Chapter 3: Chapter Three

I'm more than certain that George believed that I didn't hear him early this morning. But I happened to be walking back from the kitchen when I overheard him speaking to Tammy.

Which is why I stayed in bed for the rest of the morning, refusing to think about what George had gone and done whilst I was sleeping. I didn't want their friendship to be ruined by my failed relationship with Nate.

The initial peace I was indulging in was abruptly ruined as I heard Tammy welcome my mother into the house uninvited.

"Mum I'm not leaving this room," I moaned, already sensing her by my bed. I heard the distinct sound of her ripping open the curtains, letting in an abundance of light.

"Yes, you are young lady. Just because you're working and live in your own place, that doesn't mean I can't come and boss you around,” she said simply. She quickly ripped off my bed sheets, leaving me to face the cold.

"Mother of Christ, you are THE DEVIL!" I shouted at her, blindly searching the bed for my blanket again. Was she not aware that it was winter? It barely reached 10 degrees these days. She stared at me impatiently.

"You smell like a bar. Go shower Loretta," she said sternly, not leaving any room for discussion.

I honestly liked to mentally prepare myself for my parents entering my house. I didn't spare her a glance as I grabbed a towel and headed for the shower. Once I was finished with the shower, I grabbed some clothes.

When I entered the kitchen, I noticed my mum seemed surprisingly chilled out as she slaved her way around the kitchen. She started to fry up a heavy English breakfast along with banana bread that sat to the side.

I finally noticed George sat slumped in his seat as he scrolled through his phone.

I grabbed some milk from the fridge, but mum’s hand stopped me completely. "What?"

"Stop avoiding your friend," she commented, as she turned on her heels and continued to cook all of us breakfast.

"You shouldn't have done that last night George. Nate has every right to be at your wedding by your side," I said, finally letting George know that I had overheard his conversation last night.

"After everything, you're still being nice to him. Are you delusional?" George replied. His eyes showed pity for me. I knew that I should be angry at him, and I was, but I still believed that Nate had good intentions. He deserved to stand next to George as he committed to the woman he loves.

"Just please talk to him," I begged.

I could tell that he was reluctant. "Fine I will, but don't think for a second I will make it easy for him."

I was relieved. I knew that if Nate wasn't by George's side on the wedding day, George would not be 100% happy, which would make Tammy upset. I didn't want that for them.

For one day I could push aside my personal issues.

Mum soon laid out all the food on the table and stood back proudly with her display of food.

"I think I love you Hannah," a drowsy voice said from the entrance to the kitchen.

My mum laughed lightly at Tammy's declaration of love for her.

"Sweetie come join," she called out to Tammy. Tammy looked towards the ceiling in awe. "It's coming from above. Did I really die and go to heaven?"

My mum had to respond to Tammy's weird antics because George and I were already digging into the food like a pair of savages. We don't waste time.

After breakfast I left the apartment and headed over to the grocery store. I just needed a few vegetables and snacks. I was going on this weird diet where I ate healthy throughout the morning and then just pigged out in the evening.

There was something really satisfying about supporting a breakup with a shit load of snacks.

In the grocery store I didn't realize it, but I kept spacing out. First, I was picking out what carrots to buy and then all of a sudden, someone was tapping me and asking for an autograph. I wasn't aware of anything.

I turned my head and saw the bakery section calling out to me. I walked over to grab a packet of sugary ring donuts and placed them in my trolley.

I spent a long time picking a few bottles of wine. I was thinking of spending time with the girls and talking about Tammy's wedding. I knew that she must be extremely stressed right now so a little group therapy was needed.

When I left the grocery store, I quickly ran to the car as I saw people waiting outside with their phones and cameras. Word had gotten out about Nate's condition and there were only rumors of what happened to him last night. He was released after a few stitches and medication.

I thought more about Nate and what was really going on in that mind of his. He was keeping secrets and lying to his family. It just didn't make much sense.

A few hours later, I sat in between Angela and Tammy as we sipped from our wine glasses.

"Did you know that Harry's club is having a new launch tonight?" Angela said randomly.

"Really, how did you know that?" I asked. I hadn't anything about Harry recently. He seemed to be staying quiet.

She shrugged. "Saw a promotion online earlier. We should go." My head jerked up at her comment.

"Are you insane? Of course we shouldn't.” I was happy with keeping my distance.

