Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Going through heartbreak was agonizing to Audrey as she shed tears from time to time before going to bed. She needed to work as she has exhausted her resources in buying the companies from Ivy. She tried to be presentable at work resuming her normal routine at work. She stood at the reception taking notes of the recent delivery when she heard a voice.

" So you and I are back to square one" he smirked as she ignored him

" My little one has grown up after all. You look more beautiful than you were seven years ago " he scoffed checking her out. She wasn't surprised

" Nothing to say? I miss touching your succulent body. How about picking up from where we stopped. I'm sure Luke won't want a slut. take my word for it. " He smirked as she glared at him then at the register she was checking

" Audrey, you owe me" he stated seriously

" Won't you say something? I've been dying to collect what you owe me

" And what could that be Adrian?

" You escaped because of me and you took all my cards with you"

" There were no credit cards and I owe you nothing. Stay away from me Adrian" she snapped walking out on him

" I'll get between those legs again. It's mine after all" he exclaimed as she halts in her track and walked back

" I am never going to let you lay a finger on me again. I don't belong to you and I never did. You forced yourself on me and liked someone who's doesn't like you. So deal with it" she said stepping away from him

" I saved you from other men. You should thank me" he snapped

" I don't see the difference. You equally used me just like they would. No thanks to you I'm stuck in that life. Stop bugging me" she exclaimed walking away angrily.

Adrian gritted his teeth staring at her retreating back. She needed time to come to terms with it.

Lucas changed his bedroom and office too. Granny had to call his father to talk to him. He's always angry and she could tell it has something to do with Audrey. He was in his living room working when his father sat beside him.

" Got a minute son? Can we talk? Said, Hugh

" Yes Dad"

" What's wrong? You haven't been yourself since the day you caught that murderer. You fulfilled your brother's wish. You should be glad " he praised

" Yeah, yet it cost me a lot, Dad. It cost me something I didn't want to lose. " He muttered as his father saw regret and longing in his eyes

" Are we talking about Audrey Zachary? What did you find about her?

" Something terrible. It's been hard without her. She's everywhere that I had to change my room and office. She's in my head Dad. " He mumbled still looking at his paperwork

" Will you like to share? I can be of help" he offered as he shook his head in disagreement

" Can't share it. "

" I don't know what she did son but we like her for you. Everyone has a past but the will and determination to change are what matters. I'd accept her for whosoever she is as long as you come in terms with it. I've watched you grow up to the man you are today, yet I haven't seen you so smitten with any woman the way you are with Audrey. Ask yourself some questions, Will I be able to love someone again? Perhaps this was your last chance to love a woman. Believe me, son, she's pretty much engraved in it. Whether you like it or not she's always welcome to the Hamilton family. She has earned our respect and love. " He stated standing up to leave

" Can I forgive her? He didn't know the answer himself

" That's up to you son. She's always welcome to my family. " He says leaving. Lucas stopped what he was doing and thought of what his father said. Will he be able to love another woman the way he loved her? He's still young and got plenty of time to do he concluded then Bobby walked in along with Genevieve who heard about their breakup after dealing with Viola.

" Sir, a reporter came earlier stating that Miss Audrey had another accident a few days ago. I thinking someone is after her life again. Should I stop keeping tabs on her? He asked as Lucas furrowed his brow giving him a glare

" Were she hurt? Who is after her life again? He asked solemnly

" The bulletproof car saved her life, sir. The truck hit her at full acceleration. " Genevieve added wondering why he's still keeping tabs on her

" I see. Keep watching. Report every detail to me. Has Ivy Jerkins returned?

" No sir. "

" You may leave. Has the car been fixed? She needs it for protection" he voiced as Bobb smiled and left.

" Something on your mind Genevieve? He asked as she walked closer to him

" Sir Adrian has been stalking her recently. Mainly on daily basis with different gifts. Should I set a meeting between you two? She asked out of curiosity

" Never mind them. Just focus on the attack. The police are in on it right?

" Yes Sir. If been away from her hurt you that much Sir then get back together. She does love you" she advised as Lucas shooed her off with his hands. She salutes and left.

Granny listened to what he told his father and felt bad about it. She didn't want them to separate. All she had to do is make sure they're in the same room. They have to sort things out. She didn't want Audrey to leave. She's too entertaining and loving. She called her chauffeur to pick her up.

With Adrian pestering her, Audrey had to make Victor her closest friend to keep him away which Victor didn't mind. He could tell she was in pain and hurting. He tried as much as he can to lighten her mood. When it comes to pain and hurt Audrey is quite a master at it. They were about to leave when a chauffeur curtsied to greet her.

