Chapter 107: Chapter 107

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

It's noon. I am leaving the company for the restaurant when my phone rings.

"Alex?"

"Hello, Natalie. How are you?" I hear on the other side of the call."

"Alex. I haven't heard from you in a while. What's up. .?" I ask.

"Well, you never did check up on me. How are you? I was out of town but I'm back now. I think I have some information."

"Information? Information concerning what?" I ask.

"Let's meet. How soon can you get here?"

"To your house. . .?"

"Only if you're comfortable with it. Shall we meet elsewhere?" He asks.

"No, no. It's fine. I'll come, but I have a prior appointment. I'll meet you by nightfall or before."

*****

Reaching the restaurant, I can see Luke's car parked already. I sigh, my blood boiling as I remember Rose's call. I hit the steering wheel. Was he really playing me? Could it be that Lucas had returned to complete his revenge on me? No way. It couldn't be. I remember Caleb's words. What exactly did he mean by my best friend? Lydia was out of town and most definitely was incapable of doing anything to harm me. Luke. Lucas was the only other person who could be my best friend.

The tap on my window jerks me into reality. I look at the window. It's Lucas. I look away, annoyed. I stop the engine and get down.

"Hey. You're right on time. I missed you." He says, hugging me. I do not respond to any of his comments as he keeps at it. "I thought you'd prefer natural juices since you can't take wine anymore. Let's go in, I have everything planned." He says, dragging me in. We go in.

"Welcome ma'am." A long line of waiters greet. I nod. Lucas gets my chair. I sit.

"So? What would you like to have first? And, how's our son? Our baby?" He asks, as I look at him, trying to figure out what exactly was going on in his mind.

"Natalie?" He asks. He holds my hand, and I look down at our intertwined hands. He continues, "Are you okay? You've been awfully quiet since you got here. Is there something wrong? You know you can always tell me." He says.

I smile at him. "I'm just irritated. Pregnancy issues. It's nothing serious. Don't mind me." I respond. I couldn't let him know. If I was going to find out what the truth was, I had to play the clueless woman. I had to pretend that I wasn't suspicious of him. Lucas was a very smart man, and if he realized that I was beginning to suspect his intentions, he would retrace his steps and get rid of every evidence.

He smiles. "I thought as much. I wish I had gone through this with Louis, then I wouldn't be so surprised."

"I want foie gras. Give me watermelon juice and some grilled cheese. That's what I want."

"Okay. . .You heard her. Give my wife what she asks for, please." He says to the waiter.

"Wife. Wife." I repeat. "When are you leaving Rose?" I ask.

"I'll be filing for divorce as soon as my 1 month is up."

"You have less than two weeks. I trust that you'd never do anything to hurt me or make me doubt you."

"You have my word. Just give me my time as requested."

"So. . ." I say, as I drink some water. "What have you got so far?" I ask.

"I've had Caleb followed for the past few weeks. He's been going home, to a famous Bodega at Shoreditch and back home. It's just those three places."

"What about Kelly?"

"According to the reports, she never steps foot outside. My men can see her from the window but she never comes out."

"She must've delivered. She was pregnant. Did you have him watched every day?" I ask.

"Every single day."

The waiter brings the food. "He knows. He's probably aware of what you're doing. You underestimate Caleb, he's not as slow as you might think."

"So you're saying he's playing into my trap knowingly?"

"What do you think? I can bet he knows. He's letting you see him where he wants you to." I scoff. "You've just given him confirmation that you really are Lucas." I state. I roll my eyes, reaching for the plate of foie gras. What a mess.

"That's why I haven't gotten anything. It's why I haven't seen him with the person."

"Call your men off. There's no point in following him. If he's always going to the bodega, it means there's something or someone it. We just have to find out what."

"My men can be inside. Disguised. We'll get a clue as to what he does inside there."

"The food's nice." I comment, as I take a gulp of my juice. His phone rings. I drop my drink as I watch him hesitate. He ignores his phone, playing it off like it's the last thing he's bothered about.

"Your phone's ringing. Answer it." I tell him.

"It's Rose. I don't want her to ruin the mood." Is that the truth?

