"It was Andres…" I said after I'd narrated everything to Lucas. The lost son the old man was looking for was no other person than Andres. That answered all the questions.Lucas' silence was scary for lack of better words, I'd expected him to scream down the hospital. Or react rashly but he just pulled me closer to him and wrapped his hands around me, the warmth of his hands against my body gave me such security that nothing would happen to me not on his watch."That's not all…" I said in a low tone, "Andres name isn't actually Andres," I paused to let the statement sink in. I felt the bunch on Lucas muscle, "It's Andrew Garfield, that's his real name,"Lucas ran his fingers through my hair, "Tell me more Pumpkin,"I sat up and folded my hands across my chest, "I believe the old man, he couldn't have lied with such a sensitive matter," I swallowed hard, "Although I didn't tell him anything. I took one of the pictures as evidence…" I shrugged casually, "...a souvenir maybe," Lucas' eyes
Lucas stood up and walked some feet away from him. Mere looking at him, it was obvious he was struggling to keep his emotions in check, "Lucas I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything, even though you didn't go through it the right way I should have known you wouldn't hurt me,"He shook his head, "It's my fault Pumpkin, I shouldn't have let you go in the first place. When I bumped into Andres on that call my thoughts were scattered all over the place and the only thing I could think of was…" he paused, turned his back at me and said in a low tone, "The only thing I could think of was to get you to safety," his voice seeped with agitation. Dear Lord help Andres.I stood up and covered the distance between us. I rested one of my hands on his shoulders, "I understand perfectly. It wasn't the nicest thing to do at that point but it was the best,"He spun around and our eyes locked, "Pumpkin, I need to get to the man. It would give me enough evidence against Andres. If we want him to face the c
"Mr. Garfield was found dead in his house downtown," I said the words slowly like they were too heavy, heck! They were.Lucas' face remained cold and stoic. But, he was close enough for me to see his vein pulse harder, "What are you thinking?"He sighed, "That bastard got to…to,""Mr Garfield…" I chipped in.He nodded, "Mr. Garfield first that bastard killed him to cover his tracks. And from what you just said, he knows you've laid eyes on those documents,"My head felt woozy as if I would collapse any moment. "I don't want to die," I said out of reflex. The situation was getting so scary and just a little hitch and I'll be six feet below."I swear by my life Pumpkin nothing would happen to you," Lucas gritted through clenched teeth, "Not on my watch. We have to go and retrieve those documents from your house,"I nodded frantically, "Yes please let's go," I stood up and Lucas slipped his hands over mine.We got to the car and drove straight to the house. "What the fuck!" I cried when
Samantha was one person that no matter how much I tried to, I didn't think I was going to know her well enough. Maybe, if I was always ready for any version she shows it wouldn't come as a surprise.I already mapped out one hundred ways that'll make Andres' beg for that and what did Samantha do? Made me promise her that I wouldn't get to peel his skin for even thinking of hurting her in the first place.And now I just got off a distressed call from my father, migraine gathered around my temple. That mother fucker! If anything happens to Javier then I might be moved to the point where I'll break promises.We drove to the hospital. Prior to that, I already arranged Valerie to be moved to the VIP section. "My men have mounted surveillance around the hospital, you'll be fine," I said."Promise me you'll be fine Mr Lucas," Samantha's voice was shaky with trepidation.I forced a faint smile across my lips, "I promise," I pressed my lips against her forehead, "I'll be back before you know i
It's been two weeks since Lucas boycotted Andres on the verge of taking out Javier. True to his words he was going to leave Andres at the mercy of the law.Andres was going to be sentenced today at the court. I was going to be there but not without seeing my friend Valerie. She'd regained consciousness two days ago and was recuperating just fine, slowly but fine. She didn't remember much from the time she was shot."How are you feeling today?" I asked after the nurse dressed her wound.She groaned as she tried to sit up. I quickly stood up and rushed over to her side, "Here let me help you," I said, holding her arms gently but firmly till she was in a comfortable position.Since Lucas moved us to the VIP room I'd not left her side. I left Java Inc by default and haven't been to the office in God knows how long.I wasn't there where life was almost snuffed out of my friend. I wouldn't miss the sight of seeing her eyes flutter open to life– that was the only way I could pay her for igno
The next days that followed the court hearing were full of media rounds like I was some sorta celebrity– being a Hernandez was enough baggage to cope with.I still had to win back Samantha. She was still upset over my actions, even though she tried to keep it civil in the public view I could see through her distress.Samantha stayed with Valerie in the hospital and wouldn't budge to leave her best friend which was quite understandable given the incident that almost took her life. I stopped by the hospital to check up on Valerie but more importantly asked Samantha back to the office, she'd stopped coming to the office and for the most part I didn't want to be the reason– even though I knew I was."Hey it's Lucas," Valerie's face lit up when she saw me. Samantha shifted uncomfortably on the couch."You came," she said quietly. We held gazes for a while before she looked away. I nodded, "Yes, I decided to come check on Valerie, given the fact that my…" I didn't want to complete the state
