Chapter 102: Chapter 102

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Luke is dressed in all black hooded ensemble and a face mask. He holds my hand, as we enter the yacht. He locks the door, and quickly begins to take off his clothes as I stand by the corner, admiring and ravishing him with my eyes.

"This is fun." I say, as he turns around. I take off my coat.

"What's fun?" He asks. He takes off his black mask and face cap.

"This. . ." I state, taking my shoes off. I tie my hair. "Sneaking around."

"You're enjoying this?"

I giggle. "Of course, I am. I mean, we never got to do this. It's sexy." I say, as I snake my arms around him.  He grabs my butt. I giggle in response. "By the way, thank you for the flowers, my love."

"You're welcome. I tried to do something nice for you, even though I'm practically poor now. Besides, How's our son? I miss him so much. I wonder when I'll get to see him and hold him."

"I know, and I can give you some money, Luke. Plus, our baby's fine, my love. He looks just like you." I respond. He sighs. "Don't be sad. It'll all be fine, Luke."

"I know, I know. That's why I wanted you to fill me in on every detail, Natalie. Don't leave out the smallest thing." I notice that he doesn't respond to my suggestion.

"Right now?" I ask, hoping to get something else going. I can feel my face become red.

"Why are you blushing? Your face is all red." He states, and I can hear a laugh in his mouth. I fold my arms, pretending to be pissed.

"Okay, okay! Calm down, lioness. What do you want? Sex? You want me that bad, huh?"

"Yes! Besides, don't you think it's time we give Louis a sibling? I want my kids to be 5 years apart! Let's get to it."

"How about we finish discussing first? I'm not going anywhere, Natalie. Let's talk first. This is important, and it's how I get my family back." He says, and I give in. His words always blew me away.

***

"I took a picture of it, when I found it." I say, as I send Luke a copy of the hospital document I'd found at his house.

"That crazy bastard. I don't even know how I ever trusted him."

"What are we doing about Caleb and Kelly? I have strong reason to believe that he murdered Jennifer, Luke."

"What?! Jennifer? She's dead?" I look at him, flabbergasted.

"You didn't know? She's been dead for years, Luke. She was shot on the roof. . . It still haunts me! Seeing her body fall down the stairs. . ."

"What the hell? How did you? Why where you there?"

"That's why Alex and I got married, really. Spousal privilege. We didn't want to have to testify against each other or testify at all. I've always wondered why the police never called us. It's like the case just died silently, and I couldn't even fight for her because I don't want to get dragged into it."

"I had no clue Jennifer was dead, Natalie. This is crazy. So many things have happened."

"We need to take Caleb out of the picture. He's a danger to us all."

"I've got evidence against him. I just have to hand it in."

"What kind of evidence?"

"There's a phone recording of the phone call between himself and the guy he purchased the bombs from."

"Bombs? It wasn't even one?"

"It wasn't. He planted bombs in my car and the manor. I believe that's why Rocket helped me. Because, he knew that you'd be in the manor and that you'd die. If the case were reversed, he might have just let me die."

I gasp, shocked. What? "Caleb planted bombs in the house where my son was?!"

He nods. "He did. I had to rush back to the manor to get everyone out. We were able to stop the bombs from exploding, however. That's why, I had to leave. The bombs at the manor didn't go off. I had to leave, and fabricate my death. I needed him to believe that I was gone. That his plan worked. It was the only way to keep you and our son safe, my love."

"Oh, my God." I begin to cry. This was too much. What really did Caleb want from us.

"He wants the company. He wants CI, he wants my money."

"Well, he has no access to your money, Luke. The government and police have it sealed in the bank. You're a fugitive. It's a wonder how they haven't even come after you."

"Not anymore." He says. I raise an eyebrow, confused. "I cleared my name already, Natalie. I did that before leaving Quebec. I proved my innocence, but I requested that the records be kept hidden until I wish it so."

"And you're just telling me this now? How?"

"I'm sorry, it skipped my mind. The most important thing now, is that I can't be arrested because I've proven that I have no connections with the trafficking ring."

"But I want to know how, Luke! Why won't you tell me?"

"Someone testified. I may have threatened the senator and David, too."

I eye him from head to toe. "Was that so hard?"

"I didn't want to have to tell you how I proved my innocence, my love."

"I don't care," I say, caressing his face. "The important thing is that you're innocent." He kisses my hand.

"So why exactly are you waiting to turn Caleb in?" I ask him.

"Because, Natalie. . .I don't think Caleb is working alone. I think there's someone behind him, or with him. I don't know."

"You think there's someone else? My God. Why do you have so many enemies?"

"I have no clue. I've never wronged anyone, Natalie— well, except you, and I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay, my love. There's someone I suspect." I say, ready to tell him about Laurel. He really had no clue.

"Look, I've somehow forgiven Laurel for that call she made to my father, but that woman is crazy!"

"Laurel?"

"Yes, Luke. Laurel. She tried to kill me, when I was pregnant with Louis." I tell him. He gets up, his mouth open. I can see the shock on his face.

"She tried to do what?"

"I was crossing the road one day. I was in my eight month, Luke. I can't even remember if it was a car or a truck, but they ran me over and I went into labor. That's how I had your son. I mean, I would've never found out if I didn't read the text messages on her phone after she tried to do it again! Thrice!"

"I can't believe Laurel did that. She tried to murder you, and my son." He says, the hard reality hitting him. It was obvious now, that Luke didn't have the right people in his corner. His thirst for revenge made him befriend people dangerous to him and his future, Louis and I. I nod. "You better believe it. She's mad."

"I still can't forgive her for shooting you, but I won't leave her alone now that I know that it wasn't her first attempt." He moves closer to me, and I get up. He holds me. "I will destroy them all, even if it's the last thing I do."

