Lucy sat in the food pavilion for an hour before she decided to head out. She had things to do, a baby to prepare for and she would not waste another thought on that loser Ben. She stood up and turned to leave and crashed into a solid wall. The wall let out a huff and held her arms to steady her as she stumbled.
"Oh gosh sir, I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" She asked.
Henry chuckled. How the hell could someone so small hurt him? "No miss, I'm just fine, what about you, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay, sorry again. Have a good day." Lucy turned to leave but the strong hands gripping her arms, didn't budge.
"What's your name?" "Uh Lucy."
"I'm Henry, my sister just gave birth, I'm here to see her. Can I take you out to dinner tonight?"
Lucy's eyes opened wide. No, she wasn't ready for this. She shook her head and tried to get away.
"Henry, thank you but my life is way too messed up right now to even think about going out with a man. I'm sorry."
Henry frowned. The woman looked like a frightened mouse. loosened his grip and smiled. "Just dinner, at least I will make a new friend."
"Wait did you say your sister gave birth? Maddy is your sister?" Henry looked surprised.
"Yes, her husband picked me up from the airport and we headed here. How do you know Maddy?"
"My sister Andre works for them."
Henry immediately let her go and right away Lucy realized that he knew about her and what she had done. She couldn't stop the tears.
"That is the look I was expecting. It was nice to meet you Henry." She turned and left.
Henry kicked himself. He didn't want to let her go, she made mistakes, betrayed her sister but Ben was a master at getting people to do what he wanted, it wasn't her fault. He watched her go and thought about how he could get in touch with her. There was something about her that pulled at his heart. She needed someone who could back her up, be strong when she was weak and Henry decided that man would be him.
He bought something to eat and headed back to the happy family. He pushed the door to the private room and smiled. Maddy was sitting on the bed, Philip was standing next to her and they were smiling down at their son. Henry took out his camera and snapped a photo. Maddy looked up.
"Big brother." The tears began, she hadn't seen him in over five years. He left to find himself and gain financial stability. He would send money back for his family whenever he could but he never felt it was enough. When Philip heard what he was doing, Philip called in a few favors and Henry was now his own boss with a flourishing company – MP Corp. Yes, this was the name they used to trick Ben, hence why he knew all about Lucy. He and Maddy were a twin.
"Hey sis, looks like we have a new addition to the family, well hello Elliot, it's your favorite uncle Henry. "Don't let Jason hear you." Philip said.
"Mom, dad and Jason will come see us when we take him home. How long are you here for?" Maddy asked. "For good, I'm setting up MP Corp here, moving the entire business. Tired of living away from my family, looking to set down some roots and have a family of my own."
"It's about time." Maddy said as she smiled. She looked at his face and immediately knew something was wrong. "Who is she?"
Henry flinched. Only his sister could call him out. "Don't be angry." He looked at Philip and sighed.
"I met a young lady in the food pavilion, she bumped into me and my heart squeezed. When I told her why I was here, she asked if you were my sister. I asked how she knew you; she said her sister works for you and Philip." "Absolutely NOT!" Maddy almost shouted.
"Honey, calm down." Philip said as Elliot started to fuss at her voice.
"It's okay Maddy, I know she isn't the ideal woman for me but I can't ignore this. I asked her out and she refused, told me her life was messed up and she wasn't ready. I will wait for her to do what she needs, and I will try again." Maddy was silent, she had no right to say who he went out with. "Henry, if she is the woman you want, who am I to say no? I'm sorry for my outburst. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I can handle it, been there done that. If it doesn't work out, I can say I tried and move on with that acceptance."
"Okay, but let her know if she hurts you, I will punch her out." "No, you will not." Philip chuckled as he kissed her on the forehead. "So what's next for you two." "Take care of our son." Philip and Maddy said at the same time.
"The two of you are sickening. I'm out. I will bring the others over when you settle back at home."
