Chapter five

David 

"Is everything okay?" Mum interrupts,"You haven't even finished your lunch." 

Cole and I turn and stare at her blankly and speechless. I'm holding my hope that she doesn't demand an explanation. 

"Come on, your father is waiting  for you in the dining room." She instructs and we have no choice but to follow,silently. 

We  are back on our seats. I've already lost my appetite, so I stare blankly at the steak on my  plate. 

I know my mum is going to notice this. 

But dad saves me," We need to catch up on a lot of things you know, and make plans for your future." 

I don't know what he actually means in the future. 

If it's a path other than working with him, then we're in for a very big fight. 

And I have to gather my defense mechanism. 

"There has always been a place for you in the company. You could start from there as you keep your career growing. Cole, here is  our COO and you could learn a lot from him."

Talking about the Delavega Holdings. I hope this conversation will be held some time later. 

"Okay, but I have plans with Cole, for the afternoon." 

"But there's work to do at the office, we have deals to close and you need to handle things now that Maria is missing."

" Actually we're headed to the firm, I need to show David some things. "

Now that's my cousin, my buddy. I knew he got my back. 

" I'll go take a shower first." 

"Well, we're also leaving," adds Mr Banes,"there's work to do at home." 

Ohw! An idea strikes my mind immediately. 

There's only one way to find out if they truly have no idea about their daughter's whereabouts. 

"How about we give you a ride home, drop you before we get to the office." This ride could be interesting as well. After all, I'll have someone pick up their car from here, later. 

"Thanks but we.." 

"I won't take no for an answer," I boldly interrupt as I leave. 

…. 

There's an awkward silence in the car as Cole drives. I'm sitting in the front  seat of the black range rover, while the couple sits quietly at the back. 

Gosh! Are they always this quiet? 

Cole on the other hand seems to be lost in his own thoughts. Is he thinking about her? 

Why's this woman suddenly the main character everywhere I go?

Am I the only one who sees her as a villainess? Or did she make herself a villainess only in my story? 

I knew the last legal counsel, before I left for my studies and my dad never spoke of him, not even during meals. So what's different with this one?

I'm looking at my phone 

I've searched "Maria Banes" on every social media platform but this woman seems to have a thing for privacy.. Smart woman. 

"You know, maybe you should try and call her again," I turn back to address them. 

"I'm sure it's still off," her mother answers, slipping her mobile from her handbag.

Still,no luck. 

"When was the last time you heard from her? " I ask. 

" Yesterday afternoon, when  she called to cancel dinner plans. "

" Don't you guys live together? "

Her dad is silent, leaving his wife to take all the questions. 

" Maria, " she sighs,"Let's just say she's a girl of different character and sometimes it's hard to understand her, even as her parents." 

Ohw! 

"So how do you live with her?"  I probe. 

"How parents and stubborn daughters live. 

I'm sure you understand. She sleeps home sometimes, but mostly not. But one thing, she never fails to check in with us 

At Least she has never gone  silent for this long, like twenty four hours." 

"Well, I'm my father's son, I don't know much about daughters." 

The other two people in the car maintain their silence as the conversation or rather interrogation goes on. 

Before I know it the car halts,in front of a large black gate with some golden sports. 

As the gates open, I notice that the drive hasn't been that long. Maybe because I wasn't paying attention,I got caught up in some other matters. 

We are warmly welcomed  into the Banes mansion. 

It isn't as big as ours but it seems they try by the day. I wouldn't  expect everyone to have a home as big as ours. Not that easily. They have fewer guards and they don't have servants walking around. 

The environment here is quiet and they don't seem to be involved in a lot of businesses like my father. 

"Can I get you something to drink?" asks Mrs Banes. 

"We won't stay long," Cole answers, which is the first time I'm hearing his voice since we left home. 

"Actually," I interrupt, "A little vodka would do." 

"You want to start drinking now," Cole seems pissed. But I want to stall here a little. 

The couple leaves, to get us drinks.Leaving me, having to deal with Cole's lectures. 

