Chapter 66: Chapter 66

CHAPTER 23

The day had gone by in a heartbeat. Veronica couldn't make it but José's presence alongside Anna's made me feel loved, cared for, and not alone.

Everyone had gone to bed. I'm by the window, looking outside as the rain falls. The rain always reminded me of the night Lucas threw me out. Every time it rained, my heart burned with a hatred that I myself, couldn't even fathom.

"The next time it rains, I'll be there to collect what you owe me, my dear husband. The same way you threw me out like a common rag doll, I will throw you out too. I will only have peace of mind once I see you suffer, the way I have." I state internally.

A month later..

It had been exactly a month since Louis’ birthday. I had been consistent at work too, although, I wasn't doing anything serious. Jennifer hadn’t gotten new information, and I suspected Caleb knew Jennifer had switched sides.

My relationship with Alex had blossomed into something much more casual. We'd been going out for dinner dates, lunch dates, and he'd even taken me to one of his family's jewelry stores. I had been privileged to see raw diamonds in his company's factory.

It was a Monday, and I'd just closed from work.

"Have a good evening, Ms. Richardson." A staff greets me.

"Thank you." I respond as I head for the exit. My phone rings. It's Alex. I answer.

"Hello? Yes, I was just about to leave. The park? Why? Okay, but I have to go home to my son, so it'll just be a few minutes." The call ends. Alex wanted me to meet him up at Cecily Park. I could only wonder what he had to say. As far as I knew, he'd already told me about his feelings.

As I drive, I begin to wonder what Alex would want to say. Could he want to tell me about the merger? That had to be it. I had to play it cool and act surprised. I couldn't risk letting him find out that I already knew about the merger. I take out my phone and place it in the phone holder.

"Siri, call Jennifer." Jennifer had been MIA the past week, and today was no different. I hadn't seen nor heard from her. I'd wondered if she'd been in debt again or some sort of trouble. This time, the phone rings, but there's no answer.

I park my car as soon as I get to the park. From my car, I notice that it's unusually dark. I passed the park once in a while, and I knew all too well that the area wasn't supposed to be as dark as it currently was. I take my pepper spray as I get down from the car.

"Alex?" I call out, as I walk towards the entrance of the park. I bring out my phone from my dress and dial Alex's number. It rings but he doesn't answer. "What the hell?" I murmur, as I look around. Suddenly, the lights come on. It takes me by surprise.

"Surprise." I hear, and as I turn around, I see a thousand pieces of flowers fall from above. I gasp, as I look at Alex. "Huh?" I giggle. He hands me a bouquet of roses.

"You're always at work. You don't have fun. You need to, and I've taken care of that, at least, for today?"

"What did you do?" I ask, pleasantly surprised.

"We have the entire park to ourselves. The entire building to ourselves too." He says, pointing west. “There’s a hotel there”. I look back at him, my eyes questioning his motives.

"No, no, there's a restaurant in it. I rented it all though."

"You did what? You rented both of them?" I ask. He nods. I gasp. "You didn't have to, honestly. Thank you for the flowers."

"You're always welcome, Natalie. Shall we?" Alex asks, extending his arm. I smile. I take his arm and we walk into the park.

First, we walk to the cotton candy store. There's an attendant there.

"Cotton candy for the lady and I, please." I watch Alex from behind, and I can't help but admire his features. Broad shoulders, his gelled coffee black hair. His hands were long. He was tall too, probably 6'5. I was 5'8, but my heels made me taller. I look away quickly, to avoid having any other thoughts about him.

"Here." He says, handing me a huge ball of cotton candy. I look at his. "Why's yours bigger though?" I ask, noticing his candy was a bit bigger than mine. "I love cotton candy." I say, as I hand him mine. Without complaining, he hands his, over to me.

We begin to walk. "So, what now?" I ask, as I eat my cotton candy.

"Well, I was thinking, the roller coaster?"

"Okay."

***

I laugh as I see Alex moving uncomfortable, obviously afraid.

"Are you scared of heights?" I ask in high tone, so he can hear me.

He nods, "No. I just haven't done this in a. . .very long time." He responds.

"Wooooo!" I yell as we turn again. I felt free, like an eagle. It felt like my muscles were tensioned and were beginning to relax. I tap Alex. He looks at me. "Thank you for this."

****

"That was fun." Alex says.

"No, you liar. You clearly didn't enjoy it, but I did." I say, my arms folded as I smile.

"I'm ready to do anything you like. If you want to jump off a mountain, I'll gladly follow you, because," He holds my chin. Our eyes lock. "My feelings for you are genuine."

"I don't know what to say." I respond as I gulp. He smirks. I dust my dress, trying to ignore the awkwardness in the air. He puts his coat on me. I look at him, then I look at the coat.

"It's cold." He says and holds my shoulders. We begin to walk towards the building.

"Is it Versace?" I ask as we walk off.

"Yes. You have a good eye."

***

"Chateau Margaux." I say, as I drop my burgundy flute. It was one of my favorite red wines.

"How'd you know?" Alex asks, sipping his own. He looked so good in that turtle neck. I look away again.

"I can tell from the taste. It's one of my favorites."

He smiles, "Can I be one of your favorites too? I'm dying to be that glass of wine."

I run my hands through my hair and tuck them behind my ear. I look at him. "I should get going soon. Can I get takeout?" I ask. I didn't want to be rude and not eat anything after he'd rented the whole building just for me.

**

My takeout in hand, Alex's coat in the other, we are walking towards the exit. I turn. "Thank you for today, Alex. I really appreciate it. I haven't had this much fun in a long while. I should bring my son here too."

He nods. "You should. Talking about you son, I'd like to give him this." He says, handing me a box.

"What's this? What's in it?" I ask as I accept it. I open it. I gasp. I look at him, and look back at him. It's a male jewelry piece with Louis name written on it. "This is for my son?" I ask.

"Yes, designed by me. I hope he likes it. I hope you like it." He says, leaving me stunned. I was moved. This should have been Luke, giving Louis, his son, a gift, not some person I'd met a few months ago. "Thank you," I say. I continue, "I know my son would like it. Thank you, Alex. I should probably get going." I say.

As I walk out, still stunned, I look at the jewelry box. It has Louis name engraved on it. Louis Richardson. I turn. Alex is still standing there. I don't know what comes over me, but I rush back to him.