Louise’s POV
I was missing him already, and it has only been two weeks. Maybe he was right, maybe I shouldn’t fight this. Maybe I should take his offer in living together. Maybe it was time for me to settle down, and follow him to the coastal region.
But I know deep down I was not that kind of woman. I needed my job, I needed to feel useful, I needed to feel appreciated. And Allen was giving me the freedom to do so.
Mom and dad were not satisfied with my decision, but Allen was backing me up a hundred percent. Saying that we’re both grown-ups and we would do what’s best for our baby. And for the time being, we would stay as is, and that Allen would be responsible and would get his lawyer on it and put the baby as his.
Dad was satisfied with his last words but still had another word with me trying to convince me otherwise and tie the knot with him.
“You don’t look so good, I thought this was for you to unwind? You have your girls here. I know you dreaded our spa day. But it’s almost over, we’ll have our lunch at Silvio’s, or do you want us to go to Barney’s?” Sherry asked, knowing that I was leaving myself out of their conversation.
“Girl, I know we haven’t been there with you recently. But we’re here now, come on… spill honey.” Tara said rubbing my arm and giving me her sweetest smile.
“Gosh… that’s partly my fault Tara, I’ve been busy with work, then Allen… I’ve missed him already. And it’s only been two freaking weeks. We’re going to meet up this weekend. I’ll tell you it’s this pregnancy hormones thing.. my doctor warned me about it. But I was stubbornly making myself busy with work.”
“So you’re basically, a horny workaholic pregnant boss lady,” Lucie stated wittily, while I laughed at her and the rest of the girls laugh with me.
“Anyway, Winston told me that, his brother is head over heels for you. I mean look at the color of that promise ring girl!” Cora bumped her shoulder to mine, obviously trying to cheer me up.
“Hell woman you really hit the jackpot there, your mister billionaire doesn’t take you for granted for sure. That red diamond will make any woman envy fo sure.” Sherry added to our conversation.
The day we were breaking the news to my parents, he insisted that we stopped by the jewelry shop. He was saying that he should get me a promise ring.
“You know the kind where the boyfriend gives his girl friend? Look, we’re doing this Lou. Your father will kill me if I won’t make any future promise with you.” Allen said, trying his hardest to convinced me to get one.
I finally went with him, and couldn’t resist myself when the sales lady showed me the blood-red diamond color ring. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and he was nodding to the lady and having it sized for me right that instant. He wouldn’t let me know the price, and I was letting him have that.
Me and the girls finally decided to have our lunch at Silvio’s, when I got a text from Clara. My heart skipped a beat. My stomach started to churn.
Louise, please come to Allen’s beach house. There had been an accident, I’ll meet you there. (Clara)
I was reading the text over and over again, as I didn’t trust my eyes. But seconds later Cora was picking up her phone, then getting Sherry’s attention.
I know it must’ve been Winston, Cora has been dating him for some time now. And at that exact moment, I know something serious had happened to Allen.
“Tell me…” my voice was small, my hands were suddenly cold, goosebumps were forming to the back of my neck.
“Come, we will take you to Allen’s. Winston is coming here to pick us up. Sherry will come to join us with Tara and Lucie…” I didn’t hear the rest as I was sobbing in Sherry’s arms, my chest hurts so bad that I was having difficulties to breathe.
“Come on let’s get her to my car, and we’ll wait for Winston there.”
I could feel people were staring at us, but we finally reached the parking lot minutes later.
“Cora, please… what did… Winston says?” I was sobbing in between my question.
“I’m not sure that I’m hearing this correctly, but please… please don’t think the worst. It might not…”
“Cora…”
“Allen went missing, Winston said the big wave pulled him under and he hasn’t resurfaced since. But Winston said he might still be alive… his team…”
I could see Cora’s lips moving, but I couldn’t hear anything. There was nothing to hear, but silence. I was remembering his voice just this morning, he was telling me that he loves me and that he missed me.
We were going to see each other again this weekend. My chest hurts so bad that I started crying again, Sherry was quick to hug me. While Cora was typing on her phone, then talking to the other line.
Winston finally arrived, Cora quickly hopped into the passenger side, while Sherry decided to join me in the backseat. Tara and Lucie were with the rest of the guys, tailing us from behind Winston’s car.
I had never prayed so hard in my life before. But at that moment I’d give anything to turn back time and spend more time with him. I was feeling all the guilt for not loving him more, I was leaning on to Sherry’s and keep on pouring my tears out.
“Come on Lou, we’re here…” Sherry shook my body when I finally cried myself to sleep on our way to his place. There were reporters everywhere, Sam was opening the car door and quickly shielding us from them.
God! this is really happening…
People are actually here for the news…
He’s really missing…
“Are you the girlfriend?”
“Miss… look here please?”
“Is he really missing?”
“Miss… are you the new fiance? nice ring!”
“Fiance? miss… look here please show us the bling…”
Sam and Sherry were covering my other side while Winston was shielding Cora who was on my other side. The situation was becoming realistically real. My legs finally gave up on me, and I could hear Cora shouting out to Winston telling him to help me. But all I could see was white streaks of light, then black dots filling my vision until it all went dark.
My fault…
Please… oh God…
Please let him be okay…