Chapter 106: Chapter 106

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Lucas had asked me for a month, to prove his theory was correct. He wanted to expose whoever it was working with Caleb and manipulating the things we could not see. He had a week and some days left. After that, we could finally leave London for good.

I was in my second trimester, and my bump was already visible. Thankfully, Rocket had no clue about my pregnancy, and I was glad. However, I knew I'd have to tell him sooner or later. As much as pained and disgusted me, he was my child's father.

"Shall I get you breakfast?" Lucas asks, and I nod a no. "No. Don't go. . ." I whine to my husband. "I want you here. I love it here." I say, as I hug him. The doctor had given us the go ahead to be intimate during my pregnancy, but Luke was still scared. Luke. Jack. I couldn't get used to calling him Jack. I was accustomed to Luke, and it was one hell of a sexy name.

"Earth to Natalie?" Luke calls, gaining my attention. I smile, as I cup his chin in my hands.

"You're so handsome. You're everything I want and more." I say.

"As are you." He says, kissing my hand.

"Prove it." I say, winking at him. He raises an eyebrow in response. I giggle. I felt frisky.

"Does pregnancy make women crave their men more than usual?" He asks, as though he was reading my mind.

"I'm always craving you, but I guess it's kind of. . . Heightened?" I ask.

"Well, if that's the case, I should put you in the family way every now and then." He states, and we both share a laugh, until, I see his demeanor drop.

"What?" I ask, concerned. I take the duvet off my chest and sit up, so I am closer to him. "Are you okay?" I ask, turning around to look in the direction he's looking at. I gasp, shocked. I take the duvet and cover myself. My heart is racing.

"Why are you hiding? Nothing I haven't seen before." Rocket says, entering the room. Bloody hell.

"How did you get in?" I hear Luke ask. Thankfully, he takes my hand, and I'm grateful for it. I squeeze his hand.

"You are so shameless." I hear him say. "Why are you covering up?!" He yells, and I flinch.

"Don't yell at her!" Lucas barks at Rocket. In a split second, Rocket is by my corner, dragging the duvet off my body. I sit there, mute and scared for my child as I try to move back. Lucas grabs him and begins to take him out.

"You were pregnant! That's my child! I know it! I'm sure of it!" I hear him yell as Lucas drags him out. I heave a sigh of relief, still puzzled and in shock. I get up from the bed, covering myself when I notice a silhouette. It's Rose. She smiles at me, almost sadistically.

"Don't bother. I'll do the talking today. Don't you feel sorry? Don't you feel bad? Are you happy? That you're sleeping with my husband?"

"I know that this isn't good, and doing what we're doing isn't the best way to handle the situation—

"What situation? That you can't keep your hands off a married man?!"

"Rose— he was never yours to begin with. He doesn't even love you."

"That's how you justify your adultery?" She asks, and I look away. How could I tell her that we were married already? Even though it wasn't legal, at least, we had a name to our union, our relationship.

"You know, I could be somewhere sulking, or crying my eyes out, or plotting how to get even with you, but you see, I'm comforted by one thing." She says. She moves closer to me, making us awkwardly close and leaving me nervous. "He'll always come home to me. He'll always pick me over you even if he doesn't love me. You're just a play thing to him. You're not the first one he's done this with."

"What?"

"Ah, you didn't know. There was a mistress, a previous one before you. Did you think you were the only one? You thought you were special?" She says, and I look at her, amazed.

"You'll really say anything just to get in between Lucas and I, won't you?"

She laughs hysterically. I look on. "Me? You think I'm lying?" She scoffs. "Pay close attention. Don't be a fool in love. Soon, you'll start to see him for the womanizer he is. He'll come back to me, after he tires of you, then, he'll find a new mistress like you once again. It's just an endless cycle that continues. A painful repetition that'll put you in your rightful place."

"Get out." I respond. I didn't know what to feel. I didn't believe her, but it made me feel some type of way. I sit on the bed, exhausted and at a loss for words.

*****

"Hey," Luke says to me as I yawn. "Hey, sleepy head."

"Hi." I respond. "Did I fall asleep?"

"Yeah. You did." He responds.

"I'm sorry, what happened? I mean, with Rocket."

