TIFFIN 3

14

I dropped my bags on the floor of my house when I made it inside. How scary that had been. Me, a fairly well known millionaire, almost kidnapped at a common store. 

Now I had to fear for my life? 

Before I could take a breath, the phone rang. I rushed over, answering. 

"I'm sorry to disrupt whatever you have going on," Evelyn said from the other end, "but why aren't you here?"

I didn't miss the tone in her voice. 

"Don't I have the weekend off at least?" I snapped. "Just because he's gone doesn't mean things changed."

Evelyn took a long breath. 

"Oh. Right. I forgot you have a week off. I'll leave you be."

"Wait!" I shouted before she could end the call. "One more thing: I was nearly kidnapped at the Home Depot today." 

She went silent as if I made zero sense. 

"What?" 

I sighed. 

"I know it sounds crazy, but really. Some greasy guy tried to drag me from the store. If it hadn't been for one of the employees, I'm not sure where I'd be."
 
Evelyn gasped. 

"Mrs. Tiffin! This is serious! You made a claim with the police didn't you? The media is going to eat this up-"

I shut my eyes already knowing I'd stepped in it. 

"No... I didn't. But things will be fine."

Evelyn groaned from the other end of the line like she was pacing erratically. 

"I know how the last interview went. Carrie is going to tear you up live if she catches wind of this. We're already trying to keep Mr. Tiffins disappearance under wraps." 

Well... technically he wasn't missing. 

I shook my head. 

"It will be fine. It was just some creep that heard about me. Wouldn't be surprised if he wanted money." 

Evelyn didn't say much to this except to wish me well in staying safe.

"It's not easy having all this fame. Not everyone is willing to be your friend." 

I nodded.

"I know. Thank you." 

When we finally ended the call, I paced around the mansion. I'd planned to get to work on going through my bags, but now that I'd rehashed what had occured, my mind was reeling with possibilities. 

Sure, that could have been any old Joe that tried to take me but what were the chances that was the case? I mean, any time I had men breaking into my dorm when Elouise and Charlie were around was when they'd ordered it. 

Who was that man?

Before I could think more on this, a knock sounded on the front door making me jump.

I smiled. Though I wasn't feeling like entertaining company, I was glad that Jo had come to ease my nerves.

When I stared at the person on the other side, however, it wasn't who I anticipated.

The woman wore her same signature leather and looked like she'd been to the salon lately. Her beauty nearly knocked me off my feet as she brandished a wide smile. 

Oh no. Not her. 

"Hello, Mrs. Tiffin," Diedre sneered as she ran a hand through her glossy hair, "how about you let me see my grandson and we make this affair a bit easier?"
 
I backed away, flustered by this frank statement.

I didn't miss the hidden message.