In love with the Billionaire player

"I can't say when I'll be back sweetie, but I know the trip won't last longer than three months"

"Do you really have to go ma?"

"Yes Aly, I promise when I'm back, I'll take you to that spa you've always wanted to go to."

"Tess can always take me whenever. It's no big deal for her. You don't have to go ma, I promise I'll get a job at the end of this month and we can use the money to start up a legit business for you."

Lucy lovingly pulled her daughter into a warm embrace, her fingers caressing the delicate curls of her child's hair. With a tender touch, she cupped her little one's face, using a gentle finger to sweep away a wayward strand of hair that had drifted over her eyes.

In that intimate moment, she pressed a soft and affectionate kiss upon her daughter's forehead, her eyes filled with maternal warmth and a smile playing on her lips. With a heart full of love, Lucy continued to speak to her cherished child, her voice carrying the soothing assurance of a mother's care and affection.

"My dear Aly, I know you want to help with a bill or two around the house but as long as I'm alive and still active, I won't watch you cater for me and your father while I still have hands."

"But Ma..." Alyson tried to chip in but Lucy stopped her halfway. "Bup..bup..no buts. I know what you're going to say and the answer is No! You won't work unless you're done with college... "

As Alyson carefully untangled herself from her mother's loving embrace, she settled into an upright position on the snug couch. Despite its limited space, the couch had been the site of countless shared moments of comfort and connection between mother and daughter. Its cushions had absorbed the laughter, tears, and heartfelt conversations that had forged the strong bond they shared over the years.

"When I'm done with College Ma?, When will that ever happen?" Alyson asked in a soft yet frustrated tone, without the anticipation of a response. "I've been out of school for three years now, Tess is almost done with her senior year and I haven't even gotten in yet."

She grappled with the words, each one a battle against the lump in her throat, as if they were tangled in the web of her emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes, their presence like a storm cloud, ready to release a downpour at any moment, threatening to cascade down her cheeks.

Every attempt to speak felt like trying to push through an invisible barrier that held her voice captive, and the weight of unspoken words bore down on her, making it all the more challenging to articulate her feelings.

Lucy parted her lips, ready to utter her thoughts, but hesitated, her words left unspoken as her gaze fell upon her daughter, who had suddenly dissolved into tears. The moment hung heavy in the air, filled with unspoken emotions, as Lucy's concern for her daughter took precedence over her own intentions to speak.

She observed Alyson as she rose from the couch and casually walked towards the designated corner in the living room, which served as her bedroom.

Alyson's actions conveyed a clear message: she wanted to end the conversations as her sobbing wouldn't allow her to continue.

"Aly. Baby," Lucy called out to Alyson. "I'm sorry you haven't gotten into college like your mates have."

"It's not your fault Ma," Alyson's voice muffled through the curtain that separated her room from the remaining portion of the living room.

"I promise when I get back, I'll repay the loan and use the rest of the money to send you to school, okay?" She continued speaking, but Alyson remained silent. She then turned her attention back to packing her clothes into the box, which was almost overflowing.

Things had gone really sour for them when Alyson's father, Richard, became a victim of cybercrime. Despite never having tasted true luxury, they managed to sustain themselves and live a life that resembled that of an average family.

Lucy was the sole breadwinner in the family, juggling various small jobs to feed a family of three and also saving up enough for Alyson's college education. However, one fateful morning, Richard received a call that changed everything. The voice on the other end informed Richard that he had been offered a job paying five thousand dollars in Queensland, Australia.

The offer was tempting, and Richard couldn't resist. He didn't hesitate when he was instructed to provide a certain amount for a security fee to ensure his journey from Kentucky to Queensland, Australia.