276: MY BLOOD BOILING LUKE’S POV “Aren’t we going to talk about our project?” I quizzed Leonardo. I did hear him talk about teaming up with someone else concerning his project. Not that my company was going to fall or whatever without this guy; I just didn’t want to ruin any relationships. My grandfather wouldn’t want it if he were still alive. “What is there to talk about?” Leonardo asked me, giving me a face that flaunted him, not caring about a damn thing here. “The project.” “I told you already, didn’t I? I’m not working with your company anymore. You had your chance, but you went ahead to blow it.” “It’s not my fault. You have to understand that I had much to care for.” “What was that?” He queried. “Personal stuff. There were just a lot of things to take care of.” “Well, that is none of my business. So let’s quickly end this conversation. You can start leaving now. We don’t want those men coming back again.” “So that’s your decision. You’re just going to terminate the project.” case you h “I already did. Goodbye, Luke Reynold. So, in a new partner, you better be focused and give me attention. Just a piece of advice. I nodded, deciding not to say anything and just letting him have his way. It wasn’t a big deal anyway; I didn’t want to lose business partners. But fuck it, my company was still one of the greatest in New Haven. I didn’t need him anyway. I was still standing in silence, watching Leonardo as he traipsed to his car. And all of a sudden, he was shot right in the chest. He fell to the ground instantly. I stood there frozen, my mind unable to process what had just happened. One moment, I was having a conversation with Leonardo about our canceled project, and the next, he was lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. I looked around frantically, trying to find the source of the gunshot, but there was no one in sight. My heart was racing, and my hands shook as I rushed to Leonardo’s side. He was struggling to breathe, his hand clutching his chest where the bullet had struck him/ Leonardo, stay with me!” I spoke, trying to stop the bleeding with my hands. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with pain and fear. “Luke, call 911,” he gasped, his breathing getting more rapid by the second. I fumbled for my phone, my mind in a state of panic. I didn’t want this man to die like this. I needed to do something quickly, as soon as possible. I dialed the number while Leonardo’s breathing became more and more labored. I could see the life slowly leaving his body. “Stay with me, Leonardo. Help is on the way.” But his eyes started to close, and I could feel his hand go limp in mine. “No, no, no!” I brought him out loudly, shaking him desperately. But it was too late. He was gone. The sound of sirens filled the air as the ambulance arrived, but they could do nothing.. Leonardo was already gone. The police arrived shortly after, asking me questions about what had happened. I told them everything, from our conversation to the sudden gunshot. They searched the area, but there was no sign of the shooter. The police took my statement and left, and I was left alone with Leonardo’s lifeless body. I couldn’t bring myself to move–to leave him there on the ground. I sat there, just staring at him. This was the same man who was talking to me moments ago. Now look at him–lifeless; he couldn’t talk anymore. Man, this life was really messed up. Sometimes, I felt like everything was worthless–the fame, the wealth, everything. But no one would be following you to the grave. ARIEL’S POV Janice and I finally arrived home. She was sleeping, and I had no plans of waking her up. But I carried her in my arms, slowly stepping out of my car. Making my way to the mansion’s entrance, one of the helpers there sighted me, and he quickly moved in my direction. He carried Janice from me, doing that gently. “Thank you,” I told him softly. He nodded and walked to the mansion. I tread on the heels of him. When we had gotten inside, he took Janice to her room upstairs. I smiled, looking around. Then Luke’s face popped up in my head. I hadn’t talked to him since. A conversation on the phone would be really nice. brought my phone out of my purse and began to call him. He didn’t answer. 1 called him several times but got the same result. He must probably be busy, but he shouldn’t be too busy to answer my calls. It could be that he was having a business meeting at the moment. No, I don’t really think so. The day was already dark. Business meetings were supposed to be carried out at a later time. I couldn’t tell. There were too many thoughts, but he definitely had a reason for not answering my calls. But then my eyes narrowed upward, and it had me frozen in shock. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Bernardo was openly flirting with another woman. And not just any woman, but- a woman dressed in a revealing dress with heavy makeup on her face. The two of them were walking down the stairs. I could feel my blood boiling as I watched Bernardo laugh and even playfully spank the woman’s buttocks. How could he do this to Laura? I thought he loved her. But as I stood there, watching the scene unfold before my eyes, I couldn’t deny the evidence. Bernardo was cheating on his wife. And it was clear that she wasn’t in this house. I stood still, not taking my eyes off them. Bernardo’s eyes met mine. He froze, his mouth. opening in shock. I could see the guilt and fear in his eyes as he realized he had been caught. “Ariel,” he stammered, trying to find an explanation. But before he could say anything else, I cut him off. “What are you doing, Bernardo?” I asked, my voice shaking with anger. “Where is Laura? How could you do this to her?” His face fell as he realized he had no excuse for his actions. “I don’t know, Ariel,” he finally admitted, his voice trembling. “I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry.” But his words fell on deaf ears. I couldn’t believe he would betray Laura like this. I turned to the woman, who was now looking embarrassed and uncomfortable. “And who are you?” I asked her, my tone icy–cold. She looked at me nervously before finally speaking up. “I’m just a friend,” she stuttered. We were just having some fun. I scoffed, not believing a word she said. I knew exactly what was going on, and I wasn’t going to let Bernardo or this woman get away with it. MY ELD *You should be ashamed of yourself, Bernardo,” I spat, my voice filled with disgust. “How could you do this to Laura? She loves you and trusts you.” He hung his head in shame, knowing he had been caught in the act. “I’m sorry, Ariel,” her whispered. “I don’t know what to say. I messed up.” “Save your explanation for your wife because I’m calling her right now.”