"We'll take out this bandage and change it," the nurse said whilst dressing Valerie's injury. She was fully healed now except for the scar that still had some bruises.She groaned slightly, "Please tell me you're done," she winced in pain. The nurse chuckled, "Almost done, after this you'll be discharged and ready to go home,"I sighed in relief. "Thank goodness!" I and Valerie said almost together, earning us a soft laugh from the nurse. By the time she was done, I'd already packed our bag. I still had a key to one of Lucas' cars. I'd return it after I dropped my friend off at the house.Going back to the house was a little bit scary, but I tried to get strong for Valerie. I didn't want her panicking and a little part of me knew Lucas wouldn't just watch us go back to the house without clearing it out and upgrading our security system.I supported Valerie and settled her at the back of the car before making my way to the driver's side. "Have you spoken to him since the incident,"I t
Yes, there was a loophole between me and Samantha. One we needed to fix if things must return to normal, not like I blamed her for her actions, as long as it was Samantha, she was right.I didn't want to push it too far. If she needed space as much as I hated not being in her corner, I'd give her as much space as she wanted. I walked out of the house. I didn't look back but I could feel her eyes drilling holes behind neck.My goodness! Just a few weeks back we were all loved up and navigating through our real-life marital status. And now, I was on the verge of losing her. I'd rather walk into an erupting volcano than watch Samantha walk away.'Give me time' her words slammed into my memory like heavy bricks. The more I thought of this, the more I hated that mother fucker Andres– good a thing he wasn't my blood. I'd never forgive him for putting Samantha through this.I got into the car and drove off. The house was not a place I could cool off. Technically, anywhere that had even a sli
Days had passed and everything seemed to return back to normal except for a few times– when I saw Audrey, either at the house during breakfast or at the office. Asides that, my relationship with Lucas was moving just fine.I got out of the bed and made to walk into the bathroom to prepare for work when I lost balance and fell back on the bed. My head felt fuzzy and my legs were wobbly. I held the back of my neck to keep it steady, but it was like a log of wood was stuck in my head."My goodness…" I muttered under my breath as I managed to stand up and started making my way to the bathroom, when I felt bile rise to my throat. I quickened my steps, turned on the faucet when I stepped foot into the bathroom and threw up all the content in my stomach. I felt fuzzy the more I threw up, I slid onto the floor and leaned my back against the wall.There was a knock on the door. "Come in…" my voice was faint, even through the sound of the water gushing out I knew he must've heard.Lucas came in
I had mixed feelings about Lucas' actions. Yes, Audrey was a bit too much, but she was carrying his baby or at least that was what she made us think. Perhaps, he should have been a little lenient with her and let her be till she puts to bed."Are you cussing at me because of Samantha?" Audrey's tone was that of bewilderment.A vein in Lucas' neck pulsed hard, "My wife. That's who she is and I wouldn't have you displace her," he tightened his grip in my hands, "Now get out," his voice was calm but had the sharp edge of a sword.Audrey looked at me intently and I could clearly see through the hatred that brewed from her. She stared for a while and left.Lucas turned to face me. "I shouldn't have picked up a fight with her in the office," I regretted my actions, but it was much needed.He placed a finger over my lips, "It's okay pumpkin, you don't have to defend anything," his voice reached to my heart and patched the broken pieces like the holes weren't there to begin with."I love you
My schedule stared at me and I could barely make out the words. I had a meeting slated for four p.m and I was already bored. I was tired sick of everything happening, Samantha was doing a good job trying to keep it together but, for how long would she keep up with the act.A knock sounded on my door, the door creaked open and my secretary walked in. "Sir the meeting–"I rubbed my forehead in frustration, "I know what time the meeting is slated for,"She nodded and walked towards my desk to pick my laptop. "It's in five minutes right?" I questioned."Yes Sir, and some of the board members are already on their way," she said.I waved my hands in dismissal. I was suffocating and nobody was seeing it, or maybe they were and they can't do anything to salvage the situation. Audrey coming to the office was something I'd never have imagined to happen and it did.What was my father thinking, agreeing to it in the first place? He hated her the moment he set eyes on her, ''She's not good enough
Soon after Lucas left for his office, Laura walked in looking a bit disgruntled and without my regular morning coffee."Laura, I thought you left to get my coffee?" I questioned, when in fact she left to give Lucas and I privacy.She inched closer to my desk, "The new staff took the cup of coffee from me," her voice was low, I had to strain my ears to make out what she was saying.I clenched my fist into a ball, taking a deep seated breath to quench the anger that was threatening to erupt. "And who's the new lady?"You know who.Laura tugged at the edge of her shirt, "Audrey–"Take a deep breath Samantha. I took a deep breath, paused for a few seconds and forced a smile across my face. "Thank you Laura, you may leave now," I tried so hard to conceal the disdain in my voice."I'm sorry ma'am. I should have been more careful. But, she just snatched it from–"I raised a finger to stop her from saying more. I should have scolded her, but this had absolutely nothing to do with the young la
All through the drive, all I could think of was; What would the other staff say when they see Audrey and with a growing bump? Besides Lucas' secretary whom I was sure would keep the situation under lock, I wonder who else got wind of the news.I tried to focus on other things. Other things like exposing Audrey for whom she really was. I don't know if it was what comes with old age or his way of punishing Lucas for slipping up but Javier wasn't seeing Audrey for the sly she was and it bothered me."Samantha…"What does she want now?No response. I wasn't in the mood to talk to her and I was only doing what Javier asked, "I just want to get acquainted to the Java's working system," she rubbed her bulging stomach gently, "It would be nice if I get some experience to at least share with him when he comes of age and is ready to follow in the family's footsteps," she laughed.Lucas, where are you?I bit so hard at my lower lips until I felt the coppery taste of blood in my mouth. Don't cry.
