“Hello, Miss, Gonzalez.”
“Humph! And you think I’ll pay you the money? It’s been a week since I gave you that task! Tell your boss I don’t work with worthless people.” a shrill voice that belonged to none other than Lucinda rang out.
She’s been tensed for the whole week, anticipating meeting Lenora’s fiancee. She couldn’t wait to wipe that smug look off Lenora’s face when she pay off that beggar.
In truth, Lucinda had already imagined how everything would play out; all that was needed now was for the goons to deliver Preston.
A trembling voice was soon heard from the other side of the phone. “Y-you can’t, we’ve captured him already!”
Freezing, Lucinda blinked as his words sank in. “What? Then what are you waiting for?? Send me the location, I’ll meet you soon.” She was already at the door even before she hung up.
She was so giddy at the thought of meeting Preston that she forgot to take any guards with her.
After thirty minutes!
Lucinda was welcomed by the leader of the thugs, she was expecting to see people beating or torturing Preston mercilessly, but the scene was unexpectedly… quiet. Immediately, she turned to him, “Where’s he?”
Why does she suddenly have a bad feeling?
“This way.”
He opened the door and the scene that appeared before her had her halting at once. What the…
Thugs suddenly emerged from behind her from obscured areas that she had not previously observed, blocking any escape route she may have.
“What’s going on here?” She cried, eyes darting away from the commander, “I demand an answer!”
And then finally her eyes settled on Preston. He was meant to be restrained, but instead, he was smoking while lounging in a recliner.
While his face and the clothes he was wearing were ugly, he didn’t look like the pitiful man she remembered seeing at the event. He seemed to have some sort of powerful aura surrounding him.
Could it be that she’s missing something?
Lucinda shook the ideas out of her head and straightened her back. “Since we haven’t had an opportunity to speak in the past, you might not be familiar with who I am. Gonzalez Lucinda is my name. I’m the cousin of your financing.” Lucinda declared she was moving forward.
Her lips twitched when she didn’t get any reaction from him. Hah! Who would have thought that beggars have arrogance nowadays?
She added, “I have a proposal for you: end things with my cousin for the sum of ten million. You’ll depart the city and swear not to get in touch with her again.”
Preston raised an eyebrow at her at that point.
He extinguished the cigarette slowly, crossed his knee neatly, and raised his finely arched brows in her direction.
“I was pondering the bravery of the person who wanted to abduct me.” His booming baritone voice reverberated throughout the room, “I should have guessed it was my sister-in-law.”
Lucinda blinked.
What?
“You’re lucky, my wife wants to handle this situation herself.”
Preston stood up and walked across the table until he was standing a few inches away.
Lucinda couldn’t breathe.
She was… a small gasp escape her lips when she found out she was trembling -her hands soaked with sweat. What the hell?!
How could one have such a powerful presence? It seems as though his stare could see her most sinister secret.
Just who the hell is this?
She was startled out of her reverie by Preston’s words, “But, I’ll tell you this. Watch your conduct, I only have this much patience.”
Having said so, Preston left the building while the gang leader followed behind him. “What should I do now, Sir?”
Preston made a shrug. He wasn’t concerned with the future of that deceitful woman. Lenora is probably back home by this point, therefore he was more interested in returning to his wife.
Luckily, things had gone well in his favour, he had only been unconscious for a brief second and was able to bribe those thugs with money. Without another to the gang leader, he left.
Big shack, the leader shrugged, walking back inside where his minions surrounded Lucinda.
“Big Shack, what kind of insanity is this? Let me leave.
“I’m sorry, young miss, but it is not possible. You may leave after turning in your phone, cards, and car keys.”
“What? Do you know who I am?”
“Who you are doesn’t matter right now, does it? Or you will rather lose your clothes?” his eyes ran down her body hungrily. However, It’s precise because of who she was that Big shack couldn’t do anything to her.
Minutes later!
Lucinda stood outside alone in the cold dark street while gnashing her teeth together. This wasn’t what she had anticipated!!
Thinking about how Lenora’s fiancee… no, husband treated her, her face burned with rage. This is not the end! She will definitely take revenge!
Underneath that rage, her eyes twinkled with a new desire. A desire to find out who Preston was.
Something tells her that things aren’t the way it seems.
•••
Lenora, meantime, arrived at her house hungry, famished, and anxious. The only thing she wanted more than anything was to relax in a hot bath and forget about today.
She was also uneasy about her husband. He must be worried sick!
Not that she cared much but she believes if she was in his shoes, she would feel the same.
“Preston?”
“Preston, I’m home now!”
A small frown etch between her brows when she got no answer.
“Young madam…”
Lenora turned to the side at the voice of the help.
“Sir hasn’t returned home since he went out with you.”
Hasn’t returned home… Lenora blinked. “Oh, okay thanks.”
“Dinner is ready, ma’am. Will you eat now?”
Her tummy rumbled just at that moment making her flush in embarrassment. “Yes yes. Lead the way.”
Absent-minded, Lenora went to the dining room where several courses of food were served. Her mind couldn’t help but replay the scene where Preston left earlier in a hurry.
He didn’t even look back!
Lenora shrugged as she stuffed the shrimp into her mouth and started chewing vigorously.
It doesn’t matter, hmm. He might have had other things to take care of. Why does she care about his problems at all?
The last thought that occurred to her had her slamming her spoon on the table.
Is he cheating on me?
Her eyes widen. That’s right, she has never considered the possibility of that.
Preston had a life before he met her, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had loved someone in the past. Was that why he eagerly got married to her? So that once she makes him a millionaire, he’d go back to his love!
The more Lenora thought about it, the more sense it made. Her fist clenched unconsciously in anger. She wasn’t jealous, nope.
One thing she hated is being cheated on. They may have gotten married out of convenience but still!
An hour later, Preston quietly entered the mansion scared that he’d wake Lenora up. He removed his shoe and tiptoed past the living room before getting ready to head up the stairs when he heard, “Welcome home, honey.”
Startled, Preston slipped on his step. He staggered briefly before catching himself. “Goodness! You scared me.”
Glancing up, he froze upon seeing his darling wife taking a chunk of Apple from a fruit knife she held tightly in hand.
Preston noticed something wasn’t right as soon as he observed her stance. She called him “honey,” which of course didn’t escape his attention.
His wife would never be polite without cause!
“I assumed you would have slept by-”
He began but was brutally interrupted. “What’s her name?”
“Huh?”
Unexpectedly, Lenora threw the knife at him so fast. He didn’t have the time to react. He could only hear as something zinged past his ears, as it neatly got nailed on the wall behind him.
What. the. f*ck?!
Preston glanced at the knife and then back to Lenora who was slowly descending the stairs with her eyes fixated on him.
“Who. Is. She?”