Chapter 19 - Finding the lost

Troy's POV

"Oh, Troy. You are here!" Kate exclaimed happily, interrupting my thoughts as she approached me, smiling, and linked our arms while I was staring at her, dazed. Rose looked at us in confusion. Kate looked at Rose and said. "Let me introduce you to my fiancé, Troy. And this is my sister, Rosalie."

Rose's eyes widened in shock while she was staring at me, her mouth agape. She opened and closed her mouth without saying anything. She cleared her throat and ruffled her hair with her shaking hand.

"Rose,... just Rose." She corrected, her voice barely audible and took a step backward, dismayed. "I..." Without managing to finish her sentence, she fainted.

"Rose!" I shouted in panic and rushed towards her. I quickly scooped her up in my arms without letting her fall down.

"Mommy!" Alec exclaimed, frightened as he looked at his mother.

"Let's take her inside." Kate suggested as she approached us, worried and held Alec back. I nodded and carried Rose, who was still unconscious in my arms, while Alec and Kate followed me.

"What hap..." Camila didn't finish her sentence as she saw Rose's state.

I carried her to the living room and placed Rose on the couch carefully. I sat down beside her on the couch and held her hand, looking at her, worried.

"Rose. Rose." I called her, stroking her hair gently without releasing her hand.

"Mommy. Mommy, open your eyes." Alec pleaded, sobbing as he approached Rose and grabbed her arm.

"Calm down, Alec. She will be fine. Don't worry." I assured him, looking at him tenderly.

Camila ordered a maid to bring a wet cloth and approached Rose, concerned.

A few minutes later, the maid came back with a wet towel and a bowl of water.

"Troy, could you take Alec upstairs?" Camila asked me as she grabbed the wet cloth.

"No, I will not leave. I will stay here." Alec refused, shaking his head while sobbing.

I stood up, letting Camila take care of Rose, and picked up Alec in my arms.

"Fine. We will stay here, but stop crying. She will wake up soon." I reassured him softly and wiped his tears off his cheeks.

"Mom..." Rose murmured as she slowly opened her eyes. I breathed in relief and closed my eyes.

"Mommy!" Alec exclaimed happily and struggled in my arms, trying to go towards Rose.

I set him on his feet carefully and ruffled my hair, looking at Rose, relieved. I was so worried about her. It felt like my heart stopped beating as I saw her lying in my arms unconscious, her face white as a sheet.

Alec rushed towards his mother and hugged her tightly. I couldn't hold myself and smiled, looking at them. Rose wrapped her arm around Alec weakly and rubbed her temple.

"I am fine, my boy." She reassured Alec as she sat up on the couch with Camila's help while staring at me.

"Are you better, dear?" Her mother asked worriedly, holding her hand.

"Yes, I am fine. Probably, my blood pressure got low." She mumbled as she took her eyes off me and stood up. I reflectively approached her and tried to help her to stand.

"I am fine. No need." She said dryly as she pulled her arms away quickly. She cleared her throat while Camila and Kate were looking at her, confused by her attitude and added. "Don't worry. I can walk on my own. I just need to rest a little."

"I will come with you." Camila stated and wrapped her arm around her shoulder as they went upstairs with Alec.

I sighed and sat down on the couch. I leaned my arms on my thighs and entwined my hands, lost in my thoughts.

"Troy, are you okay?" Kate asked as she rested her hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah... I am fine." I replied, forcing a smile. I cleared my throat as I stood up abruptly. "I have to go to the company. See you later." I mumbled.

"Fine. See you." She said and wanted to kiss my lips. I turned my face slightly, making her kiss my cheek, and left hurriedly without waiting for a second.

I threw my jacket onto the couch as soon as I walked into my penthouse and walked towards the bar cabinet. Once I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and the glass, I went towards the couch and sat down on it. I poured whiskey into my glass and drank it all in a sip.

