“Listen to me carefully: do not leave the airport until her plane is in the air. Do I make myself clear?” He ended his call and looked over to me.
“Well?” I ask.
“Ms. Mitchell’s plane is on the runway and waiting to take-off.”
“How much longer before it does?”
“It should only be a few minutes, and then Torrance will call me back. Can I fix you a drink while we wait?”
“No amount of alcohol is going to help right now, Miles. He’s waiting on my call, and then phase two will begin. Is everything in place and ready to go?”
“Yes, sir. Once your partner is satisfied, then he will make the necessary transfer, and you can put this nightmare to rest.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Miles. The nightmare is just beginning… for Walker.”
My lawyers’ phone buzzed once again. “Jacobson. Has the flight taken off? Excellent. That will be all Torrance. You can now return to your post.”
I looked over to Miles, whose facial expression confirmed what I already knew. I couldn’t bear to hear the words; it would only solidify what I had committed here today. I ruined two lives, one being my son, and the other, Reese Mitchell. The woman he loved and who had captured his heart. I am a selfish man, this I know. I now have to make the call that will seal my fate with my deal that I have made with the devil.
“Phillip, I’ve been waiting for your call. Is it done?”
“Yes, she’s gone.”
“Define gone?”
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to do. The girl is gone, now let’s finish this.” I was clearly getting angry at this point, but my partner was not satisfied with my answers.
“Reed, why are you being so vague with me? I asked you to explain yourself and yet you haven’t, why?”
“I am not trying to be invasive here. Per my instructions, she was delivered to J.F.K. Airport and taken to her gate. My man waited for her to board her plane, and he did not leave until the plane was up in the air… Satisfied?”
“Yes, I am. I will allocate the funds immediately, and the investigation will be closed and sealed forever. Just remember, Reed. Your part in this is not concluded yet. You still have to get Walker to California. He needs to begin his future as your new CEO of Reed Global. And of course, he needs to marry my Elizabeth.”
“All in due time, Henry.”
“No, his time has run out. It ran out last fall when he walked into your home with that girl on his arm. I’ve waited long enough and so has my daughter. You know what to do, Reed.”
I pressed the intercom to my driver up front.
“Ralston, take me back to Reed Global.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Miles.” My lawyer looked up at me, waiting for me to speak.
“I’ll take that drink now.”
I CAN’T BELIEVE I’ve been here for more than three hours already. This is not how I envisioned today to be. As soon as my father arrives, I can return to my angel who probably is up by now. I promised her breakfast, but now it’s way past lunch. I’m sure she will forgive me once I get down on my knee and finally present her with her beautiful ring that is burning a hole in my pocket. I would have proposed weeks ago, but with all of our traveling we have both done, and then having to deal with the whole Milan clusterfuck of a trip.
I hated to be mistrustful of her, but her drunken ass of a best friend led me to believe that she may have cheated on me. I was out of my mind, and then of course, I lost my head and argued with her. Freddy later explained what truly happened and I was beside myself. I didn’t know if I should board a plane and bring her home, or wait for her to return to me. My second choice turned out so much better, she was completely taken by surprise, and we made love for days after our happy reunion.
I’m happy I waited to propose. My girl is not going to see this coming. Yes, she knows I plan to ask her. However, what she didn’t know is that Lila, her grandmother, gave me the ring that will now be Reese’s. The morning we left Georgia, Lila asked me to take a walk with her through the meadow. The same meadow that Reese and I had just made love in the night before, under the moonlight. I tried to focus on what she was saying, but my mind kept drifting back to Reese. Then her grandmother took my hands and cradled them in hers. She said to me, “Walker, I know you are a good man and love my granddaughter. Take this ring, and when you’re ready, please present it to her. Tell her the story behind it.”
