Chasing

KIAN’S POV

There is something unusual about the air in the company today. As I walk across the lobby to get to the elevator, the employees part way for me like they have always done but I can’t help but notice the strange look in their eyes. It’s also hard to miss their silent whispers that are carried to my ears as intelligible murmurings.

Peter, my assistant is walking closely behind me and when the door of the elevator closes with us inside. of it, I turn to ask him.

“Did you notice anything strange with the people at the company today?”

Peter shakes his head. I nod, brushing it off as another one of those days when I am extra sensitive because of Leslie and the damn divorce hanging over my head. Who am I kidding? It isn’t ‘one‘ of those days, it’s more like everyday. I wake up everyday with a sour mood knowing Leslie isn’t in the other room already preparing to get to work before me. Every little thing irritates me and I am not surprised that I am now starting to notice the things I never did from my employees before

The elevator stops at the last floor of the building where my office is. I can’t help myself, I slow to a pause at Leslie’s desk. A gust of memories hit me as I take in everything on the table that is still the it. I made sure of that, warning Peter not to touch or move anything.

she left

He probably isn’t pleased that since Leslie left he has been the one cushioning the effect of her absence by juggling his job as my personal assistant and secretary but I have no desire to interview anyone else for that job even when deep down, the thought that she is really out of my life forever scares the shit out of me.

Peter leaves after he escorts me to the office. I delve into work, taking calls after calls and signing one document after another. I can’t let myself be idle because then, I won’t be able to keep my thoughts from wandering off to Leslie and the painful fact that I have not seen her since the night at the restaurant. It’s been a week since then.

I itch to call her phone, to put everything I have into finding her and bringing her back to me but my nosey uncle had a point the last time when he said it would be damaging for Leslie if I keep at this. This isn’t me agreeing to the divorce, this is me recalculating to avoid a messy situation.

I already lost count of the number of documents I have reviewed when Peter knocks and pokes his head through the slight opening in my office door. I frown, hating how my concentration has been broken. For some reason, he hesitates at the door and I sigh, tossing my pen on the table.

“What is it?” I ask.

He comes in fully, eyes looking everywhere but at me. I notice the beads of sweat gathering on his forehead and the sides of his face clearly showing his nervousness.

“Peter.” I call, impatiently.

“Sir…” He begins, The employees showed me something.”

“And how is that any of my business?”

“You need to see this, sir.” He says and reaches for the remote of the large screen TV in my office. I

recline in my chair and watch as he surfs through the channels until he stops on a news channel.

“Peter, what are you-” I stop talking when my eyes catch Leslie’s Image on the television as a news reporter broadcasts the news.

“….the unidentified body from the fire at the warehouse last week has been identified. The body is sold to belong to the wife and secretary of famous fashion company CEO, Kian Winston, Leslie Winston was found, almost burnt to a crisp in the early hours of

Π

The rest of the reporter’s words are drowned out by a loud ringing in my ears. I remain frozen in my seat, unable to move even a muscle and even the TV goes dim. Everything goes black.

I hear the distant and repeated call of my name but it is muffled by the ringing in my own ears. I am brought back to the present when someone–Peter–jerks me harshly. I jump out of my seat then and reach for my phone, hands trembling.

I

“Bullshit. It’s all bullshit.” I say to myself over and over again.

“Sir, I think you should take a moment to breathe and-

I burst out laughing, startling Peter who goes wide–eyed at my sudden reaction.

“It’s all bullshit don’t you think?” I am saying this to him now, “Since when did news channels start spreading false news? Who the fuck ordered them to do this? Oh, they’re going to regret ever messing with me.”

I search my phone desperately for a number to call.

“Sir, the news has been circling blog posts for a week now. Everyone already knew a body was found but the police only confirmed it today. Mrs Wins-”

“Do not fucking say anything!” I yell at him before he can complete his words. I remain in total denial and despite going through my contacts over and over, I can’t seem to focus. Can’t seem to pick out who to call.

My phone rings at the same moment. My uncle’s name flashes on the screen and I swipe to answer even when dread fills up my guts and makes me feel instantly heavy.

“It’s bullshit, isn’t it? Tell me it’s a goddamn lie and you have Leslie with you. I don’t care about why the hell she’s with you anymore. I just want to know that my wife is safe…that my wife is with you.

Uncle Travis‘ silence breaks me and I struggle, God I struggle so hard to keep the phone close to my ear. “Please.” I beg, my voice a broken whisper.

“I’m sorry, Kian.” is all he says. I lose composure in all its totality. My phone falls from my hands with a loud clatter and I am barely aware of Peter rushing to save it. I run out of the office while he calls behind