Dominico
Four months! Four f*****g months and these incompetent fools that I surrounded myself with are yet to find her. I assigned the task of finding her specifically to Zadok last week, and he vowed to yield useful result.
Walking into the warehouse with Nate and Seth, I ignored other security lingering around. "Did you count the order before payment?"
"Yes boss, three hundred shotguns, two hundred riffles, fifty handgun, five hundred Revolver, Hundred Pistol and eight hundred machine guns."
"And Santiago?" That man has always been a thorn in my flesh, it's a wonder why I haven't killed him yet. "Any news from his men? Did you find any lurking around?"
"No boss, I had the men on look out which must have scared them." Nate opened the first box, then instructed one of the newbies to come count the guns again. "although I heard Santiago isn't in New York."
Santiago isn't in New York? That's suspicious. I'm a man who is involved in many business, from stolen diamonds to drugs to illegal importation of firearms then legally, I run chains of hotels, casinos and club house.
Santiago on the other hand is fully into illegal importation of firearms, and he has made it his life mission to want to know what type of guns I'm importing so he can always be on top of his game.
"If Santiago isn't in New York, where is he?"
"Miami." Nate closed the box after confirming the number then moved to the next one. "I do not quite understand what he's doing in Miami, but the guys I put on him said it looks like he's on vacation."
I refuse to believe that Santiago is on vacation. "Keep a close eyes on him, there is more to this story that you haven't discovered yet."
I eyed the other box. "Confirm the numbers and get back to me Asap." More important issues await me in my office, if he can't handle accurate shipment, then he shouldn't be working for me.
Stepping into my house, I regretted not bringing Josephine home. I can't believe I f****d her on the same bed where I f****d other ladies. It has been four months, four long months and I'm yet to find her.
Her beautiful portrait smiled back at me and I felt myself smiling back. "I'm going to find you, I don't know where you're hiding, but I'm going to find you, and I'll bring you back home where you belong."
Heaving out that depressing feeling of helplessness, I walked into my office, banged the door and focused on my work.
Two hours into my work, my door opened with a bang and Zadok strutted in with a smug look. "Who is the best?" he queried with his head held high and his chest sticking out. When I ignored his silly question, he smiled widely. "I've found her."
Now that's the kind of news I've been waiting to hear. "If you've found her, why aren't you on your way to bring back? Why are you standing before me without her?"
He walked to the bar and helped himself with a glass of whiskey, seriousness replacing his previous playful demeanor. "I found out something about her which makes me believe you're in the better position to bring her back." he cleared his throat. "That's if you still want her." He mumbled, his voice a silent whisper but somehow, I managed to hear him.
"Utter such useless words again and I promise to separate you from your tongue." He occupied the seat next to mine, refilled the second glass with whiskey and pushed it towards me. "What did you find out about her?" I don't care if she's married, I'll definitely find a way to bring her home where she belongs.
"I do not understand you fascination with this woman which is why I wish I'm not the one relaying such depressing message." Zadok gulped down his whiskey. "She's pregnant."
Time stopped momentarily as his words sank in slowly. I stared at Zadok without blinking, my eyes wider than its normal size. "What did you just say?" She's what?
"I know you're surprised, I was too," he dropped an envelope on the desk. "She didn't run away alone, she ran away with her lover and right now, she's carrying his child."
She ran away with her lover? If she has a lover, why then did she have s*x with a random stranger? "That child could be mine as much as it is his." his brows furrowed. "Where is she?"
"Phoenix, Arizona." His face still harbored confusion. "What the f**k did you mean by that child could be yours as much as it's his?" his eyes narrowed. "What aren't you telling me? As far as I know, you haven't met her before, or have you?"
The envelope on my desk beckoned my attention, so I picked it up. Dipping my hand into the envelope, I brought out pictures of my fiancée with her cute baby bump. I ran my thumb across her face then slowly down to her bump.
"Dominico?!"
"What?!" I snapped. The possibility that this baby isn't mine made me drop the picture.
"Why do you think the baby is yours?" his face crunched up. "f**k that, when did you have s*x with her?!"
"How about you stay the f**k away from my business? Whatever that is going on between Josephine and I isn't any of your business, so how about you maintain your lane."
"It's not my business you say?" he huffed out with a scowl "It's not my business, yet I was the one combing the street of Phoenix searching for her." Inhaling deeply, he leaned forward. "I'm your brother and your right-hand man, it's only right for me to know where your head is at."
