Chapter 7

NATALIE

My heart drummed loudly in my ears as a dozen eyes settled on me and Vanessa.

Suddenly Vanessa’s hands shot out, snatching the envelope from Malcolm’s grasp.

“Let me see that,” she snapped, her hands tearing at the envelop with terrifying speed even though her fingers shook slightly.

Malcolm gave a soft growl and my eyes immediately focused on him. His demeanor had changed and I tried to meet his eyes but his gaze on Vanessa was unwavering. A wicked smirk stretched the corner of his lips.

What this some kind of a joke? There was no way that Gravestone would stop working with Caldwell and then single me out of the company. It had never happened before because doing so would cause too much problems. It could even sever business alliances!

I shook my head. Malcom was just being his usual "cruel and mischievous" self.

I turned my gaze back to Vanessa and my brows shot up in surprise.

What the..

Vanessa was hunched over, her eyes dancing across the words as her iron grip on the paper faltered and the tremble in her fingers more visible.

Her skin was clammy, her face was deathly pale and in one final moment, she paused, straightened her back and we locked eyes.

Something dangerous and ugly flitted past her face. She pursed her lips into a firm line, giving the air of someone badly constipated.

What the hell was in the envelope?

“Give it to me,” Grandmother ordered, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Without breaking eye contact with me, Vanessa handed the document over to Grandmother with less grace than usual.

Grandmother started to rummage through her tiny purse and in a swift motion placed reading glasses on her face and began to mumble incoherently.

Despite Vanessa trying to arrange her face into a strained smile, the energy at the table shifted uncontrollably.

I could feel the awkward and tensed stares bouncing off different angles on the table, all directed at me. My fingers stretched over my wine glass, willing to take a quick gulp of liquid courage even though I knew I was light weight.

Lucas was mumbling something in my ear but I ignored him and started to take the glass to my lips when grandmother gasped. My attention snapped towards her, my movements paused as she read out loud clear as day,

“Dear Natalie Caldwell,”

Immediately, my gaze shifted from grandmother to Malcolm, a question and a plea in my eyes but his smirk was unwavering and his gaze this time was directed at Grandmother and immediately my thoughts spiraled.

What if the envelope contained well detailed evidence about..that night? What if it contained an even bigger scandal of something I couldn't remember? It wouldn’t be the first time that someone in my family had planned something crazy against me.

My throat went dry and my heart hammered so hard, I felt faint.

“You, okay?” Lucas managed to whisper but I ignored him and drained my glass, my own hands trembling with the fear of the unknown.

“It is with great pleasure, we wish to inform you that Gravestone will no longer be going through with its negotiations with Caldwell & Co…” Grandmother mumbled some more and a small frown creased my brows.

Wait a minute...

“We are glad to inform you that we will be working with you,” she finished and a gasp left my lips instantaneously.

My gaze flickered to Malcolm and finally he held my gaze, a warm smile on his lips.

Two beats of silence ensued, before Grandmother screamed in delight and gathered me in her arms, hugging, kissing and congratulating me.

All of a sudden, everyone was talking at the same time.

I was still in shock even though she held me firmly and kept on speaking excitedly.

Wait.

Does this mean that I...have a job?

My brows refused to come down from the shock of the miracle!

Grandmother finally released me and gave me a big kiss on the cheek.

“Congratulations, Natalie, you deserve it,” Malcolm’s rich voice easily overpowered the murmuring. I blinked back tears of surprise.

Was Malcom an ally or a well concealed enemy? Why was he doing all these for me?

I couldn't understand his motives.

My parents on the other hand were stunned into silence. Disbelief had paled my mother's face. She whipped out her phone, probably to confirm if what Gravestone had done was legally possible.

“This could be a prank, you know,” Vanessa suddenly spoke up from nowhere and all attention went back to her. She folded her arms over her chest and gave a conceited scoff.

“What do you mean?” Grandmother's voice was tinged with irritation.

“What I’m saying, is that Natalie here knows that companies don’t single out a member of a company they were about to sign a merger with because everyone knows about the tricky legal problems involved. This document is fake,” she spoke so confidently that the people at the table started to whisper in agreement.

“I mean, everyone can’t suddenly forget what happened three years ago and of course all the numerous failed designs, sister," Vanessa goaded. I flushed in embarrassment instantly.

Her words struck at my biggest insecurity.

"Deep down, you of all people know that it is too good to be true so I think we should just---”

“That is enough from you Vanessa," Malcom's voice rang out. Vanessa made to speak again but he cut her off.

"Your personal feelings and opinion on this matter isn't welcome, neither is it appreciated. I will ignore the fact that you just accused me of presenting a fake document only if you keep a rein on that attitude,” Malcolm calmly warned sharply and my parents instantly placed a hand on Vanessa's shoulders. A warning touch.

