The Hamilton Club

Rose's POV

"I will do a checkup after shopping, Ric. Don't worry," I said, my voice flat, practiced calm.

Richard's face suddenly brightened. His tears all dried up from his eyes, he smiled that sweet sickening bright smile. "That's my baby girl. I will be waiting for the good news."

I didn't look back. I walked down the staircase, my heart drumming so loudly. My blood boiled in pure fury, what if I was actually pregnant? I couldn't carry the seed of my father's killer in me. Never.

Every step away from Richard felt like a step toward air, but his word's still swallowed me. "Waiting for the good news." I will make sure he never gets a good news for the rest of his life. I scorned.

I left the house without any guard or drivers. I didn't use any car from the garage, I bolted for the large golden brown gate, telling my persistent security guards I wanted to go alone.

I was sure by now they were definitely eyes and ears of Richard. I booked a private unmarked cab from my phone, the car was already three blocks away from the mansion. Yes, an unmarked car without GPS so Richard wouldn't track my location. I needed to get a new phone too, Richard may have hacked into my current phone.

"The Hamilton Club," I told the driver, my voice steady despite the shaking in my hands. It was a really yellow sunny day, I forgot my shades. My eyes were about to be scorched by the sun.

To be honest, I have never heard about the Hamilton Club before. And it was honestly possible. I was a timid introvert despite I had w wealthy father.

I usually hid in the shadows of my husband or my father, and even Katherine. I wonder what's she's up to now, she didn't even call me once since yesterday. And honestly I am grateful, I find it difficult to breathe and fake ignorance around them. I know the truth now, and pretending not to know anything yet was a pain in the ass.

The Hamilton Club was a fortress of glass and it was in the heart of the business district. It looked like a place only corrupt men and women of the city gathered. I walked through the lobby, my red gown contrast to the cold, industrial decor. It was unusually silent, I thought clubs were supposed to be buzzing with music. Maybe it was because, it was still so early in the morning and clubs booms at night.

I was stopped by a man in black suit, immediately I got to the Vip elevators.

"I am here to see Derek Hamilton," I said, showing the matte-black card to him.

The guard eyes flickered with recognition, and he immediately stepped aside, swiping his key card. The elevator rose in silence and the door finally opened. I was welcomed by the scent of expensive champagne and cold air conditioning. I wish I had taken a jacket with me, my gown wasn't long sleeves. And I easily caught a cold.

Derek was sitting in a deep red leather chair that matched my outfit perfectly. A glass of amber liquid in his hand, he smiled as his eyes caught me. He was wore a black shirt, which was totally unbuttoned revealing his broad naked chest. His expression was still unreadable, he was just a mysterious man. His gaze lingered on my messy bun and the way I clutched my gold purse tightly.

"You look like you haven't slept for weeks, Rose," he said. No greeting. No pity just a rude statement.

I gently sat opposite him, my back straight. "I have been through a lot lately, in case you forgot."

"Of course. And you spent the entire time rolling on the floor and getting bruised by a mere carpenter's son..or what was it again?"...Derek sneered, he tapped one of his finger on his glass, as he kept thinking. "Yes! his father was definitely a carpenter." he let out a dry, rattling laugh. "I knew your father. He was a lion. How come his daughter is whatever...she is today."

The insult stung. I gripped my purse tightly. I wouldn't let anyone belittle me like my husband's family had done all life. "How dare you, Derek? I won't have you insult me like that or judge my marriage."

"Woah...woah." He dropped his cup on the glass table and raised his hands to the air, in an attempt of surrender. "No one told me you were feisty. My apologies mi lady." He adjusted the collar of his black shirt, and sat upright. Waiting for me to start talking.

I cleared my throat, my voice dropping a whisper. "I need your help, my husband is far more......"

"I know." He cut in. "I told you, I know everything about you. Honestly I have just been watching. Waiting for the day you will finally snap out of the madness you called love and life. And your father, asked me me to keep an eye on you."

"What?" I asked, my eyes wide in shock. My loving father had kept someone to watch over me, but in my past life how come I had no one. I mean no one approached me. This second life was honestly different. Did things change here?" I thought silently to myself.

I snapped out of it. "So straight to the point. My husband is loved by everyone, how do I chase him away and prove he is my father's killer?" I asked plainly.

Derek's eyes suddenly went dark. His jaw tightened, so did his fist. I guessed it was at the mention of Richard killing my father. He was obviously shocked.

Derek was quiet for some time. The only sound in the Vip lounge was the hum of the air conditioning and the ice clinking against his glass. A minute later the shock in his eyes were gone, replaced by a cold, predatory focus.

"You are saying Richard is responsible for Mr Hawthorne's death?," Derek asked, his face a pale red. "He poisoned my mentor didn't he?"

"Yes, I am sure of it. His mistress, Katherine poisoned my father slowly and then drugged me everyday. You may have heard from people I was crazy and depressed but you need to trust me.... I....I know what I am saying, they drugged me... I found out recently and started throwing away the drugs." I stammered uncontrollably, my body already trembling.

He noticed the way I was shaking and moved from his couch to mine. I shifted a bit, because he sat too close. He held my palm that was already shaking. "I believe you." he said, his eyes burning in a predatory fury. "I will snuff the life out of those people that killed my teacher, my mentor. Your father."

He paused, his eyes scanning my face. We were sitting so close I could already feel his heat and smell his expensive cologne. Honestly what he had just said to me made me feel relieved in all sort of ways. This was the first time someone asides my father was offering genuine help to me. For the first time, someone actually had my back.

My face lit up with genuine smile. But it didn't last. My smile died back. The thought of me being pregnant for the enemy crept back into my mind.

I removed my hand from his soft grip, and cowered my head. He noticed my sudden shift in my mood, his eyes scanned me from head to my toe. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I think....I am pregnant," I stuttered.

"You are what?! he roared. His voice sounding like thunder striking across the room. "You are carrying a child for that snake?!"

I raised my eyes, looking at him again. Not sure if I was right, but honestly I felt he was overreacting. I mean he took my statement way too personal. His face was almost red, not sure but it looked like he stopped breathing.