The door slammed shut as Nate left the apartment. Cody stared at the door in a mix of confusion, hurt, and anger. The emotions overwhelmed her so much that she was in tears.
She didn't understand what had happened.
At first they were kissing softly, but then it had gotten so passionate that she didn't realize that her shirt had been removed. It was only when Nate's hand went to the opening of her jeans that she came to her senses and pulled back
"Wait," she had managed to say.
But Nate hadn't waited. He hadn't even stopped. He had just lunged back at her and smothered her with kisses while his hands had trailed back down. This time, Cody pushed him off and stood up.
"Stop it, Nate! What's happening? Maybe this . . . I – I don't -"
She hadn't said anything more after that. She didn't know what to say. And Nate didn't let her to say anything either.
"Excuses, excuses," he had spat. "That's all you are. That's all you ever were." And then he stormed out.
What was his problem anyways? He was so unpredictable, switching moods faster than she had time to adjust to them. Didn't he understand how hard it was for her to deal with everything that was happening to her?
How could he expect her to just sleep with him when she didn't even really know him? Sure she knew that he was her boyfriend, but that was just a label. She didn't really know Nate himself.
Besides, what was he going on about her always having excuses? He made it sound like they'd never done it before, which they probably had.
Right?
She fell back onto the bed, tears all dried, feeling more alone than she probably ever had before.
…-.-…
The next morning, there was a surprise in the newspaper.
A picture of Cody was on the bottom left corner on the front page of the newspaper. A headline on the top stated "Cody Furlong: MISSING", while the accompanied story gave details about her and the last time she was seen, how she was the wife of top tennis player, Squib Furlong, who had just won a tournament, and how there was prize money for any information about her.
The blood drained from Nate's face upon seeing the article hanging from a newspaper stand. He raced back to his apartment, picked up the paper from where it was resting in the handle, went to the disposal room and dumped it into the box.
He raced back to the apartment and calmed himself a bit before entering.
"Cody!" He yelled.
No answer.
He called her again.
Still no answer.
He started panicking, thinking she had left. His suspicions proved true when he checked the whole apartment and didn't find her. His panic grew.
She couldn't have left! What if she saw her picture in the article? Then she would know the truth and leave him. Again. He didn't think he could bear that all over again.
Before his thoughts could take him any further, the door opened and Cody entered with her arm full of grocery bags. She didn't see him – probably because the bag was obstructing her view – and went straight to the kitchen. She put the bags down on the counter and finally saw him standing open mouthed and looking . . . scared?
"Hey," she said hesitantly.
He didn't answer. Had she seen the article? She wasn't acting like she did, but he couldn't know for sure. Perhaps she was testing him or something. He decided to take a gentle approach, so as not to startle her.
"Hey. Where were you?" he asked.
Cody looked sheepish. "Oh, I was hungry and there was nothing in the fridge. I took the money in the jar on top of the fridge and bought us some food." She paused. " Do you want me to make you something too?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks anyways." She turned back to the groceries. "Did you, by any chance . . . see the paper this morning?"
Cody had already started putting the food into the fridge. "No. Why? Anything interesting in it?" she looked at him.
"No. Nothing interesting at all."
…-.-…
Squib had just drifted off to sleep when his phone started ringing. He jumped up to answer it, wide awake in a second.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Furlong? This is Officer Howard."
"Yes, Officer? Have you gotten any information about Cody yet?" he asked hurriedly.
"We've received a call from a local grocer. He says he saw a woman that looked exactly like your wife walk into his store and buy a few things. He saw her enter the building across the street from the shop and thinks that she might be there. If you could come down to the station then we -"
"I'll be there in five minutes."
…-.-…
After a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs along with coffee, Cody and Nate were sitting at the table quietly.
"Listen," Nate said, interrupting the silence between them. "I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have said nor done what I did. I was just upset. It felt so good that I didn't want to stop."
Cody blushed and nodded. "It's okay. It did feel good, but I just . . . well, I don't know. I felt like I didn't know you enough to take that step yet." She looked into his eyes. "I'd like to get to know you again."
Nate smiled widely. "And you will," he promised.
"Nate?" Someone called through the door, rapping urgently. Nate went and opened the door just enough to peek his head out and keep Cody hidden from view.
"Hey, Kate."
His neighbour stared at him oddly. "What are you smiling about?" she asked. "Never mind. Guess what I just heard?" she squealed.
"Just tell me."
"Aw, you're no fun." She pouted for a second and then brightened up. "You know Squib Furlong? The hot tennis star who just won that tournament in Australia? Well, his wife is somewhere in this building!"
Shock seeped onto his features at the news, but Kate didn't notice. How did she know? Who had told her? Had someone call the police yet?
"-married! Can you believe it? I thought he was still single! I mean, he's only 21. He really does do things fast doesn't he? I heard he's got a kid on the way too . . ."
"And who exactly did you hear this from?" Nate asked in a forcedly calm voice.
"Oh, it's all over the building," she waved it off. "But get this: apparently she's been kidnapped or something and someone here has got her. The person to tell the police of her exact location gets five grand! I've been going all around seeing if I can find her!" she (finally) finished off breathlessly.
"Cool," was all Nate managed. He cleared his throat. "Maybe you should continue on now before someone else gets that five grand." He nodded and closed the door.
He turned around to see Cody washing the breakfast dishes. Thinking quickly, he cleared his throat and forced himself to stay calm.
"Leave those. We're going out."
She turned around and looked at him curiously. "Where? Why?"
He slid an easy smile onto his face. "You said you wanted to get to know me again? Well, we are about to go do just that."
…-.-…
Sorry for the long wait! I've just been so busy! To make it up, I'll be posting the next chapter by this weekend - hopefully. Don't forget to review!!! I love them and they just inspire me to write all the more, so thank you.