” Text me the address then, I’ll come over right away ” Jack requested.
Hours later, Alex stood in front of a rundown apartment building, his heart racing with anticipation and apprehension. With a deep breath, he climbed the stairs and knocked on the door of the apartment number indicated.
But he wasn’t prepared for what happened next because when the door opened, it was an old lady who came out. Alex was taken aback for a minute, wondering if he got the wrong address but when he checked, it was the exact address the invigilator gave him. Fuck, he was screwed. Once again, Angel proved she was way smarter than they were.
*******************
The November chill nipped at Alex’s skin as he stormed back into his office, the lingering scent of autumn dampness accompanying him. He slammed the door shut behind him, causing a few papers on his desk to flutter and scatter across the floor.
” Damn it! ” He cursed under his breath, his frustration evident in his clenched jaw and furrowed brow. He flung his coat onto the chair and collapsed heavily into his leather swivel chair, running a hand through his tousled hair.
” I can’t believe this ” Alex muttered to himself, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm the rising storm within. “BAll this effort, all this time wasted ”
His mind raced back to the location where the private investigator had claimed Angel would be. But he only met an old lady who claimed she was the only one who lived there. The whole place was devoid of any familiar faces, especially hers. The disappointment of not seeing her mixed with the anger of being outwitted yet again boiled within him.
” Mr Alex, what happened? ” Emily poked her head into his office, concern etched on her face.
” Nothing, Emily. Just another dead end ” He replied, trying to compose himself.
Maria stepped into the room, picking up the scattered papers and organizing them back onto his desk. ” But I thought someone gave you her address ” She looked confused
He nodded, his frustration evident. ” The PI’s lead was a bust. Angel’s always one step ahead, just like before ”
” I’m sorry, sir ” Emily sympathized, her voice softening. ” But I’m sure we’d get a lead soon ”
” Or maybe it’s time to let it go ” She added and anxiously waited for his response.
Alex shook his head, a defiant glint in his eyes. ” No way. She needs to pay for what she did. I won’t let her get away with ruining my life and disappearing like that ”
Silence lingered for a moment before Emily sighed. ” Well, what’s the next move then? ”
Alex leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. ” I need to reassess everything. Every detail, every connection. There has to be something I’m missing ”
As he dove into his thoughts, piecing together fragments of memories and clues, his phone buzzed, interrupting the silence. He glanced at the screen-it was a message from the private investigator. With a mix of reluctance and renewed hope, he opened the message.
” What does it say? ” Emily inquired, peering over his shoulder.
” It’s the new lead ” Alex murmured, a hint of determination creeping into his voice. ” A place she might be hiding. I’m not giving up just yet ”
With a newfound resolve, Alex grabbed his coat, hastily slinging it over his shoulders. ” Emily, cancel my appointments for the day. I need to follow this lead. It might be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for ”
Emily nodded understandingly, her concern still evident in her eyes. ” Be careful, sir. Don’t let this consume you ”
He gave her a faint smile, one filled with determination and grit. ” I won’t. But I need closure, Emily. I need to face her ”
As he stormed out of the office, his mind whirling with thoughts and possibilities, a mix of anger and determination fueled his steps towards a confrontation that might finally bring an end to the torment he’d been enduring for months.
******************
The evening sun cast long shadows as Alex parked his car near the address the private investigator had given him. His heart raced with a mix of anticipation and anger, fueled by the burning desire to finally confront Angel.
With cautious steps, he approached the unassuming building, his eyes scanning for any sign of her presence. Pushing open the door, he entered the deserted hallway, the echo of his footsteps magnifying the silence.
Reaching the specified apartment, Alex’s heart sank as he found it empty. The air felt stale, the absence of any trace of Angel intensifying his frustration. He clenched his jaw, the tightness in his chest mirroring the tightening knot of rage within.
” Damn it! ” he cursed under his breath, his voice barely audible in the desolate space. He slammed his fist against the wall, a mix of fury and helplessness consuming him.
” She’s gone again ” Alex muttered, his words laced with bitter resignation. ” Always a step ahead ”
His phone buzzed in his pocket, a cruel reminder of his repeated failures. With a resigned sigh, he checked the message from the investigator, confirming Angel’s swift departure from the location.
” You can’t run away forever, Angel ” he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice tinged with a fierce determination. “. I’ll surely get my revenge, just wait ”
Frustrated and seething with anger, Alex stormed out of the building, the chilly evening air doing little to quell the fire raging inside him. Each step toward his car echoed his growing determination to unravel Angel’s elusive web and make her pay for the torment she had caused him.
Driving back home, his mind raced with thoughts of vengeance, his knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel. The memories of two accidents, the pain, the betrayal-each flashback fueled his resolve to put an end to this chase.