Chapter 7

THE PLOT It was a beautiful Monday morning, Clifford still laid in bed fast asleep, unaware of the time. He was enjoying his sleep when he suddenly got startled by the ring of the alarm. Checking the time, he noticed that it was already past 6:00am. Evident enough that he was getting late for work. He instinctively jumped out from bed while calling his wife. "Rosie.., Rosie.." He cried, sauntering towards the washroom. "Yes..., Sweetheart." Rosita responded from the kitchen. "Why didn't you wake me up dear?" He continued. 'I'm almost late for work now." He said as his voice faded into the washroom. "Sorry Sweetheart," Rosita answered, still busy in the kitchen. 'I didn't want to be late for my appointment with Nichole so I woke up early. I thought it was too early to wake you then." she replied. After a few more minutes of moving to and fro in the kitchen, she moved the meals to the dinning table, setting it up. Not long after getting everything set, Clifford came rushing down. " Rosie, I have told you I don't like your friendship with her." He said, continuing the conversation from where they left it from. 'I don't like this whole idea of going shopping with her." He hinted. " Honey–," Rosita snapped in. 'I thought we have already talked about this? Anyway, why are you so against our friendship?" She asked while diving into her meals. Clifford looked at Rosita with much concern but didn't give her any reason. "Sweetheart, you don't need to be afraid of anything." Rosita assured, noticing his look. 'It's just shopping. Nothing is going to happen." She smiled, rubbing Clifford's shoulder. Though he didn't like the idea, he let go anyway, knowing well he wasn't going to win the agreement and the rest of the meals continued in silence. A few more minutes later, Clifford checked his time and instinctively stood up. "Damn, I have to go dear. " He peeked her forehead. 'Take care of yourself and the baby. I will be calling to check." He said and sped out of the door. Rosita watched as his back faded through the door at it slammed shut. " You too sweetheart," She said. 'love you–" Rosita cleared the table and went up to get ready for her meeting with Nichole. HOLLANDS' MANSION Nichole had all plans set and wouldn't afford to do anything to jeopardize it. Especially with how naively Rosita had fallen into her trap. She quickly freshened up and got ready to leave. She glided downstairs and met Mad. Flora at the hall. " Good morning mum." She said, giving her a peek on the cheeks. "Good morning Sweetheart," She replied. 'You are looking dashing today. Are you going somewhere?" She asked. "Yes mum, I'm going to meet my friend who returned from Canada" she lied. "Okay, sweetheart. Take care" Mad. Flora replied and Nichole sauntered of the door, leaving to the car park. Gliding Intl he car, she boggled her seat belt while starting the car. After a few seconds, she speed off. Few miles away from the house, she dialed the unknown number once again. After a few rings, he answered. "Hello.." The voice cried. "Guys–" Nichole hastily snapped in. 'I've set off and you know what to do." She added, not needing to explain further as they understood what she meant. Not wasting another second, she hanged up. Half way through her journey, she found a spot at a café which was just perfect for her plans and packed her car. She quickly took her handbag and purse, slamming the door shut as she locked it and went in for a taxi to Clifford's apartment. CLIFFORD'S APARTMENT Back in Clifford's apartment, Rosita was all ready waiting for Nichole. After several hours of waiting, she finally heard the sound of a car pulling up in front of the house. She peeped through the window and it was a taxi. Looking a bit confused, she staggered out and it was Nichole. "Nichole, why are you here in a taxi?" she asked. But Nichole was readily prepared for her question. "I had a problem with my car so I have sent it to the mechanic." She replied. " Okay dear." Rosita answered not finding anything suspicious with it. 'We can use mine." She suggested and Nichole nodded in agreement. 'Just give me a minute." She said, turning back to the house. She locked the door and they both left in Rosita's car. FORD INDUSTRIES On the other hand, Clifford sat in his office unable to concentrate on his work. Nichole's words kept echoing in his mind. He feeling a bit uneasy and disturbed, he called his wife to check on her. ' hello sweetheart, " He said as Rosita answered the call. 'Are you okay?" He questioned. 'Yes dear, " She answered from the other side of the phone. 'I'm off to the kid's boutique to shop for the baby's cloths and other things we may need for the baby." She went on unaware of Nichole's glare. She stared at her wearing a stern with so much contempt lingering in her eyes but instinctively masks it with a fake smile whenever Rosita looked her way. Rosita in turn smiles back, still not aware of her schemes. " Okay dear, take care." Clifford finally muttered after being on the phone for almost 30mins. "Just worried about you and the baby." He cautioned. "No need to dear," Rosita assured. 'I'm perfectly fine." Rosita reassured and he hanged up feeling a little relieved. KIDDIE'S MOTHER CARE It was around I:00 pm when they got to the shop. Rosita found a spot to pack her car at the packing lot. When they were sure they had everything they will need from the car, they trod into the shop. They went round, picking and selecting outfits for the baby. All along, Nichole kept looking at her phone and Rosita seemed to notice every time she does that. "Nichole, is everything alright?" She asked with a quizzical gaze. "Hm...yeah." She stuttered. 'I just received a message from my mum. She said my friend has arrived here in Australia and she wants me to go for her at the airport and send her to her hotel." She replied. " Okay," Rosita mumbled. 'Why don't you go then, she might be waiting. " She urged her with much concern. " Sure?" Nichole queried, acting a bit skeptical. 'Will you be okay?" She asked. "Sure, Why not?" Rosita snapped in. 'Come on, go ahead. I will be fine" She smiled, rubbing Nichole's arm. Her mouth instinctively curved into a smile. " I will make it up to you," She said while heading to the exit. 'I promise" she muttered over her shoulders as she walked out of the door, slamming it shut. When she was sure she was out of ear earshot called her gang once again. "keep an eye on her and take action." She uttered. 'She uses a blue corolla car." She went on, hinting out everything they need to know. 'And she packed at spot 2 in the packing lot. There should be no mistakes." She cautioned and hanged up. Pushing the phone back Into her bag, called a taxi and left to the café where she had left her car. Few hours later, Rosita was ready to leave. She trod into the packing lot to get her car. Just then, she heard foot steps behind her. She deftly turned around but didn't see anyone. She got a bit startled at that instant and quickened her steps to the car. By now, she was so scared and shaken that she found difficulty in opening her car. Just then, she felt a hard hit from behind her and instantly blacked out.