YOU ARE IT FOR ME

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Donovan P.O.V

Who the hell is Edward Duke? and what does he know about Catherine to bring him all the way to my office.

Any idea who he is? Stacey asked me.

I shook my head, I haven't heard of the guy before but let's see what this is all about I replied. A few minutes later there was a gentle knock on the door, I asked the person to come in and a young man who looked like he is in his late twenties walked in.

He is tall and lean with long blonde hair which was held behind his head in a man bun. He is wearing a nice suit that looked good on him. The guy is actually good looking in his own way. Though he looked nervous but one could see the determined look in his eyes. He didn't look like someone with a bad intention right.

I looked at him without emotion in my face as I waited for him to properly introduce himself. He smiled before moving with long strides towards my desk and offerred his hand for a handshake.

Good afternoon Mr. Green my name is Edward Duke, I am sorry to bother you by coming here without an appointment. I nodded before holding his outstretched hand firmly before releasing it.

Hello he said to Stacey who smiled warmly at him before they both shook hands together. She was standing by my side before Duke came in and after they had both greeted each other she made to leave my side but I held her hands halting her movements.

Stay, I say quietly giving her a small smile. She nodded while returning the smile, she stood by my side and we both waited to know what Duke had to say about Catherine.

Have a seat and tell me why you are here I said coldly.

Ignoring my cold behaviour Duke smiled and thanked me before taking his seat.

I stared at him as he smiled nervously at me after which he cleared his throat slightly.

Would you like something to drink Stacey offered but he politely declined before going straight to the point.

Like I said I am sorry for coming to see you so suddenly but the situation is such that I couldn't wait anymore and making an appointment with you will only delay things further knowing how busy you are. I wanted you to know the truth about your girlfriend Catherine before she fools you.

My jaw twitched in anger as I heard what he said.

What the f**k do you mean? and point of correction that cunning woman is not and have never been my girlfriend I seethed in anger. Making Duke widden his eyes in shock.

Stacey placed her hand slightly on my shoulder trying to calm me down. I was already furious about what Catherine did and now this man here referring to her as my girlfriend only infuriated me the more. I took deep breathes to calm myself down.

But mr Green the whole media was flooding about you two dating each other Duke said looking confused.

You should not always believe what you read or see in the media I replied trying to speak calmly, I sighed, anyways what did you mean by Catherine trying to fool me I asked looking intently at him.

Catherine and I have been dating since our college days and everything was going well so I thought until she woke up oneday and told me that she was returning back here and fed me some bullshit story that her father wanted her to come back and take over the family's business. I offerred to go with her but she declined so I didn't insist cause the date for my exhibition was fast approaching and I needed to be present for it. And then she left and some few weeks later she came back with the excuse that she missed me and wanted to attend my exhibition, after the exhibition she left and a few weeks later she called me and was very hysterical on the phone while telling me that she is pregnant.

I was very happy about the news and I wanted to come over to officially meet her father and introduce myself to him but she shouted at me and told me that she is at the hospital and she is getting rid of the baby.

This time I was the one who was shocked after listening to what Duke just said, I turned to look at Stacey who was also looking at me in shock. Then I remembered when Catherine had called her baby's father Eddie, short form of Edward.

I can't believe that this sly woman lied to me and emotionally blackmailed me into believing that you didn't want anything to do with your baby. She told me some crap that her father will never accept you two cause you are not of the same status with them.

Duke looked at me with a shocked expression, that's a bunch of baloney, she was the one who insisted that she didn't want the baby and she regrets telling me about it. I pleaded with her to keep the child but she broke up with me and blocked my number. Duke looked sad after what he said. I met her father once and he is a good man.

So where do I come in in all of these I say cause I know that he was not done speaking.

When I saw it online that you two were expecting a child together just shortly after she claimed she wanted to abort mine, I took the next flight and came here to inform you that she might be fooling you into believing that she is pregnant for you.

I sighed, Catherine and I were not together and she orchestrated this lie about she and I being in a relationship. She also paid the blogger who wrote the bullshit trending online today.

