Fear 1
When the car with Elice was already on the road, two other cars hurriedly followed. Together with the car Carolus was riding in, there were a total of four cars involved in the trip. Two cars with specially trained personal guards walked in front and behind to protect Elice and Carolus inside.
The four vehicles moved in line at a regular and almost steady speed. Ready to take Elice and Carolus to their next destination. Namely, the boarding school under the care of the Morales Family Foundation.
A bright day. As the sun began to roll toward the west, the weather was not as hot as it had been. It felt cooler.
“Are you thirsty, Madam?”
Teddy’s voice caught Elice’s attention. Elice wanted to shake her head to answer the question, but instead she heard Teddy talking to her again.
“Maybe some water will soothe madam’s throat.”
Elice looked at the bottle of mineral water. Somehow, she, who had not felt thirsty at all, suddenly felt the opposite. Suddenly, a feeling of dryness appeared and made her throat feel parched.
“It seems you’re right.”
Teddy glanced over. Through the rearview mirror he saw Elice reaching for the water bottle. He turned the cap and grinned thinly. It didn’t take him long to see Elice gulping down the cold water. And it wasn’t long before he found Elice slumped in the passenger seat.
The water bottle slipped out of Elice’s hand. Its contents spilled and soaked the car. But Elice was completely still. Not moving at all.
Teddy looked at the car in front of him. Also, at the two cars behind him. He thought quickly.
There was a traffic light ahead. Teddy counted carefully. When the light turned yellow, he got ready. And just as the light turned red, the cars suddenly stopped. Except for Teddy.
Because when the red light stopped all the cars in Elice’s entourage, Teddy turned the wheel instead. With precise timing, he seized the opportunity and made a U-turn. Leaving the convoy behind. An action that surely confused Carolus and the others.
“Why is Madam going the other way?”
*
Garrett stood up. He shook hands with his colleague before the middle-aged man left his office, accompanied by Amber. Garrett sighed deeply. He moved to his desk.
Just in time. Just as he sat down, Garrett heard his phone ring. He reached for his phone which was on the table. He frowned when he saw who was calling him that afternoon.
Ariel?
Without wasting any time, Garrett immediately answered the phone. He was surprised to hear Ariel’s voice, filled with urgency and panic, pressing him.
“Garrett, where are you right now?”
Garrett’s feelings immediately turned to anxiety. But he tried as best he could to push away the negative thoughts that immediately filled his mind.
“I’m at the office.”
“Damn it!”
Garrett ignored Ariel’s curse. Even the voice he heard next was not unfamiliar. Just like Ariel’s voice when he hit something. Letting out his emotions.
“What is it, Ariel?”
“Elice.”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
When this name was spoken by Ariel, fear immediately gripped Garrett’s body.
“What’s wrong with Elice?” Garrett asked, trying to stay calm. But no. He couldn’t be calm right now. Because now Garrett could find a reason for the strange worry he had felt this morning. And the panic that was clearly audible in Ariel’s voice. “What’s wrong with Elice, Ariel? What’s happening to her?”
“Mama knows everything, Garrett.”
What exactly does Farrah know? Garrett ignored that. It wasn’t important. Because now he only had Elice on his mind.
“Mama knows what we’ve done and now Mama has ordered Teddy to kidnap Elice.”
This time Garrett couldn’t stay calm. Reflexively, he rose from his seat. He stood with fear in his eyes. “Auntie’s kidnapping Elice?”
Garrett felt like he couldn’t breathe. How could Farrah kidnap Elice when Garrett had provided tight security for his wife? No need to ask, right now Garrett was terrified of the potential danger that could befall Elice.
“D-do you know where Auntie is taking her?”
Garrett asked with a trembling voice. Even if he had to beg, he would do it.
“Please, Ariel. Where is Aunt Farrah taking Elice?”
“Mama’s taking her to an old Lostic factory. I’ll send you the location. And I’m going there now.”
Fear and hope merged into one. They urged Garrett to plead.
“Save Elice, Ariel. I beg you.”
For a few seconds Ariel said nothing. After the next five seconds, he finally spoke.
“Send your people at once, Garrett. I’m afraid Mama is out of control this time. You must come as soon as possible. You have to protect Elice.”
After Ariel said that, the phone call ended. Garrett waited a moment and a message from Ariel came in. The place where Farrah was going.
Wanting to hurry, Garrett instead found Carolus contacting him. He could guess, and what he guessed turned out to be correct.
“I’m sorry, sir. But I don’t know where Madam Elice has been taken. I can’t reach Rowan either.”
Something terrible must have happened to Rowan. Garrett was willing to bet that it wasn’t Rowan who was currently behind the wheel with his wife.
“Elice has been kidnapped, sir,” Garrett said, his voice shaking. “Aunt Farrah took her. So, I want you to contact the police immediately. I will send Elice’s location.”
Garrett ended the call. He left his office immediately. No matter that Amber was staring at him in surprise. But the panicked expression with the sweat dripping from his brow made Amber sure. That something bad was going on.
“Cancel all my appointments for today. Contact Abert immediately and tell her to wait for me downstairs. And instruct Abert to gather his team immediately.”
Amber paled. Unconsciously, her hand gripped Garrett’s. “Are you all right, sir?”
Garrett held his breath. He tried to remain calm in front of Amber. But the fog had already descended in his mind. Amber could see it clearly.
“I hope so, Amber.”
*