Five hours later.“We’ll keep an eye on this and let you know about any news.”Nikolai tried searching to look for Belle everywhere, at a nearby park and apartments, and even knocked at some doors. Nothing.“I get that she might want some time for herself, but she never leaves Liam alone here for a long time. She would never do that. Something's not right.”Aubrey was right. Something wasn't right. They asked for the CCTV footage, and they saw Belle frantically walking outside. Her hands were shaking, and she looked like she was sobbing. There were no security cameras in the hallway, so they had no idea if someone tried to invade her unit.“God, Belle. Answer the goddamn p
7 years later."Sir?" Their new housekeeper's voice was audibly shaking. Before she could even speak, Nikolai massaged his temples.Another bad news. He could easily tell."Yes." The housekeeper stiffened with Nikolai's cold tone. This one wouldn't last a month."Liam's school called. Says they would like to invite you for a talk.""Invite me? Or require me to talk?""I don't know, sir!" The lady immediately panicked. Nikolai felt bad knowing it wasn't her fault. He had been bombarded with an unusual amount of workload lately, and on top of everything, he was Liam's father.Being a single father is hard."Don't worry. I'll give them a visit. Thank you," he said, but she didn't move. Liam raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to say something more. Her tongue seemed stuck with the amount of panic she was experiencing."Actually, sir, they also want to inform you that Liam will be transferred to another class. And that this will be a warning. T-they want you to look for another school i
“Nikolai, it's after office hours. Wait until tomorrow. There's nothing we can't prove with just a phone call anyway.”What Preston said made sense, and Nikolai knew that too. It's his fault for not thinking things straight and for not being rational. He had simply, for lack of a better word, had gone insane.“What are you still doing there?” Preston asked Claudia, who was sitting quietly in the corner. “Why are you here anyway?”Claudia rolled her eyes at Preston. They only met a couple of times, but every time they do, it's a clash of personalities that ends up with rolling of eyes or throwing insults.“Because of this.” Nikolai arranged the documents and put them inside an envelope before handing them to Claudia.She smugly stood. Loud stomping sounds can be heard from her heels. As expected, Preston rolled her eyes.“Lacie always puts you on a pedestal. I never understood why.”“You know Lacie?”Claudia nodded and checked the contents of the papers. “She used to work as my father's
The woman’s eyes twinkled as she smiled. Before Nikolai knew it, he was reminded of how Isobelle’s eyes would twinkle whenever she would laugh. It’s impossible to ignore when she looks exactly like Belle. Maybe it’s his memory that is deceiving him, but the resemblance is really uncanny.So, this is how it is supposed to be. He thought, seeing Liam talk to the woman. If only Belle had not disappeared suddenly, the three of them could have been a happy family.“Daddy!” Liam paused talking with his teacher to call Nikolai.He even found it harder to move now that both of them are looking in his direction.“Come!” It was his son's cheerful voice that brought him back to reality.The closer he was, the clearer it got. In Nikolai’s head, it is already established. This woman is Isobelle. It’s the only explanation that made sense.“Hi. I assume you are Mr. Laurent?”She offered her hand for a handshake. Unlike Belle, she had much shorter hair that didn’t reach her shoulders. And her smile,
“From the moment I saw you with your composed look and practiced smile, I knew you were bound to lose your mind and it’s only a matter of time.” Nikolai took a quick glimpse at his calendar just to make sure that he had no prior appointment with Claudia. Yet, she was proudly parading like it was her birthright to be in his office, in the middle of the day, unannounced. He still had a hang-over and for some reason, the whole thing triggered his headache; Claudia’s voice and attention-grabbing appearance with that green suit with a neckline that was as low as it could get. She might as well go straight into a fashion show. “What is this about, Claudia?” “I should be the one asking you that question.” In her little bag that could easily pass as a wallet, she got her phone and showed Nikolai a text message that said: ‘Merry me?’ “Are you cringing?” Claudia examined closely Nikolai’s reaction. “You should be because I am intentionally showing up late at my shoot to see your reaction in
The night when Preston was drinking with Nikolai…“You’re getting married?”Preston stopped Nikolai from taking another gulp of alcohol. The guy is totally wasted. There were no tears in his eyes but it’s red and swollen, as if the tears were caged and the next drop of alcohol would make him completely lose his composure. This has become a familiar scene after Belle disappeared.He couldn’t blame his friend. He may not show it often, but he still thinks of Belle all the time. He still checks the news and gets in touch with the authorities for updates. Sadly, there was none. Even then, he is still hoping that one day, his phone will ring and he will receive good news.Nikolai let go of the glass and started typing on his phone.“You’re drunk, Nikolai. You’re drunk again. This is getting out of hand. I’m starting to think that you are only inviting me so someone can drive you home.”“A part of me was still hoping that after all these years, Isobelle would come back. Just like that. And
At this point, Preston is already anticipating that certain feeling of regret whenever he ends up in the same bed with Claudia. Never in a million years did he plan to have any sort of relationship with the woman he claims to hate just for being who she is, basically, her annoying self.“For fuck’s sake, Preston. Shut up.”Preston glared at her. Claudia’s eyes are closed and if she wouldn’t utter a single word, she’d look at peace. “What do you even mean? My mouth is shut and I am not saying a single word.”“I can tell what you’re thinking of with the way you breathe. You're screaming with your thoughts. If you were me, you’d be equally annoyed. I’m telling you.”Instead of moving away, she moved closer to Preston’s side of the bed. “What was I thinking then?”“I’m tired. Let’s talk some other time when we are fully rested and not naked underneath these sheets. Business is meant to be discussed with clothes on.”Preston can even tell that what she said was a lie. Heck, he doesn’t eve
“How would you like to celebrate your birthday this year, Liam?”Liam stopped chewing his pancake and paused to think. He looked effortlessly adorable that Nikolai couldn’t help but smile. It was like looking in front of the mirror, seeing a younger version of himself. Liam’s birthday is only a week away and he wants to throw him a big party if that is what the kid wants. His usual birthday requests are traveling somewhere or a simple birthday dinner. Liam does not want to make a big deal out of his birthday. He wasn’t making friends at school and he doesn’t talk much to kids outside of school too. Thankfully, his new school environment changed him for the better.“Daddy, remember when my classmate Max invited us to his birthday party at the park?”Nikolai nodded. He wasn’t the one who accompanied his child at that time because he had an emergency meeting. It was the first time Liam wanted to go to a birthday party and he wanted to come with him too, but ended up going with his nanny