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On Friday, Noah was stuck in meetings all morning and by the time he made his way over to the marketing department that afternoon, he was informed that Sophie had called in sick.
His stomach dropped. He thanked Olivia, feeling bile rise in his throat as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Hey Sophie, I just found out that you called in sick.
Are you okay? Are we still on for the doctor’s appointment after work, or should I cancel?
He returned to his office, staring at his phone as he waited for a reply. After twenty minutes, he tried to call her. It went straight to voicemail.
The pit in his stomach grew.
Something was definitely wrong. His skin became slick with sweat under his navy suit.
He could take it anymore. Noah stormed out of his office, informing reception that he was taking the rest of the day off.
He exited the building and hopped into his sports car, peeling out of the parking lot. He headed for Sophie’s apartment first, making it there in less than fifteen minutes. Which was impressive, given the city’s afternoon traffic rush.
He tried to buzz her apartment six times before returning to the parking lot. He didn’t see her car anywhere. Maybe she wasn’t home.
Their appointment was in an hour. Maybe she left early? Hoping that her phone had died, Noah headed to the doctor’s office and waited. He waited twenty minutes past their appointment time.
She never showed.
Noah didn’t know what to do or who he could even call. He had never met any of her friends, let alone her parents.
Outside of work, he knew very little about Sophie. Fear clutched him. Where could she be? What did this mean?
He tried to recall their countless meetings and conversations over the years. Places she liked to go for coffee. Her favorite restaurant. Her favorite bookstore.
After an hour of driving around, hopelessness set in. For all he knew, Sophie could have disappeared, taken the ring he gave her, and started a new life. That ring alone could certainly pay for a fresh start.
It was anxiety, he told himself. Sophie would never do that.
Maybe he didn’t even know the real Sophie. Maybe he only knew the version of her at work and the version of her that night at Polly’s.
It sparked an idea. It was a long shot, but also, his only shot. He pulled out of the bookstore parking lot and headed back towards the city. He found parking quickly and rushed into Polly’s. His heart pounded as he stepped into the old tavern.
He ignored the server that greeted him and headed for the booths where he and Sophie sat that night.
And there she was.
“Noah?” She looked horrified.
He’d expected to feel relief when he saw her but instead he got angry.
“Are you done?” he asked.
“What?”
“Are you done?” he repeated.
“Noah, what are you—”
“With me, with this? Are you done? Because I’ve been running around the city everywhere looking for you. I called you and texted you, and nothing. I waited for you at our appointment and you didn’t show up. So I’m asking you… are you done?”
Bile rose in his throat again as he waited for her answer.
Sophie looked around the bar to see who was watching. “I’m sorry, Noah. I didn’t mean to worry you. Can you just sit down?”
