Chapter 10 - Find that man

Giselle

Sarah's eyes were filled with concern as she watched me cry. She took a deep breath, and then, with a gentle yet resolute tone, she said, "Giselle, instead of crying, we need to find that man. He should provide support, especially financially."

Her words hung in the air, carrying a pragmatic solution to the predicament I found myself in. I wiped away my tears and nodded, appreciating the practicality of her suggestion. "You're right, Sarah. Instead of dwelling on this, we need to figure out who he is and make him take responsibility."

Sarah scratched her head, pondering the challenging task before us. "But, Giselle, I understand it's difficult. Without his name, number, or a clear description, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. We need more to go on."

My shoulders slumped as the weight of my situation pressed down on me. "I know. I'm sure he's in Molvania, but beyond that, I'm clueless. I don't even know where to start."

Sarah's expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Giselle. We'll figure this out. Let's take it one step at a time."

Despite her reassurance, the enormity of the challenge and the uncertainty of my future brought forth a fresh wave of tears. "I can't believe I let myself get into this situation," I admitted, my voice filled with self-blame.

Sarah's comforting touch remained, and her voice carried a soothing reassurance. "Giselle, none of this is your fault. We'll find a way through it, I promise."

My tears persisted, and Sarah continued to hold me close. In that shared moment of vulnerability, her silent support spoke volumes. The realization that I wasn't alone in facing this hardship brought a sense of comfort.

After some time, as my tears began to subside, Sarah gently pulled away and looked into my eyes with newfound determination. "Giselle, we might not have much to go on now, but we'll find a way to gather more information. Together, we'll piece together the puzzle, step by step."

Her optimism ignited a spark of hope within me, and I nodded in agreement. "You're right, Sarah. We'll do whatever it takes to find him, for the sake of this child and my future."

I sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of Sarah's suggestion hanging in the air. The idea of returning to Molvania sent a shiver down my spine, filled with both anxiety and reluctance. Sarah, sensing my unease, spoke with a comforting tone, "Giselle, what if we go back to Molvania? Maybe there are some clues there that could lead us to this man."

I sighed, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. "But, Sarah, I promised my family I would never go back. After what happened, I can't face them again, especially now that I'm pregnant. It's too much."

Sarah sat beside me, offering a supportive presence. "Giselle, we don't have to involve your family. We can keep this discreet. Our goal is to find this man, not to reopen old wounds. Maybe we can start by checking the hotel where you had that one night stand. They might have some information that could help us."

I hesitated, grappling with the internal struggle of confronting the past and the pressing need to uncover the truth. "I don't know, Sarah. It's just so complicated. What if we can't find anything? What if it's a dead end?"

Sarah reached out, gently placing her hand on mine. "We won't know until we try. And besides, you're not alone in this. I'm here for you, every step of the way."

Her words resonated, and I found a glimmer of courage within me. "Okay," I conceded. "Let's do it. I'll book a flight back to Molvania as soon as possible."

After two days of relentless searching for earliest book back in Molvania, Sarah and I found ourselves at the airport, ready to return. We decided to spend some time at the same hotel where that ill-fated one-night stand had occurred, hoping to rest and gather our thoughts before our next move.

Once settled in our room, the weight of the situation pressed upon me. The familiarity of the surroundings contrasted sharply with the urgency of our mission. Sarah, sensing my unease, offered a reassuring smile. "We've come this far, Giselle. We'll get through this together."

A few hours later, we made our way to the hotel's reception, determined to seek assistance in our quest. The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with a warm demeanor, greeted us. I took a deep breath, mustering the courage to lay out the details of my predicament. "I need your help. I became pregnant after a one-night stand here, but I don't know the man's identity. I remember the date and time it happened. We need access to the CCTV footage to see his face, find out his name, and check if there's any contact information."

The receptionist frowned, clearly taken aback by the unexpected nature of my request. "I understand this is a sensitive matter, but accessing CCTV footage requires approval from our manager. Let me discuss this with him"

As the receptionist disappeared into the back office, Sarah squeezed my hand in silent support. The wait felt interminable, every passing second amplifying the uncertainty of our situation. When the receptionist returned, her expression bore a mix of sympathy and hesitation. "My manager is willing to discuss this with you. Please follow me."

As we sat in the meeting room, a young, handsome man entered, exuding an air of friendliness. Dwayne Lewis, the manager, greeted us with a warm smile. "I understand this is an unusual request. Could you provide more details?" he asked, his tone businesslike yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.

I nodded, explaining the delicate situation. "I found myself pregnant after a one-night stand at this hotel. The man's identity is unknown, but I remember the date and time. We're seeking access to the CCTV footage to identify him and gather any information available."

