Chapter 23.
I spent a wonderful five days with my family, I even got to drop Billy at playschool where I met all his small friends and mum and I managed to go out for lunch just about every day. By the end, I had calmed down so much I didn't want to go home. Kasey had rung when he could, he even spoke to dad a few times they weren't long drawn out calls because I am sure he was very busy.
Going home was to be my beginning again time, and I forced myself to be single again and just focussed on the mundane. I hadn't realized how boring my life was before Kasey entered it and I must thank him when he gets back home. Of course, my solitude was getting to me, and the lack of calls from Kase made me feel even worse.
After a week of tossing and turning I was nearly in tears when the phone rang and Kasey's photo appeared.
"My god, it has been a long week, there's so much to do here I'm running around in circles."
"Calm down Kase, is it nearly done?"
"No, not by a long shot the laws are so different here. I have been interviewing the kids one by one again, I wanted to make sure their stories matched with what I am reading."
"You will be good at doing that." "They like me I play with them, I taught them some Aussie rules and now they are outside playing football, how do you feel about adopting six kids?"
I had to hold my laugh back, but I was more interested in listening to his voice.
"Yes, that's okay with me as long as they are all house trained."
"Good because I might have some extra baggage when I land back in Australia."
I did not doubt that Kasey would be thinking along those lines, he's a born father. He went on to say he missed me so bad and he had his room to himself this afternoon would I be up for some phone sex. I instantly whipped my dick out and started talking in filthy tongue to him, he responded with some very choice words of his own. Although not as satisfying as one on one, it was the first time I had cum since he left and I desperately needed it. It was most welcomed because the events of the next few weeks will place me fair and square somewhere I didn't want to be.
The following week I was called up to dad's office which wasn't unusual, but I did feel a slight panic in my tummy. I told the girls where I would be and walked up three buildings to the top floor where dad's office was. When I got there the commander was seated at a large table along with two other guys in uniform. I was introduced to them, one was a military doctor and the other was a lawyer that Kasey knew from here. I was offered coffee but declined because I didn't know whether I would throw it up or choke on it, my body had started constricting everything but my heavy breathing.
"What's going on, is this about Kasey?" "Yes Adam, we have some news for you and brace yourself it's not so good." Keith said.
I slipped down in my seat and tried to hide from the news but all it did was make me feel worse.
"Adam Kasey, and another officer left the compound this morning, they didn't arrive at the courthouse and a quick search didn't find them either. We can only hope they are investigating something, but the norm is they have to ring their superior to get special permission to travel around town they didn't do that."
"So you think they have been kidnapped?"
"We think they are missing at the moment son, there are men everywhere searching for them. Don't stress just yet, they will be found."
I stared at my dad and whispered.
"Dead or alive." My head dropped and the headache I fought so hard to suppress showed itself with the greatest of forces. I rubbed my forehead and the doctor came over and sat next to me, he asked me how I was feeling, I said I just got a headache but I was fine. I wasn't, but I didn't want to show too much weakness in front of Kasey's workmate and my dad, Keith would know exactly how I felt but he didn't say anything.
"Are you sure you're okay son?"
"Yes dad, I have had bigger shocks than this, and I know whatever Kasey is doing it would have something to do with this case. I don't know about kidnapping dad, maybe, but I know he will fight to be released, I know he would fight to the end." I felt so horrible saying that.
"Well, that's all we know for the moment, I will receive hourly updates and as soon as I know something concrete I will give you a call."
"Okay, I better get back we are busy today." I lied, I just wanted to get out of there.
"Are you sure you don't need anything Adam, the doctor can prescribe you something for your nerves if you like."
"Just some calm me down pills if that's okay, I meant to go get some the other week but I forgot."
The Doc wrote on his pad and he passed it to me. "Don't overdo them, just one with breakfast and one at lunchtime please Adam. If you need something stronger just let the commander know he has my number." He smiled at me.
