It was an average town to say the least. Every house appeared similar to the next and while I drove along the streets I watched kids running around, cars parked on the road side and people minding their own business.

My eyes searched for a house with an address 207 twenty second street. It was home to Meghan Fisher. The most probable person to be offering Elisabeth a place to stay according to my private investigator.

I hit the breaks of my SUV and stopped infront of the house I believed to be Meghan's. If I'm lucky, then Betty should be inside. And then I can finally convince her to return to New York by my side where she rightfully belongs, always.

A smile grew on me as I stepped out of the car upon noticing Meghan's house to be in favourable conditions, almost as though someone was still living in it despite being abandoned for years. Meghan is a middle aged woman with neither husband nor children left in california, meaning Betty has taken residence here. I had to postpone my search for her because of the sudden issues revolving my late mother's floral company. But today, I will see her again.

The ever growing urge to place Elisabeth in my embrace only escalated as I walked to the front porch. It has been over a month since we last saw each other. But that is about to change in a matter of minutes.

I took off my sunglasses and rang the bell, then waited. But my hope was slowly declining when nobody came to open the door in the last ten minutes. I was about to begin pounding on the damn door when___ "Who are you?" Someone spoke behind me and I turned to face the stranger. "Are you looking for Elisabeth?" She smiled kindly. "I was over there in that trailor when I saw you parking."

That decelerating hope rose again at the mention of the only woman that currently matters to me. "Yes, where is she? I have a feeling she isn't home right now."

The peach haired girl stared at me curiously, "You didn't answer my first question, who are you?"

I tilted my head to take a better look at her, "Who is asking?"

She didn't hesitate to introduce herself. "A friend to Elisabeth, April."

"James."

She gave me a wide-eyed gaze as though realising something. "Wait wait wait, I recognize that face. You are thee James Andrew Scott, son of that billionaire with the cyber security companies." April spoke in a rush.

I guess my reputation precedes me.

"And you are here for Betty? Our Elisabeth?! The ordinary, mysterious sorta shy nerdy girl. You are here for her???? James Andrew the billionaire heir."

"I think that was clearly established." I responded.

She placed her fingers on her chin, "So that would mean you are that specific James then. The James we all thought Elisabeth was pregnant by when she came to this town."

"Pardon?" I stared at her. "Did you just say pregnant?"

"She wasn't pregnant turns out, false alarm. But what a small small world this is. I didn't believe it before but I certainly believe it now, we are living in a crazy coincidental crowded planet. Who would have thought that Elisabeth Wilson was infact involved with none other than James and___"

I have no time for this.

"I hate to interrupt your moment of epiphany but I really need to talk to her immediately so can you tell where she is already."

April folded her arms, "What do you need from her?"

I find this girl to be extremely annoying, and I don't know for how long I can put up with her. If only I wasn't hanging on a fine line. "That is none of your business."

She waved her hands, "No no no, you are getting me wrong. I'm just curious you see. Because Betty arrived here many weeks ago and you are only showing up now that she's already gone."

I was suddenly hit by a heavy weight on my shoulders, "What do you mean Elisabeth is gone?"

April's large green eyes stared pitifully at me once noticing my sudden change in demeanor. "I'm sorry to break it to you James but she left with her boyfriend, Enos White. Nobody knows where they went to. They just left one evening without telling any of us anything. They obviously didn't want anybody to find them."

Left? Again! And with her boyfriend. "What boyfriend?"

"I just told you his name, Enos White."

I retorted, "Elisabeth didn't have a boyfriend." I repeated the words in my own mind.

"Well, she definitely has one now." April confirmed yet again. How does Elisabeth already have a boyfriend? It hasn't been long and she's already moving on. I don't believe it. Something isn't right here and I be damned if anything happens to her again.

"Where did they go?"

April shrugged, " As I said, nobody has a clue. Not even me. They didn't tell me anything so you can imagine the level of betrayal and disappointment I felt. And to think they trusted me. And even if I knew where they were, I wouldn't tell you unless she wanted you to know."

Fuck!

An anger clouded me as I stumbled on yet another DEAD END. For how long must I travel across the county to find her?

I glanced back at Meghan's house and cursed under my breath. It's aggravating and tiring doing this search but I just can't stop now. Elisabeth is worth the trouble. I'll make her happy, I owe her that much. A bad feeling nagged at my chest at the thought of her leaving with another man. Who is he? A childhood friend? Long lost lover? A villain ? I don't want to believe that she is moving on that quickly. Elisabeth was in a bad place when she left New York. I still remember how she showed up in my apartment. Bruised and hurt because of those bitches Merissa and Emily. She wouldn't be in that situation if it weren't for me. And her mental health was crumbling. What if this man is taking advantage of my sweet girl? Of her delicate fragile state. No! I mustn't give up now. I need to find her.

The only thing I want to do is make it up to her.

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