CHAPTER 5

I cross my bare feet as I sit back on my chair, going through written reports of everything that'd happened in the company during my time away. Everything seemed stable. No discrepancies, no stolen funds, no uncleared taxes and certainly no company debts. It was either Caleb was good at hiding things or he really took care of the company like it was his own.

"Hello?" I say, as I put a call through to the company's legal department.

"This is Natalie speaking, I'd like to know the company's legal standing— I mean, are we currently having any legal battles? Has anyone sued us?" The response I get shocks me even more. It was as though the company was as exactly as I left it a few years ago. If I wanted to expose Caleb, I would need evidence to do it and what better way to expose him for the person he truly is than to catch him doing something sneaky in the company?

There's a knock on the door. I look up, curious. "Come in." I respond.

"Hello, Ms. Richardson. I'm Edith, from BlueRay events." She says, stretching her hands towards me.

Reluctantly, I give her a shake. "How may I be of help? I'm a bit busy with work." I needed to get a new personal assistant. I didn't want just anyone barging into my office.

"Oh? I'm your wedding planner, your fiancé sent me here. I thought you were expecting me."

I tuck my hair behind my ear, trying to hide my irritation. "Hm."

"So, I'd like to know what theme you'd like?"

******

Caleb's POV

I release my tie as I stare out the window into the empty street. I was stressed out and constantly getting humiliated by that bitch, Natalie. It was all good before she returned.

"Caleb!" I hear, as I turn to see a red faced Kelly. I move to my table and I pour out a glass of water. I hand it over to her.

"That wasn't necessary." I respond, a few seconds after she hits my hand and the glass shatters all over the floor.

"What are you doing? Natalie is busy threatening us, and you're here, acting like a damn mute." She walks up to me. I look at her, wanting to hear what she had to say. She cups my face.

"You have to secure your legacy. Do it for me. For our children. You did it before, what's stopping you now?"

I hold her hand, remembering the day of the incident.

Flashback, 4 years ago, after the accident

"I'll put a bullet in your kids head. I'll be sure to do that if you don't do as I ask."

"Mr. Davies, it's unethic—

"You've got one minute! Do it or your kid dies! All I'd have to do is make the call. Don't test my patience, Doc."

She sobs, shaking like the scared little lamb she was. "I'll do it, I'll do it, please, don't harm him. Don't— don't hurt him, please." She responds.

"Is her surgery over?"

"The assistants are cleaning up, she'll be brought out soon."

"Well, look for an excuse. Go back in there! Do what you have to, Doc. Just get it done." She nods at me, looking at my empty firearm. I continue, "Make sure to kill her or ensure she doesn't wake up from that coma for a very very long time."

*****

I'd planned it all. My first strike was pitting Lucas against Natalie. After their divorce, I was tasked with following Natalie around, reporting her every move to him. It was as though he was obsessed with her. I couldn't see one thing, not one thing attractive about her.

I always found a way to misinterpret the photos of her I'd take to Luke. He was gullible. He believed and played into my trap. With everyday, he has more reason to believe that the woman was indeed, loose.

Severally, he'd tried to get intel on the child. He'd even requested for countless secret DNA tests from hospitals that she'd visited with the boy, in and out of the country. I'd made sure that every single one of them returned as negative.

Things were going smooth and I had been successfully setting Lucas up for the slush fund scandal. It would've landed him at least 3-4 years in jail, enough time for me to takeover the company and make it mine, until Natalie showed up and ruined it all. Each day, I felt like squeezing the life out of her. Her plans were always getting in my way, and it was as though she was smarter than I was. I couldn't tell what was going on in her head or what she was thinking. I had her office bugged, hoping to know all of her plans. She rarely said useful things. It angered me. A few days later, I met Jennifer. Two things came to my mind; one, use her to spy on Natalie. Two, use her to provoke Natalie against Luke, but I decided against the latter. It was useless going to such lengths.

Jennifer reported information to me at first but then, I had reason to believe that Natalie was in on it. I watched from a distance, and it seemed like Jennifer's guard had been let down around Natalie. They laughed together. It was unusual, so I set Jennifer up. I intentionally set things in motion for her to hear the conversation on the phone.

I couldn't tell what was and what wasn't. Natalie wasn't doing anything. She wasn't reacting the way I'd thought she would. Deep down, I'd hoped Natalie reacted and confronted Luke about the merger but again, she amazes me further. It's either she was good at playing innocent, acting gullible or she really had no sense. I knew her motive for coming to the company was for revenge and exposing the backdating of the merger would've been the perfect revenge plan but she did nothing.

Jennifer begun to avoid me and then, I confirmed it finally. She'd switched sides. She had to be taken care of. She didn't know too much but she knew enough.

I would've killed her silently but my greatest mistake was letting her know that I was onto her. She took off. She hid. I had a hard time finding her, until, I was able to get her cell signal. It was the perfect spot and perfect situation. Natalie was present, so I'd hoped that her death would be pinned on Natalie. I'd finally get her out of the way. I was elated! Until, I realized, there was someone all too familiar with her. How did I miss this? How did I never see him? Like a knight in a fucking shinning armor, he saved her. Once again, my plans were foiled.

The merger took place. I'd planned everything. I'd had planted explosives in Lucas' car. He would die that day, and the forged papers, naming me as his successor would work in my favor. Unfortunately, things definitely did not go as planned and to make matters worse and further rubbing salt in my wounds, Natalie got hold of the company, yet again. I was going crazy. Now, Natalie had to die. I was going to do it. I was going to kill her with my bare hands. She had to die.

"Rocket!" I yell, barging into his home, beyond enraged. "Rocky!"

"Natty, my love?" I hear him call, his voice, irking me further.

