(JARED’S POV)
I pressed the doorbell button on the wall beside the door, and waited for a response, but a few minutes later, none came forth. I tried again, but got same unresponsiveness. Confirming my suspicion, I grasped the door handle, and sure enough, it was locked. I mentally smacked myself. “Of course,” I muttered. What did I expect at 10 am on a working day? Ashley, like most working professionals would be at her job.
A sudden realization dawned on me. If Ashley was at work, and Arielle had sought refuge with her yesterday, perhaps Arielle was at her workplace too.
That decided, I swiftly retraced my steps to the car. I was going to look for Arielle at the restaurant. As I drove, my mind wandered. I hope Arielle would be willing to listen, knowing how stubborn she can be when upset. Speaking of apologies, I shouldn’t apologize to her empty-handed. I decided to get her favorite flowers, lavender.
I spotted a supermarket a few meters ahead and pulled over. Inside, I picked out a bouquet of fresh lavender flowers and continued my journey.
As I arrived the restaurant, I stepped out of the car and approached the entrance. Just midway, a familiar face approached me-Arielle’s junior chef, Rebecca.
“Hi, sir,” she greeted with a smile. “How’s it going? I was just wondering, is your wife okay? She’s not at work today, and her phone’s not going through.”
My expression froze, and I momentarily went blank. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to digest her words. Was this some joke? “Isn’t Arielle in her office?”
Rebecca shook her head. “No, she hasn’t come to work since she Left early, yesterday. I’ve been trying to reach her, but….” her voice trailed off when she saw the look on my face.
I felt a tide of dizziness wash over me, and my grip on the bouquet slackened. Panic grew, making my voice almost shaky. “D… Did she tell you where she was headed before she left yesterday?”
Rebecca looked down in thoughts. “Umm…no, she just asked me to fill in for her, saying she needed to attend to something.” She paused, looking up at me, her eyes suspicious. “Is everything okay? Is she alright?”
I mustered a reassuring smile, not wanting to raise unnecessary alarm. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Thanks for letting me know.” I handed her the bouquet, taking it back immediately, realizing my mistake. “No problem,” she responded, still staring at me with concern.
I nodded, and turned to leave.
“For all it’s worth, her best friend was here yesterday at lunch break. It was a few hours later that your wife left,” Rebecca announced. “Thanks, Rebecca,” I said, grateful for the revelation. “I owe you one.” I hurried back to my car, my mind buzzed with thoughts.
As I settled into the driver’s seat, I tossed the bouquet onto the passenger seat, my head filled with thoughts of Arielle’s disappearance.
Where could she be? Why wasn’t she at work because Arielle never
missed work, unless it’s beyond control? Why wasn’t her phone going through? And most importantly, why was she home earlier than usual yesterday?
Then I thought of Rebecca’s revelation. If Ashley visited Arielle yesterday, then she ought to know of her whereabouts.
I started the car’s engine, I had to find Ashley. She was the only one who most likely had answers to my questions, and until I spoke to her, I can’t decide anything yet.
My next stop was Ashley’s place of work, a multinational corporation where she headed the PR department.
Inside, the receptionist recognized me and flashed me smile. “Good morning, Mr. Smith. How can I assist you?”
“I’m here to see Ashley,” I replied, my tone polite but urgent.
She nodded and picked up the intercom. “Let me check with her PA.” A brief pause later, she said, “Her PA will attend to you right away, sir.”
Ashley’s PA, Melinda, emerged from the elevator and greeted me. “Mr. Smith, please follow me.”
As we walked to her desk, I inquired, “Is Ashley available?”
Rachel shook her head. “I’m afraid not, Sir. She left work in a hurry yesterday, earlier than usual. And this morning, she called in sick.”
My legs wobbled and almost gave
out beneath me. A sick feeling crawled up my spine, giving me goosebumps. Both women had left their workplaces earlier than usual, for what reason exactly? And today, they were both nowhere to be found.
“Did she say anything about why she was leaving early?” I pressed, trying to keep my voice calm so as not to arouse any suspicion.
“No, sir. She just rushed out. And this morning, she sent an email saying she wouldn’t be coming to work.”
I thanked Rachel and walked out, feeling sick and worried. Were the women okay? Did Arielle tell Ashley what she saw? Even if she did, that wasn’t reason enough for them to go into hiding, was it?
I got back into my car and dialed
Ashley’s number, but it was still unreachable, same as Arielle’s. I considered calling the police, but decided to stall a bit and search some more. I have a feeling that
bother me women were fine
or at
least that’s what I want to believe.
For now, I had to return home and ask Sofia why Arielle returned home early yesterday. It was she who saw Arielle so she had to know something.
But before I drove off, I dialed a number. “I’ll forward two numbers to you now. I need you to track their locations and give me a response as soon as possible,” I said to the person on the other end. “Alright, Sir.”
I dropped the call, forwarded both numbers before driving off.