My Ice Prince - стр. 65
I went to the ticket office, ordered a ticket and, when it was time to pay, I was horrified to find that I had forgotten my purse with my wallet and phone in that horrible restaurant.
«What incredible bad luck! But there's nothing to be done: no one will drive me for free, so I have to go back there» I thought with annoyance and walked quickly to the restaurant: I remembered the way to it, because Mariszka's car had driven past it, and I had a good memory for directions. As I approached the restaurant, I suddenly heard Markus's voice.
– I'm glad you're here» he said, sighing heavily. – I'm afraid I have terrible news. I've wanted to tell you for a long time, but I've never been able to get away from Prague, even for a day, and it's a matter that can't be discussed over the phone – it's too personal.
– It's okay, Markus, the main thing is that you found the time. So, what happened to you? – A charming man's voice answered him (I recognised it immediately. it was Brandon Grayson). – You don't look so good. I've never seen you like this before.
– I'm lost, Brandon. I couldn't even imagine… It hurts me to even think about it. I can't understand how it happened because there's so much my parents won't tell me, so his last day in Prague is a mystery to me.
– What do you mean?
– Cédric disappeared.
«Cedric disappeared»? Not moved away like they told me, but disappeared?» – This news discouraged me. I stopped, leaned against the wall of the building, and even held my breath: I suddenly had a chance to find out about why Markus was so angry and worried.
– Disappeared? – Brandon was surprised too, judging by the tone of his voice.
– Yes. He realised it was us who hid her from him. But don't worry: he doesn't even know she was-» Crap! I didn't hear the last of his words, because a huge double-decker bus drove past me, followed by another one, drowning out the roar.
I mentally cursed: this conversation could be the key to Markus's secret!
When the buses were gone and there was relative silence, I listened again.
– Cedric's trouble is that he fell in love with the wrong woman» Brandon said grimly.
«How could Cedric fall in love with the wrong woman? Cedric! With his beautiful soul! If he chose her, then she's perfect!» – I was in fundamental disagreement with this saying, though I knew nothing of the «wrong woman.»
– Yes, damn her! But he disappeared. At the end of August, the day after we hid her» Markus said.
– 'Isn't there any trace of him?
– There isn't. He trashed the hall, burned all the paintings and our family portrait, but he talked to our parents for about twenty minutes and demanded we give her back to him, then he stormed off, got in his car and drove off. And those rattlers didn't even stop him! When I found out about it, it was like I was blind and deaf at the same time. If it hadn't been for Mariszka, I'd have gone mad. Cedric almost killed me.
– I had no idea it would turn out so tragically» Brandon muttered. – Was he so obsessed with her?
– As you can see. I've got the Secret Service on my ear, thousands of private investigators working for me, but so far there hasn't been a single lead: it's like Cedric's vanished off the face of the Earth.
– I'm sorry, Markus, and I want to help: I have a lot of connections, in all circles.