there,"

"She could care less really, soon she will be bothering us about grandbabies,"

Smiling brightly, Allison's grin slowly retreated into a frown. Lost in her thought, she shifted her gaze to the ground.

"Hey..." Hussain lifted her chin, staring into her eyes,

"I forgot to thank your dad for walking me down the aisle today, I appreciate that,"

"Oh, baby... It's ok, I am sure the old bastard didn't mind," he murmured, winning glares from his bride,

"Hussain Myers, you said you were going to stop that,"

"Stop what?" He taunted

"You know,"

"Ok, I am sorry, I am still getting used to it,"

Smiling faintly, Allison kissed the lips of his husband, happy about the choice she made, "What's that for?" Hussain questioned

"We have broken the contract so many times... In more ways than one," she giggled "You and that bullshit again, Mrs. Myers... I burned it, remember? It doesn't exist,"

"Of course, it does, I will always remember and so will you... Because if it wasn't for it, we wouldn't have grown to love each other... I don't know what would have happened to us, but I am glad it did," she pressed her face onto his chest, "We should write a book about our journey so our grandkids can read it, and know our story and that loves conquers all... even rules,"

"What would we name it... The book," Hussain inhaled the top of her head, enjoying the sweetness of her lingering shampoo aroma,

"Breach of Contract," Allison whispered against his torso, "We should name it Breach of Contract."