As I step next to his grave, I think to myself, coming to this dreadful place never gets easier. In fact, it tends to get harder and sadder every visit. I shouldn't have to come to a place like this to visit you. We should be planning family dinners and going to the park for picnics. Our kids should be having sleep overs and play dates, but instead, this is how we are forced to spend our time together. It just isn't fair. 

"You should be here with me," I sniffle placing the red roses on top of his grave.

"Emma, is that you?" I hear Mrs. Nixon say from behind me.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Nixon."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude on your time with Ben. How are you, Emma?" 

"I'm alright. I'll be a lot better once I find the monster who murdered my brother."

"Are there any updates about Nova?" she asks, and I feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Unfortunately, no.  There are no new updates on Nova. I will not stop until I find whoever did this."

"I hope you find them, Emma. Whoever it is, they need to pay. You're in my thoughts and prayers, so is Nova."

"Thank you, Mrs. Nixon, I couldn't agree more. Give your husband my love. Back to work I go." I softly smile.

The drive to work is filled with my tears rolling down my face and determination to find who I have been searching for all these years.

"I will find them," I say with certainty in my voice. 

Arriving at work I see Captain Briggs looking somewhat down. I quickly throw my truck in park and hurry out. He notices me and makes his way towards me. The closer he gets, the more I see anger in his eyes.

"Captain, are you alright?"

"No, I'm not alright, Emma. Come with me to my office," he insists. We begin to pick up our pace and get to his office. He unlocks the bottom drawer to his desk and tosses a file on top of the desk.

"Is that the file I'm thinking it is?" 

"Yes. We're reopening this case, Emma," he informs me. I feel my heart start to race and a glimmer of hope set in. 

"Emma, I am willing to give this case back to you, but I want a promise and your word as one of my best agents, you will not become so overly obsessed with this case that will force me to pull you off of it."

"I promise you and I give you, my word; I will treat this case like any other case," I try and convince him. He leans back in his chair, and he raises and eyebrow.

"Come on, Emma, you and I both know this isn't just any other case. This is your brother and missing daughter."

"I know. This case belongs to me, Captain. I'll prove to you I can handle this and keep my sanity with it."

"Ok. The case is yours and you know what that involves, Emma."

"Yes, I do know what it will involves."

"You are officially undercover. I'm going to allow you to choose your undercover name."

"I do have a name in mind. My grandmother's name."

After a month goes by, I decide to go by a new laptop. The one I've been using is on its last legs. I go to the mall and purchase a new one. The smell coming from the food court catches my attention and I head towards it. As I turn the corner, someone bumps into me and soon fall back onto my butt. The impact on the floor sends my laptop and purse flying. 

"Ouch, damn it," I hiss rubbing my sore butt. My eyes look up and are met with a pair of ocean blue eyes attached to an incredibly goodlooking tall gentlemen.

"I'm sorry, madam, I was on my phone," here, let me help you up. He extends his hand out for me to grab. I place my hand in his and he pulls me up to my feet. I can't help but take notice to his intoxicating scent of Dior Sauvage cologne.

"Great, the laptop I bought five minutes ago is now cracked," I snap.

"That's not a problem," he says annoying me.

"That's easy for you to say. I have to do majority of my work on this computer."

"And what does your job involve that you need to do it on a computer?"  My mind searches for an answer.  I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

"I'm a writer."

"Oh, I see. Well, come with me," He insists.

"Come with you? Why would I go anywhere with a complete strange man I don't know?"

"Well, miss, if you want me to replace your cracked unusable computer, we kind of need to go to the electronics store together."

"Oh, well, ok then," I awkwardly reply. 

"Ladies first, he steps aside opening the door allowing me in.

"Thank you," i reply in a low tone.

"Hi, was there something wrong with your computer?" The employee lady asks.

"Hello. Let's just say, me and my computer got knocked down by Mr. not watching where he was going, and now my computer is cracked," I snap and see him smile.

"She's right, it was my fault. I would like to pay for a replacement, please," he says. She looks up at him and the color starts to drain from her face.

"Are you alright?" I ask her.

"Um, yes. Let me go in the back room and grab another laptop," she replies as she hurries off.

"Wow that was a little worried," I say and feel eyes on me that gives me an uneasy feeling.

"Tell me your name," he demands. 

"Why? It's not like we're ever going to see each other again after this," I retort.

"How can you be so certain of that? You never know what fate has in store," he smiles.

"Well, I have my doubts fate will play a role in us seeing each other again, Mr?"

"Marino," he whispers.

"Is that your last name?"

"Yes, Stefano is my first name. See how easy this is sharing names? I have all day if you do. You really going to make me play the guessing name game?" he winks, and I can't help but smile.

"Ok, fine. You win.  I'm Dorothy Mercer.," I extend my hand. He gently grabs it and places a soft kiss on top of it. His beautiful blue eyes latch onto mine and I find myself losing my breath.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful lady." 

"Um, pardon me, but I have your laptop," she interrupts. 

"Oh, yes. Here is my card to pay for it." 

"Thank you, Stefano. Have a great day," I say as I walk away. His words stop me in my tracks.

"Have dinner with me Saturday, Dorothy," he shouts. I turn back towards him with a soft smile.

"If our fate is to see each other again without dinner plans, then I'll agree to see you again, Stefano. Let's see if our fate is to see each other again without any plans."

"I have a feeling you're the stubborn type, Dorothy."

"You're not wrong with your feeling, Stefano. Goodbye."

"I'll make sure fate is on my side, Dorothy." he whispers watching me walk out of the store and holding up my wallet.