"Thank you, thank you all and I will wait for a phone call I suppose." I got up and placed the prescription in my pocket and thanked them again then I headed home. I wanted to be as close to Kasey as I could, and the only safe place I could do that was in bed, holding his pillows. The tears flowed as I pushed the button to my floor and they didn't stop until I went to sleep out of sheer exhaustion. I didn't even bother to ring Eva or Trish and my heart was breaking for my Kasey, my brain was angry with him for being so stupid. If I told him once I told him a hundred times to watch what he was doing over there and not to trust anyone, just do the job you are being sent to do I said, nothing else.
I heard someone in the apartment kitchen, it was almost dusk and it could only be one person she has my spare key. A light tap on the door and a.
"Can I come in?"
"Yes Trish."
"Adam, Tim rang me he had been on the phone to Keith. I'm sorry my sweet I don't want to impose on your solitude but I want you to know I have put some dinner in your oven you can warm it up when you need it and ring me if you want some company later on if you feel a little better okay?"
"Thank you Trish I just want to be alone if I may I don't want to go over ifs and buts I just want to lay here for an hour or two."
"Okay, but make sure you call me if you need me." The door quietly closed and I heard her leave the unit. I rolled over and looked at my phone, there were the expected missed calls but nothing from dad Kasey or the commander. I put Kasey's photo up and started dialing his number he will answer me because he knows how I get and would be worried. It rang out and the next time I rang it went to message bank.
All I could think of is he has been captured and kidnapped by some evil men who don't want the trial to continue, it's not unheard of in any country and it is their leader on trial after all.
I played with the phone for ages and recorded many messages for him, the later ones being more about encouragement to get what he's doing over and done with, the alternative was too evil to even think about or talk about. I got out of bed and splashed my face then I went to find some food, I can't stop eating it makes me feel worse if I do. I found some Lasagne in the oven and cut off a small slice and put it in the microwave, that will be enough for now maybe I will feel like more after I eat this.
Not even the explosion gave me these feelings of emptiness. I took a fork and ate a few bits then I started shaking and I shook all over, a panic attack had shrouded my body. I walked out to the balcony into the bathroom to the front door, back and forth back and forth, and I couldn't sit still for one second. I shook violently and I knew I had to do something before I exhausted myself. I went back to the bathroom and took a full sleeping pill, then I began my walking again I had nowhere to go only the apartment and I moved until I thought I would drop and I eventually did onto the bed, then I prayed that sleep will find me and I won't have to put up with those awful feelings again.
The next thing I remembered I had woken to pitch blackness rolled over and went back to sleep. I didn't bother looking at my phone because I knew there wouldn't be any messages.
I woke up in the morning crying I had dreamt about the bombing and Kasey was lost, we were at the funeral there were gunshots and the Australian flag was draped over his coffin. I was bandaged from head to toe, and the screaming in my head wouldn't stop, it was at fever pitch. It woke me up and the tears started immediately. That gloomy feeling was enveloping my body and I was once again starting to panic for my Kasey. I could hear him calling for help in my dream and couldn't get the image of him being buried alive out of my head, I could hardly breathe. I could only gasp for breath as I threw the twisted blanket off me and took one giant mouthful of fresh air then sat up in a pool of sweat and piss. It was then I decide to have that prescription done, so I got out of bed and took my phone to the toilet. I read all the messages just to get that dream out of my head then I replied to Trisha's text.
'Tell all the others I'm okay but I don't want to see anyone at the moment, am going to potter around here for the day I'm sorry Trish, and thank you.'
'You got it if there's anything you know who to call xxx' was her answer.
I placed my phone on the charger and put the coffee on, then went to shower. I was washing my hair when more tears came, it was Kasey's favorite thing to do for me. I tried to imagine his large hands massaging my scalp but had to stop it was getting to me again.