Angela sat up, her eyes piercing into mine. "Surely Nate will detest the idea of you going. All you have to do is help him promote his club and you will catch Nate’s attention finally. Maybe we can get some truth out of that brooding billionaire." She clapped her hands together like it was the most brilliant plan, when in reality, it really wasn't.

"Your plans are stupid," Tammy commented.

"Pish posh, it's the perfect plan," Angela dismissed Tammy and stood up.

"We will all be there with you. I just think we need to find out the truth and Harry is our ticket."

I picked at my nails anxiously. I knew where she was coming from, but I wasn't so sure. At the same time, a part of me did want to know the truth.

Angela helped Tammy and me up and pulled us upstairs. I picked out a few different dresses that they could choose from and let them loose on my large collection of makeup.

I giggled as Angela tried to talk down her slightly pissed off husband. He wasn't keen on us going out tonight after how drunk Angela got the other night.

"I married you because I love you, but Cam, I barely go out. Please can I just enjoy myself?" she moaned as she facetimed Cameron.

I stared at Tammy through the mirror, and she mirrored my smile.

"Hey Cammy, I don't plan to drink tonight. I will keep a close watch on her," I said moving into the camera. I really wanted to be fully sober if I was going to bump into Harry tonight.

Cam seemed stressed about it, but I knew that he trusted me. "Any signs of problems, please call me," he said, running his hands over his neck. I felt guilty since I was the one probably giving him too much work to do and therefore causing him stress.

"I promise," I said giving the phone back to Angela who seemed to be more understanding to her husband.

I moved towards my wardrobe and searched for a dress for tonight. I wasn't looking for anything to happen tonight. I wasn't ready for that, and like I said, I had to focus.

I found a wrap dress that just reached my knees. It was long but tight and beautiful. Tammy grinned as she handed me the earrings I had asked for. "Give him hell," she mumbled as she continued to change.

At the Club I expected to feel strange, but when we were instantly escorted inside the club, I became nervous. I wasn't the only one either; even Angela looked uncomfortable which was a shock, since this was all her idea in the first place. I couldn't quite place what was making the whole clubbing experience foul, but maybe it was a hunch.

My hands began to feel sweaty as the guy who led us in walked towards a familiar man. They whispered to each other before Harry started walking towards us, determination in every step.

I felt Tammy grab my arm as we watched him make his way towards us. I didn't feel safe. It was strange because as he walked through the club everyone bowed their heads in respect. You would think that he was royalty or something with the way people were acting around him.

George couldn't come because he was busy meeting somebody, but right now I would do anything to have George here with us.

"Loretta, welcome," Harry said coming up to me. Compared to how he had acted at my office, I didn't recognize the guy standing before me.

His crisp black suit fit his body, calling out to every woman. He looked like he radiated power.

"Thanks, really nice club," I replied politely.

"My offer still stands, by the way. As you can see, this would be great business for you and your family. So why don't your friends get comfortable, and we can discuss some business privately," he said with his baritone voice, signaling to a separate room. I peered behind him and spotted a few men walking into this room.

"Oh, um sure," I said. I wasn't going to get involved with him, but I did want to speak with him and dig further into his past.

I paused when I felt the girls stop me. "Stay out here. I'll be okay. Just text me if anything suspicious happens," I said to them.

"Are you sure you don't need us to come with you?" Tammy stepped up with a worried look plastered on her face. Before I had the chance to reply and reassure her, Harry beat me to it.

"If it isn't the beautiful Tammy. How's George these days?" he asked, stepping forward, so he was now face to face with Tammy. I was growing even more nervous. 

She glanced at me, probably wondering how he knew her name. "I don't think we've met before," she said. I noticed her hands fidgeting with her dress as she said this. Our confidence literally disappeared as soon as we stepped into the club.

"Oh, I know, but I've heard great things," he replied.

"He's meeting someone," she said simply, getting the point across. Before Harry could utter another word a man walked over to us and whispered in Harry's ear. We all stood there pretty confused and a little frightened. I noticed that Angela hasn't breathed a word since we entered the club.

After the man left Harry turned to me. "Loretta come on. Let's talk business." My breath hitched when he roughly grabbed my waist, leading me into the room. I heard Angela call out to me, but I didn't have the time to reply as I was pulled in the other direction.

I was really regretting coming here tonight.

Nate POV

I was such an idiot. How could I have let this happen?

George had come here to talk to me, which surprised me. I wasn't surprised when he asked me not to come to his wedding. I hurt Loretta and therefore hurt him in the process.