Dwayne sighed, leaning back in his chair. "This is indeed an uncommon situation. While we prioritize guest privacy, given the circumstances, we'll consider your request under strict conditions. You'll be allowed to view the footage solely for identification purposes, and no copies will be provided. Is that understood?"

I expressed my understanding and gratitude for the concession. Dwayne continued, "Once we verify your identity and the details of the night in question, we'll escort you to the security room. Please provide us with your identification."

After confirming our identities and providing the necessary information, Dwayne led us to the security room. The anticipation was palpable as he briefed the security personnel on our situation.

As the CCTV footage played on the screen, I held my breath, hoping for a glimpse of the man who had unknowingly altered the course of my life. The grainy images revealed a figure, and my heart skipped a beat. "Pause it," I urged, my eyes fixed on the screen.

There, frozen in time, was the man from that fateful night. His features, though somewhat obscured, sparked a recognition. "That's him," I whispered, my voice tinged with a mix of relief and disbelief.

Dwayne and the security personnel assisted us in jotting down the details, capturing the vital information needed to move forward. It was a small victory, a step closer to unraveling the mystery that had consumed us.

Dwayne Lewis, the young and friendly manager, looked at us with a warm smile. "I'm sorry, but we don't keep contact numbers of our hotel guests. It's our policy to respect their privacy."

I nodded, understanding the limitation. "Thank you for checking, Dwayne. We appreciate your help."

Dwayne returned a nod, maintaining his friendly demeanor. "If there's anything else I can assist you with, please feel free to ask. I hope you find the information you're looking for."

"Thank you," I replied, and with a sense of gratitude, I turned to Sarah. "Let's go back to our room and regroup."

Sarah, being supportive as always, accompanied me back to the room. The hotel lobby buzzed with activity as we walked away from the front desk. Once inside the elevator, I let out a sigh, the reality of the situation sinking in. The quest to find the unknown man seemed to face continuous challenges.

Back in our room, I settled into a chair, contemplating our next move. "Well, we have his face now, but without a name or contact information, it's still a puzzle."

Sarah joined me, her expression thoughtful. "We can't give up. We'll find a way to trace him. There must be other avenues we haven't explored yet."

I nodded, appreciating her unwavering determination. "You're right. We need to be resourceful and consider all possibilities. There has to be a way." I glanced at Sarah, her eyes reflecting a determined spark. "Even if we can't find his identity, we can at least confront him with the fact that we know he was with me that day. It might make him reveal something, and we'll have evidence that he can't deny."

Sarah nodded, her resolve unwavering. "Exactly. We need to show him that we're serious about finding him and getting the answers you deserve."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for Sarah's support. "You've been my rock through all of this. I don't know how to thank you enough."

She offered a reassuring smile. "No thanks needed, Giselle. Friends help each other, no matter what. Now, let's focus on getting to the bottom of this mystery."

I chuckled as Sarah nudged me playfully while walking. "Giselle, did you notice the hotel manager's reaction? He seemed quite interested."

I raised an eyebrow, casting a sidelong glance at her. "Interested? In what?"

She grinned mischievously. "In you, of course. I saw the way he looked at you."

I shook my head, amusement tugging at my lips. "Sarah, I have way too many problems right now. No sane man would willingly involve himself with a pregnant woman with a complicated past."

Her expression turned serious as she stopped walking, looking directly at me. "Giselle, don't underestimate yourself. Pregnancy doesn't diminish your worth or your capacity to be loved. If anything, it's a testament to your strength. You deserve happiness, no matter the circumstances."

I sighed, appreciating her support but feeling the weight of my situation. "Sarah, you're a great friend, but this is a lot to handle. I don't want to burden someone with my problems."

She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Giselle, everyone has their baggage. It doesn't make you unworthy of love. Besides, if this manager is interested, why not give it a chance? You never know where happiness might find you."

I couldn't help but smile at her optimism. "You make it sound so simple. But being pregnant, with no idea who the father is, it's not an ideal situation for a relationship. I am single mother now."

Sarah tilted her head, studying me with a thoughtful gaze. "You're strong, Giselle. You've faced challenges, and you're still standing. That strength is attractive. Don't let fear dictate your choices. Embrace the possibility of happiness, even in unexpected places."

As we resumed walking, I couldn't shake off Sarah's words. Could I really consider the possibility of a new beginning, especially with the unknowns looming over me? The idea both scared and intrigued me.

Later, in the privacy of our room, Sarah brought up the topic again. "Seriously, Giselle, give it a shot. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them."

I sighed, feeling torn between the chaos of my life and the possibility of a connection with someone new. "Sarah, I appreciate your optimism, but I have to focus on finding the father of my child right now. That's my priority."

She nodded understandingly. "Of course, but don't close yourself off completely. Happiness can come from unexpected places, even in the midst of chaos."