Chapter 12

THE SEARCH Clifford furiously drove out of the house with Lian. He was more determined and burnt on finding his wife now than ever. They drove through the busy street in long silence with neither of them ready to break the awkwardness. Though Clifford wasn't saying anything, the latter could read his determination from his face. Driving past the Kiddie's boutique, Clifford noticed his wife's car parked in the open space. "Isn't that Rosie's car?" He grumbled, pointing to the direction where the car was parked. Lian, upon his brother's words, channeled his gaze to the spot where his hand was directed. "I think it is Cliff, pull over and let's go have a look." He suggested. "Okay," He answered. Finding a perfect spot, Clifford parked the car and they both rushed out of it, scampering off to the shop. Getting to the entrance, Lian puled the door opened and the receptionist welcomed them with a smile upon noticing them. "Good morning sir, welcome to Kiddie's Care. How may I assist you," she uttered in one breath. 'Hello..." They both replied ' I want to enquire who that car is for," Clifford asked pointing to the car while the lady's gaze followed his hand. 'It's for a lady who came shopping here some few weeks back." She answered on an impulse. 'I don't know what happened but she left the car here and we've not heard from her since," she added. 'May I see her details?" Clifford asked. Without hesitation, the receptionist took out the records book for customers and gave it to Clifford. He in turn flipped through few pages, checking for Rosita's details and true to his assumptions, it was hers. ' She is my wife." He uttered, lifting his gaze from the book as he closed it up. 'She has gone missen for weeks now and we are trying to find her," He went on, handing it back to the receptionist. "How may I help, sir?" she asked as she took the book with anxiety written all over her face. " We just have a few questions to ask." LIan affirmed. " Sure, go ahead," she snapped in. " Did she come with anyone on that day?" Clifford inquired. " Yes," The receptionist answered. 'She came with a blonde lady her age who kept looking into her phone and quickly rushed out," she continued, giving more descriptive etails about the other lady. "Isn't that Nichole?" Lian affirmed as his brows heightened with surprise. 'Please can I see the security footage in the garage that day," Clifford requested from the lady, forgoing his brother's query. "Sure, Sir." She answered, beckoning for them to follow as she turn on her feet; taking the lead as she took them to the security control room. On getting there, she requested the security personnel to assist her counterparts then excused herself– knowing her assistance won't be needed anymore. " How may I help you sir?" the man asked "We want to see the security footage in the garage for the last three weeks," Lian answered "Sure sir" He replied The security personnel opened a folder displayed on the desktop and selected a file. The file lead them to a video and the man played it. Clifford and Lian were shocked by what met their eyes at that instant. " She was kidnapped!?" They grumbled with wild gazes. There was no way Clifford could hide his fury anymore. Without a word, he rushed out. "Thank you sir", Lian said to the man with a pat on the shoulder and rushed out after Clifford. "Cliff....., Cliff..." Lian called as he went after him but intuitively came at a stop when he met him in his wife's car. The former stood in wait as he watched his brother took out the camcorder. " Let's go, Lian," Clifford uttered as he came out of the car; taking the lead to his. Lian spontaneously scampered after him. Getting to the car, they sat in and the former turned on the engine– hitting the road once again with his blood boiling with rage. " Calm down Cliff, we now know who the suspect is. We just have to handle things more carefully and cautiously. We will find her." Lian assured, trying to calm his brother before he let's his emotions get the best of him. Clifford instantly allowed his gaze to travel to his brother with a knowing loo. "You believe me now?" He questioned as if on an impulse. " Sorry bro," Lian snapped in, 'there was no evidence and Nichole wasn't someone you can think that of," He pointed out. "Now you know," Clifford answered. The rest of the ride continued in silence with both of them thinking on how to reveal Nichole's true identity. SECURITY INVESTIGATION CENTER An hour later, Clifford pulled up in front of the security investigation center. They went in and gave the camcorder to one of the personnel to open the video for them to clear their doubts. The man went in with them and checked the files on the camcorder. He opened it and found the answer he wanted. "So Nichole was really with Rosita that day?" Lian asked "Yes Lian and I know she is responsible for her kidnap and this scandal as well." He replied with contempt. THE GOONS HIDEOUT Rosita was broken by the video she saw. She was speechless and had lots of questions on her mind that she needed answers to. She felt helpless. " Why did you do this to me, Cliff. I thought you loved me." she cried THE HOLLANDS' MANSION The whole Hollands family is thrown into chaos and confusion because of Clifford's video. They sat in the hall in silence, confused and disappointed. Nichole, seeing how distracted the family was, sneaked out of the house. Clifford and Lian had gone to a car rental shop and rented a new car to tail Nichole to find where she was hiding Rosita. They packed outside the house in wait of Nichole, just then, they saw her sneaking out into a cab. Lian noticed her and alerted Clifford "Isn't that Nichole? Where ie going and why is she not using her car." Lian asked "We will find that out soo, Clifford replied.