A Trillionaire’s Revenge

Beep Beep Beep, I hear as I struggle to open my heavy eyes. The light was too bright, so I use my hands to cover my eyes.

"Where am I?" I ask immediately my eyes land on Luke.

"You're in the hospital, Natalie" he says and in a split second, memories start flooding my head. I touch my lips alarmed. I wasn't gagged anymore. I sit up and look at my legs. They were bandaged.

"I was kidnapped" I say, my hand on my mouth. I look at Luke, "I was kidnapped, it wasn't a dream.”

"I know. Do you remember exactly what happened? Where were you last night?" He asks and I freeze. Thankfully, Laurel enters at that exact moment and the attention is directed at her- something she must've been ecstatic about.

I use the back of my left hand to wipe the nonexistent sweat on my face. What would Luke do if he found out I tried to escape again? Bloody hell, I wasn't interested in finding out.

"Emmanuele sent this food for the both of you.” She gets closer to my bed, "Luke hasn't showered nor eaten properly for the past seventy six hours you've been here. Don't you think he should get some rest?"

I was shocked and a bit moved too. He stayed to look after me for over three days without showering? I was touched. "Thank you," I say looking at him, but for some unknown reasons I'm unable to look him in the eyes so I look away as fast as I can.

I clear my throat, "I was out for three days?" I ask. With folded arms, Luke sits on the couch. "Yes, you were. You lost blood and in addition to that, you haven't been eating and the doctors said you were stressed out"

"Doctors?" I ask.

He looks at me then picks a magazine to read. "I'm Lucas Carrington. I always get the best"

I roll my eyes at his statement. "I can only wonder why I would be stressed out" I say as I lay down, facing the other side of the room.

I was discharged from the hospital the next day even though I didn't want to leave. I felt more at peace here than in that cage I'd been forced to live in.

my hair behind my ear and adjust my sweater. Luke

me in his arms bridal style and I gasp. We share an eye lock.

I don't know either" He

I had sat in the backseat of his Rolls Royce as the driver drove. I could feel the

Luke. From helping my family to taking me to the hospital. I'm truly grateful" I

care for you so you don't need to thank me for the things I do for you. Well, if you want to really thank me, you can do that by not trying to run away again" He says and I freeze. He knew. Bloody hell! I scream internally. Laurel had betrayed me.

***

all the way to my room and drops

to eat and to make you a hot bath. If you need anything just dial the kitchen, the number 2 on the phone. If you need me, dial 1" He says

bed, stretching as much as I can as a smile plays across my lips. I remember how Luke carried me, how I held tight onto his neck and his scent. At that moment, I knew for certain, that I wanted to open my heart to

***

in the shower, washing my hair and simultaneously having my bath. I was glad that I found the exact lemon verbena soap I used at home. The smell was heavenly. I turn the shower on to rinse of the

ask again but there's no answer. I come out into the room and see a

****

wakes me up. "Come in" I say, looking at the mirror above the couch opposite my bed. It was quarter after six in the evening. I'd been asleep for

the Priest has arrived and would like

"The priest? What priest?"

here is like a father to everyone here so

there soon"

I get on my feet wearing whatever I could get my hands on. It was a short sleeve turtleneck dress and I leave my hair flowing and add some pink gloss. Even though my legs were hurting, I manage to wear my heels

downstairs, limping and I see the priest sitting drinking a glass of lemonade. He gets up immediately he sees me. He smiles

I take the priests hands and place a soft kiss on them. "I'm Natalie.”

a beauty, Lucas my son. You picked the right one." He says, holding my hands. "My dear, how are you?