Bait II

《A few days later》

Like I had requested, Amara had been delivering the milk to me every night and I never missed drinking it at all. I didn't care about my health as long as her attention and malice is directed to me instead of my father.

To perfect my plan, I needed to be actually sick so I made sure to always take the milk in front of her. Everytime I do that, I could see the evil look plastered on her face. She really wants me gone.

Whatever drug that she always put inside the was already starting to take it's toll on my body but I made it look worse that it was. I began to feign rapid weakness.

Whenever I encountered Amara, I would act anxious and restless, even begging her to deliver more milk to me in time so as to help with my 'insomnia'.

That made Amara believe that I had resumed my dependency on her. I made it seem like we were back to the way we used to be. Those times that I would always follow her words like an idiot.

Thinking that I was acting that way because I wanted her to control my life again, she hypocritically tried to persuade me to reconcile with Andrew. But, everytime she begins the topic, I always change it to another.

I was greatly puzzled as to why Amara was still trying to help Andrew; afterall he cheated on her too. Wasn't she mad? Disappointed? Betrayed?? It wasn't like that time with Matilda because he was in his right mind when he slept with those women in the hotels.

Why was she trying so hard to get him back into the house? It made me wonder if their relationship was merely that of lovers or just business patners. With the looks of it, the latter is the case.

My plan was going smoothly. I didn't want Nicholas to find out about my plans because he would worry and would definitely want me to stop it. I know he would never consent to me endangering my life just to catch Amara.

That's the main reason I kept it from him. I was running out of options to make. I was in my room, feigning weakness since Amara was at home when I recieved a message from Nicholas asking to see me.

It's been so long since we've met because of the plan I had in motion so at that moment, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions. I wanted to see Nicholas but at the same time, I can't let him see me this way.

The side effects of the drugs left me feeling extremely fatigued so I can't let him see me this way without him finding out what was actually going on with me.

After some hesitation, I had no choice but to decline his invitation even though it really hurt me to do so.

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At the other end of the line, Nicholas stared at message on his phone quietly. This was the first time Catherine was rejecting so see him and he couldn't help but have a feeling that something was wrong.

After contemplating for a while, he decided to call her. After he dialed her number, she picked it immediately. He didn't hear her bubbly voice from the other end so he decided to speak first.

"Are you hiding something from me?" He asked, going straight to the point.

Catherine's heart tightened as she tried to steady her voice and make it sound like it used to.

"I'm just a bit tired.." She muttered as she faked a yawn.

"..it's no biggie." She added, hoping it was enough to convince him.

"We could meet in a few days." Nicholas wanted to say more but he ultimately agreed to her request.

That night, Catherine laid alone in her room. Her eyes were fixed on the ceiling by her thoughts were in turmoil. She wasn't sure if Nicholas would detect anything but she knew her plan was at a critical juncture.

She didn't know what those drugs were or how they worked. One thing that was sure was that they take effect really fast so that made her scared. What if it affects her more than it did to her dad in her past life??

The drugs that were given to her dad didn't take effect fast but it killed him. Hers was different so what if the effects were worse? She might actually die.

At that moment, she realised that she needed to end the plan fast so there wouldn't be any permanent effect on her body from the drugs. Just as she was immersed in her thoughts, the door to her room suddenly opened.

Catherine looked up in surprise to see Nicholas standing at the door way. His face was marked by anger and worry and his gaze was fixed intently on Catherine.

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"What was he doing here??" I wondered as I stared back at him. He walked in fully, shutting the door behind him.

"Why did you hide your sickness from me?" He demanded, his gaze not leaving me. How did he find out?? Did Fiona go behind my back and tell him everything I had planned.

"What sickness are you talking about Nicholas?" I asked with a small nervous chuckle as I tried to play dumb.

"Don't play with me Catherine. When I called you, I could tell through your voice that something was wrong and now, seeing you, I know that I was right. Why would you hide being sick from me?" He asked.

I could see he hurt in his face when he asked the question. He was probably thinking that I didn't love and trust him enough to tell him what was going on with me but that isn't true.

I felt a weight in my chest, realizing that I could no longer keep my plan a secret anymore. I managed to sit up while he helped me arrange the pillows at my back so I would be more comfortable.

He placed his hands on my forehead and winced a little; "You're burning up. You really need to see a doctor at this rate." He said in concern.

I removed his hand that was on my forehead and held it in between my palms. "Nicholas..."

I called while he stared at me, waiting for what I wanted to say. I took in a deep sigh before revealing all of my plans to him. As he listened, I noticed his face grow increasingly grim.

"Why are you risking your life for something like this??" He asked with disappointment laced in his voice.

"I figured that I needed to do something to finally get rid of her for good."

"And you didn'tthink of coming to me first? I thought we were patners!!"

"It's because I knew you would act like this."

"How else would you expect me to act?? What if those drug have a really bad effect on you. What do you expect me to do if something happens to you?"

"Nic..."

"Save it!! You fucked up big time!! I'm really disappointed in you." He muttered angrily before he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.