Where Are You Emma?

After I checked into the hotel and paid the bill, I threw myself on the bed helplessly and began shedding tears. How could I have been so stupid as to throwing her out? How could I not trust her simply because all the evidence pointed to her? I should have known that evidence can be fake too. Now, my innocent sister had been tortured and whipped all because of me.

I decided to order some drinks and called room service. There was poor reception. I frowned. I stormed to the reception immediately where I caught sight of a beautiful woman that looked as if she was in her early twenties. As she was speaking to the receptionist, she smiled and when she did, her white teeth showed. Wow!

She turned to look at me and I couldn't help but notice that that face was familiar. I approached the young lady. "Excuse me?", I asked and continued " Have I met you before?". She flashed a cool smile and replied "No. This is my first time of staying in California. I'm here on business". Then, she thanked the receptionist and left. "Hmm!", I thought. I turned to the receptionist "May I know her name please?", I pleaded.

"I am really sorry Mr Jeff but disclosing personal information about anybody is against professional ethics. My apology.", she answered politely. I smiled warmly and took out a wad of bank notes "What does a hundred dollars have to say about it?", I asked. "Erm. Mr.. Mr.. Jeff", she stuttered. "Please.", I begged.

"Fine but I will talk softly so no one can hear me or else I'll lose my job.", she whispered.

"Fine with me.", I whispered back. "Marina Daisy", came her reply. "Marina", I thought. "Thank you. Here's your money. Now, send me two bottles of beer to my room. I need to chill off for a while", I said and she agreed. That night, I drank to stupor. I had no idea where to find Emma or how to begin. I dozed off around 2 o'clock in the morning and woke up by the constant ringing of my phone. I slightly frowned and muttered "What does Tricia want now?".

I answered the call reluctantly. " What do you want?", I asked impatiently. She replied gleefully "I have gotten news about Emma from one of my agents. Come home now". I smiled and jumped off the bed excitedly and yelled "Give me twenty minutes." I immediately had a shower and checked out of the hotel. I found a taxi and asked the driver to speed up.

She hugged me tight but I pulled away from her grip. "What is the news about Emma?", I asked. "Oh yes. She's here in California. She just arrived yesterday. I found this out from one of my friends who works as an agent at the airport. She told me that four years ago, Emma had flown to Los Angeles out of desperation to leave the family who had betrayed her behind and start afresh, and also to receive treatment for the scars she obtained while in prison. But when she got back, she had a completely different identity. She had changed her name to erm.. Marina. Yes, that's the name.", Tricia said excitedly.

I wanted to be sure I heard well so I asked "Marina?". She replied excitedly "Yes. Marina Daisy." I fell to my knees. "What's wrong?", she asked nervously. I didn't reply her. I stood up and rushed to my car. Tricia yelled after me "I heard she lodged at De Remembrandt Hotel here in California last night. That was the hotel I lodged at yesterday. Yep! It was definitely her.

I sped to the hotel and asked the receptionist about Marina. What she said broke me. ",I am sorry Mr Jeff but she just left not quite long ago. Her flight is scheduled for ten minutes from now", she answered me. This could not be happening.