Henry left the mushy couple and headed out to the parking lot. Philip had given him a car until he decided what he was going to buy. As he pressed the key fob, he saw Lucy heading towards her Range Rover Sport. Just then he spotted a man out of the corner of his eye heading towards her. He changed direction and headed to her. Lucy was in a daze and did not notice either of the men coming towards her, she searched her bag for her keys and was totally oblivious. She felt someone grab her and throw her violently to the ground, she hit her head and immediately blacked out.
Henry reached behind his back and aimed his gun at the man's head.
"Well, what do we have here? Put her bag down and I promise I won't kill you."
The man scowled and turned to run. Henry changed direction and aimed at his leg. One well-placed shot was all it took to bring him down. He put his weapon back, slowly bent down and picked Lucy up and took her inside. The nurses helped him get her on the gurney and wheeled her away.
He called Philip and told him what happened.
"Jesus, she can't catch a break. I will let Andre know."
A few days later, Lucy slowly opened her eyes. Her brain was foggy and it took a few minutes to register where she was.
"Hey sis you're awake." It was Andre. "I… what happened?"
"You got attacked and Henry stopped him but you hit your head when you fell." Andre was afraid to say the rest. Lucy noticed and put her hand on her belly.
"It's gone isn't it."
"Yes sis, I'm sorry but you hit the ground really hard." Suddenly Lucy smiled. Andre lifted an eyebrow in confusion.
"The baby was never meant to be, he or she was conceived in dishonesty and a one-sided love and loyalty that was severely misplaced. I can start fresh."
"Who is he?" Andre asked. Lucy laughed softly.
"Maddy's brother asked me out, I told him my life was messed up and I wasn't thinking about going out and now…" Then she remembered how he let her go after finding out who she was.
"What did he do?" Andre asked about to get upset.
"No, no. We bumped into each other, and he asked me out then when we realized who we were he abruptly let me go. I can understand why, and I don't blame him at all."
"I see." Andre would be having a conversation with Henry pretty soon. "Don't." Lucy said when she saw an emotion flicker across her sister's face.
"Uh huh." Andre kissed her forehead and left.
Henry was sitting in the family lounge. Andre walked over and sat next to him. "I like her, I know all about her, I don't care, I have to follow my heart. Yes, I hurt her feelings today, I will make up for it. You can't stop me so don't try." Henry said as if he were ordering burger and fries from a menu.
"As long as you are clear, hurt her and Maddy will be one brother less."
"I can't promise you that Andre, you know how relationships are. We do our best but shit still happens. Look at Philip and Maddy and all they have gone through so far. You are a married woman, don't tell me you have never said or done anything to hurt Jacob and vice versa. I can only promise that I will treat her with respect, give her everything within my power and ability to give. I haven't been in a relationship for a while, but my parents taught me to be a man. I can't give any more than that."
"Fair enough. Give her some time, she is still hurting and well she just lost her baby. Even though she is trying to be positive and wanting to start fresh, she will make mistakes."
"I understand."
"I realize you didn't seem surprised about the baby."
"Philip gave me her file when he asked me to dummy MP to take down Ben." "I know you are a good man Henry, don't let her down."
"I will do my best not to. Can I see her now? The police are waiting for my statement, and I have to go to the station."
"Yeah, I will be back to take her home tomorrow after Maddy and Elliot are discharged."
"I can't do that; think she will let me?" "Ask, it will either be a yes or no. Call me if she says no." "Deal. You are a good sister to her."
"Always."
"Lucy?" Henry whispered as he pushed the door.
"Henry?" What are you doing here? I thought…" She trailed off, not wanting to say he left her because of who she is.
"About that. I'm sorry I brushed you off earlier, I wasn't thinking straight. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good now, ready to get out of here and start my life the way I should have before."
"I'm sorry about the baby." "Thank you but they weren't meant to be."
"Andre is allowing me to take you home tomorrow, it would be my honor to do this."
Lucy looked confused. Was this the same man who dropped her like she was acid?
"Look, I'm moving back to London and bringing my company with me. I'm going to need help; would you be willing to offer your custodian services? I will pay whatever you ask."
"We can discuss this when you take me home, I don't want to discuss business here, is that okay?" Henry smiled.
