The Conspiracy of Baby-Switching novel Chapter 18

Gabriel

I wait for it to connect.

The number you have called has been disconnected.

Panic runs through me.

No.

I dial the number again.

The number you have called has been disconnected.

“Don’t you dare.” I continue to pace as my temper rises. “You try this fucking shit on me and that’s it!”

I call the number again in the hope that I’ve dialed the wrong number.

The number you have called has been disconnected.

Infuriated, I throw my phone, and it bounces off my desk and onto the floor.

With my hands on my hips, I pace back and forth. “She thinks she can cut me just like that?”

She thinks that I can’t find her if she changes her fucking number.

This is her being a control freak…that’s what this is. I scramble for my phone and make another call.

“Hey.”

“Mark, I want you to find an address for Violet Coleman.”

“Well, why don’t you just call her?” “Because her phone has been disconnected.” Silence.

“Well…”

“Don’t well me,” I snap. “Find out where she is.” I hang up and continue pacing and my phone rings, it’s Mark again. “What?” I snap as I answer.

“What town does she live in?” he snaps back.

“Connecticut.”

“Connecticut? Are you sure that’s it, because I need a state or at least a town to run the search.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t fucking know, I’ll check.” I hang up and march

out into the office to see that Richard is still at his desk. “Where did Violet

Coleman move to?”

He glances up. “Sorry?”

“Violet Coleman,” I snap impatiently. “Where is she? Where did she move to?”

“Ahh…Maine. I think?”

“Maine?”

“Surprised she didn’t move to Texas actually?”

“Why?”

“Because of Willie.”

“Who’s Willie?”

“Willie Nelson.” He widens his eyes. “You know how much Violet loves Willie Nelson.”

“Thankfully not.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fuck me dead. That’ll do me.” I storm back into my office and call Mark.

“Hi.”

“She lives in Maine.”

“Anything else?”

“She has appalling taste in music.”

“Oh…kay.” He listens. “So where did you get Connecticut from?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Just find her.”

“What for? You didn’t even bother to know where she lived, why would you want to find her?”

“Because I said so…that’s why. You need to remember that you work for me, so you will do whatever I fucking say.” “What’s the offer?” “What?” I fume.

“What are you going to offer her? I happen to like Violet and I’m not finding her if you are just going to screw her around. She’s left town and changed her number for a reason.” The sky turns red.

“What I do with Violet Coleman is none of your fucking business.” I sneer. “You’re fired.” I hang up the phone.

An hour and six scotches later, I collect my briefcase and make my way downstairs. I walk out the front door to see Mark standing beside my car. Infuriating.

I walk over. “What are you doing here, I fired you.”

He rolls his eyes as he opens my door. “Like the other fifty times you’ve fired me.”

I get into the back seat and he slams the door behind me.

Fucker.

We drive through the traffic as I glare out the window. “Did you find her?”

“I’m not looking for her.” He casually turns the corner.

I clench my jaw as I stare out the window. “You have no idea what you are talking about…or what is expected of me.”

“I know more than you. Let’s go get her.” He shrugs. “I’m ready, you want Violet, so let’s go get her.”

“So you’re my quack now with the reverse psychology?” I pinch the bridge of my nose as my elbow rests on the door. “I fucking hate you, you know that?”

We fall silent as the car pulls up at a set of traffic lights and the sad reality sets in. “I can’t have Violet.” I sigh.

“So why do you want to find her?” he says in a softer tone.

Because I miss her.

We sit in silence for a long time as my mind goes over the depressing facts.

He’s right.

I have to let her go, it’s not fair for me to chase her when I can’t offer her what I want to.

“Forget I said anything,” I reply as I stare out the window. “It doesn’t matter.”

The car whizzes through the security gate and into the underground parking lot of my building as the memory of my Violet lingers.

So close but so far…I need to forget her.

Violet

I watch the baggage handler throw the last of the bags into the cargo hull. We boarded a plane and are on the tarmac, about to leave New York forever.

It’s pouring with rain, the sky is depressed, along with my heart.

I did it, I changed my number. Not that he was ever going to call anyway, but at least now I have finality.

I will never have to see his name pop up on my screen… Or get excited every time it rings, only to be disappointed when it isn’t him.

“You okay?” Deb smiles over at me as she takes my hand in hers.

“Uh-huh.” I fake a smile back.

But I will never be okay, my heart has been broken beyond repair.

If I never date another man for as long as I live, I will be happy. I don’t know what headspace I’m in, but it’s like I’m purposely trying to torture myself.

I’m listening to “Someone Like You” from Adele on repeat.

As the plane hurtles down the runway, I silently wipe my tears.

The lyrics about finding someone else hit different this time.

I screw up my face in tears, if only.