A Naughty Proposal♡💍

Chapter 12 : Trapped

Savannah wants to give Lucas a piece of your mind and finds him emerging from the bathroom. 
Sav: "How could you do this to her?"
Lucas: "Excuse me? What did i do?"
-"Look, i don't care what's going on between you and me. I know we have our issues, and you might not even like me right now."
-"I still don't know what's going on, Savannah."
-"But i still expected you to follow through on your word."
-" But i always do!"
-"My mom and sisters are getting evicted. You went back on your word."
-"What? No i didn't!"
-"you said that you would take care of their last mortgage payment. As a favor to me."
-"And i did. Let me make a call to my accountant. I'll be right back."
While Lucas is on the call, Savannah decides to get changed. She thinks: "I should call Stacy. Maybe she cane help me out." She looks through her closet for something to wear. 
She chooses a beautiful summer flowery set, a long skirt has a slit to the waist, and a small cute bra as a top, and accessories of course. 
She thinks: "This definitely helps with my mood. And i need it more than ever now."
Before she can go call Stacy, Lucas comes back into the room. 
Lucas: "So i have some bad news. I wired the money to the bank through the corporate account. And apparently Paxton cancelled the transaction. He's cancelled all of Madison and Fitzhugh" transactions."
Sav: "what? Why?"
-"I don't know , but i', about to go find out."
-"i'm going with you."
-"You really shouldn't."
-"i can put forth some good point for the argument, Lucas. Plus, i can help you get more  information out of him."
-"Okay, i guess i can use your help. Paxton and Zia are hanging out in the executive lounge right now."
-"What are we waiting for? Let's go."

Savannah  expects to find Paxton with his new wife, but he's alone. And it looks like he's been expecting them.
Paxton: "Ah, the lovely couple."
Lucas: "What the heck, Paxton? Why are all of my business transaction cancelled?"
Paxton: "Well, you see, Lucas...these are no longer your corporate expenses. They're mine. I have taken over Madison and Fitzhugh."
Lucas: "What?"
Paxton: "Well, Fitzhugh was thinking about retiring and i convinced him to sell his share of the company to me. Since i now own his entire 51% of the shares, i'm the new controlling partener of this firm."
Sav: "Paxton, you're so...evil. You're a monster."
Paxton: "I've been called worse."
Lucas: "Who do you think you are, you arrogant little..."
Paxton: "Relax, Lucas, it's just a business. What are you worried about , Savannah? You just have to sell the ring that you stole."
Sav: "I never stole that ring."
Paxton: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Well, that's all the unpleasantness i can handle today. Ta-ta."
Sav's thoughts :"I'm so mad right now. The fact that i feel helpless makes it worse." She says: "What am i going to do, Lucas?"
Lucas: "For now, i'll wire the money to your mother from my personal account. Paxton can't touch that."
Sav: "Thank you, Lucas."

After her encounter with Paxton, she spend the rest of the day in her room. Later that, evening , Lucas informs her about an event to be attended.
Lucas: "There's a formal dinner tonight."
Sav: "there's a formal dinner every night."
-"You aren't enjoying the events?"
-"It's great meeting new people, and the cruise is pretty good. Also, seeing the glamorous like of the elite is an interesting experience. Plus, i do love the dress-ups. I could get used to that."
-"There are some definite perks."
-"But after the day we've had, i just want to relax in the room. Can't we sit this one out?"
-"Unfortunately, no. Fitzhugh is  going to be at this dinner tonight."
-"Seriously? Has he been on board this whole time?"
-"Of course. But he and his wife have been staying in one of the luxury suites-located on the other side of the ship."
-"Okay, but why is this dinner so important?"
-"They are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary. The dinner tonight is in their  honor, so our attendance is a must."
-"I'll get dressed then. Can you help me pick the outfit?"
She chooses a beautiful sexy black dress, strapless and with a slit to the waist, long black boots with heels, and shiny silver accessories.
Sav: "I really like this outfit."
Lucas: "You look so classy, Savannah."
-"All done...let's go."

