Chapter 10

THE TRAP Nichole sat quietly in her room thinking about her encounter with Clifford. "I know Clifford suspects me and I need to do something about this." She admitted, 'And it's needs to be done fast to tame him." She emphasized. Weeks had already passed since Rosita disappearance and the search for her by the police seems to prove futile. Clifford tailing Nichole had neither yielded any fruits yet. He had returned home from one of those rounds feeling exhausted, hurt and disappointed. The need for food being he last thing on his mind. With the last energy left, he sauntered to the washroom to freshen up. THE HOLLAND'S MANSION Back in the mansion, Mad.Flora and all the workers have left off to bed. Nichole tiptoed from her room to the hall and when she was sure that nobody was around, she sneaked out to the car park. She was about to get her car but thought it won't be wise going out with it. She sneaked out of the house and called a cab. She ordered the driver to take her to an isolated location. "Please take me to this location." she said to the driver and handed him a piece of paper with an address on it. "Okay, ma'am" The driver answered and zoomed off. THE GOON'S HIDEOUT In about an hour later, the cab finally pulled up in front of the isolated building. Nichole got out of the car and ordered the driver to wait for her. "Please, wait for me here" She requested but the driver felt hesitant. "No ma'am," He said. 'I have to go and work." He explained. "How about I giving you $100 for waiting for me." Nichole hastily snapped, knowing well what could just do the trick. There was a long silence for a while but the driver accepted. "Okay, I will wait." He replied with a nod. The driver found a spot to pack whiles Nichole went in to meet the goons. Rosita sat in the room weak and unkept. Suddenly, she heard murmurs from outside and recognized a familiar voice but couldn't figure out who it was. The goons showed Nichole where they hide Rosita after their long conversation. Rosita sat with her head bowed when she felt a shadow fell on her. She lifted her eyes and saw a lady's foot. In panic, she hastily lifted her head and was shocked with what met her eyes. "Ni–Nichole?" She muttered as a flush of shock swept her face. "Yes." She chortled with a devilish grin plastered on her lips. 'It's me." She added with a smugish gaze. 'Why are you doing this Nichole?" Rosita queried, not sure on the reason why Nichole will do something like that; having taken her as a friend. "Because you stole my man from me." Nichole shouted, followed with a heavy slap across Rosita's face. 'And l'm going to make you regret for the rest of your life." She blunted out and without waiting for another seconds, strolled off. "I trusted you Nichole–" Rosita cried, 'I thought you were my friend." She called after Nichole amidst tears but Nichole was already gone. The night passed in pain and misery for Rosita as she never expected something so cruel like this from Nichole. She regretted not listening to her husband. LIAN'S APARTMENT It was a bright and beautiful morning, Lian was busy sorting out some documents when he heard a knock on the door. "I'm coming– " He answered, hurry over to get it. He swung it opened and was met with the sight of Clifford. "Why so early bro, " He mumbled with a quizzical look. 'Any news about Rosita yet? " He inquired. Clifford instinctively sighed as he pushed his way in. "No Lian," He said. 'But I have something to discuss with you." He added, walking over to the sofa. 'What is it about?" Lian muttered skeptically as he closed the door and followed his him. "Where is everybody?" He asked, lurking around as the house was usually quiet than it used to be. "Kathie has left to the office." Lian hinted. 'And the kids are also off to school." Lian added. 'Okay, that's good. I want to talk to you about Nichole." Clifford said, stating back to the reason why he had come. "What is it about her?" Lian asked. "I suspect Nichole of Rosita's disappearance." Clifford uttered in one breath; going straight to the point. "What–! " Lian exclaimed, jolting up in shock. " Yeah Lian, I believe she have something to do with it. I have been tailing her for weeks now but am not getting anything." He explained but Lian couldn't just believe his ears. "Aren't you just imagining things?" He queried. 'She being a threat earlier to your marriage does not make her a bad person." Lian affirmed. "I know Lian." Clifford snapped in. 'But that's not all." He cited, trying his best to justify himself but Lian just won't listen. "Don't think too much Cliff, we will find Rosita soon. I know you are worried and all that but please calm down." He assured. Clifford stared at him for a while and sighed as silence engulfed the atmosphere. "I will leave now Lian." Clifford said, breaking the silence. He shrugged up, sauntering over to the door looking a bit gloomy and disappointed that his brother doesn't believe him. "We will find her soon bro." Lian called after him as he shuffled out of the door. Gilding into the yard, Clifford went to his car and drove off. CLIFFORD'S APARTMENT Though Clifford left Lian's house early, he had few errands which occupied him throughout the day. After the long and tedious ride, he arrived home late and exhausted. He drove to the car park and parked his car. After which he went into the house. Stepping in, he felt something unusual. "Something is not right here." He said to himself, lurking around but didn't find anything. 'I guess it's just my thoughts." He grumbled to himself and left to the kitchen to get something to eat. After having his fill, he went upstairs, sauntering straight into to the washroom to freshen up. Just then, he heard foot steps in the bedroom. "Who is there?" He asked with ears edged but there was no answer. He instinctively shrugged, thinking it was just his thoughts and quickly washed down. After about 30mins, he returned to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist whiles his eyes went scanning the entire room but found nobody there. He gave up and went to dress up. Suddenly, he felt a hand caressing his back softly, arousing his desires. He tried turning around but the hand traveled down his pants. To which his body arch with need as he already had a boner and couldn't handle the intensity of it.