"My love, trust me. Vengeance is not the path you want to walk. Don't let anger cloud your judgment! I made that mistake once, and I paid for it heavily." I say, remembering the child I'd lost in all of this mess. I couldn't even share my pain with him. "Do we even need to expose Caleb? We can let him have the company. Look, I have more than enough to take care of us for years, even Louis is set for life with the money I have, my love. Let's just go far away with our child and not look back." I suggest. It seemed like the best thing to do. The cycle of revenge had to end.

It'd been about a month and half months of secretly meeting Luke. Sometimes, we'd book a yacht, sometimes, we'd see at a hotel or cheap motel, depending on the mood, and sometimes, we'd spend a few nights over at my former house. Our meetings were kept as private as possible, Lucas arriving hours earlier before me, or even a day earlier, disguising himself as much as he could, and lying to Rose that he was going for some therapy sessions. I was his therapy, and his therapy session happened either on the bed, the wall, the toilet or the kitchen. It depended on the mood.

"I haven't been as happy as I am in years, Natalie."

"Really? Besides, what even are we?"

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"We've been going up all around London and having sex in the craziest places," I giggle. "I feel guilty. You know, my divorce with Rocket isn't even finalized yet."

"But it will be in a few weeks, or days even."

"Then what? Will you tell Rose about us? What will you tell her? That you have a mistress? Because, technically, I am your mistress." I say, jealous. I wanted to be his Mrs. The only Mrs. Regardless of whether it was Mrs. Burke or Mrs. Carrington.

"I think it's sexy. My mistress. My girlfriend. My baby's mother." He responds, and I turn around to look at him. "Your face is all red." He comments. I slap his chest, as I bury my face in his neck.

"So, what are you doing for thanksgiving?" He asks.

"Well, nothing. I don't really celebrate holidays, you see. It's been a while."

"Huh? Why?"

"I guess I've never really had the time or remembered. Are you celebrating?"

"Well, Rose has got something planned. Wanna come?"

"Well, your wife, doesn't like me around you, and I'm sure she'll never extend an invite my way."

"I don't care about her, Ro— Natalie."

I gasp, "Did you just call me Rose?" I ask, horrified.

"No! You know that was a mistake." He says, as I get up from the bed, butt naked. "Get off me."

"Natalie, Natalie? You know that was a slip!"

"Well, I don't care. Go back home to her, you clearly miss her. How dare you call me her name?" I ask, putting on my clothes. I was infuriated. "Did you make love to me all the while imagining her?" I ask, hurt.

"Why are you even blowing this out of proportion? You know, I don't love anyone else, except you!"

I laugh. "Lies. Don't you dare lie to me, because I have been honest with you!"

"What?! I'm not lying, Natalie. I swear."

"I saw you! The night, at your party? I was there. I saw you with Rose. I heard everything." I tell him, buttoning my dress. Bloody hell. I didn't want to mention that.

He tilts his head. "I thought as much."

"Be clear. What the hell are you saying? Are you trying to divert my question?"

"I knew it was you, Natalie. Why did you keep that bottled up for so long? Besides, I didn't do anything with her, I just needed and wanted you to believe that I was Richard, and happy with Rose."

"Well, are you?!"

"No. No, I'm not. Plus, can you tell me that you never slept with anyone all this while?" He asks, and I slap him. I can not answer that question, because I had slept with two men in the past years. I take my leave.

******

I drive off, irritated, annoyed and guilt ridden. I stop as soon as I locate a designer store. I park, and find my way in. How would Luke react when he found out about Rocket and I? Besides, I could tell he was telling the truth about Rose. He did not sleep with her. I had assumed and accused him of something he hadn't done. The very thing I hated. I begin to pick random clothes, piling the hangers up in my left had. I run my hand through my hair. What was happening with me? Why was I acting out and what were these emotions I was feeling all about? I continue to pick clothes when I see something, or someone.

"Lydia?" I call out, rushing to meet her. "Wait!" I call out. "Lydia!" I call. "Lydia." I tap her, and she turns around. It's not Lydia.

"I'm sorry." I say, surprised to see another woman. "I thought you were my friend." I say, defeated. I really needed a friend. I needed Lydia.

******

After shopping, I find my way to the office. I needed to get a copy of the video of Rocket leaving the company.

"Excuse me." I say, trying to go into the building as a suited man blocks the way. I look up at him, "Is there a problem? Do you want me to call the police?" I ask, and suddenly, he grabs me by the arm.

"What?! Let go of me! What the hell?" I yell, trying to free myself. He throws me into a Jeep and shuts the door.

"What the hell is this, Rocket?" I ask, extremely angered.

He looks at me. "Are you smoking?" I ask, shocked. He looked like he'd lost his mind.

"Where have you been, Natty?" He asks.

"No. You're going to tell me what that was all about. Why would you let that thug manhandle me? Have you gone mad?!"

"Where are you coming from?"

"I went shopping for clothes if you must know. Besides, what is your business?"

"So it's suddenly not my business? When you had me fucking you non-stop a few weeks ago, it was all my business wasn't it? But because of him it suddenly isn't?!"

"Rocket. . ."

"You are such an evil woman, Natalie. You're a witch." He says, and then he grabs my shoulders, scaring me. I begin to panic. Oh, God. Is he going to rape me? Is he going to hurt me?

"Don't touch me, Rocky. Please, let go of me, before you do something you regret." I begin to struggle with him. He tears my shirt. "Please! I know you're angry, and upset, but you're taking this too far! Ow!" I wince in pain, as the cigar burns my hand. He stops. I begin to sob, irritated and scared.

"N-Natty, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-to do that. Pl—

"Let me go. Please." I plead. I wasn't okay. Rocket was no longer the man I once knew or the man I once loved. This person was a beast.