The Lost One (Lost Series Book 1) (30 page)

“Yeah, just a lot to take in at one go.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Do you think she is alive?” He sounds hesitant asking me this question.

The thought of Abby being alive excites me, but also scares me. I would love to have my sister back in my life and know she is okay, but not while Jacob is around. He is dangerous and has proven that by breaking into my home, threatening me, and leaving those flowers to scare me, which are going to make their way to the bin tomorrow.

“I don’t know. I have lived three years thinking she is dead. Why should I get my hopes up over something that may not be true?”

We lay in a comfortable silence, his hand tickling my back, sending goose bumps over my body. Before I feel the blanket of sleep, beginning to set in, the last thing I hear is
Corban’s sweet voice. “I love you with all my heart, Melodi.”

Mum and Dad stayed for the rest of the week. We did the touristy thing and went discovering new and wonderful things New York had to offer, lots of shopping, and dinners at new restaurants. My parents even met Corban’s mum and dad one night. It went smoothly because Athena wasn’t there, which was perfect.

I never told them about Blake and what he had told me.
Corban didn’t say anything either. I put on a mask and acted happy, but deep within me a darkness was eating away at me, pulling me down.

It’s been three weeks since the talk with Blake and every day since I’ve started back at work after my parents left, a new bunch of flowers come to the office, except on weekends they come to my apartment. The difference with these flowers compared to the first bunch I received is on the first day I got them
, there was twenty-nine bright, pure white, long stemmed roses with one black rose, so thirty in all.

I remember when they first arrived at work.
Corban flicked a switch and lost his cool over the whole situation. He told me to contact Blake straight away, which I did, not that he could do a whole lot. There was no card and a company delivered them, but they said it was a phone order and he sent a money order.

I know Blake is doing all he can, and for that I’m very grateful, but
Corban is so angry about the whole thing. He even left work all angry and bothered yesterday. I have continued to receive the bunch of flowers, but now there are nine white ones lost in a sea of black ones. I always throw them straight in the bin after receiving them. I don’t know what they mean. Is Jacob counting down to something or maybe it’s just me counting down until I’m engulfed in complete darkness and sadness.

Along with the flowers, there is a text every day as well. There is always a picture of me doing something, like I’m out to lunch or taking a walk in a park. With each picture, there is this message:

I know she is still alive.

Those words haunt me every night before I go to sleep. Six little words that ring through my head like a continuous alarm clock going off. I don’t sleep much lately no matter how tired and exhausted I am. Sleep doesn’t greet me like it used to.
Corban sleeps over most nights or I stay there as he doesn’t want me alone. He can see a change in me, a continuous dullness compared to my usual vibrant self. He is always asking if I’m all right and it’s really beginning to grate on my nerves a little.

As mad and irritating as
Corban gets, he still makes me happy. He is, after all, my sunshine and if I didn’t have him in my life, then I would be lost to the darkness already. Rachel and Flick have been great as well. They drag me out of my hole every weekend, heading out on the town, and always ending at The Phoenix.

Today is Liam’s birthday and we are heading to The Phoenix in the VIP area tonight. I asked
Corban to do this for him and he was happy to help out. I’m actually looking forward to it, especially after this last week. Things with Corban and me have been strained with all this crap going on. I haven’t heard from Blake, which is unusual because he contacts me every second day to check how I’m going. I hope he is all right.

I’m searching through my closet, as I can’t decide what to wear tonight, when there’s a knock at the door. My stomach plummets to the ground floor. I already have an idea who it is, but I go
answer it and I’m greeted with Athena holding the bunch of flowers I
was
expecting. What the Hell?

“What the hell do you want?” My voice is laced with hate and distaste for the girl standing in front of me, especially seeing her holding the flowers that taunt me daily. Is this some kind of joke on her behalf?

“Oh, ahh…I came to make a formal apology about everything that’s gone on between us…” I just stare at her, not speaking. Is she for real? “These flowers were sitting in front of your door. What’s up with the black flowers?” She tries handing them over to me, but I refuse to take them. I haven’t moved or spoken. I don’t want to even see this girl.

“How about you take the flowers? It seems the black ones are fitting for you. They suit the colour of your heart.” Oh, ouch…where did that come from? She winces at my words.

“Look, I am truly sorry about the things I’ve done and said. I would like to make them up to you somehow.” She appears sincere enough, but I will never trust her.

“How?” I’m curious now.

“Would you like to come shopping with me…now?”

I
fold my arms, contemplating what I should do. I know I don’t need to go shopping, as I have a whole new wardrobe from when my parents where here, but she is Corban and Rachel’s sister after all. Perhaps I should give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Fine, let me grab my bag and some shoes. Come in.” I stand back, allowing her to enter. I turn and go g
et my bag. I had found my keys on the desk at work, which was lucky. With everything going on, I would hate to have someone I don’t know have a hold of my house keys.

I walk out of my room to find Athena looking over my family pictures in the lounge room.

“All right, let’s go. I have to be back about two.”

“Okay, is that your sister?”

“Yeah.” I don’t say any more about her as I head to the door and wait for her to walk out so I can lock my door.

It’s radio silence riding down the elevator. You would think someone who was trying to apologise would try to make an effort with conversation or something.

“Does Corban know you came here today?” I ask.

“Yeah, he encouraged it. I know I needed to mend things between us.” She pulls out her phone, obviously not interested in this conversation. Yeah, you have a weird way of showing you’re sorry.

