The house was dark when I passed the door. I thought she had not gone to work, but it might have just come out later. I showered wondering what kind of surprise I could prepare ... maybe organize a dinner? Or put a movie she liked ... make popcorn ...
Something to say in loud and clear "I love you. I do not want to fight. Let's forget it?" Of course, knowing Laura, she would tell me the words, regardless of anything. But it would be nice to have an action prepared to break the ice.
I dried my hair and wrapped the towel around his waist. I walked across the room to the wardrobe to get a clean and everything would have been perfectly normal clothes if something strange had not ...
The dressing ...
On the side of the room ... the long table with the jewels, jewelry and makeup of Dom ...
The dressing table was empty.
Weird.
I opened one or two drawers and they were empty.
Very strange.
My head was considering the possibility of having been stolen. Sun had good jewelry. Some excellent. And I do not understand a lot of makeup, but the only time I went to buy something she thought the clerk was trying to trick me. Those things were expensive.
But the rest of my body followed for no wardrobe I thought a lot about what he was doing. I opened one of the doors on the side of Don lost in a strange feeling that something was wrong.
I would remember that moment for the rest of my life.
The empty cupboard.
Not entirely. Some pieces had been left behind, but the vast majority of things that should be there are gone. And I wished we had been stolen.
I wished that as he had never wanted anything so far.
Someone had stolen and brought in all those things.
Laura die of anger, but I hold her, call the police and I buy him new clothes in the morning. Please, that was it.
The alternative was unthinkable.
I grabbed my cell phone on the bed and typed the first number of my speed dial.
The connection to the mobile phone of Don fell right in the message box.
Phones off. I looked at the clock. It was late for hearings, was not it ... Maybe she had forgotten to turn the phone back. It has happened a few times. I pressed the phonebook button and called the office.
- Conaughy, Lawrence and Polt. - Secretary met with a formal and polite tone.
- Tessa? It's ... Gregory Holt. All right?
- Hello, Mr. Holt. May I help you?
- Yes, I wanted to talk to Laura. She still around? Or have you left?
- Laura? - She sounded confused a horrible way - Mr. Holt, ahm ... the Thoen Miss no longer works here.
There was no word in the dictionary to describe my discomfort. What the hell was going on?
- Do not work more ... Tessa, you can transfer the call to Andrew Conaughy, please?
She agreed and the hold music played for endless seconds before I heard the voice of Andrew on the other side.
- Greg! How are you?
- Andrew, why Tessa told me that Laura no longer works there?
- Now, Greg ... - had a disconcerting obviousness in his tone - She resigned today.
- She quit?
- IT IS. I also found it strange! I made about eight different proposals to convince her to stay. She's our best lawyer, you know.
- But what she said?
- She told me it was not a matter of money. I figured she had received an offer elsewhere, so I started throwing money at it up, but it seems that was not it, really. Then I thought you two were taking an extended vacation or she was working at Baxter, I do not know ... She did not say anything to you?
I could not answer.
- You know where she is, Andrew? What time she ... what time you talk about?
- In the morning, Greg. It's been a long time. I do not know where she is.
- It's all right. I'll ... I think she's the neighbor. They are friends and ... I'll hang up. Thank you, Andrew.
- Arrange, Greg. If you find out what happened, let me know, yes? I was worried. And tell Don that she change her mind, we are waiting for her.
I went down the stairs two steps at a time and just noticed that he was still shirtless when I arrived at the door, but did not care. I crossed the lawn anyway and rang the bell of Andy's house.
- Hi Greg. - She opened the door, relaxed.
- She is here?
- Han? Who?
- Laura. Laura is here?
She blinked, confused.
-. No, she said it would be?
-. I'm not looking for it.
- You lost it? - I laughed and I gave him a serious look for an answer - you fight?
- No -. I took the hands to head - I mean ... yes. But it was a silly and now do not know where she is.
- Gregory, it's still early. - She should be amused by my despair. Good for her ... - That workaholic should be destroying someone's life. In a moment it appears.
- She resigned. - I explained haltingly.
- You have received a job offer in a better place?
- Not that she told me. And Conaughy said he offered a lot of money for it.
- And yet she resigned?
- Andrea! You think I'd be standing outside the house, shirtless, desperate, talking to you if it was a bullshit? I do not know where Laura is! - I think I was crying - she resigned without discussing anything with me. Your phone is off, it is not in the office, is not here with you and her wardrobe is empty.
- She did not leave, if that's what you're thinking! - His voice was squeaky and nervous. I felt no confidence in his words. - She did not say goodbye.
- Andy ... this proves nothing.
- Proof yes! She said goodbye to the last time. When she ran like a crazy. He said goodbye to everyone. She would not leave without saying goodbye.
- Laura does what she wants. When will you learn that?
She ran out the door and across the street.
- Andrea? - I shouted.
- Come here. - called me. She was knocking on the door Thierry.
Rick opened the door and watched the scene, scared.
