THIRTY THREE

For the millionth time, I checked my phone, but Nathan had not responded. Despite the fact that my world was collapsing around me, I dragged myself to work every day, sitting through one boring meeting after another. Contracts and business transactions used to consume all of my waking hours, but now all I want to do is go out and find Aliyah. I can't even pretend to be interested in the proposals being put forward.

Nate assured me that he would find her and that I should simply trust him and his abilities. He's never let me down before. I stare off into space, completely unaware that my name is being called and that everyone in my office is staring at me.

""Wait, what?"

"We're still waiting from you to agree to terms and sign off on everything so we can keep moving forward," Joe says, waving a thick stack of papers at me. "Have you had a chance to review the documents? We were hoping to resolve this today.""

As I sift through the massive stack of papers in front of me, my mind goes blank. Normally, I have highlighted items as well as several pages of my own notes to go over, but this is the first time I've seen these papers, and I have no idea what kind of deal was struck.

Is this a one-time payment or will it be made in installments? Have all of the necessary safety checks been completed so that we can obtain the necessary permits? The honest answer is that I don't know, so I'm not sure where to start with my line of questioning.

"Um," I begin. "I haven't had a chance to look at these yet, but I will; things have been a little hectic lately, but I'll be back on track shortly."

I notice everyone in the room exchanging nervous glances as Joe looks around the room.

They're starting to doubt me, and to be honest, I'd do the same.

"I'd be happy to pass this along to someone else if they're interested," I said. "It is not necessary for me to review it."

Allow them to crunch the numbers and become terrified of failure. I'd be perfectly fine taking that risk right now if it relieved me of some of the responsibility.

Several people cough, and others become transfixed by the glasses of water in front of them.

Joe breaks the silence with, "Um." "Don't worry, we'll give you another week or so to review everything. We value your input, and I believe I speak for everyone when I say, we wouldn't feel confident moving forward on a construction process you haven't signed off on." Now, on to the next order of business.The Santiagos have contacted us about a revaluation acquisition. The CEO and head of their family recently died, but neither heir has an interest in continuing running the company. My phone abruptly goes off, causing everyone in the room to look around in disbelief. Phones are forbidden in our conferences under normal circumstances, but these aren't normal times, and I'm not leaving my phone at the office.

What's the point of being the boss if I can't occasionally break the rules?

I check the caller ID and realize this is the call I've been waiting for, so I leap from the table, leaving my stunned colleagues behind.

"How are you, Nathan? Did you manage to locate her? " I inquire, already making my way to the elevator.

"Yes, sir, I did find her." He says, "She's in a hotel, and I'm texting you the information right now.  Unfortunately, I haven't yet received the room number, but I realised you'd want what I have as soon as possible."

"I'll figure out the room number myself, even if it means knocking on every door until I find her."

I jog the rest of the way to the elevator and repeatedly press the button.

"Wait, Jordan!" Joe calls after me, "What's the matter? Is anyone hurt? Do you want us to finish the meeting or do you want us to wait for you to return? ”

I don't give a damn what they do right now.

"To be honest, I don't care."

I'm a man on a mission, and I need to get somewhere. I enter the elevator and press the button to close the doors just as Joe arrives. I'm sorry for bailing on everyone, but Aliyah is far too important to me, and I can't sit here waiting for the meeting to end.

I need to get to her and make sure she's okay.

"Thank you, Nathan; you've saved my life," I say into the phone. "I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for you."

"Anytime, boss," he responds. "I'm just here to assist."

I haven't slept well since Aliyah went missing, and I'm sure Nathan hasn't either. He's been working nonstop to find her, and I'm sure he hasn't billed me for all the hours he's put in.

"Please update your timesheet so I can get you squared away," I advise. "I know you've put in a lot of time on this, and I'll be eternally grateful."

"Boss, don't be concerned about me; be concerned about getting to Ms. Delos Santos." You and I both know that you can't put a price on what the heart desires. I was just as eager to find her as you were, and now I can relax knowing I did my job."

"Thank you once more, Nathan," I say.

"No problem," he says, "and best wishes."

I hang up the phone just as the elevator enters the lobby and sprint to my parked car. I've been putting Eric on notice for days now to stay right out front in case I need to make a quick getaway.

Fortunately, most of the reporters who had gathered outside the building have dispersed, leaving only a few stragglers.

“Mr. Where are you going, Delgado? What happened to the mysterious blonde? ”

"Give us a big grin for the cover story!"

I move through the small crowd, oblivious to the questions they throw at me.

"Do you have a tip on who it is?"

In hushed tones, Eric inquires. He stomps on his cigarette butt on the ground with his foot.

