Chapter 42 - Dean’s POV

The holiday break is over. The New Year has passed, and I still do not know where Sylvia is.

Vince and I almost fought because I pestered Joey. But she gave me the same response every time I asked her about Sky. She did not know where she was, and she couldn’t contact her anymore.

“Please, Dean, let my friend go. You hurt her far worse than Jared did. At least Jared had always been honest. He told the truth, no matter how painful it is. But you, you lied to her, Dean. So please, leave my friend in peace.” Joey’s words were astringent.

“I did not lie to her, Joey. Thalia and I were over even before I returned to the country. I did not father her child and I could prove it.”

The results of the paternal DNA test have just arrived and, like I said, it proved I am not Thalia’s child’s father.

“It does not matter, Dean. Still does not change the fact that you hurt her.”

Joey couldn’t be more right. I hurt Sky. I didn’t mean to, but I did. And it is precisely why I wanted to find her, explain to her, and apologize to her. I’d do anything to fix this because I want a life with her, and this hiccup will not stop me from achieving that goal.

For the first time in my life, I looked forward to returning to work after a long vacation. Finally, I’d see Sky. I seized the chance to talk to her. I put in an effort to look good and charming. Who knows, maybe charm could help me.

The office was almost empty when I arrived. A lot have extended their holidays. I checked her station, and she’s not there. It’s still early.

I was about to approach Karen when I saw Stefan walking towards me.

“We need to talk,” he said in a serious tone. My forehead creased. Had he not been my friend, I would have punched him in the face for the tone he used. He sounded like he was bossing me.

We entered my office, and he closed the door behind him. He did not bother sitting and handed me a piece of paper, which I accepted with knitted brows.

It’s an email print out. I read the printed words on the paper. My hand tightened on the paper for each word I read. The paper almost tore when I finished reading.

It’s Sky’s resignation letter. She addressed it to Stefan and sent it a few hours ago. It’s an immediate resignation.

I said all the curse words I know in every language I know as I paced my office floor.

“So that’s it? She’s gone?” I asked Stefan, who looked at me. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. “So, she won’t even let me explain?” I threw a punch in the air in frustration.

Stefan called Joash to my office. Joash tinkered on Stefan’s email, then checked something on his laptop.

“Looks like she sent this email from here,” Joash said without taking his eyes off his laptop. “Yup, she used our network to email.”

He got up from his seat and walked out of my office. Stefan and I followed him in confusion. Joash stopped in front of Sky’s station.

“She used this computer to be specific,” he said, pointing at Sky’s desktop. Joash kept shaking his head. “I need to adjust people’s permissions. Sylvia moved all her files to the cloud. Then reformatted her PC. We won’t get anything here. This one’s good as new.”

I don’t get the humor he sees in the situation.

“Fuck,” I cursed in frustration. “What about the cameras? You said she used her computer?”

We returned to my office since there are more people in the production area now. Joash flashed the CCTV footage on the TV inside my office.

The footage showed Sky sitting at her station. She sat there for almost an hour before she got out of the office. She did not go to the parking, instead she got on a jeepney outside our building. Then she’s gone.

My heart felt relieved after seeing her. She made me worry for days. Looks like she’s doing well.

“I’d find her. She’s just around.” I am not sure if I’m saying that to my friends or to myself. Maybe both.

A part of me had expected this already the moment I woke up without her by my side. She had cut off herself from me and Joey. Her phone was out, and all her messaging apps were also offline. I’ve been worrying my ass off about hers and Jax’s safety, but Joey seemed chill about it. She’s adamant she did not know where Sky was but come on, what kind of best friend would be chill when her friend and godson disappeared.

It has been two weeks since she resigned, and it’s also been that long since I’ve been playing and re-playing the CCTV footage of her last day in the office.

“Dean, stop sulking. Let’s hang out.” Phil persuaded me. I did not want to join but I’ve had enough of Phil’s nagging. His voice had been ringing in my ears and it followed me into my sleep. If this dinner would get him off my back, then so be it.

So here I am, driving to the new restaurant that Vince found. Vince had a talent for discovering fresh places to dine or to play. Name it—restaurant, bar, firing range—he has a suggestion for it.

He and Joey enjoyed this kind of thing. They even put up a blog where they anonymously review restaurants. They try out new restaurants and give their honest reviews. It’s like he says, she says kind of thing. They would give establishments a star rating, depending on their experience. Since they don’t receive any payments or favors from the establishments they’re reviewing, they’re able to dish out their honest opinions.

Their blog has gained some following and some restaurants even post their ratings and reviews on display like a Michelin star.

For today, we’re meeting at a steakhouse. It’s family style, and we occupied one of the long tables. Phil, Joash, Stefan, and I ordered our food while we waited for Joey and Vince.

Joash beckoned to Vince when he saw them come in the main door. He held Joey by her elbow. Just as Joey was about to approach our table, a man bumped into her. He was looking at his phone while walking and did not notice Joey.

“Oops, I’m sorry, miss,” he said apologetically and tucked away his smartphone in his back pocket.

“It’s fine,” Joey smiled.

“Hunter?”

“Joey?”