"Achille." I bark into the phone. "We have a problem." "I am aware. I just got the phone call from the people on that side." He break in. "I have them all waiting for you in the conference room. Where are you?""I am in my office." I close the door behind me out of habit before taking a seat behind my desk, opening the laptop at the same time. "Join us on the call." I end the phone call to resume our conversation over the screen where I can actually see the people responsible's faces. "Boss." Antonio quickly stand up in a manner of respect when he greats me and the others quickly follow, but I wave them down not wanting to waste any time on formalities, while they should be finding Mia's mother. A sense of urgency filled the room as I scroll my eyes across the meeting room which is already filled with the faces of some if my most trusted advisors and investigators, all ready to piece together the puzzle of Mia's kidnapping."First things first.
The last few rays of sunlight cast a sillouhete of Mia as she sit with her back towards me when I enter the living room. I could feel the tension filling the air as I near her. I was used to the fact that she could sense when I entered the room, but it usually wasn't glittering with anger and pain. I have been hiding in my office most of the day, making phone calls and sitting through hours of footage to make sense of anything that we are missing on that fucking tape, but most importantly because I couldn't face Mia without having news for her. The mere thought of letting her down pains me to my core, but I know too well that this conversation has been long overdue, like a brewing storm waiting to explode.Silence spread between us for what felt like hours after I sit down on the loofa opposite the couch where she is seated before Mia finally found her voice, her words laced with accusation. "How could you, Ben? How could you just sit there and act innocent when my mother got kidnappe
The morning approached and without any sleep I know that I needed my energy, but sleep just do not want to come for me, instead insomnia tortures me as I lie in bed contemplating if going to New York myself and leaving Mia alone was the best idea. The possibility of Achille going and me staying behind sounds much more appealing, but even after last night... especially after last night, i know that tension between me and Mia was not going to be the same and I am not yet able to give up what we have. I need to make things right, myself. I decide softly moving away from Mia who is sleeping peacefully in a manner to not wake her, but I fail. "Stay a little longer." Her voice is muffled by the pillow as she blink her eyes a few times fighting her sleepiness. "I cant." I whisper while she sits up in the bed quickly pulling up the duvet to cover her naked body reminding her where she had been last night, I bet. "Why dont you go back to sleep?" I watch her as she rubs at her eyes like a tire
My heart sunk as I enter my home, exhausted and irritated from the wasted time due to the canceled trip. "Mia?" I call out the moment I step through the front door. I know that she had to be in the house and couldn't go anywhere, but I needed to hear her voice, but she doesn't answer and I was not surprised at all when I discover her in the bedroom, hastily packing her bags. She did after all promise me to be gone when I came back and I know her to be one to put her words to action, but I approach her anyway. "Mia, what's going on? Why are you packing?"She freezes for a moment, her eyes visibly red from crying. She sniffle and repy, her voice strained, "I'm leaving, Ben. I'm leaving because you walked out that door." She remind me again. Now she is just overreacting. I shake my head, trying to gather thoughts and hide the amusement on my face."Mia, I didn't exactly leave. The trip got canceled." My words seem to fall on deaf ears as Mia continue to pack, tears streaming down her face
"Fuck!" I slam onto the sterringwheel of the car as the clock struck midnight and I race through the dimly lit streets of the city on my quest to find Mia. I have given her my card and my car, but she left in the morning and I did expect her to actually be back at this time. Concern etched into every line on my complexion, I couldn't shake the worry that nibble at my heart or the unwelcome thoughts of what might happen to her, after all she is mostly unfamiliar with the city's streets and she has only gone anywhere escorted by either me, my mother or someone that worked for me. Yes, she occasionally go to the nearby shopping square alone, but the City at night is something way different. My mind flash back to the frantic call I received from my security team earlier in the evening while I was using al my energy to gather information on where her mother was, when they informed me that they had found my car, the one I gave to Mia, abandoned in the shady part of town known for its crime
My life was begining to feel like dejavu. Everyday I worked on finding Mia's mother and every night I worked on finding Mia, somewhere drunk and behaving like a fucking teen. I was so sertain that we had a small break through last night, but I guess I was wrong, I shrug taking in a deep breath to start my newly found nightly routine... Again. I approach bartenders, bouncers, and fellow clubbers, desperation driving my inquiries. But no one had any information about a drunk or sober woman matching Mia's description. The night turn into early dawn as I continue to scour every corner of the city. The initial adrenaline dissipated, but my will remained unyielding. I couldn't bear the thought of Mia out there alone and not in full control. Usually by this time we have found her. With weary steps, I find myself back in the district where Mia''s car has been found. Despite the dimly lit streets, I push forward, fueled my love for her. My heart aching with every step, imagining the worst-case
I was on my way to where the men on my security team said that Mia's mother is located when I received a phone call from Achille who told me to wait where I am, he had something important to share and that one of the teams already did a sweep at the location and it came up clean. Just another abandoned warehouse found. At first I did not want to pull over and I did not see why I should, but I couldn't fight the nagging feeling inside the pit of my stomach that forced me to stop and that is exactly why I am currently standing at the edge of the highway with my heart pounding inside my chest, threatening to break free. And my mind racing with worry and frustration as I pace up and down next to my car with my hands in my pockets, waiting for the arrival of my brother and Tomasso, who I entrusted with the duty of protecting Mia.The sound of approaching footsteps grow louder and I turn to face the men walking towards me, their solemn expressions speakin volumes before they even uttered a
The mere frustration of being unable to locate Mia is about to drive me out against my own office walls. That I am trapped here while I have to rely so heavily on my trusted security team for assistance is completely and totally Achille's plan of keeping me out of the way. And maybe to prevent me from starting to kill everyone that looks at me wrong. How was I supposed to concentrate on work when I sat here doing nothing while Mia is missing? "Ciao." I talk into the phone ringing unexpectedly, shattering the tense silence in the room surrounding me and my heart almost skip a beat when I recognize the caller ID; Tomasso, with trembling hands and a small glince of hope I answer the phone, my voice full of desperation. "Tomasso, what news do you have?" I ask anxiously, my voice choking with emotion and my heart hopeful of the idea that they found Mia."Ben, we have found Isabelle." The words echoe through the phone receiver, bringing both relief and urgency to my heart and mind."Where i