"Keep questioning me and you'll lose the latter." I need to pack some clothes." Inform the pilot to get ready, we're leaving for Phoenix."
"And your business here? You're just going to leave everything hanging?"
"Business can wait." his brows jumped to his hairline. "Get out of my house Zadok, I need to pack."
He mumbled incoherent words as he walked out of my office while I went to my room to pack few clothes for the trip. Somehow, I feel this is going to be a long stay.
I've never been to Phoenix before, not because I don't have any business associates here, but because I prefer sending my men over to handle all business related matters here in Phoenix. The place seem nice for vacation, and I'm sure Zadok will love to be here. Maybe I'll recommend this place to him next time he decides to go on vacation.
Just the thought of his reaction when I told him that he isn't coming with me made me chuckle. He was so expectant and looking forward to spending some time here while I went after Josephine but I told him to stay back and handle the business until I get back.
Hide didn't say a word to me as we rode the elevator to the penthouse. He's a man of little words, he's into more actions than words which is why I always travel with him on business trip. "Reserve a table at the restaurant next to the hotel, that's where I'll be having my dinner."
"Yes boss." He pulled out his phone and began to type away.
Walking into the penthouse, I first utilized the bathroom, a warm shower the most needed thing at the moment. After showering, I wrapped a white towel round my waist, stepped out, grabbed a cigarette from my bag then faced the see through glass, overlooking the busy street.
'The Pallete' stared back at me and I wondered if she's in there. I can't believe that the woman I'm suppose to get married to, the woman carrying my child is in there waiting on other people. I wonder what her reaction will be when she sees me. Will she remember me? For her sake, I hope she does.
Seven minutes past seven, I walked into 'The Pallete' my eyes quickly scanning the place in search of the reason why I'm here.
"A lovely evening Mr. Lopez," A young waitress greeted me. "Please follow me, I'll lead you to your table."
I wordlessly followed her to my assigned table.
"I'll be your waitress tonight. What may I get you?"
I eyed the young lady, trying so hard not to get angry at her for doing absolutely nothing. "Get me your manager."
Her eyes widened with fear. "Did I do anything wrong sir?"
"You will if you don't do as you're told. Fetch me your goddamn manager before I finally lose it." Although my voice is calm, I'm sure the brewing anger did not go unnoticed by her. She gave me a curt nod before scurrying away.
Few minutes later, an older woman whom I assume is the manager walked hastily to my table. "Good evening Mr. Lopez, is everything alright? One of my staffs informed me that you demanded for my presence."
"I need a new waitress, Josephine to be precise." She looked confused yet conflicted for a minute. "I'm sure your hearing is not impaired. I need Josephine waiting on me."
Clearing her throat, she tried to look as calm as possible. "I think there is a mix up somewhere, there isn't anybody by that name here."
I pulled out a picture of Josephine from my inner pocket, slapped it on the table and pushed it towards her. "Are you trying to tell me that you do not know this lady?"
She picked up the picture. "You mean Jose?" Jose? Is that what she's known as over here? "No problem sir, I'll have her over here in few minutes."
True to her words, my pregnant yet beautiful black hair appeared few minutes later, her face relaxed with a small smile that is no doubt meant for every damn customer. I waited patiently for her to lift her eyes and acknowledge me, but she didn't until she approached my table.
"Good evening sir, I'll be your waitress for toni_" She finally lifted her head and choked on her words. The tiny book which was on her hand slipped but she quickly caught it. Her wide eyes finally adjusted. "I'll be your waitress tonight, what can I offer you?"
Is that the game you want to play? Chuckling softly, I took in her appearance, her beautiful black hair longer than before and her bump making her look more sexy. "I see you remember me, love."
She wiped her clammy hands on her skirt. "What are you doing here?"
I wonder if she's aware that I'm the same man she's suppose to spend the rest of her life with. "Why do people visit restaurants?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from every word.
"People do not go around rejecting their waitress for no good reason, requesting for a new one unless they have interior motive." She took a deep breath, trying to regulate her quickened breathing. "Why exactly are you here Mr?"
I like the fact that she's straight to the point, one of the qualities that drew me to her that day at the club. "Why do you think I'm here?"
Her hand went to her bump involuntarily and she took a step back. "I'm done playing this game with you, I'll have someone else wait on you." She turned around to leave, but my words stopped her dead on her track.
"I'm here to take you home to where you belong."
She turned around slowly. "And where is that?"
"By my side."
Aksara