Lila had told me that the ring belonged to Reese’s mother. It was given to her by Daniel, Reese’s father, and Lila’s only son. It was an heirloom piece from their homeland of Ireland. Daniel always knew that Susan, Reese’s mother, was the love of his life. He wanted to give her a ring that signified their forever love. Susan and Daniel were separated the summer before they began their senior year of high school. That was the summer that Daniel traveled with his parents to Ireland. His grandmother, who adored him, gave Daniel her ring for his love. This would be the last time Daniel would ever see his grandmother again, but he cherished the time they had spent together. She always wanted this ring passed down to her only grandchild. Daniel didn’t know at the time, but accepting the ring would ultimately play a part in my future with his daughter, Reese.
I knew from the moment I saw her, somehow it would lead me to this moment. Not in a meadow with her grandmother, but the moment when I asked her to marry and be mine, forever. Lila hugged me and wished us well. I never had that type of closeness with my grandparents, or my parents for that matter, but I welcomed it with Lila and Thomas Mitchell.
I opened up the tattered box, and it sparkled back at me. This ring is breathtaking, and it holds so many memories behind it. I wonder if Reese will even remember it. She lost her mom at such a young age, and who knows if she wore her engagement ring the entire time she was married to Reese’s father? No matter, this ring belongs to Reese, and with Lila’s blessing, I had some minor improvements added to her ring. I’m lost in my thoughts, when Ralston walks in to greet me.
“Mr. Reed, your father has just phoned, and will arrive here shortly.”
“Well thank you, but I need to be leaving. I located the missing files that caused the chaotic morning the IT team had, so now if you don’t mind, I have somewhere I need to be.” I go to leave, and this giant blocks my path to the door. “Ralston, what the hell? Step aside or I will go through you.” Yeah… fat chance of that happening, but it sounded good in my head. This guy is built like a building.
“Mr. Reed, have a seat, and wait for your father to return please.” He enunciated every word very slowly, telling me that I had no choice, but to wait.
I took my seat, as he also sat down. I decided I would use this time to try and get some information from him. “Ralston, I need something cleared up for me.”
“Yes sir, what might that be?”
“Why were you to pick my girlfriend up at school, and bring her to meet with my father?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Well, I’m giving you permission to speak like the dog that you are, and tell me what I need to know.”
“I was simply following orders. I do not know why she was requested. I was only to deliver her to Mr. Reed.”
“She’s not a fucking package, Ralston. She’s a person who I happen to be in love with, and don’t you ever go near her again. Do I make myself clear?” I stare down the giant before me and show no fear. He doesn’t break eye contact with me, but simply answers my question.
“Yes sir, understood.”
I practically knock my chair back when the door opens, and my father bristles in with Miles Jacobson, his lead lawyer, and friend.
“Hello, Walker, thank you for coming down here today. I hear we had a problem in the server room? I take it all has been resolved?”
“Yes, it has. Some files were not in their proper locations, and I managed to locate them and store them correctly. Everything is set for the transfer next week.”
“Father, I have been here the entire morning and now most of the afternoon. Whatever you need will have to wait until tomorrow. My girl is waiting on me, and I need to get home to her.”
“Walker, why don’t you just phone her and explain that you have matters of business that require your attention. If you are to be CEO of my company, then surely you better get used to this.”
“Father, let’s not forget that it’s our company, and I will be CEO of Reed Global. That’s something you need to get used to. Have a nice day.” The look on my father’s face was priceless, but the bastard had it coming. Now home to Reese, where I belong.
I TRIED CALLING Reese on her cell phone, but kept getting her voice mail. I also tried calling my apartment, but again, no answer. I wasn’t worried; she was probably in the shower or listening to music. Reese is a fan of Bach and Alessandro Marcello. For her Christmas present, I gave her the complete works of their music library to her. Reese nearly knocked me over when she discovered what the box contained. To me, it was just CD’s, but to Reese, it meant everything.
