Chapter 36
The disappearance of Vanessa in Xavier’s home caused lots of troubles.
Not neither he nor his daughter felt at home that night, so he left for Vanessa’s bakery just to be sure she wasn’t there.
But just as Chloe had stated, the bakery was locked up.
He went back home to meet his little daughter seated at the veranda. Tears tried running down his cheeks but he made sure to hold them up.
“You don’t need to worry Chloe, I believe Vanessa will be here tomorrow morning.” he tried comforting the little girl…but she shook her head.
“Dad, you aren’t seriou. How sure are you that ma’am Vanessa will be present at work tomorrow morning when she isn’t here… besides we haven’t heard from her since she left in the morning. I’m So worried.” she stated and wiped the tears on her cheek.
Xavier lifted her into his arms and left into the sitting room to meet Tracy and Ben dozing off.
“Why not go upstairs to your room and have some rest?” he uttered, referring to them.
Ben wiped his face. “But you aren’t thinking of sleeping soon, you are still feeling worried because of your worker.”
“Of course I’m supposed to be worried because of her, you two know that she’s supposed to be here by now.” He replied.
“It’s ok Dad, let’s see if she will be here tomorrow morning.” Tracy added while standing on her feet.
They all left to their various rooms, while Chloe persisted to stay with her father.
******
In the morning.
Tracy had dressed up for school. Since Vanessa hasn’t showed up yet… she decided to get Chloe ready.
They all had their breakfast.
While waiting for the driver to arrive, Chloe sat on the sofa in the sitting room with a chiseled face, she wasn’t smiling at all.
“Let’s leave us for school Chloe.” Ben referred to her.
She shook her head in disagreement. “I am going nowhere unless ma’am Vanessa is present… I mean, don’t you feel worried just like I am? My babysitter isn’t here yet and you expect me to be happy.” She narrated.
Xavier stepped into the sitting room not dressed yet.
“What’s going on here?” he questioned them.
Tracy turned to see his father in his casual wear, he didn’t look like one ready for work.
“You aren’t going to work dad and Leo isn’t ready to go to school. Is anything the problem? Because of her babysitter huh?“ She referred to her father.
Xavier swallowed deeply. “Not as you think, you all should leave for school. There are some issues that I need to handle.”
“I’m not going to school today, Dad. It’s better we go look for ma’am Vanessa or I won’t go to school again.” she insisted.
Xavier glanced at her and got seated on the sofa. “What are you trying to say now? Being absent from school because of Vanessa?”
“Of course, she has been absent from work all this while. I just hope you’re reporting it to the police soon .” she added.
Ben moved towards her, gripping her palm. “Let’s leave for school… Dad will sort everything out.”
She took away her palm. “Let go of me, you can go to school… I’m not ready for it.”
They watched her move to the stairs heading to her room. As they all waited for her return… she came back putting on her casual wear.
“Let’s go to the police Dad.” She referred to her father.
Xavier ordered Tracy and Ben to leave for school instead of being kept waiting by Chloe, and the two hissed loudly and left.
*******
“Xavier, you are not going to work today… What are you doing here Chloe?” She referred to them from the stairs.
Chloe glanced at her and hissed loudly, relaxing and placing her head on her father’s shoulder.
“I don’t need you to speak to me throughout the day, Lillian… until I get Vanessa.” he spluttered.
Lilian stepped towards him trying to get seated but he couldn’t let her.
“You haven’t told me the truth, Miss. Where is Vanessa?” he questioned her.
Lillian rolled her eyes, she felt her heart heavy. “You are still accusing me of what I know nothing about… why not try contacting her? I haven’t seen her since yesterday.” she uttered.
Xavier got on his feet. “I have tried as many times as I can to contact her, but it wasn’t possible…her contact isn’t available.” he glanced at her again. “You are still hiding the truth from me, I believe you know everything about her whereabouts. Just tell me the truth in order to spare you.”
“And you think that I’m scared right? Go ahead and do whatever you want to do… but I promise you, I won’t let you go even if you hurt me.” She retorted.