"We have a gun to take care of, we have a case to deal with, before word gets out, we actually have a real situation and you're here, waiting for a drink!" he almost shouts. 

"Hush! Now Cole, I place my index finger on my lips," Careful, you look like you're about to cry. " 

" Do you ever take things seriously? This sarcasm could get you killed one day. "

" Cover for me, I need to inquire about something, " I say as I lead my way upstairs. 

"What! Where are you.." 

I give him a deaf ear as I peek around. 

From the conversation at the dining table during lunch, I realized how my dad honors the friendship between the Banes and the Delavegas. They said it was like an ancestry thing and there were several arrangements sealed… Blah blah blah.. Too many formalities. I wouldn't  want to be the one to disrupt that.That would be messing up and I don't want to start on a negative note with him, if I'm the future of the Delavega empire. 

Which is why I have to be careful when dealing with this. 

There are three doors before me and I don't know which one could be hers. 

Each one of them is locked. What do I do from here? I need to think quickly. I search my pockets. 

Luckily the keyholder in my pocket has a pin. It's a relief. I start with the  door on my right. 

I'm hoping my good luck star is still on my side. After a little struggle, it's open! 

I'm in. It doesn't take a genius to realize that this is it. I slowly lock the door behind me. Careful not to attract any attention, as I do my thing. I must have been lucky that there are no guards at each door here. 

I study the room keenly. 

The theme is pink-the curtains, bedsheets, every  decoration I notice-so girly.

The six by six comfy bed occupies the most space. The wardrobe is also painted pink. The two-seater coach on the side too. 

There's a working desk, with a desktop computer on the other side. That should be my starting point, but it's off. I'm not knowledgeable enough to try and guess a few passwords. Besides, I don't have time. Cole may not be able to hold  her parents long enough before they get suspicious. 

Beside the bed, close to the lampshade is a small picture of a lady, young enough. Everything about her captures my attention. I'm curious now. I can't ignore it. 

Straight brown hair, long enough to reach her back. The most charming smile, and I haven't seen one like this one. Everything about her is different. She's just  not like the  ones I'm used to… 

She's in a long, red dress.long enough to touch  toes, which displays her tiny, petite figure. I don't even want to think of what's in there,as I undress the picture myself. A mosquito's waist which makes me imagine how my  hand would fit, if I was to touch her in a way… Oh crap! 

What am I thinking? I need to cleanse my brain. This could be a total disaster. 

It's just a picture, and this isn't even the time to admire a petite lady,again. 

I'm enraged but I can't deny it, this woman is a beauty. 

Even as the photo stares at me, I feel attracted. A diva, that one. 

Makes me wonder whether she's an angel in disguise. 

She has me shift out of reality for a while. 

My first nemesis turns out to be a she, exactly my type. I move closer and I hold the picture in my hands. Her dark blue eyes stare charmingly back at me. Her lashes are a little longer and well arranged, dark as her shaped brows, well kept. The closer I look the more beautiful she becomes. Her cheeks seem charmingly  soft. And her lips, even as they're curved into a smile, they still make Me want to Mount mine on them. 

"Look at you," I whisper inwardly. Just the thought of it causes some movements in my pants and my temperatures are almost rising so, 

I place it down to return my focus. I notice a necklace on the side. It has a star on it. 

What does this one symbolize? No time to think here. 

I slide it into my pocket without thinking twice. 

I quickly check the drawers which are attached to the side of the bed. 

I know I would find some personal staff, but who cares. 

I make a quick search. 

The first one is empty, same to the second one, but the last one? 

Talk of privacy. It's a diary. A pink one at that. 

Who doesn't get interested when they find a diary? 

Those with dignity left in them would leave it alone claiming it's invading one's privacy. 

For me, it's the privacy that I'm interested it

It's what could give me the answers I need. 

It's what could help me find her. The woman who's gotten more interesting than before. 

I don't have time to read everything here, so I just have to leave with it. 

To hell with privacy. 

I tuck it at the back of my trousers and cover it with my leather jacket. No one would notice. 

I look around for anything else, when the door cracks open. 

Ooh Shit!