"He left. He left after we had a short talk. He won't bother you anymore." I sit up, alarmed. I want to ask if he harmed him, but I restrain myself. He was not that person anymore.

"I don't think he will though. Rocket has an unhealthy obsession with me. It's going to take more than a short talk to keep him away from me."

"Trust me. I have it all under control." He says, holding my hand. "I saw Rose leave here. What did she want? What did she say? Did she say anything to you?" He asks.

"Why do you think she told me something? Are you hiding anything from me?" I ask him. He looks straight into my eyes. "No. I am not. However, your response is all the more reason why I ask if she said anything."

"No, no. Don't mind me. She didn't say anything. She just confirmed that she was behind the press release. She wanted to rub it in my face." I tell him. We hug. There was no need to doubt him. I would never doubt him. I would never make the same mistakes as he did. The fact that he was here, beside me and accepting my current situation, was enough for me.

*******

It's oddly quiet as Lucas and I prepare to leave the hotel and go out separate way.

"Are you sure your okay?" He asks, as I wear my blue sweater. I nod at him and give a small smile. I stretch my hand out for him. He takes it.

"We must never let anyone come between us. We are surrounded by vultures who either want to harm us or separate us. We must not let them succeed. No matter what." I say to him.

"Rose said something to you, didn't she?"

"No. She didn't, and if she did. . . I know better than to believe her."

"Good. Because you know, I'm yours, and I've been nothing but honest." He says, and I smile at him. You haven't. You're hiding something. I can tell. I know.

*******

"Thank you for dropping me home." I say to my husband.

"Welcome." He says, kissing my hand.

"When do you think we should tell Louis? That you're his father?"

"I don't know. . . If we tell him now, will he be able to keep a secret?"

"He's always wanted a dad. What if he goes around telling everyone." I add. He sighs. I continue, "At least, you have about a week and a half. If nothing comes out of it, we must tell him."

"Of course." Luke says.

"How about dinner? Tomorrow? I know you're in a sour mood after what happened back at the hotel, but how about we go out. Just you and I."

"We can't. Aren't you the one hiding? What if people see us? What if we get our pictures taken?"

"Not if I'm renting out the restaurant for the night. Real private dining. Just me, and my beautiful wife." He says. I smile. I can tell I'm as red as a bottle of ketchup.

"Typical Carrington move. You haven't changed much, Jack."

"I love it when you call me that. Say it again."

"Jack."

"Ugh. Again."

"Jack."

"One last time."

"Stop!" I warn, and we laugh. "But I don't think I can do dinner though. I want to sleep in with Louis, and have a talk with Ashley."

"Ashley? Who's that?"

"She lives with me. She's a friend. I saw her at a store shoplifting when I was carrying Louis. I helped her, and ever since then, she's been living with me."

"How nice of you. That's so kind. Not everyone would do that."

"She's pregnant with Rocket's child."

"What?!"

"Yes. Apparently, he took advantage of her drunken state and slept with her."

"Is she depressed? You need to stop him from being able to enter your house. What the hell?"

"I'll change my locks and everything else. I really need to." We both sigh. "Okay, now, I'll go in. I'll kiss your son goodnight for you."

"Wait, wait, wait. Please do, but, lunch, at least, tomorrow?" He asks me.

"Sure. I'll go to the office and after the board meeting, I'll see you. Where?"

"The Priv. I'll be waiting. One last thing," he says.

"Hm?"

"I can't believe I haven't asked this since."

"Asked what?"

"How's the company? How's everything there? What's changed? What hasn't?" He asks.

I smile. "The company did well, even in your absence. A few things have. A few things haven't, and I have all your money as well." I say, and we both chuckle.

"Good night, Jack."

"Good night, Natalie."

"Thank you for helping with Louis, aunt. I have to be at the office before 9." I say, hurriedly putting on my shoes. I try to take off my mind from the horrible thing I'd heard on the phone the previous night.

Flashback

As I prepare to go to bed after talking with Ashley, and tucking my son in, my phone rings. I'm excited. It's my husband. I pick the call.

"J— I pause, as I hear him speak in a whisper. "Rose. . ." He calls, and I freeze, confused, until I begin to hear moaning. My jaw drops. I drop the call immediately.

