Chapter 8

THE KIDNAP Clifford returned home to an unusual silence. Feeling a bit of unease, he called out to Rosita but there was no answer. "Why this awkward atmosphere?" He grumbled mentally himself while gliding up to the bedroom with the hope of finding her there but there was no sign of her. He searched through the washroom and the entire house but couldn't find her. He tried contacting her but her phone was switched off. "This is so unusual of her." He thought while staring at the screen of his phone. Leaving with no option than to ask around, he sauntered out to their neighbors and enquired from them if they had noticed his wife going out or heard any strange noises from his house but none of them could help. He instinctively raked his hand through his hair as frustration took the best of him. Returning back into the house, he sauntered over to the sofa, slamming himself in it as thoughts on what to do rushed through his mind. At that instant, it dawned on him that he was yet to contact his family. "Maybe she might be with any of them." He said to himself, reaching out for his phone from the table. The first person it came to mind to contact was Lian. He scanned through the phone for his number which he dialed on getting hold of it. After a short ring, Lian answered "Hello Cliff?" Lian muttered from the other side of the phone. "Lian, Is Rosita with you?" Clifford asked, forgoing all formalities and pleasantries as anxiety held the best of him. "No Cliff," Lian hastily snapped in. 'What happened between you two." He asked, confused. "Nothing, " Clifford replied, his voice echoed out his worry. 'She told me about going shopping today." He hinted, 'But I returned from work only to meet her absence. I have searched everywhere but can't find her." He emphasized. " Have you tried calling her?" Lian questioned. "I did but her phone has been switched off." He replied. "What! Lian almost exclaimed. 'This is so usually of her" He commented, starting to get uncomfortable with the issue at hand. "Yes I know, that's why I'm so worried". " But have you called Nicholas and Houston to check from them?" Lian asked. "No" He answered, already losing control of himself. "Calm down Cliff, " Lian uttered on noticing his unstable mind. 'Let's do this." He proposed. 'Call Nicholas and Houston and let's see. I will head to your place now." He added and dropped the line. Clifford on the other hand, called Houston and Nicholas as Lian suggested but none of then knew where Rosita was. Clifford at that instant felt like his world was coming to an end as his mind raced out to how Rosita might be feeling now and danger she might be in. Just then, Lian's car pulled up in front of the house and called out to his brother. " Cliff–" He shouted, which brought Clifford rushing out of the house. 'Let's go see mum, who knows, she might be with her." He added as Clifford neared him. Without a second thought, Clifford hurried to the other side of the car, pulling the door opened as they both settled in. After a few seconds, they speed off to their mother's house. ******* THE HOLLANDS' MANSION After about 40mins drive, Lian pulled up in front of the mansion and they both rushed into the house to meet their mother while Lian kept calling to her. "Mum..! Mum..! Lian shouted while they staggered into the hall with Clifford also calling out to Rosita. " Rosita..! Rosita..! Are you here? Clifford cried making their voices echoe simultaneously as it filled the house. All the workers and Mad.Flora instinctively came rushing out to meet them as they both sounded urgent. "Lian, Clifford, what's going on?" She questioned as she neared them. 'Why are you two here?" She added with her brows slightly furrowed. "Mum–" Clifford cried, 'We can't find Rosita. Is she here?" He queried as his eyes searched the house. "What!" Mad. Flora exclaimed. 'I have not seen nor heard from her the whole of today." She pointed out. The whole house was instantly thrown into rumpus and chaos with this revelation. 'I think we should report this to the police." Their mother suggested. "Okay mum." Lian answered. Without wasting another second, Lian raced out of the house to his car. He settled in and sped of to file a report at the police station. Clifford on the other hand stood quietly scanning the room when he noticed Nichole's absence. "Where is Nichole?" He asked his mother. 'She is in her room." Mad. Flora who had not seen much of Nichole concluded. 'I think she is asleep." She added but Clifford felt something fisher going on. 'How come she went with Rosita and she came back but Rosta didn't." He grumbled to himself. After a few more thoughts, he decided he needed answers. 'Excuse me mum," He said, 'I need to talk to her." He continued, rushing upstairs to Nichole's room. "Why son?" Mad Flora shouted after him. 'Is everything alright?" She queried but Clifford was already gone. Back in Nichole's room, she sat on her bed while on the phone with the kidnappers. " We have done as you asked." A deep voice uttered from the other side of the phone. 'Now she is with us." He went on. 'So what should we do with her?" He asked. "Good job guys." She commented while her mouth curved into a smirk. 'Just keep her for now and wait for my orders." She ordered. ' I will send the rest of your balance soon" she added. Just then, she heard a heavy knock on the door. She instinctively got startled and hastily dropped the line. The knock came down again but this time, more fierce than the first. She quickly hurried to the door with tensed shoulder and slowly pulled it opened. Instantly, Clifford rushed in brushing her aside. "Where is Rosita? And what have you done to her?" He roared in fury. Nichole closed the door and turned to Clifford with an innocent face. "I don't know what you are talking about." she replied with a furrowed brow. "Don't try to play innocent with me" Clifford angrily snapped in but Nichole seemed not bothered with his reactions. She slowly advanced towards him in seductive manner. "If there is any kidnapping to be done," She uttered slightly biting on her lip. 'Then I would have rather come for you for because it's you I want." He continued with pursed lips. 'Moreover, " She slowly curbed Clifford's faces as her lustful eyes lingers his face. 'I have not even stepped out of the house today." she lied. Getting irritated with her advances, Clifford instinctively pushed her away and angrily left to the door but suddenly froze in his tracks and gazed back at her like he had forgotten something. "I won't let you go scot free if anything happens to Rosita and my unborn child." He warned and left, slamming the door shut. Nichole's smirk broadened as she tossed herself on her bed in satisfaction. "You will be mine soon, Clifford." She mumbled to herself with a smile dancing merrily on her lips.