Clean disappearance

JULIAN'S POV 

The next morning,

Sharp knocks jarred me from sleep, my eyes flung wide open.

Sir, You've been away since yesterday hope everything is alright with you, a voice came from the other end.

That was Andrew, my security guard. The duvet draped over me, I was stripped naked, dried semen was on my thigh and stomach, reflecting back to how far I'd gone.

The woman entangled in my sheet was gone, just her jacket and my clothes on the floor. It all felt strange.

She helped me yesterday, just to take advantage of my state, how could she?

Ouch!! My palms reach for my forehead massaging slowly. 

My head hurts, I murmured.

I still can't recall her face, My memory felt like a dusty room I can't see into. 

I stood by the door, squinting, trying to make out the shape of her face, but it was just all blurry.

 I can remember the feeling of it smooth, maybe a little soft but the features, the curve of her lips, the color of her eyes, they're all gone. I close my eyes and try to force it, but all I get is the blank.

My fist reaches for the door handle, I pull it wide open.

“Boss, I've been searching for you all day, and you weren't responding to messages nor phone calls,” Andrew rushed in, panicking, his forehead creased into a scowl. 

“Did you see any lady around?” I asked, looking at his face anticipating his response.

It took him 5sec for him to respond, he shook his head, “No boss”, he blunted out.

My blood ran cold.

“What could she be up to?” I murmured beneath.

“Sir you have a meeting with Antonio Russo, he sound so urgent, he's at the office right now,” he reported.

“Fuck I don't even recognise her face,” I hit my palms on my face frustrated.

“Is everything okay sir?” Andrew asked, his voice laced with concern and curiosity.

“Keep your ass close or I will blow off your head the next time you give me a distance”. I fired back at him, with a hint of blame.

He kept his face down looking at his shoes.

“Wait for me downstairs, I'll join you soon”. I instructed.

The morning dew hit my face as Andrew gripped the car door open while I slid in the back seat.

The thought of the mystery lady still wandered in my head, how could she just run off like that.

My fingers pat down the outside of my suit, starting with the breast pocket.

 My hand slips inside, touching the worn leather of my wallet. 

I pull it out, flipping it open to check for the crisp bills. 

They’re all there, stacked neatly. 

Next, I check my pants pocket, feeling the familiar weight of my keys and loose change. 

She didn't take a thing.

First it was Veronica, then my mom, now a waitress that turned out to be a mystery lady. 

This can never be a coincidence. I will make sure I get to the root of this. 

Rage runs intensively through my veins.

My phone beeped a message.

Antonio Russo: Sent a photo.

Antonio Russo: Hurry up man, I'm in your office here with the investigator. I also got some news for you, get here now or I'll leave with my news, I'm so sure you will come looking for me to know what news I've got. (Laughing emoji)

Julian: Hold man, I'm close by, I was caught up with something.

I turned off my phone, my reflection staring back at me from the side mirror.

We arrived at the company front gate, I stormed in the entrance like I was being chased by a wild animal, Andrew followed suit in a hurried motion.

I reached for the office, Andrew pushed the door open as I shoved in.

Antonio stood up, his fist clutched tight with a cunning smile on his face.

“Julian, the boss the boss,” he jokingly released his fist on my chest.

“Anto to to” I mocked his name, my fingers gently massaging my chest.

“What's up my guy?”he said, stretching his hands for a shake.

“I'm good”, I replied, ignoring his handshake.

“Julian” he grabbed my neck, holding grips of my neck under his armpit.

“Okay….okay…let go of me,” I jokingly pushed him to let go of his grips.

We both laughed.

I turned to the young lady sitting on the couch.

Her shoulders were hunched, and her hands were clasped so tightly her knuckles were white. 

She stared straight ahead, but her eyes weren't focused on anything, darting around the room as if she was searching for an escape route. 

A faint tremor ran through her, making her thin frame shake. 

She pressed her lips into a thin, pale line, I could see her trying to hold her breath, a silent plea for the world to stop turning.

“Who's she and why does she look so scared?” I asked.

“Ooh my bad”, Antonio chuckles, he walks towards her.

She is the private investigator you sent for, he spoke, she stood up adjusting her skirt, her face slightly facing the ground.

“G–Good day, sir,” she says, her voice soft but trying to stay steady. 

“I’m Vera Moretti. Antonio told me you needed… someone discreet, someone who can find answers without leaving a trail.”

She swallows hard, her eyes darting briefly to the guards at the door before meeting my gaze again carefully, respectfully.

“I, uh… I specialize in gathering information. Quietly. Efficiently. I don’t ask questions I’m not paid to ask.” She hesitates, then adds with a nervous half-smile.

“I just… hope I’m the kind of help you’re looking for.”

I let the silence stretch, just long enough for her to hear the second hand of the wall clock tick like a hammer. 

Then I push myself up, slowly, and deliberately. The chair sighs as I leave it.

Step by step, I circled around the desk until I was standing beside her. 

Close, but not touching.

 Just enough for her to smell the smoke and danger that always trails me.

“You talk like someone who understands the cost, that's a start,” I murmured, eyes locked on her face. 

“But understand this, Vera,” I went further.

“If you ever decide to cross me, there won’t be a warning, there won’t be a second chance. You disappear, Quiet and Clean.” A thin, almost imperceptible smile curls at the corner of my mouth.

“Antonio trusts you enough to bring you here. I’ll trust him… for now. You’ve got one job coming up. Consider it your audition. Don’t fail.”

Vera forces a breath in through her nose, letting it out slowly, like she’s trying to keep her hands from shaking.

She dips her chin in a small nod, not too fast, not too eager.

“Understood,” she says, her voice became quiet but a little steadier now.

 “No noise. No trail. No mistakes.” She repeated.

She glances once at Antonio, then back to me.

There’s still fear there, but now there’s something else, a spark of determination.

“When do I start?”