Giorgio welcomed Jon and Julia, very happy to see them together and made some jokes about them getting married at this hotel’s next conference, so he could save some money on air tickets too.
Jon spoke directly about the subject – thanks but we are not joining. We are looking for Elisa.
Lina abruptly answered, jump scaring Julia – well, in the groom’s room it’s the last place to look, I suppose? Julia noticed she had no humor at all in her comment – maybe she is upset about their presence in there, she told herself.
Then, Giorgio’s mother completed: she is probably with her mother. Unless she is hanging out with the bridesmaids while you are here, missing all the fun – laughing loudly with a voice that resembled a crow yelling after smoking for 20 years.
Giorgio interrupted his family little scene by asking - is everything okay Julia? Did anything happen to Elisa? Do I have to worry? Be honest.
Oh no Giorgio, I am pretty sure she is fine. I just want to make sure I gave the right instructions to the wedding planner earlier. Jon and I are already leaving, and we will check with her mom – Julia said, making Jon confused. She pulled Jon’s suit from the back to signal it was time to go. Jon immediately wished Giorgio good luck and left with Julia.
Once they were out, Jon asked “what is the plan now? Shouldn’t we have said something to him?”.
I have no idea, and I need a drink; this is stressing me out. They went to the bar, and on their way, like if it was written by the fate, Ms. White found them and asked, “Did you find my daughter?”
Just to make explicit to Julia that Elisa was missing and there was something going on for sure. No, did you? Julia asked, already knowing the answer.
Oh no, not yet! I believe she is with Lina and Paolla, but I can’t find them two anywhere.
Jon was about to tell Ms. White that both were in Giorgio’s room, when Julia signals him to be silent. Julia then promised Ms. White that she was going to let her know as soon as she found Elisa, or Lina and her mother, and asked her to do the same, to which Ms. White immediately agreed.
Ms. White then walked away to her husband while Jon and Julia moved to the bar.
Why didn’t you tell her? Jon asked.
Because she would be crazy worried, and I won’t tell anyone until I make sure that Elisa is okay.
Julia was trying to feel confident and take the responsibility to solve that mystery to save other people from being worried. She had been used to solving everything by herself and didn’t ask for help, since she was very young, but this time she had no idea what to do next. So, they just stay in the bar in silence, having their drink while trying to call Elisa. No answer.
Julia then got his hand and in silence pulled him back to the hall, going straight to that niche in the wall and said, “I think here was the last place anyone saw Elisa”. So, they looked for signs, clues, anything that could help. They touched the walls, the painting, tried to open the window, that was stuck, and finally went downstairs to the parking lot where they could see the window from the outside. There was nothing at all, no ideas left, and it was time for the wedding.
Everyone was in their positions and Jon went to the garden to look for his friends, while Julia was taking her place with the bridesmaids. Everyone seemed relaxed and happy, and no one apparently was noticing or mentioning any issues. The ceremony started as planned, and beside him, Ms. White and Julia, there were no concerns about Elisa at all.
Jon regretted not telling Giorgio that could have something off, but he didn’t want to create chaos unless it was necessary.
Everyone was in their positions, and Giorgio seemed to be very happy and emotional. Julia was the only one not smiling up there. So, the bridal march started playing and to Jon’s surprise, there was a very happy bride with her father was coming in.
CONTINUES IN THE BOOK 1 OF THE STORYTELLERS SERIES
LINK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ7H4TFC
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