"I would still like to take you to dinner, get to know you better." "Why?"
"Everyone has a past; we do shit, learn from it, and move on. I am ready to move on, with you if you want. I am not a hearts and flowers man but if that's what you like I will do it for you."
Lucy was surprised. Was this too soon after Ben? She looked down. "Lucy, take your time and think about it, no decision needs to be made today. Get some rest, I must go to the police station. I'm sure they will want to see you when they find out you are awake."
"Oh yeah, the man in the car park. Why do you have to go?"
"I shot him in the leg after he threw you to the ground, I didn't get there in time, I'm sorry."
"You saved, me, thank you."
"My pleasure, can I come visit you later?"
"Yes, can you bring me some fruit and soup? The food here sucks royal." "Take my number, call me if you think of anything else you need."
She reached for her cell and handed it to him. He put his number in and handed it back to her.
"Thank you for giving me a chance Lucy."
She nodded slowly as her body heated up under his gaze. Oh boy. Henry saw the look on her face and smiled. Then he took a chance and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Get some rest, I will be back later."
The cops came to take her statement and then they left. She felt as if her life was one piece of drama after another, but she no longer felt any pressure to be anyone but herself.
Around five, Henry appeared with food, toiletries, clothes and a smile. "Thank you Henry." Lucy smiled and took the soup. Henry packed away the other things and sat next to the bed.
"I need to get something off my mind Lucy." Lucy froze. "Don't worry. Just be honest with me and everything will be fine." Lucy nodded and resumed eating.
"Did you love Ben?"
"I thought I did, but when I realized he was willing to leave me and his baby here to take the fall for his wrong doings, my stupidity hit me like a ton of bricks."
"Well let me tell you now. I do not want a yes woman, neither do I want a woman who just does what I ask. I love a woman who can think for herself and will respectfully put me in my place, do you understand me?" Henry, almost growled.
Lucy stared at him blankly.
"I need you to be this for yourself honey not me. Never let me walk over you or disrespect you. Call me out when needed, I won't always like it but I would prefer it."
"Okay."
"Good. Are you in any pain?"
"No, I'm fine thanks. Tell me about yourself." She almost whispered as she inhaled Henry's scent. She felt her lady bits clench. NO! Stop that!
"Not much to tell, I grew up poor with my brother and sister, we are all now successful in our careers and I am looking to settle down."
"I see."
"I'm pretty wealthy and with your help I can maintain that for years to come." "I don't care about your money Henry, let's make that clear so please don't use it as a bargaining chip."
Henry smiled, he threw that taste out to see her reaction, he was pleased. "You were testing me." Lucy looked at him.
"You will never know." "Hmmmmm."
"Careful, when you make sounds like that, I get the wrong idea." Henry growled in a deep voice.
"You are the wrong idea. We just met, don't push me." Lucy whispered.
"Honey, if I could make love to you right this minute, I would." Henry dropped his voice so low Lucy felt it reverberate through her body.
Lucy gasped.
"Shhhhh, I'm not afraid to speak my mind, get used to it." "Why me? I made a mess of my life!" Lucy almost yelled.
"When you bumped into me, I felt a spark when we figured out who you were, yes I was disappointed but… I could not ignore my feelings. It's as simple as that. No hidden agenda, no fuss or flare."
"I'm nobody special Henry."
"Whatever Lucy. I'm not the kind of man who waits around for people to figure out what they want from me, you have three months to get to know me and make a decision, I will take it from there."
Lucy remained silent. She reached over to the side and pulled a bunch of grapes and began eating.
"What time are you picking me up in the morning?" "I will be here around 8am, everything is settled." "Okay."
Lucy looked over to Henry and realized he was staring at her.
"Do you know that you are a beautiful woman Lucy? I could drown in your eyes."
Lucy kept eating but a smile crept on her face. "I don't want to disappoint you Henry." "Unless I say you have, don't worry about it, I keep telling you we have all made mistakes."
"What mistakes could someone as sweet as you have you made?"
"You may not be able to handle it, so be very clear on your wanting to know my dark secrets."