After my visit to Valerie's place, I became more sensitive to Audrey's movements. Where she went to, what she did when we were out. So far, nothing out of the ordinary has happened."Lucas, wait up for me!" Valerie cried from the stairs. We were already running late and one of Audrey's dramas was something we didn't want so early in the morning.Lucas sighed sharply, "What the hell do you want this time?" He gritted.I hope it wasn't what I was thinking. She was dressed in a black velvet gown that stopped just on her ankles, court shoes and a blazer over the gown. It wasn't exactly my style but she looked good."I am coming to the office today," Audrey said.I was a bit taken aback, "Why?" We asked almost at the same time.She rolled her eyes in disgust, "Isn't it obvious?" She sighed, "I want to start working at the company," she looked at me with disdain, "Afterall she works there too,"There was no way in hell. The vein at the back of my neck pulsed hard, and I felt my heart bruise
Going to the office and coming back to the mansion to see Audrey with her fast growing bump wasn't something I looked forward to. I tried to square my shoulders and act like nothing's wrong when on the contrary, I was dying slowly.Audrey altered everything. The peace in the house, the scent and everything to suit her smell on the basis of being hyper sensitive to smell. Lucas ignored her and acted like she was some sorta ghost. But, I knew he looked forward to having his own child.It wasn't the birth of the child that irked me, it was the vessel bearing that child that made this unacceptable."Good morning Ma'am," Laura greeted when I got to work one morning.I nodded in response and made my way to the office. She followed in silence till we reached the door."Do I have any schedule that'll take me out of the office?" I asked when I slouched into the chair. She looked through her memo."Yes ma'am. A meeting with the investors slated to take place by three p.m and–"I waved my hands
I waited till the two lovebirds drove off to work before I started getting ready to go out. It was already past nine a.m exactly and I was a few minutes behind time. The prison visiting hours would be due in forty-five minutes.I'd been in touch with Andres since he was convicted of the crime. They'd all forgotten about him, I couldn't not after all we shared together. He wasn't the nicest person but he ignited the fire in me."Where are you off to?" Javier's voice sounded from the stairs when I opened the door. Lousy old man. I rolled my eyes and put on a calm expression before turning to face him.I flashed him a grin, "I'm going for antenatal," I lied. I could only hope he didn't request I go with the chauffeur because then I would be busted.He nodded, "Have a nice day," his voice was cold. I knew he didn't like me, he never did. Not when I was with Lucas, not when I was with Andres. I wondered why he didn't object to I and Andres' relationship when he got wind of it. Maybe he kne
She looked at the door, maybe hoping for a sign of Lucas then back at me. "Look I didn't ask your husband to get pregnant–"I sensed her anxiety from a mile away. Now was the time to act, "On the contrary, I don't care for you," My gaze lingered on her and fell on her growing stomach. "You would stay here till you give birth,"Audrey leaned into the bed, "I don't intend on moving out after childbirth if that's where you're driving at," her voice was a little shaky but she did a good job hiding it."We'll see about that. After childbirth, you'd go for a DNA test to ascertain who the father of the child is,"Now she got started, her face squeezed into a frown. "What the hell are you saying?"I rolled my eyes. Audrey. Audrey. Audrey. Still as vain as ever, "Exactly what you heard. If you claim Lucas is the father of your child," I paused when the housekeeper walked into the room from the closet and waited till she left, "Then we need to confirm, afterall…" my voice trailed off when she s