"I understand, Natalie. Just be safe, okay?" Aunt says, making me snap back into reality. Thank God. My subconscious rejoices. I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to remember it.

"Huh? Why are you saying that? I'm always safe." I say, picking up my bag.

"No, it's just— you're pregnant, and we know what happened the last time with. . ."

"I'm fine, aunt. Besides, nothing's going to happen to me or my baby." I say, kind of reassuring myself. I'd convinced myself that it was just my mind playing tricks on me, and Laurel wasn't really back. She wouldn't come back, especially when she was a fugitive, and wanted by the police. "I'll go now, okay? Kiss my son good morning for me, please."

****

"Diane, where are you?" I ask, as I reach the parking lot.

"Ma'am, I'm just outside your office. Will you be here today?" She asks.

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss the board meeting for anything. Can you come down, please?" I tell her. She hangs up. I hadn't attended board meetings in a long while, but this time around, I needed to. It was something I had to do, especially now, with Caleb feeling threatened.

As I enter the company, I halt, stopping to look at the company. Lucas had built the company from scratch, and in the blink of an eye, I'd snatched the company from right under his nose. It was time to hand over the company back to him, back to its rightful owner.

"Ma'am." I hear, snapping out of my thoughts. "Hm." I respond.

"The meeting is about to begin. Are you ready?"

"Yes, sure. Do you have any idea why they're holding a board meeting today? Can you fill me in?"

"There's word flying round that our company secrets keep getting leaked to other competitors. We don't know who."

"What? I knew nothing of this."

"Well, you're not always present—

"Yes. That's why I pay you to fill me in and do things in my absence." I respond to her. I continue, "Besides," I say, opening my coat. I watch her eyes widen in shock. I take off my coat.

"I had no clue."

"No one did. No one ever does." I say, finding my way to the board room. I open the door, and all eyes fall on me. I hadn't seen these men for years. I ignore them all, not wanting to remember how I'd treated them or coerced them into doing my bidding.

"I had thought you wouldn't show up today." A man says, chuckling. There's utter silence in the room. What did they think of me? Were they still scared of me?

"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?" I say. I can tell they're looking at my belly. I hold my stomach as I sit.

"May we?"

"Of course." Judge Lahey says, and I look away. He was seated right beside me. Bloody hell.

"Step down." I hear someone say. I look at him. Judge Lahey chuckles.

"Come again? Why would I do that? Why would you ask that?" I ask.

"You've been absent for the past 4 years, almost fiv—

"I resumed work recently."

"You resumed? You show up at work dressed as though you're attending a fashion show and you spend less than four to five hours. We've seen you." The judge says. I refuse to look at him.

"You called a board meeting just to ask me to step down? Okay, assuming I agreed. Who would take the seat? One of you, I suppose?"

"We have a much better candidate." Someone says.

"And who might that be?"

"Caleb." I hear. I scoff. I get up, irked.

"My late husband built this company from scratch and I'll be damned if I let someone as vile as Caleb have my seat. The lot of you might have forgotten, but I will warn you. Do not push my hand."

"So. . .you'll go against us?" Judge Lahey asks.

"If that'll be all, I'll be leaving. As you can see, I'm carrying, and I don't need your petty shenanigans. Have a good day, gentlemen."

****

"Hey! You shouldn't barge into my office like that. It's bad manners."

"How dare you? Did you put them up to that? You're making them do your dirty work?" I ask Caleb, furious.

"Ah, I see. Today was the day."

"What? You're admitting?"

"Were you expecting me to deny? There's no need to deny. You know what my intentions are."

"You delusional freak. When will you stop? You're going to end up ruining your life. Don't you care about your family?"

"Hey! Shut it. Don't talk about them." He says, and he laughs. Crazy. This man was insane.

"Luke was good to you. He never mistreated you, so why are you being like this? What's your problem?" I ask, honestly wanting to get an answer.

"My problem is, I did all the hard work! I want the company! I deserve it!" He gestures to the room. "It should be mine, and it will be."

"That's all?" I scoff, surprised. His greed disgusted me. "Name your price. What do you want? What will it take for you to get out of my life? Leave the company? Leave England?"

