TRISTAN' POV
As I enter my office, I smell coffee and papers. The room looks messy but nice, with fancy desks and comfy chairs. I sit down in my nice suit, looking at the reports on my desk, getting ready for the day.
"What's new about the person I asked you to find?" I asked, my voice showing how much I needed to know. I had given this investigator a job that I couldn't stop thinking about – to find her, the woman who filled my thoughts and dreams so intensely it felt like an obsession.
He looked up, seeming both tired and determined. "Sorry, Mr. Buenaventura," he said wearily. "But it's hard. No one I've asked knows the woman you want. Maybe she's from the countryside, or..." He stopped talking, leaving the rest unsaid, like a thick fog of uncertainty.
I sighed, sitting down across from him. I felt so disappointed, like carrying a heavy load on my shoulders. How could she still be so hard to find, slipping away like sand?
"Keep going," I said firmly. "She can't just disappear. Someone out there must know something about her."
The investigator nodded, looking serious. "I'll try hard, Mr. Buenaventura," he said firmly. "But don't expect magic. This could take a while."
Time. It was something I couldn't waste. Every moment that went by, the memories of that night threatened to overwhelm me, pulling me further into uncertainty and longing.
"It's fine, you can leave," I said shortly, my frustration barely contained. I didn't need an excuse for his mistake; I needed a straightforward answer, not some useless explanation.
He looked surprised when I suddenly told him to leave, like he didn't expect it to happen so quickly. But I couldn't afford to wait or give him another chance. I had given him an important job, and he let me down.
"I'll put your last payment in your account," I said, sounding defeated. Saying the words felt awful, like swallowing something bitter. It reminded me of all the time and effort I wasted leading up to this moment. "Thanks for your work, Mr. Suarez."
He started to speak, probably about to give some weak apology or excuse, but I stopped him before he could say anything.
"Just go and don't come back," I said firmly, leaving no room for discussion. He obeyed without hesitation, his footsteps echoing on the hard floor as he left.
Alone again, I sat in the old leather chair at my desk, feeling disappointed and heavy-hearted. How did it end up like this? How did I trust someone so completely useless?
But there was no time for feeling sorry for myself, no space for looking back. I had already wasted too much time chasing after things that weren't real. If I wanted answers, I had to find them on my own
I pulled at my own hair in frustration after he left. Damn! Why did I bother searching for a woman who didn't want to be found?! Did she know me? Did she know about my past relationships, which is why she's hiding? And why do I even consider the possibility that she might know the real me? Who is she?!
"Hey buddy! You seem upset, wanna share what's on your mind?" a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. I glanced up, surprised, to find my best friend Miguel at my office door, followed by our other friend, Angelo.
I frowned, feeling frustrated and annoyed. "Why are you here?" I asked sharply, my voice was more intense than I meant it to be. "What are you two doing in my office? And why didn't you knock?"
Miguel raised his hands in surrender, looking sorry. "Hey, calm down," he said, moving closer carefully. "We just wanted to see how you're doing. You've been acting a little strange lately, and we were concerned."
His words hit home, his caring tone reminding me of how my problems were affecting those I cared about. Guilt flooded through me like a wave, overwhelming me.
"I appreciate the concern," I muttered, my tone softer now, laced with a hint of remorse. "But I'm fine. Really."
Angelo shared a look with Miguel, her eyes silently speaking volumes. They had been around me for so long that they could easily see past my tough exterior.
"We're not convinced, buddy," Angelo added, his voice kind yet resolute. "You've been down ever since you began this whole pursuit. It's not good for you. You gotta move on."
"I can't," I confessed, the words feeling sour in my mouth. "I can't just... let go of her. I need to know who she is, why she affects me like this."
Miguel moved closer, looking understanding. "We understand, buddy. We really do. But sometimes, you just have to accept that some puzzles are meant to stay unsolved."
His words hit home, echoing a truth I hadn't wanted to admit. Maybe he was right. Maybe I'd been chasing after nothing, reaching for answers to a puzzle that made no sense.
"I can't just quit," I whispered, the words barely audible even to myself. "Not yet."