Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 47

Alaia

I took a deep breath when I saw her leave and went back to the house to get the kids and go to the office; I was late. I told my mother what happened to Grace, and she was even more upset than I was. I let my kids go to their playroom with my mother as I sat in the executive chair to start my day, putting the unpleasant visit aside.

“First of all, I must inform you that the contract is already complete; only the parties need to sign it.” Ignacio entered my office, and I held out my hand to receive him. It was good news; we finally found a house for the girls from the shelter, and it was perfect. The area is nice and not high maintenance, even though the house is big. I must admit that Nick finally did something right by allowing them to stay longer than they said since it was almost impossible to reach an agreement; they wanted a simple house. I wanted something better for them.

“Perfect, thank you, Ignacio.” I stood up, looked for my purse, and went to the playroom. “Mom, the contract for the girls‘ house is ready; I’m going to get Alicia. I want her to sign on behalf of the shelter. It will be in their name. I won’t be long.”

“Be careful,” I said goodbye to the three of them. I got in the van and felt very excited about the girls; they would be able to have a place they wouldn’t have to leave. I arrived at the house and noticed that the windows were uncovered. I frowned and felt something was not right. I got out of my car with the folder in hand and noticed a couple of men in work clothes coming out of the house, which increased the not–so–pleasant feeling in my chest.

“Good morning,” I greeted them, walking quickly towards them, and they looked at me.

“Good morning,” they both replied, fixing their eyes on my clothes.

“I would like to see Alicia,” I said, looking at the house, and walked towards it, feeling my stomach drop. The house was empty, and they were already doing the demolition work.

“The house was vacated yesterday; the person you are looking for does not live here,” said the man behind me.

I closed my eyes and took one breath after another. This was the Garnetts‘ doing! I got into my car furiously and drove to the Garnetts‘ building. I dialed Alicia’s number, but the phone was dead. It never occurred to me to save the other girls‘ numbers. I parked in the building’s outside parking lot and threw the door open as soon as I get out. How can they be so inhumane? In the elevator, I pressed the button on Nick’s floor hard. I walked quickly to his office; the secretary stood up.

“Good morning,” I said without further ado and walked towards Nick’s office door, which I opened unceremoniously. Nick looked up quickly, as did Will, who was standing beside him.

“Where are they?”

Nick

“You have to restructure these connections.” I pointed to the images on the screen, and Will nodded. My office door opened, and I found Alaia looking furious.

“Where are they?”

“Where is who?” I asked, standing up and walking towards her.

“The women from the shelter.”

“I don’t understand the question; the last time I saw them, they were in that house. We even extended the deadline because they didn’t have a place to move yet. That was the last I heard from them,” I explained.

“They are not in the house, and the work has already begun. Are you going to tell me that you didn’t know that the work had already started?”

I moved quickly to call the engineer in charge, and his assistant answered, confirming that they had already started, but I couldn’t talk to the engineer. He told me that the order was received from the board of directors.

“I had no idea about this,” I said after hanging up the call.

“I don’t believe anything you said, Nick. This is something you and your grandfather decided on. How come I never saw it?” she said furiously.

“I’ll find out where they are, I assure you,” I told her.

“No need, I don’t trust what you guys could do, I’ll do it myself.” I saw her leave and slam the door.

“As I recall, you asked the engineers to be aware of what happened in that house,” Will said.

“I did.” I thought about what the hell could have happened. I walked to my desk.

“Son, welcome. I imagine you’ve already received a personal injury lawsuit,” he said.

“Where are they?” I quickly questioned.

“I see you already know.” He moved slowly in his chair. “Imagine my surprise when I realized that we had lost thousands of dollars because my person with cognitive disabilities grandson decided to do a good deed,” he said with a disgusted look. “I couldn’t allow it; I had to fix it. Those people are where they should be. I just have to tell you they have a roof over their heads.” He nodded to himself.

“Where are they?” I repeated and approached him.

“You’ll make your case worse if you touch me again, Nick,” he warned me. “You could go to prison.”

I clenched my jaw; I couldn’t care less.

“And about where they are, I have no idea. I just gave the order to move them. I didn’t ask

where. You have to find them yourself if you don’t want your beloved to keep hating you.” He scoffed.

“Come on, Nick.” Will took my arm, anticipating my movements. “Don’t waste your time; we have to find them.”

I open Killian’s door with such force that it breaks, attracting the attention of the people in the cubicles, but they look down as I walk out. We go back to the office, and I make calls to locate the woman.

“That damn bastard has dealt you a low blow,” Will said when I hung up. “I don’t understand why he insists on pushing you away from Alaia. He made sure she got out of your life when he threatened her with an abortion and made her believe it was something you agreed with.”

“I don’t know, Will. I’m sure there’s something else, but I haven’t been able to get anything. The only thing I’m sure of is that he succeeded. He managed to separate me from Alaia. She came back engaged to that imbecile; she rebuilt her life. She seems to hate me. I can’t help but think it’s too late for me, that I’ve lost her forever.”