"I insist. Answer it," I tell him. I stretch my hand to take the phone. "Let m— He quickly grabs it from me, but I confirm that it isn't Rose. The caller's name begun with an L.

"I'll speak with her." He tells me. He answers. "Hello? Rose. I'm busy. See me when I'm home. Around seven-ish." He says. He gave an exact location and he gave a specific time. He was alerting whoever it was that he couldn't speak. They were to speak when he was home, in the evening. Did you really think you could play me once again, Lucas? Tell me the truth. Tell me whatever it is. I'll believe you. I will never doubt you.

"How's your divorce with Rocket going? Has it been finalized?" He asks me.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I'll go now. I've had enough for today." I say, getting up to leave.

"Natalie?" I hear him say, as I pick my purse. I begin to head to the exit. "Wait! What's wrong? Did I say something?" He asks, holding my hand.

"Let go." I state calmly. "I'm extremely tired. Irritated. My legs are tired, and again, I'm overly irritated. I just want to be left alone is all."

"Are you sure? You sound and seem like I've offended you. Is it because Rose called?" He asks.

"No. Not at all. I'll be going now." I say to him, and I head to my car. I halt as my mind flashes back to the name on his phone. L. Could it be Laurel? "Ah. One more thing." I say, turning to him. "Laurel. . . I think she's in town." I say.

"What?" He asks. I can see shock on his face, but what if he was pretending? What could he possibly be doing being friendly to Laurel after she tried to murder me.

"Did you know already?" I ask.

"No," He says walking to me. "How do you know? Did you see her? Did she try to hurt you?"

"I saw her outside my house over a week ago."

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

"I've had a lot on my mind lately. Thankfully, I remembered today." I respond, entering my car. He stands at the door.

"She won't come near you. I promise." He says.  How are you so certain? Why are you so sure?

"She better not. I wouldn't want to become scary again." I tell him, and we share an eye lock.

"Come on in." Alex welcomes me. I'm hit with a wave of nostalgia as I remember my last visit to his apartment.

"It's still the same." I comment, scanning the room.

"Well, I couldn't have done much given that I was locked up against my will. What wo— he pauses, as his eyes fall on my stomach. I look on, somewhat uncomfortable.

"I didn't know. I didn't know."

"May I sit?" I ask. He nods, and I sit. I speak. "It's Rocket's."

"From your belly, I coul—

"Yeah. Five months." I respond, tucking my hair behind my ear. There's silence, as we stay in complete awkwardness.

"So, what's the info? I've got to run, my legs are swollen and I have to see my son before he sleeps."

"Ah, yes." He says, sitting down. He takes out his phone. "I know who had me locked up." He says, and I freeze. How? How did he find out it was Rocket? I take his phone, and I look at the screen. It's a video. It's just about 4 seconds long. It shows a woman, dressed in casual clothing. Her hair is burgundy. I play it again.

"She had me locked up."

"Huh?" I ask, confused. "Why? I mean, how do you know this? How are you sure? Is this the only footage?"

"It was the same day I was committed. Look at it, it's around. It was barely thirty minutes after you got into the accident. I remember turning on the television and rushing to get dressed. There was a loud bang on the door. I went to check but they were already in. It's the last thing I remember. I think they gave me a tranquilizer."

I scoff, amazed at the revelation. He continues, "It's clear that your accident was the excuse used. It was a distraction to get me locked up. They said I lost it after finding out about your condition."

"But someone had to call it in. . ."

"And I was all alone." He responds. What? How could this be explained? Rocket was behind it, wasn't he? There was solid evidence that it was Rocket who orchestrated it all. A woman? Who could this woman be? Laurel? I watch the video again. No. It couldn't be Laurel. Laurel was much slimmer.

"I need to tell you something. . ." I say. I needed to tell him what I knew. He deserved to know what I knew.

"I'm all ears."

"I have proof that Rocket had you locked up. As for this video, it's probably fabricated by him to throw you off. Do you have any enemies? Female?"

"What? Come again?"

"Do you know anyone that—

"No. Before tha— hold on, you knew something this serious and didn't think to tell me?!"

"I'm sorry, Alex. I just, I just wanted to be sure. I had to be certain that I wasn't just giving you false information."

"How long have you known?"

