Chapter 0006

GEORGIA, ATLANTA 2017

~DAMIAN~

"Yes, Mr. Winters, how are you?”

“I’m doing well, how are you, detective?”

“I’m also well, how may I assist you today?”

“My wife is missing.”

“Sir, Mrs. Winters is missing?”

“No, she’s not missing... I mean, we had a misunderstanding, and she’s nowhere to be found,” I explained. Why did he even care?

“Oh, alright, sir, maybe she’s with her grandmother, or...”

“No, she left the country, I just want you to find out which country she went to.”

"Okay, that’s simple. I can go to the airports with her information, and I’ll easily find out the country, but for that to happen, we need to have a case against her, the ports don’t give out personal information unless we have a case.”

“I understand, tell them she departed with my assets,” I thought quickly.

"Sir, that can be..”

“Just do it, detective, or are you tired of your job? You know I can..”

"Understood, sir. I’ll get back to you before the end of the day.”

“That’s what I thought,” I said and hung up.

Just as I sat in my chair, I heard a soft knock on my door.

“Come in,” I said, and the person walked in. It was Jane. I ignored her as I searched for a document in my drawer.

“Mr. Winters, you have a meeting with Mr. Fosters at three, I’ll come ten minutes before to remind you. Do you need anything?” 

“Yes, if Cassie calls, tell her I’m in a meeting.”

“Alright sir. Miss Cassie called earlier, she asked me to remind you to go back for lunch.”

“Alright about that. When she calls next time, tell her I went for a meeting.”

"Okay, sir, anything else?”

"No, that will be all, you may go,” I said absentmindedly as my sight fell on a little squared image. I felt my heartbeat, then I stood up and put the little image in my pockets.

I started to exit my office, and I met Jane at the receptionist.

“Clear my schedule for today.”

“Sir your…”

“I said clear it!” I yelled, and she nodded.

"Alright, sir,” she said, sitting back in her chair.

As I exited the firm and entered my car, I drove at a fast speed, not minding the traffic. It only took me ten minutes to get to my destination.

“Mr. Winters, good morning.” Most employees greeted me as I walked in. I just nodded, my focus was to find Lily. I didn't even bother to pass by the receptionist as I walked straight to her office.

“Oh, you don’t even know how to knock?” She complained as soon as I entered.

“Why should I when I own the building?” I said, and she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, what do you want? If it’s about your girlfriend, I’ll have the one under me contact her about the day she starts and everything.”

“It’s not about Cassie.”

“I’m confused,” she said, unpleasantly batting her eyelashes.

“I see what you’re doing, I’m still your boss.”

“Well, here we’re not talking about the company, right? Don’t forget, I’m your friend too.”

“It seems you're forgetting that you’re just on Sierra’s side, you don’t even want to consider my feelings in this matter.” I tried to manipulate her.

"No, Damian, you know it doesn’t work like that. I always stand by the truth.”

“I know, listen, I fucked up, okay. I just need to know where she is.”

“No, Damian, You didn’t fuck up. With the way you mistreated her all these years, she never once said a word against you, she has been by your side despite your ill-treatment. Who will stand and cook for a man who loves someone else? She doesn’t get the right to decorate her own home, she stands in a space decorated in another woman’s style. That’s Sierra, because I, or any other woman out there wouldn’t. Even with that, she still stood by you, and now your ex is back after what she did to you, and you throw divorce papers at her face, the mother of your unborn child? Not even the dumbest person will do that. I know Cassie is my friend, but with this, I stand by Sierra.”

“I know, I’m sorry, I just...”

“I’m never telling you where she went, you can fire me or torture me, but you need to learn a lesson,” she sidestepped.

“Consider our friendship.”

“I could, but what’s making me furious is you asking her to abort the pregnancy that I’ll never forgive. You don’t deserve her, Damian, you don’t.”

“Lily….”

“I’m currently busy, if you have nothing relating to the company to say the door is that way,” she said, pointing at the door.

“You’re asking me to leave?”

“Yes,” she said and looked away. 

I could unquestionably terminate her contract considering that the company belonged to me, but I didn't want to lose a friend and the only person connected to Sierra, so I obeyed her and walked out.

“Mr. Winters,” the employees all started greeting me again as I walked through the company corridors. 

When I got in my car, I realized the sun was already setting. I took out my phone, and I saw that I had missed over twenty calls from Cassie. I played her voicemail.

“Damian, I don’t know what’s going on with you. I went to your office and didn’t find you there. Jane told me you went to a meeting, but I doubt it. That’s fine, but I’m giving you an hour to get home, otherwise, you will not come find me here.”

As the voice message ended, I started my car without hesitation and drove in the direction of my home. It didn't take a long time before I found myself inside my apartment. 

Roses, soft music in the background, and a fresh scent. I stopped in my tracks as I looked around, and my eyes fell on Cassie. She was just in red lingerie, seated on the floor. She was looking at me with disappointment written all over her face. Then my eyes fell on the bottle in her hands.

“Cassie!” I screamed and ran to her side. I forcefully took the bottle from her hands.

“Let me drink,” she said in a sluggish tone.

“No.”

“Why? Why should I not drink? I recently got divorced, and the love of my life is busy chasing another woman, what am I supposed to do?”

“That’s not true, I’m here.”

“You were not here before, you were busy searching for her. You didn’t even care that I was here all alone.”

“I'm sorry,” I muttered.

“Sorry does not solve it. Okay, what if you’re sorry? What happens tomorrow? You will still leave me here feeling stupid and chase after her.”

"No, I won’t.”

“You’re only saying that now, what happens when you start missing her? I understand you’ve been with her for years, it’s not easy, but do you think it’s fucking easy for me too?” 

She shouted, and I started to realize how much I'd been hurting her.

“Are you trying to punish me for last time?”

“No, no, I’ll never do that. Listen,” I cupped her face, and she stared into my eyes expectantly. “I’m going to be the boyfriend you want. I think I just lost my senses for a second, but I’m done. I’m done chasing Sierra. You’re my true love. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“I was scared, I thought…" She started to confess, but I placed my finger on her lips to stop her from saying any more words.

“Let’s get you to bed,” I said as I carried her bridal style. As I walked up the stairs, I realized the dinner she planned. 

‘I will make it up to you,’ I made a mental note. 

My phone started to ring, but I didn't give it much thought.

After I had placed her in bed, I took out my phone and realized it was the detective who called minutes back. I dialed his number back.

“Mr. Winters I found the location of Mrs. Winters, she's in…”

“Please don’t tell me, I’m not interested anymore. Thank you for your trouble.”

“I understand, sir, but she’s in...”

“Don’t tell me anything that has to do with Sierra, okay?” I made it clear, and as he understood, I hung up. Just then, my phone rang again, and I realized it was an unknown caller.

“Damian, I see you divorced your little wife. I should give you that, but don’t forget the deal, you still owe me.”