Chapter 13%
Thomas stood to his feet abruptly, causing Claire to almost fall down to the ground.
“I need to find her,” he muttered to himself.
Claire and Chris exchanged shocked glances. “Come on, man. You can’t be serious!” Chris exclaimed.
Claire grabbed Thomas’s arm tightly, her nails digging into his skin. “Thomas, stop this,” she said, her voice was firm. “You’re going out of control”
He shook his head frantically. “I’m not. This is what I need to do. Don’t you see, Claire? We can finally get what we want.“>
Claire scoffed. “That’s not the truth, and you know it, Thomas.“”
She sighed. “Look me in the eyes and tell me that you’re just doing this for the money. Tell me that you don’t… that you don’t… have feelings for Gabriella.”
Thomas froze. His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. He clenched his jaw, then exhaled sharply.
He couldn’t say it. He couldn’t lie, not when the truth was suffocating him from the inside.
Chris watched, shifting uncomfortably.
A tense silence filled the room. Claire’s grip tightened on his arm. Desperation filled her face.}
“Say it,” she pleaded, her voice shaking. “Say it to my face, look into my eyes and say it.”
Thomas opened his mouth, then he closed it. His throat felt dry. He rubbed a hand over his face, sighing heavily before he leaned on the wall. He ran a hand through his unkempt hair, releasing another frustrated sigh.”
Chris let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Shit.” He murmured in realization. “How the hell did this happen?“}
Thomas didn’t answer. He just shook his head, clenching his jaw in frustration.”
Claire paled, stepping back slowly. Her hands shook as she slowly removed her hands from Thomas’s arms. She had pushed him for an answer, but now that she had the answer, she wished she hadn’t. This was worse than anything she had imagined.
A cold feeling ran through her. She was losing everything.
“How could you do this to me?” she whispered. Her voice was barely audible, but because of how silent the room was, it was clear.
Thomas didn’t have an answer for her. He turned away, rubbing his temples.
“Chris,” he muttered softly, “Help me find her. I need…I need to find her.“}
Chris hesitated, glancing at Claire with sympathy in his eyes. He turned back to Thomas. After a moment, he sighed. “Yeah. Alright. I got your back, bro.”
Claire’s lips parted, as if she wanted to say something. She wanted to beg, to scream, to do anything, but no words came.
Tears ran down her eyes as Thomas and Chris walked out of the room, leaving her alone in the dark room.
Claire clenched her fists. This was all Gabriella’s fault. She caused this.
As Thomas and Chris got into Chris’s car, Thomas released a deep breath. His mind was racing. He had to find Gabriella.}
Chris glanced at his friend before sighing. “Look, man… you really want to find her?“>
Thomas turned to him with a glare. “What do you think?”
Chris hesitated, then he pulled out his phone and began scrolling. “I know a guy. He’s good, real good. But he’s not cheap.” Thomas didn’t hesitate. He simply stretched out his hand. “Give me his number.“}
Chris sighed again but handed his phone over. Thomas copied the number, then immediately dialed.}
The line rang twice before a deep voice answered. “Who’s this?”
“Thomas Carter.“W
There was silence at the other end.”
Thomas glared at his phone in annoyance. “Are you taking jobs or not?”
“Depends. What do you need?” The man asked.
“I want someone found. Fast.”
Another pause. Then, “I’m not cheap, Mr. Carter.“}
Thomas scoffed, “Money’s not a problem.”
Money wouldn’t matter when he got Gabriella back.
That man laughed. “Is that so? Fine. You’ve got my attention. Meet me in an hour. I’ll send the location.”
The call ended abruptly.
Thomas’s heart was pounding. He turned to Chris. “Let’s go.“”
Chris frowned. “Are you sure about this?”
Thomas didn’t hesitate, he nodded firmly. “I don’t care what it takes. I’m going to find her.”
Chris nodded slowly. “Alright, man. Let’s do this.”
He turned on the car and drove off.”
