Drake groaned at the sound of the blaring alarm clock. It wasn't usually like him to sleep in, but being that he'd only got to sleep a few hours ago, it was expected. He reached over and turned off the alarm clock before looking over to his left, in search for his companion. He furrowed his brows a little after seeing she wasn't there and decided to find out what she'd gotten upto.
He kicked his legs to the side of the bed and sat for a moment, getting used to the feeling of being forcefully awoken, when he came across a folded piece of paper on the floor. He picked up the remote on the side table and pressed the button to open the blinds, before reaching for the paper and unfolding it.
It was short, simple and very much to the point and it turned his mood sour in seconds. He sighed, and folded it back up, placing it back on the side drawer and standing to go to the shower...
Folding the last of his clothes, he stood and searched for the grey t-shirt he had worn the evening before. He remembered taking it off - with assistance - but it wasn't where he left it and he was confused as to why. Looking at his watch and realising he didn't have time he decided to leave it and zip up his bag.
"How was your stay Mr. Graham?" the receptionist asked.
"Lovely, thank you," he said, giving her a small smile.
"We're just waiting on Jas and Roxx, and we'll be ready to go," Chubbs said to him and he clenched his jaw.
"Tell them to hurry up, because once I'm done I won't be waiting on anyone," he said in a nonchalant tone, but it spoke volumes to those that knew him. "Thank you," he said to the receptionist and placed his shade over his eyes once again.
"So, are you gonna tell me why you're being so angry?" Chubbs asked as they walked over to where the others were. "Where's you girl?" he asked after not getting a response.
"I don't have one. Didn't have one when I came here, why would I have one now," he said. "You know what I've got a few calls to make so I'll meet you guys at the airport." With that he pulled his suitcase beside him and headed for the Maybach that was already waiting for him outside...
Drake stood with his hands in the pockets on the other side of the door. The 3 and a half hour flight had given him thinking time and this was the decision he had come to.
"Aubrey! How lovely to see you," Carol said after seeing him on the other side of the door. "How have you been?" she asked as they shared a hug.
"I've been great thank you mama. How have you been?" he asked as she moved out of the way and encouraged him to come in.
"I've been very well. Can I get you anything to drink?" she asked as they sat in the kitchen.
"No thank you, I'm not staying too long." He said with a small smile as she took a seat opposite him on the island.
"You do seem like you're headed somewhere, what brings you by?" she asked.
He sighed. "I found her," he said and Carol gasped. She'd long ago let go of the thought of even seeing her daughter again, so to be told the possibility was still there was unbelievable.
"W-where? H-how?" She asked.
"She's in Atlanta. I initially told her I wouldn't say, but it won't make a difference. If there's one thing she's good at, it's disappearing. I knew where she was until last night and now she's gone again. She left me with this note, which said everything it needed to." He took the note and passed it over to her mother.
Aubrey,
I'm so sorry. And I mean it this time when I say leave it alone. It's for the best.
Nic.
