MORE CHAOS
1543 Words
Since the phone call with my Dad concerning Ann's disappearance, I became a shadow of myself. I was more or less a ghost. When I sat behind my computer screens at the office, the words and images mashed into each other, startling me.
After long minutes of staring, I would touch my eyes to see tears. I couldn't stop thinking of Veronica. Where was she? What was she doing? Did she think about me as well?
It had been two days since she ran away, and I was just about retiring to bed— I slept way earlier these days, because I lost interest in clubbing — when my doorbell rang.
Smitty walked in, his eyes low. "I don't think she's still here in America," he said concerning Veronica. "We've literally covered every—"
"You didn't find her?" I cut in, knowing I was about to be plunged into a fit of depression. "She isn't even in her house? Her father knows nothing about it?"
"I'm sorry no, sir. We've interviewed him severally, and he's as worried as we are. She isn't taking his calls either."
And after a pause, Smitty said, "Why don't you just forget about her?" I turned to glare at him. He looked away but kept speaking. "We are not even sure if the said pregnancy is really yours. She could have —"
"Shut up, Smith."
"But that's the bitter truth, sir. There are chances she had it with another man."
"Was it with you?"
"Of course not, sir. I would never do such a —"
"I won't tell you to shut up one more time, Smith," I retorted. I wasn't going to allow any pessimistic fellow kill my joy. Veronica was pregnant with MY child. "Leave my presence, Smitty."
He hesitated, muttering under his breath. "You've fallen in love with her."
"What did you say?" I asked. Smitty was the closest and most daring bodyguard I had.
"Are you only after Veronica because she's carrying your child?" he asked, wisely avoiding the first question.
"The door, Smitty," I calmly said. This was the last point of my patience. I was ready to throw a mug into his face if he didn't leave my room this moment. He realised this and quietly left.
I stared at the high ceiling, at the azure chandelier hovering above me. Was I falling in love with Veronica? Or was it because she had my child?
I fell asleep with these nagging thoughts. The next morning, my Dad called to say their flight was delayed, and they'd return two days after. It was a relief but not very much. If my father learned what happened between Veronica's family and I, he wouldn't stop until he led Veronica's father into the electric chair. And Veronica herself wouldn't be left out. I couldn't afford losing Veronica for anything.
When I arrived at my tech company, my personal secretary, Ini, approached me with a great number of schedules lined up, complaining. "You have been absent these last days, sir, and there are leaks..."
"I am alright. Arrange the first meeting." My voice was so confident, nobody could see I was dying inside.
When the meeting began, I realized I should have postponed it again. I couldn't stop seeing Veronica's face in my head and on the faces of the board members. It was like a nightmare.
When the man sitting next to me tapped my hand, I jolted back to reality.
"We asked you a question," a man said, his voice edged with surprise and anger.
I stumbled to my feet and muttered, "Excuse me. Have to use the toilet."
I could feel their stares at the back of my neck as I staggered away. I had never believed any woman, or anything, could cost me my peace. But here I was, burning in the fire that Veronica wasn't by my side anymore.
I walked into the women's toilet without knowing, and I called Gee.
Her voice was even more curt. "What is it you want this time?"
"Please, Gee, can I at least talk to her?" I began. "I know she hates me and wouldn't want to have anything to do with me, but I really want her to come back. I can pay whatever ransome you charge."
"Veronica doesn't want to return to you, that's the problem. Swallow that in, man."
"But who are you? Why did you take her captive? Have you asked her opinion?"
"I'd have given her the phone to speak to you, but she has an important guest she's attending to with."
I felt a sudden pang of pain on my chest. "Who's the guest?"
"It's a man, yes," Gee said. I could imagine her grinning.
I remembered what Smitty said to me about the chances of the pregnancy not being mine.
But I refused to believe it. Not now. When I glanced at the phone, the call had ended. With my head low, I walked out of the toilet. I was met with a very pretty young woman. I recognized her as one of my staff.
"You are at the ladies toilet," she said, smiling. I looked around and nodded an apology. "I overheard your conversation in there," she went on. "You've been very moody these past days. Do you want a massage to help you relax, maybe?"
"I'll be fine, thank you." There was nothing polite about her concern; she was being flirty now. Lisa had a knack for this.
I turned to leave when she stood in front of me, and tried to place her hands on me. I shoved her away.
"What has come over you, Lisa?" I barked out.
"If I were you, sir, I wouldn't push me away," she said. Her eyes were dark, her poise strong. She looked like one who was aware of how much power she possessed. "I know a way to help you out of this."
I was curious. "What are you talking about? Arrive at something," I said, my voice mixed with both indifference and desperation.
Lisa winked and then sighed. With her eyes to the left, dreamily, she said: "I've known Veronica for so long. Since we were teens. I know every possible thing there's to know about her. But somehow during highschool, we separated. I never knew I'd meet her again as my boss's—"
"You are Veronica's friend? She listens to you?" I blurted out. As it stood now I didn't care about sounding desperate. If this was my chance to get my Veronica back, I'd scale any mountain to do that!
But there was a problem. It was in Lisa's eyes. She was about to come up with something.
"We ain't particularly friends" — she curled two fingers— "but she trusts me with her life. If I place a call on her, nothing will stop her from revealing her location. Should I shock you even more?"
My eyes burned out, answering her.
"Her brother, Junior, is living with my aunt. Our home is his second home. So, you see the closeness?" she said.
As I listened, I was already thinking the amount of money Lisa would demand for helping me get back Veronica.
"You'd help me," I half asked, my eyes roaming about on her face.
"Of course. But on one condition." She waited. I f*****g waited, too. As though there was a third person about to speak. My fists curled by my sides as I stared down at this woman, remembering how powerful I used to be. Why had Veronica made me so weak in the space of days? Speak, Lisa, damn it!
She looked around furtively, and leaned closer. "I want to give you a child, Mr Templeton," she said, quietly. Her face got even more serious, more earnest. "I am willing to be your woman. To birth you an heir."
"I never announced I needed one so badly," I said, suddenly disgusted by her. Who the hell told this people I needed —
"You know you do," she said, covering the space between us. Her fingers grazed my shirt, gently plucking at my buttons. "You chose to forget about your sister's mysterious death, over a mere journalist? You were promised by her father about her fertility, right?"
I took a step backward, stunned. "Who told you this?" I growled, feeling sick in the stomach. I didn't know Veronica for spilling such things.
"I'll help you out get Veronica back, but I will be your wife," she declared.
I glared at her, fuming.
"I don't think you plan on marrying that dirty poor girl, I believe," she continued. "I'm sure you know who my father is in America."
Just then there was a knock on the door. It had been sounding for quite a time now.
"Sir, the men are threatening to cancel the whole deal if they don't see you on seat," the voice of my personal secretary reasoned.
I glanced at Lisa. There was a mischievous glint on her lips.
"Meet me at De Rocks Restaurant by 6pm," I told her.
"Did you say 8pm?" she suggested, holding her chin in a pair of pinkish hands. Her eyes were two pools of seduction.
I had to agree.
- Writer
