A Trillionaire’s Revenge

Dinner had begun, and the table is awkwardly quiet but I knew all too well that even if Luke knew how much tension there was in the air, he couldn't have guessed the reason behind it.

Luke drops his flute, "So, Caleb. I'd like you to share what you do with my family. Let them get to know you since you'll be staying a few days."

I can't help but wonder how long 'a few days' was. Rocky smiles, adjusting the napkin on his shirt.

"I'm a hotelier. Nothing serious. I plan to acquire assets in popular areas and turn them into hotels. My goal is to have a chain of hotels, all under the same name, just in different locations as my father would've wanted. Luke is on the deciding board of the next building I wish to buy and actually he's the only young person there so I knew that he would be the only I could talk to, to help me get that building, because I really want that building." He pauses and looks at me, "I'm not a fraud, Mrs. Carrington."

I drink my champagne, "Yes. I know now." I respond.

I see Laurel approaching the table with a salad bowl in her hand. I had forgotten I'd made some strawberry-orange-kiwi salad in the morning while Luke was gone because I had a craving. She gets to the table and places it on the table.

"Obviously, I'm no longer allowed to sit or eat at this table. Right, Luke?"

"It's a business dinner, Laurel." He says. I pick a slice of meat from my plate and chew.

She laughs, "So Natalie is a part of that? Natalie's aunt is part of your business too and not me?"

"Yes, Natalie is part of my business, Laurel, because she's my wife." Luke says and I can't help but grin internally. "Please, go." Luke says and I see tears gather in the corners of her eyes, but she leaves immediately he asks her to.

Luke takes the bowl of salad and opens it. "I thought this was another dish. I don't eat fruit salad, my love." He says and my face falls.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry." I say.

"I'll have some. I love fruits." Rocky says and I pause, nervously looking at him. He continues, "I have an obsession with fruits if I'm being honest." He says and I squirm, knowing fully well what he meant. He takes the bowl and pours a whole lot into the empty plate beside him. "This will do." He says.

I turn to look at Aunt Ruth who has been silent for a while and I can see she has on a disgusted look. She gives me a side eye and her signature disapproving nod.

"How was your day?" Luke asks, "And Aunt Ruth, I hope you're as comfortable as you would be in your own home?"

Aunt Ruth responds before me, "Absolutely! My bed reminds me of the bed I have in my country house. So soft and calming."

I drink some water, "My day wasn't all that, but I did think of you. I missed you." I say, as I caress his left hand on the table. I look at Rocky and I see him, knowing fully well how envious he would be. It pierced my heart a thousand times being like that with Luke in front of him, but it was the best thing to do. To save him, and to save Luke too.

"Excuse me, I need to get to the bathroom." Aunt Ruth says as she stands to take her leave.

I take some shrimps from the dish bowl and begin to eat. "I feel like having snails and pizza too." I say to Luke as I begin to devour the shrimps.

Honey, your tastebuds are quite on the high side."

even have a blog for

and everything, I guess I just forgot." I say as

I mean, if you

say as I give him a smile, but as usual, Rocky ruins our moment

a weird smile-frown look on

Luke is confused, "Pardon?"

said she wanted pizza." He turns to look at me, "I can order you some pizza, Mrs. Carrington. May I?" He asks

laughing mildly, "You were listening in on our tête-à-tête? That's a bit rude, don't you think, Mr. Dunes?"

for a fact that Luke was definitely processing what

but it's because I read online that

that for

Rocky meant. "That was

why you didn't tell her, because it was

order your pizza for you,"

you know what

don't. I'm ordering everything they have." He says as he walks

I get up from my chair. "You really must be sick. How dare you still come here after I've told you to stop coming close to me and

and picks up my

answer my question with a question, Rocky. I mean it. I've told you countlessly, there's no hope for us," I raise my fingers in the air for him to see, "I am happily married! Why won't you

He holds my right hand tightly. I frown, "Leave my

"I was your family, no, fuck that. I am your family! You're just blinded by all the

with Luke for his money, but if that's what your demented self believes, I won't

who loved you, physically, emotionally— we shared a mental connection. You still

I do love you. I love you and there's no denying that, but I love my husband too. I love Luke, more and more everyday. I love him more than I love you, Rocky and he's going to be the last man in my life." I say, looking at him straight

love me more. I know you're scared. I'll show you, I'll remind you of how much you love me." He says and suddenly, he drags me closer to him and rubs his lips

asks, and as I see a mental image of Luke's face, I regain composure

leave. As I'm leaving I

that about?" I hear as I look up to see Laurel's

yelling at him?" Laurel asks, looking back and forth. Maybe I was being paranoid but I swear, I could

past her and make my way to the stairs. My palms are sweaty, my heart racing, and my vision was getting blurred by the water threatening to fall out. I hurriedly rush into my room and lock the door. I rush to my bed and I sit, placing my hands over my face as I bend. I begin to cry uncontrollably. I was stressed physically, emotionally and

knock on the door and for a moment, I'm afraid as I panic thinking who it could be. As I hesitate