Duke was shaking his head as I was speaking. She lied to you mr. Green the truth is that Catherine has always had a crush on you and even while we were dating she never ceased to rub it in on my face that she wanted me to be just like you and that I should be more successful like you.

I am an artist and I have only recently become very famous from my paintings and I have always wanted to give her the kind of life that I felt she deserved, I love Catherine alot and I have only wished for one thing all these years, that is for her to look at me the way I look at her. Duke sighed, she used to tell me that she loved me alot but I have always felt that I am not enough for her and she only used me to get over you but I was wrong she never got over you mr Green, she is still irrevocably inlove with you.

Duke looked upset as I stared in shock at him, Stacey hands were on my shoulder all through.

Mr. Duke I said. Catherine and I were high school friends and nothing more and when I saw her after ten years I still felt nothing but friendship towards. When she came to me about her pregnancy I thought I could help her to pretend to be her lover but I couldn't do it anymore cause I didn't want to hurt the person I loved the most. I rubbed Stacey's hand that was still on my shoulder and I saw Duke stare at the both of us and then his eyes widened as he blushed in embarrasement only realising that he had said all those things about Catherine being inlove with me in the presence of my real girfriend.

I am so sorry mr Green I didn't intend to cause any rift between you and your girlfriend he said.

I huffed, it's okay, my girlfriend already knows about everything that is going on and she was with me and Catherine yesterday at the hospital before the whole paparazzi drama. I can't believe that Catherine is willing to throw away our friendship for her own selfish interest. I won't spare her.

Please mr. Green don't be too harsh on her, often times love makes people do crazy things, so I would suggest you let me handle this please, Duke pleaded with sadness in his voice.

You are still inlove with her after everything I say perplexed, he nodded, I can't help it sir and more over she is carrying my child, I don't want any harm to come to her or my baby.

I sighed, Catherine is not a bad person but I think having an unrequitted love can make one desperate at times but then I won't just let this go without confronting her I say. Duke nodded it's okay by me mr Green as long as no harm comes to her or my child.

One thing that I still don't understand about this whole thing is why Catherine have to go to such length, I mean what does she intend to achieve by doing all these. I say

Well only Catherine has the answer to this questions cause knowing her she does nothing without a purpose and if I am to guess right I think she wanted your attention Duke replied.

But why will she to this to herself knowing that I will never love her back, I took a deep breathe. She knows how I despise people who lie to me and she went ahead and did the same. Anyways she is the only one that will give me the answers I seek.

Duke stood up, once again I am sorry for coming in like this and I have also clarified alot of things that have kept me awake for long. It's been a pleasure meeting you mr Green, you are a good man, then he laughed I have heard alot of things about you but I guess not everything we hear or read online is the truth.

And what did you hear about me? I asked coldly pretending to be angry.

Woah, woah mr. Green no offence Duke said raising his hands up making me chuckle slightly before he squinted his eyes at me seeing that I was only preteding to be angry. He laughed, but serioulsy they said you are ruthless, arrogant, and a good business man.

Is that all you heard about me? I asked looking intently at him. Duke scratched his neck chuckling nervously, well I don't wanna say it in front of her he said looking at Stacey who was chuckling beside me.

Just say anything you wanna say I said to Duke.

Well you know about you being called a casanova but I also guess it's all a lie too he said looking at us. Am sure he is wondering if he had offended me with his words. But I smiled sadly at him.

Well, the thing is I had a lot going on in my life and that had made me do stuffs that I regret but never the less I have found the woman that have helped me come back to my senses so that was the old me and as for the others that you mentioned, you heard right but it only depends on whom I am dealing with.

Duke smiled and what about the business aspect he asked making me laugh.

That too, I am known to be sometimes shrewd when it comes to business.

He laughed no doubt you are mr. Green. It was nice meeting you he said, I stood up and we both shake hands again and after he gave Stacey a small wave he left. Once the door closed behind him I dropped gently on my seat.

