Page 61 of Deadline for Love

“Bella, look at you; you’re working late into the night all day, pale and unwell. You can’t go on like this.”

I lowered my head and dragged my hands down my face. “Yes, it's a lot, but it's not going to get any better until this guy is caught, so I might as well keep working…”

I fought desperately to hold back the tears threatening to escape.

“If you need support, then let us know. Bella, we’re a team. You don't have to shoulder this all on your own.”

Her answer made me exhale in relief. “I know that.”

I managed to calm down and started to draft an article about the case of a new missing person. I made sure the phone number was prominently placed. It was important that people could give clues. It was essential to find the girl before it was too late.

Chapter 22

I was the first to arrive, but Nathan would be there soon. I took my seat, and Maria quickly greeted me with a warm hug, which I joyfully returned; her nature and energy restored a sense of calm and strength.

“It's so good to see you.”

“Bella, my pretty girl. Are you alright?’’

I wanted to cry and crawl into her arms when I heard this question, but I swallowed my sadness and smiled. “I’m okay. There’s a load on my mind at the moment.”

“Too much work is not good. I’ll make you something,” she said. She was about to get up and leave, but I stopped her.

“Actually, I need to talk to you.’’

She promptly sat down, and I asked if she had noticed anything recently or seen anything unusual. She answered the question straight away, but there wasn’t anything new to tell, except that the police had come by again to look at the CCTV footage they had of the front of the restaurant that looked out to the street.

“What about you? Do you have any news about the case? I’ve been following your articles.”

I sighed and brushed my head. “Not much, except that I got married,’’ I said, showing her my ring

“What? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?’’ she shouted, causing everyone in the restaurant to stare at us.

I drew her back to me and gave her an apologetic kiss. “I’m sorry, Maria, I got married in a hurry, but I didn’t invite anyone; it was just the two of us over a weekend in Vegas.”

“We’ll have to celebrate it later,” she pouted, and I nodded.

“Yes, we’ll definitely celebrate it later.” I felt guilt settle in my heart at the empty promise.

Maybe the killer was here, watching me? Perhaps he was eavesdropping... Or maybe I was deluding myself too much.

“And you said Nathan was the lucky one? The handsome man who comes in with you and Nia?” Maria asked again to make sure.

I nodded, and her face lit up. “Oh, I like him. I knew there was something going on there.”

Then she took my hand. “It's not unheard of to want to move quickly when you know you've met the one. Enzo proposed the day after we met.” She reminisced about a happy time, and her eyes sparkled with affection. “You must have felt it, too, if you’ve agreed.”

I nodded and swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth as Maria got up. “I’ll go and make you some soup, I'll be back and you can tell me everything.’’

She left, and a coldness washed over me. I looked at my wedding ring with a bitter smile. I no longer noticed the music in the room nor the chatter of the people eating there. The world just seemed gray and dreary to me.

But when someone sat before me, I was greeted by bright green eyes, the flawless face looking at me bitterly and full of questions.

“You got married?” Fernando’s voice sounded as if he had been punched in the stomach. I assumed that Maria had just told him that, so I could understand the shocked look on his face.

“Yes.”

I wanted to tell him the truth, but it was too dangerous to add another person to the ruse. It didn’t matter, though because Fernando started talking, “You haven't learned anything from your past about rushing into things?’’

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