Momentum

First couple of pages from what is supposed to grow into a mystery, thriller novel.

It was one of the darkest nights in my life. Sitting on my expensive sofa inside my penthouse, sipping on a glass of the most exquisite whiskey, It hit me. My life was nothing I imagined it to be.
The night was starless, just like my life. Dark, empty and cold.
It is strange, but when life gives us everything, we stop feeling it fully. Happiness felt softer, victories felt quieter and even love felt less intense. Nothing excited me like it used to before. My eyes wouldn't sparkle at the sight of my beloved. Friday nights with friends didn't bring me the feeling of joy. Food seemed tasteless and clothes, even the most expensive ones, couldn't change the way I felt. The hallowness inside me grew day by day turning into an abyss.
My father always told me it is impossible to be completely happy, yet I wondered was I ever really happy? Oh yes I was.
12 years ago I closed the first and the most profitable deal for my company and since then I spent years building the empire where I was the king. I have never felt the same happiness and thrill again after that day. Sebastian Scofield; the youngest and most successful entrepreneur in New York. What a life to live. But then, why did I feel so empty?
The silence of my huge penthouse was too oppressing. I got up and walked to the mirror. A stranger looked back at me. Who was this man? He was dressed in the finest suit, his hair nicely combed, black eyes; empty and dull. His lips didn't curve into a smile for too long, his muscular body and pale skin didn't see the sun for several months. I didn't know Sebastian, that looked at me in the mirror. He looked utterly unhappy.
"I want to disappear"
I whispered, the words left my mouth, echoed into the emptiness of the room and rushed back to me like a wave. I want to disappear... The thought ringed in my ears.
"I will disappear and start a new life." It sounded better each time I said it. And I repeated it over and over again.
My parents were long gone, I had some relatives and a couple of friends who, as I thought at that time, wouldn't care if I disappeared for good. My fiance Lisa, who I was with for 7 years, had everything she needed to live a good life even without me by her side. I believed she also wouldn't feel upset if I vanished. In fact, I was sure she had already found someone else, and would probably feel relieved not having to break up with me. I had seen her walking out of a restaurant with a good looking, well dressed man. The smile on her face suggested she was very happy. Though his hand, gently touching her shoulder, made me want to kick his well mannered ass. Yet I knew she deserved someone better than me. Maybe it was him.
As for my company; the empire I had created, I was sure my once best friend Martin would take good care of it. Our last conversations were nothing but business. I had a feeling he cared about the company more than he cared about me. My lousy attempt to share my worries about Lisa were completely ignored by him. It did hurt deep down. We used to be closer than brothers; we shared precious memories, worries and dreams. But hey, I decided I wouldn't cry like a little girl and just rolled with it.
Wherever I looked, I had a strong feeling that people would do better without me around. And I couldn't stop wondering how the hell I managed to become a third wheel in my own life. Luckily, I had enough money to buy a new one. And that was when I started planning everything out.


I went to my office, my steps quick and full of determination, my heart pounding loud in my chest. As I sat down at my desk, I grabbed my notebook. My gaze fell at the logo on its black leather cover; 'Atelier Scofield'. My fingers gently touched the logo as my breath slowly calmed. There was a time when my heart trambled at the sight of that logo. I used to take photos whenever I saw it on ad stands in the streets or shopping malls.
The perfume line that I created quickly overtook the market and became one of luxury brands. A sign of style and wealth. After many years the logo still made me feel proud, or was it nostalgia? Nostalgia for the times, when my heart felt alive and my dreams got me through sleepless nights, stress and poverty.
The scent of those days still lingered with me. The first scent I created that got me the best deal of my life. That scent was full of life, energy and willingness to succeed. 'Momentum' was the name I gave it. And it brought me to where I was now.
I shook my head and opened the notebook. For a second, my shaky hand hovered over the empty page and my eyes narrowed. Where do I start?
Who can help me?
Where do I move?
New Identity?
How to keep it all secret?
How much money will I need?
Change the last will.
Maybe fake death?
Sell properties.
Change my appearance? (people may recognize me I am too popular)
Do I ever want to come back?
As soon as I finished writing those it all felt too real. My breath caught, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. I quickly closed the notebook and froze for a few seconds. The pen fell from my hand and clattered onto the desk.
Am I really doing it? The whisper in my mind was laced with a hint of fear, a feeling that I hadn't experienced in years. I swallowed hard and a sudden wave of conviction washed over me.
Yes I am.
I breathed out and picked up the pen again. These were my key points and I needed to figure everything out. I was sure it was going to be very difficult, however there are very few impossible things for people who have money and connections. And I did have both.
And with that thought my hand reached for my phone. In my contacts there was one name that I had never used and never thought I ever would. Yet, I tapped on 'search' and typed in RICARDO. The contact popped up on my screen. Several deep breaths to calm the tremor in my body. I stood up and started pacing back and forth in my office. What do I actually tell him? Hi I want to disappear, help me? That sounded extremely stupid. Then I thought it would be better to meet him and talk about everything here in my office. Without giving myself any chance for doubt I typed "I want to talk to you. My penthouse tomorrow at 10am. I will wait." sent.