Envious Desire

Unknown POV

“It’s been two days you fucking asshole, she hasn’t stopped bleeding. I told you to fucking stay away from her. How the fuck are we supposed to get his money now?”

“We could abandon the plan.”

“And do what with her?”

“Leave her here to die?”

“What? No! Then if they find us, we get felony charges for murder? Let’s just drop her off at the hospital. Maybe they can stop the bleeding.”

“What about the money? We have to come up with a new plan before we discard her.”

“Fine, figure this shit out fast before she dies.”

Axle’s POV

~Two Days Later~

Work has been my only salvation, residing in the confines of my domicile has only allowed murderous thoughts to filter through my head with gloomy, horrific endings and devastating outcomes.

Walking out to Victoria, “Let me know when Mr. Wilson arrives. I’m in desperate need of caffeine.”

“I can retrieve it.”

She offers but I refuse with kindness, “No, thank you. I need the distraction. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Riding in the elevator, it seems like decades before it reaches the lobby. Entering the side door into the coffee shop, my wandering orbs locate Amanda. Halting my action, I conclude leaving as best measure when her eyes capture mine.

Fuck! Caught red handed. My calculation, we have to face the elephant in the room at some point.

Strolling towards the line, her intense eyes burn holes in my flesh bestowing a feeling of discomfort. Awaiting service, lo and behold, Amanda is my barista. Strutting to the counter, I grant her a half smile, hoping to ease the tension, “Hey Amanda.”

“Hey Axle, how have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while,” her eyes flutter but veer away from my gaze.

“I’ve been better. Searching day and night in the hopes Chloe will be by my side once again.” I felt it necessary to deliver the message that Chloe is my number one concern.

Stretching her arm across the counter, she canopies my hand within her soft hands, grasping with a light squeeze, “I know. We all want her home. No one as much as you. She’ll come home soon. I just know it. I’m putting it out in the universe. Positive thoughts only.” Her lips tug, gracing me with a full on smile.

Walking away to prepare coffee, I ponder the thought of Chloe returning to me. To protect her... to be by her side... to love her like she truly deserves.

Amanda reemerges, handing a hot, steaming cup of coffee to me. Puzzled, my eyebrows meet in the center, “I haven’t placed my order?”

“I’ve been employed here long enough to know dark roast, 2 sugar, half and half, medium,” her face lights up with audaciousness.

Withdrawing cash, she forces my hand aside, “No, it’s on the house... for Chloe.”

Unwilling to negotiate, nodding my head, I make my way out of the shop backtracking my steps up to my office.

Doors separating, Victoria comes into view, “Mr. Wilson arrived two minutes ago. He is in the lounge area awaiting your arrival.”

Acknowledging her, my head gives a quick nod. Gunning for my office, I swing the door open, “Hello Mr. Wilson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Extending my arm we give a firm handshake.

“It’s nice to have a face behind the name Mr. Cross.”

Waving for him to settle down, I commence our meeting, “Tell me, what exactly is going on at your company that you feel you require our services?”

“Straight to the point. I admire that. I have been in business for 18 years but I fear my old ways cannot keep up with the modern times. My company is failing and I’m in fear of losing it.”

My pocket vibrates while Mr. Wilson explains his circumstances. Ignoring it, I grant him my undivided attention to his plea for help.

“I’m sure we can find a happy medium to retain some of what your company holds dear and today’s twist to keep your company in competition with others.”

The incessant vibration proceeds to erupt in my pants, “If you’ll excuse me Mr. Wilson. I need to take this.”

With hasty feet, I arrive at my desk, retrieving my phone, Dominic’s name appears on my screen. Swiping left, I answer with swiftness.

“Hello.”

“Mr. Cross, we have located her. Facial recognition picked her up outside of Jersey City Medical Center. She was left on the street for them to find her.”

My heart ceases to pump, images of a bloodied Chloe coats my eyes as it has dreadful night after dreadful night for weeks on end.

