Chapter 38.
It skipped Vanessa’s mind that the key to her residence is inside her bakery, and now she isn’t aware of how her bakery was locked.
She felt baffled, not knowing whom to ask. While she strode back to the bakery… it hit her mind that Chloe must have visited when back from school.
But at the same time, she’s so convinced that the little girl won’t be able to lock up the bakery.
She stood in the veranda of her shop staring around. The image of everything that happened to her behalf flashing in her mind.
All that had occurred. She could invent how the thug stepped into her bakery and the conversations that took place within them.
She transfixed her palm on her waist while staring around.
She was drugged. It hit her mind the moment her memory went blurred, and when she got awake… It was in a strange environment.
Vanessa shook her head in disgust, the hell she’s passing through in the hands of Lillian is really getting to something else.
This time it isn’t just to bully her, rather she hired a thug to come deal with her.
She pulled her lips into an annoying smile, it’s high time she overlooked that lady. She won’t keep mute any longer, besides she’s only framing up accusations.
Vanessa decided to leave Xavier’s residence in order to find out how her bakery was locked up; she believed that they might know how it happened or rather help her sort it out.
While taking short but steady steps, she began contemplating on an issue. The only thing roaming in her mind at the moment is Xavier’s reaction when they couldn’t get me.
She wondered if he was troubled about her disappearance, or he was just feeling unconcerned.
Chloe sat at the veranda when she stepped into the compound, the little girl couldn’t believe her eyes. She ran into her arms with lots of embrace.
“Ma’am Vanessa… ” she called out, taking a good look at her.
She couldn’t believe the lady standing before her was her babysitter. The lady has been longing to know her whereabouts all this while.
“Why are you absent from school today?” She asked her.
Chloe shook her, wiping her a. “You’re the reason, how will I feel happy and leave for school when you’re nowhere to be found? I couldn’t sleep last night, no one to cuddle me.” She broke into tears.
“When I visited your bakery yesterday, it was unlocked but I couldn’t find you inside. I waited for up to an hour but couldn’t get your presence, so I had to call out for help and it was locked. Dad himself had searched everywhere but couldn’t find you, he then reported to the police custody.” She narrated.
Vanessa stood staring at her as she explained everything. She felt her heart bleeding in sorrow.
“Are you the only one at home? Tracy and Ben aren’t back from school yet huh?” She inquired again while they stepped into the sitting room.
Chloe nodded. “They aren’t back from school yet, but dad is upstairs… don’t worry, I’ll go call him.”
She left to her father’s bedroom to get him seated on the sofa counting on the ceiling. She knew the disappearance of Vanessa was really eating him up.
“Dad… ” she drew his attention.
Xavier adjusted on the seat in getting his daughter beside him. “Anything the matter? Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “Not all this, ma’am Vanessa is back… she’s in the sitting room now.”
Xavier got on his feet instantly. “Don’t tell it’s a joke. You’re serious about this huh?”
Chloe smiled. “Sure. Go see her.”
Xavier twitched out of the bedroom downstairs while Chloe followed him immediately. He was so shocked but damn happy.
“Vanessa. Is this really you?” He questioned taking short steps towards her.
Vanessa got on her feet stretching her lips into a wide smile. “It’s me Vanessa, Mr Xavier.”
He moved closer to her gripping her palm, they stared at each other completely.
Vanessa couldn’t believe Xavier would be acting this way on sighting her presence, she had thought Lilian would make him turn his back on her.
“I searched everywhere for you, including your home. But you weren’t there. So the next thing was to report the case to the police.” Xavier narrated.
She smiled again. “Chloe had told me everything. I would say thank you so much for locking up my bakery Chloe, because that alone drained all the blood in my veins.”
“How did this happen? I’m so shocked.” He asked.
She sat down and they did so too. “I just hope Lilian isn’t around, because I won’t love to drag issues with her.”
He wiped away the tears on her cheek. “Go ahead and explain everything to me.”
