Just Tell Me You Love Me (Book 1 in the Just Series) *under editing*

Chapter 38

Arabella

"Mommy, where is daddy?" Lia asked.

Where is he? He's always home in time for dinner. "I'm not sure baby. I'm sure daddy will be here soon. He's probably having some trouble at work," I said, trying to appease Lia.

"Okays mommy," she said.

"Let me call daddy and see what's keeping him." I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Dialled his number and waited.

Weird. He usually picks up the phone almost instantly.

Voicemail. "Hey honey. Just wondering where you are? We're waiting for you," I said on his voicemail.

I decided to call his office. Maybe he's in a meeting.

"Mr. Anastasi's office. This is Marlene speaking."

"Hi Marlene, it's Ara," I said.

"Oh. Mrs. Anastasi. Yes. How are you this evening?" She said cheerfully.

"I'm doing well. Thanks. And yourself?"

"Good. Good."

"That's great. Listen, I was just wondering if Massimo's in a meeting or something? I tried calling his cell, but all I got was his voicemail," I trailed off.

"Oh yes. Mr. Anastasi didnt come into the office today dear. I thought..."

"He didn't? He left early this morning saying that there was an urgent matter he had to attend to. I thought... We'll never mind. That's okay. Thanks Marlene," I said. ending the call.

Where the hell is he? He didn't come to work? Why wouldn't he tell me? What is going on?

For the past few days, I've noticed that there was something bothering him. When I asked him about it, he said that he had a huge business acquisition and he's just worried and overwhelmed with the workload. I nodded my head in understanding; but I had a feeling there was something else bothering him.

Today I woke up, to find a note beside me, telling me that he suddenly had to go to the office early due to an urgent matter. Then he doesn't call the whole day, which is not like him at all. He always calls during the day to check in on us, no matter how busy he may be. And now, he missed dinner with us, which never ever happens since we got married. Then I call his office only to find that he never went to work at all.

I had an aching feeling deep inside me, that this is something so much deeper. I don't know why, but I know that whatever is bothering him, it has something to do with us.

"Mommy are you okays? You looks funny," Lia said interrupting my thoughts.

I took a deep breath and tried to force a smile. "Yes, baby. Daddy had an important business he had to attend to. So it'll just be the two us mia angioletto," I said, running my hands through her hair.

"Okays mommy. I'm hungwy," she said pouting.

I chuckled. "Let's go eat then baby," I said bending down to pick her up and carry her to the kitchen.

2 hrs later. Lia is in bed. And I still haven't heard from Massimo.

I've called his cell 3 times and it goes straight to voicemail.

I decided to call Marco since Jason is away on business.

"Hello?" Marco answered on the other line n

"Hey it's Ara," I said. There was a pause before he answered.

"Yes. Hey."

"I was just wondering if you know where Massimo is. I'm getting worried. I've been calling him, but all I get is his voicemail, and Marlene said he didn't come to work."