Chapter 75: Chapter 75
CHAPTER 32
I arch a brow. Lee Martins was extremely professional. He never gave sentimental views on whatever intel he got. He always went straight to the point. He continues, "Turns out the kid in France— he isn't Luke's child as you'd thought. He's Amal's child. She was pregnant before her parents passed, so after their death, Carrington had to marry her."
I'm shocked and most of all, somewhat glad. I was glad that Luke's first child was our son, Louis. "Why? Did you find out why he did that?"
"Well, Islam is a very conservative religion. It's not quite proper to have a child out of wedlock. Amal would've been ostracized and shunned. By marrying her, he gave the child his name and identity."
I gasp, shocked. Could Luke do something really so selfless? "Are you sure? He didn't do it for the money?"
"It would surprise you to know that he got majority of his wealth from the alimony. A year after the child was born, Amal herself filed for a divorce."
Again, my mouth drops. "What, she just gave him a trillion euros? I didn't even know someone could be as rich as that."
"Well, like I said, majority. Amal's parents were extremely wealthy."
I gasp. I was in shock. My phone rings. "Bloody hell." I say, as I see almost thirty missed calls from Alex. I return his call. "Alex, I'm so sorry. Where are you?" He sounds a bit upset. "I'll make sure to make it up to you, I promise."
"Let's forget about Luke. What about Caleb and Kelly?"
"Right on that. Kelly Andrews happens to be her re—
"Hold on." I say, racking my brain. “Does she have anything to do with Caleb? That’s all I want to know.”
“Yes. Caleb’s her husband.” He says, and jaw drops in shock. I gasp, shocked to my very core. Why did Kelly lie about her identity?
Luke's POV
"Yes. I still don't know her whereabouts. It's been hours, commissioner. Deploy your men, I don't care what you do!" Laurel had been missing for 18 hours. It was unlike her. Laurel was too clingy to stay apart from me for so long especially after not informing me of her movements. Something was definitely wrong.
"I just got off the phone Rigby, and I visited the CCTV department. Laurel was seen exiting the hotel. She took a cab, and Rigby's going to find out where that car took her to." Caleb says and I nod, racking my brain as to where she could be. She was pregnant and it angered me that she could be so reckless with my child.
"Could she have gone to your ex-wife?" Caleb asks in a low tone. I release my tie. I didn't want to assume or suspect Natalie. I respond, "Are you insinuating something? Are you saying that Natalie could be behind this?" I ask Caleb, looking at him. I continue, "I knew for the longest, what her plans were. It was obvious she wanted to destroy me. She wanted revenge, from me. She wouldn't go that far."
"She's been sabotaging you. We know that. What if there's a small chance that she's abducted Laurel? You said it yourself, she flipped, when she found out about Laurel's baby."
I grab his collars, annoyed and offended. "Don't you dare pin this on her. Natalie would never." I tell him, my teeth clenched. I release his collar. "Go."
I sit down on the couch. Natalie was after me. I knew that. From the very first day she stepped into my company, I knew that she could only be there to get back at me. I hated her, but I couldn't deny the fact that I loved her just as much. Her betrayal was the only thing keeping us apart. The thought of that bastard, Rocky, inside of her mad me mad with anger. The thought of his body on hers, his lips on hers drove me insane. I had the urge to strangle her whenever I saw her.
My love for Natalie prevented me from taking action earlier. I let her stay in the company for too long, not just because she had the legal authority to be there but because, I wanted to monitor her. To see if she was finally with him. I wanted her close so I could see her constantly.
First, her parents betrayed my parents which ultimately led to their death. I should be the one taking revenge, because, my family was murdered by hers. Because of my love, I forgot about my revenge. Natalie betraying me was too much of a big blow. She was their child, after all. Betrayal ran deep in that family.
My phone rings. "Lucas Carrington. Who am I speaking with?" The response makes the veins in my head nearly pop out. "You. How dare you call me?" I scoff at the next words I hear. "You. You just dug your own grave." I say, as I end the call, furious. I walk to the large glass window as I look on, anxious for the next day.
