It seemed that luck had returned to Boy’s side. After spending days without a trace, he now seemed to have found a glimmer of hope.
This was the second day Boy witnessed the same sight: Velia getting out of a taxi. Boy observed with full focus, his eyes fixed on Velia as she walked along the sidewalk. The woman waited briefly for Mecca before both entered through the office gate, disappearing from Boy’s sight.
Everything was well-recorded and perfectly stored in his memory. Boy not only focused his eyes on Velia but also on everyone he encountered.
Boy took a deep breath and adjusted his sitting position slightly. He pondered silently and decided on his plan for the day.
Time kept passing, and Boy felt pressured, but he had to play fair. That was the only reason why he had not acted yesterday. He needed to ensure the safety of every step he would take. It had to be flawless.
Boy remained motionless inside the car, observing every vehicle entering and leaving the Greatech building. He remained vigilant for any possibilities and would not be caught off guard if someone happened to pick up Velia.
Boy’s wait came to an end when evening arrived. It was time to leave work, and he prepared himself. With a straight back and hands on the steering wheel, Boy’s gaze was fixed on the reflection in the car’s side mirror. The red color of Velia’s shirt immediately caught his attention. She entered a taxi, and Boy promptly started his car.
Patiently, Boy followed the taxi carrying Velia. He maintained a safe distance to avoid suspicion. He knew well the presence of surveillance cameras at several traffic lights, and he could not afford to be conspicuous.
A crease appeared on Boy’s forehead when he noticed the taxi did not go far. It almost stopped too quickly, and then it turned into a luxurious and striking apartment complex.
Boy continued to follow. He parked his car in an available guest parking lot. Before moving, he saw Velia getting out of the taxi. She greeted the security guard and entered the building.
The hood of his jacket covered his head perfectly, and dark sunglasses were enough to disguise his face. Boy quickly got out of the car and headed towards the entrance.
Boy saw Velia. He was going to follow her and find out exactly where she lived.
“Excuse me, Sir.”
A hand blocked Boy’s path. He reluctantly stopped and glanced at the security guard who intercepted him.
“Yes?”
The security guard smiled politely. “I’m sorry, Sir. Are you a visitor or a resident? I haven’t seen you before.”
“I’m a visitor. I have a friend inside.”
Boy looked across the way. Velia was standing in front of the elevator. She entered and disappeared from Boy’s view within a short time.
Damn!
“Alright, Sir. In that case, you can go to the reception to submit your ID and get access. Or you can contact your friend to pick you up in the lobby.”
Both options were not good for Boy. He nodded briefly while racking his brain. The situation did not allow him to proceed with his plan, and he had to leave without arousing suspicion.
The security guard intended to guide Boy to the reception, but he noticed a staff member he had been waiting for all this time.
“Neil!”
Boy quickly seized the opportunity. He moved as the security guard called out again.
“Have you fixed the 2002 sink? Someone reported that their sink was clogged again.”
Boy turned his body, wanting to leave as quickly as possible, which made him somewhat careless. In his haste, he bumped into a tall man behind him. The man was carrying a set of bags containing plumbing equipment on his left shoulder.
“Sorry, Sir. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Boy merely raised his hand briefly without uttering a word. He quickly moved and entered the car as fast as possible.
Damn it!
Boy slammed the steering wheel after seeing the name of the apartment. Undeniably, Velia lived in a place that was difficult to reach.
However, Boy did not give up so easily. When he saw a luxury car emerging from the side lane of the building, he tried his luck.
Boy headed to the residents’ parking lot. Unfortunately, he had to swallow another disappointment. The back entrance of the building, which connected to the parking area, required a password. It was a secret access that he obviously did not have.
Boy’s frustration grew. He immediately contacted Ricardo.
“I’ve found Velia’s location, Sir.”
Ricardo was taken aback on the other end. “You’re not lying, are you?”
“No, Sir. It’s just not an easy task.”
“Not an easy task? What do you mean? Ah, the important thing is when can you kidnap her? Tonight?”
Boy took a long breath. “It’s a bit difficult, Sir.”
