Chapter 6

“Amy?” Lucy smiled as she realised it was her best friend walking towards her table. “What are you doing here?” safe asked.

“I came to meet with a client. Who is your friend?” Amelia asked, smiling.

“This is Ethan,” she pointed to him. “Ethan, this is Amelia.” She introduced them.

“Nice to meet you, Amelia.” Ethan offered his hand for a handshake, which Amelia took.

“Nice to meet you too." She gave him her signature big smile.

"I didn't know you had any friends aside from me.” She winked at Lucy suggestively.

Lucy's eyes widened. “It's not what you are thinking.” She said slowly.

Amelia chuckled. “I know. I was just joking. I will see you later.” She replied and strutted away in her high heels.

“Does she know that you are married?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, why?” Lucy replied and continued eating.

“I find it off that she knows you are married and still made that sort of insinuation. It gives the impression that she sees you as someone who would do that kind of thing, and it's even weirder that she wasn't fazed by it. It was almost as though she was supporting such an act.”

“You are overthinking this. Amelia isn't that kind of a person. She is a good friend, my only friend actually. She was just making a joke.”

Ethan shrugged. “Well, if you say so,” he replied.

“Back to my earlier question before we got interrupted. Why did you decide to show up now?” She asked again.

“Are you done eating?” He asked instead of answering the question.

Lucy’s eyebrow raised. “Yes, why?”

“I need to have a smoke. Let's go outside.” He said and got up without waiting for her reply.

Lucy reluctantly stood up and followed him.

He stood in the smoking area and lit his Cuban cigar. He puffed out the smoke and turned to her. One hand in his pocket, his face devoid of his earlier smirks and smiles, he finally replies, “I showed myself now because you need my help. You are about to lose your firm and everything you have worked for. I am here to lend you my help.” He replied.

Lucy watched him closely in the darkness. “How did you know that I am at risk of losing my firm and everything I have worked for?”

“I know you are smart, Lucy, so I am certain that you already know the answer to that question.” He replied in a cocky tone.

“That's right. You basically know everything about me. But this is different. I only found out about this two days ago. How are you aware of something I wasn't even aware of? Why do I get the feeling that this is more than just a desire to help me because I saved your life?” She asked skeptically. She trained her eyes on him, watching him closely.

He turned away and slipped his cigar between his lips. He inhaled deeply, exhaling a perfect smoke ring. “You do not know how interested I am in you. The life I am living right now was literally given to me by you. I was in a hit-and-run that night. The person that did that to me left me there to die. If it wasn't for you, I would have bled to death. Your voice kept me conscious as I was being conveyed to the hospital. I owe you my life, and I will not allow anyone to take what you have worked hard for.” He said in a grim voice.

“Actually, it is not only what you have worked for. You seem to be forgetting that I am one of your investors, and if anything happens to your firm, I will be losing a lot of money.”

“That still does not answer my question. How did you know?” Lucy asked defiantly.

“I will tell you this one thing. I was the one who took you to the hospital the night you found out about it. I also left you that note. I want to help you; let me help you.

I will be waiting for your reply once you are ready to take my hand and have your revenge.” He turned and walked away. His posture straight, the air around him confident, like he hasn't just said the weirdest things.

Lucy stood there speechless. “Just how much does he know about me? This is some stalker shit!” Lucy cussed.

As she made her way out, she couldn't help but wonder. “Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Should she really take help offered by a stranger who appears to be a stalker? Could he be doing this just to help her and nothing else?”