Page 6 of Unraveling an Enigma
It was mere hours ago that Hugo advised for me to wait under the awning of my office building if it was raining this evening. So much has happened since then, it feels like it was weeks, not hours.
After Isaac left the office, Alex was irate. He was the most furious I have ever seen him. Once I regained the ability to think rationally, I moved toward the table to secure the envelope Isaac refused to look at. My curiosity was piqued about what Alex could possibly have in there that would warrant him arresting Isaac this morning, but before I could view the contents of the envelope, Alex snatched it from my grasp and stormed out of the interrogation room.
I spent the remainder of the afternoon cowardly hiding in the supply closet. Although none of the agents uttered a word to me, their questioning looks were enough to have me laying low. I tried Isaac’s cell phone numerous times in those two hours, but my calls were sent to his voicemail, and my text messages went unanswered.
Apparently delusional, I waited under the awning for Hugo for thirty minutes this evening. Eventually, my logical thinking head switched back on. I’d become so accustomed to Hugo collecting me every night, it became the norm, and it didn’t click that he will no longer be picking me up.
The one advantage of not having an umbrella is that the people rushing past me in a hurry to enjoy their weekend are unaware that the dampness staining my blemished face is from the tears I’ve finally permitted to fall. I held my composure the past few hours, but now that my tears are flowing, I have no chance of reeling them in.
By the time I walk into my apartment, I'm soaking wet from the tips of my hair to my nearly snap-frozen toes. I'm beyond freezing, but it’s nothing compared to the iciness surrounding my heart.
A fresh batch of tears form in my eyes when I stagger through the front door of my apartment. A man with an aura like Isaac permeates the air, clinging to the environment hours after he’s left the room. I can still smell him throughout my apartment.
My hurried strides to the bathroom halt the instant I spot the rumpled sheets on my bed. It was only twelve hours ago I was telling Isaac I loved him in that bed.
I need to make this right. He needs to know I haven’t done anything wrong, and that I'm going to support him through this.
I rush into the bathroom to take one of the quickest showers I’ve ever had. When the scorching hot water hits my toes, they burn from the sudden change in temperature.
Once I’ve donned a fresh set of clothes, a pair of jeans and a poly waffle-printed long-sleeve top, I sprint out of my apartment, grabbing my umbrella from the entranceway on the way by.
Because it is a Friday night, it takes a lot longer for me to wrangle a cab than normal. By the time the taxi pulls into the driveway at Isaac’s private residence, it is a little after 9 PM.
“Thank you.” I hand the driver my credit card to pay the expensive fare.
I swallow harshly to remove the lump rammed in my throat before pressing the intercom button on the wrought iron security box. My hand jitters as I hold the call button down.
After several long and tedious minutes, my calls remain unanswered. Assuming Isaac isn’t home, I head back to the road while yanking my cell out of my pocket. If I’d been thinking straight, I would’ve asked the cab to wait, but my mind is nothing but a blurred mess of confusion.Who knows how long I’ll have to wait for the taxi to return now?
Twenty minutes pass before the brightness of headlights beam down the eerily black, isolated road. Sheltering my eyes from the blinding light with my hand, I pace toward the vehicle that has suddenly come to a stop at the entrance of the driveway. My quick strides only halt when I realize it is Isaac’s black Mercedes Benz town car, not the taxi I was expecting. My breathing stills and my pupils dilate in shock.
Seconds feel like minutes as the black driver’s side tinted window glides down. My normal heart rhythm returns when Hugo’s apprehensive eyes roam over me. “It’s not a good time, Izzy,” he informs me with a forlorn expression on his face.
“Please, Hugo, I need to see him,” I plead, my voice barely a whisper. “I have to explain—”
“You have a lot of explaining to do, but believe me, now isnotthe time,” he interrupts.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard Hugo be anything but friendly. His tone reveals his anger and disgust with me.
“Please,” I beg shamelessly.
I’ll even resort to getting down on my hands and knees if I have to. I’ll do anything it takes to see Isaac again. To have the opportunity of explaining everything. I’m confident that once Isaac understands I was defending his integrity, he will forgive me for my deceit.
Hugo exhales a harsh huff before running his hand down his face. Through gritted teeth, he punches the security code into the black box with force. My heart rate increases with every creak the gate makes as it opens. Once the gate is opened, he unlocks the car doors. Without a peep, I slide in the front passenger seat.
The driveway leading to Isaac’s private property is an impressive length, but it feels longer with the uncomfortable awkwardness plaguing the interior of the car. Although Hugo doesn’t say anything, his anger bounces off him, making the heat in the car stifling.
The car comes to a stop outside the front entrance of Isaac’s private residence. As I'm about to open the door, Hugo re-latches the locks, trapping me in the car. My brows furrow as my gaze turns to him. His grip tightens on the wheel as his eyes face the blackened sky. After coughing to clear his throat, his torso swivels to face me.
Once his gaze meets mine, he brazenly questions, “Are you carrying a weapon?”
“No,” I reply with a swift shake of my head. “I would never…. I don’t… I’m not here officially,” I stumble, hoping to convey that I'd never come to Isaac’s house on business-related matters. I am only here for personal reasons.
“I was only asking for your safety, Izzy.” His voice is raspy and jam-packed with emotion. “I’ve never seen Isaac like this before. I honestly don’t know how he will react when he sees you.”
Gritting my teeth hard, I battle the urge to sob. I try to think of an adequate response, but I'm at a loss for words. I haven’t had the chance to work out the jumbled mess of confusion clustered in my mind the past twelve hours, so I can only imagine how bewildered Isaac is. It feels like I’m trapped in a terrible nightmare. I'd do anything to wake up and start this day all over again. My own rendition of Groundhog Day would be perfect right now.
With a sense of reluctance, Hugo unlocks the doors of the car. After taking several deep breaths to calm my jittery nerves, I climb the stairs of Isaac’s private residence. Hugo closely shadows me.
