La Pergola

Jaxon sat in his office, eyes fixed on his laptop as he worked diligently. A knock at the door broke his concentration. Raising his head, he saw his private investigator, Charlie, step in with a mild smile.

It was that time of the month again, and Jaxon silently hoped for good news. Rising from his seat, he extended a hand across the desk.

"Charlie," he greeted.

"Mr. Waverly," Charlie replied politely. Jaxon gestured toward a chair, inviting him to sit.

"Tell me you've got good news," Jaxon said, settling back into his chair and pulling it closer to the desk.

Charlie shook his head slowly, his expression apologetic. "It's the same, boss. There's no trace of her. Every lead just... circles back to..." He hesitated, studying Jaxon’s reaction.

Jaxon’s face tightened with disappointment, his brow furrowing. "Her grave," he finished for him. Charlie nodded somberly.

"If you want me to keep searching, I will," Charlie offered with an encouraging nod, but Jaxon’s patience and faith was beginning to waver.

Leaning back in his chair, Jaxon exhaled deeply, staring into the void. His thoughts wrestled with the weight of the situation. ‘Maybe it’s time to listen to Margaret. Twenty years, and this road has led nowhere. I’ve tried everything. It’s not my fault anymore... Maybe it’s time to let go.’

“Mr. Waverly?” Charlie’s voice pulled him back to the present.

“Yeah,” Jaxon muttered, leaning forward again.

“Should we continue the search?”

Jaxon shook his head, more certain this time. "No. I think this is where we stop." His voice was firm, resolute. "It’s been years. If she were alive, I’d have found her by now."

Charlie nodded, understanding. "Understood."

“Stop the search,” Jaxon repeated with finality, standing up and extending his hand again.

“Are you sure?” Charlie asked one last time.

“Yes, I am. Stop the search,” Jaxon confirmed.

Charlie accepted his handshake. "Alright. I’ll close things out on my end. Thank you, Mr. Waverly."

Jaxon nodded. "I’ll make sure you’re compensated for this month."

As Charlie left the office, Jaxon opened his briefcase and retrieved the old photo of Teresa. He gazed at it, emotions flickering across his face, before heading to the smaller room attached to his office.

Inside, he approached a landscape portrait on the wall, lifting it to reveal a hidden safe. He punched in the code, opened it, and placed the photo inside, next to a pistol and several bundles of 200-euro notes. After closing the safe and returning the portrait to its place, Jaxon left the room.

As he stepped back into his office, Alex entered, holding an iPad.

“Good day, boss,” Alex greeted with a slight bow.

Jaxon nodded in acknowledgment, already preparing to shift his focus to the next matter at hand.

Alex continued, his eyes fixed on the iPad. "The Chinese delegation is arriving tonight. I’ve arranged a meeting for 8 p.m. at our regular spot."

axon observed him closely, sensing something unusual in his demeanor. He seemed way too serious and strangely professional. 

"Is something wrong, Alex?" Jaxon asked, his tone probing.

Alex shook his head, still focused on the screen. "I’m fine." He resumed speaking. "The ships have arrived at the border, and I’ll—"

"Alex, look at me," Jaxon interrupted firmly, his attention now fully on Alex’s body language.

Alex hesitated, swallowing hard before finally meeting Jaxon’s gaze. They locked eyes briefly before Alex glanced away, further deepening Jaxon’s suspicion.

“You didn’t sit, and now you can’t look me in the eye? Something is definitely going on and I won’t listen to whatever you have to say unless you tell me why you are so cold this morning,” Jaxon uttered with an unwavering tone, and Alex gulped hard.

“I am just pretty tired,” He answered, still avoiding eye contact. 

Alex gulped again and muttered, "I’m just pretty tired." He avoided eye contact, and Jaxon’s eyes narrowed in skepticism."In seven years, you’ve never once complained about being tired, even when I knew you were," Jaxon countered.

Alex said nothing, his silence making the air pretty tense.

Jaxon exhaled slowly and shrugged. "That’s it. Take the day off." He extended a hand. "The iPad."

Alex clenched his jaw, reluctantly stepping forward to place the device on the desk. Jaxon watched him intently, unable to shake the feeling that Alex was hiding something.

