Chapter 90: Chapter 90

With Lola and Ava's help, Audrey got better. Less crying and regrets. She'd look at his photos whenever she misses him. She knew he can't be forgotten within a year though. She used her job as a distraction and only thought of him when she sees couples together.

Vanessa entered her office with a magazine dropping it on the desk to Audrey's dismay.

" What's this for?

" Take a look " she persuaded pointing to it

" Oh okay," she said with uncertainty picking it up. She stared at it for minutes touching his photo. Vanessa cleared her throat to stop her from crying again.

" It's Lucas's birthday tomorrow. Granny said to remind you and to give you this" she said handing her a big box wrapped in ribbons

" That's nice. I don't think I can face him though" she refused to accept it

" Granny is inviting you personally. You wouldn't turn her down, will you? She asked knowingly. Audrey hardly says no to Granny.

" I'll be there. Does Jenny visit him?

" Sir Lucas is hurting just as much as you. He'll accept you. Wait for it " she advised making her smile

"Have you heard the news of Ivy yet?

" Nope. She must think I'm dead. She'll be back to finish the job once she learned I'm still alive"

" The autopsy result is taking too long"

" I'm not in a hurry. That's why I'm stalling in finding Ivy. I pray she's alive. It'll help if she is" she sighed as Vanessa held her hand in assurance

" You've us. Why didn't Ava look for her family?

" Over the years? We killed Lola's boyfriend that sold her, found out her siblings were abducted. We were on the run. It will be dangerous for the kids. So we let them be. " Narrated Audrey

" That's a lot, Audrey. " She commented

" Then I'm sure you'll find your mother. " She smiles handing her the box again. She took it and smiled.

" Is Mrs. Fiona back?

" Everyone is back Audrey. I suggest you go there today. "

" I can't. Luke doesn't want to see me. I'm getting better from crying over him, I don't want to increase it ' she said as her phone rang. She looked at it baffled

" what? Who is it? Asked Vanessa worriedly

" Mrs. Fiona" she blurted out with surprise then picked it

Audrey knew she'll request her presence in the house. She knew they were helping them make up.

" Audrey darling, how are you? We've missed you"

" I'm fine mom. Yeah. "

" Good. It's Luke's birthday tomorrow, tell me you're coming and I'll prepare the best servants to wait on you" she offered to make Audrey laugh

" I don't think I can. Luke and I are done. It'll be inconvenient for us " she mumbled fiddling with her pen

" Jenny is coming. Genevieve dresses like a girl now. A flock of girls is coming too " she smirked as Audrey's face darkens.

Vanessa looked at her green jealous face and chuckled.

" I'll be there mom. " She agreed as Fiona smiled. Her possessiveness makes it easier

" Good. I'll be expecting you to look gorgeous. Don't worry I'll take care of all that. Make sure you come early. I would have loved to see you today but tomorrow is okay too " she exclaimed as Audrey sighed

" Okay, mom. I will. Love you bye" she said ending the call

" They like you believe me. Granny had your room cleaned today. You're lucky" smirked Vanessa

" No, I'm not. If Luke is by my side I wouldn't mind the bad luck. " She giggled as Vanessa shook her head in amusement.

Lucas is equally as miserable as Audrey. He stopped dining with anyone. Always on his PC. She caught him checking out Audrey's room once. He just needs time to come to terms with his discovery.

" You're the lucky one Vanessa. I can't help but imagine if we were all in the brothel the day Lucas destroyed it and we did meet. What's the possibility that he might have fallen for me at first sight? She contributed an assumption as Vanessa wondered too

" Maybe this is how it's supposed to be. All thanks to him, Viola won't trouble us anymore. It works out better this way" she suggested as Audrey chuckled

" Even if he doesn't forgive me or accept me, I'll carry my love for him as payment for making my life meaningful" she assumed smiling

" Alright. Now you're talking dear " clapped Vanessa.

Victor entered seconds later to see Audrey getting ready to go home.

" Hey"

" Hi, detective. "

" You got a moment? He asked helping her load the trunk

" Yep. Any leads? She asked sitting in a chair outside

" Yeah. We found the truck driver but he's dead. We're looking for proving" he announced

" Oh. Ivy doesn't live here anyway. I guess it's a dead-end then"

" Yeah but you know I'll keep on looking. Anything for your safety Audrey" he said softly

" I'm grateful Victor. Thanks for your help" she said holding his hand.

" I'm glad I have a friend like you. " She added as he smiles standing up to leave

" Of course. You can always count on me. I'll see you off then" he said leading her to the car trailing behind.

" What! You're going to his birthday party? Audrey, are you crazy? Asked a perturbed Lola. Who thought she has recovered from the heartbreak surely she was mistaken

" Girls please, his mother invited me and I can't turn them down. '

" Can you hear yourself? He didn't invite you but his mother did. Why can't you see the handwriting on the wall Audrey? Stop forcing yourself on him. " Refuted Lola angrily

" I know my place and I'm not forcing myself on him. I've accepted the fact that he doesn't love me anymore. I can't disrespect Granny and Mrs. Fiona that way. They're like family to me" she explained trying to make Lola understand she wasn't going for him

" Fine. Lola, she's right. They'll think she's been spiteful. You saw how much they like her during Christmas and new year celebrations. She needs to acknowledge their invitation" coerced Ava taking Audrey's side.

" Whatever. One of us is going with you" she suggested

" No need for that. Vanessa is there. You two need to work and don't forget Ivy is unto us " she reminded

" We know. That's why we're going with you capiche " said Lola who isn't ready to take no as an answer.

