chapter 9

Nana sighed, it's been hours since Alvin's offer, and she couldn't take her mind off the fact that Leonard might be going with Rebekah. She groaned, relaxing her back on her executive chair. Nana checked the time, and it was just an hour to dinner.

She looked at the box, sitting on a chair. Alvin had delivered it earlier, still hoping she would change her mind.

A knock on her door interrupted her thinking.

"Come in." She said, standing up to pour herself a cup of water. The door opened, to reveal her assistant.

"Boss, there's someone outside." The young lady reported.

"What's their deal?" Nana asked, going back to her seat.

"He said to tell you; time's running."

Nana sighed, she knew fully well it was none other than Alvin. Her eyes going back to the dress, she nodded. "Tell him I'll be down soon."

Her assistant nodded, exiting the office.

Nana opened the bag, bringing out the dress. She rolled her eyes at his choice of clothes. It was a long tight fitted backless dress. When Nana wore it, it accentuated her curves. Nana sighed in satisfaction at her reflection in the mirror. Applying some makeup, not like she needed it, she was good to go.

"You can lock up and reschedule my meetings for tomorrow." She said to her assistant on her way out. In her company's garage, Alvin rested on his car, arms folded, waiting.

He smiled on seeing her.

"I didn't think you would accept my proposal." He said, still smiling. Nana looked him up and down, her face devoid of emotion.

"You were quite persuasive."

"Can you at least smile, I'm not the enemy." Alvin says, opening the door for her to get in. Nana stops her movement to stare at him.

"Then who is?" She asked.

"You're about to see, get in." He says, ushering her into his car. Nana shook her head, getting in.

The drive to the venue was awkward and silent. Alvin tried to initiate conversations, after three tries it was clear Nana wasn't going to flow with him, so he stopped.

"It's been years and I regret my mistakes, Nana. Let's move on from the past." Alvin said, just as he pulled up at the venue.

"I moved on, I'm the one with the permanent scar. If you're ready to move on, you wouldn't be here driving me to some party my husband is holding. It shows you still harbor some sick obsession with me." Nana retorted, stepping out from the car.

A sly smile displaying on his lips when she wasn't looking.

Nana looked at the building, her brain racing with thoughts. Why hadn't he asked her to come along?

She wasn't planning on showing her appearance. She was just going to watch and see what happens.

"Let's go in." Alvin said, offering his hand. Nana gave him a hard stare, walking away. Alvin clenched his fist, gritting his teeth in anger.

Nana stepped into the Hall, slow music booming from the speakers. Few couples were dancing on the dance floor, others talking in groups. Nana's eyes scanned through the room, her eyes looking for one particular person. Then her eyes caught his silhouette. He was still in the same suit he was wearing when he left, her eyes went to his arms and like she feared, he had her in his arms. Nana grabbed two glasses of wine off the waiter passing. She gulped down the content immediately, her eyes still on him.

"Getting angry already?" Alvin said, standing beside her.

"Try harder." Nana rolled her eyes, signaling the waiter to come close.

"The party is just getting started and you're already tipsy."

Nana had lost count of how many glasses she had taken in. She staggered on her feet, about to fall, Alvin caught her in time, settling her on a chair nearby. Nana's eyes were still on Leonard and the way he had his arms around her. Glenn smiled anytime they walked around.

"Mr West, I didn't think I would see with such beauty." A business associate said to him.

Leonard raised his glass of champagne in response. Nana's heart fell, if he wanted to deny his relationship with her, that would have been an awesome opportunity.

"Don't look." Alvin tells her, using his palm to cover her sight.

Nana removed his hand immediately. "Get away from me." She muttered, Alvin paid a deaf ear, still standing in front of her. "Fvck off, Alvin." Nana said again, but this time she spoke at the top of her voice.

Everyone present turned their attention towards them. Nana stood up, swaying on her feet and pushed him away.

"You don't get to tell me what to do. You brought me here, didn't you? You knew he was attending with her, but you still dragged me along." Nana scoffed, tears spilling from her eyes. Everyone had their gaze fixated on her, including him.

