Chapter 25

San Francisco, CA - 2022

Halona tapped her nails impatiently on the counter as her agent, Miles, lectured her about missing out on talk show appearances.

"You need to capitalize on the free publicity you have garnered from going missing. You can't just throw this opportunity away."

"I did Dateline. There's nothing left to say," Halona muttered, rolling her eyes at her friend Sydney across the room. Secretly, she mouthed, "He's on speakerphone."

"Halona - "

"I don't remember anything, the FBI has all but told me it's a cold case. It's not something I want to keep rehashing. I want to move on."

"I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you are making a huge mistake," Miles warned.

"I appreciate it," Halona sighed. "But my focus is on myself and the baby."

"Fine, but we can still get you on some late-night shows, you being pregnant is a great - "

"My baby is not a publicity stunt." Halona said calmly.

"The Oscars are coming up," Miles pressed.

"Three years have passed," Halona remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm not exactly holding out for an Oscar."

"You should go for visibility's sake! Out of sight, out of mind," Miles insisted. "Why are we even arguing?"

"Beats me," Halona grumbled. "I said I'm not ready - "

"Are you planning to disappear until you give birth?"

Halona glared. "This conversation is over, and possibly consider whether or not I will be finding another agent, Miles." She hung up and tossed the phone on the counter.

"Wow, he's intense today," Sydney said, wide-eyed.

"I'm trying to remind myself," Halona said, trying to stay calm. "He's just doing his job."

"At least you're not puking every ten minutes anymore," Sydney chuckled.

"Yeah thankfully that is over with." Halona groaned. "I'd do some shady shit for some coffee right now."

"Last week you complained about insomnia!"

"Now I'm fuckin' sleepy," Halona retorted. "And craving Starbucks."

"Pregnancy woes," Sydney teased. "So..." she trailed off, eyeing Halona expectantly.

"What?" Halona braced herself, knowing Sydney was about to ask something she wouldn't like.

"The Oscars are next month, remember?" Sydney reminded her.

"I know," Halona sighed, taking a sip of water.

"Going?"

"Probably. Knowing Miles, he's pressuring Damian right now, and won't stop until I agree."

Sydney mimicked Miles' voice, "You can't hide forever, Halo. Not until that little... crib lizard pops out!"

Halona choked on her water. "Crib lizard? Really?"

"Yep," Sydney grinned, grabbing her phone to take notes. "Valentino or Dior?"

"Hold on, I need to talk to Damian about that tomorrow," Halona interjected.

"About what?"

"Dior might reinstate my contract."

"Excellent!" Sydney nodded, scribbling furiously.

Halona drifted to the window, gazing at the sailboats dancing on the bay. Her heart ached for the normalcy of Buck, Isaac, and Megan – the laughter, the hugs, the feeling of safety and love.

"Yo!" Sydney snapped her fingers.

"What?" Halona raised an eyebrow.

"Think the baby's messing with your hearing? I've called your name five times."

Halona laughed. "Maybe twice."

"Okay, twice," Sydney conceded. "Solo mission to the Oscars, or you wanna call a friend?"

"It's not Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Sydney," Halona rolled her eyes.

"Hey, that show's been cancelled, boomer," Sydney teased.

"Aren't you older than me?" Halona countered with a wink.

"Just thought you might call the... baby daddy," Sydney suggested tentatively.

"Please, don't call him that." Halona frowned. "He's not like that."

"Sorry," Sydney apologized, taking Halona's hand. "I know it's sensitive, but people will ask. Privacy and the public don't exactly mix."

Halona sighed. "I know. It's just complicated, and I haven't figured out how to handle it yet."

"Well, you better start thinking," Sydney said, glancing down at Halona's belly.

Halona nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. Sydney was right. She needed a story for the baby's father, but the truth was a secret she couldn't share.