SHAWN’S POV
He stared at the pictures he took of her at different times he found her sleeping. She was just so beautiful and adorable that he couldn’t resist the temptation to take them.
He was glad he always did, because he used one of the pictures as his phone wallpaper and had formed the habit of always staring at them whenever he misses her or was having a bad day.
One of those days was today, and he was missing her so much he had to keep scrolling through his gallery section where the pictures are. He was tempted to call her but at that time of the day she would be in school.
He sighed as he kept his phone away. Who would have thought that he would one day fall helplessly and pathetically in love with someone he considered a brat and could not stand the mere sight of her?
Little wonder they said that love is complicated. His and her case was a good example of a complicated love story. He must admit that he loved to love her and he loved how loving her made him feel.
He could not wait to go home to her and share with her how his day went and listen to her tales about school. He also planned on telling her about their trip to Los Angeles. He would do anything to make her happy.
Soon, it was lunch break and time for him to head out for lunch. His phone rang and he picked it up to see that the caller was Lucas.
“Hey, Lucas.”
“I’m sorry but this is not Lucas. We are calling on his behalf because he asked us to. I am Elsa , a medical doctor in Life forte hospital. He was rushed in this morning after he was shot. He just regained consciousness after a surgery and asked that we call you.”
His heart skipped a beat. Lucas was shot in the morning? Where was Tiffany? Was she with him during the incident?
“Are you there?” The doctor’s voice jerked him out of his momentary reverie.
“Yes, I am. Ummm…was a girl rushed in with him too?”
“No. He was rushed in alone. I think you should come over.”
“I will be on my way now,” he replied and ended the call.
Even though the doctor had said Tiffany was not rushed in alongside Lucas, he still felt scared, and until he hears from Lucas, he can’t be sure Tiffany was not in danger. He picked up his car key and hurried out. He got into his car and the engine purred to life as he drove madly to the hospital the doctor mentioned.
He arrived at the hospital and walked into the reception area. He asked for Lucas and was directed to his room. He got to the room and Lucas was in hospital clothes with a bandage on his shoulder.
“Are you alright? What happened?” He asked as he walked up to him on the bed.
Lucas stayed mute as he could barely look at him in the face.
“Did the gunshot affect your sense of speech too?” He asked, suddenly scared.
“No. I’m sorry I failed you. We were attacked on our way to her school and she was taken. I’m sorry,” Lucas finally said.
SHAWN’S POV
It felt like he was having a bad dream and wished to wake up and realize that it was all a dream.
“What did you say?” he asked Lucas.
“I’m sorry. They were armed to the teeth. It was while I was fighting with them that one of them shot at me.”
He felt his head swoon as he leaned on the wall to stop himself from falling. She was kidnapped again? Why was happiness always short lived? Whenever it seemed like they were living happily, boom! Something bad happens and disrupts their happiness.
“I’m really sorry, Sir. I think you should call officer Fowler.”
Shawn nodded and quickly dialed the officer’s number. When he picked up, he relayed the new development to him and he promised to come over to the hospital. An hour later, Officer Fowler arrived at the hospital.
“I am sorry about what happened. Your wife seems to have a very strong enemy who would stop at nothing to get rid of her,” Fowler said and then turned to Lucas, “Do you remember anything peculiar about the kidnappers. You know, anything resembling the previous ones?”
“No. Honestly, I think these are different people. They looked huge and towering. And they were with a van unlike the previous kidnappers who carried cars.”
“Hmmm, I see.” Fowler said as he scribbled on his note, ” I will be leaving now, but I want you to know that my boys and I will work hard to get her back.”
“Thank you, Officer.” Shawn managed to say as Fowler walked out.
He took a seat as he stared into space. He could not imagine the situation She was in at the moment. Where they had taken her to and why was being done to her. He clenched his fists as he thought of anyone attempting to touch or harm her. By God, if he found out who was behind all these attacks, he would make sure he strangled him or her.
After a while, he stood up and announced his intention to leave.
“I will be leaving now. I will foot the hospital bill. Be good, man.” He said to Lucas before walking out.
He drove home, tired and confused. He would keep the news from his parents and her father until after twenty four hours. But he hoped she was found by then.
He silently prayed to God for her safety and vowed that if she was found, he would ensure she is homeschooled until whomever was after her was apprehended.
He could barely sleep and that night was one of the longest nights of his life. He kept tossing in bed as thoughts of her haunted him. Sleep fled his eyes as he stood up and walked downstairs to the wine bar. He took hold of a bottle and took a long gulp, not caring about a glass. He went on and on until he began to feel sleepy and then fell asleton the sitting room couch.
The ringing of his phone the next morning woke him up and he picked up the call. It was from his father.
“Hey, son.”
“Good morning, Dad.” He greeted and winced as he felt a pang of pain hit his head.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, yes, I am.”
“So, your mother and I want you and your wife to come over for dinner this evening. What do you say?”
“Ummm…Dad, there is a problem…” He stammered.
“What problem?”
“Tiffany is missing. She was kidnapped on her way to school yesterday morning.”
“Again? God! And you hid it from us?”
“It was not intentional. I was going to tell you today if she was not found…”
“Is that Shawn?” He heard his mother’s voice in the background. “Yes. Tiffany has been kidnapped.” His father said.
“What? Give me the phone,” there was a slight scuffle and his mother’s voice replaced his father’s. “Shawn?”
“Hey, mom.”
“What did you say happened to Tiff?”
“She was taken yesterday morning.”
“Oh my God! Have you reported it to the police?”
“Yes, I have…” he was still talking when another call came in. “I have to take a call, mum. The detective is calling.
“Go on,” she replied.
He ended the call and took Officer Fowler’s call.
“Please come over to the precinct,” Fowler said over the phone.
“Okay. I’m on my way,” he replied and the call ended.
He hurriedly returned the wine to the bar before hurrying upstairs to get prepared.