Page 51 of Lodged

“Did you just Google that?” I ask, perplexed and she nods. “I mean, I know Ruin doesn’t have social media, but damn. How did I not think of that? I’m such an idiot. I don’t deserve to be called a Doctor of Philosophy, I can’t manage a simple Google search.” I sit next to Penny, feeling useless and defeated.

“Okay, enough with that. You’re not thinking properly, and that’s normal, Gio. You just lost someone important. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Penny says, a gentle smile on her face. I don’t think I’ve ever been so thankful for being Penny’s friend than right now.

The doorbell rings, and Penny gets up from the couch to open the door. She comes back with bags and quickly sets up a spread of Chinese food on the table. We eat in silence, but I’m slowly starting to feel human again.

Once the leftovers are neatly organized in the fridge and the kitchen is spotless, Penny grabs her coat and makes her way to the door.

“Hey, Pen.” She looks at me with curious eyes. “I wanted to thank you for coming over and helping me out. A plan is starting to form in my mind, and you helped make that happen. So, thank you.” Her curiosity transforms into wariness, and she goes back to sit down on the couch.

“What’s that plan, Gio?” she asks with a sigh.

“Well, I’m going to go to their orchard, of course.” Her eyes widen, and I continue telling her my plan. “Pen, I need answers. I cannot know where she lives and not go talk to her.”

“Are you sure that’s the best course of action? Maybe you should test the waters first.” I know she wants to protect me and be cautious, but I need to know what happened.

“No, Pen. I’m heading to Azalea Creek,” I say in a tone that leaves no room for argument. She sighs and gets up from the couch. I get up with her, and she gives me a hug.

“Please be careful. You know I’m just a phone call or text away.”

Once Pen is gone, I do some Google research on my own. I need to talk with Dr. Smith, and then I need to go get answers.

Chapter 23

Gio Bianchi

After Penny’s intervention at my house, I decided to ask Dr. Smith for a month off before starting to work as a postdoctoral researcher in his lab.

I need to try to find her. I know it won’t be easy but if I don’t do it, I’ll keep asking myself “what if” for the rest of my life.

“Dr. Smith, hi,” I say instead of knocking on his door as I walk inside and take a seat across from me.

“Gio, hi. Welcome back. Did you have a good time with your family?”

“I did, thank you,” I answer without meeting his gaze.

“Is there something wrong?”

“It’s Ruin,” I say. Dr. Smith releases a sigh and rearranges his position in his chair.

“Did you guys break up? I hope this isn’t going to cause any problems.” He raises an eyebrow.

“She vanished.” His expression turns confused.

He clicks something on his keyboard, and after a few minutes he says, “Interesting.” When he looks at me, his expression is unreadable. “She canceled this semester.”

“She did?” I ask, trying to get any morsel of information I can.

“Well, I’m not sure if she specifically did, but it says she’s no longer a student here. Her records are confidential now.” Fuck, I know money talks, but I’m not about to bribe the school. That’s beneath me.

“Dr. Smith, I truly hate to ask you this, but is there any chance I can take a month off before I start my work here?” He looks at me as the wheels of his brain turn. When I think he’s going to tell me to fuck off and find another lab to work in, he speaks.

“Gio, I understand these are extenuating circumstances, but please know I cannot give you more than a month. When you come back to this lab in four weeks, I need you to be able to pick up where you left off last year. There are deadlines to meet and papers to write.” I let out a big breath of relief. I understand what he’s not saying: he has made many exceptions for me, but I need to start producing results. All the money in the world means jack shit if you don’t have data to present.

“Thank you, Dr. Smith. I promise I’ll be back on time and ready to work.” He nods at me with a smile as I get up from the seat and make my way out of his office. I need to go home and come up with a plan to find Ruin.

“Hey, Gio. How’s it going?” Vicente asks on the other end of the video call.

“Hey, man, here trying to come up with a plan to find Ruin.” Vicente stops whatever he was doing and faces his phone fully, giving me his undivided attention.

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