I dressed down and grabbed the prescription, had my coffee then headed for the local Chemist shop. I stood there while the Chemist made it up and when he finished I signed my name and quickly walked back to the apartment where I will be safe. I noticed a young man sitting in the window of the downstairs café, it was obvious he wasn't there to have breakfast because he was reading the local newspaper. He was there to watch me and maybe my comings and goings and I bet you a hundred dollars there's one hanging around the underground car park also. I took a pill when I got in then I made more coffee and sat on the balcony. My phone hadn't rung while I was out but I didn't expect it to anyway. My solemn mood once again turned into anger the more I tried to suppress it, the angrier I got. How dare he put himself and me in this position I could fucking wring his neck sometimes. I tried to calm down and the pill helped a little and I took deep breaths to calm my body. I didn't want to open a bottle of wine because that will make me worse, my phone rang once more, it was dad.
"Hello."
"Son, are you at home or the salon?"
"At home dad, I didn't feel like going in today."
"Good I hope your resting."
"If I get any more rest I will go insane, any news?" "Yes son, one of the kids told his roommate that the guys had gone to find some of the other children, he had directions where they were being held and they took it upon themselves to go rescue them."
"I'm so fucking mad at him at the moment and this is making it worse, did he tell the guy where they went?"
"Yes son, there's a platoon heading that way now, I should have word from them soon. Don't worry if it was a kidnapping it could have been a lot worse, but they did take full battle gear and guns with them."
"That makes me feel a whole lot better dad, now I am worried he has been beheaded. What do I do how do I get through this dad, I feel like I'm going insane with worry one minute I'm crying and the next I'm so fucking angry with him." I lost it.
"You do what you're doing son there is no cure for this. I'm certain with his training and knowledge he will do what he's set out to do, but I don't know how hot that spot is it's in the hills and it's full of resistance fighters in certain places. The other worry is that Kasey hasn't had any battle experience, he doesn't have a clue how dangerous it all is."
"More worry please let me know if you hear something."
"I will son do you want your mum to come and stay with you?"
"No dad don't disturb her routine I have Trish across the hall and Eva downstairs I might give them a ring later."
"Okay son, I love you." He hung up and I was left with the phone still to my ear. It was then I felt like getting drunk.
I took another pill just after I cleaned up some more Lasagne then I turned the TV on, hopefully, it will distract me for an hour or so. I fell asleep again and thankfully there were no dreams. When I woke Trish was holding my hand, her other hand was brushing my hair out of my face.
"How about I give it a good wash and blow-dry, maybe a trim while I'm at it." I smiled at her, I didn't need it but it was kind of her to ask.
"How about you open a bottle of wine and call Eva up, the wine should be chilled by now and we can party hard."
"Are you sure, she is so worried sick about you."
"I'm sure, please give her a ring." I smiled.
She flipped her phone out and rang my other best friend.
We hugged when she got there and I told them both what had happened which was very little, I welcomed their company because I wanted to talk about anything but Kasey. Eva brought me up to date on today's customers including a small recital from Miss Lucy loosebox which lifted the glum mood for all of my fellow workers. There was no Mitchell today she told Eva he was locked in a cupboard, he had tried to grab one of the girl's bosoms at his school. He thought she might put out, but he was so wrong as the girl punched him in the face.
She had to go to the principal's office to bail him out, and promises were made, the next time it will mean expulsion for poor sex-starved Mitch. I laughed so much I felt silly doing it so I forced my face to go dead blank after the outburst. The others were aware that I was running hot and cold, and after my second wine I did settle down a little. The girls wanted to do my hair but I resisted so we ended up sitting at the table having an eyebrow plucking session, and an eyelash curling competition, Trish won but I suspect she had a few extra false lashes in there somewhere.
"I spoke to Cody Mitchell about the Melbourne shop, he said to leave it all up to him he will send his best man down to scan the back streets for a building. He also said you should think about Milan." She grinned.
"What? he's going to open up in Milan?"
"Well it makes sense, he's on the payroll for Armani he should have an outlet there, or in Paris, I believe he has a lot of contacts in Paris."
"Staff?"
"Leave it up to him, it's his idea and he knows people Adam but you have to think about it because it may mean a lot of overseas travel for you."
"Not for me, for either of you."