I stopped to pick up flowers and dinner for us. I can’t believe I had spent the entire day away from her. Why hasn’t she called me? Even this surprises me, but I shrug it off. What I needed to take care of at the office could have waited, but, Dennis, our in-house genius was frantic and needed to be calmed. Arriving at my building, my doorman hurries over to me to collect my bags that I’m carrying. I wave him off and hurry to the elevator. As the doors close I see his head hung low avoiding eye contact. Strange? He usually is so welcoming with me, especially since my family owns this building. I shrug it off and tap my foot in anticipation. I can’t wait to see my girl.
I enter my darkened apartment, and feel a sudden chill in the air. Geez, Reese! I would have thought the fireplace would have been on. I flick on the entry way lights, and see no others on. I call out to her. “Reese, baby where are you?” No answer back. I place her flowers and dinner on the table and search for my girl. I look in all the rooms on the first floor, no sign of her. Calm down man, she’s here somewhere. I make my way up to the master bedroom taking two stairs at a time, calling out for her. “Reese, are you here?” I enter my bedroom and find the bed still a mess from our lovemaking the night before. She’s not here. Where is she? My chest begins to hurt and I look to my armoire where Reese keeps her things, but it’s completely baron. What the fuck!
Why would she empty the cabinet? I go to my walk-in closet next and find the same. Everything that belonged to Reese has been removed. I get this sinking feeling inside of me that something is terribly wrong, but what? I left her sleeping soundly, and if something was wrong, why didn’t she call me? Okay Walker, calm the hell down. I will simply call her, and find out where she is. I sit on her side of the bed and reach for the phone, but my eyes find a letter instead. It was a sealed envelope with my name on it, and in Reese’s handwriting. Oh please God, please God, this can’t be happening. I just know my worst fears are about to come true. Trying to get my breathing under control, I take some deep breaths and pull myself together. This could be anything, calm the hell down, and man up.
My hands are shaking, but I manage to open the envelope and I see her beautiful handwriting, but my eyes also focus on the dried tear drops on my stationary. It reads…
Your only choice? What the hell! No reason to stay? I’m your reason, Reese! Why? This can’t be real. This can’t be happening. I fall to my knees clutching her letter to my chest, and now my tears are falling. No fucking way am I letting her just leave me and with only a note to say goodbye. This doesn’t make sense at all, and I have to find her. I fold her letter into my pocket and immediately leave in search of her. I take the stairs not wanting to wait for the elevator and I almost collide with our doorman, Warren. He knows something, he has to. This is why he acted strange when I entered the building earlier.
“Warren, have you been here at your desk the entire day?” I ask him.
“Yes, sir, I have.”
“Were you here when my girlfriend, Reese Mitchell, left?” He looks like he is about to throw up, he’s hiding something. I can sense his body language. “Tell me right now, or your ass is fired.”
“Sir, forgive me, I was here. Ms. Mitchell left hours ago. I helped her into a cab, and she drove off.”
“What time exactly, I need you to remember.”
“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t. The lobby was quite busy today, and I was needed elsewhere.”
“You just told me that you helped her, and now you say you were elsewhere. What aren’t you telling me?”
“Sir, I only meant that I was busy with many tasks and I don’t recall the time, but I did assist her.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I am ready to lose my fucking mind. Where is my woman? I take a breath and look back to my very apprehensive doorman.
“I don’t have time to sort this out right now, Warren, but I will be back. Something is not adding up and believe me, I will find out what it is.” I turn away from him and run like my life depended on it. I’m so frantic that I leave my car behind, and run to Reese’s apartment. I arrive to her place in Washington Square, where I see a small moving van. I enter her apartment to find it completely cleaned out. I call out for her again and again, but I am only answered by an older man who I recognize as Freddy’s uncle.
“Young man, can I help you?”
“Mr. Mackelstein, do you remember me? My name is Walker Reed. I’m a friend of your nephew, Freddy? And my girlfriend, Reese, shared this apartment with him.”
