Planned Baby novel Chapter 55

“Are you in love with Hadley?”

Nick did not answer, he just stared at me.

“Why can’t you answer me? Is that so hard to answer?” I asked him again.

“What do you want to hear from me?” Nick seriously asked.

“The truth!”

Nick sighed aloud then he looks at me intently. “Yes. I am in love with Hadley Adelson.”

The moment Hadley barge in Quen’s office telling she got the information from Nick, I knew something is fishy.

I can’t believe what I just heard right now, even though I already expecting it.

Nick was a good friend to us. And hearing this feels like I have been betrayed by a trusted friend.

“Did you approach Ulie because of Hadley?” I asked him.

Nick slowly nodded at me. “Yes. But it was not Hadley who ask me to approach you. It was my plan. You should thank me for doing it. It was you who benefited from it the most.”

My forehead creased. “What do you mean?”

“You are right. I did approach Ulie for Hadley. I wanted to know why Hadley like Ulie so much. And I also want to know why he can’t accept her. I’m sure that there is a reason for it. And I was right. It's all because of you.” Nick started to confess.

“I found out about you when he told me that he felt like he lost something. That is where he shared with me his accident. At that time he wasn’t sure if he has amnesia or what because he perfectly remember everything except the accident and the reason why he committed suicide. So I decided to investigate his past.” He added.

“I found out about a girl he was closed with. You guys were even rumored lovers way back in college. When I found out about you, I feel like I hitter a jackpot. You will be my ace to make Ulie completely disappear from Hadley’s life.”

“By having you, I can urge Ulie to cancel his engagement with Hadley. Because I can’t understand why Ulie did not oppose the engagement even if he doesn’t love her!” Nick raises his voice.

“Because of that, Hadley became hopeful of her future with Ulie! Do you imagine how hard it is for me to see the love of my life hoping for something she can never have?!”

“Do you hate Ulie?” I can’t help myself but ask.

He nodded. “Yes. I hate Ulie for hurting Hadley intentionally and unintentionally! I am willing to give the world to Hadley if that is what will make her happy but not Ulie. I know, Ulie can never make her happy because he will never love her. That is why I set the two of you up.”

My eyes widen. Set us up? How? When?

Nick smile at me as if he read my mind. “Remember the night you went to a club?”

That was the night I plan to have a one-night stand for me to get pregnant!

“What about that night?”

“I had you followed since the day I found out about you.”

What?!

“I asked Ulie to come with me to the same club you are in.” He said.

“Of course I didn't know that you are looking for a prospective father of your child. I just want to use the opportunity to bring you two together. In that way, I can convince Ulie to cancel his engagement. But you exceeded my expectation.” He said then smirked.

“So you see, I am an enemy here. You should thank me for bringing you two back together.”

I was shocked by what I heard. I can’t find myself to speak. I can’t believe that he manipulated me and Ulie.

I don't know if should thank him or not. Then a question popped up in my mind.

“Do you know the reason why Ulie lost his memories of me? Or do you know the reason behind his suicide? Am I really the reason why he wanted to kill himself?” I can’t help but ask.

I know I want Ulie to forget about our past because I don’t want to risk his life but I want to know what lead him to do something like that.

Nick averted from my gaze. “I’m sorry Ellie but I can’t. You might find me a traitor or an enemy but believe me or not, I treated you guys as a friend. And I can’t tell you about that. I wanted to protect not just Ulie but also you.”

Nick’s voice was sincere. I knew he was telling the truth. But it made me more curious to know if I was really a reason or connected to his suicide. I wanted to know it badly and scares at the same time.

“Since we are at it. I wanted to tell you something. Hadley wants me to withdraw my investment in your company.” Nick said.

I kind of expecting it. Now that he was busted. I just nodded at him.

“I’m sorry Ellie. I don’t want to do this but it's for Hadley. She hates the fact that she was the only one suffering. She wanted to make you suffer too.”

This is not loved at all. What Hadley felt for Ulie is no loved. Love is never selfish. And love does not harm others. This is a pure obsession.

Hadley wants Ulie, and she wants him more when she can’t have him. And I can’t believe that Nick is tolerating her!

“You are tolerating her Nick! That is not right!” I scolded him.

“I know. But I wanted to comfort her somehow. I’m sure that your company will not suffer from my withdrawal. Ulie has your back.” Nick reason out.

“If you do this, are you ready to lose your friendship with Ulie?” I asked him.

I know what she meant.

“That is the reason why I ask you here and told you everything. I know it's a big problem but I also wanted to cut any connection I have with Nick.”

“He is a good friend but I can’t trust him now that I know his motive of approaching me and Ulie.”

“Have you told Ulie about it?” Luna asked.

I shook my head. “I haven’t told him yet. But he will surely know about it after the news broke out.”

“I can’t believe Nick fell for that girl! I expected a lot from him!” Luna hissed.

I have the same thought but who are we to judge Nick? Surely, he saw something in her that no one has seen and for that, Hadley was so lucky. I just hope that she will learn to see and appreciate it.

***

A few days after, news broke out.

NICK HEARST WITHDRAW HIS INVESTMENT FROM CIC.

NICK HEARST GOT VENTURA CORPORATION (FORMER RV) FOR THEIR NEW PROJECT.

This headline was all over the news.

“My Quinn!”

I saw Ulie’s worried face when he entered my office room. I smile at him to assure him that I am fine.

“What the hell is this?!”

“Did you talk to Nick already?” I ignore Ulie’s and asked him about Nick instead.

“No. I went straight to your office when my assistant gives this crap!” Ulie said about the newspaper in his hand.

“Why did Nick do this? And he even chose RV for his new project!”

“Ulie don’t do anything about Ventura Corp. They are out of this. It's not their fault.” I warned Ulie.

“Then whose fault is this?!” He asked in rage.

“It was Hadley.”