Chapter 54 CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

Chapter 54 CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR
Alyssa

I walked to the podium the lights feeling a little bit too bright in my stinging eyes, with many people were watching me and the cameras flashing it made my stomach churn in fear, I didn’t want to mess up.

Clearing my throat, "Good evening," I began my voice clear and strong. "Thank you all for coming…. I am Alyssa White, the CEO of White Enterprise."

I talked about my late father's dream for the company, about my plans for the future. I talked about new projects and I. made sure I sounded strong and in control even though I was mentally losing it.

When I finished my speech I said, "I will now take a few questions."

Many reporters put their hands up at once.

A woman from a business news channel spoke first. "Ms. White can you confirm that White Enterprise is ending all business with Johnson Holdings? And can you tell us why?"

I looked straight at the camera. "Yes I can confirm that we are ending our partnership with Johnson Holdings It is a business decision."

Another reporter shouted, "But why? The partnership was very profitable Is there a personal reason for this decision?"

I kept my face calm. "My decisions as CEO are always for the good of the company the reason is personal and I will not discuss it further."

The questions kept coming fast.

"Are you trying to destroy Damon Johnson's company?"

"Is this about your past marriage to him?"

"Will you be working with other companies instead?"

I answered each question I wanted to carefully mostly ignoring the ones with regarding to Damon.

Finally I held up my hand. "Thank you for your questions that is all for tonight."

I stepped down from the stage as people tried to come talk to me but I walked past them I needed to get out of this room before I suffocate.

My mind was still running with thoughts on my conversation with Ares.

I hated the fact that she still had that effect on me.

Suddenly Damon stepped in front of me blocking my path looking too desperate and snapping me out of my train of thoughts

"Alyssa please," he said, his voice low. "We need to talk we can reason this out. There has to be another way you don't have to do this."

I looked at him coldly. "Mr. Johnson this is not the time or the place."

"Just give me five minutes," he begged. "Please you are going to ruin me my company will not survive this."

"That sounds like a personal problem," I said, my voice flat. "Not a problem for me."

He reached for my arm but I pulled it away. "Alyssa I'm begging you remember what we had, rememberthe good times."

I laughed a short harsh sound. "The good times? You mean the years of lies? The secret family? You choosing Rachel, Those good times?"

His face turned pale. "I made mistakes I know I did! But this... this is too much!"

"If you want to talk business," I said, "then you can call my office, you can set an appointment with my secretary but I am a very busy woman It might take a few weeks to fit you in."

I started to walk away.

"Dammit Alyssa!" he yelled after me. "You can't do this! I won't let you!"

I didn't even turn back I just kept walking letting him yell and beg.

It was too late for that.

Far too late Damon Johnson.

I walked out of the noisy party heading for my car with a few guards helping me get there, I didn’t bother looking for Ares, he was the last person I wanted to see after what had happened, with my head was still buzzing from all the questions and from seeing Damon.

I just wanted to go home.

Suddenly a loud BANG! exploded in the night air.

My eyes widened.

A gunshot!

Before I could even move or think, a strong arm wrapped around me.

It was Ares.

He pulled me hard throwing us both behind a big black car for cover.

"Get down!" he yelled his voice sharp.

The air filled up with chaos as people outside the hotel started screaming and running.

"Stay here!" Ares ordered his eyes scanning the dark parking lot.

He saw a man with a gun running towards the entrance of the hotel, Ares moved fast and jumped out from behind the car and tackled the man.

They fought on the ground It was a violent struggle of punches and grunts.

I watched my heart pounding in my chest.

My lips quivered, I couldn’t just stay here I needed to help too, I saw another man one had that held a metal pipe sneaking up behind Ares who was still fighting the first man.

No.

“Oh no you don’t” I hissed running out from behind the car and threw myself at the man with the pipe.

"Get away from him!" I screamed kicking at his legs.

The man was taken aback as he turned and swung the pipe at me.

I ducked just like Ares had taught me in training,i hit him in the stomach.

Ares finally knocked out the first man.

He turned and saw me fighting the second.

His eyes filled with panic.

"Alyssa no!" he shouted.

In that second the man I was fighting pulled out a gun aiming it at me and without thinking Ares shoved me behind him putting his own body in front of mine.

BANG!

Another shot rang out.

Ares grunted in pain.

He stumbled back clutching his arm as dark red blood seeped through his white shirt sleeve.

"You're shot!" I cried out my hands reaching for him.

"Just my arm," he said through gritted teeth his face tight with pain. "I'm okay. Stay behind me."

The other guards can and pulled me away from Ares leading me to one of our cars.

What had just happened?

Who were those people and who sent them?