Chapter Two

The rains are falling fiercely this time of the year. I presume it may have something to do with climate change, Mr. Tom stated. Please give me a minute, let me close the windows and turn on the thermostat.

(The house bell chimes again…I'll get it; Ashley says).

Hi Ashley, hi Jack. I'm very sorry for the delay, I was held up at work. I gave you my word and therefore I had to keep to it. I'm sincerely sorry. That's okay, come on in. I don't think we can still go out tonight because of the rain. Please make yourself comfy while I pour you a cup of tea (Ashley walks to the kitchen in enthusiasm to notify Kelly of the good news).

Kelly, you won't believe who's in our sitting room. Jack? Yes, Jack! Wow! He truly came as said. I must meet him. Please excuse me for a moment, Mr. Tom, I will be with you shortly. Oh, that's fine, you girls go ahead. Hey Jack, meet Kelly, my roommate and best friend. Nice to meet you Jack, heard so much about you, and lost count of the number of times Ash mentioned you being hot. (Jack laughed, and Ashley smiled). Nice to meet you too Kelly. Let me leave you two to it, I have a visitor in the kitchen. It's okay Kelly, thanks Jack. Have fun!

Mr. Tom, I'm here now, my apologies for the delay. So tell me, what is it you want to speak to me about? It's my daughter Molly, I haven't heard from her for two days now. I'm scared something horrible may have happened to her. What do you mean? It's only two days, I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she's just busy at work and forgot to call. No, she isn't fine. Something is wrong. She calls me every day, and now it's been two days. (I barely remember contacting my parents in a week and someone is calling every day? Kelly mutters in a hushed voice). Did you say something Mr. Tom inquired, oh no I didn't, Kelly responded. Please can you help me find my daughter? My heart is troubled. Please help me. (Mr. Tom broke down weeping). It's okay, please stop weeping, I will help you find your daughter. Where does she live? Kelly inquired; because she knew he lived alone. In Middleville. Middleville? Wow! I grew up in Middleville and my parents are living there till now. Do you have a photograph of her and any other information that may help in finding Molly? Yes, I do. Here's a photo. She works for Globetech Group. Oh wow! They are in Middleville now? Yes, they are. They came in five years ago and she has been working with them ever since. This is incredibly useful. Mr. Tom. I will make some calls alright, please don't worry, your daughter will be found. Thank you very much, Kelly, let me take my leave, I'll see you to the door.

(Kelly, closes the door behind him takes in a deep breath and exhales afterwards appearing disturbed)

Kelly, Kelly, Kelly… yeah yes! Are you okay? Ashley asked, I have been calling. I'm very sorry Ash, yeah I'm okay. It appears as if your friend needs you, let me take my leave so you may attend to her, Jack said. Are you sure? Ashley asks. Yes, I am, raincheck? (Jack leans in and kisses Ashley on her cheek, and says I'll call you later alright). I'll see myself out. Bye Kelly, take care Jack.

Spill! What's wrong? Ashley asked. It's nothing really, just something Mr Tom said that got me thinking. What did he say? Well, he talked about his bond with his daughter, and how she calls him every day. Then I remembered I used to have a similar relationship with my parents. Used to? Meaning not anymore? Yes, Ashley. What happened? I honestly don't know Ash. Why don't you try calling them now, simply to know how they are doing? You're right, let me do it. (Kelly picks up her phone and dials her dad's number).

Hello Peanut, hi Dad! Hi Mum! (Phone call continues…) Kelly, you're on the news… (Headline: Court reunites Maria Wilson with daughter Anna......) Kelly, you won! You did it! Kelly, Peanut, are you still there? Yes, Dad, I am. I won my first case of the year. Wow! Congratulations sweetie, we are very proud of you. Thanks, Dad. I'm so sorry Dad, but I have to go call my boss and tell him the good news. (Phone call ends as they both say their goodbyes). This calls for a celebration (Ashley opens the bottle of wine they had reserved in the cabinet for special occasions) Ashley! What? This is a special occasion, please. (Both laughed).

(The next day at work)

There she is, our star. We did not doubt that you were going to win this case. Congratulations. (Everyone claps and heads over to congratulate Kelly). Congratulations Kelly, amazing job! Thank you, Harvey. Can I take you out for lunch today? I don't know, I'm having lunch with my friend Ashley, the one you met at the club, maybe some other time. Sure. Take care Kelly, Harvey adds as he slowly walks away smiling. (Kelly ponders on what just happened and suddenly jumps up as her phone vibrates in her pocket.) Hi Kelly, I'm on my way to your workplace. Are you ready? Not yet, just wait for me in our usual area and I'll be with you shortly. Great! See you soon…

(Kelly arrives the venue for her lunch date with Ashley)

You have got to be kidding me, WTF Kelly! I couldn't go without snagging a slice of my…wait for it…my celebratory cake. Oh yeah! Yep. I can see work started quite nicely today. Oh sure, it did, and somewhat bizarrely. What do you mean? Harvey invited me out on a lunch date. ouch. When? Now! But you're here with me, precisely. I had to cancel. I think Harvey likes you, no he doesn't, Kelly, yes he does. And I suppose getting on your nerves may have been his method of flirting. I think he is weary of the hide-and-seek games and desires to come clean about his feelings for you. Ah! Ashley, feelings! You must be kidding. (Kelly chuckles and swiftly changes the topic).

So, tell me. How was your date with Jack? It was good. Jack is a fascinating individual and incredibly enlightened. He has visited many Countries because of the nature of his profession and is presently arranging a vacation to the Bahamas next month, and asked if I would want to tag along. I told him I would think about it and give him an answer tonight. So tell me, Kelly, what do you think? Well, Ash, it's good you told him you needed some time to think it over. I think it's too soon to go on a trip with him, to another Country even. Why not go on more dates with him, give yourself the opportunity to know him more, then you can decide. Hmmmn, Kelly, I guess you have a point. Thank you very much. I feel lighter. Ashley smiles.