“What do you mean a bit difficult? Just go in and give her a sleeping drug. Easy, isn’t it?”
“It’s not that simple, Sir,” Boy replied with a throbbing headache. Several plans that had been laid out had to be set aside. “The problem is she’s in a place I can’t reach, Sir. She lives in a luxury apartment.”
“W-what did you say? A luxury apartment? Hmph. How luxurious is it?”
“Yes, Sir. She lives in a luxury apartment. It’s very luxurious to ensure the residents’ security.”
Boy raised his head. His gaze fell across the way, precisely on the prominent and luxurious name displayed.
“She lives in The Grandiose Plaza.”
*
Ricardo gripped his phone tightly. The call from Boy could not be categorized as good or bad news.
Boy had discovered Velia’s whereabouts, which was definitely good news. Unfortunately, the name of the apartment where Velia lived was clearly bad news.
Ricardo shook his head repeatedly. It was impossible for Boy to kidnap Velia in the apartment. It would be highly risky.
Ricardo did not want to act rashly and decided to contact Sandra. At the very least, he needed to report on the progress of the job, even though Sandra’s reaction might be like his own.
She wouldn’t be pleased.
The call connected. Ricardo waited anxiously, his heart pounding with worry.
“Hello, Ricardo.”
Ricardo gathered his courage. “Hello, Madam. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have important information about Velia’s whereabouts.”
“Tell me quickly.”
“My operative has found Velia’s location, but it seems a bit difficult to handle.”
“Don’t beat around the bush, Ricardo. What do you mean by difficult?”
Ricardo blinked. Sweat broke out and slid into his eyes, causing a slight stinging sensation.
“I have suspected for a while now that Velia has become a mistress of a high-ranking official. It turns out my suspicions were correct.”
“A mistress of a high-ranking official? What do you mean, Ricardo? Don’t make things up. How could Velia become a mistress of an official? Don’t spout nonsense to cover up your incompetence!”
Ricardo swallowed hard. “I’m not lying, Madam. I even have evidence.”
“What?”
“Velia is now living in a luxury apartment, Madam. Specifically, in The Grandiose Plaza. She couldn’t possibly live in such an exclusive apartment without being a high-ranking official’s mistress.”
“Are you serious?”
“I’m not lying, Madam. I swear on my honor. I was told-”
The call was abruptly ended on the other side. Sandra hung up, leaving Ricardo trembling.
Ricardo slumped down, feeling weak. His head throbbed with a headache, but there was nothing he could do.
Meanwhile, at her home, Sandra had just ended the call with Ricardo and was engulfed in various questions. The information provided by Ricardo left her shocked and uneasy.
Velia becoming a high-ranking official’s mistress? How could that be? Who would provide such a luxurious apartment for a mistress?
Of course, Sandra was familiar with the mentioned apartment. The people living in The Grandiose Plaza were not ordinary individuals. Besides luxury, security was also a prominent offering. As a trivial proof, not just anyone could enter the premises.
With all the security facilities there…
Sandra’s body trembled. She sat frozen in her favorite armchair, her clenched fists suggesting one terrifying possibility.
Please don’t let it be Lucas.
Her chest tightened. Anger surged, threatening to explode her heart. She wanted to reject that possibility, but something else intensified her fear.
Lucas hadn’t been living at his home for a long time. I didn’t even know where he lived now. Could it be that he was the one who provided the apartment for Velia?
Sandra took a deep breath. Lucas’s words echoed in her mind.
“Not yet. I haven’t found Velia, and that’s the only reason why I don’t want to get married.”
Sandra closed her eyes. One thing contradicted her fear.
Considering Lucas’s madness for Velia, it was safe to assume that if he had already found her, he would have immediately brought her home. It made perfect sense. Sandra was even willing to bet that Lucas would not just bring Velia home but would also start planning a wedding.
Calm down. Lucas hasn’t found Velia yet.
A tinge of anxiety gradually left Sandra’s face. She felt slightly relieved, even though her curiosity still bubbled within.
Who could be with Velia now?
*