Alexander's Disappearance

10

         My days were starting to become normal. I've adapted to the absence of Alexander, but he still crosses my mind from time to time. Before, I felt as if I was dependent on him but with the help of Noah by my side, I didn't feel too lonely. I know it was wrong to rely on a man, I did, but I was still fighting my thoughts and my anxiety. A stuffed teddy bear was always by my side at night. I was a grown woman with a stuffed animal beside me, but it did help me out when I felt unsafe. Alexander slept in this bed. He was gone. I replaced him with a teddy bear. It sounded absurd when I think about it, but I had to do everything it takes to prevent another anxiety attack.

        "Hello, Mrs. Harrington," Ben greeted me with a cheerful smile. He turned to look at me. 

         As I looked down, I noticed that he had offered me coffee. I raised my eyebrows as I accepted it. "Wow, thanks, Ben. I didn't expect that."

      "There's more." He reached to grab something from the passenger seat. It was a brown bag with a generic coffee cup logo in the middle. He handed it to me, which I accepted as well. "I thought you'd be hungry." Ben was in a chirpy mood today. I noticed right off the bat with his tone of voice when he greeted me. He was a married man. He has been married to his husband for five years. Perhaps they had really good sex last night? He continued, "Unfortunately, it is not from the insanely good coffee shop that I told you about..."

      My imagination was going to soon run wild, so I shook away the thoughts. The car started moving again. "That's alright. Thank you, Ben. I really appreciate it." I laughed. "... What's got you in such a good mood?"

       I hesitated to even drink from the cup, or eat the pastry. The mere thought of him working for Alexander was scaring me. Maybe he poisoned me? Maybe he slipped something in my coffee or put rat poison in my pastry. What am I even thinking? Ben was being polite and kind. This isn't the first time he has done this, but it's been a while. Maybe he noticed my mood has been off and decided to cheer me up. It was like him to do so, anyway. I need to stop assuming everyone out there is trying to hurt me.

       "I'm in the same mood as I am every day, don't you think, Mrs. Harrington?" Ben questioned.

       I tensed. "Call me Eva, from now on."

      "Ah, yes. My apologies, Eva." Ben cleared his throat. He adjusted his tie awkwardly, and our ride turned silent—except for the slight crumple of the paper bag whenever I took a bite from the pastry.

       The major trust issues I was having were starting to ruin my relationships with people. First, it was Priya, and now it was Ben. I could justify not trusting Noah because it was Noah. Our first conversation was rocky and not a very pleasant one, may I add. Rationally speaking, for someone who may have committed a murder, I should be paranoid. But the thought of me expressing my paranoia was suspicious—that was my issue. 

         As I walk into the building, two buff men stood and waited for me. Bodyguards were a good idea. The reporters might be waiting to pounce, and I was afraid to be in danger. Lucky for me, I still have not been in contact with Alexander's mother. She was ruthless. I can imagine her sitting in her tearoom dressed in a thin, boatneck cream-coloured long-sleeve blouse with a matching long skirt while sipping on earl grey tea, plotting my death. She'd be on the phone with her private investigator. What they spoke about, I didn't know, but I know that it was a big mistake to still continue heading to work as if I didn't just kill her son. If I could, I would've left New York, but wouldn't that be highly suspicious? Alexander wasn't a powerful figure—not enough for his loyal subjects to try and find me. When you compare Noah and Alexander, Noah had the ultimate power. There was something about him that exuded power, way more than Alexander had.