Chapter Twenty-seven
“Where are you, Nathan?” I mumbled to myself, frustrated.
Why isn't he picking up? He needs to explain this. I thought as I dialed his number again.
“Have you gotten through to Dad yet?” Oliver asked, coming into the room.
“No.” I told him. “It just keeps going to voicemail.”
Oliver's face and tone showed how worried he was about his father, the man no one has heard from for ten hours. He looked like he was going to cry.
When I woke up this morning, Nathan wasn't home. I was still sleeping in his room despite my being perfectly fine. It was like there was something pulling me back there every night. It's almost Oliver's bedtime now and none of us have heard anything from him. His mom tried to call him but when he didn't answer a couple of times she called me. I've been trying since I saw an alarming message on my phone after lunch.
Your account had been credited with $10000000.
I immediately knew who it was from without having to read the entire message. I've been trying to call him to ask why he gave me money like that. But really why did he? Does he know about the five million Christopher wants? My deadline is in three days, did he find out?
Argh! This is why I need to hear from him.
“Did he say he was going anywhere?” Oliver questioned.
“No. Does he usually work this late?”
“Not without saying something.”
I dialed the number again but as it has been for the past six hours, it went straight to voicemail. I groaned in frustration.
“Where is he?” Oliver's voice broke slightly.
“I don't know but I'm sure he's okay, please don't cry.” He nodded, sniffing loudly and pulling a brave face. “How about you stay here? I'm going to call your Gran again.”
I called Sophia and she picked up immediately. “Alyssa, please tell me you got through to him.” She pleaded.
I feel so bad because I'm going to disappointed her. “No, I haven't. I was about to ask you the same thing.”
I heard her sigh heavily. “I even called his father, he has no idea where Nathan is. Did you two have an argument?”
“No, I didn't even see him this morning and everthing was perfectly normal yesterday.” I informed her.
I couldn't help but think. Did I do something wrong? Was he upset with me? Is that why he decided to disappear like this, to teach me a lesson?
No, that's stupid. Nathan is far too mature for that.
Then again, is he?
“I'm sure Nathan's fine. Maybe we should all just wait a bit, I'm sure he'll call one of us back.” I was convincing myself more than I was her.
“Maybe, you're right, Alyssa.” She agreed tiredly. “If he doesn't contact any of us tomorrow then we go to the police.”
“Definitely.” I said good night to her and put my phone down after sending one last text to Nathan.
Please call me, everyone is worried about you.
I laid down next to Oliver who had already fallen asleep thankfully. If he had stayed up any longer he'd be bawling his eyes out. It took me a bit more than an hour but I was able to curtail my worries and fall asleep.
***********
I felt around for my phone which I remember placing on the nightstand before I went to sleep. It was ringing and I didn't know anyone who would call me at such an ungodly hour.
I finally got it and peered with a half open eye at the screen. Nathan. I wasted no time picking up.
“Nathan, God, where are you?” I asked immediately.
“I'm so sorry, there was an emergency and I had to leave the office.” He replied.
I decided to leave the room just in case I raised my voice and woke Oliver. “What kind of emergency? Everyone was worried sick about you. Your mom, Oliver, your grandparents and me. Where are you?” I practically yelled.
“You were worried about me?” Is that the only thing he got from what I said?
“Of course, I was. What woman wouldn't be worried when her husband disappears for hour without telling anyone?” I reasoned exasperatedly.
“Well, wife,” he started with a chuckle. My cheeks are already heating up. “I'm fine. One of our factories had a major problem and I had to be there.”
“You should've said something.” I reprimanded him.
“Yes, ma'am.” I could almost imagine him doing a mock salute. “So, wife, do I need to take permission before I hang up now.”
“I still need to talk to you about something, husband.” I told him snarkily.
“I'm all ears.”
“It's about the money you sent. Why?” I questioned. I could hear his laughter at the other end of the line. “What's so funny, Nathan?”
“I knew that was what you wanted to ask.”
“Aren't you smart?” I said sarcastically. “But really, Nathan, what's this for?”
“I'm not sure when I'll be back and I don't want you two to lack anything.” He explained. “I don't want you to worry about money when you want to get something or when Oliver wants something.”
“But ten million is too much, we don't need that much.” Shut up, you can pay Christopher now. My subconscious reminded me.
“Well, you have it. If you send any of it back to me, I'll double it and send it to you again and I know you wouldn't like that.” That manipulative man.
“But...”
He cut me off. “Just say ‘thank you’, Love.”
Knowing that Nathan would be true to his word, I decided not to fuss about it anymore and said. “Thank you, Nathan.”
“You're welcome, Love.”
“You never answered my question, where are you?” I reminded him.
“Russia. It's so damn cold.” He complained with a fake shiver.
I couldn't help but giggle. “Serves you right for making us all worry like that.”
“My apologies, next time, I'll write you a letter and send it to you by pigeon.” We both laughed.
“Thank you, that would be most appreciated.”
“But, were you really worried, Alyssa?” Why is he asking me this?
“Of course I was.”
He didn't say anything for a few seconds. “Good to know.”
“Wait,” I remembered something. “Are you going to be back for Christmas?”
He hummed as he thought. “I'm not sure, probably not.”
We said our goodbyes after that and I went to sleep know that there would be a lot less off my shoulders by morning.
*********
“Hello?”
