Chapter 9

If there was one word that you could use to qualify Jack in that instant, it was stressed out. It was a first for him. Jack was an extremely confident man. He had built his confidence right from childhood and it was basically unshakable.

But as soon as the detective had called him to say he had news of the girl, it was as if all that confidence had left Jack’s body. It was weird. And it might sound dumb that he was searching for someone whose face he didn’t even remember clearly. But Jack couldn’t explain it. Even though he was drunk and most of the memories from that night were fuzzy, he had felt some sort of connection with her.

It was really stupid. But Jack was not the type to go around having sex with people he wasn’t in relationships with. And for him to have brought her back to his apartment? It meant she was something special. He couldn’t just let her go like that without even trying to meet her.

He couldn’t remember the last time some had actively occupied his brain like this, and for such a long while. And that was why he was determined to find her. If he found her and the connection ended up being a fluke, he would know he had tried at least. But if he did nothing to find her, his mind wouldn’t let him rest.

Jack walked into the same cafe he had met the detective the last time. He might not have noticed it, but his energy was powerful and he gave off an arrogant vibe. Jack was in the part of town where rich people were not very appreciated and the looks of disdain people threw at him was just as a result of the way he looked.

Jack didn’t notice. And even if he had noticed, he wouldn’t care if he was being honest. That’s what he meant by his confidence being unshakable. Jack was at least a head taller than most people so it was easy to spot Geralds sitting at a secluded corner in the cafe. Jack was glad for the spot the detective had chosen. At least, they would have privacy and he would be able to say all he wanted to without the thought of it being in the tabloids the next day crossing his mind.

Jack’s strides were long, and in no time, had reached the other man. This one stood when he came to the table and they shook hands, then both sat again. Jack was pleased to notice that this time around, Geralds did not seem as intimidated. But he wondered how long that would last. The last time they had met had almost been a disaster. You would have thought the man would be able to hold his own since he was a detective. Jack was hoping this time around, there wasn’t going to be as much fumbling.

“Geralds,” he said in his deep voice, not bothering with any formalities.

He noticed that the detective had ordered a cup of coffee and was drinking it. Jack noticed the waitress coming towards him but he waved her off even before she could get to the table. If he had wanted lunch, he would have invited the man over directly. No, this was business and he wanted to get the information he had paid for.

“Knight,” Geralds said and Jack raised a brow. It wasn’t that he was against people using his name. But this man had done nothing to earn his respect. And so Jack didn’t think he had the right to use his given name yet.

With Jack’s raised brow, Geralds amended his words, “Mr. Knight. Good to see you again. I hope you are doing well.”

Jack fought the urge to face palm. He leaned towards the detective and was impressed that this one didn’t cower. Jack had been told he was intimidating when he needed to be and he wasn’t really surprised. So he was shocked at Geralds’ boldness.

“Geralds. Do I pay you to give me information or I pay you to exchange useless platitudes with me?” Jack asked in a deadly whisper, one he knew would reset the man’s brain and bring back the professionalism that he was supposed to be showing.

There was a tight smile on Geralds’ face. The man cleared his throat, then said, “Information sir.” It was clear that the man wanted to retort so bad. But Jack had the upper hand. He was the boss here.

Usually, Jack wouldn’t take advantage of his power like this. But he was getting pissed at himself for his obsession with a girl he had seen once in his life, and as a result, he was getting pissed at Geralds, even though this one had done nothing wrong. The problem was, Jack wanted to know all he could about the girl and maybe even meet her so he could get over this fucking obsession.

“So what information did you find?” Jack asked after Geralds had given his answer.

“Not much. But I managed to—”

“Did I just hear you say you managed? And you didn’t find much?” Jack asked, leaning back in his chair. “Just tell me one thing, did you ‘manage’ to find the girl?”

“I didn’t, Mr. Knight,” Geralds answered.

“So why didn’t you start with that first? And I was told you are the best. Why in the hell haven’t you found her yet?” Jack was getting annoyed.

“The footage wasn’t clear enough,” was the detective’s response.

“I was told you were the best, Geralds. I didn’t think that would stop you,” was Jack's response.

“There are some rules—” Jack interrupted Geralds again.

“Rules? Do I pay you to follow my rules or their rules, Detective Geralds?”

It was obvious that the detective was already sick of Jack. And it was a mutual feeling because Jack was wondering who the hell recommended this man to him. He was supposed to be the best in his domain, but he kept making blunders like some fucking rookie.

“You pay me to follow your rules, sir.” The sir was gritted and it was clear that it had pained Geralds to say it. Jack didn’t give a fuck.

