I walked into my father's office with my nose in the air, not stopping to greet the secretary that sat right outside his door. Of course, she didn't try to stop me as I barged in without knocking, why should I, I am his son after all. I made my way to the plush couch that sat behind two chairs that were right in front of his desk. He was on the phone at the moment, but when he saw me walk in, he was quickly ending the call. My father knew that what I came here for had to do with Annabeth, he took a liking to her and knew that she would be the perfect house wife for me. She was quiet, submissive, and easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, her imbecile of a mother somehow left her escape. I had never felt such pure rage before, but when I had received the news that Annabeth had disappeared and no one knew where she had went, I went on a rampage. I trashed everything in my room, ripped curtains, sheets and pillow cases, shattered anything that was fragile and put a few holes in my walls. How hard was it to keep an eye on someone like Annabeth? Yes, she had a little bit of discipline coming her way from me because she needed to learn not to use the word "no" with me, but for the most part, she was a quiet girl who couldn't think for herself! There was no excuse for her mother allowing her to escape, but once Annabeth was found, I would dispose of the mother and teach my wife a lesson she wouldn't soon forgot.
"I'm assuming that since you interrupted such an important phone call that you found Annabeth?"
My father's tone was cold and hard. If I wasn't his son I could guarantee that I would be shaking in my seat. My father was not a man to be trifled with and when it came to his business, there better be a good reason for your interruption.
"No," I started. "I do have some information on her though, but finding her is going to take some work. I was hoping to get your help on this."
He sat silently and watched me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, but I took his silence as a go ahead to continue speaking. I had learned the hard way that beating around the bush and testing my father's patience did not end well, because the man had no patience to trifle with.
"Her mother came to my office today. She informed me that she spotted Annabeth at the local market with another man. We don't know who the man is but apparently he was not afraid to put her mother in her place. It seems my dear wife has taken up residence with this man and is very comfortable around him."
Taking a deep breath to calm myself I got ready to say the one thing that could possibly set my father off.
"Unfortunately, we don't where this man is from, who he is, or where they are residing."
I saw my father's fist clench tightly and his jaw flex, a sign that he was gritting his teeth trying to control his temper. I swallowed the small amount of fear I felt and continued to look him in the eyes, waiting for him to speak. I really needed his help on this, if I was ever going to get Annabeth back my father's help was crucial. He had connections everywhere and could find a needle in a haystack if he had to.
"So," he began in an eerily calm voice, "You came to me, with no leads, no ideas, and expect to what, produce this man and your betrothed out of thin air?"
"How dare you?!" I yelled. "You have no right to speak to me like that father! My betrothed is out there with another man, my betrothed, my woman! She is my possession, my property and yet she is nowhere to be found! I came here because I need your connections to find this man that I know nothing about! I truly don't want to go through all the work of finding another wife, and besides, she's got a body to die for and looks good on my arm. So either you help me or I will, permanently, remove you from your chair. Are we clear?"
My father didn't even flinch at my raised voice or speech. He knew my threat was not to be taken lightly, neither of us really cared about the other, it was all business. I honestly believe the only reason I am still breathing is because my father has found some kind of use for me still. This man was getting up their in age and before he would hand everything over to me, his money and power, he told me I had to get married. The only girl who had actually peeked my interest in this God forsaken place was Annabeth. My plan was to just kidnap her and force her into the marriage, but my father was a man of class and decided on the more subtle path. Of course, after I met her he hasn't been watching to closely. If he had I'm sure I would have received a few blows to the face for raising my hand to her. My father may be an evil man, but he has never hit a woman, but Annabeth must learn her place with me and the only effective method I have found with her was raising a hand to her. I don't want a mouthy wife who refuses to submit to me, she is already submissive in nature we just need to destroy the little bit of spirit she has left to make her perfect.
"Alright, I will make you a deal."
His steel voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Bring me a photo of the man she was with. If you can do this one simple task then I will take care of the rest."
My body shook from anger but I really had no other options.
"Deal."