“Hello, Alyssa.” I heard his spine chilling voice. “I see you've sent my money. Guess, you are good for something after all.”
I didn't let myself be affected by the insult. “So you'll leave Oliver alone?”
“Yes, the boy is safe for now.”
“For now?”
“Yes, I hope you don't think this is all I'm getting. This is just the beginning, Alyssa. Your marriage is an investment of mine and I intend to make a lot of profit.” He told me evily
“B-but you said this was it.” I argued.
“No, I said you get me the money and Nathan's son is safe. I didn't say anything about not getting more.” He had the nerve to chuckle. “It's funny how that you care for that boy. He isn't even your child, not that any man in his right mind would want a child with you.”
That stung. “Just please don't hurt him, I'll do anything.” I pleaded.
“I know you will. I'll keep that in mind. I'm wondering how you got that money. I hope you didn't tell Nathan now, did you?”
“No, he has no idea.”
“Good and it should stay that way.” He reminded me.
“I know, at least you can do one thing right.” With that he hung up on me, not letting me say anything else.
I dropped on the bed and let out a tired sigh. I was mentally exhausted. From Christopher and the money I had been worrying about for for over a week, to Nathan's disappearance yesterday, I barely relaxed this week. I'm just glad I have some time to rest while Oliver naps.
“Ally!” Or not.
He came running into the room, making more noise that usual. At least it seemed that way to me. Did I fall asleep? I thought to myself, rubbing my eyes.
“Ally, come outside! There's something amazing for you!” He basically screamed.
I groaned, dragging myself from the bed. My shoulders were aching slightly and so was my head. Oliver was so excited and ranting about something, it was increasing the pain in my head.
“Oliver, please, not so loud.” I said weakly, massaging my temples.
His face clouded with guilt almost immediately. “I'm so sorry, Ally, I didn't realize. I'll shut up now.” He pursed his lips, looking down.
His guilty face made me guilty and soon enough I said. “You can talk, Olly, but not so loud.”
“Okay, there's a delivery guy outside that wants to see you.” He informed a lot quieter than before.
I followed him outside to see an unfamiliar man with a delivery man uniform. He greeted me kindly. “Are you Alyssa Graham?”
It took a second to realize that I was Alyssa Graham. This is the first time someone is using that name after I got married. “Um, yes.”
“I have a delivery for you, could you just place your thumb here to verify the delivery?” He requested and I did as he wanted, placing my thumb on the pad. “These are for you.” He handed me a set of keys.
I was so confused, why would he be giving me a set of keys? I didn't even order anything. What is happening?
“Sir, I didn't order anything.” I disclosed.
“This is actually from a Mr. Nathan Graham.” Oh my goodness. What did Nathan get now? “The keys are to that.” He pointed to a white Mercedes Benz parked not too far away from us.
How did I not see that?
“He also said to give you this.” It was a card with a pretty floral pattern.
I know right now smoke is coming out of your ears and I'm in trouble for this but I hope you like it. Think of it as an early Christmas present.
-N
Wow. Nathan really outdid himself. Sure, I was upset that he actually bought a new car for me, I mean, I was willing to have one of the many cars he has, but he's gotten it already and all I can do is appreciate it because I know he's not going to return it or drive it himself. I just had to accept that this was my car, my early Christmas present as he said.
Truth be told, I was excited to have my own car. I liked driving when I was taking classes, it just gave me that sense of freedom I lacked as a teenager. Even though I didn't have a lot of places to go, I'd try my best to use it.
“So...” Oliver came up behind me. “When are we trying it out?”
I giggled at him. “You wanna go get ice cream?”
“Yeah!” He cheered, running to put his shoes on.
We got into my new car and immediately the new car smell hit me. I heard the boy next to me sniff loudly.
“You gotta love that new car smell.” He commented.
I laughed again, starting the car. I drove to the furthest ice cream shop from the house and took the longest route just to stay in the car longer, unnecessary, I know.
By the end of the day, I had called Nathan and said 'Thank you' so many times. I'm sure I sounded like a teenage girl. He was laughing and honestly surprised I wasn't yelling at him. He was happy I liked the car, of course and made me promise to take him for a ride when he was back.
Truthfully, I miss him. He was fun and I missed the way he cared for me. It was strange for me to let someone take care of me but all in all, it felt nice. It was a breath of fresh air not having to bother about somethings.
I was about to fall asleep but phone pinged and I had to check it out. It was a text form Ivy. I haven't really had the time to talk to her since we met, I felt bad.
Hi. Let's meet up tomorrow.
I smiled at that. Love to. Where?
She replied almost immediately. There's this bakery close to my new place, it's amazing. Let's meet there like noonish.
Just send the address and I'll be there.
Yay. It's so nice be back, I missed u so much.
I missed u too, Ivy.
. C u tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
Everything recently has been amazing, I haven't really had anything to really kill myself over and now I had my friend back and I'm going to see her tomorrow, I'm so excited.
But if I was going out, who would take care of Oliver? Maybe I should take him with me. Sooner or later Ivy is going to find out about him, I think it would be best if she got to know from me.
I'm going to tell her everything, well, everything excluding the abuse I suffered in Christopher and his family's hands and the contract. So not everything, most things. I'm sure she'll be so excited. I'd just have to tell her the same thing we told the press during our conference. Nathan and I dated for three months before we got married. Simple enough.
No doubt my life has gotten better in the last two weeks, I just want it to stay later that.