Chapter 58: Chapter 58

CADDIE

May 16th 2018

I swaddle Jaxson with his plush bath towel. My body continues to ache throughout, and I am becoming increasingly concerned about Mal. It has now been two days since she returned home, and I have a hunch as to her whereabouts.

I am aware she is with Amar because Chad called and informed me of the incident at the club, but I refused to think Amar would take her captive against her will. Even if he does manage to twist some ropes and marry Mal behind her back.

However, there is so much about Chad's side of the tale that does not add up.

I finish changing a disgruntled Jaxson and patiently await the arrival of my grandmother. I have asked her to come and watch over my little prince so I can follow my intuition and pay a visit to the one person who has actually looked out for me when it comes to Ace.

~An hour Later~

I drape my faux fur coat over my shoulders, cramming my pockets with keys, cash, and my phone. With a slight limp, I make my way back into the living room.

"Thanks, Nan. I'll try to be a few hours, max." I descend and plant a gentle kiss on her wrinkled cheek.

"Please tell me that you are not going to visit that abominable man, Ace." Her voice trembled as she scowled at me and pointed her finger at me.

"I guarantee it, Nan. I am looking for Mal."

"Mal, W.where is she? Is everything all right, Caddie? You know you can tell me anything." Her hand slides around my arm, just below my elbow.

"Everything is in order. I am simply concerned about her." I softly massage her hand, assuring her that everything will be fine.

I exit the house, taking special care to softly close the door behind me. I turn the corner of the block and board the 982 bus heading downtown. I will then board a train to Trafalgar Square. Two blocks from the beachfront hotel.

As I approach the hotel's revolving doors. I walk up to the customer service counter and wait for someone who is available to assist me to come down. I gallopingly tap my nails against the glass surface of the front desk. The sound of my acrylic nails striking the glass countertop dances through the air.

I take a look around the entrance lobby; the white marble floors are veined with black, and the ceiling is adorned with big magnificent Chandlers with gold edges dangling in the centre.

I am suddenly overcome with a sense of exclusion, and I tightly wrap my arms over my torso, feeling awkwardly out of place. A one-night stay here would definitely cost my weekly rent share with Mal.

"Hi, sorry to keep you waiting."

My train of mind is snared by a delicate feminine voice.

As I comb my fingers through my hair, I turn around to face her. To tell the truth, I wish I didn't. She is extraordinarily stunning; her honey-brown eyes are flecked with amber, and her high cheekbones make me envious. Let us just say that I have developed an acute sense of self-consciousness about my appearance.

"Hello, I am hoping to pay a visit to a friend who I believe is staying here?" My lips are touched by a phantom smile.

"Certainly, what is your friend's name?" She inquires as she taps away on her keyboard and examines her screen.

"Amar, Amar Diamandis."

The sound of her fingers tapping on the keyboard comes to an abrupt halt, and she raises her eyes to mine. Her face is filled with fear, and she clears her throat.

"Mr and Mrs Diamandias are staying here at the moment. However, "She nibbles on the inside of her lower lip. "He has issued a direct order that no one disturbs them." She says sheepishly.

"To be sure, sweetie. Regrettably, I must inform you that I am not precisely a nobody to Mrs Diamandis. I am her older sister, and I have not travelled nearly as far as I have in order to be turned down." As I glare at her, I straighten my posture.

"You said 'friend' not 'sister.'" She scowls at me.

"Friend, sister... Do we really need to put a name on it?" I mutter.

Attempting to appear as if Amar does not terrify the very daylights out of me.

"Look, it states explicitly in bold characters here on the screen that he is not to be bothered."

"Prove it to me." I snap.

"Pardon?"

"Show me what it says."

She exhales loudly and swiftly swivels the computers monitor around to show me.

"There you go." She states emphatically as she points to the enormous bolded lettering. 'DO NOT DISTURB!'

"Fucking jack ass!" I curse under my breath.

She attempts to turn the screen around and I place my hand on hers to stop her. She gives me a heated look and I ignore her as I quickly dart my eyes back to the screen and look for the room number.

"I appreciate your assistance," I remark as I turn and walk away.

I cross the street and enter the modest cafè. I take a seat outside and order a regular herbal green tea for myself.

I know I told my nan that I won't be out for too long, but I'm here now and I can not force myself to turn back and leave. Especially now that it has been established that Mal is here.

The ladies shift is certain to end shortly. And when it does, I am going to march my freezing white ass back into the building, as if I had just sold everything to spend the night there.

~Three hours, two herbal teas and one muffin later~

I inhale deeply as I walk across the foyer wearing my wide sunglasses. I make a beeline for the bank of elevators and press the button that will lower the car to the ground level.

Seconds later, the doors slide open, and I take a step to the side to allow the passengers to exit the car before entering. I press the level at which I need to exit and realise I am going to need a fucking room card to get that high up.

Just as I was about to give up, a couple enters the car with me. They have an overpowering odour of strong whisky, stale cigarettes, and costly perfume.

I take a step back into the corner, hoping they were too preoccupied with fondling each other to see me. I offer a brief prayer of thanks to the Gods as they enter their floor level, which is two floors above my destination before the man swipes his card and resumes fondling his lady friend.

When the car comes to a complete stop and the doors glide open, I shove the pair to the side and sigh as I exit the elevator car.

A low growl pierces my ears, and I immediately recognise the source of the growl. I raise my eyes to discover an unimpressed Vanko glaring at me, his arms folded on his exquisitely broad chest.

"Fuck me..." I murmur to myself, meaning each and every syllable.