Mending A Broken Heart

Chapter 11

The sound of shoes clicking on the floor, distracted Trisha from her research through the company records. Peering over the computer monitor that rested upon Augustine's desk, she watched as Sophia paced back and forth on the linoleum floor. A deep breath escaped from her lips, and Trisha sighed heavily and asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"You can keep doing your job, and stop asking me questions."
"Listen i'm not going to fight with you, because it isn't going to bring your daughter home any sooner. I was just trying to be helpful."
"Helpful? You're talking about being helpful, but you're just sitting there typing away on a computer."
"And what the hell are you doingto bring your daughter back home? You're standing in this office with an attitude with someone who's trying to figure out what's going on. I suggest you drop your attitude, and try to figure out who would want to take your daughter," Trisha said before turning back to the computer screen.

Sophia's Nude Christian Louboutin heels smacked louder against the floor as she stormed out of the room. Trisha jumped slightly as the heavy door rattled against its casing as she slammed it. Her footsteps could be heard heading towards theelevator, and the sound slowly drifted away. Trisha shook her head, and got back to looking through the files in the computer. Case after case there was nothing relating to the ransom demand that Augustine had gotten. Trisha knew that there had to be a correlation between the two. No one would randomly ask for $34.2 million if it didn't mean anything to them.

Realization soon struck Trisha as she remembered she could type the sum up and see what case returned. She watched as the computer loaded several files that were dated from before she started at the company. She quickly hit print on the files, and retrieved them from the large printer that sat behind the desk of Augustine's assistant. Her eyes scanned the files, and threw one down that she believed didn't belong. Upon the third file, she dropped everything else that was in her hands. Trisha's eyes raked over the file, and then over the names on the files: Graco Incorporation.

Suddenly the terrible dinner meeting that she attended crossed through her mind. Mr. Austin and his young wife had completely disrespected her at that meeting. Trisha had never been more embarrassed in her life. What she couldn't understand was why Mr. Austin would have anything to do with the ransom. Mr .Austin was nearly a billionaire. Trisha continued to read through the file, and her eyes slowly approached the name of the person who signed the deal: Olivia Galveston. Augustine's former Business Administrator was the one who okayed the deal. The only problem was that Trisha couldn't find the connection. Even with her termination, Ms. Galveston received an amazing severance package. Something that she did not deserve. She got way more than she deserved. Quickly grabbing her phone, Trisha dialed Augustine's number. The phone rung for several moments before his voicemail picked up. A low curse passed through her lips before she typed a text. She sent the text before grabbing her belongings, the files, and headed to theelevator.

Augustine watched as his phone rung. He would talk to Trisha after he got his daughter back. It was the only thing that he could focus on. He had made the money drop already, he was just waiting to get the call for where his daughter was. He stood in the middle of the square, waiting for a sign of his daughter. Looking at his watch, he noticed that it was almost past the time that the abductor gave him. Nervousness began to sit in, and he began to get anxious. His daughter was the most important person to him, and he didn't know what he would do if anything happened to her.

Before more mundane thoughts could pass through his mind, a loud shriek interrupted his thoughts. As Augustine turned, his daughter was running towards him from the other side of the square. Her long hair flew in the wind as she ran in his direction. Augustine broke into a sprint towards his daughter, and scooped her up as soon as she was in arms reach. Tears streamed down her face as she buried her face into her father's neck. Augustine's hands traveled over her small frame as he searched for injuries. He showered kisses over face, happy for her to be back in his arms.

Augustine didn't know how much time had passed as they sat in the square hugging one another. Soon rain drops began to hit the both of them. Quickly scooping his daughter up, Augustine carried her to his car. As they drove to her mother'shouse,  Augustine watched as his angel slept in the passenger seat. Soft sniffles erupted from her as she slept, anger began to pour through his body. As he pulled into the driveway, he slowly woke his sleeping daughter. Isabella awoke with a scream. Augustine quickly comforted his daughter, and she instinctively grabbed her father's arm. As they got out the car, Sophia sprinted out of the door. She quickly scooped Isabella up in her arms spinning her around. Without thinking Sophia crashed her lips into Augustine's.

His body instantly stiffened, and then he slowly returned the kiss. Her arms went around his neck, and his arms circled her waist. Seconds passed before he gently pushed her away. Sophia's eyes fell to the ground before saying, "I'm sorry. I don't know what took over me."
"It's fine. I should have stopped you."
"Seemed like you didn't want to though,"Sophia stated looking back up at him. He looked at his daughter, and then back at Sophia, and said, "I have to figure what the hell is going on. So I won't be around for a couple of days. I have an ex-militant friend who is going to keep an eye on you two."
"Auggie we don't need a bodyguard."
"Obviously you do. How did she get taken from your house?"
"Are you saying this is my fault?
"You tell me," Augustine said harshly. Anger spread across Sophia's face. Grabbing Isabella's wrist, she turned on her heels, and stormed into the house.

Cursing loudly, Augustine turned to go back to his car. His phone rang again, radiating through the speakers of his car. With a sigh, he answered. A concerned voice stated flatly, "We need to talk now."