The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 49

“Mister Prescott.”

Silas was in a hurry but paused as one of his subordinates rushed to catch up. It had been two days since Thomas was sent to locate the maid and he was beginning to lose patience. Try as he might to keep it contained he felt his control slowly slipping. But he couldn’t afford to lose his temper at work. For now he had to keep up appearances that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on.

“Sir…I was wondering if you contacted DaLair about Tomlinson?”

“I have. He assured me they aren’t interested Tomlinson Tech.”

“Then that should drastically reduce competition for the acquisition.”

Silas nodded uninterested in speculating further. While any acquisition could grow his own company into new markets Tomlinson was ultimately a small gain if they succeeded. And he had bigger concerns. When would Thomas hurry up and find the maid? He had to know the truth. Was it Ava in that bedroom? Were the kids really his?

“Mister Prescott.”

Silas turned to see Thomas approach. Sidling close Thomas whispered, “She’s here.”

“Excuse me,” Silas dismissed his first solicitor and followed after Thomas without another word.

Thomas led him to his office which had the blinds drawn for privacy. He ushered Silas in where a slightly heavyset woman sat on one of the couches. She wore a gray maid’s uniform. Her long, straight black hair was tied behind her head and lay down her back. Fidgeting in her seat she kept glancing at the man standing beside the couch. On the surface he appeared to be there for her convenience should she require anything but he was actually guarding her preventing her from leaving before her interview with their employer.

Silas’s brow furrowed. His memory from ten years ago was admittedly fuzzy but he was certain the woman in his bed had wavy brown hair. Or was his mind playing tricks on him because he wanted it to be so? Glancing at Thomas he strode forward making his way to the sitting area. The guard stiffened at attention nodding to him. The maid twisted in her seat to nervously watch his approach.

Silas sat across from her studying his guest. She kept her eyes averted obviously used to being ignored and uncomfortable under scrutiny. Her skin was softly tan and as her name suggested she was of Hispanic descent. None of this mattered to Silas as he quietly compared her to his memory. They were about the right height but that was it. No matter how he looked at her she just didn’t match the woman in his memory.

“Miss Lopez,” Silas said causing her to flinch. “Do you have any idea why you are here?”

“No,” she shook her head. She spoke in clear English with no hint of an accent. With that he was safe in assuming she was not a recent immigrant. Possibly even second or third generation citizen if he wanted to guess.

“Ten years ago you worked at the Conrad. Remember it?”

“I worked at many hotels.”

This was neither a brag nor evasion. It was the simple truth of any serving or retail position that one’s place was constantly at threat. One customer complaint, whether warranted or not, could mean the end of their job and subject them to the dangers of unemployment. People with clear ethnic features were often targets of overly-entitled customers and Natalie was no different so her resume tended to be long. She couldn’t say she was never at fault but it wasn’t easy meeting expectations of people who set them with no regard to reality and what was impossible.

“I’m only interest in one. Let me refresh your memory,” Silas said as Thomas placed a folder in his hand and pulled out a photocopy of the check he had written. “Ten years ago you cashed this. Remember where you got it?”

Natalie swallowed hard saying, “I’m very sorry. My mother was sick. We needed the money. I—I found it in the room…no one seemed to miss it.”

“Slow down. You found it in the room?” Silas asked. He was already on the edge of his seat.

“Yes. I was cleaning. And a woman rushed out of the room. She was in tears. I went in after she left and found the check. I held onto it but no one asked for it…and we needed the money. I—I will pay you back.”

“That isn’t necessary.” Silas shook his head. Somehow he wasn’t surprised by this news but it left him feeling empty because that meant… “I don’t care about the money. I would like to know about the woman. Do you remember anything about her?”

“…I never saw her face clearly,” Natalie answered. “She was petite. Brown hair. My mother would say she had the good hair. I think…she was pretty.”

“Would you be able to identify her if you saw a picture?”

“…Maybe? I’m not sure. I only saw her for a moment.”

“Then what about these?”

Silas spread out four pictures Thomas had prepared. One featured Ava and the other three were random woman with similar features. All were candid street shots. Natalie leaned forward biting her lip. She shook her head as she debated with herself. Finally she separated two photos and studied them more carefully.

“I think…maybe this one?” She selected a photo.

Silas tried to hide his reaction as he saw her pick: Ava. Despite her hesitant choice he couldn’t help but take it as confirmation of his suspicions. A hollow pit opened in his stomach. What had he done?

“James will take you back,” Silas finally said.

“Thank you.” She stood clearly confused and he didn’t blame her. It certainly wasn’t every day someone simply forgave a $100,000 debt.

“Oh, Miss Lopez…how is your mother now?” Silas asked.

“She is good.”

“Good. James.”

The man who had been guarding her politely escorted her out. Silas sat back in his chair trying to control the rapid beating of his heart. Ava…It was Ava all along…The woman he had longed for, searched for…and he had sent her away with his own words.

“I don’t know if she could be considered a reliable witness…but at least we know she wasn’t the one in the room,” Thomas said watching him close.

“…It was Ava…” Silas whispered. “…Dear god, it was Ava all along…”

“It’s odd she never tried to contact you,” Thomas commented. “It can’t be easy raising three kids alone especially when one has complex medical needs.”