Audrey agreed. They have gone through the last few days of her miserable life with her. They deserve her honesty.

It was noon on the sixth of March. The Hamiltonians were holding a befitting grand celebration. The house was decorated, interiorly and exteriorly. Everyone was busy.

The house's largest hall was used. If one didn't know one will think it was a wedding reception. It was a colorful sight to behold.

Audrey, Lola, and Ava entered to see the beautiful flowers and decorations. They couldn't help but gawk at the sight of it.

Fiona and granny came out to welcome her with open arms.

" Come now dear, the party is about to start. Lola and Ava I assume. Feel free to do anything. Audrey is coming with us" said Fiona taking her upstairs as Lola and Ava stared at her in admiration. They did like her after all.

Prudence was more than glad to wait on her.

" It's nice to see you again Miss Audrey. I'll be waxing everywhere today" she teased as Audrey chuckled

" Get on with it Prudence. You enjoy torturing me"

" It's no torture. You always turn out to have little or no hair" she announced making her curious to know why she always does it which didn't pass Prudence by

" I was taking precautions to avoid been scolded by sir Lucas" she revealed making granny and Fiona laugh at her overwhelmed expression

" Indeed. " She glared at her as if cheated making Prudence guilty for saying it out loud.

Nate, Peter, Roman, and Will were at the water fountain hanging out with their girls as Bobby whispered something to Luke

" Is something wrong? Asked Roman as Luke shook his head

' okay birthday boy" he refuted as Luke glared at him

" I think we're celebrating two major things though" urged Will

" And what's that?. asked Luke raising a brow

"Viola's capture and your first ever birthday since you became a man " he announced making them laugh

" It'll be the last. I'm doing it because of grandma. Can't say no to her sometimes" he added.

The party began with different guests arriving to honor his invitation. Jenny was dressed in a multicolor floral dress looking like a princess. Her hair was slightly braided and the rest was left hanging on her shoulders. She looked captivating. She looked around and didn't see Audrey. She was glad. He was hers for the taking.

Luke was with his friends welcoming guests with handshakes in his black suit. He was smiling in all his glory that Jenny almost fell staring at him. Genevieve shook her head in pity. Even she thinks he's handsome but he isn't hers. She has come to accept her fate to stay by his side whilst loving him till her leave is over.

Orchestral music was played as the mundane event progressed. Adrian went forward to congratulate him and he walked out on him. Adrian relaxed and tour around the large hall looking for a certain someone.

Stella, Granny, and Fiona graced their presence while Audrey followed . Prudence was proud of herself for the makeover. She tried a new style letting her hair fall as Audrey requested for her original hair color. Red suits her more than brunette. Luke's friends bumped his shoulder indicating he should look to the left which he did. He froze in admiration as their eyes met. None of them looked away till Jenny tapped him.

" It's time to dance with the birthday boy. You owe me a dance at prom" she inclined as he yanked her hands off leaning to her height despite the heels

" In your wildest dreams. I ain't touching that stinky body of yours" he said coldly standing arranging his suit. Jenny was embarrassed, she began to check herself for errors but every guy was staring at her in admiration a few minutes ago. Why is he not smitten. It's always Audrey's fault for having such a figure.

Lola and Ava came out to take her to their table as everyone's eyes were still on her which she wasn't reciprocating as she kept looking at a certain someone. Adrian imagined a sixteen years old Audrey trembling beneath him and smiled. How time flies. He was sure Lucas had no idea.

" Being here sucks" said Audrey taking a glass of wine agitated

" You were always the center of attraction. You should be used to it by now" advised Lola taking some small chops

" That demon is here. Jenny and Luke seem to have gotten closer. I help but think he was infatuated with me" she muttered making then scoff at her words of jealousy

" Luke is loaded. I can't believe you didn't take a penny from him Audrey" asked Ava suddenly looking around the grand hall for the fifteenth time

" Money doesn't solve a thing. What could I possibly do with it? All I wanted was him " she says as Lola and Ava listened in pity. Why date a rich man and still work your a** out. It's a good thing they weren't poor.

" We hear you," they said in unison as Nate and Roman stood with them stretching their hands for a dance. Lola and Ava looked at their beautiful faces and blushed to take their hands even if their mouths said otherwise moments ago. Audrey scoffed, so much for their protection. Now she's here by herself. Great!

Adrian was looking for a way to get to her whilst Vanessa took her away.

" Vanessa, you look like a queen. Why am I suddenly here?

" Didn't you get a gift for Luke? Here's the perfect time to give it to him. " She winked walking away as Audrey tried to make sense of what she said. She did get him a gift but she wasn't going to give it to him personally. She turned to leave and saw him in front of her staring at her lovingly maybe she drank too much she thought taking another direction.

" Are we foes? He asked as she halts taking a step back

" Forgive me altitude. Happy birthday Luke. I'm here cause granny invited me. I'll leave as soon as it's over" she muttered trying to be calm

" Hmm. What's that you're holding? He asked looking at the box in her hand

" Oh, this? It's a birthday present. Since you're here. I guess I'll have to give it to you in person" she giggled nervously praying he doesn't call her a slut in public. She handed it to him while he opened it

" I shouldn't be here when you do that" she stated but it was too late. He had opened it already smiling. She was stunned he liked it. Well, it's a pack of ties. With the number of ties she has ruined for him, she wanted to replace them.

" You like it? She smiled as he closed it stepping her way

" I lost count of how many of them you ruined young lady" he chuckled

" This can substitute for it" she smirked as they stared at each other

" How about a dance for appreciation" he offered stretching out his hand for a dance which surprised Audrey. She looked at it for a while then took it as they both flinched with the contact.