Chapter 44 Daniel
DANIEL
“Thank you for speaking with him,” I told Vito over the phone.
“Oh, please, I’ll do anything to help Elliot,” he said back, the sounds of traffic escorting his voice.
Holding the phone tightly, I turned my chair so that I faced the office window.
Now, with the sun all set, the city’s landscape looked like a carpet woven with lights.
Earlier today, after much deliberation, I called Vito and asked for his help.
The past week hadn’t been easy on me, and while I wished to respect Elliot’s privacy, I couldn’t stomach the thought he’d keep on hurting himself.
The fact that it had taken me so long to realize the situation he was in devastated me, and guilt gnawed at my stomach at the thought that only a number on a scale made me see it.
“Still, I truly appreciate it.” I massaged the bridge of my nose. “I can’t believe it took me so long to realize something was off.” My throat tightened with the tears that had been threatening to break free ever since that morning. “I mean, the signs were all there, and yet I missed them—”
“It’s not your fault, darling,” Vito said in a firm voice. “That disease… She’s a tricky one.”
Anorexia.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this obscene word would be associated with my life, but here we were. Elliot might not have been diagnosed yet, but there was no question about it, and the faster we called the child by its name, the better.
“Guilt never did any good to anyone, darling, remember that,” Vito scoffed. “What’s important is focusing on what we do from now on, and that’s helping him heal.”
Fear gripped my throat, and I stayed silent for a minute.
“Do you think he will?”
Vito sighed. “Bello, you know I can’t answer that question.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I rubbed the bridge of my nose while nodding. “Yes, yes of course. I know.” I coughed to clear my throat before opening my eyes to check my watch. “Well, I’ve kept you hanging long enough. Thank you again, so much.”
“Please, it’s nothing, and remember I’m here for anything you need.”
“I know,” I said, grateful.
“Oh, before I go, write down my friend’s number. I have already informed her of all the details.”
Quickly turning to face the table, I grabbed a pen and a piece of paper.
“Are you writing?”
“Yes,” I said and began writing down the number of Vito’s friend, who was a therapist with great experience in eating disorders.
Once done, we said goodbye and ended the call.
And while this was only the first step, taking it already made me feel better.
The sooner we got Elliot the help that he needed, the better.
Placing down the pen, I brushed a hand over my face, then reread the phone number before dialing it.
Louise, the therapist, was indeed as nice and professional as Vito said she’d be, and after a quick conversation, we scheduled a meeting for tomorrow. Like I said, it would be better not to waste time. Now, ready to go home, I only had one thing left to do.
“Sherry, I need you to cancel some of my afternoon appointments tomorrow,” I said, holding the intercom button while going over my schedule.
Hearing the door to my office open, I went on.
“I’ll tell you when to push them, but before—” Her lack of response made me stop and look up from my calendar. My brows furrowed upon seeing Father standing at the entrance to my office, a sour look on his face.
“Father.”
“Haven’t I told you to end things with him?” he snarled, not bothering with hello.
Dropping my eyes back to the papers lying on the desk, I began collecting them. “You have. And I assume the fact I haven’t is the reason for your visit?” I looked back at him, only to see eyes full of hate.
“You’re walking a fine line, boy.”
Turned out that finding the love of my life was starving himself placed things in a whole new perspective, and so, Father’s threat did little to intimidate me.
“Now’s not the time to discuss it—”
“It is, if I say it is,” he barked, his voice echoing around us.
Breathing through my nose, I clenched my jaw and stared back at him with nothing but disdain.
“I’m not breaking up with him,” I announced unapologetically. He could throw a fit all he wanted—
“You’re fired.”
“What?” I gawked at him.
Fixing his cuffs, he grunted. “Your time here is done. Effective immediately.”
I slammed my hand down on the table. “You can’t just fire me—”
“It is my company, isn’t it?”
My forehead creased, and I continued to look at him, shocked. Yes, I knew he’d do something, but to fire me from the company I’d run for the last nine years?
“Make sure to get rid of all of your shit before leaving tonight,” he added, then turned around and left my office as if he hadn’t just fired me.
Once the door closed behind him, I slumped down on my chair with a deep grunt.
