Seven

Lucy stood nervously in front of the employer, her heart pounding in her chest. The room felt suffocating, the air heavy with anticipation. She mustered up the courage to speak.

"Hello, sir," Lucy said, her voice trembling slightly. "I would like to work here."

The employer looked at her with a stern expression, assessing her from head to toe. "I'm sorry, but we can't take you on," he replied, his tone firm. "You stopped school after high school, so you lack the skills we require. You can always look elsewhere."

Lucy nodded, disappointment evident in her eyes. "Thank you anyway," she said softly, her voice tinged with resignation. "Goodbye."

As Lucy made her way home, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed a man who seemed to be following her. Anxiety coursed through her veins, but she tried to dismiss it, telling herself it was merely a coincidence.

"This man is really strange," Lucy thought, her unease growing with each step. "He keeps following me, but maybe he's just on the same path."

Unbeknownst to Lucy, Alana had also noticed the strange man tailing them. She maintained a watchful eye, wary of any potential danger.

Alana thought to herself, "This man is really strange. I'd better keep an eye on him."

As they continued walking, Lucy and the mysterious man entered a dark alley devoid of any bystanders. Suddenly, the man lunged at Lucy, forcefully pinning her against the cold, graffitied wall.

Fear gripped Lucy's heart as she struggled to break free. "What are you doing? Leave me alone!" she pleaded, her voice quivering with a mix of panic and anger.

The strange man sneered, his grip tightening around Lucy's wrists. "No, I won't leave you," he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "And besides, you're just beautiful. I think I'll take you for myself and add you to my collection of women."

Desperation welled up inside Lucy as she fought against her attacker. But just as it seemed hopeless, Alana appeared, delivering a powerful blow that sent the man crashing into the wall.

"Honestly, are you not ashamed to have attacked a woman?" Alana's voice rang out, filled with righteous indignation.

The man lay unconscious on the ground, and Alana turned her attention to Lucy. Concern etched on her face, she asked, "Are you alright, ma'am?"

Breathing heavily, Lucy managed to muster a shaky nod. "Yes," she replied, her voice trembling. "Thank you very much for helping me."

Their eyes met, and a mix of relief and recognition washed over them.

"Alana!" Lucy exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and a hint of trepidation.

Alana's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lucy?" she gasped, her voice a mix of astonishment and longing.

Lucy's mind raced, grappling with conflicting emotions. "What am I going to do?" she thought. "I didn't expect to meet her."

Alana, overcome with emotions, stepped closer to Lucy, closing the gap between them. "Lucy, it's been a long time," she murmured, her voice filled with longing. "And I really want to talk to you."

Lucy's heart sank, and she took a step back, her eyes downcast. "No, it's okay," she replied softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "Let me go, please."

But Alana was undeterred. Determination gleamed in her eyes as she made a heartfelt promise. "No, I'll keep going until you stop, and you and I can talk about things."

Just then, Eloise, Lucy's daughter, arrived on the scene, unaware of the complex web of emotions that had unfolded.

"Mum, you're already here," Eloise exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.

Lucy's mind raced, grappling with the consequences of this unexpected reunion. "But what am I going to do now?" she wondered, her heart heavy with apprehension. "The truth will surely come out."

Eloise, curious and unaware of the tension in the air, questioned Alana's presence. "Master, what are you doing here?"

Alana, composed and resolute, replied calmly, "Don't worry about that. Just answer my question first: Lucy is your mother, isn't she?"

Eloise's eyes widened, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Of course she is. Why, Master?"

Alana, her grip firm on Lucy's arm, led her toward the house, intent on getting the answers she sought.

"Eloise," Lucy called out, her voice filled with urgency, "would you mind staying outside for a moment, please?"

Eloise nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Yes, of course," she replied obediently, her mind racing with questions and concerns.

Inside the house, Alana and Lucy found themselves alone, surrounded by an aura of tension and unspoken emotions.

Alana broke the silence, her voice soft yet determined. "You owe me an explanation, Lucy," she implored, her gaze unwavering. "Tell me, is Eloise my daughter? Tell me everything in detail."

Lucy took a deep breath, her heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and longing. "Well, I couldn't hide it forever," she admitted, her voice filled with vulnerability. "Yes, Eloise is your daughter. When I found out I was pregnant, I wanted to tell you, but your father had already planned your wedding with Clara. So, I decided to leave to avoid causing you any problems."

Understanding washed over Alana's face as she absorbed the weight of Lucy's words. "I understand your choice, and I don't blame you for it," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "But now that I know, I can't pretend that nothing happened. Because despite all these years, I never forgot you. You were always in my heart."

Lucy's heart ached with a mix of love and uncertainty. "What are you going to do?" she whispered, her voice laden with worry. "I don't want you to leave Clara just because of me. You know I don't want to hurt anyone. And then, I have already forgotten you."

Alana's gaze bore into Lucy's, searching for truth in her eyes. With a sudden surge of courage, she leaned in and kissed Lucy passionately, their lips meeting in a tender reunion. In that moment, all doubts and reservations melted away as their love rekindled.

But just as quickly as the kiss began, Alana pulled away, leaving Lucy breathless and longing for more.

"You're sure you're not in love with me," Alana whispered, her voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Because if you were, you would have pushed me away and not kept kissing me."

Unbeknownst to the two women, Eloise had entered the room, witnessing the intimate scene that unfolded before her eyes.

"What are you doing, Master?" Eloise demanded, her voice laced with protective concern. "Why are you hitting on my mum?"