He picked up his cellphone from the sofa, Chloe got on her feet still gripping his palm.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Dad please, let’s leave it to the police. It’s better we report the case to them.” she suggested.
His father glanced at her. “I know… we must surely report this case to the police, but first I need to question this lady here. I strongly believe you know everything. You know what I’m talking about so stop pretending.”
“I’m not pretending to be Mr Xavier. Do your worst.” She replied to him.
Out of anger, Xavier hit her face so hard that she screamed on top of her voice due to the pain.
“Are you ready to tell me the truth now Lilian? Are you ready.” He yanked her hair.
She tried relieving herself from his grip, but couldn’t. He let go of her hair gripping her neck.
“I’ll make sure you rust in jail if you don’t tell me the truth now. Where is Vanessa?” He questioned again.
Lilian stared into his eyes, she noticed the flames of anger streaming in his eyes and then she felt his heart beating so fast.
“Oh my God! Is that why you’re hurting me? Just let go of me.” She screamed out of pain.
Xavier yanked her hair again pushing her to the sofa, and she forcefully got her ass on it.
She held her cheek. “You’re hurting me because of a woman… a mere babysitter for that matter. You hurt me so hard, don’t you know it’s painful.” she screeched.
Xavier took a deep breath through his nostrils. “I know it’s painful, and that’s why I want it that way. I believe that you will let Vanessa be.” He grabbed his car key and his cellphone, and then left the room with Chloe.
Lillian stood still staring through the window as they drove off from the compound, she was quite sure that he’s leaving to the police custody and then everything will be complicated for her.
She left upstairs to the bedroom in order to contact the hoodlum, she picked up her cell phone and began dialling his contacts… but for the three times he didn’t pick up the call.
It made her feel haunted, she knew Xavier would go to all extent to make sure Vanessa is released… and if he ever knows that she is the reason behind this, then he must do anything to her.
She left to the bathroom to freshen up and hurry up to see the hoodlum.
When she was done, she left the house heading to the dudes residence. But unfortunately for her, the dude wasn’t around when she arrived at his residence.
She wondered what the hell was going on, so she decided to go visit her friend who had directed her to the hoodlum…but when he reached, the building was locked up.
Hot ball of tears rolled down her cheeks, she glanced at her cell phone but wouldn’t say a word at that time. She decided to redial the hoodlums contacts but then he didn’t pick up after two times again.
Her bones felt weak and she struggled to get a nice breeze that would aid her reach home.
*******
Xavier reached the police custody and reported the disappearance of Vanessa, he had trusted them to do a good job and then the step he took made Chloe feel relieved a bit.
Before they left back home, he decided to go in search of Vanessa in her residence just to be sure he wasn’t mistaken.
He left with Chloe, searching around and inquiring from people until he got to her residence…but when he stepped into the compound, the door was locked.
He shook his head in annoyance, being convinced that Vanessa is missing and he knew so well that Lillian must be behind it. He left home with Chleo to meet Lilian seated in the sitting room.
She sighted his presence and quivered. The fact that the hoodlum’s contact and that of her friend isn’t available made her feel haunted, and then none of them was present in their residence.
She stood on his feet staring at both Xavier and his little daughter.
“Have you reported to the police custody?” she asked them, trying to relieve herself of the fears.
Xavier glared at her. “Why do you care to know?” he questioned in a hoarse voice.
“I just want you to know.” She replied.
Xavier stepped towards her. “It’s a matter of time or you will regret having me as your fiance. Make sure Vanessa is back before sunset or I won’t take it lightly with you any longer. Just dare me if you want to see the other part of me.” he remarked and left upstairs with his daughter.
Lilian stood motionless staring at them as they departed from her sight, she couldn’t bear the pains again.
The tears that had gathered in her eyes began gushing down without control, all because she’s baffled.
Releasing Vanessa made her feel like she’s losing Xavier, and then…she can’t withstand Xavier’s wrath.