- Hi, uh ... what happened? - Had the crammed and confused eyes.
- You saw Laura today?
- No, why?
- Because we do not know where she is. Thierry!
He approached the door, leaning on his cane. Rick helped him come to the door.
- You want to come in? - He asked.
- No, Thierry, thank you. - Andy took my face - you see Laura? No one knows where she is.
- Laura? - I did not know him very well, but I could have sworn I saw something in his eyes - not ... I mean ... just as soon as she took the taxi.
- Taxi? - Now it was me who took the front of Andy.
- IT IS! I was sitting on the porch, my bonsai pruning and watched as she got into a taxi. bags full. I thought you were going to travel or something.
I tried to swallow, but my throat was closed.
Andrea was screaming something behind me as Rick tried to calm her, but I just went back into the house. To my phone. She was going to call, would not you? I am going to give me some kind of explanation.
Maybe she had discovered that her mother had been sick, an emergency trip would explain it. Maybe I was willing to give me a fright and make tantrum after our discussion.
Okay, Don. I'm already scared. It was horrible. You can go back now.
I sent five different messages to her. Email notifications and social networks. One time she would answer, was not it?
I put on a shirt and sat on the couch.
I was going to kill Laura.
It was bad enough when she did that to me once. But two? It's not how you solve problems, Thoen. I thought it was you who defended it: stay and settle. And do not turn your back and run.
She leaves before being abandoned.
I understand that. But why the hell she thought I was going to abandon her?
The doorbell rang pulling me from my thoughts
.
I had no patience for Andy now. It could not be the sun. She had the key.
Andy may have discovered where she is.
Oh shit.
I got up and went to the door screaming "will have" angry.
But it was not Andy. Nor any of the neighbors. Or Dom.
- Eleanor?
- Gregory! We need to talk.
- Eleanor ... - shook his head - Now is not a good time.
- It's on Laura, Gregory. I think that now is the best time.
***********
- Eleanor! I'm not patiently for much now. - I warned, as she sat - What happened to Laura?
- She left.
- Although? To where? - I looked around, angry - And you know that and I do not?
- Why was I who talked to her.
- Eleanor! - Got an angry indicator - If you did Laura go, I ...
- Calm down, Gregory! I did nothing! I just tested the girl.
- Tested the girl? Eleanor, you have one minute to tell me the whole thing or I'll kick it out of this house. That is a promise. - I hardly recognized my voice. It was a low growl and deaf hatred.
- I always thought she wanted to fool you ... I was with you for money. So, I decided to test it. I offered a few million for her to leave.
- DID WHAT? - I was going blind with rage. Losing control of my body ...
- But she said no! - He added quickly - Tore my check in half and I thought "I was wrong The girl is decent.". So I was talking to you. I imagined that he had misjudged the girl. I decided to give him a second chance.
I was able to breathe.
Right...
That made sense.
That's what Laura wanted to tell me? Talking about the absurd offer my grandmother? She did not know it was a test. I did not know what had happened. I did not know the new Eleanor posture.
- But then I discovered something.
- You found what? - I do not know at what time I had sat, but I think my legs were failing.
- I found out she was pregnant.
There is no way to describe.
It's like my whole body was burning and freezing at the same time. My heart raced, up to the throat. An uncontrollable urge to laugh and cry.
Pregnant?
I needed to bring it back home today. Enough of this madness.
Dom, please, no.
- Pregnant? - My voice barely went out. That was wrong. It was Eleanor who should tell me that. It was Dom. Or a doctor. I should be there. I wanted to kiss her, hug her and cry. Scream all night. All day. All week.
Pregnant.
And then a word ... a word.
Eleanor had a dark look when he said:
- I was, Gregory was. I found out too late. I learned that she made an appointment at an abortion clinic and went confronts her. She did not deny. And this afternoon, she took out the check. Must have united the parts that tore, I do not know ... You can look at the Baxter extract if you want. You will see the sack of five million made this afternoon.
- No -. Was a whisper - No. - Repeated, this time stronger - She would not.
- I can show you the record of the clinic. The time she scored. You can talk to the doctor if you want.
Up from the couch.
I was going to vomit.
I would vomit right there.
Do not.
No, no.
It was not true.
Sun ... no, please ...
- I do not believe. - I could hardly breathe - do not believe.
- I know it sounds weird. I mean ... she was doing it all here beside you without you noticing and ...
She was still talking. But my reasoning is arrested in his words.
Without you noticing.
The strangeness of the last days. Had she discovered she was pregnant? I was taking this decision and hiding all of me?
I'm needy.
Had she made abortion that day?
I have a doctor's appointment.
She did not want me to be.
I sat on the floor.
I could not walk or think. It hurt all.
I loved her ... loved so much.
What she felt for me ... I could not be a lie.
Could?
I stuck my face in my hands and felt someone beside me. Eleanor sat on the floor next to me and see that old and elegant woman thrown on the floor of my room made the gravity of my situation hit me at once.
