Nobles

Ch. 25: Mr. Noble?

The offices of Carrington, Wallace, Wentworth & Noble were located in a bright and modern building in downtown Los Angeles. The glass front was typical of what Philo had expected and the inside did match with its sleek display of money.

It looked refined and showed importance.

Of course, Solar would be partner in something like that. She was a Noble and from what Philo knew of Skylar, if Solar was anything like her sister, then she also went for the top.

He and Reki walked in, in their last effort after they had gone through a rather tedious conversation with the gatekeeper from hell, trying to get an appointment with Solar.

They were both on their last nerve. Frazzled and out of options. Reki, who had been a rock during the time they had been there was beginning to show signs of him losing faith. He still kept his calm better than Philo, which was probably because it was not his future on the line in the same way.

It was his future, though. If Philo did not find Skylar and get her back, he would in all likelihood give up the throne and bury himself in a bottle somewhere. The kind of love those two shared was an all or nothing kind. They would not be happy with anybody else. Reki understood that, which was why he did his utmost to help and stay cool-headed.

They had been to Skylar's house in the Hollywood Hills, courtesy of the 'Meet the stars' map, but it had been closed and put up for sale. They had tried the real estate agent who had refused to give any information about Skylar, they had tried getting in contact with Sylvester Blach, but he had ignored them. Not that Philo had thought that weasel as a friend of his or Skylar's when it came to their relationship.

Their last chance was Solar because Pilar was not answering them either, and they had been to her apartment several times.

"Sir, I'm sorry, miss Noble does not have any room for new clients. I've told you on the phone already."

"Tell her that her brother-in-law, Crown prince Alistair of Maridioch, wants to see her, now!" Philo had no patience left. He usually did not throw around his title or used it to get his way, but it was the one time he had to take the road less traveled. And if he would have to flash any kind of credentials that gave him some leverage, he would do it.

The brunette with the designer glasses and the perfectly down-toned office suit that looked more like a uniform than a set of clothes a woman of her age would wear, picked up the phone.

She was at least fittingly impressed with his title when he said it. She spoke shortly with somebody at the other end and sent them an apologetic smile. She handed them two guest passes and pointed to an elevator. "Please take that to the twenty-seventh floor. Miss Noble's assistant will meet you there."

"Thank you." Philo did not really care how he came across, he wanted to find Skylar and he had wasted almost a week already.

In the elevator, Reki patted him on his shoulder. "Relax, this is the last step. She'll tell you where she is."

"I'm not so sure. She hates you and I'm certain I'm not on her list of favorites either."

"Tell it like it is. You need to find Skylar."

The doors opened, and tall woman dressed like the receptionist waited for them. She was curious, but she refrained herself from being too obvious. "Miss Noble is in a meeting, if you would follow me, I'll find you a place where you can wait." She led them to a waiting area and politely asked them to sit down.

She offered them coffee and left.

They sat there for the better part of forty-five minutes. Philo had not said a word, which Reki knew meant he was thinking, and knowing Philo he was probably overthinking too.