"Hold it. I don't understand it, I don't understand you. Why the hell did you send a wedding planner to my office? Without even consulting me first?"

"Is that why you're so worked up? Come on, my love. It's not that big of a dea—

"Yes, it is! Can you learn to respect my personal space." I state, more of a command than a request.

"We're going to be married next week Saturday, Natty—

"Marriage is understanding. It's a partnership, Rocky! You should ask me first before you do things." I demand, turning around to leave. I tried countless times to forget that I'd have to be married to him. My dislike for him began when I lost my home because of his interference, however, at this moment, I despised him to the very core.

I can feel his presence as he walks behind me. I try to move away but he holds me back, putting his hand round my waist and his hand caressing my hair.

"Please, leave me." I say, still irked.

"I'm sorry, Natty. I'm sorry. Why don't I make it up to you? How about we go to the beach this Saturday? Tomorrow's Friday. We could take Loui—

"No. I have a lot of work. I have to work Saturdays too."

"That's odd. You don't have to do that, Natty. You don't have to overwork or stress yourself for that matter— you know I'm here, I'll take care of you, Lou— "It's not about the money." I respond, somewhat annoyed at his words. I didn't need his money. I continue, "My net worth's probably higher than yours, Rocket."

He chuckles. "You have a wicked tongue, but I love it."

"I'll be leaving. I have to get my son from school." I say, turning around to leave.

"Wait," He says. I pause. He continues, "You mustn't think of work next Saturday, you know."

"Why's that?" I ask, avoiding his eyes. I fold my arms, more than ready to leave.

"Natty? That's our wedding day, come on! I said it a few moments ago."

I drop my hands almost immediately. I look at him. "Our what?"

"Wedding day, Natty. What's so surprising, you consented to this."

"Why's it so early? I mean, I- I know I did, but I didn't know it was so close by. It's too early." I was beginning to panic.

"It's too early to make me Louis' father? I thought this was for him?"

"Don't you dare use that against me." I say, pointing at him. "Everything I do, I do it for him and I'm only marrying you as per his desire. Louis wants a father and that's what I'm giving to him."

"Then why are you so worked up? Why are you even upset?"

I don't know what to say, how to reply his question. Why was I worked up when it was inevitable? I already made the decision, hell, I initiated it. I knew all too well what the answer was. I was annoyed because of Luke. I still had hope that he would return. I believed he was coming for me, but now, with each passing moment leading up to the day I would lawfully become Rocky's wife, I was beginning to lose hope. Suddenly, an idea pops in my mind. If Lucas was truly out there, there was only one way to lure him out.

"I'm just stressed, forgive me." I respond, massaging my temples. "Let's go to the beach on Saturday."

*****

"Mommy!" I giggle as my son runs to me, my arms stretched out to receive him. I take deep breath, inhaling his scent. I give him a kiss on the cheek.

"How was school today, huh?"

"Fine, mommy, I thought about you today."

I almost melt at his words. "Me? Honey, I think about you every single moment. I hope you're okay? Did you get in a fight?"

He nods, "Jake's my friend now, his daddy left him too."

"What?" I ask, not understanding what exactly he meant by that. I hug him again, trying to kill of the conversation. "Why don't we go to the arcade or get some ice-cream?"

"It's advisable to not let children play so much during weekdays." I hear an all too familiar voice say. I get up.

"Rose."

"Ms. Richardson."

"You may call me Natalie, seeing as I call you Rose." I state, pretending to have a smile on my face. For as long as Louis would be in the school, I couldn't risk falling out with her.

She nods, smiling too. I know a fake smile when I see one.

"You still owe me a bottle of Cabernet." Rose says.

"Ah, I see. You're a busy woman, so am I. I think it's best to see to a day where we both would have a few minutes to spare."

"I can make time tomorrow, by noon. You should check your schedule and let me know if that works for you." She responds.

"No, not at all. There's no need for that. I create my schedule, as I own the company."

"Fantastic."

"Eric Kayser, noon, it is." I respond. It was going to be one uncomfortable afternoon.

*******

After ice-cream, my son is knocked out at the backseat. Again, he'd made it abundantly clear that he missed his father.

Flashback

"What do you think about uncle Rocky? Do you like him?" I ask Louis, as I hand him a cup of rolled ice-cream.

"Mhm. He's the best mommy and I always beat him in football!" My son states, laughing. I look away, hoping my son would react negatively to my next question.

"Well, would you like uncle Rocky to become your daddy? Do you want to call him daddy, instead of uncle?"

"Is uncle Rocky going to be my dad?" My son exclaims. I could see the excitement in his eyes.

"Only if you want him to be, my love."

"Yes, mommy! Yes! Uncle Rocky's my daddy! Yay! Yay! Yay!"

******

I go into the study, trying to be as quiet as possible as Louis room was just opposite the study. I close the door gently behind me. I tie my hair in a bun as I rush to my computer. I turn it on and log into my e-mail account. It was time to reconnect with Lee Martins.

To; Detectivemartinslee@private.com

From; Natalierichardson@carrington.com

Time; 2:15 AM

I hope this message meets you well, Detective. Four years after and I still need your services. There's two things I need you to do. As you know, my husband is missing. I had, in good faith, believed that it was better not to find him because he was declared wanted by the police, however, I've become worried that something might've gone wrong somewhere. You know where to find me, but before that, do give me a call. Same number.

I hit on the send button and the message disappears. I get up to leave, expecting to get a response later in the day, but surprisingly, my phone rings at that moment.

"Detective. It's been a while."

He responds on the other end, "Of course, Ms. Richardson. How may I be of help?"

"I need you to find the father of my son and I need you to get him to crash my wedding."