Alexander's Disappearance

12

        "I don't mean to scare you, but do you think you'll be ready to settle with Noah?" Priya asked.

        Priya and I liked to book a private room for spa sessions and say whatever we liked. It was very therapeutic. We liked to do this every month, usually by the end of the month, and I really missed it. The calming scent of essential oils in the spacious room, the cleansing mud mask on my skin, and the massage that would take place later on... It was great. We were just finishing up our facials.

        "Yes and no," I said, still with my eyes closed. With the mask hardening quickly, it was hard to speak.  "Because first of all, when I am interested in a man, I'd like to think of him as a potential marriage partner, so, of course, I see potential with Noah and I want to be with him. But, I'm still dealing with... my situation and I don't know if he can wait. I really like him, Priya. If I can't have him, I guess I'll be single for a very long time."

         "Do you believe Noah sees you like that as well? I mean, see you as a spouse? A potential life partner?"

         Immediately after she asked, I took the cucumber from my eyes and placed it on the table beside us. I turned to look at Priya. Although my mud mask had hardened, I looked at Priya with shock. I haven't thought about the possibility that Noah wasn't seeking for long-term. Noah seemed to be, though. Why would he try to court for a soon-to-be divorcee? The thought of him manipulating me for the information on Alexander's disappearance lingered at the back of my mind. No. Irrational thinking... Paranoid thinking... Noah liked me, I'd like to believe. And if not, I must know. I am a grown woman, I can handle a bit of a letdown. But, something tells me that I knew Noah's intentions. Priya gave me a look of confusion. I snapped out of it. "Should I... Should I text him?" I picked up my phone. 

          Priya gasped. "No, are you insane? What are you—"

         "Too late," I interrupted as I pressed the send button.
 
          "What did you say?" Priya's eyebrows raised as she studied me.

         She looked at my phone, and then at me. I didn't understand why she was so shocked. I was always a blunt person. I didn't have time to beat around the bush and play games. Noah was a man that valued bluntness and was always straightforward, I've noticed. It was way better that way. I disliked the cat-and-mouse game and the inevitable downfall that leads to a relationship that lacks communication. Also, I despise when people play hard to get and attempt you make you jealous here and there. I'm a grown woman. I'm not in middle school. I picked up my phone again and looked at our messages. "I said, 'What do you want from this relationship?'"

         "It's been so long since I've given you relationship advice that I'm stumped at your behaviour," my best friend remarked. The shocked look on her face faded. "At least you didn't need it... "

          I continued to eye my phone, shutting out the world. It was risky asking Noah this. I thought it would take time for me to settle down in a relationship with Noah. Now was not a good time, especially not with my husband on the loose. The one million withdrawal is still a very suspicious situation. No one withdraws that much out of the blue and then never comes back ever again. Besides, Alexander could've withdrawn way more, why did he only withdraw a million? It just doesn't make any sense.

         I wished to speak to Noah about it, at least give him the idea that I didn't kill Alexander, but at this point, I should stop trying to make it seem like I didn't kill him. If I didn't kill him, I wouldn't try this hard to prove that I didn't! Before, I didn't feel any guilt for lying to Noah but now I do. Noah deserved the truth but I couldn't give it to him. How could I? I haven't even told my best friend.

         The cool atmosphere in the spa was calming, but I could feel my body tense up. One million dollar withdrawal was on my mind now. Where was he taking that money? Why one week before his disappearance? Was he a time traveller? Now to think of it, time travelling did sound cool. However, Alexander was too boring to be one. I let out a huge sigh, forgetting that Priya was still with me.