Chapter 53 Partner
VICTORIA
A gasp tore out from my lips as my eyelids flew open. The sharp lights from above forced my eyes to slam shut again. I managed to adjust to the light before pulling my eyes open again.
I blinked several times and stared at the ceiling as my father's words echoed in my head. My hands gripped the sheets, and my body trembled in rage.
I swung my head to the side, seething in rage and pain while my heart ached.
The door opened, and I stopped whimpering.
My throat knotted, and the pain increased as Mr Thompson's shoes came into view.
“How are you feeling now?” He asked, standing by the door.
I knew that he wouldn't feel comfortable associating with me, especially after what happened in the office.
He began to step forward, each step hesitant and calculated. I could feel his eyes on me as he drew closer.
“I’m better,” I muttered and slowly sat up, leaning my back on the headboard.
“What time is it?" I asked after a long stretch of needed silence.
“It's eight in the morning," Mr Thompson replied as he glanced at his wristwatch.
My brows shot up in surprise, and my belly clenched.
“Did I sleep for that long?" I muttered.
He nodded, head tilted.
" =Yes, you slept throughout the night, and I would say it was deserved,” he said.
I sighed and slapped my forehead, cursing.
“I guess I screamed too much at you," he said after a long pause.
I raised my head and forced a smile, trying to hide the pain that woke up with me.
“No, it's not about the scream. The shock was what made me slump," I said, and relief darted across his eyes.
“It's a relief to see that you're well,” he muttered, reaching out to caress my cheek.
My eyes slammed closed, and I felt something being lifted off my body as his fingers brushed over my cheek.
“Just hold on, we are going to find him soon," he muttered and pulled away.
I nodded and sighed loudly.
“I will have to head back to the office,” he said as he stood up from the chair.
I watched him as he neared the door.
“I want to find him," I blurted out as he got to the door.
He froze, his hand gripped around the doorknob.
“I want to do it myself," I spat out.
Mr Thompson let go of the knob and turned around, his eyes narrowing.
“Victoria, I understand your anger, but you're still recovering–”
“No!" I cut him off with a snap and pulled the blanket off my body.
I dropped out of bed and trudged towards him in padded steps until I could stare directly into his eyes.
“I want to find him now. There is a plan going on, isn't there?" I asked.
His lips parted and slammed shut, then he waved his hands up in surrender, his eyes holding frustration.
And with that, I was discharged from the hospital the next minute, and Mr Thompson drove me straight to the CID after I had had a wash and brushed in my ward.
“Are you sure you're okay?" Mr Thompson asked as we walked briskly to the elevator door.
“I'm fine, I'm fine," I groaned loudly, even though my voice shook at the end.
We stepped into the elevator and rode up to our department in silence.
The moment the door pulled open, we walked into the room without any announcement.
Every word and laughter in the air froze as everyone's eyes darted to the door.
They were on me, staring, studying, probing, but never asking.
I gripped my coat and gulped.
“Uhm, can I call you back later?" Kelvin said to someone over the phone and dropped the receiver, then turned around fully.
“Welcome back, couples!" Kelvin said, an unserious tone in his voice.
Even though he didn't mean his words, my heart still jumped at his teasing.
“Can you stop?" Mr Thompson was quick to defend.
I looked at him for a moment before turning away towards my desk.
The desk next to mine, which belonged to my partner, Silas, was now vacant.
I wondered if he felt empty too whenever he walked up to this desk and saw the empty spot on mine.
I left because I fell out of love, and he left because he fell in love. The differences almost made me laugh.
“You won't miss him for long, don't worry," Kelvin spoke up from where he twirled on the chair.
“What do you mean?" I questioned, partly upset with his statement.
“I mean…” he paused and leaned forward from his chair, hands wrapped together.
“You'll be getting your new partner today," he blurted out, and my heart tightened.
“Partner?" I gasped and swung my head in Thompson's direction, demanding an explanation.
Thompson looked up at me, then at Kelvin, anger flashing across his eyes.
“Kelvin, can you… Shut up and mind your business?” Thompson diverted the topic. I still kept my eyes on him, but he never looked my way.
I knew they were looking for a replacement for Silas, but I never knew they'd do it soon.
I parted my lips to ask who the person was, but a message from Connor stopped me.
He had brought me fresh clothes to change into since he couldn't meet up with me at the hospital.
“Excuse me," I muttered, and everyone's head turned in my direction again.
I forced a smile and directed a glance at Mr Thompson. He was looking at me now, his spectacles resting at the bridge of his nose.
The smile on my face faded, and I glared at him for a second before slipping out of the office.
I took my clothes from the delivery boy and went into the bathroom to change.
While I changed, I couldn't stop thinking about who the person could be.
I knew it was definitely someone who had a lot of knowledge and special training. But even though it just didn't feel right to replace Silas like that.
My phone buzzed as I pressed down the last button of the shirt.
I took my phone and tapped the message, expecting to see an apology from Connor and why he couldn't wait for me to pick up the clothes myself, but I was wrong.
It was from someone else. Not just anyone, but Mr Thompson.
I sucked in a derp breath before reading the message.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you on time. We needed an extra hand for the case."
I scoffed loudly and slid the phone into my pants pocket, then dumped my used clothes into a laundry bag before heading back to the office.
As I gripped the knob and pulled the door open, my heart sank at the sight.
Aside from the three colleagues and Mr Thompson, there was someone else in the room. A man who would certainly turn out to be my partner.
“Oh, there she is!” Mr Thompson said as he raised his head towards the door.
Everyone gathered around his table turned, but the man seated in front of him didn't.
“Uhm… Victoria, meet your new partner, Mr Skylar Atticus,” he said, and my breath ceased for a moment.
Skylar?!
That name rang a warning bell in my head as I stood there, rooted at the spot and staring at the man's broad back.
My heart raced as he slowly stood up. I hoped it wasn't who I thought it was. I hoped it was just a coincidence.
The moment he turned, those blue eyes pierced into me, and my heart stopped.