Lost In A Daydream

A fortnight passed by when Davion called Victoria in the evening. Her heart filled with hope and she eagerly accepted his call. 

“Yes, Davion. Did you find him?” She asked excitedly,  her heart thumping fast in her ribcage. 

“Yes, he had a big transaction yesterday and it has been traced to Long Beach, CA. I think he has bought a villa on Paloma Street, Ocean Boulevard. I’m on my way to see him,” said Davion. Victoria’s mouth hung open after hearing him. Colton was safe and alive? She just couldn’t believe herself. But how did Davion know that he had bought a villa?

“How did you know about the villa?” asked Victoria.

“Colton consulted our lawyer before signing the property deal,” said Davion. 

“I’m going with you, Davion,” said Victoria on the spur of the moment.

“No, Vicky. You have Asher to take care of. Also Colton would be furious at me. He doesn’t want to be found. You can visit him later,” said Davion. 

So Davion left and Victoria closed her eyes thanking God that he was safe and alive. Then her face lit up with a smile. She knew why Colton had bought a beach villa in Long Beach. She still remembered their conversation when they had gone out on a date the first time he had asked her out. 

 

Flashback (a few months back) 

Venue: Terrace of Royal Torres Casino and Hotels, overlooking The Strip,

“How many dates did you have here?” asked Victoria curiously.

“I don’t do dates. This is my first,” he said gruffly.

“Oh, I thought you frequently go out with women,” said Victoria, feeling a little awkward. 

“I don’t go out. It’s just to vent out my frustrations when I’m at my worst, “ he shrugged, looking away from her. 

“When I’m at my worst, I eat ice-cream,” said Victoria. 

“What else do you love to eat?” he asked, as they sat side by side facing the strip. 

“I love Italian food, Mexican food and of course, ice-creams,” said Victoria. “What about you?” she asked him. 

“I love everything that’s made especially for me with love,” he said, turning towards her, his eyes boring into hers. Victoria looked at him knowing fully well what he had implied. 

“What else do you love?” she asked him softly.

“Painting, you know about that and beer, fishing and traveling,” he said with a goofy smile on his face. “And you?” he asked her.

“A little villa on the beach with the one who loves me, red velvet cake and sunsets,” she told him. 

“You love beaches?” he asked her with surprise.

“Yes, after marriage, I wish I could live on a beach house!” she said with a faraway look in her eyes, as if she was lost in her dream world. Colton gazed at her and saw the dream reflected in her eyes. He suddenly felt a crazy wish to make her dreams come true!

End of Flashback 

 

Victoria smiled and her face lit up with hope. Colton had remembered. He had bought her a dream house on the beach! So would he come back to get her? Excitement coursed through her and she eagerly waited for an update from Davion. 

She was worried about Trevor appearing suddenly and starting to make wedding plans with her. He had messaged her two days back that he was away on some important work. There was no mention of the wedding and Victoria had been thankful. It was something that she would like to talk to him about. After knowing Colton’s feelings for her, she knew that she couldn’t marry Trevor anymore. It would ruin four lives, hers, Colton’s, Trevor’s as well as Asher’s. 

It was morning when Davion reached Long Beach CA. They had a number of casinos in California and two in Long Beach as well. Walking out of one of the car that his hotel had provided him with, he stared at the sprawling and scenic Spanish style villa that was set overlooking the beach. He walked down the picturesque brick walkway, looking around at the lush greenery around. There was a sound of a gushing waterfall which made him glance at the corner of the property. He could see a covered sitting area overlooking a koi pond, giving the place a park-like atmosphere. He had to appreciate Colton’s choice. The door was open and he peered inside. He could hear Colton’s voice talking to someone. 

Walking into the house, he saw Colton standing with his back towards him, busy talking to someone on his mobile. 

“Yeah, have the bed delivered right away. I’m sleeping on the floor, don’t you get it?” he yelled into the phone. Davion grinned hearing his conversation. 

