*****Elena*****

**** Three Years Later ****

I took a sip from the half-filled glass of alcohol in my other hand as I ran my empty fingers on my stomach several times.. A mirthless, audible laughter escaped my lips as a drop of tear slid down my face. ...'. you're pregnant ma'am. Thirteen weeks pregnant' the doctor's words continued to ring in my head.

'Pregnant? I'm Pregnant for the mother fucking traitor? The son of a bitch that took advantage of me and caused me so much pain?!' I yelled into the air within the confines of my small studio apartment.

I gulped down more alcohol. This was where my decision had brought me.. I had been sure that day when I ran out of the wedding hall, when I rejected the groom coldly. My heart still stung, my conscience still pricks me for letting him down that day. My father had told me how bad my silly decision affected relationships with both families and how he blamed himself for my own foolishness. I took a huge gulp of the scotch in my wine glass again, ignoring the burning sensation in my throat.

I deserved this, deserved more than this. Ray had used me.. taken advantage of my love for him to strip me all of my wealth, now this mistake has succeeded in entirely damaging me... How did I not notice in the first few weeks of the pregnancy?. I heaved a sigh, contempt rising within me for no one but myself..

My phone chirped loudly from the worn out cushion and I reached for it. I clicked the notification on the screen and read the message loudly. It was the same I've been getting for three weeks now. The loan company Ray had lent so much money from before disappearing into thin air.

I sighed the umpteenth time and threw the phone violently on the cushion, frantically ran my fingers through my hair, cussing the day I met him, cussing myself for the stupid decision I made years ago.

I reached back for my phone and placed a call to my Assistant.

'Put up the company for sale...' I said into the phone the moment he answered.

'Sale?!'

'Yes. It's going to cease being mine either ways. Just do it. Don't ask any more questions' I asserted.

Shortly after consuming three more glasses of the alcohol, I drifted off to sleep, quietly Hoping to get a buyer as soon as possible.

******

The alarm rang the third time and I switched it off. I lazily rolled on the medium sized bed, wondering how I got here from the couch. My answers were revealed the moment I felt an object hit me hard in the face. I raised the pink teddy, threw it back to the direction it came and released an exhausted breath.

'What the hell are you doing here?'

'I came around since yesterday night. You were out and didn't notice'

'How do you still have a key to my house?' I grumbled, burying myself under the bed covers.

She dragged the covers off me. 'Are you trying to say I'm no longer welcome into your house?' she humphed, jumping right next to me.

I let out a frustrated wail. 'Be quiet. I need to sleep some more!'

'Not while I'm here, Elena'

I groaned, covered both ears with my pillow.

'How long are you going to keep up with this routine.? When last did you even step out of this house?'.

'Because I don't want to!' I shot back.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed loudly, disrupting the potential argument that's about to come.

'Miss. Carson. Good News' My assistant said on the other end...

My heart skipped, coming to a conclusion that he already found a buyer. 'Tell me, what it is...'

'We found someone. He's not willing to buy. He Only wants to invest'

My excitement slagged and the lines on my forehead creased in confusion. 'How do you mean?'

'He's willing to invest the exact amount of Money you're putting on the company. I think we should go for it'

I swallowed hard, getting overwhelmed by my emotions. Shall I call this a miracle?. 'Let's go ahead with it. Prepare the papers. Invite him tomorrow for signing them and proper introductions.

'Ma'am, he concluded that all procedures be completed online. He'd do physical contact later'

My suspicion heightened. 'Why would he want that? Is he some kind of scammer?'

'He says for privacy reason. I can't really tell how true it is' Nathan chipped.

I shook my head severally, brushing the thoughts off. Whatever.. now isn't the time to be suspicious. I need whatever money is coming out from him. 'Okay. Go ahead with the procedures then' I urged enthusiastically.

Ria was already beside me, eyes wide with curiosity. 'Tell me what it is?'

I skeptically observed her for a minute... Maybe two before responding. 'Promise you won't tell my father.. promise you won't freak out and yell about how stupid my decision is..' I paused, shrugged my shoulders. 'Well. It's not stupid. It's the wisest thing to do infact'.

'Why are you being unnecessarily defensive? I'm starting to fear you've made another wrong decision, Elena'.

'Hear me out. I put the company up for sale so I can pay the debt the son of a bitchy cunt ran away from'.

She palmed her face. 'I knew ittt. A stupid decision it really is. Why don't you just reach out to Mr Carson to take care of it all?!' she screeched.

I scoffed. 'My father? After all the embarrassment I caused him with my little escape saga? You gotta be kidding me'

.....

Few days ago, Nathan had called to inform me about the investor. He had contacted them online and insisted that the deals be completed in the same vein. Although, I was suspicious about it but eventually didn't give it so much thought because of my desperation to sell it out, clear the debts and move away to a quieter city and start my life over with my unborn child. Following three days, the deal was concluded. As expected, I got the investment money, paid off the debt Ray left me to handle and got a new apartment for myself.

However, Today was the D day to meet the investor. In other words, my business partner. He had decided to meet today and proposed that we talk over lunch.

'He's outside, Waiting on you' Nathan informed.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Rechecked my wrist watch. 'He's here already? I thought we agreed he's going to come by noon.' I uttered.

'It came as a surprise to me too. It's all good. It shows his commitment. Hopefully, he'd be able to revive the company while his contract lasts'. My assistant continued

A sigh escaped my lips as uneasiness creeped up my spine. I didn't want to fuck this up. Taking one last deep breath, I nodded. 'Let us meet him'

Nathan nodded at my demand and vanished, obviously to lead the man in.

I brushed my hair more neatly, adjusted myself to act in a more professional way.

'This way, sir' Nathan directed him in.

I stood in acknowledgement, my head bowed slightly.

'Good morning, sir. It's nice to meet you.' I stretched my hands out for a handshake.

He shook it briefly. 'Nice to meet you too, Miss Carson'

My hair stood at ends. His baritone voice sounded so damn familiar. I let it slide and took my seat after he took his.

'You came quite early, sir. I was well prepared to meet you over lunch' I said trying to ease the tight aura whilst avoiding looking at him. For some reason, I was shy to do so.

'Really? I had to change schedule. I've a business to attend to by noon. In order not to forfeit my promise, I had to find a solution rather than run away from it' he grinned

'That's very considerate. How about you request whatever you want to have from my assistant?' I pointed towards Nathan's direction.

He raised his hands to stop me 'Wait a minute, Miss Carson. We are yet to catch up on old times' he said softly.

'Old times?' i repeated , my heart skipping a whole beat.

He removing the sun glasses that concealed half of his face.

'Pardon?' I stated in confusion, casting furtive glances at him.

The moment it dawned on me, who it was, my pupils dilated and I could swear that all blood drained from my face and I did nothing to hide the overwhelming shock I sensed.

'It turns out I don't need to do a proper introduction. You know me already' he scowled, the malicious glint evident in the deepest of his grey eyes.

My chest constricted as I spelt out his name

'L...lucas?'