“Oh, right.” I get my phone out and quickly message Corban to let him know what I’m doing. He said he had work at the office today, just for the morning.

Hey, babe! Just so you know, Athena came around to say she is sorry and is taking me shopping. I hope you’re having a good morning. I love you. xo

I hit send, and by the time we hit the ground level, he has replied.

Hey, beautiful. Yes, I told her she needed to fix things; although, I didn’t know she was coming to see you today, but have fun. I will see you a little later. I love you with all my heart. x

I smile at the message. He really does love me and I can even feel it through his messages. Every night, I fall asleep picturing his kind, blue eyes and when I wake up in cold sweats, there they are helping me and calming me from my nightmares that haunt me.

“Where would you like to go?” she asks as she starts walking toward her car parked out front. I follow as she leads me to a bright red BMW M3 with shiny chrome wheels. Wow, talk about decked out rich bitch.

“Not sure. How about you take me where you think is good. I could use a new outfit for my friend’s party tonight.”

We climb in and I sink perfectly into the cream, leather seats. We take off across town to the high-end shopping strip. I think I better check my account to see what exactly I can afford. Once again, there is more money in there, another five thousand. I release a breath, a little frustrated at
Corban for continually just handing me money like I’m a charity case. Yes, I know I do spend it, but how can I let it just sit in my account? I will talk to him later about it.

“I’m glad you’re giving me the chance to make things up to you. We should go get a manicure and pedicure. I know the perfect place. Oh, I’m so excited.” Talk about enthusiastic. I’m glad we are getting the chance to start things over, but why doesn’t she try harder like this with her own sister.

“A mani and pedi sounds good. I’ve never had one.”

“Wow, seriously?” she laughs at me. I can’t help but laugh with her.

“Yeah, I’ve never had the need for them, but I’m keen to get one today.”

“Awesome,” she squeals with excitement. Anyone would think she doesn’t have many girlfriends. I can totally see why if she doesn’t, but why not hang with your sister? I know I would if Abby was here.

We hit the shops and I pick up a new, bright, one shoulder, red dress and black gladiator heels. Athena is great and helps me with everything. She even buys herself a pair of the same shoes. We have lunch at a mid-range restaurant because Athena wouldn’t go into McDonald’s or anything. I had a good laugh about that. What a materialistic girl.

It’s been a good morning surprisingly. Rachel and Flick messaged me to see what I was up to and when I told them they couldn’t believe it. They will have plenty of questions this afternoon when they come over and get ready.

I check the time, it’s about twelve thirty. Athena and I are sitting at the day spa getting our mani and pedi. They feel amazing and I’m sure I will be back for another. If someone rubbed my feet and hands like this at night I wouldn’t have a problem sleeping. I can see Athena fidgeting beside me like she wants to ask me something but is hesitant.

“What do you want to know?” I sigh.

“Oh, ahh…I wanted to ask about your sister” Not a conversation I want to have with her, but I will give her something just to keep her happy.

“What’s that?”

“What happened to her? You can read everything but that’s all just speculation.” I’m actually shocked she knows what speculation means.

“She was murdered by her abusive boyfriend. Her blood was all over his house, she had previously shown up with bruises, and there was never a body found. He got off because there wasn’t enough evidence to go on.” My blood begins to boil knowing he got away with it and now he is making my life hell.

“Wow. That’s pretty full on. So even to this day nothing more has been found?” I shake my head answering her question silently, the good feeling I previously had is now dissipating.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Her voice low and filled with sorrow. I think she might actually be starting to accept, and like me-
Corban will be happy.

“
Yeah, well as much as I would love for her to be here I know she is gone,” I say wanting to change the subject.

An uncomfortable silence builds between us; thankfully my phone rings saving me from more of this painful conversation.

“Hello?” I’m greeted with silence, I can make out faint breaths at the other end of the phone. My heart rate spikes. Is it Jacob? “Hello? Who is this?” Nothing. I quickly hang up. I really want to get home now. I message Blake.

Blake, I just got a phone call from someone but they didn’t speak when I answered. Just wanted to let you know. Any news yet? Are you okay?

“Wrong number?” Athena queries.

“
Yeah, they didn’t answer me, probably just a telemarketer or something” I smile at her.

After what seems like forever, we have finally finished. Blake hasn’t replied which is starting to concern
me, I haven’t heard from him all week. I’m half tempted to go to the police station he works at and ask if he is there just to know if something has happened to him. I hope nothing has but I wouldn’t put it past Jacob to get rid of him.

Athena drops me home and
Corban is waiting for me. He is leaning against a sleek black jeep with large decked out tires that don’t look like they have seen dirt before. It looks like a brand new car. Wouldn’t shock me if he just decided to buy it for the hell of it, Mr Moneybags.

I thank Athena for the good time, grab my bags and climb out.
Corban smiles and waves as his sister leaves. He struts his sexy ass over to me and takes the bags from me and places a quick kiss on my lips instantly putting my senses on alert.

“Hey baby how was your morning?” he greets me as we walk into the building.

“It was surprisingly very good, she was on her best behaviour,” I giggle.

We walk into the apartment and before I can breathe, his lips are on mine and trace down my neck to my cleavage. He backs me up against the kitchen bench.

“I have missed you today,” he whispers between kisses.

I laugh. “It’s not like I didn’t see you last night or nothing.”  My hand reaches the hem
of his shirt and rips it off exposing his smooth six pack with that V.
Oh, I think I’m drooling now.
Desire is high and all I want is him.