Present Day
I took the glass in my hand and sipped before setting it down on the table. My eyes road the pub; it wasn’t as refined, but they had good taste here, the kind with unique aesthetics.
There were a few eyes here and there, but I wasn’t paying them any heed. I checked my Rolex before I got distracted by my phone.
It was Athena. She was texting again, and I hadn’t replied to any of her ssages for the last few days. Hence, the decision to load my phone with more to further irritate .
Right at the corner of my eye, I caught what I was waiting for. I tracked Victoria’s movent as she talked with the bartender. He nodded to every single instruction.
It took a while before she noticed , and her expression completely changed.
The bartender looked too, but I was heavily focused on her. Growing uneasy at my stare, she gulped and looked away, forcing a smile as she finished up. It took a while before she ca towards , the sharp tap of her boot heels resounding.
"What are you doing here?" She folded her arms, not hiding the vexation in her tone.
"I’m here for a drink."
She eyed my glass, her face screaming liar, but she said nothing of it, pulling out the chair to sit.
"I have told you a million tis... I haven’t heard from Cat. I’m just as stuck in that loop as you are."
I took the glass and sipped, keeping my eyes pinned on her, and just as always, she shifted uncomfortably.
"I-It’s the truth."
"I know you wouldn’t lie to ..." I stated, but the darkness in my tone said otherwise.
"Look, I get it... You’re hellbent on finding her." She pointed to herself. "I am too, Ares, but..." There was a pause, and the pain in her eyes was visible. "It’s been five years since Cat’s disappearance."
I clenched the glass in my hand at the ntion of how long. Victoria noticed the strain eyeing the glass like it would shatter into pieces in my grip.
She swallowed hard. "I-I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have said that, knowing you don’t like being reminded. I’m just as hurt as you are, and each ti I think about it... It hurts too."
My grip loosened. "You’re one of her closest friends." I resud our chat. "You would be the first person she would contact."
"Yeah, I thought I was... but here I am with you searching for her with no progress... Cat, she..." She shook her head. "I don’t know why she did sothing like that... going away without a word. She left her grandparents, too, but sothing like that can only happen if sothing was wrong. Once again, I’m asking you, Ares. What happened that day five years ago?"
"..."
Victoria huffed, looking away. "Silence. Wow! I honestly thought we were getting close there, you know, the kind we share things and be honest if we really want to find Cat."
She rubbed the back of her neck. "I should probably stop asking since this is getting nowhere. I know sothing was wrong... Cat was too consud, and every day I regret not sticking by her. I should have stuck by her and made sure she was okay."
"I have things I regret too."
She snorted. "What does the devil regret?"
"Not keeping Catherine caged to my side." I sipped the whiskey.
Victoria’s smile slowly faded. "How dreadfully romantic... I don’t bla Cat for running." She paused when she caught my glare. "That was a joke! Jesus!"
"But let’s face it, she did leave because of you. I’m sure."
I don’t question that, because it was nothing but the truth.
"Look, coming here to my pub, it puts and everything in a really suffocating position."
"My presence here will make your business thrive..."
"Or ruin it."
"You sell suitable drinks."
She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "You can go over to a million-dollar pub and rent it all night."
There was silence, and when she sensed I wasn’t pleased with her answer, she spoke.
"Ares, I think it’s ti you move on. If Cat doesn’t wanna be found, she won’t be. It’s been this long already. I don’t think she’s coming back." She added the last part quietly.
I pushed to stand, and my n, sitting on every corner to blend in, suddenly stood out.
Victoria’s wide eyes road before settling on .
"I’ll be back next ti, Victoria. I suggest you give a satisfying answer then."
"Cat won’t contact ."
I walked without a word, and my n followed.
Outside, the car was waiting, engine running. The door was already open for .
I got in and pulled out my phone, and Nico followed suit.
Nico got to talking without waiting for to give the word. "A line was traced to Victoria’s phone, and another, followed by more. It started a year ago."
The sa year I started coming to her pub, but she kept giving the sa story. I don’t appreciate her lying to my face, and the only reason I had done nothing about it was because of Catherine.
"Burner phone..." I said.
"Yes."
There must be a reason why Catherine has decided to make contact with Victoria after all this ti.
"I traced the last number. It will take so ti, but I’ll be able to pinpoint an accurate location."
"You have 24 hours."
"Understood, boss." Nico got out.
I reclined my head, releasing a heavy sigh. At last, I had sothing.
It felt like I had been chasing a ghost for five years. I opened my eyes and looked to my side. Catherine was sitting next to , exactly how I rembered her.
I reached out, hoping to feel the texture of her, but just like all the mirage, it faded away.
That stung ca back, pressing into my chest like needles were diving their way into it.
I missed her scent. Her voice. Her.
This ti, baby, when I find you, I’ll make sure you never escape . I won’t give you that choice anymore, and nothing will ever co between us again.
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