She's a ghost

CRISTIAN

The knock on the door snapped me out of my funk. I glanced back as the door opened. It was my secretary.

“Sorry to disturb you, Sir, but Mr. Joe just arrived.”

“Send him in.”

She bowed and left. Seconds later, Joe, my best friend stepped inside.

“Hey man,” I greeted with all my gloominess and went to sit on my chair.

He chuckled. “Why do you look like you got hit by a fucking truck?”

“Wasn't I hit by a truck?” I retorted with an exhausted sigh. Hit. Slapped. Stolen from. Abandoned. By a damn sexy truck.

“She can't be that big of a deal. Also, I'm beginning to think she's a fucking ghost.” He said, settling into one of my leather seats.

My anxiety increased. “Why?”

“Because no one knows her whereabouts, man. The private investigator got nothing. I had some of my friends crash some nightclubs in the city and still found nothing about her. It doesn't help that we don't have a fucking picture of her.”

“Those people in that nightclub where I picked her from. What did they say?”

“They don't know anything about her. Turns out she's some part-time worker who comes and goes as she pleases.”

“They don't know anything?” I sounded like a broken teenager. “Not even her name?”

“Right. Uh, Nina. That's what they know her for. But man, let's be fucking honest. A bitch who disappears as she does wouldn't give them her real name.”

He's right. But I couldn't help but hold on to the one thing I know about her aside from her face and body. Nina.

Nina.

A fucking sexy dancer who gave me one hell of an erotic night and disappeared with my cash, watch, and necklace. All of that cost nearly a billion.

Now I want them back. But most importantly, I wanna see her again. For all the fucking wrong reasons.

She did something to me that night. She unlocked a side of me I never thought I had. A rude, possessive side.

I swear to God, I'm a very principled gentleman. But that night, I was far from that. Something about all the men in the room ogling her turned me into some possessive beast.

And I knew I had to have her. At all costs. And I did. But God, I'm struggling to move on. She's stuck in my head. I can't breathe past the thoughts of her. It's agonizing. I need her to undo whatever spell she cast on me that night.

I need her…God, I fucking need her. Again. One more time. Just to feel sane again.

“But you know what's funny? Your luck, man. You've got such dirty luck.” Joe was laughing now.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you've never had any bitch since Emily passed away. You've been fucking celibate and the one time you try to have some fun, you end up with a bloody femme fatale.”

“Tell me about it.” I groaned, throwing my head back. It's been a week of endless thoughts, anger, and regrets. It's beginning to give me a migraine.

“How about we go out tonight? Get a drink. And you shake off this depressed aura you've got.”

“No, thanks. My daughter's coming home. I need to be there waiting for her.”

“Aaliyah? It's been a while since I last saw her. She didn't come home last Christmas.”

“No, she didn't. She took pity on me and decided to come home this year. I was truly looking forward to having ample father-daughter time with her. But then she had to ruin it by telling me she's coming with a friend. Now I don't feel so excited anymore.”

“What friend?”

“I don't know. Some roommate of hers.” I rubbed my weary eyes. “But it's cool. I guess I'll have to put up with the extra guest.”

“Do you want me there too? I could keep the extra guest company.” He gave a slimy smile.

“You're a disgusting perv. The kid should be 22. That's almost twice your age. Get a fucking grip.” I said, standing up and grabbing my coat.

He stood, laughing behind me as I left my office. “C'mon, man. I was kidding. Loosen up.”

“We both know you weren't kidding. But then again, I don't think the kid will be interested. Alliyah said she's shy and reserved. Definitely not your type.” I pressed the elevator button. He likes them wild and bold.

“Nah. Definitely not.” Joe scoffed with a disgusted face. “But I still wanna come see Aaliyah. It's been so fucking long.”

“Sure. You can come. I bet Aaliyah would be excited to see you too.”

“She definitely will be.”

We stepped into the elevator, and I took the time to give myself some prep talk.

I haven't seen my daughter for almost a year. I should look like a happy Daddy when I see her in a few minutes. And that can only be possible if I say goodbye to the thoughts of the little witch who stole from me.

It's impossible to forget her. But for today and the rest of the days my daughter stays for holidays, I'm gonna try not to think about her…Much.