“So why the fuck are you concerned with their rules, Detective?” Before Geralds could answer, Jack continued, “You have three more days.” Then he stood, threw a couple of bills on the table and walked out of the restaurant.

When he got to his car, he sat in there for a while, wondering what kind of fucking trance had come over him. He was getting worked up about a girl whose face he didn’t even remember. He could have anyone he wanted, anyone who was easily influenced by wealth, good looks, power or one of the above. So why the fuck was he obsessed with this one girl?

Jack sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. He didn’t need this stress. He had an important board meeting coming up. And instead of preparing for it, he was here, screaming at detectives who couldn’t do their jobs properly. He needed to cool down and stop stressing. If he ended up not finding the girl, he would just have to accept it, no matter how intrigued he was.

***

Landon stared at the bills Knight had thrown on the table. This was the first time in his entire career that he had let one man get the best of him like that. It was not easy for Landon to cower to anyone, and after the first meeting that had almost ended up in a disaster, he had promised himself that this one would be better.

But knowing that the girl Knight was looking for was the girl he was in love with and had been for years? It had made his confidence take a big hit. Because he knew. No matter the fantasies that he wanted to make in his head, he knew that if it came down to Knight, who was the father of her baby, and him, a friend she considered family, Ana was going to choose Knight.

No matter how delusional Landon wanted to be, he knew that choice was an obvious one. And even if it did happen, he wasn’t going to be the one to kickstart it. He would regret all his life if he ended up being the person who eventually brought those two together. It wasn’t going to happen. Never.

Landon looked up as the waitress came with a star struck look on her face. He already knew what she was going to ask and he had to keep himself from sighing.

“Was that Jack Knight?” she asked in an excited whisper.

Landon nodded with a tired smile, then he cleaned the bill and left. His pride wouldn’t let him take Knight’s money which was actually more than sufficient to take care of the coffee he had taken. It was the waitress’s lucky day. She was going to go back with a $300 tip.

But that wasn’t the main thing. Now, Landon needed a credible lie. One that would allow him maintain his reputation for being the best in the industry and also keep the girl he loved away from the father of her baby. Sure, when you said it like that, it sounded morbid. But it was for the best of everyone, Landon told himself. Knight was only going to hurt her. And he was saving her from that hurt.

***

Jack sighed as he loosened his tie. This had been one of the worst board meetings he had ever assisted since he had occupied the position of CEO. Jack knew he was partly to blame because his irritability had caused him to snap impatiently at a couple of men. And those old fools did not tolerate disrespect. That was one thing he knew. But oh well, he was going to have to smooth their feathers some other time. Right now, he was too busy trying to smooth his.

Just at that moment, there was a knock on the door. Jack muttered a come in and Lucy walked in with a tentative smile on her face. Lucy was a nice girl, she was great at her job and she was beautiful. But she had to accept that nothing could ever come out of any feelings she harbored for him.

Jack had had to catch himself a couple of times so he wouldn’t confide in her that much. It had strained their relationship but it was better than him leading her on intentionally. And very soon, he would be in court being pursued for sexual assault. It had happened before. Jack was much more cautious now.

“Do you need anything, Jack? I could make you a cup of coffee,” she said with a nice smile on her face.

Jack didn’t bother looking up at her. He didn’t want to be rude, and he knew she was just doing her job. So he nodded just so she could leave him alone with his brooding thoughts. Lucy asked a lot of questions and at the most annoying moments.

A few moments later, she was back in with the coffee which she set in front of him.

“Thank you, Lucy,” Jack said in his deep voice, his tone dismissive.

But it seemed like little miss personal assistant couldn’t take a goddamn hint for nothing. She gave him a conspiratorial smile and Jack fought the urge to glower at her. She watched him sip the coffee and it made him so uncomfortable.

“So did you meet up with Detective Geralds?” she asked.

“I did,” was Jack’s short response.

“Ohh. What do you need from him anyways? I mean he’s the best in his domain, you know.” She was already leaning against his desk.

Jack stopped mid sip at her question then looked up at her with a raised brow. “Do I pay you to ask all these questions, Lucy?”

“No sir, but—”

“Leave,” Jack interrupted, then he continued drinking his coffee with a smile.

Lucy was surprised. This was the first time that he was being so rude to her. She had thought they were friends which was why she had asked him that question. Plus, she was curious. Especially since she thought the investigation he wanted carried out was in direct correlation with his dark mood of late.

No matter that his response had hurt her, Lucy wasn’t going to give up so easily. This man was going to return her feelings, whether he liked it or not.