I didn't know what time it was because I hadn't left the room since what transpired between Luke and I earlier on. I was curled up in my bed, with no tears left to cry. My mind drifted into thoughts about my father. I hoped he was doing well and recovering well. I missed him so much during these hard times. I wonder if he knew what my mother had done. If he knew that I had been sold off like a piece of furniture just to save our name and money. My mind drifts off to Rocky. Why hadn't he come for me? Did he hate me? It wouldn't come as a surprise after all, I did betray him.
I had decided to take a tour round the house— if I was going to escape again, I needed to know every possible escape route. Luke's house was indeed very huge. There was a total of nine rooms and every room had a bathroom in it. There was a mini theatre on the second floor and beside it was a chapel with the statue of Mary in it. I had prayed there for a while, asking and b
Luke had offered to get me a glam team for my hair and makeup but I had refused, because I would feel more uncomfortable than I already was if he kept throwing favors my way.I am getting ready when the door opens. I look through the mirror to see who it is. It's Luke. There's total silence for a few seconds until I speak."What do you want?" I ask, still looking at him through the mirror."May I come in?" He asks. "You already opened the door, didn't you? Might as well enter." He enters, a box in his hand."What is it?" I ask. He opens the box and it's a ring. A very expensive, shiny, beautiful blue ring. I look at him, my face emotionless and his, hopeful."I realized that I didn't get to give you this because of the way things happened so fa—"You mean how you coerced me into marrying you?"He's quiet. He
Luke’s Pov"I asked you a question, Bart," I ask, wondering what it could be. Was he taking drugs?He gives a wide smile, "Nothing serious, sir." He replies, but I don't believe him. Naturally, Bart gave off an awkward vibe and his personality was negative. He always tried to play the good guy but any wise person could see through it. I don't believe him."I don't want you doing drugs or anything illegal in my home for that matter so get rid of whatever the hell it is you're on." I continue, "I need you to arrange a bouquet, a very huge bouquet of all the freshest flowers available and send them to my wife before noon, okay?" He nods.He looks agitated and sweaty but I ignore it and leave. I had a long and interesting day ahead."Good morning, Mr. Carrington." A female staff says to me as I walk the grounds of Carrington Enterprise
Beep Beep Beep, I hear, as I struggle to open my heavy eyes. The light is too bright, so I use my hands to cover my eyes."Where am I?" I ask, immediately my eyes land on Luke."You're in the hospital, Natalie." He responds and in a split second, memories start flooding my head. I touch my lips alarmed. I wasn't gagged anymore. I sit up and look at my legs. They were bandaged."I was kidnapped!" I say, my hand on my mouth. I look at Luke, "I was kidnapped, it wasn't a dream.”"I know. Do you remember exactly what happened? Where were you last night?" He asks and I freeze. Thankfully, Laurel enters at that exact moment and the attention is directed at her- something she must've been ecstatic about.I use the back of my left hand to wipe the nonexistent sweat on my face. What would Luke do if he found out I tried to escape again? Bloody hell,
Luke and I are seated on the dining as Laurel sets the table with our food."What's for dinner?" He asks and as I'm about to answer, Laurel begins to speak."Well, Luke, we were supposed to follow your meal plan today and we had already prepared that, but your wife insisted we make another dish even if I told her not to." SHE says, eyeing me slyly."Excuse me, Laurel?" I turn towards Luke, "Please, I didn't know you had a meal plan or anything- she didn't tell me anything."Luke looks at both of us back and forth, "Natalie, you should have asked. We have certain rules here.”I gasp in shock and utter disbelief. "I should have asked? I just told you, I did ask." I look at Laurel, "Why are you lying?!" I yell. "Luke, she didn't tell me anything, believe me.”Laurel is about to speak but Luke stops her, "Please, all I'm asking is th
Some weeks later. ..I feel ecstatic as the water pours all over my body. I squeeze my hair and rinse my face. The past few days hadbeen the best days of my life. I truly never knew that I'd be so content and happy with how everything started with Luke.Luke had made it more than obvious with not just his words but his actions showed that he truly loved me.I had also fallen in love with this man, but I knew he wouldn't believe me if I told him. He would doubt my motives and although it would hurt for him to doubt me, I would totally understand if he did because I had broken his trust severally. It was solely up to me, to prove to him that I wasn't going to run away again and that my feelings were sincere.Wearing a pencil skirt and a long sleeve blouse, I hurriedly brush my hair, side bangs. It was already Monday morning and Luke would le