I slammed the glass onto the centre table and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I found my photo with Alec which Sienna sent me and looked at it, ruffling my hair, lost in my thoughts.

Can it be? No... but... He really looks like me.

Troy, you cannot be sure about it just because he looks like you. You need to be sure.

I have to talk to Rose. And not just about Alec. She should give me an explanation as to why she left me without saying anything. She owes it to me.

I gritted my teeth, closing my eyes as I threw the phone onto the couch and held my head between my hands. I frowned, annoyed and poured another glass of whiskey for myself.

I groaned, rubbing my neck, and opened my eyes slowly. The sun was shining through the windows, lighting the room. I looked around, dazed and sat up, closing my eyes as I couldn't bear the pain I felt. My neck was sore, and my head was pounding. I drank too much last night.

I stood up barely and walked towards my bedroom, rubbing my neck.

After taking a shower and putting on my clothes, I drank a cup of coffee and took a painkiller. Then I left the penthouse without having breakfast; I didn't have an appetite.

I parked my car far from Rose's parent's mansion and leaned my head back against the headrest, waiting for Rose. We had to talk as soon as possible.

"Shit!" I cursed, slapping my hand against the steering wheel in frustration as I saw Rose, Camila and Alec leaving the mansion together.

I waited, hoping, maybe, Rose would get into her car alone, but I lost my hope as all of them got into Rose's car.

When I wanted to follow her, my phone rang. I grabbed it, frowning, and looked at the screen. It was my assistant.

Fuck! The meeting! I totally forgot about it.

"Sir..."

"I know. The meeting. I forgot about it. Is Mr. Carter there?" I asked as I started my car and followed Rose's car.

"He is on the way, sir. His assistant called and informed that he will be about fifteen minutes late." She replied.

I closed my eyes for a second, cursing. I opened my eyes and checked the time. Then I looked at Rose's car, thinking.

"Is my father in the company?" I asked hopefully.

"No, Mr. Anderson has a meeting outside." My assistant informed me.

"Fine. I am coming. Take Ethan Carter to the conference room as soon as he comes. And inform him I am coming." I demanded as I turned my car to the right and hung up my phone, frowning.

If it was Nathan, Ethan Carter's son, I could change the meeting because Nathan and I were close friends; we were schoolmates as well. Unfortunately, instead of Nathan, his father was going to attend this meeting because Nathan had to leave the city urgently.

I couldn't change my meeting with Ethan Carter at the last minute, it would be inappropriate and unprofessional behavior towards him. Moreover, if my father heard about it, he would ask for an explanation from me which I couldn't give him for now. He would guess there was some serious problem if I changed the meeting at the last minute.

I loosened my tie while walking into my office after the meeting, and closed the door behind me. I sat down on my seat as I placed the files on the desk and grabbed the painkiller which my assistant brought for me. My head was still pounding. The painkiller which I took this morning didn't help me.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I rubbed my temple and picked up the phone.

"Sir, Mrs. Wright wants to see you." My secretary informed.

"Let her in."

A few seconds later, the door opened and Sienna walked in.

"Hey." She beamed at me and closed the door behind her.

"Hi, sis." I greeted her as I stood up and approached her. I kissed her cheek, giving her a half hug and stroked her belly gently. "How is my niece?" I asked softly.

"She is fine." She replied, smiling and rested her hand on her showing belly. "How are you? I am sorry, but you look bad." She said, worried and rested her hand on my forehead. "Are you ill?"

"No. I am fine." I replied as I pulled back and approached my desk.

"Would you like something to drink?" I asked as I sat down on my seat.

"Water, please." She replied as she sat down on a vacant chair beside my desk. "I have an appointment with my doctor in an hour. I finished my shopping early. Romeo is in the meeting. So I came to see you and Dad while waiting for him. He told me he will pick me up from here." She informed.

"Great. How is my friend? I hope he doesn't annoy you so much." I asked, smirking mischievously.