Chapter 72: Chapter 72

Lucas was initially discharged from the hospital while Genevieve drove him to the hotel.

" Sir, are you still mad at me?.

" No Gen. I have a lot going on in my head. Just drive. Is Audrey busy? He asked worried she hasn't visited him

" Yes. There are a lot of clients at the hotel. She sent you text messages. You should check them" she suggested trying to lighten his mood. It's no news she makes him happy

" oh," he said checking his messages. He sighed. She'd message him.

They entered the hotel compound and Audrey was waiting for him to alight. She embraced him holding him inside. While Genevieve unpacked the bags

" Sorry I didn't visit. There were many clients today. I'm exhausted from running around" she complained

" You're done, right? He asked holding her waist

" Yes. I made you some omelet" she smiled.

" I see business is boomy " he commented. She's a good hotelier.

" Courtesy of your benevolent heart. I might have saved a country in my former life to deserve you" she muttered making him chuckle

" Pay me when we get inside alright? " He said opening the door

" You're kidding, right? You're still wounded and I'm not jeopardizing your health for anything" she remarked

" Believe me when I say I'm good as new. You wanna try? " He asked caressing her thighs

" No. Just relax okay? " She said helping him with the jacket

" Need a bath?

" No. Everything good here? He asked. He wanted to return to Ukraine. Viola is his major concern at the moment

" Not really but I can handle it. Business is stalling, right? She asked sadly

" Yeah. I wished we could spend more time together but I can't ignore my company. " He tried making her understand that he's not leaving willingly

" Okay. Eat first. You must be hungry" she can't be emotional. He helped her a lot though she felt he's leaving because he was wounded because of her. She wanted to prevent that by taking the blow but he flipped her. It's not like she knew they were going to be attacked. She set the table and draw a bath for him.

" Audrey, what's wrong? He asked noticing her silence. She's not blaming herself, right? He turned her around cupping her cheeks .she was sad he was leaving

" don't blame yourself. I need to work. When are you coming home? He asked enveloping her in a hug

" Thanksgiving time I think or maybe the year will run out. I haven't put some strategies into motion yet" she said holding him. She's gonna miss him for a whole three months

" Thanksgiving? Two weeks should be enough for it"

" That's what the manager said. They need to see the results before I leave"

" I'll do something about that. I'll call you daily okay? He said releasing her from the hug

" I'm gonna miss you, Luke. I mean it" she muttered embracing him again while resting her head on his chest

" I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I didn't know they followed me here. I'm truly sorry Luke" she apologized

" It wasn't your fault. I'll take care of it when I get home. Stay safe. " He said leading her to the table to eat. She kept picking veggies for him to eat adding spinach, broccoli salad, and parley. It's a good thing Luke is a veggie kind of guy.

" You should eat too you know," he said dropping grilled salmon and meat in her platter. She loves eating meat something he discovered while they dine together

"Thanks," she said eating her platter of meat. She smiled he does know her food preferences.

Audrey and Lucas strolled around the resort. He was trying to make her comfortable while he returned home the next day. He picked a casino which he knew she was extremely good at. She laughed all night long cos she won every game and bet. She made a fortune. Most of the players were smoking and drinking. Audrey was envious of them as she watched them drinking to their heart content. Lucas followed her gaze and chuckled. He can't believe she was jealous of smokers and drunks.

He tapped her leading her to the dancing floor. Letting her do her thing since he can't light a cigarette for her. She danced pretty well that his eyes almost popped out of the socket for gawking. Damn, she's good at everything except etiquette Now that he thought of it she's bad at a lot of things too.

She intended to grind him but stopped knowing he's easily aroused. Now that will be embarrassing for both of them. The crowd cheered her as she waved at them holding Lucas.

" I'm tired. Can I take a bottle of champagne or a cigarette, please? She pleaded to earn a glare from him. She should be grateful he allowed her to dance for others to see. Now she's asking for the impossible.

" Audrey, promise me that no matter what you won't smoke or drink again," he said seriously as she nodded

" Good. Let's go" he led her out of the casino.

They retired to their room tired. They lay on the bed chatting.

" Luke, when will you leave tomorrow? She asked fiddling with his shirt

" Morning," he said caressing her back slowly

" Okay. Tell me about your brother" she urged raising her head to look at him contemplating

" Good night Luke" she didn't want to force him anymore. It seems he doesn't trust her with such things

" Good night Audrey" he muttered with her name rolling on his tongue. She leaned on his chest listening to his melodious heartbeat. She was glad his heart was hers. It beats differently whenever she's with him almost like hers.

Lucas kissed her on the head and they dozed off. She bid him farewell the next day watching as Genevieve drove out of the gate. She'd be lying if she knew his absence could hurt her like that. She didn't even want him to go with her in the first place. She entered the house once the car was out of sight.

It was time for business. She called ivy.

" Hello, aunt. Miss me? She asked sarcastically making ivy worried if she found something

" I've been missing you for eight years, Audrey. Now, what's the matter? She asked sternly like she can't wait to get the call over with.