On the way to the restaurant, Savannah stops by the ladies' room. She overhears someone having a rather loud phone conversation. She thinks: "Oh, it's Zia!"
Zia: "I think i've almost go them where i want them."
Savannah wonders what she's talking about. She hides in one of the stalls to listen.
Zia: "I mean, i've already planted the seeds of doubt. Lucas thinks she's fooling around with the bartender. And i got Lucas to leave her at dinner and tend to me. All it took were a few fake tears."
Sav's thinks: "I knew she could cry on cue. I always suspected she was putting on a show and lying through her teeth. And now i know for sure. How did Lucas ever fall for her act?"
Zia's conversation stops abruptly. 
Zia: "Who is there?"
Sav says nothing.
Zia: "Sorry. Thought i heard someone. Anyway, once Savannah is out of the picture, Lucas will be mine. I bet i can talk Lucas into buying a mansion in Somerset."
Sav's thoughts: "Oh, Zia doesn't know about Paxton's plan to buy out Lucas."
Zia: "I'll have the easy , fabulous life i've always wanted. Savannah will be back in Smithville where she belongs."
Sav's thoughts: "I can't take it anymore."
She waits to see if she can hear anything else. She hears Zia hang up the phone.
Zia: "you can come out now, Savannah."
Sav's thoughts: "Really? She knew i was in here the whole time."
Savannah stands face to face with her.
Zia: "Wow, eavesdropping and creeping around bathrooms. Real classy, Savannah."
Sav: "Almost as classy as trying to steal someone's boyfriend . And clearly marriage doesn't mean a thing to you!"
-"I don't care, Savannah. You don't belong with Lucas."
Zia leaves before Savannah can even respond.

She wonders about Zia as she heads to the restaurant. She takes her seat at the table next to Lucas.
Lucas: "I ordered a Shirley Temple for you."
Sav: "Thank you."
Lucas: "Are you okay? You look a little riled up."
Zia is already sitting with Paxton. They are talking to Lawrence Fitzhugh- Lucas's partener at the law firm.
Fitzhugh: "Good evening, Lucas. And who is this lovely young woman?"
Lucas: "Lawrence, you remember Savannah. She assists us part time."
Sav: "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Fitzhugh."
Fitzhugh: "Nice to see you too, and please call me Lawrence."
Sav: "Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, Lawrence."
Fitzhugh: "Thank you."
Fitzhugh raises his glass for a toast. Everyone else follows suit.
Lucas: "To Lawrence and Patricia."
Fitzhugh: "Thank you all! Here we are toasting me, and we haven't even discussed your lovely wedding, Zia. May i see the ring?"
Zia: "Umm...it was stolen a few days ago."
Fitzhugh: "What a tragic thing to have happened!"
Zia: "I am so upset about it. i just want my wedding ring back."
Paxton: "Don't worry darling. No matter what, i will make sure that the ring is back on your finger. I swear when i find the thief...i'll make his or her life miserable."
Sav's thoughts: "Oh God! I have to do something and fast."
The dinner drags along.
She thinks again: "This is really taking forever..."
Just the Zia's phone goes off, and she excuses herself. Lucas uses this time to speak to Fitzhugh.
Lucas: "Lawrence, may i ask what prompted you to let Paxton take over from you?"
Fitzhugh: "It was for the best , Lucas. i want to go fishing and spend more time with Patricis. Paxton helped me realize that."
Lucas: "But since he controls your share of the firm you do realize that he can get rid of me now, right?"
Fitzhugh: "It wasn't my intention, Lucas, but Paxton made an offer i couldn't refuse."
Sav: "Can't you come back?"
Fitzhugh: "I've already signed the papers over him. It's done. But let me talk to him, Lucas. You are a good lawyer and the firm needs you."
Lucas: "thank you, Lawrence."

After another hellacious meal, Savannah returns to her room. One thing is clear- she needs to do something about this darn ring. She need help. So she calls...Lucas.