Vanessa's eyes blazed with rage but she kept her mouth shut.

Grandmother cleared her throat as she lightly but fondly tapped my wrists.

“Natty! I am so so proud of you,” she spoke so softly while her eyes beamed with so much joy and suddenly her eyes flickered between Lucas and I.

“Now, with this new position, nothing on earth can stop you two,” she said dreamily and it took me a minute for me to realize that she was talking about Lucas and I.

“You know what?!” she exclaimed loudly before letting go of my hands, “I say, we put the wedding for next weekend. It's summer and we can have an outdoor wedding,” she spoke sweetly and looked at me expectantly before casting her gaze around the table and I was shocked by how people started to actually talk about it.

Lucas even had the audacity to follow them to share ideas while forcibly intertwining his hands with mine, forgetting how minutes prior he was saying something totally different.

Disgust and annoyance rose in my chest,giving rise to anger as Lucas carefully evaded the fact that we were not just no longer together and he had slept with Vanessa.

I feared that my emotion would grow into something uncontrollable, so I shut my eyes and took a very deep breath.

My hands gradually slid out of his firm grasp and with grace, I stood on my feet.

“Natalie…” Lucas whispered anxiously.

Grandmother needed to know the truth.

“Are you OK?” he feigned concern but I ignored him.

“I love you Grandmother, you have been the best person I have ever met and truthfully I wouldn’t have it any way than to be your daughter,” I started and Lucas grabbed my hand and tried to plant a kiss on it but my irritation spiked and I snatched my hand instantly.

“But I cannot marry Lucas,” I deadpanned and I watched as Grandmother’s face fell instantly.

“W--what?” Grandmother’s voice cracked and Vanessa gave a small snicker. The guests had a shocked look on their faces but I refused to back down.

Grandmother stood abruptly, her movements now wobbly as she forgot her cane on the floor.

“Natalie,” she spoke my name so delicately it broke my heart.

She placed a hand on my cheeks and shook her head “Are you sure?” she asked and I saw fear flash between her eyes. Lucas gave a nervous small chuckle.

“Of course not, Grandma. She’s drunk, she obviously doesn’t know what she’s saying, next week sounds great” Lucas hurriedly spoke and Malcolm gave a warning cough.

“I’m not only sober,” I said, meeting his eyes coldly. “I also know what I’m saying and I’m done.”

Grandmother reached for me. “Is this about… what Vanessa said? Was I too much? It was the talk about summer right?” Her voice wobbled towards the end as her eyes turned sad instantly it broke my heart.

“None of it matters to me, I promise you. So which one was it?” She begged this time and I shook my head, begging my self respect not to cower.

Vanessa snorted again, and Grandmother spun toward her with a glare so fierce Vanessa vanished into her seat.

“We can wait,” Grandmother pleaded, “No pressure, I promise. Just say the word, and we’ll slow everything down.”

I took her hand, tears welling—but I didn’t blink.

“Grandma… please. I know what I want. I’m not confused. I’m not angry. I’m done.” And in that moment, she saw what I was trying to portray — determination.

She wrapped me in a hug, her warmth pouring into me, but the continued pain in her eyes crushed me.

We pulled apart and then a thunderous bang echoed, our heads twisted in shock and panic as Lucas slammed his fists onto the table again.

Plates clattered crazily.

“No..No!” He began slowly, his chest heaving as he stood up.

“What about me? Huh? What about me?” Fury radiated off him as he clenched his fists.

“You can’t just say something like that to my Grandmother and then expect me, your fiancé to suddenly nod my head in approval. I won’t allow this, Natalie. We’re getting married next week as Granny said and that’s final.” A growing cold smirk stayed on his face.

I stepped back in disgust, the tension whipping the table in hot waves. My eyes scanned the table and found that Lucas was the spectacle of their shocked glances. I would have gloated to him about the fact that I was glad that everyone could finally see Lucas for the asshole he actually was but instead my determination stood unwavering.

“We’re done, Lucas.” And without meaning to, my eyes moved to Vanessa and a smirk grew on my face as I looked back at Lucas —“You can have Vanessa now. She’s all yours.”

That wiped the smirk from his face and Vanessa scoffed incredulously.

“Glad you finally come to your senses that you’re not fit for him,” she whispered and Grandmother clenched her cane tightly, I shot my hand towards her shoulders stopping whatever insane murderous idea that floated to her head in that instant. She turned to look at me and I casually shook my head.

Vanessa was never ever going to be worth it, she should know that.

I turned my head in time to see Lucas shake his head viciously and moved—fast. Angry and red-faced.

I didn’t have the time to think as my breathing shuddered.

But Malcolm was faster.

He stepped between us and growled, “Back. The fuck. Up.”

The room froze.

Lucas stopped cold, chest heaving. And I finally exhaled.