His Final Vanishing

Alessandro's attentiveness and care were things Vincent could never hope to match.

I cooked for Vincent for three years and did his laundry for three years, and even then, he would find something to complain about.

His latest disappearance happened after he went out drinking with friends and didn't stumble home until dawn. I laid into him, and maybe my words were a bit harsh.

When I woke up in the morning, the bed was empty.

He had run away again.

It was only today that I realized the brilliant idea of disappearing had come from Sophia.

Sophia was his childhood friend, and the two of them were so close they would sling their arms around each other right in front of me.

The last time he disappeared, my aunt used her connections to check the guest systems of almost every hotel in Manhattan, but she couldn't find him.

Now I strongly suspect that he was hiding at Sophia's place that time.

And this time, to better monitor me, he had pulled Alessandro into his scheme as well.

Just a little while ago, Alessandro had me pinned to the bed for three hours.

It wasn't until we had used up all the strawberry-flavored condoms I bought today that I reluctantly let him go.

Alessandro's phone, left on the bedside table, had been buzzing nonstop.

He didn't have a password, so I opened his chat with Vincent.

The last message was from yesterday morning.

Vincent: Did Elena go to the gallery today?

Alessandro: No, she took 5 days off to look for you everywhere. Her perfect attendance bonus for this month is down the drain again.

Vincent: What's a perfect attendance bonus? I'm way more important than her money, right? Lol.

I couldn't help but sneer when I read that.

Oh, Vincent. You drop tens of thousands a month on clothes alone, never wearing the same suit twice. Your sports car needs gas and maintenance, then there's rent, utilities… Every single bill paid by me. Easy for you to say. How the hell do you think I support your lavish lifestyle without money?

I continued reading.

Alessandro: If you don't love her, just break up. Don't waste her time.

Vincent: I do love her. Pretending to be on a mission is just one of my ways of showing I love and care about her.

Alessandro: ?

Vincent: Alessandro, you just don't get it, do you? Women need to be trained. You can't be too good to them. A little bit of tough love adds some spice.

Alessandro didn't reply to that.

A notification pinged from a group chat, catching my attention.

The group's name was "Art Collection Enthusiasts."

Vincent: Alessandro just told me Elena is still taking time off to search for me all over the world!

Sophia: Vincent, wasn't my idea brilliant?

Vincent: Haha, just wait, I'll reward you properly!

Sophia: Then tonight at the private club, the usual spot! Remember to wear that Armani shirt.

Vincent: No way! I just bought that today. I have to save it for the day Elena finds me!

Sophia immediately sent a crying emoji.

Vincent: Alright, alright, you can have a sneak peek tonight.

Sophia immediately sent a flirty sticker.

Someone named Ben said: I'm getting a bad feeling for Elena here.

Vincent immediately sent a pouting emoji: Sophia and I are just friends. We're totally innocent.

I snorted. Vincent, you were in a league of your own when it came to self-deception.

A new message popped up.

It was a private message from Vincent to Alessandro.

Vincent: Alessandro, did Elena ask you about what happened at the hotel that night?

I typed a question mark and hit send.