LIAM

I’m boiling with so much rage that I can explode any moment from now. Why would she do this to me a second time. I get that she left because of her mum the first time but now?  Leaving me without any tangible explanation. What if I didn’t decide to surprise her by coming in earlier? I would come home to an empty apartment with no clue as to what happened. 

To think that Laura was becoming fond of her. I wish I followed my instincts. What sort of hold does this girl have over me?

“She’s gone.” I say slamming the door behind me.

“Mother she’s gone again.” I say this time around bursting into tears as I run into my mother’s arms. 

“It’s okay baby. It’s okay.”

“It’s not mom, she’s gone.”

“Put yourself together. You are a man.”

“How dare you say such a thing like that to him? Knowing fully well what’s on ground. Baby, your father has something to tell you.”

“I’m not sure I’m in the right frame of mind.”

“Give us a minute.” She says signing to father. 

What are they discussing that’s taking forever? I dry up my eyes and go and find out.

“Tell me what?”

Everywhere went quiet suddenly.

“Father what is it you need to tell me? Mother why are you threatening father?”

“You heard your son. What is it you need to tell me.”

“It’s nothing son. Your mom was just playing around.”

“Threatening to leave you is no joke!” I massage my temple as I’m starting to feel faint.

“ I over head your father telling Mr Ace that he has sorted out the issue and that Cara will not be seen anywhere close to you.”

“Father what’s mother talking about?”

“Liam, I can explain.”

“You better make it quick.” I say my head spinning.

“Liam, that’s rude. I won’t have you talking to your father like that.”

“I’m sorry but please tell him to talk. I’m running out of patience.”

“The criteria to merge my company with the Aces’ was you had to get married to their daughter.”

“How does this have to do with Cara? Besides, I thought you already merged before I met her.”

“You were with Cara when they offered to help my company but they had one request, that you  get married to their daughter so I had to ask Cara to leave you and in return the Aces’ will sponsor her mother’s treatment which we did after she signed the contract.”

“How could you father? Mother do you have a hand in this?”

“I’m as devastated as you are right now.”

“I did it for us. I did it especially for you Liam.”

“We were comfortable. You didn’t have to.”

“That’s what we made you see. The company was going down and I didn’t know where to get your remaining fees for business school. They came at the right time.”

“This is unbelievable. Here I was despising her for no just course.”

“This is not the man I got married to.”

“I did it for us.”

“So why ask her to leave him a second time?”

“Because Mr Ace was angry and I needed to sort things out if not we lose everything. He’s still grieving so it’s quite understandable. Let’s give him time.”

“This is not my father. What did you make her sign? She was a vulnerable child. Why would two self-centred adult subject a child to such a thing.”

“Babe you lied to me. You told me the only reason you accepted to merge with them was because they agreed take care of Bloom’s hospital bills.”

“There’s no way I could tell you about it. You would hate me.”

“Father, I can’t do without Cara. There must be a way to resolve this.”

“This is beyond my control.”

“Then he can take everything for all I care.”

“You want us to lose everything simply because of a woman? There are a thousand and one other women out there ready to jump into your hands. I will not lose what I have laboured for simply because you are blinded by love.”

I stare at father wondering if he processed what he said in his head before voicing out.”

“I can’t stand you right now.” Mother says shaking her head.

“I will not stand her and hear you utter such words from your mouth. I don’t want to do something I’ll regret. You are despicable and you disgust me.”

“Liam, he is still your father!”

“Then let him act like it. I’m out of here.

“Where are you going to Liam?” Mother asks worried.

“Anywhere that’s not here.”

“Please be careful son and don’t take any drastic decisions.”

Where could Cara have gone to? Where do I start looking for her at such an ungodly hour. I better start from Veronica’s place. I park my car and dig out an employee address file from my phone. 

“Hi.”

“Good evening sir.”

“I’m sorry to disturb you at such an ungodly hour but I tried calling you before coming. Your line wasn’t going through.”

“I’m sorry sir. I switch off my phone whenever I want to go to bed. Is everything okay sir? Did something happen at the office? Do you need a document?”

“ Not at all. I’m looking for Cara. Have you by any chance seen her?”

“Not after work. I last saw her in the office. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. We just had a little misunderstanding and she fired off angry. Did she call you?”

“No sir.”

“Do you know if she went to your brother’s place?”

“ I doubt. He’s not in town.”

“Thank you very much. If she comes here or calls you please call me immediately.”

“Okay sir.”

If she’s not at Veronica’s place then where in the world is she. Could she have travelled out? Lord, you have to help me. I promise to take you seriously. I bow my head tired and confused. What do I do? When I leave here where do I go? My eyes suddenly come in contact with a bracelet I gifted Cara . Does this mean she’s here? I’m sure she doesn’t want to see me. 

At least I know she’s here or has been here. First thing tomorrow, I going to sort things out with Mr Ace and there after come for my girl. Till then, I’m just going to head home, have a shower and try to get some rest. It’s been a long day.