CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: THE NOTE

Christy’s POV

I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that Mason had told me about. I told Kendrick as soon as I got home last night.

He promised to ensure my safety and swore that no one would be able to harm me or our child.

The thought of Piper being free with all the hatred and anger she has towards me made me worry, I would have been calmer if I wasn’t pregnant.

But I know just how vicious she is and how she tried to kill me without batting an eye.

I had tried to push it aside, to pretend like everything would be fine just like Kendrick said but I keep having this feeling that something bad was about to happen.

With so many enemies vying for my life, there was no way I could be relaxed.

Kendrick had left for work early, kissing the top of my head, his hand lingering on mine for a moment before pulling away.

"I will keep you safe," he murmured calmly as he must have noticed my unease and yet... I still couldn’t calm down.

The apartment felt too quiet and I wasn’t feeling quite comfortable with being alone at the moment.

So, I immediately got dressed and prepared to go over to my family’s house and spend some time with my mother instead, and it can also help me get my mind off things.

My phone suddenly started ringing and I grabbed it from the table to see who was calling.

I stared at the name flashing on the screen in surprise.

Curtis?.

Why was he calling me all of a sudden? I can’t even remember the last time I saw or spoke to him, so it was weird to see his call.

I hesitated for a while, as I thought of the possible reason for the call but I couldn’t think of any.

He has helped me a lot on several occasions, protected me when Celeste and Raina schemed against me, which I am very grateful for, but he was also Kendrick’s biggest competitor, he thrived on power and influence, and also had his eyes on the company and I couldn’t ignore that side of him.

I swallowed hard before tapping the screen.

"Hello?" I said calmly.

"Christy," he said with a calm and friendly voice.

"I want to meet you, there is something I need to discuss with you, something important." he said with a slightly serious tone and I frowned.

I wanted to say no, but then I decided to just hear what he wanted to say that was important.

"Fine, where are we meeting?" I asked him calmly.

"XX Cafe, it isn’t too far from Kendrick’s apartment." he replied swiftly.

I agreed, slipping on a light coat over my sweater as I had to see him. I owed him that, at least, for the past favors, for the times he had saved me when others schemed against me.

The cafe smelled of roasted coffee beans and warm pastries. Sunlight spilled across the polished wooden tables, and soft music was playing in the background.

Curtis was already there, sitting in a corner booth with that familiar air of confidence that made him impossible to read. He smiled when he saw me and waved a hand at me.

"Christy," he said, standing slightly as I approached.

"You look amazing" he said but I saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes when he looked at my baby bump but he quickly masked it.

I nodded, returning a measured smile. "thank you."

He gestured to the seat across from him. "Please, join me."

I slid into the booth, keeping my body language neutral. I was only here because of his help in the past.

Curtis knew me well enough to see through any false pretenses, so I kept it simple.

"How have you been?" he asked with a calm voice but with that unmistakable edge that made me wary.

"I have been great," I said curtly.

"Kendrick has been taking great care of me." I added with a smile.

He gave me a soft smile while maintaining his smile. "Good, he seems devoted, which is quite rare."

I also gave a small smile, but didn’t relax. Curtis leaned in slightly, his voice lowered and more serious. He definitely wasn’t here for a casual conversation.

"Christy, I didn’t ask you here to talk about Kendrick," he said, his eyes had an intensity that made me avoid looking into them, as he seemed to be scanning mine.

"I need your help with getting a major construction project" he finally revealed and I frowned as I wasn’t sure if I could help him with it.

"I want you to help me talk to your father, Mr Lancaster, he is the head of the committee in charge of the project" he explained when he noticed my confused expression.

I froze when I finally remembered the project he was talking about. My mind immediately went to Kendrick as he was also going after the same project.

I didn’t need to think twice to know what he was up to, why would he be trying to get a project that the company is interested in.

"I can’t," I said finally with a frown.

"I can’t do anything that would go against Kendrick, I can’t help you secure this project. He is already involved, and I... I won’t betray him." I said firmly.

Why would he secretly be trying to get a project when he is part of the company? He is definitely going against Kendrick and the fact that he felt I would help him is really crazy.

Curtis’s smile faltered for a moment, his gaze became sharper.

"You can’t? Or you won’t?" he asked with a frown.

I stiffened and sat up straighter.

"I won’t, It’s not about if I can’t, It’s about loyalty and Kendrick has my loyalty." I said firmly.

His eyes darkened, studying me like I was a puzzle he wanted to solve. "And why exactly? What’s so good about him? You really think he is with you for you, Christy? Or is it... for the Lancaster influence?"

I felt a sudden rush of anger and I immediately glared at him.

"Kendrick loves me and He promised to protect me and our baby. That’s all that matters and You don’t get to question that, Curtis." I said angrily.

"Promises? He hasn’t even married you. He didn’t commit fully until he found out your true identity, Isn’t that the truth?" He leaned back, and said slowly, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

I could feel the rage rising like a wildfire inside me. "You don’t know him!"

"You never understood him, Curtis and you never will! So stay out of my life!" I snapped angrily.

His smirk disappeared, replaced by a calculating glare. "I’m only trying to show you the truth. One day, you will see that I was right. But that day isn’t today."

My hands shook with anger as I pushed back from the table. "I don’t care, we are done here and this conversation is over."

I stormed out of the cafe, the noise of coffee machines, conversations, and clattering cups fading behind me.

Every nerve in my body screamed in anger and I could feel my blood boiling.

Outside, the sunlight was harsh and I had to close my eyes for a moment before adjusting to the light.

I tried to steady my breath while trying hard not to think about everything Curtis just said.

He just had to add to my anger and restlessness.I wonder what gave him such an audacity to call me out of the blue and tell me to ask my father to help him after all the evil things his mother and sister did to me in the past.

And then, a small, sudden movement caught my attention.

A little girl, no older than seven, ran toward me, holding a folded piece of paper in her tiny hands. She handed it to me with a blank expression, and then disappeared down the street as quickly as she appeared.

I blinked, staring at the paper, my heart hammering in my chest and my fingers trembled as I unfolded it carefully, the words on it burned into my mind as I read them.

"See you soon my darling big sis... Little sister misses you"

I froze and the paper slipped from my hands and my stomach lurched.

Piper!

Her name echoed in my head and fear flooded through me. My eyes scanned the street frantically for any sign of her as my pulse pounded in my ears.

Piper was back for revenge and she was watching me from the dark.

The world suddenly felt darker as Mason’s warnings, Curtis’s confrontation and Kendrick’s promises intertwined in my head, but they were all irrelevant compared to the threat standing in the dark right now.

I shoved the note into my pocket as my hands shook violently, my chest felt tight with dread and adrenaline.

I have to tell Kendrick, but how did Piper find me so quickly? And why now? The questions spiraled in my mind relentlessly.

I forced myself to take a shaky breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I have to inform Mason as well and someone must be helping her because she can’t just locate me in less than a week. The city wasn’t so small for it to be called a coincidence.

I knew deep down that I had to face her, because running wouldn’t protect me and definitely wouldn’t protect my baby.

My chest heaved with a mix of fear, rage, and determination. I would do everything to protect myself, Kendrick, and our baby.

I will make sure Piper pays for all the pain she caused me.