Chapter 56: Chapter 56

CHAPTER 13

"My blood boils thinking about her. I've even lost my appetite." I say, as I drop my fork on the dining table. Lydia and I were back in my house. Louis was with Ashley. We are having dinner. Lydia was sleeping over for a few days.

"She is so bottom level. She irks me too. One would think after you, Luke's tastes would be much better, but I'm baffled he settled for less."

"Apparently, Laurel and him have been together for years. She's always loved him. That's why she was so crazy when I lived in the manor."

"You need to do something about her. She should even be your main target in all of this because, she made that call."

"I know. I'll have my fun with her. Soon enough." I respond.

"So what next?"

"I'm watching. I don't want to pursue the case. I don't want Luke to end up in jail, I'm just bidding my time, until he approaches me for a settlement. Then I'll make my move."

"I'm not going to ask you what that move is, it's rather interesting when it comes as a surprise."

"I'm just worried. Luke's trying to merge the company with another. I can't think of a way to stop the merge, I literally have no power over it."

"You can expose it."

"If I do, Carrington Industries will be investigated. Slush funds, tax evasion, illegal withdrawals and so much more will be uncovered. I can not take that risk. Yes, I want the company destroyed, but not by anyone else except me."

Lydia sighs, "You know what? I think you should take a break. Relax. Go out, have fun!"

"Lydia, I'd love to. I want to, but. . .”

"No but's, no if's. Get up!" Lydia says as she drags me away.

"Where are we going to?"

"The best pub in town!"

***

"Oh, this is some major milf action. Turn around." Lydia says, as I turn for her to see. I chuckle. Apart from Louis, Lydia was like a breath of fresh air in my life.

We are both dressed, and ready to go. I am dressed in a black beaded tube dress, with a slit by my right leg. Lydia is dressed in a golden sequin Vera Wang dress.

"Do you think I should pack my hair?" I ask Lydia, admiring her sleek bun.

"No, you look perfect. This style, fits you perfectly well. It brings out your features, and your jaw line looks really defined and sharp." She says. I look in the mirror and caress my hair. I missed my blonde hair.

***

Lydia smirks at me as we walk into the pub, our heels clicking as we walk majestically. We head straight to the bar.

"Dirty martini for two, please."

"No, I'll have a glass of whiskey please." I say, looking around the pub. It'd been quite a while since I visited a pub. Last I did was during my college days, with Rocket.

The bartender gives us our drinks. "Come on!" Lydia says, as she walks ahead of me.

"Where are we going to now?"

"To play a game!"

"What game, Lydia?" I ask, getting bored.

"Oh, don't be a killjoy, Natalie. Russian Roulette. Ease up, my friend," She says, shaking my shoulder. "It's girls night. You need to have some fun at least, just for today."

I nod and smile. "Well? Lead the way?"

We reach the roulette table. As if on queue, a new game was just about to begin. I look around and spot a table gathering for chess. "Chess." I say and Lydia looks in the direction.

"Yes! I remember you're good at chess. Do you want to play? You should!"

"Shall I?" I say, as I smirk. This could be fun.

"Yes, you shall. Let's school these men, and take some free money too." Lydia says, and we exchange knowing looks. Oh, Lydia and I were the perfect fit, perfect match, perfect duo! My subconscious remarks.

***

I scoff as the men begin with their usual misogyny.

"Are you sure you want to go through this, sweetheart?" A bearded man with jet black permed hair asks me, as he laughs and drops his over burnt cigarette into an ashtray.

"Sweetheart?" I roll my eyes and giggle.

"Teach him." Lydia whispers in my ear.

"Two rounds. 20 thousand for the first, 40 thousand for the second. Deal?"

"Three rounds. 20 thousand for the first, 50 thousand for the second and hundred thousand for the last. I think that's much better, but can you afford it?"

I see the shock on his face. He recomposes himself. "Your wish is my command."

"You may begin." I say, gesturing to the chessboard.

***

"Oh!", "Oooh!", "Ah!" I hear the crowd surrounding us scream.

"Checkmate. Again." I say, as I move my last piece. I gulp the remaining whiskey in my glass. It was my fifth glass. I pack my coins and laugh as I feel relieved. I hadn't felt this way in a long while. I wasn't thinking about my vendetta or worrying about my next move.

"I'll go to the ladies, Lydia. Join me?" I ask, as I get up.

"No, I'll stay to watch over this." Lydia says, pointing to my coins. I nod, grateful for her kindness.

I run my hand through my side part bang in a bid to arrange my hair. My heels are making it hard for me to walk, so I decide on walking slowly to avoid any form of embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry. Oh, my God." I say as I use my hands to try to wipe off the drink I'd just spilled on someone. "I'll pay for the dry cleaning or I'll get you a new one, I'm sorry." I plead, as I look up. I shake my head as soon as I look at the person I'd spilled the drink on. "You!"

"You!" He says, showing his forty-two.

"You really should watch where you're going." I say. I turn to leave. He holds my wrist.

"Excuse me? Let go."

"Your lipstick is smudged."

"Really?" I ask. I am beyond drunk. "Well that's the bathroom, I'll fix it. Let me go." I say as I jerk my hand off. The bathroom is a few feet away so I walk in. I look into the mirror. I close my eyes. I was drunk and it was thrilling. I felt at peace. I begin to laugh. "Why did I come here?" I ask myself. I check my lips. My lipstick is intact. "What the hell was he saying?" I murmur.

I begin to leave the bathroom when I hear moaning. I pause. I giggle. I bend down and see some legs, belonging to a man and woman. I chuckle, amused. I get up and gulp. What a night. I say internally. I leave the bathroom and as I come out, I'm startled by Alex. "Did you follow me?" I ask, perplexed. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You're drunk."

"I can take care of myself, thank you." I look away. I continue, "Why did you say my lipstick was smudged? It wasn't."

He begins to move closer to me. I'm backed up against the wall. "I can fix that. It was a lie, but I could make it the truth." At this point, Alex and I are dangerously close. My breathing intensifies.

"Why are you breathing so fast?" He whispers. "Why can't you tell me to get lost? To go away?" He asks. I place my right hand on his chest, in a bid to push him away but he holds my hand on his chest. My eyes are focused on his.

"Bloody hell." I say, as I go in for a kiss, his hand wrapped around my waist.