I can't believe this, you are so right baby I said holding her hands as I looked into Staceys mesmerizing green eyes. She looked like she had something on her mind..

Tell me what is it baby? I say pulling her to sit on my laps Stacey sighed and looked at me.

I have something vital to say to you, I sensed that something was off about her making me tensed as I urged her to tell me what's on her mind cause the last thing I wanted right now was for any of this recent incidents to cause a rift between us knowing fully well how I have f****d up in the past by being a pawn to Catherine.

The incident that occured at the hospital made me forgot to talk to you about it she said looking at me.

Tell me, what is it?

After listening to what mr. Duke said about Catherine I feel that she was the one who sent me some packages at my place two days ago she said.

What Stacey said got me even more confused, what packages babe? I still don't understand you I say.

She sighed, on monday morning before I got back home from my parents place, a package was delivered at my door and Ryan was the one who took it and when he saw that it was not addressed to me nor to him and no senders name was written on it, he became curious and opened it and inside of the box held a gruesome sight she said.

Her face contorted with irritation making me wonder what it was that Ryan found inside the said box.

What did he find inside the box? I asked

She hesitated a bit before speaking. He found a dead rat with it's guts outside.

My eyes widened in shock.

What the heck, why will someone send such a thing to you I asked in shock.

She shook her head. Ryan didn't tell me about the package cause he didn't want to worry me and he thought someone was pulling a dirty prank on me. But then another package was sent to me later in the evening, remember that box we saw outside my door she asked.

Immediately I recalled the box we had both seen outside her door, I nodded I remember I said.

That box contained the same thing Ryan had seen that morning, the person sent me another one, perhaps they thought I wasn't the one that opened the first one hence they sent me another one which led me to believe that I am being watched.

Oh my God baby I say hugging her tightly, Why didn't you call me immediately, you must have been very scared I say.

She nodded sadly, I was scared but thank God Ryan was with me.

I want to be with you always baby, I love you and it is my responsibility to protect you and take care of you I say kissing her forehead.

There is still more she said.

There is? I asked I thought the worst was over.

This time a note was left inside for me and in it the person wrote that I should stay away from you she said making me instantly angry. Now this person whoever it may be, is really pressing my buttons. I stared quietly at her.

I promise to get to the bottom of this baby I say, then I ask her calmly to rise which she did confused as to why I wanted her to stand up from my laps but I kissed her on her lips and made her sit on my seat.

Was there anything else that was inside the package?I asked.

No it was just the dead rat and the note she replied, I nodded before I picked up my phone and dialled a number.

So far have the person sent you any of those packages again I asked.

No, they haven't she replied.

I nodded

The person picked up almost Immediately.

Good day boss the voice said,

I want you you to install a cctv camera to the address and number to the condo that I will be sending to you now I say.

Yes boss, he replied.

Also, I want to be able to get a notification whenever someone comes in front of the door where you install the camera and also place a camera in the whole corridor, I want to be able to know who comes and goes from there. Conceal the cctv, I don't want anyone finding out that there is a camera watching them.

I will do as you say boss, once I have installed the cctv camera I will connect the cctv camera to your phone that way you can access the footage from anywhere you are and also get notifications and get to see what happens in that house.

Good , I want it done ASAP , I say before hanging up.

Installing the cameras is a very good idea she said, I hadn't seen her get up, I must have been so engrossed in my conversation to notice her come close to me.

I held her waist, they are installing it right away, let me send them your house address I say she smiled then nodded, I immediately sent them Stacey's address and also told them to install a cctv camera outside the building. I want to monitor any sinister movement from anyone entering the building.

After texting the guy I turned to Stacey who was patiently watching me so I drew her to the couch to sit down, I sat beside her holding her hands. She looked at me.

Thank you baby she said giving me a smile.

Why are you thanking me when I am the one who is supposed to be apologizing to you. I am very sorry that you are going through all this because of me I say with guilt eating inside of me.

If I wasn't fooling around with all those women non of this would have occured I say running my thumb at the back of her palms.