“Yes, of course I remember. I’m sorry son, when you get to be my age, you tend to forget sometimes.”
“It’s quite alright. Can you please tell me where Reese is?”
“I haven’t seen her, son. I stopped by to pick-up some mail for Freddy, when I found this.” He handed me an envelope with keys in it and a note simply saying that she will not be returning to the apartment, and it can now be rented out. Her note sounded so final, as if she was not returning. None of this makes sense.
“Mr. Mackelstein, have you spoken to Freddy? Surely he must have known about Reese giving up the apartment.”
“I’m sorry, Walker, but all I know is that Freddy is in Europe, and the last conversation I had with my nephew was very different than the one that is taking place right now.”
“Which was what, sir? If you don’t mind me asking.” My heart was beating at a rapid pace, I felt lightheaded and needed to sit. Freddy’s uncle must have sensed it, and offered me a bottle of water and a seat on the stoop. The apartment had no furniture left in it, not one picture on the wall, no sign of my girl. “Please, sir, what do you know?”
“I spoke to Freddy right before he left for Milan, and he told me that your girlfriend would be moving out soon and be joining you. Once that happened, I was free to rent out the apartment. I wasn’t expecting to find this notice of departure. The apartment was cleaned and her belongings removed, so I called my guys to pick up the rest of Freddy’s things. I’m so sorry, son, but that’s all I know. I’m all finished here. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?” Freddy’s uncle asked me with concern in his voice.
“If you don’t mind sir, can I have a few minutes alone here?”
“Of course, just please lock up on your way out.” With my head in my hands, my world was falling apart around me. I picked myself up, and walked around the now empty rooms. I found myself in her bedroom. I can smell her perfume that lingers in the air. I breathe it trying to savor every bit of Reese.
“Where are you, baby? And why did you leave me?” Why did you run? My silent cries now turn to loud sobs and my knees buckle. I have no more strength, and I just fall to the floor. After what seems like forever I get up, my feet weak beneath me, and I feel like I can’t breathe. I have to find her. I know exactly where to look.
I hail a cab and pay the driver an extra fif
ty to drive as fast as he can. I enter my building to find my father waiting for me… and speaking to Warren.
“Walker, there you are, son. Where have you been?” Wrong time to fuck with me father. I feel the anger rising up within me as he stands there smugly.
“Why in the hell is that your business? I have somewhere I need to be.” I ignore my father’s calls and hurry to the elevator, shutting him out. I pull down a bag from my closet, and throw in the first pieces of clothing my hands find. I need to get out of here and find Reese. I enter my living room to find my father and Ralston waiting on me.
“What in the hell are you doing in my apartment? And why is he with you?” I snarl at my father.
“Walker, your door was open. Ralston is my driver; it shouldn’t be a mystery why he is with me.”
“Father, I don’t have time to play twenty questions with you.” I look to Ralston who is blocking my way, again! “Step aside, or I will move you.”
Ralston is enjoying this way too much at my expense. He speaks…“Walker, you’re not going anywhere.” Oh hell no! Try and stop me. That’s exactly what the big ape does, he blocks me again, and this time I stumble back. Fuck this. I take a swing at him, almost breaking my hand, but it does catch him off guard. I almost make it to the door, until he hauls me back in.
“Get your fucking hands off of me!”
“Calm down, and I will.” Shouts Ralston.
“Call off your dog, and let me go.” I shout at my father, but he doesn’t even blink. What the hell is going on?
“Son, please calm down and let me explain. I was simply stopping by on my way to meet your mother, and I find you in this state.”
“Ralston.”
“Yes sir?”
“Release my son.”
He does exactly as he is instructed to do. Yup! The bastard is enjoying this way too much. Ralston retreats to a corner of the room, as I turn to speak with my father.
“That’s just it, Father, why would you be just ‘stopping by’ when you knew I had plans with Reese tonight? I told you back at the office that I had somewhere to be, so why the visit?”
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