All Chapters of THE THORNES: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Jessica rushed through the hallway, straight to accounting. Lucas hadn't stopped buzzing her phone with threats to expose her identity and she wasn't ready to let him have her that easy.A few knocks and she made her way in.Not wanting to seem somewhat suspicious, she approached one of the desk officers. A young woman with bright red lipstick and an air of easy confidence. She didn't look too occupied and even better, with a friendly aura from her bright smile.“Hello. I'm Jessica, Mr. Thorne's secretary.”“Newly hired.”“I'd like to take up any documents he'd be having today. He's running on a tight schedule, I have to fix things up.” The lies came out like bumps of hot coal from her. She wished she wasn't doing that.“Yes. There was a file sent for review …. —Let me … just…. Check. The lady said, making an instant up look for the files requested.“Ahah… It's ready. It just needs to be sealed and sent up.” She added.“I'm just going to him. He'd be needing these to start.” Jessica

Jessica felt locked in within herself. Lucas was definitely high on his depressants. That had to be it.After several calls through to Mr. Troy, he finally picked up. With a tight and something barely above a whisper, she spoke up. “Mr. Troy!”Her voice was cracky and almost breaking.“Are you alright, Jessica?” Mr. Troy asked, concerned.Jessica tried to mutter out but the words wouldn't come out.“Are you there?”“Detective?” Mr Troy called out, now having an unsettling feeling from it all.“It's Lucas,” Jessica spoke up.“He's back. — He's been back for a while now.”“Oh goodness. It's a mess!” Jessica blurted out, a wash of tension lining each word that came out.“Be calm Jess?”“Is he there at TRIX?” “What’s the situation?”Mr. Troy requested in a calm yet, strong voice.“He… He isn't. I found out he was a friend of Liam.”“And I might have made a terrible mistake Mr. Troy.”“I helped him…. I couldn't risk him exposing me to Liam.”“But he wants something extremely wild now

Liam entered Jessica's office and upon seeing the situation, immediately intervened to unhand her from the grip of Lucas.On getting her released, she coughed continuously, while he played the part of aid to her. Lucas simply soon in a carefree manner, unapologetic.“What the hell is going on here?” Liam asks, startled as he gradually stands up from when he had Jessica, faced to Lucas.“Lucas! What the hell man?”“My secretary?”“—What was that all about?” “For whatever reason Lucas?” Liam questioned continuously, his anger gradually stirring up.“Oh c'mon, she's a fine piece, don't you think?” Delusionally, Lucas replied.Making Jessica stare wide at him.“What?”“Is this a sexual violation?”“How dare you, man?” Liam's anger widened.“.... Well. I'm just saying. —I was only getting a piece.” Lucas continued his witty reasons without remorse.“You're out of your mind. —I need you to leave.” He demanded.“No—no Liam. Don't say that!” Lucas began, a spark in his voice, about to unlea

Mr Troy had left a message on Jessica's phone and when she woke up, a bit of a headache featuring the morning, the message simply read: “Hello Jess. I came up with a way around this little problem of ours. Reach out when you can.”Liam too had dropped a message to check up on her after the ugly incident at the office but the feeling of sweetness that she would have felt became sour as her heart replayed the incident. It felt like Liam placed a dot on her conscience at the mention of his name or anything related to him.Just over the weekend too, he had mentioned the insight of her coming to the office which made her know she was still needed at TRIX.Jessica tugged out of bed and it seemed like the after effects of two nights ago still had an impact on her.A quick wash up and self therapy of yoga and little words of encouragement set the day off for her.“Morning Beth.” She said as they had met at the entrance, just before she used the elevator.Up on the top floor, her little skirt

“A fever?” Evelyn cried.“Oh c'mon mom. It's just a day off work.” Liam replied to his mother who was already making a big deal out of the situation.“You need to see a doctor.”“I'd call Dr Davis right away.” Evelyn continued.She had placed both hands on his cheeks as though he was a baby who needed to be pet.“No mom. You don't have to.”“I'm fine.”“I'm only taking the day off from the office. And —no, I don't have a fever. I can still work.” Liam replied, holding her arms and rubbing on them to reassure her.“I don't think so Liam.”“You look sick.” She looked him directly in the eyes, almost summoning tears to her eyes.“—Just hold on. Let me call him.” She added.“... You really don't have to.”“I just need some time away. —A different air perhaps. —Away from distractions.” Liam explained.Evelyn raised her brows, a sign of discovery from his words.“Did you say distractions?” She asked.“TRIX stands on a prestigious ground and you command every bit of its dynasty. What seems t