Chapter 58: Chapter 58

CHAPTER 15

Sipping my cappuccino and walking casually into the office building, I go through LDN Rich & Famous, a blog dedicated to the affluent in London. The blog reported on everything relating to the rich and powerful in London. I wanted to see updates on Luke.

I am walking towards the elevator when I bump into someone, my cappuccino spilling on him and falling to the floor.

"Bloody hell." I mutter, as I bend down to pick my cup. I get up, and an immediate frown forms on my face. I walk into the elevator, completely ignoring him. The doors are about closing when he stops it and enters. I don't say a word. I look up and scan the cctv camera. The cameras weren't working. They'd probably been frozen. Nice move, Luke.

"Can we talk?"

"You're really asking me that? After forcing yourself in here with me, knowing full well you're supposed to stay far away from me as per the restraining order."

"I just need a few minutes, Natalie. Trust me, it doesn't make me happy seeing you frequently."

"Still arrogant, I see. I don't care about what you want to say, and I certainly do not want to hear it." I say, as I stretch my hand to stop the elevator. He holds my hand.

"Get your hands off me. Don't touch me!"

"Listen to me, Natalie!" He yells. I move back, shocked, but not afraid. It reminded me of how he manhandled me severally. My heartbeat intensifies.

**

We are in his office, seated opposite one another. It's as silent as a graveyard.

"Thank you, Caleb." Luke says to his right hand man, as Caleb drops off two cups of coffee.

"I made you spill your coffee. I thought it was right to replace it."

"It was a cappuccino. Get talking."

"I want you to drop the case." He says.

I chuckle. "As I thought."

"Drop the case. You go free, I go free. Nobody loses anything. It's a win-win situation."

"I go free? Are you delusional? I have nothing to hide. You, on the other hand have a lot of skeletons in your closet. You should be on your knees, begging me."

He grins at me. "I like it when you're angry." He says and pulls out a large envelope. He throws it at me.

"What is this?" I ask, as I sip my coffee.

"Open it." He says, a smack smile on his face. I begin to wonder internally what could be inside the envelope. He looked too sure of himself. He had a trump card and it was powerful enough to destroy and end my entire game. I open my purse stealthily, and turn on my camera.

"Go on. Open it." He says. I finish the entire cup of coffee. I refuse to open it. He continues, "Alright then, I'll save you the stress. That document contains information about your father." He says and I freeze.

"Don't you dare call his name.” I warn him, getting up.

"Quiet!" He barks. He continues, "That information, once leaked to the public, would be more than enough to destroy your father's name. Even in death, he'll be accused, insulted and looked down upon. I can't even begin to say the things in it, but, mark my words, it won't be pretty. I'll give you 24 hours. Drop the case before the next court proceeding." He says.

At this point, I'm fighting the tears threatening to come out from my eyes. I couldn't cry. I didn't want to, especially not in front of him. Without saying a word, I leave his office.

It's as though the world around me is spinning. I feel nauseated, bile rising to my throat. I'm trying to walk steadily, without falling. My breathing intensifies. My heart begins to palpitate. My car is parked opposite the building. I'm about to cross over to get it, when I notice a small black bus driving in full speed towards me, the indicator lights flashing directly in my eyes. I recognize the bus, and I break down in a sweat, unable to move. Suddenly, I lose consciousness and I'm accompanied with complete nothingness.

I can feel tears fall down from my eyes as I'm being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. There’s an oxygen mask on me and two paramedics with me in the ambulance.

"Don't close you're eyes ma'am. Stay with me." I hear one paramedic say. I had somehow regained consciousness, but I was fighting with myself to stay conscious. It was as though I was being dragged back into unconsciousness by a force extremely strong. Did I go too far? Was it my last day on earth? Louis. . .

Flashback.

"Open it." He says. As soon as I turn on my camera, knowing fully well that Lucas had an advantage over me, I decide to act fast. I bring out the mini hand sanitizer in my purse and pour all its content right into my cappuccino. The ethanol and alcohol was toxic enough to become poison. I poisoned myself, in order to save my plan.