"I certainly do, Eric," I say as I slide into the car. "Let's go get her, but first shake these reporters off." The last thing I need is them interfering with what will undoubtedly be an awkward reunion."

I give him the address and grab the armrest to keep from collapsing as he speeds away into traffic. He cuts this and that corner, attempting to make last minute turns to keep the press at bay.

While I know he's driving as fast as he can, I still count the seconds as they turn into excruciatingly painful minutes. With each passing moment, we get closer to the hotel, and I find myself beginning to transform into a nervous wreck. Part of me wishes Eric would stop the car for a few moments to calm my frazzled nerves, but I know that's not going to happen.

What if she doesn't notice me? What if she begins yelling and screaming that she despises me and will never see me again?

I can't let such thoughts enter my mind, not right now, because Aliyah has to see me. I'll force myself to accept whatever decision she makes after I fully explain what happened and get everything off my chest.

I should have gotten flowers, damn it.

I look down at my watch, but there's no time to pause. I don't want to blow my last chance with Aliyah.

We arrive at the hotel just as a car resembling Aliyah's arrives.

It's Aliyah, and she's just as beautiful as the first time I saw her.

"Would you like me to pull up next to her?"

Eric inquires. "Or should I remain hidden?"

"Let's definitely keep our distance. I don't want her to see me and speed away. "Please give me a second to gather my thoughts," I say hesitantly. My palms are sweating and my stomach is doing backflips. I wasn't this nervous when I closed my first hundred million peso deal, but now I'm sweating bullets in the back of my car.

Aliyah basically skips inside the hotel with a thick folder tucked under her arm and a wide grin on her face as she steps out of her car.

She appears to be... content. For a brief moment, I consider simply leaving her alone. Is it possible that she would be better off without me?

The thought is slowly fading away because I'm selfish at heart, and I know I won't be able to live with myself if I don't at least try. I always say I don't give up easily, and I'm not about to start now.

If nothing else, she deserves the truth, and the rest is up to chance.

I take a deep breath and prepare to get out of the car. She has to know everything, and she has to hear it from me. It's the least I can do after what I've put her through.

"Good luck, sir," Eric says. "I hope you're able to reclaim her.  Ms. Delos Santos is a one-of-a-kind woman."

I nod and purse my lips, hoping that luck is on my side. I close my eyes, exhale again, and walk into the lobby as if I own it. When you need someone to do you a favor, confidence is essential.

"Hello there, Mr. Delgado, I don't believe we have a booking on file for you," Mandy, the receptionist at the front desk, says. She looks for my name on the clipboard in front of her. "Give me just several moments, and I'll have you booked in the penthouse suite in no time.  If one of our newer employees made a mistake with your reservation, please accept my apologies."

"No," I respond. "I'm actually here to surprise someone, and I'm hoping you'll be a doll and give me the room number for a Ms. Aliyah Delos Santos."

"Oh, that would be against hotel policy, Mr. Delgado.  I could lose my job if I reveal that information; it's confidential."

I lean over the counter, widening my smile at Mandy. I despise it, but I'm not above a little seduction to get what I want. She clearly understands me well from my previous accommodations, and while I'd never ask for such a favor, I'm confident she can accommodate the request.

"I'd never wish for you to lose your job, but my heart is on the line, and I won't tell if you don't.  I'd never want to break hotel policy, but I'd appreciate a massive favour just this once. Apart from that, I do a lot of business with this hotel, so I'd never deliberately hurt that relationship. If you can find it in your heart to do this for me, I swear I'll be on my best behavior."

Mandy sighs and takes a nervous look around. "I'm sorry, Mr. Delgado, I can't tell you anything at all about the hotel's guests, but if you take a gander around, you might find something useful."

Her finger taps the red ink-scribbled room number on the notepad across from her.

"Thank you," I say, winking. "You've been a huge help to me."

Mandy smiles and quickly tosses the teeny-tiny slip of paper into the paper shredder.

It sometimes pays to be well-knowned and well-connected.

I take out my phone and dial Aliyah's number, hoping she will answer. The only issue is that I'm not sure what I'll say if she does.

Do I apologize right away? Request that she meet me in the hallway?

My heart is pounding in my chest, and I feel as if my tie is cutting off my airflow. No other woman has ever made me want to go through such lengths to reclaim her. If I'm no longer satisfied with their company, I usually write them off as a lost cause, but I can't do that with Aliyah. She's not the kind of woman you let go without the need for a fight, and I'm willing to risk everything and sink with the ship for her. The phone started ringing once, twice, and then she answers on the third ring.

“Hello?”

"Aliyah, it's Jordan, please don't hang up."