" I need to have my mom's body dugout or whatever you call it. I want an autopsy or biopsy anything that can help identify her as my mother. Now will you grant my request willingly or should I prove to the court that I'm the daughter of Patricia Zachary? She exclaimed boldly with a grin

Ivy was shocked to hear her make such an assumption. What does she mean by dig out or autopsy? She doesn't believe her?

' what are you saying Audrey? Do you want to dig a rotten corpse? Your mother has been dead for years now. The earlier you accept it the better for you to move on" she snapped agitated she's no longer the obedient and lenient Audrey anymore. She's daring.

" So I was told. Are you willing or not? " She asked as the other end of the phone was silent.

It seems she stoops to conquer. She has to think of something. What would that be?

" You're desecrating her grave. She's your beloved mother for christ's sake. My sister" she snapped trying to persuade her to drop the idea

" Hell no. I'll do no damage to her body or bones. I want to be sure so that life can go on. " She exclaimed as ivy sighed in acceptance.

" Alright. You got it. But leave me out of it. You've gone crazy over the years. I wonder what happened to you "

" Oh don't worry. I'll let you know about it soon. My mom first" she said ending the call.

Now all she had to do is get a birth certificate to prove she was the biological daughter of her parents. Piece of cake she thought. She visited their old home which was still standing but found nothing. She was told it has been sold. She requested the properties but saw none. Did her aunt sell her father's house? It was meant to be hers.

She felt frustrated searching the neighborhood for some then she ran into an old neighbor of theirs. Her father's apprentice.

" Excuse me, Sir, sorry to disturb you. I'm a friend of Miss Audrey Zachary. We were colleagues in school. Where can I find her? She feigned been a stranger certain he won't recognize her since her aunt couldn't.

" Oh, poor child. Poor family. May God rest their soul. Come, dear. It's a long story" said the man who was in his thirties.

Audrey followed him and sat down in a bar eager to hear what he has to say about her beautiful family.

" Mr. Rogers Zachary had a brain tumor and died years ago. His wife ended up in the hospital and his little girl went missing and was declared as a missing case indicating she was dead. " He sniffled

" You mean Audrey Zachary is dead? Did they declare her dead without a body? She stood up furiously

" She has been missing for over eight years now. Poor child" he said making her anger increase

" What happened to their properties? She asked after calming down

" Ivy jerkins sold everything they labored for including this house and his workshop. I managed to keep a few documents for their girl in case she comes back" he said seeing a weeping Audrey. He didn't know her that much but she preferred staying with her father when she was little. Her eyes seemed familiar. His eyes widened as realization hit him. Is she the missing daughter?

" Really? Are there documents of birth and marriage certificate? Please kind sir talk to me" she urged making his suspicion right.

" You're the missing daughter aren't you? You're alive. What took you so long to come? He asked hugging her

"This way dear child. This way" he said leading her out in ecstasy

He took her home and gave her a glass of water which she accepted though she dropped it. He brought out an old briefcase which she recognized as her dad's. He called it his treasure chest. She smiled as he began to hand her the documents.

She opened the first one and saw her parent's marriage certificate and other things like their license and lucky number. She opened another and saw her birth certificate. This is what she was interested in but the man stopped her handing everything to her.

" I think this is their payment for keeping their illness a secret from you. Your father was sick before your mother married him. She didn't mind if his life was hanging by a thread. She was most sorry for you but she needed a mini Rogers. Although she wanted a boy. " He stated as Audrey sighed that explained her withdrawal symptoms

She sat down and began to read through. Every year, her parents deposited a hundred thousand dollars in her account wishing her a happy birthday and four hundred thousand dollars for her tuition fees. She was shocked. She glanced through every detail of her twenty-one years in college and an extra two hundred thousand dollars for her wedding. She didn't understand or she didn't want to accept it.

" Your parents loved you unconditionally Audrey. Your mom wanted you to be able to stand on your own. Isn't it obvious?

She wept reading every note her father wrote to her till her fiftieth birthday though she didn't read every content. It was enough for her to see a few. The man consoled her letting her cry on his shoulder

" Ivy has everything, Audrey. As your guardian and your mother's, she had a right to your money which was due since you were eighteen. " He announced as Audrey held the letters tight. She didn't want the money all she wanted was her parents.

" Call me if you need my help"

" Is my mom dead? She asked hoarsely

" I don't know. Ivy transferred her to another city though I heard she died on their way there. I don't think Patricia will leave you without relaying your dad's message to you. I never believed it. It seems you don't either" he guessed

" Ivy is going to pay for this. She did all this for the money? For a few millions of dollars? " she snapped.

Audrey put herself together and took the letters including the certificate. she Left the bank drafts and receipts to the man for safekeeping. She had to find her mother to know if she'll commit homicide or not. She was sure of one thing. Ivy is so going to return every penny she stole from her father's treasure chests.