Chapter 34

Wesley

It’s been three days, and I haven’t heard a word from Mariah. She asked off to HR for some personal time, which would be fine since she’s been working so hard and I know she said she wasn’t feeling well at the house selling celebration the company threw for her. But she left my house, with her stuff, and I have no idea where she went.

I now realize how little I know about her. I know she said she had gotten into a fight with her father and left home. I doubt she would go back home, but even if she did, I have no idea where that is. I’ve searched her name on Google and Facebook and no one matching her description or life comes up. It’s as if she’s a ghost, gone from my life without a word.

But she’ll have to come back for the closing, right? She wouldn’t have put all that time and effort into selling the house, just to have the deal fall through or not get the commission for it?

The whole thing is so bizarre, and makes no sense. Why would she leave after achieving such a victory? Was she just using me the whole time? And if so, why wouldn’t she have waited until afterwards to split?

All of these questions are fresh on my mind as I walk into the office. I am half hoping to see her here, but I have a feeling I won’t.

“Oh, hello Mr. Drive,” Kristy says from the reception desk. “How are doing this morning?”

“I’m okay,” I tell her, trying not to snap at her out of my own frustration. I know that she and Mariah don’t really get along, but she’s been a good receptionist and it’s not her fault I’m such a sour mood.

“Well, I just thought you might want to know something about our little Mariah dearest,” Kristy says, batting her eyes innocently. “For the good of the company, I thought I’d bring it up.”

“Okay, Kristy,” I tell her with a sigh. “What is it?”

“When she called to put in her personal time, HR asked me to make a note in her file. So I did, and I noticed something.”

“Yes, Kristy?” I prod her. Out with it already. “What did you notice?”

“She still has all her paychecks outstanding; none have been cashed. Don’t you think that’s a little odd, Mr. Drive? I wonder what she’s been doing working here, if she doesn’t really need the money. Also, when I was looking at her HR file I realized some details didn’t quite match up. I’m beginning to think she isn’t really who she says she is…”

“Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Kristy,” I tell her, cutting her off because I really think she is overstepping. None of this is any of her business. But is she onto something about Mariah? Something that would explain a lot of what has been going on and puzzling the fuck out of me?

“You’re welcome,” she says, with a chipper tone in her voice and her fake smile plastered back on her face. “Here’s her file, if you want to look into it yourself. I know it’s not really my place, but I’m just worried about the company. I want all the best for it. And for you.”

She’s looking at me like she wants to hit on me. I’m trying hard not to pay too much attention to what she’s saying, since it’s obvious she just wants Mariah’s job… and probably her entire life, too. Or at least, the life we did enjoy together before she disappeared. I’m sure that Kristy thinks she would make an easy replacement for that. But, no matter how mad I am at Mariah right now, I know it doesn’t work that way. I couldn’t just forget her cute laugh, her hot ass, her amazing work ethic.

I take the file from Kristy and feel determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. I can’t stop thinking about why Mariah would say she was sick at her party. She ran off to the bathroom and then out of the office. And why wouldn’t she even take a sip of her celebratory champagne?

Something is up and I’m going to figure out what it is. I hope that Mariah’s not out to pull some big scheme on me. Because I love the life we have together. And I want to do anything I can to save it.