Three weeks later.
The car screeched to a halt, I looked out the window, then realized we were now at the company. Without saying a single word to the driver, I pushed the door open, then got off. I had barely taken four steps when I heard his voice from behind, “Welcome back, boss” He cheered then came to stand beside me and put his arm around my shoulder. Directly, I receded my pace then glanced at his arm on my shoulder. Taking note of what I meant, he slowly withdrew his arm but didn't look affected. “I'm so pleased to see you back to work, Alexander. I miss working with you and even the whole employees positively felt your absence” He began again, the enthusiasm in his voice was so clear. I didn't say any word to him as I kept on with my pace. Soon, we reached the reception, and I was quite stunned to see some staff in there, “Welcome back, Mr. Alexander!” They chorused excitedly as they jammed their hands together. I peeked at Mack's face, he met my gaze, the happy smile on his lips gradually disappeared, “Don't you like it?” He asked cautiously in a gentle voice. I just discarded my gaze from his upsetting face, then left their midst, without spelling any word.
Felicia hurriedly rose to her feet upon sighting me got down from the elevator. “You're welcome back, sir” She greeted with enthusiasm, lowering her head. I only nodded my head, then walked past her table to my office. I pushed the door open, then slowly lunged myself inside. With my hand still holding the doorknob, my eyes reeled around every corner of the office. It was my first time being away from work for so long, it was just three weeks, but it felt like three years. My eyes settled on her seat, there were still a few files on her table. Every place was so neat, and it made me feel she would be coming to work. Thinking of the prospect that she would be coming, my mood suddenly lit up a bit and there was a glossy smile on my lips.
I watched as every minute ticked by, my laptop was opened, but my eyes lingered on the wall clock. It was already past ten and there was no trace of her, a veil of despair descended over me as tears pooled my eyes in an instant. I switched my gaze to her empty seat, then allowed myself to be carried away with the wind of memories. *”But I used to be a slut, She let out silently, my gaze coming together with her desirable eyes. “I don't care, I used to be a player too” I retorted quickly* “I better start learning the French language as soon as possible” “But why?” “I wouldn't like some random dude to snatch you from me, I must be perfect for you. So, I think the only area I'm requiring is the language”* “It's just an ordinary wave, Kiara” “You're supposed to ignore the wave, not the other way round” “That shark looks like you” “Dogfish” “Remora” “Let me be the bigger person and end this, “Catfish*
The more I think about us, the more tears fell from my eyes violently. “Where are you, Kiara?!” I cried out, slamming the table so hard. I got on my feet, “Why did you do this to me? You promised to always be by my side! But you left me, You're a liar Kiara, you're a liar!” My voice becomes more and more hysterical, and tears spilled uncontrollably out of my eyes. I have never felt this pain in my entire life before, I never knew this kind of pain existed before. Even the grief of being an orphan was not as tremendous as the pain I'm feeling now. Abruptly, the office door swung open and Felicia walked in, with a worried expression etched on her forehead. “I heard a noise… so I thought…” She gabbled, I remained silent, was just staring at her face faintly as if trying to glean information. “I'm so sorry you're being like this, sir,” She said softly, not daring to look at my face. My mouth and eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing her words. She's sorry? After being stunned for a few seconds, I walked out of my seat. “What did you do to Kiara?” I interrogated, she swiftly looked up, thinking I was still behind my desk, but her eyes dilated in shock when she saw that I was already standing so close to her. She quickly lowered her head, “I don't… understand, sir” She stammered, a driblet of sweats had broken out on her forehead. I put on a self-mockery smile and put forward a step, “If you tell me where Kiara is now or what you've done to her, then I'll forgive you” My voice was neither too low nor high, but it was hoarse. She raised her head again, shaking her head vigorously. “I really don't understand what you're saying sir, I'll never hurt anyone,” She said strongly, her eyes had become misty. "You bitch!” I growled menacingly, then grabbed her hair ruthlessly. She gasped in terror, “Explain to me why you're sorry then. Where on earth is Kiara? What did you do to her?” I screeched, shaking her vigorously, making the pain intensify. “You think I'm not aware of the fact that you don't like Kiara, you don't like her only because I don't take a liking for you. Tell me, isn't it?”
“I'll never hurt Miss Kiara, sir. You're mistaken. I don't understand” She gasped for air while she uttered her sentence word by word. “You…” The sound of the door interrupted what I wanted to say. “What are you doing, Alex? Have you gone crazy?” He rushed to me and attempted to take her away, but before he could get close, I had already thrown her off to the floor. She fell recklessly to the floor but was quick to compose herself and got up, sobbing silently. “What happened here, Felicia?” Mack questioned, but it seemed she had no word to say as she continued to weep bitterly. “Get out of my office” I demanded with a scowl. Quickly, she turned away and left. “What the hell is wrong with you, Alexander? What has gotten over you? Until when are you planning to get over this trauma?” His tone was full of grievance as he came to stand in front of me. Again, my eyes gradually filled with tears. I turned around, my back was to him. “I don't know what to do, Mack. I really don't know” I felt bitter and grieved in my heart. “You've tried your best, Alexander, there's nothing more you can do. The police, armies, navy, and even the special forces. They have all done their best in these past few weeks. So, there's nothing more we can do, Kiara is long gone” Hearing this from his mouth, anger surges through me and I twirled around to face him. He stepped back, looking horrified. He was probably startled by the ferocious look in my eyes.
“Kiara… My Kiara is still alive, so I won't authorize any cynical words from anybody” I asserted, gnashing my teeth in animosity. He gulped and nodded his head quickly.
The room fell in silence. He left where he was standing and went to sit on the couch at the designated meeting spot. “Do you know if Kiara and Nicholas still saw each other?” Mack raised a question, I put up my brows, staring at him palely. “I'm just asking, you know, no man would be happy another man took his woman away” I rolled my eyeballs, “Kiara was never his woman, Nicholas is a married man, and you also know that. He just wanted to play Kiara around, he never loved her” I affirmed firmly, glaring at him. He sighed deeply, “But did you ever ask Kiara if Nicholas was still pestering her or something?” He further asked, rubbing his eyebrows. “No. The last time Nicholas came here, Kiara put him in his place after discovering the truth about him, and she'd warned him not to ever come close to her again” I explained to Mack then wiped off the tears that were in the corner of my eyes. While staring at me keenly, Mack nodded his head. “This is making sense. We need to visit Nicholas” Mack announced, getting on his feet. My brows pressed in a tight frown, “We don't have any unfinished business, and what? Do you think Nicholas might have abducted Kiara or something? No, I bet he will never do that. He won't dare cross my path” Mack shook his head and walked away, passing by me. “I'll be waiting for you in the garage” with that, he opened the door and walked out. I stared blankly at the door, Is it possible Nicholas might have a hand in Kiara's disappearance?