"About six months." I respond.

"Jesus, Natalie!"

"I'm sorry, it's not that I did—

"What? Luke told you not to tell me? Is that it?" He asks.

I get up, trying to pacify him. "No. The truth is, I really did forget. I've been to caught up with my life and—

"You mean caught up being a mistress?!" He yells.

"Alex, you don't mean that." I say, surprised at his tone.

"No. I mean it. I've been more than generous to you, Natalie. I've helped you, let you use me, listened to you and done everything I possibly could just to keep you happy. Just one time, when you could have helped me, you forget." He states coldly. He continues, "Now, you're ruining my sisters life as well."

"I said I was sorry, Alex. I've been going through a lot. Besides, you know more than anyone that Lucas doesn't love your sister."

"Yeah. That's what the both of you do. Use people."

"Why are you saying this?" I ask, genuinely hurt. Why was he being mean?

"I don't want to listen to you anymore. Natalie. Get out." My jaw drops at his statement.

"What?"

"Get out." He repeats.

.***********

My feet are tired on getting home. I get down from my Audi, and I head straight in to my house. Aunt Ruth, Ashley and Delores are all seated watching a movie with Louis on the couch.

"Pleasant evening." I say, gaining their attention.

"Mommy!" My son gets up, rushing to me. He hugs me. I hug him back.

"Easy, monkey." I say, kneeling down. "I missed you. How was school today?"

"I missed you and my little sister too. When will she get here, mommy?"

"Oh, calm down Louis. Your sister will be here in another four months. Why are you in such a hurry?" Aunt Ruth chips in. Delores smiles. Ashley is seated but looks uncomfortable.

"Soon, my love. Come here," I say, pulling him closer. "You're my everything, you know that right?"

"I know." He responds.

*****

After my small rapport with the family, I'd left for my room. Aunt would tuck Louis in today. I needed some alone time.

I go into my bathroom and take off my clothes. I turn the shower on and stay under it. I refuse to think of anything. I'd block out whatever would steal my peace and happiness.

"Ah," I feel a kick. I look down at my belly. My child kicks again. I caress my belly. It was its first kick. I begin to cry. I was feeling a wave of different emotions. Why was Lucas hiding things from me? I was going crazy trying to figure out the truth. Alex's outburst today saddened me. I couldn't help but feel empty and shallow. I turn off the water and grab a robe.

I begin to think back to earlier in the day. Why was Luke communicating with Laurel, and why did he have to pretend that he didn't know she was back? There was only one explanation to it. Luke wanted to get back at me. I was sure if it. I had taken a huge chunk of his wealth, his home, and most importantly his company. I caress my stomach when realization hit me. I get up, shocked. I was pregnant for Rocket, and if Laurel was back, she must've told him about her fake pregnancy and how I held her hostage. She had warned me that she'd tell Luke that I was responsible for her miscarriage. I gasp, shocked. It couldn't be. "He was too quick to accept my baby," I state, putting two and two together. "That was his plan all along." Could it be that Tose was referring to Laurel? I ponder, as I remember her words. "You're not the only one. You're not the only one."  I rush out of my room, looking for aunt.

"Aunt! Aunt! Aunt Ruth?" I call out. I rush to her bedroom and I enter without knocking.

"Aunt." I state, realization setting in.

"My goodness, Natalie. Are you okay?"

"He's back."

"What? Luke? Of course he is, darling. We know that."

"No, no, no, aunt. He's back for me, for revenge. Yes here to complete whatever he couldn't six years ago."

"What?"

"I don't understand it. I don't even know what my family did to this man, why is he after me for revenge? He's plotting with Laurel. . . He thinks I killed his child. I didn't do anything, Aunt. I didn't do it."

"Natalie? You're scaring me, why are you acting like this? Did say say something to you? Is Laurel behind this?"

"I saw his phone. Rose confirmed it. Luke is using me."

"You can't be too sure of that, Natalie. Have you thought of asking him or seeing some sort of proof?"

"He's keeping secrets even after he promised not to! What more proof do I need, aunt?" I ask. Was I losing my mind? Was I deluded?

"What do I do, aunt?" I ask, internally praying that somehow, my conclusions were wrong.