Ana's Daddy

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I'm holding the pen tight and staring at some papers; I can't see a word on there. I don't know why. That young man made me furious. I shouldn't have gotten that angry. It's not the first time a young man or woman has tried that stunt, although it's not often. It was not only his disrespect and bad manners but also something about him. I usually get along well with just about everyone but Ryan Roberts; something about him makes me angry just looking at him. I can't get his name off my mind, nor his behavior. What was it, he said. Oh yeah, he dropped the name Elizabeth Richardson. It must be surgeon Gregory Richardson's wife. That makes me laugh; Ryan thinks it would make me hire him. Greg is a good enough man, but his wife. She was known as a slut in college. Elizabeth was older than me by 5 years; I don't recall how she met Greg; he married her as soon as she graduated. I never was friends with either of them. We were in the same circle of friends, so I occasionally saw and talked with them.

Of course, she may be different now; it's many years since we went to college.

I knew the gossip about Lizzy just as most did. I don't know if Gregory knew, though.

How does Ryan know Elizabeth? There's something fishy about this.

I feel something sticky on my hand, and I look and see it's blood. I had gripped the pen so tightly I broke it. Some of the sharp shards pierced my skin. From my hand, it's dripping blood on the document. s**t! Why does he get to me like this? It's like my furious heart knows something I don't.

I get up and go to the bathroom connected to my office. I washed my hands to see how it looked. It's not too bad after it's cleaned off, but I still needed a Band-Aid. I looked at my hand again; it had to do. I need to get some work done. I felt restricted in my suit jacket; I took it off. I remembered I had put my phone back in the jacket pocket when I was about to take it out. I felt something else in my pocket. I take it out; it's a piece of paper.

It's folded neatly; I open it and read it.

Meet me and my friend tonight at 10 pm.

We are going to S2.

The note was signed by E.

I stand holding the note and staring at it; what seemed forever.

E, who is E?

Didn't Ana's chatting friend have a name that started with an E?

God, I hope it's a note from her. It can't be that easy, right?

Not when I am doing everything I can to find Ana.

I will never find out if I don't go.

S2 is a club; I've been there a few times. It's a club usually has people from their 20s up to my age. It's a great club; I always had fun there. I can't help but be curious about who put that note in my pocket. But it must have been when I was at the college and was talking to all the young men and women. I look at my watch; it's four pm. I don't think I can focus at work for now. I think I need a wingman.

"Hello, Shane! What's up?"

"I need your help, Don."

"Just name it."

"Going to S2 tonight with me. I have a mysterious note in my suit pocket."

"Wow, really? Tell me about it."

"Well, it said to meet the scriber and a friend at S2 at 10 pm. I want to go and I want you with me. I also thought we should be there early."

"I love mysteries you know that. I'll be at your place at 8 pm. See you later."

I usually work until 6 pm, but today, I went home after I ended the call with Don. I can't possibly focus with all thoughts swirling in my mind. My drive home is short but full of thoughts of who I will see tonight. I unlock the door to my penthouse and enter. I should shower, but I want to rest a little first. I fell asleep quickly and in my dreams was the most beautiful woman. Ana. I wake in panic at the sound of my phone and look and see it is Don letting me know he will be here in an hour. I see that the time is 6.30 pm; s**t! I need to get into the shower and get ready. I hope I have a beautiful date. It makes me laugh because it makes me feel like a teenage boy getting ready for a hot date.

After showering, I wear jeans and a tailored shirt that accentuates every muscle I work hard for at the gym. I need to look my best, especially if it's Ana I am meeting. I find that no other woman is any longer attractive to me. She is the only one in my mind, constantly since I saw her for the first time in the café. I'm looking in the mirror and am pleased with the results. There's a banging on the door; it must be Don.

"Come in," I yelled.

I was right there he was, looking good and not as he usually does when working.

"Don, you cleaned up nicely."

He eyes me up and down and gruffly stated,

"But you don't." Don laughs wholeheartedly.

I punch him on the shoulder and walk over to the bar in my living room. I make drinks for us before we leave. It's just 7.30 pm, we have time. I don't need to ask; I pour each of us a glass of The Macallan. It's grand enough for the night. Donald gets a questioning look. I know that look; he thinks it's too expensive whiskey. I don't care about the price, only the taste. Besides, I feel like I am meeting my future tonight.