I had been staring at Luke's face while he was sleeping for a few minutes. Last night was undoubtedly the best night of my life. Luke and I hadn't just made love, we had broken all the barriers between us, and our actions last night made it clear that we really did need each other.He looked so calm and peaceful as he slept. I lay my head on his shoulders and inhale his scent; a mixture of coconut and probably an expensive perfume. I hear him breath and stretch. "Have you been up?" He asks"Yes." I respond as I hug him. He returns the action and holds me."How was I last night, did I hurt you?""No, no." I say looking at him in the eyes, I cup his jaws, "You didn't, I know you would never hurt me intentionally." He smiles and checks his wristwatch. "You had your watch on this whole time?" I chuckle."I'm a businessman. Time is money— but that d
"I know you were calling Luke because you wanted to ask him for money. Don't you dare ask my husband for money, mother." I say, moving closer to her. "I know you too well." I say , handing her a napkin. "I'll make sure you never get a dime from him."Her hand meets with my face in less than a second. I frown but recompose my self. I avoid eye contact with her."For God's sake Natalie, is this how you speak to your own mother? Please, have some respect! Fear the Lord." She says as she flips her hair."Did your fear the Lord when you sold your only child for money? Please, mom. Drop the act. You aren't one to talk. Don't be a hypocrite." I say and turn to leave. At this point I wanted to cry. I was at the verge of breaking down. It was evident that I meant absolutely nothing to my mother and she was willing to go far to get whatever she wanted, even if it meant making my life a living hell.
We had gotten to Shoreditch before nightfall and I lay here, in my bed, thoughtless. Luke had gone to his study to sort out some business related issues and had promised to bring our dinner to my room as soon as he was done.I get down from my bed and tip toe to my bedside mirror, and I unconventionally stare at myself when my eye falls on my neck. I touch it and tilt my head to properly get a good view of it. It was a love bite. There's a knock on the door. "Come in." I say, turning to look at the door. It's Emmanuele."Madam?" She says. I get down from the stool and walk to her, my arms crossed. "Yes, Emmanuele, what is it?""Well, Mr. Carrington is on the phone and he doesn't seem all that happy- he broke a vase." She says and I gasp. Immediately, I rush past her and head downstairs.Reaching down, it's quiet and I see Luke standing by the bar, his back facing me. He has a glass
9 YEARS AGO. . ."Why are we running, mommy?"Lily asks, tired.Jack has a frown on his face as he waits for his mother to tell yet another lie."We're not running away, sweetie. We're just moving to somewhere much safer""Safer? Mom! We didn't do anything! Why do you and dad keep making us run from place to place? Dad's innocent so shouldn't have to run or hide!" Jack yells, tired of moving endlessly."We don't have another option, son. Please, no arguments, we need to get going and meet up with your father!"Jack gives up, but he's not satisfied. Anna was young, so she didn't quite understand what was going on or why they had to run continuously. But as for him, he knew what was going on, at-least, to an extent.Almost a two hour trip, Ava Hugh-Gray and her two children reach their destination. As so
Bloody hell! I wanted to give her a befitting reply, but I couldn't. I needed to get an explanation from Luke first. I open the study, hoping to find him there, but he's nowhere to be found. I walk back and forth, trying to dial his number again. This time, there's no service on my phone, and out of frustration, I smash the phone on the floor. Realizing I must've scared my poor child, I caress my stomach as I move to pick the phone up. Suddenly, my mind goes back to the day I almost fainted here, in the study. I touch the spot where the phone fell, and I remember that I'd felt something there that day. There was something under the rug, under the floor. I move the rug out of the way, and like I assumed, there was indeed, something under the rug. A hidden compartment. I open it up and there's a box inside. I open the box and begin to go through it's content. Pictures of a family. Pictures of a young girl, probably around age 5 or 6. There's a few white papers inside and I op
The time Lucas gave me to leave the manor was almost up, but I had one last trick up my sleeve. Wearing my lingerie and night robe, I adjust my ring. I wanted to make Luke remember our bond—what we shared, physically, emotionally and sexually. This was the only way I knew how to. I leave my bedroom, with aunt Ruth and Lydia rooting for me.I enter Luke's room. It was my second time being in his bedroom. I'd never gone there before, because we mainly made use of my bedroom and the study. I was always curious about his room, but never thought to satiate my curiosity.The room is too dark. I can still see, but it is extremely dark. His room is huge, way bigger than mine. The room is almost empty, except for the bed, a few paintings I recognize as Van Gogh's. There stood a tall library by the far corner of the room. I move there. I don't have the time to carry out an inspection, I just needed to find Luke. I take out my p
