4. Chapter 4
ALEX
T he morning rays hit my eyes, and I woke in a haze, trying to shake the remnants of sleep. I instinctively felt the bed for Natalie, but it was just a cold, empty space. I slipped from the sheets and searched for my clothes, noticing the bright hue on the bed.
Bloodstains. My heart raced. Did I hurt myself? Did she hurt me?
Panic-stricken, I began to feel every part of my body for signs of pain, and then it hit me. Blood-stained sheets. Was Natalie a virgin?
Oh no! I shouted in what I didnt mean to be fear but surprise. I searched the house for her, and when I didnt find her, I sat at the foot of the bed.
I needed answers, but the empty room felt heavy with silence. Where did she go? My hand combed my disheveled hair while I struggled to make sense of everything.
This felt so divine. If she hadnt been rude, I would say meeting her was heaven-orchestrated. It felt nothing like my usual experiences with other women.
The way she got under my skin and ultimately crawled into my head and pants made me feel a sense of raw emotion I had avoided for a while. I needed to talk to her and return to my everyday life as soon as possible.
A notification popped up on my screen. Rebeccas message would turn my plans around, so I texted back without reading her outline for my schedule. CLEAR MY SCHEDULE FOR TODAY. GET DR. MORGAN AND SAM TO FILL IN MY ABSENCE. TAKING THE DAY OFF.
I moved to the bathroom. My mission was to find Natalie. First, I needed to shower; the mirror told me I was a mess. Soon after, I noticed a crumpled paper on the floor while drying my face with a towel.
The hurried note read, Alex, please leave as soon as you can. Do not try to find me.
The words slashed my ego. Did she not enjoy last night? Why would she shut me out? Was she ashamed she lost her virginity to me? I was left with more questions and an impending headache.
My clothes were piled on her couch. I dressed and took one last look at the room, which was a sharp contrast to mine at home, before stepping out the front door and latching it securely.
Realization dawned on me again. The mission had already failed before it even began. I had neither Natalies contact information nor a car.
The walk back to the gallery felt longer and wearier than yesterday with Natalie, but I endured it as it was my only shot at finding a clue as to her whereabouts.
Upon getting there, I met a security guard at the booth and approached him with a neutral face. Hello, did Natalie Pierce drop by here this morning?
He studied me with a weird expression. The scar on his face told me hed had his fair share of security issues to end up at a guard booth where it was remotely safe, and he planned to keep it that way.
The pretty artist from yesterday, with six canvases?
Im sorry, sir. Yesterday was quite an event, and there were many pretty women with canvases; I didnt bother to count them. He smirked.
It took a lot of strength to hold back the feeling of punching him across the face. There were many pretty women, but Natalie was the prettiest, and he obviously didnt see her with those unique artworks.
I smiled to hide my mounting frustration. Its alright. Thanks.
I took a few steps from him to decide where to go next or if it was better to follow her note and abandon this crazy mission.
Hey, dude, the guard called out. There is a man here who covers logistics for the artwork. He should know something.
Fifteen minutes later, I was in my Rolls-Royce again. I drove to the address on the note from the logistics man. I barely knew this woman, and she had broken my usual routines.
There I was at 9:00 a.m., driving down a busy street without an escort to find a woman. It seemed stupid, but I pushed the thoughts away, parked the car, and walked to the old building the man had described.
The exterior was a weathered structure that desperately needed salvaging from its peeling paint, cracked pavement, and a hand-painted sign that once read Art Studio, now chipped with faded letters.
Another wave of frustration hit me as I encountered a locked door. I looked down at my watch and sighed. What artist would not be at work by now? I waited, then began to pace, my mind racing with the possibility of not finding her.
The door swung open as I was about to relinquish my mission. A woman stepped out.
Hi. Were you hoping to purchase something? her voice conveyed a fake attempt to be cool.
No. Natalie Pierce. Is she here?
Her face twisted in curiosity. What about her? Shes supposed to be here but hasnt shown up yet.
Something was wrong, but I steadied my nerves and changed my approach. I bought her artwork yesterday and wondered when they would be delivered.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, recognition flooding in slowly. You are Alex Carter! she screamed. Ive heard so much about you. But you look so much better in person.
Now, this was what I was used to. But after Natalies confrontation, I knew better than to smile in return. So, I took a step back and put on my best off-limits face.
The artwork, maam.
Its probably on its way to you right now.
She continued excitedly, Meanwhile, that sum yesterday was huge. Its going to do a lot for us here. I told her you would help
I reached into my wallet and handed her my business card. Please give this to her when she gets back here.
Okay. I will, Dr. Carter.
Only Natalie, I stressed again sternly before walking back to my car and zooming off.
Reluctantly, I drove home, feeling like a failure for not being able to satisfy this force pulling me to get a glimpse of her. I picked up my phone to check my schedule.
The hospital was a perfect escape from these feelings. I could lose myself in the sea of surgeries, appointments, and meetings. Then I remembered I had cleared my schedule. Could this day get any worse?
When I got home and parked in the driveway, the usual calming sight of my sleek, luxury home aggravated the emptiness I felt. I walked inside slowly, afraid to hug the loneliness that awaited me.
The empty hours dragged by, and I spent them walking around every corner of my house, moving restlessly from room to room, jumping on my phone at every buzz, but still, nothing.
Next, I threw myself on the couch and mindlessly scanned TV channels. I stumbled on an arts program, which circled my thoughts back to herthe fierce look in her eyes, her sharp, sassy attitude, and our bond last night.
I groaned in frustration, unable to bear the silence any longer, and dialed a familiar number on my phone.
Hey darling! she answered on the second ring.
Hello, Mother.
What a wonderful surprise. She called my father in the background. Honey, its Alex!
My father, the usual, chimed in with work queries, reminded me not to overwork myself, and ended with, Did you see the Stonebridge versus Riverside match?
Yes, Dad. It was amazing. I told you the new coach would change the clubs statistics.
My mother cut in, Enough about all that. She promptly switched to a tone I knew the words to: Alex, you are not getting any younger. When are you going to meet someone new?
I chuckled softly. Id had this conversation several times, enough to know how it ended, but instead of brushing it away this time, I heard myself say, There is someone.
Who? Her voice went up an octave. What is she like? Tell me everything!
Calm down, Mom. I paused, suddenly weighing whether to push it, given that I was still unsure about the circumstances under which we had met. I hardly understood why I added, Shes beautiful, bold... different. Natalies an artist.
Well, different is good. My father jumped in.
But artist? Is that something you are interested in?
Oh, definitely, now more than ever. I fell silent, thinking of the canvases. But the truth is, I barely know her. What if
Mother cut me off with a soft laugh. Its all part of the fun, darling. Why dont you get to know her?
Im trying, Mom. She is quite out of reach.
Finally, a woman out of reach for Alex Carter. They burst into laughter, reminding me of the weight of this uncertainty. Try harder, dear. Invite her to dinner sometime soon.
The call ended a few minutes later, but the words echoed. I watched the phone go blank, praying it would light up with her call. But there was nothing.
I dialed another contact.