She frowned, what makes you think it is any of those women that is responsible for this, why are you not suspecting Catherine she said.

Baby don't misunderstand me okay, I know that people change and that Catherine have hurt me by telling all those lies but she didn't even know you existed until that sunday when I told her about us at the restuarant and she didn't even know what you looked like not until yesterday so how could she have sent you those packages on monday morning I said trying to reason with her.

Stacey Sighed, if she didn't send those packages then who did? she asked

Baby, that is why the cctv will be there to help me catch the person doing all this and believe me I will not rest until I know who is behind this. Catherine is also a suspect cause right now I don't trust her and I will get the truth out of her I say.

Okay babe I trust you she said smiling.

I smiled too, I love you Stacey don't ever forget that. I gave her a sweet kiss which she eagerly responded to.

You wait I will make evrything right and then you and I will have a long vacation. Remember you promised to have my baby I say making her laugh.

Come on babe are you still unto this conversation of we having a baby now she asked laughing.

Why not, Once I put a ring on your finger and marry you, then you will totally belong to me.

Stacey laughed and looked lovingly at me as we both kissed again and made out on the couch.

************************

It was 6.00pm when Stacey and I left the office and I offered to drive her home in her car and had Maxwell follow us behind to her place and as soon as we got to the building I excorted her to her unit while Maxwell waited for me at the parking lot. I wanted to make sure that no more surprises was waiting for her.

We got to her door and she unlocked it and we both went inside. Her friend Ryan was not yet back. After I made sure everything was alright I took my leave and asked Maxwell to take me to the mayor's mansion where I know that Catherine will be.

Half an hour later we arrived to our destination and when the Securities saw my car, I gave my name before they opened the gate and my driver drove in, when we got to the parking lot I asked my driver to wait for me as I walked to the mansion's entrance and pressed the door bell.

The door man opened the door for me and he smiled when he saw it was me. He had worked for the mayor for many years now.

Good evening mr Green what a pleasant surprise he said.

Good evening mr. Dylan, how are you? I greeted politely.

Very well sir he responded. miss Catherine is in her room if you want to see her or would you rather prefer I send someone to call her for you he said.

I will prefer to speak to her privately in her room I say smiling widely at him.

very well then, he replied with a twinkle in his eyes making me wonder if it was the rumour flooding the internet that is making everyone act like this.

Damn I have to fix this I say to myself

Please could you ask someone to show me the way to her room I say politely.

Okay sir he replied.

Thank you.

He bowed slightly and then left and a few seconds later a maid smartly dressed in her maids uniform greeted me and asked me to follow her as she led the way to Catherine's room.

This is her room sir she said smiling.

Thank you I say then she turned and left.

I gave a gentle knock on the door and when I heard a come in from the inside I went in and saw Catherine sitting on a couch inside her wide and luxurious room. She was wearing a bumb short and a tank top and she was bare footed as she was busy with her lap top resting on her laps.

Yes tell me, what is it? she said without looking up from what she was doing.

No you tell me I say coldly making her quickly snap her head upwards as her eyes widened staring at me as if she just saw a ghost.

Then she forced a smile on her face, hey D what a pleasant surprise what at are you doing here? she stood up and walked towards me.

I folded my hands across my chest glaring at her with anger.

How dare you Catherine I said quietly and coldly to her and she stopped in her tracks.

What is going on D? what happened? and why are you glaring at me she asked innocently.

Cut the bullshit and don't even pretend to me like you don't know what is going on, how dare you f*****g lie to my face I asked angrily making her shudder.

Then she frowned, what did I lie about? she asked with defiance.

I smirked, I know you lied about your baby's father rejecting your baby and also about every bullshit you told me that day and I also know that you made a call yesterday to the paparazzi and also to have all those rumours spread online about me being the father of you child.

Catherine froze and her lips trembled with fear.

And I am asking you once again How dare you f*****g betray me like this.

She started shaking, and babbling. I am sorry Donovan I didn't mean to hurt you I swear.