Without a word, Alex gave a slight bow and exited the office. Jaxon’s gaze lingered on him until he was out of sight.

Reaching for the telephone, Jaxon called the secretary’s desk. Isla answered promptly.

"Come in," Jaxon said curtly, then hung up.

Moments later, Isla entered, her steps hesitant. Seeing the concern etched on Jaxon’s face made her stomach tighten.

"What did I do this time?" she thought nervously as she approached. "Mr. Waverly," she greeted softly.

Jaxon glanced up. "Did you notice anything strange about Alex today?"

Isla furrowed her brows. ‘Other than the fact that he can’t stand me? Absolutely.’ But aloud, she replied, "I’m not sure I follow, sir."

"He doesn’t seem like himself. Did he say anything to you?"

"No, sir. He and I aren’t exactly… friends," she admitted.

Jaxon raised his eyebrows, nodding slightly. "Right, I almost forgot," he murmured. "Forget I said anything. Maybe I’m overthinking it."

“Okay, sir.” She responded and turned to leave. 

Jaxon didn’t want her to just leave. He needed someone to talk to even though it was super difficult for him to admit. So he quickly thought of something to say to hold her back longer.

“Are you fine now?” He asked, and Isla raised her brows in confusion.

Isla turned back, puzzled. "Sir?"

"That day—before the elevator incident—you were crying. Are you better now?"

Her face flushed with embarrassment as she looked down. "Oh… You shouldn’t have seen that. I’m sorry," she said, her voice nervous.

"It wasn’t exactly subtle," Jaxon said gently, "but it’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you’re alright now."

Her lips curled into a soft smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Waverly. I’m feeling much better." She hesitated briefly before adding, “And about Alex—he’ll probably come around and tell you what’s bothering him.” Her tone carried a hint of reassurance.

“Right,” Jaxon nodded. “He’s taking the day off, so maybe you’ll have to step in as my PA for today,” he teased lightly.

Isla nodded, a small grin forming. "I’m up for any task, sir," she replied with a playful bow.

“Great.” Jaxon picked up the iPad, pretending to scroll through its contents. “Lunch at La Pergola,” he announced casually.

Isla’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘La Pergola? Is this where he usually goes with Alex?’ she wondered silently.

“This is my go-to restaurant, and I always have my PA with me,” Jaxon added with a sly smile, breaking her train of thought.

"Okay, sir. I’ll go with you," Isla responded, bowing slightly to mask her bewilderment.

“Great! You’re dismissed.” 

Isla turned and walked out, her mind racing. ‘Lunch at La Pergola?’ The thought lingered. She’d heard about the restaurant—famous for its exclusivity and sky-high prices.

‘How rich is this man again? Who casually calls La Pergola their go-to restaurant?’ she mused, shaking her head in disbelief as she made her way back to her desk.

*

Alex got home after about an hour on the road and slammed into his bed. He wasn’t tired, in fact, he wasn’t close to being tired. 

He was bored and needed some excitement, especially now that he believed that Jaxon had all the time to be with Isla… again. 

He pulled out his phone and with a loud sigh, he opened the dating app again and began to swipe. 

“If only I could find someone like him… or someone as cute as Michael,” Alex muttered to himself, his mind drifting to the charming bartender he’d almost spent the night with. Michael’s smile, his quick wit, and the way he looked at Alex had been impossible to forget.

It had been days since their encounter, but Michael remained a stubborn fixture in Alex’s thoughts. Maybe it was guilt—he knew Michael probably hated him now or just still didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s feelings… yet. 

"If only he could just... fuck without saying he liked me," Alex muttered bitterly, swiping left on yet another face.

All of a sudden, an idea popped in his head. ‘Maybe I can string him along—keep him around just enough to kill whatever feelings I have for Jaxon.’

The idea felt cruel, but it also felt like relief to his unrequited love for Jaxon. Determined now, Alex hit the search bar and typed in “Michael.”

Hundreds of profiles popped up.

“Great,” Alex grumbled, but he wasn’t discouraged. He cracked his knuckles dramatically, "I don’t have work today anyway."

The hunt began.