***
"Forgive me, Alex. I didn't mean to ignore your calls." I say, as I get into his black Rolls Royce. He shuts the door. I heave a sigh of relief. He didn't look pissed. He enters the car.
"I could never be mad at you, Natalie. Honestly, I was just scared you changed your mind."
He starts the car. "About?" I ask, wearing my seat belt.
"I thought you didn't like me anymore or you didn't want to speak to me again."
I pause. I never liked you in the first place, Alex. "Heh. Do you have an inferiority complex? Are you triggered by something?"
He looks at me, and I could swear for a moment, he looked entirely vulnerable and really scared. He composes himself almost immediately.
"I just like you too much. No, I love you. I know I do."
I look away, keeping a straight face. "Stop here." I say, looking at my wristwatch. I look at the mobile shop.
"I'm sorry if I offended you."
"No, it's fine, Alex. It's okay if that's how you feel." I say. Deep down, I feel frustrated and horrible. I was using Alex for my personal gain. He deserved to know what I was feeling at the very least. My conscience wouldn't me deceive him to such a brutal extent. I continue, "However, I must let you know that your feelings are not mutual. I don't feel that way towards you, Alex."
"I know. You still love your ex husband." He says, and I freeze. I look at him. He looks at me. "I figured. The day, at the party. It was kind of obvious." I blink, unable to say a word. He continues, "You can grow to love me, Natalie." He says, looking away. "But for now, my love is more than enough for us both." He says. I look away. I don't say a word. I step out of the car and head into the building.
"You're forty minutes early." Sadie says, as soon as she sees me. I smile, my mind remembering my discussion with Lee Martins. Kelly and Caleb were married. It was as though, everyone else knew except me. My mind flashes back to Caleb, his lie. There was a conspiracy. A thick web of lies between Caleb, Kelly and probably Luke. What could be the motive and why would they go so far just to deceive me?
"Hellooooooo?" I hear Sadie say, and I snap out of my thoughts. I nod at her, smiling. "I'll go check on your phone."
I bring out my phone. I dial Jennifer's number again. It rings but she doesn't pick. I dial the number again, but this time, it doesn't go through. I leave her a voicemail. "You know you're not getting a salary right? Call me." I say. I was curious about what could've been preventing her from responding or reaching out to me. Did she turn on me? Did she go back to Caleb and Luke. I would be so furious if she betrayed me.
Sadie arrives. "Fixed. The technician was really fast. I put in a word." She says, smiling, as she hands me the now fixed phone. I smile at her. "Thank you." I take out my purse and bring out a hundred. I hand it to her, but she declines. I stare at her, shocked.
"No, ma'am. I didn't help you for money. You're a good person. Beautiful too. Have a lovely day, ma'am." She says. I smile at her as she leaves. Was I really a good person though?
*
Leaving the building, I turn on the phone. It comes on in less than a minute. "Wait, this isn't— I pause as I scan the phone. It wasn't Luke's phone. It was Laurel's. I go through the pictures. There are a few pictures of Luke sleeping. Some pictures of herself and Luke. I scoff. I open the text messages. I wanted to see how Luke spoke to her. Did he talk to her lovingly? Did they exchange nasty texts? I was curious. Did he send her I love you messages?
Oddly enough, there are no messages of Luke and herself. There's only an unsaved number. I open the text. I freeze at the first text I see.
"Kill her. Don't mess it up or I won't pay you. Get the job done." I gasp. I scroll up. "Oh, my God." I whisper to myself, as I read the messages.
"Make sure you crush that belly. Disfigure her face too, I don't care what you do! Get rid of her and that thing in her." I lose my balance on the stairs as I read the text. The phone drops from my hand as I cover my mouth. I begin to cry, as I hold onto the staircase railings. Laurel tried to have me murdered. She tried to kill my son, my Louis. "Louis. . .” I say, as I think of my son. She tried to kill my baby. "No!" I yell, as I sob. I get up, cleaning my tears. I'm filled with rage as I remember the accident. I almost died, hell, Louis almost died, because of Laurel. I clean my tears. Now, I wouldn't spare Laurel. I sprint down the stairs and head to my car. I enter and drive off.