Page 127 of Tarek

TAREK

She is not answering her phone. It doesn’t even ring anymore, it just cuts off like I’m blocked. The last text I got from Pen wasI miss you too and I love you.Now? Silence.

I’m worried sick. Called her a hundred times. My text goes unread. I even tried calling Rhet just to see if he’s heard from her. But no- that mother fucker is off the grid on his honeymoon. Living his perfect dream life while my life goes up in flames.

I can’t think straight. I have no focus. This meeting should never have happened. While the investors spoke, I heard nothing. All I could think about was Penny. I almost hijacked the god damn plane because I thought the pilot was flying to slow.

Where the fuck was she? Is she okay? Was she hurt?

A red stop light flashes ahead, but I don’t care. Traffic laws mean nothing to me right now. Green? Red? I’m color blind. It’s all black and white to me, when I see my girl again everything will be in color.

I drift around the corner to her street. My heart stops cold when I see two men carrying Penny’s sofa into a moving truck.

My frustration was bubbling over. I slam on my brakes skidding in the middle of the street.

I jump out of the car before it even stops moving.

“Drop that fucking sofa,” I roar, running towards them.

The movers freeze, and stares at each other. One stammers as he began to explain. I don’t care.

I pull my jacket to the side to let them see the butt of my gun. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

The sofa makes a small thud as the movers drop it. One of the men mutters, “Jesus Christ.”

“Hey, hey, easy man,” The voice comes from behind me, calm and smooth.

I turn to see her brother, Archer Holt, bounding down the stairs. He’s tall, with deeply tanned skin, sharp features and striking grey eyes. He flashes me a smile and extends his hand.

“You must be Tarek,” he says like we are about to have a friendly chat over coffee.

“I know who you are. Your face is everywhere. Where the fuck is Penny?” I ask.

Archer, strokes his chin. “Hmm I gotta hand it to the marketing team. You recognizing me on sight? That’s a win. Definitely giving them a raise.”

I clench my jaw. My patience is wearing thin. “I don’t give a fuck about your brand. Where is she?”

“Relax, let’s talk inside. Follow me.”

Archer doesn’t wait for me to answer, he turns and begins walking back up the stairs. Like he expects everyone to obey his command. If it wasn’t for Penny, I would have already been gone.

When I step inside the first piece of my heart crumbled. The house feels hollow and empty. No rugs, no painting, No Penny.

“She wouldn’t,” I mutter to myself as my throat goes dry.

“Everyone out,” Archer shouts, his voice is strong and commanding. People scuttle out of her bedroom and bathroom carrying more of her things with them.

Archer stops in the kitchen, leans on the counter, and taps a big brown box. “This is yours.”

I glance inside and I feel my heart constrict. Books, clothes, our coffee machine and my knife roll. All shoved in a box like trash.

“Where is she?” My voice is low and controlled.

“She left. New job, new start,” Archer says.

I nod feeling some relief. “Okay. What’s her new number and where is the job?”

Archer inhales. “I can’t tell you Tarek.”

---