“Yes,” I reply.
“He left about thirty minutes ago. I don’t think he’s going to be back until late.”
“Do you know where he went?” I ask, annoyed that even coming this early, I missed him.
“Uh,” the guard stammers, glancing at the other man standing near the security gate.
“It’s alright. I understand that you can’t tell me that,” I sigh, deeply frustrated.
“I’m sorry, sir, I know…it’s just…I really need this job. We are under strict instructions not to tell anyone anything.”
“It’s okay. Really. I get it. Will you please tell my father I stopped by?”
“Yes, sir.” He stands, visibly relieved. I expect he’s used to my father’s outbursts and tantrums, not a reasonable response.
I shove the car into reverse and pull back out into the road. Where would he go?
He has an office in town, but he’s never there. I know of a few places where he hangs out to meet business partners. I guess the best option is to stop at all of them. Maybe, in person, someone will slip up and say something they shouldn’t. I can only hope.
***
It’s late when I get home.
Today was a colossal failure and I’m exhausted. I spoke to so many people, asked so many questions, but I didn’t find my father, and I’m no closer to understanding what he’s up to than I was yesterday.
I feel defeated and drained as I push the front door open and step inside my mansion.
I want to crawl into bed and forget everything and sleep like the dead.
But when I step into the house, loud music vibrates through the hallway, flowing from the living room. It’s some vibey pop song I’ve heard while having a drink at a bar, or maybe on the radio.
I walk towards the living room, and a smile spreads wide across my face. Before I round the corner to see her, I can already hear Georgie singing along, full volume and slightly off-key. She sounds incredible. Not the best singer, but there is somuch happiness in her voice that I instantly forget how horrible my day has been.
And when I step into the living room, it gets a hundred times better.
She’s dancing.
Wild and provocative. She’s letting go and moving her body in the most beautiful ways. Utterly alone, or so she believes, and free to do as she pleases.
I lean my shoulder against the doorframe, my arms folded across my chest, and I watch her.
I watch everything. I watch the way the hem of her dress bounces up, revealing the curve of her ass when she jumps or wiggles. I watch how she lifts her arms above her head and sways with her head tilted up and her hair spilling loose down her back.
I watch, and my body burns with feverish desire.
Chapter 10 - Georgie
The music is blasting at full volume in the empty mansion. I have the entire place to myself, and I’m so happy I could scream. Today was incredible. I can’t believe how well I’m doing. I’m so proud of myself.
I jump up and down on the sofa, the soft pillows bouncing me high, feeling like a naughty kid, then jump off it onto the fluffy carpet, my bare feet tickled by the soft pale fibers. I spin around, letting my short summer dress flare out like a ballerina while my hair flows wildly around me. I feel glowing, a light glitter of perspiration on my skin. My breathing is heavy, and my heart is overflowing as I shout the words to one of my favorite songs. I’ve had it on repeat, this is the fifth time it’s playing, and I don’t care. I love it.
I’m celebrating, and there’s no one around to tell me to stop, anyway. There’s no one to be annoyed by my music choice.
This is definitely one of the perks of living in a mansion that I could get used to. The neighbors are so far away they wouldn’t hear my music if I played it this loud in the dead of night.
At some point, I think I forgot how much I love dancing. How much I need it.
It sets my body free, letting my spirit soar. I’m flowing and spinning and singing and forgetting everything that’s happened except for the good. I’m alone, I’m free to let go. And I’m enjoying every second of it.
