CHAPTER 4: REGRET.
1355 Words
GEORGE.
TWO WEEKS LATER.
“Useless!” I snap as I watch the sixth private investigator leave my office with zero result. “Completely useless.”
I mean, how hard is it to find one woman in a country, with all the access and resources I have made available to them.
It shouldn't be this hard.
But they keep coming back with useless results.
“They can't be all that bad, can they?”
A knock in the door answers my question before it is pushed open and Archie walks in.
“Hey,” he greets as he takes a seat. “Another dead end?”
“Yeah. Can you believe it? Not even a single clue. Not one! That doesn't make sense!”
“Hmm, it does, if there is someone pulling the strings behind them.”
“Huh? Wha- you mean, Genny?”
“More specifically, her father. He must have been greatly insulted after your parents kicked them out of the house and severed all ties with them both private and business wise.”
“Well that is not my fault! They should have tried not to be such despicable human beings!”
“I know right. Anyway, because of that, they have got a lot of insults and disgrace from some companies, organizations, restaurants etc. The news has spread. Everywhere.”
“Great. Just what I needed.” I muttered. “So, you are sure, they are the ones manipulating the private investigators?”
“A hundred percent.”
“Well, I am just going to handle that , then.”
“There is no need to do that. Instead, continue hiring them, the Pi’s.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Well first of all, it will make them continue burning money by outbidding you.”
“But then I wouldn't be any closer to finding Deidre. I had gone to her hometown and she and her family had moved. No one knows where they are. I am desperate here, Archie.”
“I know, trust me I do. And as I was saying, the second reason is to keep them focused there.”
“Be clear, Archie.”
“I have already hired an organization, proficient in this sort of thing. They will find her, I promise. “
“Really! Are you for real?!”
“Yes, I am. So, just continue to do you, while our money works for us.”
“Archie,” I gasped out in gratitude. “If you do this, if you can actually find her, I will owe you my life.”
“Don't be dramatic. Seeing you happy is enough reward for me. What are friends for?”
I get up and give him a big bear hug before escorting him out of the company. I watch as his car drives away and turn back when a shrill voice catches my attention.
“George! George! Over here! Don't ignore me!”
I look over to see Genny being blocked by three security men as she desperately waves and screams to get my attention.
“What the hell?” I mutter as I head over there.
“What. Are you doing here?!” I snarl at her.
“I came to see you,” she answers with a sweet smile. “Look, I brought you lunch.”
Wow.
She is really demented.
“Genny, you leave here right now, or I will call the police. Your father will have to pick you up from jail.”
“Come on, George. How long will you keep this up? We have a wedding to plan. And besides, you still can't try to find her. Do you really think she would want anything to do with you?”
The bitch
“Whether she wants to or not, that is between me and her. You have no business in our matter. Get her off my property,” I order the men. “And the next time she gets this close,you can kiss your jobs goodbye.”
“George. George! You can't ignore me forever! You and I are meant for each other!”
I don't bother looking back as she is towed away from the property.
“The next time she approaches, call the police. Have the legal team charge her with harassment, stalking, trespassing, everything they can think of,” I say to the receptionist before heading back to my office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With a depressed sigh, I knot my ties as I prepare for another day at the office.
Each day, I look forward to being woken up with news of Deidre and each time I am disappointed. I feel like I am this close to being depressed.
I am taking a gulp of my morning coffee and reading the paper when I get an email.
Mildly curious,I open it and it takes me a while to realize what it is
And address.
Deidre's address.
She is in Arizona.
Coffee forgotten, I rush out of the house to where my secretary is waiting by the car.
“Good morn.....”
“Have the chopper ready for me the moment I get to the company,” I ordered him as I got in the car.
“Of course. Right away sir. What destination?”
“Arizona. Also, have a car ready to pick me up at this address, I say as I hand him the phone.”
In less than thirty minutes, I am up in the air, heading to another state.
It pays to be rich.
From the safety of the rented car, I watch the house in trepidation, trying to muster up the courage to go knock while still hoping to catch sight of her.
“Come on man,” I mutter. “You have wanted this for weeks.”
No, years. If I am being honest with myself.
I have wanted to see her for years.
I have wanted to go back to her the moment I had driven off and watched as she faded from my rearview mirror.
Oh, how I wish I had.
But no more wishes.
She is right in front of you, no more hiding.
I take a deep breath before pushing the car door open and with feet that feels like it has laden with bricks, I walk towards the house
It is a quaint little thing
A small bungalow, with peach colored walls, blue picket fences, a small but well kept lawn.
Quiet, peaceful, serene.
Like Deidre .
I arrive at the front door and with one more indrawn breath, I ring the bell.
The sound sets off a whole series of sounds from inside the house.
First is the barking of a dog, followed by a loud squealing, hurrying feet and then the familiar voice.
“Stop running, damn it!”
Deidre.
She still sounds the same.
Minus the harried and exhausted tinge to it.
I hear the steps reach the door before a series of barking sounds signaling that the dog is right there
It doesn't stop, almost like it is calling for her to hurry up.
Thanks doggy, I don't think I would have been able to ring the bell again
“I am coming, I am coming! Stop barking at me, you mad dog.”
With wide eyes, I watch as the door knob twists and opens, revealing Deidre in all her ethereal beauty.
For a few seconds we both just stare at each other in shock, both of us unable to believe our eyes.
“George.”
“Deidre.”
“Mummy?”
The sound is enough to draw my attention to the child that she is carrying.
A child.
Mummy?
I feel my heart shatter in my chest before my brain catches up and makes a connection.
The green eyes on the boy, his tousled silver blonde hair, his mouth,
everything about him looks familiar.
So familiar, it is like looking in the mirror.
“Deidre?” I call out shakily. “Is …I he my son?”
A beat of silence and then
“What do you think?”
- Writer
