Chapter 62: Chapter 62

CHAPTER 19

Both of our attorneys had gone to meet with Judge Lahey, to inform him that we would be dropping the case. Something he already knew.

I'd just arrived at the parking lot of my home. I come out of my car.

"Natty?" I hear and I shriek in fear. I turn around, scared. It's Rocky. I heave a sigh of relief. "Bloody hell. What are you doing here, Rocky?"

He hands over a bouquet of dahlias. I collect them, wondering why he was handing me flowers. I didn't want them. "They're for you. I wanted to see you. My love, don't you think it's time we talk things through and get back together?"

"What? How do you even know where I live? Are you stalking me?" I ask, irritated.

"Yes, I am. I have. So what? You know I love you, right?"

"No, I don't. All I can see is craziness." I say. I continue, "Get back together? Rocket, I need you to understand that I don't love you anymore."

"That's a lie. Lucas isn't stopping us from being together— you're free. Don't you love me anymore?"

"I've been saying that for the longest time, Rocket. Here.” I say, returning his flowers. "I don't want this. I'm sorry." I say as I begin to walk off. He grabs my hand. "Leave me."

"Look into my eyes and tell me you don't love me. Say it. Say you don't remember the first night we made love by the river. Say it."

It was as though I hated all the men surrounding me.  I was beginning to hate men in general. I look into his eyes. "I don't love you. I remember the night we made love. You were my first, remember? Who forgets that?" I whisper in his ear. "After Luke touched me, that night stopped meaning anything to me. I don't love you. Get it.”

It was evening already. As usual, Lydia was somewhere in the house with Louis. Ashley'd gone school hunting. I wanted her to enroll in a school and live like a normal teenager.

I'm in the living room, with my bucket of ice-cream, alone. The television is on, but I'm not paying attention to it. I'm lost in a pool of thoughts. Why did Luke deny wiretapping my office? Was he really not aware of it or was he just trying to save his neck? How could I get Alex on my side? Once the merger's announced, I'd have lost my rights and title as COO. What could Luke be plotting again? What about the shareholders? Did they know about the merger or was Luke double crossing them too? I needed to take care of the board members, put them in such a position that they have no other choice but to do my bidding. I take out my phone. I quickly search for a location on the internet. Mr. Keats would be my first target, and hopefully, I'd get him soon.

**

As I'm driving, on my way to Soho walk-up, my mind drifts off to Laurel. I wanted to get my hands on her so bad, but I wanted to save her for last. Deep down my hatred for Laurel wasn't solely because she had made the call to my father, but because she was with Luke. I didn't care about who Luke bedded, however, I was enraged that after me, Luke would go as low as Laurel. That woman was devious and evil. I would expose her for my peace of mind.

Just as I arrive, my phone beeps. It's a text from my mother. The Robinson's party was for tomorrow by 7. My mother had demanded I send her a car or pick her up. I'd go with the former because I couldn't bear being in the same space with her for more than five minutes.

I respond to her text; "I'll send a car. Meet me at the entrance by 8."