"For why? Like you didn't hurt me enough when I was a kid. Our brother and sister relationship is irredeemable, stay away from me Alvin Thawne." She said, staggering past him.

"Isn't that the heiress of the Allen family?"

"Who is that woman on Leonard's arm? Isn't he married to Nana?"

"She finally got what was coming for her."

"To think she was always high and mighty."

"Men are not to be relied on."

Nana listened to the comments as she swayed on to the restroom. What they said about her didn't bother her, it's what they said about her relationship that did.

Rebecca smiled at the drama. Her plan walked quite all right, and it was time to take it to the next level.

"Get your hands off me this second, before I'll do something you won't be able to tell the tale later." Leonard said, gritting his teeth in anger. Rebecca unhooked her hands with his immediately, smiling awkwardly.

"What is wrong with you? She's been your escort all evening, why change? Because that girl showed up?" Glenn asked angrily.

"She's not any girl, she's my wife. The only one worthy of taking the West surname as hers." Leonard snapped.

"Nonsense." Glenn spat.

"She's of low class compared to Rebecca Black. You will divorce her at once."

"Yes, low class and all. But, I bet she has more standards than Black or Green will ever have. No one had a say in your marriage, not grandpa not grandma, you will not bring up the divorce to my hearing, again! Unless, the West will have to find a new heir and you know full well there's no West without me!" Leonard refuted.

The guest watched the argument between father and son and could only gasp in shock at the threat Leonard made. It was true though, if Leonard was to leave the family business, the West won't last a month give or take, without him.

Leonard walked towards the restroom, leaving his father and everyone else in shock.

All the stalls were open, just one was closed, so he concluded that was the one she was in.

"Nana." He called, sitting outside the door.

"It wasn't like that, just open up and I'll explain."

Five minutes later, no sound was coming from inside.

Ten minutes, nothing.

Leonard stood on his feet, kicking the door open. He went in, there was no sign of her. The window was open. Leonard took his hand to his head, pacing. His feet met with something. He looked down to see Nana's shoe.

Leonard's eyes widened in shock, running out of the restroom immediately. He got back to the ball, and without asking questions, his hand met with Rebecca's neck, choking her.

"Leonard!" Everyone called in unison.

"Where is she?" He asked, slamming her to a wall.

"W-what." Rebecca tried to speak.

"I heard your plans all day, don't you dare lie to me! Where's my wife and unborn child!" He screamed.

Rebecca choked, pointing towards the door. Leonard released her neck to let her speak. "She's probably in a truck, going at a speed of 105 km/hr. Did I mention it's without a break." She said, smiling insanely.

"Don't let anyone leave this room till I return, if I don't, make sure she goes to jail alongside my dad." Leonard says to guards on his way out.

"Please be safe." He muttered, getting into his Rolls Royce.

~~~

The breeze hitting her face was natural, but at the same time unnatural. Nana snapped her eyes open, her sight was all blurry at first, then it cleared when she found out she was moving. Nana looked around in panic, it wasn't her car, neither was it Leonard's car. Then everything came rushing back, she was in the restroom, cleaning up her tears, when someone sneaked up behind her. That was the last thing she remembered and then she was here.

The truck was moving at the maximum speed. Nana was tucked in the back seat and there was this iron bar separating her from the driver's seat. Nana pulled on the iron bar, but it won't budge.

"I can't die. Not again." She muttered, increasing her hold on the iron bar, and then pulling.

After a few tries, it came off. But, only the center part. It wasn't big enough to let her pass without being poked by the irons. Nana wiped her tears, climbing through. She groaned in pain as the iron dug deep into her ribcage. Nana was whimpering and crying, before she finally went through the iron. Sitting in the driver's seat, she pressed the brake.

"No, no, no, no, no, no." She exclaimed, hitting it multiple times.

It wasn't working.

Tears trailed down her face, they should make her the queen of tears right now.

"Nana! Nana!" She heard a voice calling from outside. The window was open, so she looked.

"Leo, help. I'm scared, I'm damn scared."