Page 11 of Unspoken Obsession

When I'm not at work, I spend my time walking around the forest and swimming in the icy water of the lake. I tried to keep my garden going, but no one ever taught me how to grow things. I still enjoy murdering the poor innocent plants enough to keep trying.

I write letters to my son, growing by the day, so that one day when he is old enough, he knows who he is and where he came from. I don't know if the letters are for me or for him - sometimes I think it is just my way of trying to let go of who I am.

Even though I've made friends with an entire town out here, I am lonely. None of them have a clue who I am, or what my life was before I came here. I miss the noise and energy of Las Vegas - I miss the colorful lights and noisy casinos. But I don't miss my father. And I don't miss having every moment of my life controlled by him.

As humans, we are so adaptable to change - and I am doing my best to change.

I can survive out here alone.

I don't need my father's support because it comes at a price that is too high.

And I don't need the tender touch of a tall dark stranger that I only met once.

On Friday night I rush around the cute little cabin preparing for my first-ever dinner guest. I'm looking forward to having Jake over and hopefully, it will grow our friendship. I desperately need some real friends out here.

Jake knocks on the open door and sticks his head inside.

"Hello, anyone home?" He calls out.

I peek out from around the kitchen area. "Come in," I say.

He hands me a bouquet of sunflowers and a bottle of honey. "Sorry, I obviously wanted to get you some wine—but—you know." he gestures at my swollen, very pregnant stomach.

I giggle and go welcome him into my home.

Dinner is fun.

Jake is polite and honors my request to be friends and nothing more although I can see longing in his eyes and the constant need to take care of me gives away his true feelings.

Over the years we grow closer, but my feelings never change. I wish they could, but my heart remains forever with the unknown man I met at the gala.

DANTE

Every time I host an event at the casino I stand by the bar and search the crowd of faces for that mysterious woman.

It's ridiculous because it's been years since the night I met her, the only time I've ever seen her - yet I can't stop myself from hoping that one day I will see her in a crowded room, and I'll just know it's her.

I swirl the ice in my glass, letting the whisky splash over it. Then I take a sip and lean against the bar, wanting the night to be over, I'm so bored. I only attend these events in the hope she will show up. When I've wasted enough time talking with people I don't care about - I leave already down that she wasn't there yet again.

Over the last three years, I've had two constants in my life: the constant search for my little sister, Dani, and the constant fantasy that one day that beautiful woman in the gold dress will just walk back into my life.

I think my obsession with her has caused me to piece things together in my mind that have nothing to do with each other.

I can't seem to stop this persistent nagging that the mysterious woman in gold is linked to my sister's disappearance.

It's foolish. My brain is blurring things together, the idea is in there, and it won't leave.

"Dante, another successful event," Lorenzo says, leaning against the bar next to me.

"I guess so," I reply with disinterest. "Another night, another event—" They're all the same.

Downing the rest of my drink I slide the empty glass onto the bar. Waving the bartender down and pointing to it. "Another."

He nods.

Turning to Lorenzo I ask, "What happened with that family that skipped town - did you find them?"

"Yes, I finished questioning the oldest brother this afternoon. He was acquainted with your sister, but they aren't the ones responsible for her disappearance. Their story checks out, he wasn't even aware she was missing."

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