Found Love When Your Gone

Chapter 4 The Shocking Invitation after 4 Years

Jonathan POV...

It's been four years but still there are things remained the same though so much has changed in this place. Also it's been four years since the plane Gertrude was booked vanished.

Those four years were already forgotten but remained in my mind, wondering if she did not booked that flight, maybe she would be here and I wouldn't have unanswered questions but somehow I survived.

I took over our company and built empires when people expected me to be weak and to collapse. I turned the mockery into profit and the messy scandal into survival.

I proved to them that being young, reckless and damaged is not a problem to become someone else. At least that's what I show people because success is a convenient disguise. It hides beautifully how rotten you are and mine began with a woman I can never forget.

Gertrude..

Every time I heard her name it burned like hell. It is like a wound that keeps on reopening and I keep telling myself I hate her!

Being the CEO, I learned a lot that we can lose and gain. It is a battle designed for any business. In those four years I lost investors and for Star Tower rose like a peacock while Lewis bled. This alone made me look the weakest and an easy target.

I was at my weakest back then and before I could confront Gertrude she vanished. Hatred was easier than asking the truth because it was the biggest weapon that could destroy us and it happened to me though the truth was just partial.

Then my father dropped by my office and tells me to prepare to meet Homer Cushe. I look at him confused and asking question, why?

Why should I meet him?

Why now that I am already settled? And why is my father acting as if this is more than a business?

"Jonathan, you should mind your manners." He said enunciating his words.

"I know you can spot him Jonathan but if not he's wearing casual!"

That's when I understand wht he meant. He screamed of the dynasty's power. He may be dressed casually walking along with the crowd but the power coming from him speaks enough. No need for words and actions. He knew how to stop and let the crowd make you pause and think with just his powerful aura.

I remember Gertrude has this power too but knew how to mask like a cute kitten. Homer is a dangerous disguised as a gentleman in my judgment because I just met him.

His smile to me was warm as if I were a member of his family. It feels uncomfortable for some reason.

The early started, included polite conversations and some business talks but mostly private. Dad never told me they knew each other or were friends. Their conversation was closer than a friend's. So I quietly sat and enjoyed my food when they changed the topic to me.

"Jonathan did you meet my daughter?" I almost choked surprised so dad replied for me.

"Oh, they were friends."

F-Friends?!

My head spins trying to digest that word while my pulse react differently like it was a heaven. Homer smiled satisfied and drop another bomb. "Good because she's coming back!" It wasn't informing me but a statement.

To my surprised I dropped the fork.

What does he mean by coming back? Isn't she dead? But instead of confirming my confusion, he dropped another information making my head spin wildly. "She still refused to model for any of our companies but chose one, the cosmetic factory and shop."

Still refused!?

I looked at my father who couldn't follow because all I know is she was dead! I clenched my fist furious draining all the color in my face. Dad didn't say anything as if he knew all along and made me look pathetic for those damn four years grieving and blaming myself.

How could they do this to me? I cried in my mind trying to calm myself when another bomb was drop.

"I heard Gideon's cosmetic proposal was rejected." He casually stated and continued eating. Dad frowned unaware of this because I was the one who handled that cruelty-free and hypoallergenic cosmetics proposal. I did brutally rejected that proposal without knowing it was hers because I forgot all about her.

Suddenly I couldn't hear the rest of the conversation as they continued chatting. The conversation becomes audible and my mind is screaming. I saw my father's face change. He averted his gaze and I can smell his disappointment.

Then Homer looked at me for a few minutes before leaning back to his chair and smiled. "Jonathan..." The way my name slipped his mouth sent personal and it was a dangerously personal that even my body shivered under his gaze.

"He loves the necklace and wanted to enter the jewelry industry." I frowned confused. I only gave a necklace to Jessica not her.

"What?" When this word escaped my lips dad froze and Homer lifted his glass for one sip that it look years moved.

"If I remember correctly she said it was given to her before she disappeared."

'No.' I keep saying in my head.

Then I saw my father frustrated while my breathing became ragged. Then he whispered, "You gave her the real one!" I felt my world collapse. I stood up violently still no recollection of what my father is telling me.

Until a cruel, treacherous memory came flooding me back and a promise whispered in the darkness including her voice: If you choose someone else… I’ll disappear.

Clouded by my anger I turned to my father. "You said she betrayed me!" My father didn't respond. Then I looked at Homer and asked. "Where is she?" Those phrases changed his posture and facial expression looking at me deadly.

He didn't respond as well instead he gave me an envelope. My name is written in Gertrude's handwriting. My hands tremble as I open the envelope. Inside was an invitation with a gold embossed and elegant design just like her but my breath hitched when I saw what was written on the invitation.

I stared frozen for a few minutes before I raised my head and met his gaze. My brain couldn't process as if it was a final blow taking my breath away.

A simple 'no' would suffice but my mouth betrays me.