She laughed along with Eva but I had already made my mind up I won't be franchising overseas, there are millions of salons throughout the world, the only good thing about the idea is I will be attached to the Cody Mitchell label.
"Do you want my thoughts?" Trish asked.
"Yes please."
"Stay in Australia, you already have two salons and three will be awesome then maybe one in Sydney. I reckon that's about all you could handle. I'm not saying you can't, it's just it might get a bit out of control. Cody's designs are world-class he deserves everything he gets, but I don't think an Aussie salon would be more popular than a French one or one in Hong Kong."
"I agree Trish, it could get out of hand. I won't continue out of Australia and quite frankly the salons can only fit so many clients in a day, its end of month takings are almost the same every month, and it's manageable at the moment. I have the potential to make more money but I don't want staff working twelve-hour shifts."
"Ok Adam, I think you should open in Sydney but leave it at that, and your right with overheads and wages you will make some money, but it will come with more aggravation," Eva said.
"I call this staff meeting to an end, and I thank you both for calming me down, now who's for another bottle?"
They both held their glasses up, I laughed at their eager faces.
If there was some way to get more money to them I would, I love them so much and they are correct I don't need the headache. My thoughts drifted back to Kasey and his mate and if I wasn't so mad at him I would be a blubbering mess by now, wine does that to me.
The girly catch up had ended around eleven and we three were worse for wear because they had to watch a movie, Muriel's wedding was playing on Netflix tonight so I did laugh and sing my way through this uplifting chick flick, with the others.
I let the girls out and I switched my phone off, I won't need a pill to put me to sleep tonight I was a little tipsy and dog tired.
I pushed Kasey's image out of my head and closed my eyes, I thanked Adele and Meryl for everything they had done for me then I thanked mum and dad for giving me an awesome little brother, I thanked Trish and Eva for always being there for me but I didn't thank Kasey.
I slept well and in the morning after I showered I took a headache pill and my calm me down one, they should set me up for the day.
Coffee was most welcomed and I was hungry again, so I made some toast and sat on the balcony to clear my head. I hadn't turned my phone on and I won't deal with the messages until I felt a bit better. My life was a simple one before I met Kasey. I tried to think about whether it was the same when dad was doing all those stints overseas. I decided that mum had kept a lot from me maybe for protection, maybe she thought I wouldn't cope with it but when I allowed myself to think of Kasey I got so furious again, I could have strung him up with my bare hands.
I finally dressed to impress and headed for work, in the foyer I ran into the young guy that had been watching the apartment, well watching me. He ran out of the café and bailed me up.
"The general wants to see you as soon as possible Adam, he's been trying to get in contact with you all night."
"I switched my phone off I'm off to work, I will contact him later." I was mad but I didn't want him feeling the same about me so I turned and said.
"Thank you for your service, and thank you for looking out for me, I'll call him when I get into work." Then I went up the street towards the bakery. After getting the morning treats for my staff I opened the salon and moved inside, the smells were awesome. I don't notice them during the day but first thing in the morning I did, and they are very welcoming.
I did my thing, turned the urn on placed the buns under the keeper then checked the salon's stations were clean and ready. Marko does what Janice used to do, and he's impeccable at it, everything was shiny and new looking. The doorbell rang and I turned expecting to see Eva or Tim, but I got my father, General John Sutton.
"Adam, what the hell have you been up to? I have been calling most of the night, you kept your mother and me awake with worry, we nearly came over but Bill was a problem we didn't want to disturb him."
"I had a girly night with Trish and Eva dad and I turned my phone off before they arrived I didn't want to deal with any bad news."
"Well the news is as good as it will ever be son, come with me I need a coffee." He walked into the tea room and made himself a coffee, he also took a bun and a few biscuits.
"Now, they have been found and they have rescued seven more kids and four servicemen who were being held captive. He will be thoroughly reprimanded by the commander over there but for the moment he's got non-life-threatening bullet wounds to be attended to. He's been admitted to the French military hospital and Australian doctors are attending to his wounds, his mate has been hit worse, but thank Christ the kids weren't damaged and the prisoners have torture wounds but they are not deemed life-threatening."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, he got shot? what the fuck?
