Mr. Berkshire (Book 1 in the For Better Or Worst Trilogy)

Chapter 32

     Back in Seattle, Roman gave me the next week to get my life arranged in order, before returning to work. He knew of my situation and promised that I would be making enough as his assistant to support myself, without my dad and A Likely Story. And if I'm being honest with myself, I much rather invest my time as Roman's assistant than working at the book store. Though, it didn't make it any easier to share the information with Noah. Thankfully, Skylar would distract him from my absence. Besides that, the rest of the week is to myself. I'm grateful that Roman has been so understanding with me, but a part of me is saddened by the lack of distraction I have this week. Instead, i'm forced to come to terms with the lie that is my family. 

     Hoping the t.v. will bring me some solace, I throw myself onto my couch and flip through the channels. As usual, when I need a distraction the most, there's nothing interesting to watch. I almost give up, when I come across the news. The news channel is possibly the most depressing channel on cable. I go to change the channel, but a familiar face makes an appearance at the corner of the screen. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A charming grin. John Fitzpatrick. I turn up the sound. 

     "Popular author, John Fitzpatrick is missing. John is known for his novels We Have Until Sunrise, Kiss Me Before You Go, Delilah, and many more. Mr. Fitzpatrick was last seen January 30th, at his family home. His manager and family are used to his often disappearances, pouring himself into his next novel. However, no one has seen or heard from Mr. Fitzpatrick since January 30th. If you have any information on the missing persons, please call this number..." 

     As I stare at his image, the words begin to mesh into one another, until I can't understand a thing this woman is saying. The last thing I hear is the date he was last seen. Two days after being remove from Berkshire Publishing. I feel a strange tightness in my gut. At the same moment I reach for my phone, an incoming phone call comes from an unknown number. 

     "Hello?" 

     "I expect you've seen the news." Roman. 

     "How did you-?"

     "Your information is filed away. Don't tell HR. Now the news, i'm sure it's as surprising to you as it is to me." A long silence spreads between us as I try to gather myself. Why is he even calling me about this? Should I save his number or would that be weird? 

     "Why are you calling me about this?" My confusion gets the best of me. This whole situation is odd. 

     "I know you have conflicting feelings about Mr. Fitzpatrick. I thought you would need a friend." 

     "Are you offering?" A smile forces its way to my lips. 

     "It sounds like it. Anyways, who else is supposed to teach you how to drive that volkswagon? I'll pick you up in an hour." Call ended. 

     I stare at my phone in disbelief. Did that just happen? The strangeness of Roman calling me, just as the news announces John's disappearance isn't beyond me, but I can't deny the rush of my heart rate at the news that Roman will be picking me up in an hour. He's right. John's disappearance does stir some kind of feeling within me, but I just don't know what that feeling is. 

     Every minute is used preciously as I browse through the clothes in my closet. The last thing I want is to seem like i'm trying too hard, but I also don't want to look like I just rolled out of bed. Eventually, I settle with a baby blue, off shoulder, summer dress with a frill trim. Pretty, but relaxing. Nothing as stiff or proper as a gown. Braiding my sister's hair, every night before bed became handy when I decide to do a french braid. This will definitely reveal how hard I tried, but I can't help it. By the time i'm finished adding a touch of red lipstick, a silver necklace with a heart locket, and a pair of white sandals, I have a minute left to spare. I step outside at the same time a black limo drives up. Roman climbs out, saying something to his driver before turning to look at me. For a second, it looks like he hesitates. He gives me a once over, leaving me to wonder if i'm over dressed. 

     "You really do look beautiful in everything you wear." He says softly. The bluntness of his words stuns me. And by the looks of it, his eyes wide, he's just as surprised. Clearing his throat, he gestures to the volkswagon. "The keys?" With the briefest of hesitations, I reach into my purse and retrieve the keys. Once close enough, I hand them over. 

     "Aren't I supposed to be the one driving?" I brush over the compliment. Roman doesn't embarrass easily, and by the flush of his cheeks, he's very embarrassed now. No reason to embarrass him any further. Everyone's had a slip of the tongue of something they don't mean, right?  

     "Yes, but I want to show you the basics. I would prefer my day not to end dangling by a cliff." Grinning, he climbs into the car and takes the position of mentor. 

     "Haha." I climb inside, beside him. "I'm not that bad." 

     For the next half hour, Roman wanders Seattle, making sure to point out every one of his moves. And like the good student I am, I pay close attention. At some points, I even regret not bringing a notebook and pen with me. Once he's content with my teachings, he parks to the side of the road and we trade places. With Roman's direction, I start towards the Seattle Aquarium. Gas. Break. Gas. Break. Gas. Break. Somehow a twenty minute drive turns into almost an hour. This is gonna be a lot of work.

What do you think happened to Mr. Fitzpatrick?

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