“Yeah, I’m at home the whole day and the whole night. I’m jobless!” he yelled again. He really looked frustrated. 

“That’s none of your concern. All the furniture has been paid for, dammit!” shouted Colton. As he disconnected the call, Davion laughed heartily. It was clear that Colton sucked at house related stuff. Colton whirled around, startled by his laugh. 

“What the f*ck are you doing here, bro?” he asked Davion with a frown. “How did you find me?” He asked angrily. Davion rolled his eyes at him. 

“You can’t just disappear on your brother, Colt. I’ve been having nightmares worrying about you,” he scolded Colton. Colton stared at Davion and then his eyes filled up with tears.

“She’s getting married, you know. Victoria’s forgotten me,” said Colton, as big fat tears fell from his eyes. Davion went forward and hugged him tightly. 

“She still loves you, Colt. She’s worried sick about you,” said Davion. Colton released him and shook his head vigorously. 

“No, I don’t want to listen to anything. Please don’t tell anyone where I am. I want her to be happy with the one she’s chosen for herself,” said Colton. 

“Won’t you come back? How long will you stay here? It’s already been a month?” Asked Davion. 

“I’m not going back. I’ll spend the rest of my life alone here. I’ll look after the business from here, bro. Reno doesn’t have anything but bad memories for me,” said Colton. Davion spent a day with him and realized that he didn’t want anyone around him. He was trying to piece his life together and was a grumpy and lonely guy who needed just Victoria to make him alive again. 

“I’m happy here. Go back to your family, bro,” said Colton, as he poured himself some milk and ate his cereal for dinner. Davion looked at him warily. Any blind man could see that he was broken and somehow coping with his life. A master chef would never eat milk and cereal for dinner otherwise. But there was nothing much he could do to help him. 

Davion left him alone and went back to Reno and updated Sofia on everything. “Tell Vicky only if she’s serious about him. If she calls off her wedding and realizes her love for Colton, tell her. I don’t want her to give him a sympathy visit and then return back to get married to another. It would break Colton completely. He’s struggling to keep sane and alive,” said Davion. So Sofia didn’t update her twin about Colton’s state at all. 

It had been a week since that phone call from Davion and yet Victoria didn’t know anything about Colton. Not able to take it any more, she started packing Asher’s stuff as well as hers. She fed her baby and hired a car to take her to Long Beach, to her Colton. She was done with waiting for others to update her. Trevor had been missing for a month and she just realized that she could do without him in her life. But she couldn’t do without Colton. He was like oxygen to her. She needed him. 

The next day, in the wee hours of the morning, before her parents could wake up, she carried her luggage downstairs. The rental car had arrived and she loaded her luggage onto the car and took Asher and climbed in. It was a luxurious car and she had already fed Asher before starting her journey. He wouldn’t be hungry for another two hours. 

Saying  silent prayer, she eagerly clutched at her heart as the car sped off to Long Beach, CA. She didn’t know Colton’s address except that he lived on Paloma Street, Ocean Boulevard. 

After five hours, she reached her destination. “Where to, ma’am?” asked the chauffeur. Victoria called Davion to ask for the house address.

“What’s Colton’s address, Davion?” she asked in a rush.

“Why do you need it, Vicky?” asked Davion, massaging his temples. He didn’t want to betray Colton’s trust in him. 

“Because I’m sitting in a cab on Paloma Street, Ocean Boulevard with Asher. Tell me or else I’ll ask at every door,” she said in exasperation. 

Davion’s jaws dropped with shock. She went to see Colton with Asher without even knowing his address? He told her the address and immediately Victoria disconnected the call. Davion stared at the phone with shock! 

“There, that’s the house. Could you help me with the luggage please?” asked Victoria. 

“Sure ma’am,” said the kind cab driver. He parked the car and dropped her and Asher as well as helped her unload all her luggage and placed them at the doorstep of the house. She paid him handsomely and walked up to the door, pushing Asher’s stroller. Taking a deep breath, she rang the doorbell.