Chapter 6: No connection
1017 Words
Alex paced the length of his office, glancing at the latest report from his investigators. Weeks of work and endless resources hadn’t brought him any closer to finding the woman he’d met that night five years ago. His jaw tightened as he scrolled through the report, frustration building with every line. He knew this woman existed—she wasn’t a ghost. Yet, every time he thought they’d found a lead, it faded away.
Why was it so hard to find her? The men he hired were the best in the industry, and their skills had gotten him through plenty of complex deals and sensitive cases. They should have found her by now. But despite his network, his money, and his relentless drive, the search seemed almost impossible.
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The drive to his grandfather’s estate took longer than usual due to heavy traffic, but Alex didn’t mind. He looked forward to these visits. Grandpa Liam had raised him after his parents passed away, instilling in him values, work ethics, and a love for the family legacy that ran deep. The elder Grey had a calm, wise way of looking at the world, one that Alex greatly respected and appreciated.
As he walked into the living room, he found his grandfather sitting by the window, enjoying a view of the garden he loved so much.
“Alex, my boy,” Grandpa Liam greeted him warmly, standing up with open arms. His embrace was strong and steady, despite his age. “To what do I owe this visit?”
“Just needed some fresh air—and to see my favorite person,” Alex replied, smiling.
They settled into chairs near the window, and after some small talk, Grandpa Liam gave him a knowing look. “Something’s troubling you. I can see it in your eyes.”
Alex sighed, unsure where to start. “There’s…someone I’m trying to find. Someone I met years ago, but she just disappeared.”
“Hmm,” Grandpa Liam mused thoughtfully. “Sounds like she left quite an impression.”
“More than I realized, I guess,” Alex admitted. “She was there one moment and then gone. I didn’t even catch her name, but…” He hesitated, rubbing his temples. “There’s something about her I can’t let go".
His grandfather nodded, absorbing his words. “So this girl… is she one of those girls begging for your love and attention..and what about Sophia?”
“No.” Alex gave a half-smile, rolling his eyes. “I’m only with Sophia because she needed the attention, the ‘fame,’ as she called it. There’s no real connection there, and we both know it. If anything, she’s just using me as a stepping stone.”
Grandpa Liam chuckled. “That sounds like a complicated arrangement.”
“It is,” Alex said with a sigh. “But I suppose it’s easier than the real thing. I’m only with her because it’s convenient. I don’t feel anything for her. Not like… well, not like I felt that night five years ago.”
Liam studied his grandson thoughtfully. “Feelings have a strange way of lingering, especially if they were real. Maybe there’s more to that night than you think.”
As they spoke, footsteps echoed from down the hall, and Alex’s sister, Evelyn, appeared. She’d overheard part of the conversation and gave him a disapproving look.
“Still obsessing over that girl from five years ago?” she asked, crossing her arms. “It doesn’t make sense, Alex. She was probably just some girl looking for easy money. Why waste your time trying to find her?”
Alex frowned. “I don’t think she was just ‘some girl,’ Evelyn. And I don’t appreciate you jumping to conclusions.”
Evelyn scoffed. “And what about Sophia? You’re still dating her, aren’t you? She’s good for you, Alex. She understands the lifestyle, she fits in with our world.”
He rolled his eyes, frustration building. “Sophia is there for her own reasons, Evelyn. She likes the fame and the perks. You know well more than anyone the reason why I'm with Sophia. There’s no connection.”
“Maybe you just need time,” she said dismissively. “And to let go of this obsession with a girl who doesn’t even want to be found.”
Alex held back his response, unwilling to let his sister’s negativity ruin the peace he found with his grandfather. Instead, he turned back to Liam.
“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about,” he said, switching gears. “I want to start a new fashion line. Something dedicated to Austin. He was the creative one, and this would be a way to honor his memory, it's been more than a year now since he died.”
Grandpa Liam’s eyes softened, and he reached over to place a reassuring hand on Alex’s shoulder. “That’s a wonderful idea, Alex. Your brother would be proud of you. Starting a business is no small feat, but you have my support. And as for the other business, don’t worry. Enzo will keep it running smoothly.”
Alex smiled, comforted by his grandfather’s words. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure if it would be the right time, but I feel like I need to do this for him, and for myself. I want to create something meaningful, something that will last.”
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As the sun began to set, Alex said his goodbyes to Grandpa Liam and Evelyn, who seemed slightly less judgmental after hearing about his new business idea. The weight of the conversation lingered with him as he drove back home. His grandfather’s words, steady and supportive, gave him a renewed sense of direction.
Finding the woman from five years ago was still important to him. There was a pull he couldn’t explain, a sense of unfinished business. Yet, there was also the thing he's feeling for Mia which he can't wrap his arms around.
He hoped finding the girl would be a way to stop this obsession with Mia.
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