Rick's POV
I was still on the phone call, waiting to hear her sweet voice yet again, even though it seemed unprofessional.
A smile curved at the corner of my lips but abruptly dissipated as soon as I heard the troubling sound from her end.
"Hello, what…" The words got stuck in my mouth as the phone slipped off my palms at the sound that followed next.
My heart skipped, a pang stung me.
Fear gripped my entire body.
Without a doubt, I knew she was in trouble.
Quickly, I crouched low to pick up my phone that had fallen on the office desk, my hands shaking as I abruptly scrolled through its screen, searching for the number.
My palms trembled slightly.
I swallowed hard countless times as I silently prayed she was safe.
I pressed the dial button and sent the call without hesitation.
"Hello, hon…"
"Save that greeting for yourself! What have you done? Do you know the gravity of your actions?" I snapped almost immediately, standing up on my feet to pick up my car keys.
"I don't know what you are…."
"Keep quiet, I just…"
I hung up impatiently. I couldn't handle another word. Unlocking my office door, I stormed out.
"Sir, there is an emergency…."
"Hand the files over to Lily. She will handle them," I instructed abruptly, rushing over to my car without a second glance at the nurse who had pursued me from the entrance of my office.
Once seated, I turned on the engine of the car and drove off instantly.
My heart raced as I sped up. Each passing minute felt like a countdown to the unknown.
Emilia! I kept muttering her name under my breath.
I took a deep breath and kept driving fast, ignoring the traffic signals.
The deafening horn of an oncoming car from the opposite side jolted me back to reality, and that was when it dawned on me, a truck was coming from the left.
My hands gripped the steering wheel, my strength slowly fading. My heart seized. My eyes shut tight.
The sight of the car just meters away sent a shock through me, and a surge of adrenaline ran through my veins. In a flash, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and swerved sharply to the side.
The truck's horn roared in my ears, growing louder. My thoughts blurred. Everything went numb.
*****
Moments later.
"What happened here?"
"It's just a miracle that the truck never slammed into this car. Even the driver, or whoever was inside, wouldn't have survived."
"I'm telling you! God be praised."
"But why is no one coming out of the car?"
Poopoo!
The loud roar echoed through my eardrums, and I winced.
Slowly lifting up my head, amidst the slight throbbing sensation I felt, my eyes slowly opened through the darkness to capture the scene before me.
A knock on the side window drew my attention in that direction, and I slowly opened the door of the car, stepping out to meet the police officer.
"Sir, why did you ignore the traffic signals?" His voice pulled me back to my senses, and the reality of what had just happened hit me hard.
My heart raced instantly, and I wrapped my hands on my chest.
I turned to look at my car, it was slightly damaged from swerving and hitting a pole at the edge of the road.
I let out a shaky breath.
"You're lucky no one was hurt. But cases like this are rare," the officer continued. But I wasn't listening anymore. Everything happened in a flash
Catherine! The thought of her shot through my mind again, snapping me out of my daze.
I hurried up with the officers, and a few moments later, I was done settling with them and placing a call for the car to be towed out of the spot.
The media had already started capturing the scene, but I ignored their further questioning, quickly took a cab, and headed straight to the mansion.
Walking towards the door, I glanced at my wristwatch, it was already past eleven. I prayed Emilia was still at home.
My hands clutched the doorknob, and I stormed inside. The first thing that greeted my gaze was her, sitting with a mirror in hand, obviously putting on her makeup.
I moved toward where she sat, my gaze darkening.
"Where did you take her?" I asked abruptly.
She hissed the moment her gaze met mine and turned back to her mirror.
I took a deep breath.
My heart was racing.
"I won't ask again. Where did…."
"And why are you yelling at me?" She cut me mid-sentence, placing her mirror back down.
My anger intensified. I bit my lower lip hard enough to draw blood.
"Answer me right now," I roared, my gaze blazing.
"And if I don't, what will happen?" She slowly rose from her seat, moving toward me.
My fingers clenched into fists, my gaze growing fiercer, fighting back the urge to strangle her right there.
She moved closer, her face slowly losing its rage, her arms slowly curving around my back.
"I don't know why you choose to yell at me at every slight provocation," she whispered, slowly placing her cheek against my chest.
I wanted to pull her off and toss her onto the couch, but then, her gentle arms slid under my shirt and against my bare skin, sending a familiar sensation through me.
"I don't know who you're talking about or what I have done wrong. You know I love you and wouldn't want to cause you pain," she whispered yet again. But this time, it didn't work.
Not when I knew she was up to something.
I slowly pulled her hands away. My gaze remained fixed on those piercing eyes that seemed to be in distress.
"I know you very well, Emilia. I know you are behind Catherine's disappearance. Where have you taken her?" I barked, and she surprisingly jolted.
A lone tear instantly dropped down her cheek as she lifted her eyes to mine.
"I knew it was about her. You choose to ignore my feelings because of her, neglecting all my sacrifices and our marriage of six years?" She paused and wiped her tears.
"I don't know what happened to her or what you're talking about, but I didn't do anything to her. I know I threatened, but trust me, I did nothing," she sobbed, tears streaming down even more.
Those tears tore at a part of my heart that longed to believe her, to console her. But I couldn't.
What if she was lying?
Turning toward the door, I walked out of the living room and out to the front, shutting the door behind me.
Thousands of thoughts raced through my heart at the spot.
Should I contact the Moores? No!
They would think I masterminded everything and come after my family and me. They were too powerful, and crossing them would be like poking a sleeping lion.
I slammed my fist against the wall, frustration boiling inside me.
As I paced up and down, I decided to walk back into the living room. My arms clutched the handle, about to turn it open when I heard her clearly from inside.
"Make sure you teach her the lesson of her life. I don't want any traces whatsoever."
"Yes, do a clean job, and…."
I shoved the door open and stormed back inside.
Emilia stood there, phone in hand, her face going pale as she realized I had heard everything.
"Honey…."
"Give me that phone," I demanded, moving toward her.
She hesitated, her fingers trembling.
I snatched the phone f
rom her grip and looked at the screen.
Unknown Caller
My heart dropped instantly….