TIFFIN 3

38

As soon as I slapped the phone back on its receiver, I paced around, unable to keep still. 

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. 

What had Kylie done to grant a possible kidnapping? She said she'd had connections.

Had the man noticed someone delving into his background and found her IP address? 

Crap. 

This couldn't be happening. 

My lunch was now ever.

I was expected out on the main floor and wasn't close to being prepared. All I wanted to do was run off with Ezekiel and find one of my good friends. 

It was a terrible idea.

I had only just come back from a week's vacation and the board would see this as detrimental to the company. 

Oh no.

What about the media? 

Once word got out that one of my dear friends had been taken, it would become a freaking circus out there.

I had no choice at the moment. I couldn't run into this like some three-year-old and neglect my duties.

I needed to provide a living for myself.

I could brainstorm while doing this.

Maybe call Ezekiel a few times pertaining to updates. 

Sometimes, we couldn't do what we wanted.

it would kill me. 

Once I made it out my office door, Cole was waiting by the receptionist. With a strange look in his eyes, he hurried over. He placed both his hands on my shoulders, steadying me. 

"Kristina. Is everything alright?"

I did my best to appear neutral though I was sure most of the blood had drained from my face. 

"Yeah, I'm fine." 

After a moment of surveying me, he gave in, changing the subject. 

"Alright. Well, I still think you and I should talk about the kiss we shared at the studio. Kristina... I'm not trying to act unprofessional but there was something between us. You know there was."

As I shut my eyes, I knew this to be true. I couldn't deny it any longer.

There were tingles that tremored through my body, especially when we were within close proximity. But I couldn't lose sight now. I still loved my husband and there was a chance...

Now, who was I kidding? He was never coming back. 

Even so, I needed to focus on finding my friend. I didn't need all the added stress. 

"Cole, I'll be honest with you. I feel... something. I'm not sure what it is, but it's there. Nevertheless, I have my head full with friend issues at the moment and work I haven't finished. I honestly don't need any distractions. It would do to forget about it."

When he tried to object, I held up a hand in earnest, my professionalism returning. 

"Please. Check-in with my partners about your paperwork. I'll see to it that I'm faxed the information."

I didn't look back as I cheered on the employees at their cubicles down the hall. 

Later on in the day, my nerves ran thin. I left Ezekiel three voicemails before returning to my work and a few more in between breaks. I had contemplated actually buying a pack of cigarettes, but thought better of it. 

Not a good idea. 

As I was shutting down my area for the evening, my phone rang, causing me to leap over the desk. 

"Hello?" I hissed. 

"I'm sorry I never got back to you," Ezekiel began, "I've been digging up any clues as to what might have happened. Trust me, I've been on it."

"I thought so," I clipped, cringing at my tone, "So, did you find anything?"

He breathed out a sigh before replying.
 
"Yes. I went through her phone and computer records and though they didn't reveal anything, I ran it through my parent's companies database. Kristina, she met up with him at a park around midnight."

I cursed angrily. 

"Fuck! Why would she do that?"

"I don't know," Ezekiel growled, "Not that she ever listens to me, but I specifically said no late outings. Anyway... she did and an interesting conversation commenced between her and a... Mr. Slim."

I nearly snorted at the last name but refrained. I needed to be serious. 

"Well, what did it say?"