He laughs, walking towards me. I take several steps back. "If I go, do you think it'll stop at that? Do you think I'm the only one after this company? Do you think I'm the only who wants to know the truth about Luke?"

"Come again?"

"You should be grateful to me, Natalie. At least, I want to take the company to save it, to keep it for myself."

"Stop beating around the bush. Be clear."

"Figure it out yourself, and be careful, your greatest enemy might just be your best friend." He says, and walks to the door. He opens it and gestures for me to leave. I look at him, amazed. I am amazed at his audacity. How dare he walk me out? I walk up to him.

"I never want to see your face again. You're fired."

*******

Rose's POV

"I haven't seen you for days. Where were you? And why were you at the hotel?" He asks.

"Why? Do you care about your wife now? You never did before, so why now?" I ask him, as I lay on the couch, eating my popcorn. My life was nothing but a movie, after all.

"What did you say to her? What did you tell Natalie?"

"If she didn't tell you, why should I?" I ask him. I hate you. I despise you.

"I don't want you going near her. I understand the pain you must be in, but you should blame your father for it. He's the mastermind behind everything."

"I've seen my father, and he's coming. Maybe the—

"What? Your father's coming?" He asks. I chuckle. For some reason, the mention of my father made him tremble. I liked it. It seemed to be the only thing I could hold over his head.

"Of course. After all the drama that's played out here, don't you think the mastermind, should be here too?" I ask, getting up. He ignores me and walks away, leaving me fuming in anger.

I had tried and tried, but I couldn't remember a thing about my past. What if it was all just a lie again? I couldn't even differentiate the truth from the fabricated lies I'd been told.

I wanted them all to pay. I wanted them to feel the burden and sadness I'd carried around for years. I would never let Richard find happiness. He would never be happy with anyone else if he couldn't be happy with me.

****

It's midnight, and I'm ready to go to bed. I'm approaching my room when I hear him speaking to someone on the phone. I want to ignore, but I figure it must be Natalie. What could they be talking about? I wonder. I tiptoe to the corner, and eavesdrop on his conversation. I scoff. So that was it. He was planning to book a restaurant just for that wretched woman. My blood boils. What could I possibly do to destroy his plans? I needed a way to sabotage his plan. I turn around and rush to my room. I open the drawer and take out a sleeping pill.

As I reach downstairs, I open the fridge and take an open bottle of Cabernet. I drop the pill inside the bottle and close it. I take two flutes and head to his room.

"Come in." He says, responding to my knock.

"Richard, I think we need to talk." I say to him. I continue, "A long one." I say to him.

"I think you know that I'm not Richard now. I'm not even really Luke, it's just an alias. My name is Jack, Rose."

"Right." I respond. God, I hope he drink this. "Here," I say, handing him a flute. He takes it, and my heart begins to race as I pour in the wine. I smile, as I begin to pour some in for myself. Thankfully, he begins to drink it. I take my flute and drop on the table.

"Why aren't you drinking?"

"You see, I've fallen for you, Richard. Luke. Jack. It's going to take a lot to get rid of me." I say as I turn around, looking at him. He looks at me, realization dawning on him. He throws the flute on the floor.

"What have you done? What did you give to me?" He asks.

"In a few minutes, or seconds, you'll begin to feel dizzy, weak in the knees, and then your eyes will begin to feel heavy. You'll have no other option then to fall into a deep sleep." I say, and I move back as he aims for my neck. He stumbles and falls.

"Oops." I say. I reach for his pocket and take out his phone. "What's your password?" I ask, trying to unlock his phone. He doesn't respond, still trying to fight the drug. "Rose!"

"Give me your hand," I demand, as I take his thumb. The phone opens, and I smile, relieved. I dial Natalie's number, and I place the phone on the ground, beside us.

"Rose . . ." Richard mouths, as Natalie picks the call. I am glad.

"Jack. . .oh! Mm," I moan, waiting for her to hear. By this time, Richard is already knocked out. He wouldn't know a thing when he regained consciousness. "Yes! Deeper! Oh! Yes!" I moan, and she drops the call. I stop, getting up. I look at an unconscious Richard. I massage my temples and leave the room. If I couldn't have him, no one else would.