Loretta still begged him to invite me back after everything I had done.

"Get the door," I barked at George as I heard aggressive knocking on my apartment door.

"What the fuck Cameron?" George yelled as he closed the door. I wasn't familiar with that name but when this Cameron guy walked into my line of sight next to George, I knew exactly who he was.

"Who's this?" I said breaking the two idiots from their little moment.

"Cameron. I'm a friend of Loretta, actually, I work for her," he decided to add quickly. I just stared at him with an empty look.

“What exactly does she pay you to do, fucker?”

George rolled his eyes at my bluntness before turning to Cameron. "Thought you were with Loretta?"

My eyes felt hot as I stared at Cameron. I leant forward on my desk.

"Now I'd be careful with your next words because if Loretta is alone and in any sort of danger, I won't be responsible for what I do next,” I said menacingly. Cameron's face changed visibly to a scared one. I wouldn't be surprised if he had shit himself due to the frightened look on his face.

I was too busy enjoying the fact that Cameron feared my words that I didn't realize that he hadn't said a word telling me of Loretta's current whereabouts.

It didn't take long before I turned and punched the wall, not caring for the expensive painting on my office wall. I didn't mind wrecking my office at work, but I did mind wrecking the office here in my apartment.

"I think they've gone to Harry's club. I knew that they were going to a club tonight for a girl's night, but it wasn't until I tracked my wife's location that I realized where they went."

My hands clenched the desk as my eyes moved over to George who mirrored my anger. I swiped the keys from my desk and stormed out of the room. The two followed behind me without saying a word.

I didn't even wait for my driver to notice me because it would be much easier for me to drive since I knew the location.

My mind raced as we arrived at the club. Out of all the emotions I could have, I was pissed off more than anything when I saw a cocky figure standing at the entrance to the building with nothing, but a smirk plastered on his face.

Before I stepped out of the car, I turned to Cameron. "Take the car to the back exit and go and check on the girls. My team of security will meet you there.” He nodded his head at me, practically flying out the car to jump into the driver seat.

"George," I called out, handing him my phone. He got out of the car dialing my main security guard’s number. Thank God, I had George with me because he always knew what I was thinking without me saying anything.

I slowly walked up and met Harry at the entrance of his shit attempt at a worthy night club.

"Nathaniel, long time…" he started, a fucking smirk on his lips. I shut the little shit’s mouth before he could say another word by launching my fist at his face. I'm sure I knocked out a tooth with the painful sound coming from him.

"You should learn to listen to me, Harry," I said in a deep tone, making sure he knew I was not here to mess about, especially when it came to Loretta.

Fuck this. I was done keeping secrets.

Flashback "Nathaniel, you would be stupid to go against us like that. After everything we told you, you're still watching over the bitch." The sound of his voice didn't bother me at all; however, the way he called her a bitch made me want to kill someone. How dare he call her a bitch without knowing her.

"You better shut your mouth now or—" I began to say, but it was no surprise that he didn't even bother listening to the rest.

"Now Nate, this isn't the time for your threats. We warned you, didn't we? Your brother has been more than willing to tell us about your plans and if I'm being honest, I'm surprised that you thought you could get away it." He laughed.

My mind went blank. What could he say that would make him so furious and practically out for my blood?

Drew…what the fuck has he done? I never thought it would get this far, I really didn't. Harry has been a highly demanding man ever since he was born. We went to college together, but he was never, shall we say, friendly.

We started working together because I knew he could do wonders for me in business. But I had to break our partnership up when I realized what he was getting involved with.

"You will come to Rome in the second week of January and settle this like a gentleman. I would be very careful with your precious diamond. If we find out you've played us, then she will be finding herself in serious trouble. You have my word on that one." His voice turned from calm to furious as he mentioned Loretta.

"Now I don't believe for a second that you would go out of your way to betray me, but if your brother is correct, so help you God, you will not be happy with the consequences. UNDERSTAND?" His voice raised a significant amount.

My hands tightened around my phone in anger and frustration. Drew is such an idiot; I could kill him myself.

"I get it Harry. Trust me. I'm not unfamiliar with you and your people. I will be there, but I swear to God if you or your men lay a single hand on her, I will not hold back on my actions." Did he think I feared him? Seems like he's forgotten the past.

I smirked when I heard what sounded like a gulp. I ended the call before he managed to say anything else.

I'm so sorry, amore.