Chapter 40

Athena

It took me three days to get to Texas. I took different routes ,I went back to West Virginia , Wisconsin then straight to Texas. As soon as I got there I looked for an internet cafe. But I couldn't find one. I wanted to stay in the city but wouldn't Risk it . I bought a second hand car . And started my drive to Fort Worth . That was perfect for me. After three hours on the road I found La Quinta Inn, a nice small hotel that would serve its purpose until I bought a house . I parked the car and walked in. There was an older woman at the receptionist desk.

“Welcome to La Quinta ,how can I assist you? ”

“Hello I must say this is a lovely building”

“ Oh thank you”

“I would actually like a room for a few days until I get everything under control. I'm actually about to move here but haven't found a place that speaks to me yet ”

I said, smiling at her .

“Oh that's lovely , are you looking to buy or rent?”

“Well renting is good but I'd prefer my own place as it is. I'll need a nursery. She looked at me and smiled.”

“ Oh that's wonderful. I have some friends who are real estate agents. They'll be more than happy to find something for you ”

“Oh really thank you so much my name is Kelly”

“ Well nice to meet you Kelly my name is Mavis Beaufort”

“Nice to meet you Mavis”

She gave me a key to a room and I went in and locked the door behind me. I needed this to work. I needed to become friends with everyone, be nice socially and hospitable to them so they didn't think twice. I would need to purchase a laptop and then apply for a new birth certificate and I will get my social security numbers and everything.

I laid in bed, it was almost five in the afternoon . I missed him, at this time. Everyday he came home from work ,he would find me wherever I was in the apartment and kiss me . My hands drifted to my stomach . I would have to protect my child. I didn't intend to return ever again , Riley was happy she had Kevin. Natalie was happy about to become a mother ,

Daniel would find someone else, in time he would. But I wouldn't . He has ruined me. I didn't want anyone else. The thought alone made me sick . I checked the time and it was early. I had brought an extra set of clothes with me so I grabbed a shower, got changed, grabbed my handbag and left . Mavis wasn't there when I left . I drove down the road and headed into town. While driving I saw a nice restaurant ,so I parked the car and headed in. I was shown to a table and one of the servers brought over a menu to me.

“Welcome to the Aurora. What can i get you ”

“Hello I'll have the salad and the pasta bowl”

“ And what would you like to drink with that Ma'am?”

“Just water please”

“ I'll get that for you”

“ Thank you”

While I was sitting at the table I just looked around when I saw a couple sitting with their son and it hit me pretty hard. I was going to be a mom . Alone in a new place with no one . I could go back but I couldn't take the chances of anyone getting hurt. Daniel would be mad ,he knew I was pregnant . Eventually I would have to tell my child who his father is .

A little while later the server brought my food out . I sat and ate by myself in public which is something I haven't done in years. It felt good. After I finished, I paid and left. I drove around and I saw Hulen Mall was open so I stopped in ,I picked up some more clothes , a laptop and some snacks . Then I walked around. I would need my IDs soon because I would need to see a doctor. I headed back to the hotel. I needed to start preparing everything.

When I walked in Mavis was at the front desk .

“Oh hello Kelly”

“ Hello Mavis, I meant to ask you if you have a WiFi network here?”

“ Oh yes it's an open connection the password is written on a card and placed in the night stand”

“ Oh thank you ”

I headed into the room.I opened the laptop and started.

Daniel

It's been one week now since the FBI found traces of her but didn't find any leads after that . Greg called to say he spotted someone that matched her size and height but had different hair . He was following up on that . It was almost six in the evening and I was still sitting in my office . That had been happening a lot .

“Mr Chase ”. I looked up and Christine was standing there. I thought she left at five .

“Yes Christine”

“ Sir, aren't you going home?”

“ Doesn't matter. She still won't be there, You can leave Christine”

“ Okay sir”

I sat in my chair and looked at the fading light of the day , another day and I still wasn't any closer to her. I left the office and headed down Mark was standing there waiting for me .so we headed home. I never really realised how alone I truly was until now. I just headed straight into the room.

“Mr chase I'll prepare dinner”

“ No thank you Mrs mendez I'm not hungry”

“ Okay sir ”

I lost my sleep and my appetite. I really missed her ,my heart ,my mind ,my body and soul ached for her. Where was she?, was she safe? . How was her health and how was our baby? I sat on the balcony alone having a drink just wishing she was here.I heard someone step out onto the balcony with me,

“Son”

“ Dad, what are you doing here ?”

“ We're worried about you”

“I'm fine Dad”

“Your mother is worried, so is Natalie and Mrs. Mendez. Hell, even Christine is worried about you because you're not acting like yourself”.

“What am I supposed to do ? When I finally find the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, this shit happens”.

“Are you blaming Athena right now ?”.

“You know I'm not”

“Daniel, if you're feeling this way, think about how Athena must be feeling? And she's pregnant also when she's ready she'll reach out to us in the meantime just take care of yourself try to get some sleep or your mother will be on my ass” .

“Sure dad ”

After he left I sat there thinking about her . Since she's been gone that's all I did every minute I was alone thinking about her .

Athena

Mavis introduced me to her friends ,and. They helped me choose a house. It was a small two bedroom house which was perfect for me . I had scanned the obituaries and found Kelly Harrison who passed away at the age of four . I already had my new Name ,IDs, social security number and driver's license. It took me three days to get it. Money made things happen faster . I did some shopping for the house. Also visited the doctor. I was nine weeks pregnant. I got prenatal vitamins and supplements .

I could have gotten a Job as a receptionist but didn't do business ,I stayed away from business firms . I continued freelancing as a software engineer but was careful of the clients I took. I set up precautions I bought. I bought a very good VPN software. I didn't want anyone tracking me . I set up cameras around the house and inside all the live feed was connected to another laptop I bought . I had deadbolts on all the doors and windows .

I would leave tells on the windows and doors whenever I went out. I left everything in a certain way that I would notice if it was touched .I got a job at a restaurant as a server which served my purpose. It would keep me busy . I would start working tomorrow. I was laying in bed and I couldn't sleep . It was 2:00Am I picked up the burner phone and I called him . I needed to hear his voice just once then I would let him go.

I dialed his number ,he answered on the first ring which is something he doesn't do ,he never answered calls from unknown numbers .

“ Hello ”

I wanted to say something but the words wouldn't come out .

“Hello”

I couldn't keep it in I started crying

“Princess”

He knew