The catatonic state Audrey was in only made her strive to buy the company back from the people that Luke sold it to. She succeeded in buying the smaller parts of it which he sold out at a high price. The larger part of the company wasn't sold yet. She was clueless on how to get it back as she was avoiding him at all means. She wasn't ready to answer twenty questions yet.
Luke on the other hand knew of the purchase. He chose to ignore it cos he has the larger part which means she'll come for it sooner or later. It seems he didn't have to wait long as Ava and Lola including Manuel graced him with their presence.
" Sir, the buyers are here' the secretary called to inform him. It's been two months since the birthday anarchy.
" Send them in," he said coldly just as he used to be
They stepped in one after the other as he directed them to a table.
" Good day Sir Lucas. We won't take much of your time. Here's what we want" said Manuel handing him a document.
Lucas read it and threw it to his face.
" Who is buying it? He asked coldly staring at them
" I am, Sir Lucas," said Ava
" it's not for sale. Have a nice day, people. I'm busy" he said sarcastically as their faces turn dark with anger. Did he just pretend not to know them?
" You might want to check again. We're paying a billion for it which I know it's profitable" said Manuel striking a deal with him which he knows no one will reject
" I bought it cheap. I'll decide how much I'll sell it and right now. It's not for sale" he repeated putting on his goggle
" Sir Lucas, Audrey needs that company. It's her father's sweat and last proof of affection for her" pleaded Ava who couldn't bear to go back empty-handed.
" It's not for sale. Whosoever wants it including Audrey should come to me in person. Now get out three of you" he demanded as they stood up. Lola wasn't surprised at his altitude she expected it
' Audrey is the strongest and courageous person I have ever known. You have no idea how it feels to have your life snatched away from you at sixteen. You fell for her because of circumstances. Don't hate her. " Said Ava in despair.
" It seems starlight wine wants to dare me" he threatened as Lola pulled her away from the office.
Lucas sighed looking at the piece of the document on the table. Audrey knew nothing about business perhaps he could secure it for her.
Ivy learned she was alive and gritted her teeth. She has to die for real this time. She'll kill her niece even if it's the last thing she does.
She has been searching for Viola but couldn't find her and assumed she ran away out of fear. She had an idea or two on how to make Audrey disappear.
The trio returned to the hotel dejected vividly. Audrey could tell he rejected their proposal. She wasn't ready to face him so she decided to save it for last.
' thanks for the effort. I appreciate your help" she said sitting with them
" Well, my work is done here. No offense Miss Audrey, your man is scary. " Said Manuel retiring to his hiding till Ivy has been taken care of.
" I guess so. " She muttered. He uses to scare the shit out of her.
" He declined without a thought insisting you go to him yourself" announced Lola
" Yeah I can tell he did" she sighed
" Why don't you face him, Audrey. Talk to him. I'm sure he's not that mad at you"
" I'm pretty sure he is. He found out I slept with Adrian his arch enemy. I can't face him not now not ever. Let's focus on other things." She started fidgeting
" It's necessary" urged Ava
" No. I'm ashamed of myself Ava. He's disgusted and probably regrets touching me. I'm disgusted with myself too " she lamented as Lola poured her a glass of wine
" Lola, talk to her. Don't tell me you are taking her side? She raised a brow at her infuriated
" Yes, I do. What Adrian did is shameful. Audrey needs to find someone else to love. Victor for instance. Luke is but her first love. Cheers to that' she clanked glass with Audrey's.
" What's gotten into you girls. Audrey, don't you love him anymore? Didn't you say he's the only one you want? Asked a disappointed Ava
" Yes but he doesn't want me. I don't want to talk about it anymore. It's been two whole fucking months since the fuss happened. He is living fine. I don't see why I shouldn't. Jenny follows him everywhere. Who knows he might be balls deep in her already. They had history maybe I was just a distraction to them his love and compassion for me was mere lust. Maybe I begged him to love me and he played along. Lucas Hamilton is my first love. Believe me, you have to let it go" she concluded sniffling
" You're hurting Audrey. It's not fair to you. I'm sure he'll understand once you explain to him. " Ava advised as Lola sat between them listening
" Explain what? Why I indulged Adrian? I'd had sex with his rival and that's the truth. I can't tell that to his face even though I didn't enjoy it. I was willing. There's nothing to explain. Please Ava you're ruining my mood. I don't want to talk about it, please. " She stood up wiping her tears.
" Audrey, you have to listen to me. It's rare to find a man that loves you for you. think about it. The weight of having to hide who you were will be lifted off your shoulder. Your new relationship will have that wall keeping you from loving any man " she persuaded not backing down
" Why can't you meet him knowing he has moved on? She added
" Stop it stop it. Because I'm ashamed of myself Ava. Don't you get it? You were right all this time. No man wants a prostitute" she muttered as Ava held her hand
" At least he knows. James doesn't and the guilt of hiding such a big secret is killing me. " She revealed as Lola dropped her cup in tears sympathetically glad she wasn't in this love thing not after her boyfriend sold her.
" Girls, girls. Enough. Luke won't be the same again not after this revelation. She should move on. James is better off without it too. The respect is still there which Audrey has lost. End of discussion. When all this is over? We're relocating. Away from Luke away from love drama", she announced as they nodded though Ava was against it.
Indeed Jenny took the opportunity to stay close to Luke all the time cos he said so..he didn't want to talk about something as weird as her intimate moment with Adrian. Though he was close but seemed so far to Jenny. He doesn't spare her a glance. She couldn't risk touching him recalling the day he flipped her to the ground. She typically became his secretary hoping he'd notice her. His aloofness modified
In his attempt to reschedule, his phone rang.
He picked it and discovered it's from the forensic scientist. His eyes widened on hearing the report.