Preparation for the future

My phone was blowing up with calls, Andrew hadn't stopped calling ever since I left the office.

“Hmmm,” I took a look around my house. “I need to prepare for this, it would be stupid not to be ready after getting a second chance.”

My mind went to Lucas for a second—his betrayal was still fresh in my head. They must have had something going on for years, which explains why he was glued to my husband under the guise of trying to learn how to manage his own company.

And I was on the side feeling happy that my brother bonded well with the man I loved, even though both of them always made me feel like the third wheel.

My phone rang again bringing me back to reality. The caller id showed LUCAS, I wasted no time in answering. Before the world ended I had been very close to my brother.

“Hey Luc—”

“What is wrong with you sis?” His voice was shaking, but still loud as he interrupted me. “Why would you threaten Andrew like that?”

I chuckled before responding. “One would think he's your blood and I'm the outsider, why do you sound so upset?”

“Well,” I could hear him take a deep breath trying to calm himself. “He called and said you mentioned something about a divorce, and that too, in the presence of outsiders. You know how rumors spread in the company sis, there was no need for you to—”

“That's enough!” I decided to play a game with him. “You know very well that I would not do anything like that without a reason. Your brother-in-law is not a good man, I found out he is cheating on me.”

“What?” He could not mask the surprise that was in his voice.

“Yes, Lucas. Andrew is cheating on me with some woman.”

There was a pause on the other side of the phone before he stuttered. “Wh— what do you mean woman? I mean, uhmm do you know her?”

“No, I don't know her and I don't plan on that,” trying to poke him further, I continued. “Why did you ask what I meant by woman? Is there something you know?”

Lucas coughed before talking. “No, I was just surprised and I know you are the only woman in his life. I'll talk to my brother-in-law.”

Of course I'm the only woman in his life, because he likes men.

“It's pointless, we're not getting back together. Come by the house when you're back from work, I need to tell you something important.”

“Alright sis, talk to you later.”

I stared at the phone in my hand for a few seconds, now was not the time for me to be weak. I had to make smart decisions and make them fast.

After a few hours I made out what my top priorities were. The most important things were to get my hands on cash, finalize the divorce and stockpile everything I needed.

Andrew had already been draining me from all sides and the fact that I was low on cash showed how bad things had gotten. I decided to call our family lawyer that Lucas had replaced, some months back.

“Hello, Mr. Arnold,” I said into my phone when the number I had tapped on answered the call.

“Yes ma'am, how are you doing?”

“I'm good, but my husband is not.” I grabbed red wine from the cellar and poured myself a glass. It was funny how a few days from now wine would be useless. “I need you to draft divorce papers for me.”

“Congrat—” he stopped talking, causing me to laugh out loud. “I meant, on what grounds?”

“He's cheating and thank you, I'm accepting the congratulations you just offered.”

“There's something I have to tell you ma'am—”

“Excuse me madam,” a house servant interrupted him. “The young master is waiting for you in the living room.”

“Alright, thank you,” my eyes came back to the phone in my hand. “Let's talk later Arnold, I have to go.”

He sighed almost like he felt what he had to say was more important. “Alright, ma'am.”

I ended the call and gulped down the remaining wine before stepping out of my room.

“Lucas, I wasn't expecting you to come so soo—” the remaining words hung in my mouth as I saw Andrew beside him. “What is he doing here?”

“I told him to tag along, he's sorry about whatever it may be that—”

“Hmm, you are pissing me off Lucas. Doesn't he have a mouth to speak for himself?”

Lucas gave him a look and the next second, Andrew was on his knees with tears gathering in his eyes. “Babe, I'm sorry. I don't know what you think you heard but, I'll never cheat on you with another woman. I love you so much.”

“It's not like you can cheat on me with a man, right?” I stood up from the chair and looked at Lucas. “Meet me in my bedroom, and make sure this cheat isn't with you. I'm dead serious about that, Lucas.”

I left the living room without a second glance at Andrew, who was still murmuring what sounded like an apology.

My hands found my laptop and I connected to the CCTV camera in the living room, trying to see what was going down.

Andrew had stood up and wiped the fake tears he had been shedding. “What's going on with your sis, bae?”

“I don't know. I'm going to talk to her, but she seems serious about this,” he lowered his voice. “Do you think she's suspecting us?”

“No, she has just us in the world. Why would she have any doubts about us?”

Lucas rubbed his temple—it was a habit of his, whenever he was tense. He turned to face Andrew, who caught his lips in a kiss before Lucas could say anything.

After a split second Lucas pulled back. “Don't do that, my sister is here.”

“That makes it even more fun, go talk to her and see what's going on.” He winked at Lucas, who wiped his lips as he left the living room.

I closed the laptop and pretended to be on my phone, when Lucas knocked on the door. “Come in.”

“Hey.”

“Hey,” I repeated after him.

“Are you good?” He asked, joining me on the bed.

I pulled away, acting like I wanted to drop my phone on the stand. “I'm not okay Lucas, I need help.”

“What's wrong? Maybe I should inform my brother-in-law.”

I threw him a stare that shut him up. “Lucas, I need money. Like a whole lot of money.”

He laughed when I said it, thinking it was a joke. “I thought it was something serious, what's going on? How much do you need?”

“I'm afraid I can't tell you that, but I'd like to make you an offer.”

I saw his eyes lit up, which told me he was interested. “What kind of offer is it?”

“I'm selling my company, but I don't want it to be in some other stranger's hand,” I paused trying to gauge his reaction. “What do you think about buying my company from me?”

This had to work…. Lucas, you have to fall for this.