He finally steps down from the stairs and we are face to face. I look away, closing my eyes as soon as I see his red watery eyes. Next thing, I'm being dragged by him up the stairs. I don't utter a word. He flings me into what I suppose is his room rather violently. I want to scream at him, and remind him that I'm carrying his child in my womb, but I ignore. "I can explain." is the first thing I'm able to say.He begins to shake, as he points his finger at me. "How many times did it happen?" I try moving closer to him, but he barks at me, almost making me tremble. "If you woul—he interposes, "Shut up!" He continues, "You are so loose, Natalie. You. . . are. . .no less than a prostitute." He says, leaving me stunned and heartbroken."Lu. . . Lucas." I whisper, unable to control the tears rolling down my eyes. I gasp as he begins to throw things around. "I know it was wrong, I know I should've told you the very first time I saw him
Nice meeting you again, Mr. Carrington. We met at the Richardson soiree? I'm the Senator's daughter in law." Lydia says, and I'm beyond shocked."Daughter in law?" I repeat."It's a pleasure. Please, do make yourself comfortable here- I know you're my wife's close friend."She nods, "Yes, Natalie. It was documents alone. I just had to sign some papers there was no wedding.""But still, you should have told me, Lydia, I mean I would've come over to you.""Excuse me, Ladies." Luke says before he leaves.I hurriedly drag Lydia to the sofa, so we can sit and discuss. "You have to make sure David doesn't come here." Is the first thing I can say. I couldn't risk having David or the senator around, especially when Rocky was still present in the house.Lydia nods, "I know- I came alone, and I come in peace. I just needed a getaway, Natalie.
It's almost seven in the evening and aunt and I had gone into the manor. I am on my way to the room to check on Luke because he wasn't in his study. I'm in the room and I scan the room but I don't see him around until I hear the shower running. I bite my lips in excitement as I remember my plans for Luke and I earlier this evening. I take off my shoes and tiptoe into the bathroom smiling. My smile disappears in no time as soon as I notice something odd. There was someone else in the shower with Luke. A woman. I slide the door open."Luke." I state, disgusted at the sight before me. He turns, alert. I can see the confusion on his face. I caress my temples in annoyance as I walk out. I quickly wear my shoes and I can hear Luke shouting at his companion as he rushes behind me."Natalie, I swear! I thought it was you, my love, you have to believe me!" He says, holding my arm. I jerk it off as I turn around. I scoff as I see Laurel wa
NATALIE's POV."I can explain." I say, as I try to hold my balance. This was it. This was what I feared would happen. He makes his way into the room, but I am unable to make out the expression on his face, heck I can't even look at him. Aunt Ruth is by the corner, shivering with fear."I wanted to tell—"I'm sorry for bringing it here, but it belongs to me, I have a gunroom and there's a bit of a situation, but I've got it handled." He says and I look in confusion. What was he talking about?"What situation?""There's no cause for panic, everything's under control. I've doubled the security.""What's going on, Luke?""Bart's on the run." He says. In a split second, I'm engulfed in fear as horrible memories come flooding back. "His first instinct would probably be to return here."I gasp, shocked, losing my
JUDITH's POV"My goodness, Francis. All you ever do is complain, please. I think you should concentrate on getting healthier, not nagging about things that shouldn't bother you."Francis coughs, and I continue brushing my hair as I admire myself in the mirror. Francis was a talker and it irritated me, deep into my bones. I did marry him for his money, but I had love for him. I mean, he fathered my daughter, my only child."How dare you ask our son-in-law for money, do you not have any shame?" He asks, sitting up. I could tell he was getting stronger by the day. He still spent most of the day sleeping, but whenever he woke, he was always stronger than the day before.I wear my diamond earrings, "You gave me these on our 9th year anniversary, do you remember? You spoilt me silly that I didn't even need to ask to be spoiled." I get up, "You gave me that life, Fra
LUKE'S POVNatalie and I are outside, beside our car. She looks tired and pale, something I'd noticed for the past few days."Are you ready to go?" I ask her and she nods. I place my jacket over her shoulders. She gives a small smile and I begin to talk to her about the party. I want to know why she had on such a stern face and a cold tone with Senator Jackson but I realize that she's completely zoned out. She's a bit shaky, and when I realize she's about to fall, I hold her as tight as I can."Shit!" I yell and the chauffeur comes out. "To the manor, as fast as possible!" I say to the chauffeur, panicked.I try to wake her numerous times, but she doesn't respond. However, she's breathing. "You have to hang in there, my love." I say as I reach for my phone to call Doctor Ava. She says she's on sick leave so she would be unable to make it. However, she'd send in another Doctor.We are at