“We traced the van back to the warehouse district in Jersey City. She was being housed there. We are still tracking her exact location.”

“Is she at the hospital now?” Anxiety riddles my voice as my face contorts.

“Yes, she was just dropped off 10 minutes ago. It seems they found her, called for help and she was taken inside.”

“Thank you Dominic,” pressed for time, I hung up, unwilling to wait for a reply. Looking up, Mr. Wilson comes into sight. Engrossed in conversation my mind overlooked my current situation.

“Mr. Wilson, my sincerest apologies. I’m afraid I will need to reschedule our meeting. It’s imperative for my presence at the hospital, I hope you can understand.”

“Of course, please go, don’t worry about me,” he waved his hands back and forth.

“I’ll have Victoria reschedule and Ms. Knight will take you out to lunch.” I have to make it worth his while for showing up, it’s the very least that I can do.

“No need,” moving his head back and forth, he waves me off.

“Please, I insist.” Making my way to the door, “If you’ll excuse me.”

Rushing down the hall, “Vic, reschedule my meeting and have Jordan take Mr. Wilson out to lunch.” Pressing the button for the elevator, I felt like my finger would rupture the mechanism.

“Where are you going?” Her voice was full of bewilderment as I continued to compress the button.

“I’m headed to the hospital, Chloe’s there.” Her eyes widened in awe.

Unable to entertain queries, I soar down the staircase, not willing to wait for the elevator, I head to the parking garage.

Leo comes into sight, leaning against the car, “Leo, toss me the keys, take the rest of the day off.”

“Sir?” Puzzlement swarms his face with caterpillar eyebrows and sliced eyes.

“I require the car, take the day,” my voice was more stern than intended. Understanding my urgency, he nodded, tossing me the fob key.

Entering the car, I input the address into the navigation system. Stepping on the break, I push the button, igniting the engine to roar to life. Shifting into gear, I speed off, literally burning rubber, the squeal of the tires resonate within the walls.

Exiting the garage, “I’m coming for you baby. I’m coming.”

Shelly’s POV

Everything has been peculiar with Eric these past weeks. There’s this huge disconnect and now... it’s as if he’s circumventing me at every turn. Rising in the morning, his absence is felt. Lying in bed at night, unaccompanied, emotions of abandonment wash over me.

When we do cross paths, he beelines for the shower or the office. If he does accompany me in the bed, there’s a gigantic iceberg separating us. You could feel the chill in the atmosphere.

In recent days, I’ve found myself releasing my grief in the shower, allowing the rain to conceal my sorrow. Pondering where things went wrong my phone rings tugging me back to my office.

201? That’s New Jersey.

Swiping left, “Hello?”

“Hello, this is Sheryl from the Jersey City Medical Center. Am I speaking with Shelly Daye?”

Eyebrows bunch together, “Yes, this is her.”

“A Ms. Chloe Knox gave us your number as the emergency contact.”

Eyes popping out of their sockets, OH MY GOD! SHE’S ALIVE!

“We are calling to inform you she was brought in. Before she went into surgery she inquired about us contacting you.”

A horrific ripple of trepidation washed over me, “Surgery? For what?”

“That can be discussed when you arrive at the hospital.”

“Is she out of surgery? Is she okay?” I inquire with haste longing for my sister to be well.

“Unfortunately, she is not out of surgery as of yet but the doctor will answer all your queries once you arrive.”

“Yes, yes of course. I’m on my way.” Hanging up I haul my purse, flying out of the door.

Waiting for the elevator, I phone Axle, pondering why she hadn’t insisted on them calling him first?

Ring after ring, I’m sent to voicemail. I conclude to dial Eric next. I’m fully cognizant of our current situation but given the circumstances, I need my fiancé within reach when I finally see Chloe again. It’s just ringing, and now voicemail.

What the hell? Attempting to phone him again, it rings repeatedly until his voicemail picks up, leaving a message, “Eric, they found Chloe, call me back.”

Ending the call I shoot him a quick text before I grab a cab to head to the hospital.

~~~~

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