Why did you lie, You and I have been friends for long and you know the type of person I am, at least I thought you knew. You didn't even spare your father and boyfriend in all your lies.

She started to cry making me roll my eyes.

Be grateful that I am having this conversation with you cause I promised Edward that I wouldn't hurt you cause you are carrying his child.

Her eyes widened in surprise, you met Eddie? she asked me holding my arms and I pulled my hands roughly away from her grip.

Don't you f*****g touch me with your filty hands Catherine or I might forget my promise and do something I will regret.

You know what, seeing the type of person you have become pains me even more than your betrayal but let me warn you stay away from me and most especially from Stacey, if you even breathe the same air with her, I will forget that I know you and I will do something that when the ear hears it will tingle I said coldly. She shuddered and took a step back.

This time tears was running non stop down her face and she was shaking.

Please D, I made a mistake but I meant no harm I just love you alot and when I found out that I was pregnant I wanted you to pay me some attention.

Can you listen to yourself Catherine, how can you deny a man the right of being a father and you told him that you will abort his baby how cruel can you be I yelled at her.

I am sorry D, I love you and I have loved you since high school, when that b***h Fiona stole you from me I had no choice but to leave and I stayed away but I made sure to know everything going on with you.

I told my father how much I loved you and he advised me to stay back where I was and build my life with the man that loved me but I couldn't do that D, because it was you I wanted. Catherine was trying desperately to wipe away the tears that fell down her face.

I am not a bad person D, I only loved you too much and I told dad to help me win you over and I guess he tried his best but it didn't seam to work and when I found out that I was pregnant with Eddie's baby I got the idea to cook up all those lies in other to be with you. I wouldn't mind if you loved me or not or if you were f*****g someone else but as long as you were in my life it was okay by me she said sniffling.

You have totally lost it Cat I said quietly.

Yes I have lost it she shouted, why can't you just look at me D, am I not pretty enough for you, what does Fiona or Stacey have that I don't have. You and I were friends long before these women why can't you love me even for a bit she asked hysterically.

You know the reason I say feeling my anger diminishing a bit.

Fuck your reasons Donovan she shouted

I could give you everything you wanted in a woman, why can't you just love me back she said quickly grabbing me and she almost fell on me, I grabbed her arms trying to steady her.

Stop this drama Catherine I said getting angry again, this won't work with me. You know fully well that I don't date those I call friends and besides I don't have that type of feelings for you. Edward loved you but you were too selfish to see it.

She glared at me and forcifully push me backwards.

Fuck you Donovan Green, the only crime I committed was loving you and you call this drama? she said with contempt in her voice.

Look Cat all that you have said does not justify the reason why you lied and also why you have been sending those disgusting packages to Stacey, she has nothing to do with all of these why drag her into it.

Catherine stared at me and I could see anger in her eyes, did your b***h say that I sent her packages she sneered.

Don't you dare call her that Catherine I shouted advancing towards her. Don't force me to teach you a lesson.

She chuckled, I only met her for the first time yesterday, how can I possibly know where she lives she said smirking, then she looked away making me suspicious.

I grabbed her by the arm, if you didn't send those packages then who did, cause my instincts tell me you know more than you are saying.

Let go Donovan don't f*****g grab me like that she said seething with anger.

Speak woman and don't you f*****g lie to me I say not letting go of her.

She sniffled, fine I didn't send any of those but I know who did she said hesitating.

Spill it out or do you want me to slap it out of you I said with a deadly voice making her flinch.

Fine, am sure Fiona sent those packages to Stacey.

What the f**k! I say releasing her arm. Why would Fiona send those to her. I haven't even set my eyes on that vile woman for a long time now.

Catherine chuckled, Oh Donovan if only you know. You see, that b***h has been unto you for a long time now and when she thought we were both dating she confronted me and threatened me to stay away from you or she would leak the conversations you and I had at that restuarant.

What! I thought I warned that b***h to stay away from me.

It's obvious that she didn't take your warnings seriously, You better watch your back D, it is not me you should be wary of, that woman is delusional and insane Catherine said.