" Good day Miss Audrey, Granny sent me to pick you up. "

" Granny? Why? She asked not in the mood to see Lucas

" No idea Miss. She said not to return without you" he said with pleading eyes. Audrey looked at Victor then at the chauffeur. She sighed in defeat and entered the car staring at Victor apologetically

" It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow with that restraining order" he assured

" Thanks. This is beyond me. I'll call you when I get home" she said shutting the door while the chauffeur drove off. Victor watched the car leave until it disappeared into the horizon.

She went ahead to ask after Lucas but the chauffeur said nothing. So much for the pleading eyes, she sneered.

They arrived at the stone house to see Granny waiting for them. Audrey alighted as granny opened her arms to her. Audrey hugged her then she sighed.

" I've missed you, my dear. " Said granny arranging her hair.

" How have you been grams? You look younger every day" she commented trying to be positive

" Thanks, dear. Come inside. There's something I want to show you" she said leading her inside

Audrey smiled following her into a classy room filled with jewelry and evening clothes

" Are all these yours? She asked in awe touching the few she could

" Nope. It's Lucas's birthday next month. He'll be thirty years old. It's the first time he's home for his birthday. So we're giving him the best birthday celebration of all time and I want you to look as stunning as always. You're my future daughter-in-law." She started making Audrey chuckle perhaps if she knew her past she wouldn't think so

" Grams, Luke is mad at me. He hates me, granny. I don't want to seem like a desperate woman who doesn't know her place. I can't accept it. He doesn't want me there. " She lamented as granny held her hand

" Tell me what happened Audrey. " She coaxed

" He found out about my past. Something I was forced to do. He won't let me explain granny. It happened eight years ago. I can't come to the party I'm sorry" she whimpered

" No, don't say that. Give him time okay? I want you to be there. Don't fail. I don't care what you did. You're always welcome here. My beautiful daughter-in-law" she commented making Audrey laugh.

Granny made her try the clothes on including the jewelry. She didn't even know when it clocked nine, Lucas's new closing hour.

She checked the time stunned.

" Granny, I've to go home. Thanks for having me here" she said pecking her.

" Alright. I'll see you off " she grinned walking her down the stairs. She was about to head out when she met Lucas entering the house. He was shocked to see her. They stared at each other for some time and passed by brushing shoulders which made them stop granny just smiled retiring to her room.

" What are you doing here? He asked facing his direction

" Granny sent for me I couldn't refuse her" she muttered trying to control herself as they were standing so close to each other

" Hmm. What did she say to you?

" Something about ...none of your business. I was about leaving" she took a step forward

" You found a suitor so quickly. Was that what you were doing anytime you travel? " He accused intentionally as she faced him

" I was faithful to you. It's not my fault I was sold at sixteen. You shouldn't accuse me of such things when you know nothing about my life" she snapped angrily as he grabbed her, pinning her to the wall an inch from her

" That's because you never talked about it. Being sold at sixteen? Who on earth will believe such a story? He exclaimed. He didn't believe her

" I've no reason to lie to you, Luke. I want to clear my name. You can't see me that way. I'm not such a person. Circumstances made me this way." She stated piquing his interest staring at her as if urging her to continue

" You want to hear my story? Let's talk upstairs. In private" she suggested as he let go of her.

' not today. It's late. Will you spend a night here?. He asked as she nodded in agreement

She trailed behind him admiringly. She didn't know why she was trying to vindicate herself. She thought he meant what he said in his office.

He offered her a glass of wine. She drank it and calmed down.

" I'm listening. What made you turn to Viola for help" he asked

" I didn't turn to her for help. I didn't even know a person like that existed. My dream was to be a doctor, study coma patients so that my mom can wake up from a coma." She argued as he raised a brow

" Then what changed? Why did you do it? He asked irritably

" I was sold out at the age of sixteen by my greedy aunt, I didn't know the reason behind it then but now I do. She did it because of some millions of savings my Dad left for me. " She narrated as Lucas was surprised Ivy did such a thing. It didn't look like she was lying. He kept staring at her outburst of emotion when she narrated her plight.

" Who told you all this?

" An apprentice of my Dad showed me the receipts. And Ivy told me herself. She admitted to it. " He sighed

He sat down in deep thought as if letting what she just said sink in. She looked at him for some time and left. It seems he's finding it difficult to believe. Staying in the house without talking to Lucas was torture for her so she told Bobby to drop her off which he Concord.