The couple dived into the night vibe, the balmy atmosphere enveloping them in a sense of tranquility even though there were looming awaiting that might pop in a sudden strike. They descended to the ground floor and drove out of the garage with the security team following closely behind them.
The minute after their departure a vehicle stopped at the premises. The driver’s eyes were solely fixed on the rearview mirror, earnestly monitoring their movement till they went out of sight.
At that moment, His phone rang.
“Is it done yet?” The caller inquired, His voice laced with urgency.
“Not yet, there is a slight glitch; she has got bodyguards following her around, trying to make it unnoticeable, but I saw through the subtle movement.”
The man replied, his eyes pinned on the grand penthouse a few distances away.
There was a short pause before the caller continued. A sigh could be heard through the phone. “As I predicted, Zack Anderson is becoming a pain in my ass.”
“We should get rid of him first, so it will be easier to get the girl.” The man suggested, his lips curled up in a diabolical smile.
The caller sensed his rancor undertone and quickly admonished him. “Don’t do anything without thorough planning; he is too troublesome, and I don’t want to add him to the list.”
“Chickening out?” The man’s lips rose in a scoff.
“Don’t upset me.” The caller’s voice raised with anger, displeased by the man’s scoff. “I know what I’m doing; the police are clueless, and I want to keep it that way.”
“Okay, then what do you want me to do next?” The man asked, starting the car engine.
“Let’s make Zack Anderson let his guard down for now; we have a patient to visit.” The caller said, hinting at a malicious and unspoken order.
The man understood and replied affirmatively. “Okay.”
“Get it done in a few days’ time; make sure it’s in the most gruesome way possible to strike fear into her, so she can stop thinking she is invulnerable.” The caller said, his voice burning with malevolence.
The man pulled over, changing course; he drove in the opposite direction, disappearing out of sight.
______
Days passed by with the filming becoming more intense as it was coming close to completion. A few other supporting characters like George had completed their roles, leaving the central characters on the way to the end of the roadmap for ‘Tomboy Donna.’
Ivy’s tight shooting schedule enabled her to focus more on filming, distracting her mind from worry as nothing alarming had happened since the death of Isabelle. So, she relaxed with optimism on the police investigations. She was slowly getting used to the high security hovering around her, but the media was beginning to suspect something was wrong.
They tried inquiring about her reasons for the security every chance they got but would be brushed off, hanging in scrutiny.
Even Anna had tried asking Ivy, but she would casually change the subject, laughing it off. When Anna noticed her reluctance to spill the reasons for the high security, she quickly understood it was a story saved for later, so she didn’t press further and ignored the silent men hanging around the set.
With no leads on the culprit behind her abduction and no trace of any suspects, Zack began to grow more anxious. He would get feedback from the detective concerning the progress of the investigation daily with the same disappointing results. But seeing Ivy calm and collected about the whole situation, his worry began to subside. He became patient with the investigation in hopes the perpetrator would eventually be apprehended.
Ivy’s final shoot would take place in a week’s time; she was looking forward to her role completion as the shoot had been exhausting.
After filming was wrapped up for the day, a black car pulled up at the studio premises. Stepping out of the car was Zack in his tailored suit. His elegant presence that commanded attention was indubitably swirling around him, causing the female onlookers to whisper words of commendation. But still, his intimidating aura was a stark contrast to his alluring features.
It had become a daily occurrence for Zack Anderson to pick up his wife from the set, and some of the nosy crew were starting to gossip about the couple.
“I wonder how the busy Zack Anderson would still have free time to pick up the infamous actress from the set.”
“She is his wife.”
“That’s not enough reason to dote on her. Does every man dote on his wife like that, or have you ever heard billionaires married to a celebrity personally picking up their wife from the set?”
“He is being affectionate.”
“Not sure about that. Well, I notice something, there are escorts following her everywhere she goes.”
“Maybe there is a valid reason for that.”
“Nah, he made her feel significant but yes, you’re right there might be reasons behind the high security. Someone’s trying to harm her maybe.”
They chuckled and continued with their gossip, but as Zack Anderson drew nearer, the whispers ceased. They continued with their work, pretending not to notice his presence; he, too, didn’t spared them a glance.
Ivy had received his text and was hurrying down to meet him. Halfway to the exit, she saw him approaching. She sighed, shaking her head, as she knew he had entered the studio due to impatience.
“I made you wait long, didn’t I?” She asked, teasingly.
“You think,” He snapped, feigning annoyance.
Ivy chuckled, amused by his feigned anger.
Zack heard the sound of her chuckle, his forehead wrinkled in a playful scowl.
“You’re teasing me now, aren’t you?”
Ivy pursed her lips, holding in her laughter. The serious yet playful expression on his face was just so humorous.
Zack’s phone rang, interrupting their banter.
While he conversed with the caller, his voice remained calm, but Ivy saw that his countenance changed in a blink of an eye. Deep lines etched on his face as his eyes narrowed slightly. She could hear the faint voice of the caller, but couldn’t grasp what was being said.
As soon as the call disconnected, the expression on Zack’s face turned solemn, his eyes flickering with worry and guilt.
“Zack, what is it?” Ivy asked concerned, her heart raced with anticipation since it was obvious it wasn’t good news.
Zack exhaled deeply, his gaze meeting hers, hesitant to tell her the news.
it only made Ivy’s grow more anxious. “What is it?” She asked again.
Zack decided to let it loose.
“Edmond passed away.”