Page 7 of Missing Marcus

“How’s it going?” she asked earnestly. “Have you heard from Gabby?”

“No. We’re waiting out the six months to make it final. She got her stuff while I spun up and I haven’t heard from her since. I’m sure she’s with her boyfriend.”

“She called here. I didn’t answer. I’ve lost all respect for her after what she did to you,” Bryanna confessed angrily.

“I feel the same way. I gotta run. I’ll text you once I get situated,” he said as he pulled the keys to his truck from his pocket.

“Love you. We can’t wait to see you,” Bryanna sing-songed as he hung up.

It brought a small smile to his lips. Pulling the visor down, a card fell into his lap. Pulling it from the envelope, he noticed Gabby’s handwriting.

“Welcome home. I’ve missed you. Love, Gabby.”

Knight grunted. She seemed to have a funny way of showing how much she missed him.

Bryanna’s question haunted him.Gabby did reach out, three days after he kicked her out.

Marcus, we need to talk. It’s important.

She texted.

Anything you want to speak about can be handled through my lawyer.

He responded.

Three dots appeared and disappeared before her text came through.

I need to speak with you.

My lawyer will be in touch.

Knight responded.

He watched as the three dots appeared and then she didn’t text him again. He wondered what she wanted to talk about after three days of no contact. Considering how much time he spent deployed, three days of not seeing each other occurred all the time. Yet this time, it felt like forever. He picked up the card and his finger traced her handwriting, wondering when she left it. Knight knew he let her down over the last year, but not enough for her to betray him, especially after knowing how he felt about his dad.

5

Two months later, Gabby smiled as she went to her office. Her secretary, Jackie, treated her like a daughter. Once the office discovered her pregnancy, Jackie ensured Gabby ate snacks in between meals and stocked her mini fridge with milk, yogurt, cheese snacks, and water. In the morning, Jackie always greeted her with decaffeinated tea.

“Good morning, Gabrielle. Mr. Wilkinson asked to see you when you arrived. He knows your penchant for coming in early. He likes a go-getter,” she praised her. “Maybe he has something he wants to ask you.”

Gabby laughed. “You’re incorrigible. I’ve only worked here for two months.”

Jackie’s glasses slid down her nose as she peered at the younger woman. “You work hard, figured out two major client files in a matter of days and landed a big fish. It’s more than some of these young pups who waltz in with their designer coffees and scroll on social media all day.”

Gabby shook her head as she sipped the tea Jackie left her. Grabbing a notepad and paper, she walked down the hall to the executive suite offices and knocked on Mr. Wilkinson’s door.

“Come in, Gabrielle,” the older man called.

“Good morning,” she greeted. “I understand you needed to speak with me.”

“Yes. Please have a seat.” He waited until she sat. “How do you like things here?”

Gabby smiled. “Everyone’s extremely helpful. My work keeps me busy and I find it challenging.”

“Good.” Mr. Wilkinson nodded. “Before you arrived, we decided to search for a manager for the office. Someone who can ferret out the issues and bring in business. You’ve proven yourself over the last two months. The account you brought in will keep us in the black for quite some time.”

“It’s what you hired me for,” she reminded him.

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