Nicholas knew that he would have to talk to Astra about Thompson, that and the fact that what happened five years before was severely bothering him. He needed to talk to Astra. Over the week, he went through what happened back then in his head over and over again. And then he compared it to what Thompson told Astra. They were both believable, it was just that Nicholas was given evidence. More and more Nicholas began to doubt the evidence he was given, maybe it was a set up, maybe it was more than that. The only way he could clear his doubts was through talking to Astra.
Nicholas was feeling much more better and he did not have any urge to faint, but Sarah clung to him like a mother hen. He knew that he had scared his cousin because of how she was acting. Sarah all but moved into his house and he hadn't been able to do anything since then.
Thompson was still nowhere to be found and that had kept them busy over the week. They had tried to trace the two cars that he was last seen in, but to no avail, there was nothing.
Nicholas hoped that he would get a tip of hint as to where Thompson was if he saw Astra. That and there was also he fact that he missed her.
Nicholas could not deny the fact that he loved Astra. It was crazy that after all they had been through together, he was still willing to bank on Thompson telling a lie which could point to Astra's innocence.
Nicholas planned on leaving the house at night after Sarah and Theo had slept. It was weird that he had to sneak out of his own house but that was what family was for.
It would be like the other times Nicholas had sneaked into Astra's house at night, minus the fact that he was usually drunk. Nicholas expected to be kicked out of Astra's house each time he came in, but he was always welcomed. At first, Nicholas had been angry about the fact. His ex wife probably welcomed every male. It took him a while to realize that she knew it was him, but never stopped him. She still loved him too, maybe there was hope. If only there was proof that she was not the one in those pictures, or maybe that they have been sabotaged, everything would be okay.
"Nicholas come down and have dinner," Nicholas heard Sarah shout and he could feel anticipation from the fact that the night was fast coming.
"I am coming," Nicholas replied as he walked down the stairs to the dining room. The room was alive with smells of sauces and pasta.
"This looks delicious," he said to his cousin. His cook would not even go to such lengths to serve him. He was growing fatter since Sarah began to stay with him. It reminded him a bit of Astra, not the expert cooking skills, but the care. Astra cared about him. She babied him so much when he was sick that he wanted to be sick more often.
"Thank you," Sarah said and sat down. Theo was in his high chair with a plate of mashed potatoes in front of him. He looked like he won the lottery as he was hitting the table and smiling at the food. The little guy clearly loved food.
Nicholas and Sarah ate their food silently and the housekeeper fed Theo. The mood had been annoyingly dull in the house since they have been trying to find Thompson but to no avail.
"I am going to try to visit all the places Thompson visited a week before his disappearance maybe I can get a hint," Sarah said and Nicholas nodded. His mind was far as he was planning how he would leave without alerting Sarah. He was worried about his cousin though, she invested so much in him that he was worried she would not have time for herself.
"Don't you have a date or anything to go to?" Nicholas asked and Sarah narrowed her eyes.
"I am trying to be serious Nick, behave!" Sarah shouted and Nicholas raised an eyebrow.
"I am being serious," he said all the while thinking that having an argument was not the best thing to do at the moment.
"You know I don't want to be in a relationship now and you know why. I have been through a lot in the hands of men," Sarah said.
"I am sure there are a few people that can redeem our gender. There are still decent men around. I want you to be able to find love again, Sarah. I want you to be able to erase the memories that bastard gave to you," Nicholas said to Sarah. The housekeeper was done feeding Theo by then and had carried him to have his bath and then sleep.
"I understand what you want Nick, but I am good at the moment, I don't want more than this. I am happy with my son, I don't need love to ruin that," Sarah said and Nicholas could not blame her. Love had a way of shaking your bearings of moving you so that you don't even know what is normal anymore. Love did complicate things.
"It's okay Sarah," Nicholas said to assure her.
"I want to go up now, I need some sleep," Nicholas said, faking a yawn. He was already done with his food and he needed to sleep early so that she would, and he could get out quickly and so that he could come back quickly too, before morning.
"Okay then, goodnight," Sarah replied. Nicholas was already on his feet and on his way to his room. He took his bath and even undressed and got under the covers in all character.
Nicholas waited until the house was very quiet before he started to dress. He wore casual shorts and a polo shirt so that if he were caught it would not be so obvious that he was sneaking out.
The house was silent when he came out. Nicholas did not bother to check on Sarah and Theo because James had already done that for him and he confirmed that they were both sleep which was a relief.
Nicholas made it to his car in one piece and he breathed loudly when got in.
"Thank God," he said.
The drive to Astra's apartment was silent and short and he was thinking about how he would get into her room when he got there. And if she would be receptive to him.
"Good evening, Sir," the door man greeted him as he entered into the building. He had a familiar look in his eye.
"I am here to see Astra," Nicholas said and the man nodded.
"Of course, Sir, you can go on up," the man said.
Nicholas was a bit confused, but he figured he must have promised the door man something, or even given him something over the period of time that he had been coming to her house.
Nicholas entered the elevator that took him to Astra's floor and counted the seconds till he got in. Astra's door was surprisingly easy to get in as it used a key that he used a pin to open. His sober mind took note that she should move to a place with better security. Astra's house was relatively neat and there was no sign that she was awake.