"What did you say dad I didn't quite hear you the first time?"
"He was shot, shoulder and upper arm grazing the other serviceman sustained life-threatening and non-life-threatening wounds. Kasey had carried him and helped the other prisoner's for six miles to escape, they hid in some caves the kids knew about for a day, then they moved again at night time. He lost a lot of blood but managed to meet up with the search party who got them all to safety. I cannot tell you how proud of him I feel at the moment because I will break down, but he's okay and his wound isn't bad. His mate is in intensive care, he got him out just in time."
"They shouldn't have been there in the first place, whose idea was it?" I was so frigging angry and I knew the answer to that already.
"Not who you think, the other guy talked him into it he has children of his own, and this case had hit him hard Adam, it wasn't Kasey. He told him if he didn't go with him he would go it alone."
By this time Eva and Tim with James had turned up, they were hovering in the tea room trying to listen, my head was going to explode at any moment and I had to get out of here back to my Adele and my safe place in the sky. If I had said anymore I would have ripped my dad another asshole, he was bragging about Kasey's involvement, and I didn't like it one bit.
"So he's in the military hospital?"
"Yes son, the other soldier will be airlifted to a hospital in Paris as soon as he is stabilized."
"His wounds are that bad?"
"Yes son, he may not make it."
"Right." I knew then exactly what I was going to do so I slammed my hands down on the table and pushed myself up.
"I don't want to talk anymore." I looked at him my tears began so I took my embarrassment and sorry ass home, my father doesn't cope with crying men all that much let alone a sobbing queen and at that moment I didn't care.
When I got there I threw what I would need into a knapsack, then headed for the airport. I still hadn't turned my phone on but I took it with me and as I sat in the departures lounge I seethed with hate and anger, I hated him for making me feel this way and I was angry at my father and him for being so fucking stupid.
After a very long flight, my mood had settled a little. I dozed off and on and was miffed we had to change flights in Dubai to get to Rome, but I was closer to Kasey more now than the past few weeks.
I waited in the Dubai airport for what seemed ages, while I rested I sent two messages, one to mum and one to Trish. `I am okay and waiting for my flight to Rome, please don't worry about me Adam Sutton is taking a holiday, I love you all'
I sent them off and closed my phone down again because my flight was being called to board. The shorter trip was uneventful and when the hot sticky sun shone in my eyes as I walked out of the smallish Rome airport I wondered how the hell I had found the courage to do this on my own.
I took a cab to a hotel central to the city. Adam Sutton is on a holiday and he's going to thoroughly enjoy himself, let the others in his life worry about it, he's on holidays and he's taking his life back.
After settling into a small hotel with whitewashed walls I turned my phone on again. I looked around the room it was so Rome, and so me the ironwork on the Juliette balcony was vintage and superb, the cornices were right out of Roman Holiday and I felt wanted and needed by this city, I looked over the rooftops and I thought I was always destined to live in this great city it was enchanting.
My phone was ringing when I finally snapped out of the shock I had been in, shock that I even got on a plane, and more shock to see myself in the eternal city.
"Hello?"
"Adam, where are you I have been ringing all day?"
"Oh, it's you how are your gunshot wounds?" I put my coldest voice on.
"I'm all right Adam, I'm more worried about you." I let it go because I had something important to tell him.
"If you ever do that to me again I will personally rip you another asshole, what you did was so dangerous and reckless I can't even comprehend what goes on in your head anymore. You have single handily ruined any trust I ever had for you I won't go through this again, and I WANT MY LIFE BACK." I shouted down the phone.
"Adam, let me explain please?"
"Explain what, explain how you put yourself in mortal danger and didn't think it was a big deal to anyone else in your life. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH? DO YOU EVEN FUCKING CARE?" I shouted.
"Of course I know and I care you know that."
"Well don't worry about me anymore but it's good to hear you're okay, fucking get well soon I'm taking a well-deserved holiday and I don't know when I will be home." As I reached to hang up I heard his scream.
