Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Instantly, he hid his thoughts behind a suave smile. “I should amend that statement. He used to be a ladies man. Not since he met you though.”
My fingers tightened on my purse, but I managed to keep my voice casual. “Speaking of Max, did you see him at the office by any chance? He was supposed to meet me here, but I guess he’s caught up with work as usual.”
“Caught up with work?” He scratched his chin. “I don’t think so. I was the last to leave the office just now, and he was not there.”
“Oh,” I exclaimed, surprised.
“Ummm… I don’t want to bore you with work details, but we’ve been having some issues lately. I had to call an emergency meeting, which Max stormed out of halfway through. That was hours ago, though.”
“What?” A feeling of confusion crept over me. Hours ago? “But if he left that early, why isn’t he here?”
“He’s a fool who doesn’t realize what he has.” Robert’s voice was soft, but he was watching me blankly, his real thoughts masked.
I swallowed, feeling suddenly nervous under his intense, unfathomable stare. Keep your focus, Savannah. Find out what’s really going on. “What’s the problem that called for the emergency meeting? Is it the software again?”
“Ummm. Not quite.”
“Well? What is it then? It has to be something important to make Max forget even my damn birthday.” I felt the heat in my words. Angry tears were stinging my eyes.
He looked away, but before his gaze swung away, I detected pity. “It may be best to hear it from Max himself.”
“I would gladly do that if I could only get a hold of him. I’ve texted and called. No response. And now to hear that he left the office hours ago… and he still hasn’t shown up. For⎯” I stop suddenly. My anger collapsing instantly and horror replacing it. “Oh, Robert! What if something’s wrong with him? What if he’s had an accident? Or he’s been mugged? What if he’s lying hurt in an alleyway somewhere, and here I am bitching at him for being late?” I could feel my voice rising hysterically, but I couldn’t help myself.
The thought of losing Max filled me with terrible, terrible fear. I loved him with all my heart. He was my first love and I was convinced he would be my last. I placed my hand on Robert’s arm. “Robert, please help me find him. I feel so silly and childish for behaving like this when he needs my help. Yes, he’s stood me up before, but he has always called and explained. Always. He hasn’t called tonight and worse I haven’t been able to reach him either so something must be very wrong. Please, Robert!”
“Savannah, calm down.” Robert patted my hand soothingly. Even in my agitated state, some distant part of me realized his fingers were lingering on the bare skin of my forearm.
“Max is a big boy. I’m sure he is fine.”
I leaned back, dislodging his fingers. “But what if he isn’t? You have to help me find him. Please, Robert. I have this terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something is wrong. I know it.”
And that was no lie either. When I woke up this morning I felt as if something was not right, but I dismissed it as nothing, and when all the e-cards and birthday wishes started coming into my phone from my circle of friends the sensation dissipated slightly. Later, I put the unease down to Max not calling. Now I know it was my intuition, a premonition, warning me of some impending doom.
I stared deep into Robert’s eyes, not hiding the tears and fear in mine. I saw him soften a bit.
“Okay. Let me see what I can do. Let me call Lillian. She might have some idea where he might be.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, dialed, and placed the call on speaker.
I waited impatiently for Max’s secretary to answer the phone.
“Hello?” Her voice was clear, but cold.
“Lillian, I’ve got Savannah with me. We’re trying to find Max. Have you seen him, or know where he might be?”
“I haven’t seen him since he left the meeting, Mr. Channing. Maybe he went back to the office after I left.”
“Well, he wasn’t there when I left fifteen minutes ago. But you may be onto something there. Thanks, Lillian.”
“Sure.” His secretary ended the call abruptly, which was weird because she was always very warm and chatty with everyone.
Robert looked at me and smiled apologetically. “Everyone’s a bit on edge with this latest issue we’re having, but she made a good point. What do you say we swing by the office to see if he’s gone back? And even if he didn’t, we can check his desk to see if there are any clues as to what’s going on with him. He has been acting weird for weeks. Have you… er… noticed anything?”