Page 7 of Runaway Girl
I told her we would talk soon, so why the fuck did she run off before we could even discuss anything?
“Miss you.”
That last message hit different—a minute tell of my vulnerability at the time. It had me reeling with anxiety—and, dare I say it, nerves. I wasn’t used to expressing those types of emotions, didn’t likebeing victim of them.
After my disastrous reaction in her apartment, freshly followed up my foolish drunken rants, I knew I was fucked.
I had to see her. To apologise and try to explain why I had reacted the way I did.
But more importantly, I had to communicate why I was as messed up as I was. My issues ran deep, and when she had dropped those commitment bombs on me, I panicked. It had me reverting back to my childhood days when I would have to switch from defence to offence in a manner of seconds.
I had to make Alicia understand that, although my actions showed it was everything to do with her. It, in fact, had everything to do withme.
Seeing her was the only thing that was going to relieve the weird ache that had taken root inside me.
So, as soon as I made it back to the city, I sat in the foyer of Alicia’s apartment building for hours, waiting for her to comehome. I didn’t know how much time passed until the same doorman returned for his next shift, finding me in the exact position I was in before he had left.
The older gentleman approached with sincere eyes, his name badge flashing on his chest. “Son, have you had something to eat?” Burt asked.
I shook my head.
“Sleep?”
I repeated the motion, scared to talk in case I screamed instead.
“Who is it you’re waiting for?”
I licked my dry lips. “Alicia. She’s on level sixteen. Reception said they can’t get a hold of anyone in the apartment, and she… she broke her phone, so I can’t get in touch with her.”
Burt’s face softened. “Ah, Miss Thorne.” My attention spiked at the mention of her name. “She may be away. She does work hard, that girl.”
Work. Idiot!
“You’re a damn genius, Burt.”
Seeming pleased with my reaction, Burt returned to his station near the entrance as I called Alicia’s office at Stella Financial Management.
I immediately deflated as Felix, her boss, answered. Clearing my throat, I managed to ask for Alicia.
“Sorry, Mr Harris, but Miss Thorne has taken some emergency leave. I’m currently looking after her clients. What can I help you with?”
Emergency leave?Alicia worked fast and didn’t fuck around, as proven by her swift escape.Runaway girl, indeed.
Things were more dire than I had realised.
“Ah, nothing. Can you get her to call me when she’s available?”
“Of course. Are you sure I can’t—”
“Nope.” Then I hung up. It was probably a dick move.Which was the norm for me now.
I found myself pacing, unsure of what my next play should be.Who else could I use to get in contact with her?
I hadn’t even met any of her family or friends.What is wrong with me?
We would usually hook up at my place, but on occasion, I would go to her apartment when her sister and nephew weren’t there. Alicia never offered or asked for me to meet them, but I also never showed interest in that part of her life.
Hence, I had nowhere else to turn. No clues to follow. Further proving how much of a self-absorbed asshole I was.