"ADAM DON'T YOU DARE HANG UP!"
My whole body was full of anger again and I shook with rage, so much rage I wanted to kill someone with my bare hands.
I didn't think I had it in me it wasn't hate it was more disappointment and there was no heartache because I wouldn't let it fester. As I said Adam Sutton is on holidays and he's going to enjoy himself, let the others in his life worry about it, he's on holidays and he's not going to worry about anything or anyone.
I finally showered in the tiny bathroom it did calm me down along with the pill, then I dressed up to the nines and went to look for something to eat if anything I will eat some wonderful food here. I found a sidewalk café not far away and sat at an empty table. I was in the tourist district so I could understand some of the conversations and the waiter had spoken excellent English as I ordered up a very nice wine. Today is for me only, this is my day to do whatever I wanted whether it is to sleep all day, or walk around the old ruins of Rome or pick up an Italian lover. Three guys sat at the next table and they were talking about going to the Colosseum for the day, good looking Australians and a little campy, well two of them were and I wondered if they were a couple.
My wine had arrived and I ordered some spaghetti just to see if it was any different than home. As I listened I heard they were renting a car and driving to Venice, a place I have only dreamed of visiting.
"Where are you from?" I heard. Oh, he's talking to me.
"Brisbane in Australia." "Yeah, I know it, we are from Sydney my names Richard these two are John and Alex, are you here for a holiday?"
"Yes, first time mate, I needed to get away for a while clear my head and all that." I looked at his wild hair and was disappointed I didn't bring my scissors with me it badly needed shaping.
"We arrived last week and I'm eager to get going we are doing all of Europe eventually if these two can get their lazy asses out of bed."
I laughed because I now knew they were a couple the kiss gave it away.
"So your all gay?"
"Yes." He didn't bat an eyelash.
"It's different here nobody cares what you are as long as you can pay your way they don't care. You should come to the Colosseum with us we kind of know our way around please join us." I moved my chair closer and was introduced properly.
"No man with you?" "No, he's the reason I'm here, we had a falling out." I dropped my head because I didn't want to talk about it.
"I see, broken hearts and lost loves this city will heal that, to be honest with you the whole country will heal it." He had a nice smile and no I didn't fancy him.
I liked these guys they talked openly about their relationships, I didn't tell them anything but I had already decided that I wanted to join them on their trip through Italy. I was taken to the Colosseum by train and the guys kept the jokes coming. As the short trip full of tourists arrived at the station we were crowded in by Gypsies trying to sell their rosary beads and fridge magnets.
"Come this way," Alex said as he started walking around the side of the monolith.
"The gay bars are around the back."
"Have you been here before Alex?" I asked.
"Yes several years ago I spent two months in Italy, I think the bars are still there."
We came across a set of cafes on the street with rainbow flags everywhere after deciding to have another drink we sat and people watched. Some very impressive men walked by and some sat at the tables, this is how the other half lives. We finished our coffee and perve then decided to go have a look inside the big arena, after waiting for an hour we were finally herded in and it was wonderful. I leaned against one of the big pillars and felt sad because my Kasey wasn't here with me to experience this and he probably never will come here. I had no idea what he was up to and I didn't want to know.
We made a date to go out for dinner together then tomorrow they were heading to Florence, Alex will drive and at dinner, they invited me to go along with them. I was not sure I wanted to hang around with a group of guys, but I guess I will see more of Italy than I thought I would. It was also their way of saving some money we could share the expenses. Late that night I packed my things again and it was only then I turned my phone on once more. The messages came through thick and thin, I read every one of them and listened to Kasey crying his eyes out on my full message bank, by the time I finished it was late so I sent a group message to all of the above that read.
`In Rome having an Adam Sutton holiday, heading to Florence tomorrow then I hit Venice in a week. I will fly home from there. Love you all am safe and very well.'
I sent it then I was about to turn the phone off when Kasey's photo appeared, I thought about not answering it.
"Hello?"