It felt like life was testing me, and yet, all I could think or care about was Elliot.
He was occupying my mind twenty-four seven, so much so that I couldn’t care less about losing my job, which was once the sole purpose of my life.
“S-sir?” Sherry muttered after she poked her head inside the office, an expression of worry written on her face.
“As of one minute ago, I’m no longer your boss; therefore, you’re welcome to skip the formality.”
Her eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m so sorry, sir. What he did… It’s unfair.”
“Life is unfair.”
She looked up, her lips pressed together in a sad smile.
“You were a great secretary,” I told her as I got up from my chair and circled the desk to stand closer. “Probably the best I’ve ever had.”
A faint blush crept to her cheeks, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You were the best boss, sir, I mean, eh, Daniel.”
I chuckled at the awkwardness. “Well, I wish you luck—”
“You need to sue him.”
I shoved my hands into my pants pockets. “I’m sorry?”
“For wrongful termination. I could stand as a witness, if needed.”
Pulling one hand out, I covered my smile. “That’s very sweet of you, but it won’t be needed.” Currently, I had far greater things to care about.
Sherry brushed her arm while nodding. “In case you ever change your mind, my offer stands.”
“I appreciate it.” I smiled at her. “Now, you better go home. You had a long day.” I sighed, brushing a hand through my hair. “We both did.”
After telling Sherry goodbye and promising her I’d write her a recommendation letter if she ever needed one, I left to go home.
The traffic was chaotic as ever, and eager to hear Elliot’s voice, I called him.
Only, he didn’t pick up. It got me worried, yet understanding it was late and that he might be asleep, I refrained from calling again.
I hoped relief would strike me after I reached home, but it didn’t, and walking into a completely dark apartment only increased my nerves.
“Elliot?” I called, flicking on the lights to stare at an empty place.
A crease formed between my eyes as I looked around the kitchen, which was as clean as I had left it this morning.
Moving further into the house, I called his name again, but there was no response.
My pulse kicked up a notch, and nervously, I walked fast to our bedroom.
Turning on the lights there, too, I first checked the bathroom, then the closet, before going back out.
It was only then that I noticed a letter placed on my pillow.
With my heart in my throat, I walked over to my side of the bed and picked up the envelope, sitting down on the mattress as I pulled out the letter.
My Dear Daniel,
I was never good at goodbyes, which is why I’m writing this letter, as I’m not sure I could bear to do it in person.
You taught me love, and I’ll forever be grateful for it.
The best moments of my life were next to you, and nothing in this world will ever compare to the happiness you showed me.
But while I love you, I can no longer live life as a secret.
I understand the reasons why you need to stay hidden and keep our relationship away from this world, but I can’t do it anymore.
Still, please know my heart holds nothing but love for you, as there is not a shred of regret in me.
By the time you read this letter, I’ll be long gone and out of your life. Please don’t come after me, as I don’t want to be found.
This is goodbye, my love.
Forever yours,
Elliot.
As I reached the final word, tears clogged my vision, and I had to blink them away. Fear, sadness, and shock all gripped me in a chokehold, and not understanding if this was real, I read the letter all over again. This can’t be. My body froze as my mind went numb. Elliot couldn’t just… leave?
In desperate need to grip reality, I got up and ran to the closet.
Turning on the lights, I scanned it to find his suitcase was gone.
And while some of his clothes were missing, too, I still didn’t believe it.
Running to my home office, I tore the lavender painting from the wall to reveal the safe hidden behind it.
Then, with shaking fingers, I typed in the security code.
It clicked open, yet before checking inside, I prayed for God to be on my side.
For no good. Opening the safe, I saw Elliot’s passport was gone, and instead, his cell phone was placed there.
My heart shattered.
The pain was real, grasping my chest like it did that night on the beach when I chased him away. Apparently, I’d learned nothing, and my cowardice, once again, came at the price of my love.
The world felt like it was closing in on me as fear gripped my mind. Completely lost, I had no idea what to do. A sense of doom settled in my stomach, making every breath painful. It felt as if the floor were slipping from beneath my feet, and everything around me was slowly collapsing.
Like a fool, I’d allowed him to slip from beneath my fingers.
Yet again.