When you realise

17. Hunter's Hope

Sleep didn't come easy to me last night, in fact sleep didn't come at all, I laid in bed awake all night, thinking of ways to get in touch with Ellie. I feel more like a fool myself for not knowing where she lives, how is it that I knew her for a year and not once did it ever come up, we always just came here. I know she works in a hotel in the city. She did say once that Melanie worked with her. It still puzzles me that they became friends.

I was sure that Melanie was going to go crazy, Eliana was here a lot when Melanie would bring Rosie over and at first she was hostile and just wanted to argue but not long after they met, Ellie told me that they had a talk and they ended up getting along well, Ellie even got Melanie a job.

Ever since than Melanie appeared to calm down around me and we stopped arguing, we started agreeing on things for Rosie and we were even able to go to the same restaurant at the same time for Rosie's birthday.

It was always how I wanted it to be, about Rosie and not about Melanie trying to get me back by using Rosie against me.

Today had not been a very productive day, I was going to clean up the backyard after the party, but as I started a cleaning crew arrived. Apparently Ellie had thought of everything even the day after.

Rosie clung to me most of the day and was not really talking, she just wanted to be hugged, so we just watched some movies together. She didn't even smile at me when I started singing along really badly I might add with Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.

But nothing, no smile the only reaction I got was Rosie putting her hand over my mouth and resting her head on my shoulder. I asked her if she wanted to go to the park and she just shook her head no.

My little girl was upset and heartbroken and I can only blame myself. She eventually fell asleep on my shoulder, so I carried her to bed, tucking her in and kissing her forehead before walking out of the room leaving the door ajar.

As I was sitting down on the couch again with the tv on in the background not paying attention to it, I was so lost in my own thought, a knock at the door startled me, I looked over at the time, it was almost 5pm. I walked to Rosie's door and poked my head in and she was still sound asleep. So I walked over to the front door, I knew it had to be Melanie to pick up Rosie, she said she was going to get here at 5.

I opened the door and sure enough Melanie was on the other side, I went to say hi and invite her in, but as soon as the door was fully opened she almost screamed at me "What the fuck did you do?"

"Well Hello to you too Melanie, would you like to come in and keep your damn voice down because Rosie is sleeping" I whisper yelled.

She walked past me shaking her head, this time in a much quieter voice she asked "What did you do to Eliana".

"I'm sorry but how is this your business and how do you know anything happened" I questioned

She reached into her pocket and pulled something out "Ellie called me into her office today and asked for a favour, she wanted me to give this to you", she walked over and placed a key in my hand, I knew what it was the moment she gave it to me, It was my house key I gave to Ellie for if I was running late home from work, she could let herself in. Again the realisation that giving her a key was another indication of being in a relationship. Why the hell did I not use my brain?

I closed my fist around the key, the need within me to get her back is increasing. I need to know where she is and the only one that can tell me that right now is Melanie.

"Where is she? Where does she work? You work with her tell me how to reach her, she won't answer my calls" the questions were just spilling out of my mouth.