Chapter 19
1030words
Forbidden territory.
She said she was twenty, but I knew she was lying. There is no way that she could be older than eighteen, especially since she looked like she was sixteen.
"Hey, is everything okay?" I lifted my head to look at Harlyn, who was staring at me looking concerned, "You were frowning."
I shrugged, "It's not important."
"You sure?" he asked, looking at me intently.
I nodded my head and offered a small smile while I battled with the idea of trying to keep Tiffany a secret. I couldn't tell anyone about her since she asked me not to and since she might be underage and living with me. Our situation is also a bizarre one, a pregnant homeless teenager living with the stranger she met. That would kill the papers, and my reputation would blow up in flames.
I couldn't afford that, mostly since I worked so damn hard to reach the top.
My attention drifted back to the man in front me who was currently pulling back his chair, so he could stand, "I wish I could sit and chat with you some more, but I have a meeting in the next hour and then a long journey to the beach house." he paused then sighed, "Monthly family dinner is tonight."
I laughed at him, "Well, good luck."
He stood from the chair then move towards the office door, "Thanks, I'm going to need it. See you soon, I'm leaving for Rome on Friday, but when I come back, we should link up." Harlyn had a beautiful family, who loved and cherish him, except his brother, Joesph; who hates his guts and the feeling was mutual. It's always hell when the two of them are in the same room for more than five minutes.
I nod in agreement, "Sounds like a plan."
He waved before exiting my office and closing the door behind him.
As soon as Harlyn exited my office, my mind went to Tiffany. I looked at the clock that laid on the wall in front of me.
1:23
Tiffany has been by herself for five hours. She said she would spend her time reading and watching tv, but that can become boring, especially since she isn't used to watching TVs.
Call her
My mind was telling me to call her, but I didn't want to seem a little overbearing. Teenagers didn't like people watching over them 24/ 7.
But she is not just any teenager; she a pregnant teenager living with you.
I sighed and took the phone in my hands. She's been on the streets for six months; I can imagine what her eating schedule is like. I have to make sure she eats and gets enough rest for her and the baby.
I pressed the buttons to my home phone and waited for the call to connect. The phone rang a few times before going straight to voice mail.
She's probably sleeping; I should try back in the next ten minutes.
I looked down at the files on my desk that were waiting to be signed and sent off to the various departments. I probably should start signing and stop worrying about Tiffany. She's okay; she is in the safety of my apartment, sleeping. I took up the first management file and signed.
Thirty minutes after signing papers, I decided to try again. I took up the phone and called but just like the first call it went to voicemail. Feeling anxious after the call, I decided to try a few more times. There was no way someone could hear a stream of calls and not answer the phone unless she didn't want to answer the phone because she felt like it wasn't her place to or she is not in the apartment.
Either way, I started worrying. I traced my hands through my hair.
Don't do it.
Don't do it.
I sighed. I'm doing it. I took my cellphone and car keys in my hand and stood from the desk. I have to find out why she wasn't answering the phone. It was driving me crazy, worrying if something happened to her.
The only person I've ever worried about is my mother, and now I'm worried about a pregnant teen who was lying to me about her age.
With anxiety killing me, I quickly exit my office. I noticed one of my assistants, Kim on his phone, "I'm heading out. I might not be back. No calls to my cell unless the place is burning down."
He nodded and answered with a thick Asian accent, "Okay, sir. No call for you."I nod at him before making my way to the elevator.
In twenty minutes, I was opening the door to my apartment. When I opened it a strange feeling rush over me, something is wrong. King wasn't in the apartment if he was then he'd be by the door to greet me as soon as I enter. I closed the door behind me and walked further into my apartment. "Tiffany." Silence. "Jakoby." Silence. I walked to the room that I had given her and knock on the door but no response. I turn the knob of the door and pulled it opened. I expected to see her sleeping on her bed, but she wasn't there, in fact, the bed was well made, untouched.
I frowned then entered the room. I looked at the closet which was full of clothes. The things that I bought was still here, which meant that she didn't leave right?
She's a pregnant homeless teen you met on the road, if she wants to leave, then she has every right.
But did she?
Everything I bought and everything I owned was still here, well except my dog.
She wouldn't leave everything and take the dog, would she?
Maybe she thought King wasn't that important to me; I wouldn't realise he's missing. There are a lot of homeless people with dogs. Perhaps she felt that having King around would protect her.
