I froze in front of the door, straining my ears to overhear their conversation. It was still nothing but incoherent words.
"I'm telling you just leave it to me," I heard her say as she planted her hand on his desk.
Unfortunately before their conversation progressed, the doctor and I made eye contact and he jerked forward, inadvertently alerting Ava.
She turned around with her hair cascading over her back. "Aiden, how long have you been there?" She asked in a soft voice.
I arched an eyebrow in suspicion, why did it matter how long I'd been standing here? I swept my gaze between her and the doctor.
"Not so long, why?"
"Nothing, I just, I was just wondering if I was giving you waiting honey that's all."
Dr. Ortega seemed a bit unsettled, I could tell. I held my gaze on him longer than I should before facing my wife.
"Yeah, you told me you were going to the restroom so seeing you here is kind of confusing."
She cleared her throat and straighten her back. "I was done with the restroom and I decided to come see the doctor and ask some questions about the medication. You know how medication can affect women's bodies and all that, I don't really want to give you too much weight," she said without missing a beat.
With a slow nod, I acknowledged her response. "The lab technician is ready for the sample collection," I informed her.
"Oh great, let's go."
As we exited the office together, I could feel the heat of Ortega stare on my back.
Throughout the entire invasive procedures of the sample collections we remained mute. There was obviously some tension in the air but neither of us bothered to address it.
After everything was done we were allowed to leave. "Please go to the doctor office, he'll advise you on what to do hence forth," the lab tech said with a smile and then took all the samples and walked away.
Now we are back in his office. He ran us through the basics, emphasizing that Ava needed not to stress herself and that she continue taking her pills.
When we were done and making our way back to your car, she spoke. "Aiden, is anything the matter? You've been awfully silent for a while now."
I sat down in the driver's seat and fastened my seat belt. "Well commit me to find it a little strange that you go behind my back to talk to the doctor and then lie to my face about your reason."
She placed her palm against her chest feigning a hurt expression. "What do you mean by I lied?"
"We've been married for 6 years, you think I can't tell when you're lying?"
I started the engines, not wanting to continue the conversation. Then I began to hear the sound of her sobbing.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you because…" she sniffled. "I know how sensitive this topic is for you."
Still partly irritated, I faced her. "What are you talking about?"
"I went to ask the doctor if this can truly be a success, if this would work and what the chances were."
I tightened my jaw, fixing my eyes on the road. The car remained quiet for a while until I spoke. "So, what did he say?"
She lowered her head as though she was battling with guilt. "He said the chances are low, very low."
Extending one arm, I placed my hand atop her thigh. "It's going to be okay," I reassured her even though I didn't really believe that lie myself.
"Yeah, it is. Anyway, enough of all that sobbing," she said, wiping her tears. "My gala is coming soon and I'll be launching my latest clothing line too that night. I was wondering if we could invite your parents."
"You really want to invite them?"
She shrugged, "they're your family after all, I can't just throw them away."
I squeezed her thighs. "They are your family too. Don't worry, I'll invite them, I'm sure my mum would be delighted she loves things like this."
"Speaking of family, I was wondering if it was okay for me to invite my sister. I mean I know she might not come or turn down my invitation but I just want to reach out."
"Of course, you should invite Olivia. It's left to her to decide whether or not she wants to come."
A small smile formed on Ava's face. I was turning into my street when I found Claire standing outside by the house along with a woman wearing a suit and a man.
They all look worried and it made me begin to wonder what was going on. I shared a look with Ava as I pulled up by the curb.
My car doors banged shut behind me and I rushed forward. "What's going on here?" I asked.
"Sir, it's the kid, he's missing."
***
We were now in the sitting room and I was placing back and forth while Ava sat on the sofa. With my hands placed ony waist, I asked.
"How could you guys have possibly let him escape?"
"This morning after he had his breakfast, he went to his room ever since then I've not seen him he must have snuck off," Claire explained.
The woman who was wearing a gray suit was the representative from child services. "I think we may need to involve the police to make sure that we find him before anything bad happens to the boy."
"It's a safe neighbourhood, I'm sure he's alright. Claire, are you sure you told all the maids to search the entire house, he's a kid, children can be mischievous. He might be hiding in one of the rooms or corners."
She nodded. "We've searched the house, twice. There's no sign of him."
"Then what are we doing sitting here? Let's go searching, he couldn't have gotten that far."
"I agree," the child services representative responded.
"Woah, hold on, isn't it the job of the police to do this?" Ava asked, interjecting.
"The police will take some time to get here in the meantime we can be searching for him, let's go."
She was reluctant but she complied. We got into the car while the child services representatives up in the back with Claire.
The estate was properly planned with mapped roads and since I was quite familiar with the area, I decided to take us around.
We kept going street after street, turn after turn, searching for any child roaming about. Estate security had already been notified about his disappearance so they had their eyes out too.
After a about thirty minutes, Ava groaned. "Can we just go home? I'm tired. Let the police do their job we don't even know this kid."
Her statement pissed me off so baldy that I snapped. "How can you even say a thing like that? Can you even hear yourself?"
"What? I'm just being realistic, police are probably searching for him now let them do their job, I need my rest."
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. "You're so inconsiderate!" I yelled and she gasped.
"Sir, the police, I see them, they are in front of your house, let's go back so I can speak with them," the woman from the back said, causing me to remain quiet.
With clenched jaws I drive back home. After we briefed the police on everything, Ava, Claire and I entered the mansion.
Ava followed behind me, angry about my outburst. "Why would you say you think like that to me in front of Claire and that woman?"
"What Ava? Isn't it true? You know I saw it in your eyes when that boy came to this house yesterday evening, you were irritated!"
"Yes! Maybe I was! You bring a homeless dirty kid home without informing me and I'm just supposed to be smiling?''
My face dropped. "So this is what it's about? I can't believe I'm hearing this from you." I turned my back to her and then walk away.
She was screaming my name but I ignored her, pushing open the door to my home office and then slamming it shut behind me.
I plopped down on my seat. With a frustrated grant, I get on my feet and head towards the cupboard. I browse through until I find it the perfect one bottle of wine.
That's what I need right now, some good wine. I grabbed a glass cup and place it on the table before me and then pour it half filled.
Nursing the drink in my hand, I began to think of the hospital encounter. I still could hopefully believe her and the excuse she gave in the car.
Was Ava hiding something from me? My phone rang in my pocket, distracting me. I picked up. "Hello Tiffany, why are you calling at this time? It better be important."
"Please come online and check your mail, it's an emergency."