It's Never Too Late x

6) I need a lawyer HIS pov

After calling Riya I had one missed call from Sophie. Trying not to think the worst I returned the call. No answer. I tried again, and again no answer. Something or somebody knows where she is, I thought to myself as I glanced around the lobby of her apartment building. Then a man at the reception who seemed more apprehensive than anyone else for a 9 pm shift, caught my eye. Picking up my feet I walked to the front desk. Several young female workers surrounded me but I was solely focused on 'Harold'. Thick framed glasses and a week-old stubble clinging to his cleft chin. His eyes darting around the room; too afraid that they would tell the story that his mouth would rather not. I leaned over the desk, grabbed his collar and forced him to face me. That's when his buoyant eyes rested on mine. I asked for the final time that evening.

"Has Sophie Cavelli, room 7 floor 43, entered this building within the last 12 hours yes or no? Please whatever you do, do not waste my time by lying to me.  I am not a man you could afford to upset." 

"Mr Cavelli, I am sorry but could I speak to you elsewhere," he said gulping every last word and pointing to a back room. 

My phone started to ring, text alerts came through endlessly, 18 new messages from Samantha. I sent a screenshot to Kevin and asked him to check on her just in case. Following Harold, I was debating whether to play rough or could Harold break under little pressure. 

We reached the CCTV room and Harold locked the door. He slumped down into the only chair and buried his heavy head in his palms. Such a pitiful look almost enabled a response from me before I remembered my training and how these situations often played out. I watched him as he began to lift his weary head away from his hands he began to sob.

"I am so sorry." he whimpered "I needed the money. my wife is sick and I..."

"Harold. Tell me, where is Sophie" I cut him off before we began the longwinded story of why he thought it was acceptable to endanger an innocent person's life.

"The elevator is stuck on the 17th floor, Sir. And it is filling up with gas as we speak!" he screamed the last sentence out loud while I ran towards the main lobby. Calling the firefighters as I charged up the flights of stairs. The cold and lonely marbled steps echoing my anger. Seeing me banging on the elevator doors the manager raced over concern painted over his face.  He knew upsetting me could be the end of his hotel chains. 

"Get this damned door open this instance!" I bellowed, and he scurried over to the phones calling all kinds of servicing and maintenance people when the firefighters came. They wedged the door open and a gust of smoke escaped but I couldn't care less as I darted to grab hold of my woman. I felt her hand and as I tugged she drew closer. Working together we managed to slide her out of the elevator and she fell into my arms. Her body cold, seeking warmth, I covered her by wrapping my suit jacket around her shoulders. I then turned to look at the manager.

"Mr Crane, a full thorough investigation will take place regarding this matter. As for my wife's apartment consider this month her final rent as she will no longer reside in an area that is detrimental to her safety. Also your employee Harold will be working with me for the next few days"

"Understood, again I am so sorry for this and I hope we can get to the bottom of this." Astonished and quite vulnerable he replied.

I scoffed and Sophie clutched at my shirt, shivering. A sight that hurt my heart. I took Harold and let him drive my car to the hospital as I explained his new job requirements, he seemed pretty delighted with the benefits, while he explained how Sophie was put in those circumstances.

We arrived at the hospital and she refused to let go of me, eventually, Kevin came and babysat Harold while I did everything I could so that she would wake up. To my surprise, she looked up with the biggest smile on her face and kissed me. I was shocked. I didn't even move my lips when she began to cough blood. Her smile vanished and she looked up at me worried. I put her down and ran to call the nurse. Riya called me again, to check up on Sophie while I waited for the nurse to help her. I decided from this point on, to be a better husband to her. To give her unconditional support for the remainder of our contract. Most importantly, she would be staying with me. We could move into the villa she loved and I could keep her safe. Safe. What must have been running through her mind when she lay there. She probably hated my guts. It's all in the past I whispered to myself, touching my lips. She kissed me. I couldn't help but pull a smile. A doctor handed me some coffee. I saw the tattoo on his arm it looked like number 7 written in calligraphy. I inquired upon it and attempted some small talk but he grunted and walked away. 

After his unusual behaviour, I put down the coffee and didnt drink anymore. I grabbed my phone and called my mother. She was a sweet short woman who has the most piercing golden eyes I had ever seen. She had a great personality but with a very short temper she could kill any man with one look. I could never get anything passed her. Except for my fake marriage to Sophie. She loved her more than any of her in-laws and would call her daily. 

"Buenos Dias mi Amor"

The sound of her voice took me by surprise, she sounded hesitant. Voice shaking. Something was wrong. 

"Mama? Todas bien?"

"Well, I called Sophie today... She wasn't happy Hijo. She was on the verge of crying, what in the world are you putting her through? I then tried to call again but she didn't answer. is everything okay?"

My mother's concern for her left me feeling uncomfortable. Surely as Sophie's husband, I should have more concern for her too right?

"Mama, I've messed up. Badly. Sophie was almost killed today, she's in the hospital and it was my fault. What do I do?"

"Oh Hijo, explain later on I have a feeling we will see the both of you next month claro? Call your father he's the best when it comes to things like this. Give Sophie my love I'll call soon."

Looking at the time I couldn't help but feel that the nurse was taking too long. I knocked on the door. No answer. I let myself in when I was met by an empty bed. 

For Christ's sake! I just got her back. 

Two police officers began to walk my way, thinking that they would pass me I moved to one side when suddenly they stopped right in front of me.

"Mr Cavelli?"

"Yes officer, how may I help you?"

"We need to ask you some questions regarding the night your wife went missing"

"Missing? She was here a couple of minutes ago someone has taken her."

"I'm sure they have Sir. Would you please come with us down to the station where you can call a lawyer."

"A lawyer?"

"Sir, you'll be needing one with how this usually plays out."

The other officer looked at me with pained eyes almost understanding the physical trauma I was experiencing, while the first man kept a still, smug expression pinned to his cold visage. I wanted to slap it off him, beat him to the floor, for insinuating that I would do anything to hurt Sophie. But I did. I hurt her. I was the reason she left in such a hurry. I was the reason she didnt stay at my place for the rest of the day. I made her leave. Head sulked down I allowed the men to handcuff me and kept my eyes lowered in shame. Guilty that even sat in the waiting room of a hospital, I managed to lose my wife.

Authors notes

Hope you're enjoying the story so far! It's been amazing to write. Using the comments tell me what you think of the book and maybe what you want to read more of.
All my love, SK

Also thank you so very much for 57 reads! It has only been two days thank you thank you thank you!! -7th May 2020