It was true.
She became pregnant of my son.
She miscarried.
She accepted money to leave me.
She left.
It was that what she wanted to tell me? Was I trying to say goodbye?
I remembered the last kiss she gave me at the door. She was saying goodbye. That was it.
Andy was right: she would not leave without saying goodbye. And she said goodbye.
I could not tell if it was the fear of being abandoned, fear of being a horrible mother taking her as an example, or if she never really loved me. Anyway, it was true. She was gone. But not before booting my heart and brings it together.
I lay there on the floor of my room. Between a cry and a trance of utter sadness that I have ever felt in my life.
I would ask her to marry him in two weeks. I changed jobs to take care of our family.
And now I had nothing left.
Ended up. Everything's over.
Nothing mattered more.
I would suffer for the rest of my life.
Chapter 5
It was hot out there. The air conditioning cold breeze eluded the balcony door gap that we forgot to close when we entered the room, between kisses and hugs, passion crazy. Rushing to get rid of the clothes. I woke up first and was still drowsy watching Laura breathe at length in those last seconds of sleep. She sighed and shook her eyelids. I wanted her to continue sleeping. I went down the knuckles by her bare back. Could observe her there all day, the light hitting the curves of your body in and out of the sheets.
- I hate it when you do this. - He pushed my face away and I held his hand.
- Good morning to you too, love.
- I hate it when you watch me sleep. It's weird, Holt. - He complained, turning in bed. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her mouth.
- You hate everything.
- Do not hate you. - He laughed.
- Wow! Really? - I overdid it a false surprise.
- Sometimes. - Nipped me. The sound of her laughter caressed my ears, heating up my entire body.
I stuck my fingers through his hair.
- I love you so much. - I whispered. - So much.
She just smiled. My cell phone rang and I grumbled.
Rose answered and explained all the problems I have to solve.
But...
- No, Rose. I'm not at home. I am traveling with Don. We are in Mexico.
She kept talking and I saw Dom get too serious. I was angry because I was working on our vacation.
- Sorry love! It may be urgent.
His face was drawn with grief.
- Go solve your urgent problem. I and my annoying problems will still be here when you return.
It's a lie.
She's lying.
She goes away.
It is a farewell.
Sun rose from the bed and I realized she was dressed. A white and light summer dress.
- No love! I turn off! Look, I hang up. - I hung up the phone, but she was already on the bedroom door with suitcases behind. I ran after her and pushed the door to prevent it pass - You will not! - The voice out of my mouth like an order. Full of anger - There will not tell me why!
She cried out in pain. Hands clutching his belly.
- Sun! - I pulled away and saw the red spots pasting white tissue on her thighs. I touched her legs and felt the slimy blood that soaked - No, Dom! No! What did you do? - I was holding and could not tell whether it was love or hate what I felt. A mix of the two absolute. - No love! No! Because? - She was still standing, watching me as i
f I were the silliest creatures. I was on my knees, curled up at his feet. Was caught by that overwhelming wave of sadness again - Tell me why? - Begged - Just tell me why? Please!
I opened my eyes.
I sat on the bed, rubbing my face, driving dream.
The nightmare.
The most frequent of all my nightmares.
My room was dark and I lit the lamp before lifting. I moved that damn house to the most luxurious penthouse that I found to sell two days after Laura left, but still wake up in the night thinking I was in my old house. He walked through the dark looking for furniture that was not there and me beating others that should not be there to remind me that he was no longer in the same place. I craned my empty bed by night hand looking for her body to wake up and remember that ...
I looked at the clock on my nightstand. Four o'clock in the morning.
It ... It was time to get up. I was not able to sleep much more than that.
I had become the complete cliche: the president of the multi-billion dollar conglomerate that needs two or three tranquilizers to get to sleep a few mediocre hours each night, and wake up to clog caffeine and pouring acid on all people in an attempt to get rid of that anger that corrupts his heart and that never goes away. Never.
It was obvious that I blamed Laura. Laura blame for my lack of sleep. Laura blamed the anger I felt every day of the time I woke up the time you went to sleep. He blamed Laura knowing that I could not be happier. He blamed by Laura I became a person bitter and harsh. Laura blamed for everything.
Even by my doctor accident two months ago.
If she had not gone would have taken me to the doctor in the same second. But no ... I preferred to wait. And now, here I was recovering what had seemed to be only a burning and had turned into a temporary infertility.
I had to appreciate the irony: Laura kill my son and leaves. I have a disease and not go to the doctor as quickly as would have gone if she was with me. I'm infertile and now I can not have children.
Or at least not before several months of treatment is what says my doctor.
Eleanor would love to hear that story: the last heir Baxter can not reproduce. The end of the line.
But it was better not to worry about that sort of thing now. Especially not today, on my wedding day.
I washed my face and stared at my angry glare.
My reflection was always angry. It seemed that my facial muscles had unlearned to smile.
My Life in the End Page 9