Chapter 81: Chapter 81

CHAPTER 38

I'm driving to the supermarket to get Louis some diapers. We'd run out of diapers for him and Louis pooped frequently.

I'm dressed in a grey tank top, my hair in a messy bun and some black sweat pants. I put on my shades as I get down from my car. I didn't want the paparazzi taking photos of me like this.

Taking the trolley, I pack a bunch of diapers, tampons and pads. There's a tiny Winnie the Pooh teddy bear, so I pick it up for my son. I continue to stroll round the mall. "I can't even shop for anything because the pantry's full." I say, nodding my head. I felt like buying a whole lot of things, but that would just be unnecessary. I stop as soon as I sight some chocolates. I pick up some skittles, Hershey's dark chocolate and some gum. Louis has never had chocolates, well, not that I knew of. "I'll teach him how to eat these." I say, walking. As I raise my head up, my eyes fall on a pregnant woman. I smile, reminiscing my pregnancy with Louis. I look away, walking towards the counter when I pause. I knew her. I take several steps back so I can get a proper look at her.

"Mrs. Durant." I walk towards her. "Excuse me. Hi." I say. She turns around, quickly putting on her sunglasses. She holds her stomach as though she's protecting her child from something.

"It's me, Natalie. Luke's ex wife. We met at the annual 29th soiree Luke throws."

"Oh. Hello. Nice seeing you." She says, turning to leave. I grab her arm. "Wait." Immediately, she winces in pain. I let go of her hand.

"I'm sorry." I respond.

"Please. Leave me alone."

"You're the wife of Adam. Adam Durant. I know your husband. Did he do this to you? Where's your daughter, Emily?"

"Did Adam send you here? I've told him, I'm not going to tell anybody. I'm not going to call the media. I'm not going to cross him. Please, go away." She says, almost in tears. I look at her, amazed.

"No." I say, taking off my shades. "I'm Natalie. Natalie Richardson, I don't work for your husband, Mrs. Durant. If anything, I despise your husband. He's a thorn in my path." Adam Durant was part of the board members, and a major shareholder. He owned almost nine percent of C.I. If anything, Adam hated me, he hated my guts and he was infact one of those who opposed my authority in C.I.

"I'd advise you; stay away from Adam. He's not an enemy you should keep."

"On the contrary, I'm not an enemy he should keep. Mrs. Durant, I think we can be of help to one another."

******

Luke's POV

"How on earth did she escape, Rigby?!" I yell, sitting down, as I run my hand through my hair. I was frustrated. The business was failing, Laurel was missing, and above all, my peace of mind had been stripped away ever since I'd found out about Natalie and my son yesterday.

"I'm sorry sir, but we need to find her. I'm not certain, but I think she has my gun. I can't seem to find it."

"Your what? Where the hell was she?"

"Caterham Asylum. She was locked up in solitary. It was hard, but I got CCTV footage from the building and some footage from dash cams."

"Laurel was locked up in a psychiatric home?" I ask, stunned. Rigby nods. It could only mean one thing. It was either one of my enemies or. . . Natalie. "You may go. Find her again. Whatever it takes. She's carrying my child."

*****

Next day, Friday. . .

Dressed in a beige checkered coat, a silk long sleeve blouse and a green leather skirt, I wear my louboutin red bottoms. I walk to the mirror and apply another coat of my tomato red lipstick. I adjust my hair as I admire my beauty. My black hair really did fit me, although, I missed being a blonde.

"Wish mommy luck, baby. I only need you." I say, as I caress my son who's still sleeping.

***

As planned, Alex had called for an urgent board meeting. It was already 9:30 am, so he'd probably arrived before me. The meeting was slated for 10am. All eyes fall on me, as soon as I step into the building. I adjust my shades as I walk, a smug smile plastered on my face. Oh, how easy it was to ruin you, Lucas.

I'm in front of the boardroom, and as fate would have it, Mr. Durant is present, alongside some board members. I smile. The universe was definitely in sync with me. These men had to be punished. I would be their punishment.

"Hello there, Mr. Durant." I say to the man, as I swing my LV office suite case. "Can the rest of you kindly give us a moment?" I ask, and the three other men leave.

"You bitch. Do you have no shame? Decency?"

"Me? Bitch? Oh, you just broke the camel's back. I know what you've been doing to your wife, you psychopath. You're one hell of a person, aren't you? You beat up your wife while she was pregnant?"

He looks around, obviously trying to see if there's anyone present there. "Get your facts right. What the hell are you talking about?"

"Save your pretense for someone who buys it. Your wife is with me now, and I've sort of, convinced her to go public and tell the world, what kind of a monster you truly are."

He laughs, "I'm innocent until proven guilty, and I can't be proven guilty without proof. Where's Chloe?"

I chuckle. I laugh hysterically. I pause, "Once a fool, always a fool. You see, Mr. Durant," I say, dusting off invincible dust from his shoulder. I whisper in his ear, "I am the witness."

"What?"

"You heard me. I, alongside your daughter— step daughter, Emily will testify against you as witnesses. After all, you have an acquaintanceship with my ex-husband and to an extent, I can claim I know you, right?"

"Where's Chloe?"

"Shut up. First off, send her divorce papers, already signed by you. Secondly, when we go in there, whatever the case may be, you will support me or else.” I warn him. I continue, “Immediately after the meeting or even during, if you don't do as I've said, Chloe's interview will air live. You wouldn't want that, would you?" I say to him and enter into the room. Everyone's present there. Luke gets up as soon as he sees me. I send him death glares and look away. Alex gets up and walks over to me. We hug. I watch Luke look at us.

"What is this?" Luke asks. "Alexander?"

Alex holds my hand and leads me to my chair. I sit. Surprisingly, he slips a ring on my finger. I look at the ring, unsure. I give him a small smile.

"Can someone explain what the hell is going on?" Luke asks, again.

"I'd like to introduce the board to—

"I know her. Why are you here, Natalie? You shouldn't be here." He says. He begins to walk towards where we are seated. He grabs my left hand, and immediately, I jerk it off.

"Don't touch her!" Alex yells, and he charges at Luke, pushing Luke away from me. It was as though he changed in a minute, like a raging mad bull. It sent shivers down my spine. Luke and I lock eyes. I look away. Things were about to get messy.