“Now, let’s phone Celmund because soon Asger will be knocking on the door.” I had forgotten that he is going with Asger to have a look around the docks and see if they can find anything. “Hey brother,” Ulrich says as Celmund answers the phone and then I see him grin as he looks at me and winks, “yip, I’ve joined the mated ranks.” At his words I grin, to know that this man before me is mine has a special part of me rejoicing.
“Anastasia, my mate has found something in regard to the trafficking, we need you to look into some stuff and see what you can find.” I don’t know what Celmund replies, but next Ulrich is putting the phone on speaker and introducing the two of us. After explaining everything to Celmund and giving him all the details that I have found, he confirms that he will look into everything and get back to us as soon as possible.
When Ulrich disconnects the call I am excited knowing that everything that is happening is because I found this lead, maybe this will lead to them capturing whoever is behind all the kidnapping and the trafficking and close down the operation.
“Okay now I have to go. Be good and I will see you when I get back.” He kisses me with such gentleness that I feel my heart tightening in pleasure. I haven’t told him that I love him for the simple reason that I think it’s way too soon, how can I possibly love a man that I have only known for such a short time? Is it even possible that these feelings that I am feeling is love?
I thought that I loved my first boyfriend when I was younger, but that clearly wasn’t true because this feeling that I have for Ulrich is so much more consuming, so much more overpowering. I think of him constantly, his mere presence pleases me, his touch ignites feelings within me that I didn’t even know I had. Is this love, or is this just passion? After seeing what I have and living with these men for the time that I have it is clear that what they have told me is true, but will I be able to integrate into their lives and be part of what they are, will be able to give myself completely to another without holding anything back because with Ulrich that is what he would expect.
Whichever it is I will have to organize my life that I left behind first before I can start a new one. Walking towards the bed, I sit down as I lift my new phone from the side table. Looking at the phone, I take a deep breath before dialling.
“Hello.”
“Mr. Smith.” When he hears my voice, there is a pause before he replies.
“Where the hell have you been? Your parents were here looking for you, the police were here looking for you and you just left everything and disappeared. I never thought you would do something like that.” I can hear the anger in his voice.
“I was kidnapped.” That has him pausing.
“Oh dear,” he murmurs, “are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine now,”
“When are you coming back?” Just like him to only think of himself, I shake my head in amusement.
“I’m sorry, that is why I am phoning but I won’t be able to go back to work anymore.” I hear his sharp intake of breath at my statement.
“What! Why not?”
“I’m thinking of staying in Cape Town, I can’t work for you if I live here,” I state.
“How can you live in Cape Town; your whole life is here.” I can hear the anger rising in his voice, great that is all I need to deal with a tantrum right now. “You can’t do that to me, you can’t just leave.”
“I’m sorry with everything that happened to me I can’t see myself returning to Port Elizabeth.” I know that it will be a struggle for him the way he runs his business and I truly wish he finds someone that will do for him what I did but now that I have found Ulrich I can’t go back to a life that I just existed. I have felt more alive here in the time that I have been at the club then I have felt my whole life.
“We will get you a psychologist; we will get you whatever you need, but you can’t just change your whole life because of one incident in your life.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Smith, I really wish it were that simple but I’m afraid that I have made up my mind and I won’t be going back. I want to thank you for the opportunity you afforded me, but it is now time for me to think about what is best for me.”
“You want a raise, is that what this is about?”
“No, all I want is for you to know that I won’t be coming back. Please get yourself another assistant and I wish you all the best.” I disconnect the call before he can continue, I understand that from his side it is difficult, but I now have to think of myself where before I lived for my work. Next, I phone my parents, I might as well get everything sorted today.
“Hello,” my father’s voice places a smile on my face as I think of his kind face looking at me.
“Dad.” I can hear his intake of breath when he hears my voice, my mother had difficulties falling pregnant so when I came along it was a miracle for both of them.
“Sweetheart, is everything okay?” I smile at his immediate concern.
“Yes, everything is absolutely fine.” I murmur, “but I was phoning to tell you that I’m not coming back to Port Elizabeth, I’m going to stay here.” There is a pause after my statement, which tells me that Dad is pondering all the angles of his reply.
“Are you sure that is what you want sweetheart?” My parents have always trusted my judgement and I know that they will be concerned but in the end they will trust me to do what is best for me.
“Yes, I have already spoken to work and told them that I won’t be coming back.” I lean back on the bed and close my eyes as I think of my Dad’s caring smile. “I met someone, Dad, and we are going to be staying together.”
“Isn’t that a bit soon?” I can hear the surprise in his voice.
“He is the man that found me, Ulrich,” I state, “he makes me happy Dad and he knows all about my ice and thinks that it’s awesome.”