She swallowed. “I never knew he was a thug, but he came into the bakery and I thought he came to purchase. We dragged on so many issues and had some arguments… after which I found myself in a new environment when I got awake.”
She paused and wiped her face.
“I believed that he drugged me because at a time my head went blurred, but I was so convinced that Lilian hired him when he mentioned your name in the process of questioning me.” She stated.
Xavier gripped her palm, staring into her eyes. “I’m so sorry for everything Vanessa, please find a place in your heart and forgive me and my little daughter for all the pains you’re passing through. I had known that we are the reason you’re still here despite all, but please don’t turn your back on us.”
Her eyes caught Chloe who was shedding tears bitterly.
“Mr Xavier, why not make peace with Lilian so she can care for Chloe?” She bent her head low. “I’m totally fed up with this.” The last statement almost popped out of her mouth but she bit her lips.
Xavier tapped her shoulder. “Lilian can’t take care of my family. I’ve studied her so well.” He thought within him.
Chloe moved towards her and got seated on her thighs, she wrapped her palms round her.
“I’ll go prepare something for you to eat okay.” He assured her and got on his feet.
Vanessa kept staring at him until he vanished from her sight.
Who would believe Xavier would volunteer himself to prepare a meal for someone, talk more of a worker.
She smiled at that thought, all she wishes is that Lilian won’t arrive. Not that she will watch her act silly again… but she wouldn’t want to cause Xavier pains.
“I missed you so much, ma’am Vanessa. Everything about you.” Chloe uttered, drawing her attention.
She smiled at her. “I missed you too sweetheart.”
*******
Xavier prepared the meal as he had promised, and the three left to dine all together.
She watched as he dished the meal into their plates, before his.
“It seems great eating a meal prepared by a great CEO. I Just hope it’s sweet.” She uttered audibly.
Xavier couldn’t help it but laugh, all he wanted at this point was her happiness, at least so she would forget everything that had taken place for a while.
They slowly ate their food until the plate was emptied. He didn’t bother anyone, rather he cleaned up the dinning himself.
“You’ll have to go take your bath now, don’t worry I’ll get a new dress to put on.” He assured her.
She nodded and left upstairs to Chloe’s room, while Xavier got seated in the sitting room.
The door was rapped open and Tracy stepped in followed by Ben, they had their look on their faces which revealed how hungry they are.
“Good afternoon dad…” the both greeted.
He smiled at them and responded to their greeting. “Welcome…”
Chloe moved towards them smiling widely, she paused their movement. “My babysitter is back, she’s looking strong and healthy. The police found her.”
“Wow! That’s great news… but I’m so hungry.” Ben replied.
Tracy stood staring at them. “No wonder the smiles on both of your faces.”
“Dad prepared lunch, it’s in the kitchen.” Chloe announced.
Their eyes widened as they stared at him. He smiled knowing fully well that they were surprised.
“He did it because of your babysitter right? I know so well.” Tracy added.
He laughed out loud this time. “Now you can go.”
They left upstairs smiling.
Ben and Tracy got off their school uniforms and came down to the dinning in order to have their lunch.
They both got seated after the meal was served on the table.
“Tracy…” Ben called her.
She lifted her face, staring at him. “You called me, what’s wrong?”
He licked his lips not knowing how to put the words together in order to form a sentence.
“I… I’m… uhmmm!” He stammered wiping his face.
“Ben, are you okay?” Tracy asked.
He nodded. “Just that, I’m in love with Melissa… but I don’t know what to do about it.”
Tracy dropped her spoon. “You’re in love with Melissa, the one I know huh?”
He nodded.
“I see… lover boy. Why not go ahead and tell her, who will ever reject a handsome dude like you?” She uttered jokingly.
Ben swallowed deeply, he felt baffled. “I don’t know how to date her, but I won’t love to see her with another dude.”
“Then you need to do something very fast. Very very fast.” She remarked.
“Hi kids. How is school today?” A feminine but familiar voice paused their conversation.
They both glanced backwards to see that it’s Vanessa, and then they stared at each other again.Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.