LOST BAG, UNZIPPED HEART

The sound of rolling suitcases, fast-paced footsteps, and the occasional voices of the airport intercom filled Amsterdam airport. Julia Grey adjusted the strap of her handbag while balancing her phone between her ear and her shoulder as she pulled her suitcase off the baggage carousel. “Yes Amber, I'm fine”, she said, sounding exhausted. “The conference was amazing and I think my pitch impressed many people.” “I knew it”, Amber screamed excitedly through the speaker. “You are brilliant, Jul. They would be stupid not to throw job offers at you, best friend.” Julia smiled but her focus was already shifting. Her suitcase felt heavier than she remembered whereas the handle felt smooth and unfamiliar. She frowned but brushed off the thought blaming it on the fatigue since it had been a long day. She maneuvered through the busy terminal with her mind already thinking about the hot shower she would have at her hotel. In all this, she had no idea that the suitcase she had just pulled off the carousel was not hers. Julia reached her hotel, checked in, and headed straight to her room. On reaching the room, she dropped her suitcase on the bed with a sigh of relief. She then reached out to her suitcase to pick up her notes and the second she unzipped it, she froze. “This isn't my suitcase”, she shouted. Her fingers brushed over the elegant fabric of the high-quality suits. No, this is someone else's bag. The contents didn't match anything she had packed. No comfortable travel clothes, no laptop, no heels. Just well-tailored suits, and a few expensive-looking accessories. She didn't need to look at the tag to know that the suitcase was not hers. She walked restlessly all over the room in confusion and disbelief. With a sigh, she picked up the phone, dialing the airline's customer service. Loyd Kingston barely saw the baggage claim as he grabbed his suitcase for his attention was fixed on his phone. He had just closed another multi-million deal, his inbox was flooding with congratulatory messages and follow-ups. Business was always a priority. The only reason he was in Amsterdam was business. No distractions, no unnecessary conversations, and no patience for inconveniences. He moved quickly through the terminal, hardly looking at the people around him, all he wanted was to get to his penthouse and finalize the details of his deal. On reaching his penthouse, he threw his suitcase onto the bed. He was too exhausted to think and too focused on the next move to waste time, but as soon as he unzipped the suitcase, he paused. “What is this?!” He groaned. Instead of his usual collection of designer suits, the case was packed with neatly organized folders, business plans, and financial statements. His face twisted in annoyance. These were not his stuff. He breathed out heavily, throwing the papers back into the suitcase with energy. He slammed the case shut with anger, and grabbed his phone to call his assistant, to help him sort out this ridiculous mixup, but, his eyes suddenly landed on one of the papers that had slipped out and something hit him. The strategies inside were detailed, well thought out, and very impressive. He was boiling in anger but he couldn't stop flipping through the papers, and each new idea looked more brilliant than the previous. Whoever this was, clearly knew business. Julia Grey, he slowly read. This was the name printed on the folder. Who the hell is Julia Grey? He muttered to himself. Loyd was used to seeing business strategies, but these were different. The ideas were brilliant and focused. They were the real deal. He breathed out heavily, throwing the papers back into the suitcase with energy. He had a choice, to either ignore the mixup and move on with his life or track her down and get back his suitcase. He was not used to things not going his way, so he called his assistant to sort out the issue. Julia was on the verge of making a complaint to the airline when her phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was an unknown caller. She picked up with a sigh, “Hello?” “You have my suitcase,” a cold voice said on the other side of the line. “Am not in the mood for games, Ms. Grey, I want it now!” Julia rolled her eyes with annoyance, “Excuse me!” “Loyd Kingstone”, he replied bluntly. “ I believe you have something that belongs to me,” he said “Listen, I don't know who you are but I have a serious problem here. This suitcase doesn't belong to me, there has been a mixup and I am trying to get it solved.” Julia responded. There was a moment of silence on the other side. Then his voice became sharper and colder, “ you have been going through my things?” he shouted. Julia’s mouth dropped open. “What? No, I have not touched your stuff,” she replied with a stammer. “I am looking at your business strategies right now,” he interrupted. “Don't play me for a fool, Ms. Grey, I know what is inside my suitcase.” He said. Her stomach twisted. Loyd’s accusations sent a chill down Julia’s spine. “I didn't go through your things”, she said forcing herself to sound calm. “I just opened the suitcase, realized it wasn't mine and was trying to call the airline, when you called in. That is it” she concluded. “Good,” Loyd said with a cold groan. “Yet my business strategies are all laid all over your room like a presentation.” Julia swallowed hard. This man was infuriating. “Well maybe if you had taken two seconds to check your luggage, we wouldn't be having this conversation.” she groaned. Then, his voice dropped to a deadly quiet tone. “Tell me where you are,” he demanded. Something about the way he said it made Julia’s heart pound fast. It was more than a demand, but rather a threat. She felt hesitant. “I’ll return your suitcase through the airline, then you can pick it up there,” she said “I don't have time for that” he commanded “I always get back what's mine and so we are settling this now, Where. Are. You?” Julia breathed out heavily. She was tired, already irritated, and in no mood to be ordered around, but before she could tell him off, he spoke again. “Or…… can I track you down by myself?” She gasped for breath and the line went dead. This man didn't sound like someone who was making empty threats. Julia’s fingers tightened around her phone. Her heart pounded against her ribs. This was no ordinary mix-up And something told her she had just made a very dangerous mistake.