Love at Book Store

Chapter 16

Apo POV

After Mile left the store in hurry because of urgent call from his mum , I was still sitting on the edge of bed and processing my mind about what happened last night . Iam not sure what Iam feeeling right now towards Mile but whenever I see him my heart get warm . It feels like I can rest my tired body on his shoulder . It was something I never felt before with anyone . And yesterday night I realise it was not only me but Mile feels the same .

Mile went hurriedly so we were not able to talked about yesterday ~ about ourselves ----

I got up with soo much in my mind and took a shower and went down to  opened the book store . People started to come as soon as I opened the store . Even though it is the age of mobile phone and TV , Iam surprise that people still enjoy reading books . When I first came in Uncles store I thought there will be few people who will visit this store but Iam surprised that there are many people who actually enjoy reading books.  

It was 1 p.m and I guess Mile was busy , he didnt  called me after he went home ~ may be he got stuck with something .  I was with this thought that my phone had already rang for 2-3 times . It was " Dad "

I picked up the call and could hear dad voice before I could greet him -

" Apo , where were you ? I called you for soo many times and you didnt receive it ", Dad voice was mix with nervousness - Something is wrong .

" Yes , Dad . I was just looking after store "

" Apo, you have to come home ", Dad paused " Something happened to Gulf "

I panicked and raised my voice ," WHAT ? What happened to him ?"

" He was missing since yesterday , just come home fast . I had send the driver there ,so come soon "

" But Dad--" , the line cut off

I was anxious, I dont know whom to call and unknowingly called Mile but he didnt pick up my call . I hurriedly changed my clothes and closed the store . The car was already outside the store . I called uncle and told him about my emergency departure .

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I reached home . I could see there were police cars infront of the house . As soon as I get out from the car , mum came running towards me ,

" Apo ", she was crying . Her voice was trembling

" Mum , how are you ?"

" Apo , your brother ---," she cried hugging me

" Dont worry Mum , nothing will happen to Gulf . Iam here now . Where is Dad ?"

" Apo ",a middle aged women call my name , it was Auntie Xie . She was our servant but more like part of our family . She was with us from long time so we call her Auntie .

" Auntie Xie , how are you ?", I seperate myself from my mum and hugged her

" Apo, my son . Thank god you came back . We were soo scared ", Auntie Xie started sobbing .

" Dont cry Auntie . Everything will be fine . Lets go inside . Where is Dad ? "

" He is inside ", Mum said wiping her tears .

We went inside the house . Everyone -  our servants , police , dad , dad's secretary everyone was there .

" Dad ! ", I went towards him he was sitting on the sofa , talking with one of the  police member who was sitting across him .

" Apo , come here ", Dad wave his hand towards me  , I hurriedly went to him and sat beside him .

" Apo , meet Inspector Lian . He is incharge of Gulf case ", dad said pointing towards a young man who was around 27-28 years old . He was fair and have mascular body . He was wearing a dark blue color police uniform and a cap .

" Hi , inspector .  Did you find something on my brother ? Is there any clue ?",I asked him

" My team is investigating around the kidnapped area and checking the CCTV footage . I heard from his friend that they went to nearby cafe to do their assignment . Then Gulf went to bathroom but when he didnt come back to the table  for long time , the friends went to check on him where they found his scattered bag and papers all over the bathroom tiles ."

I could hear mum was sobbing beside me . I hug her and comfort her . I could see dad was panicking too . The guilt and fear in his eyes because he knows it was due to his business . It was done by one of his rival but he dont know who did it.

" Dad , dont worry . Gulf will be fine ", I told him squeezing his hand . Dad look at me and nodded his head .

After my dad became successful , his competitors and rival increased day by day ,  they always try to do something to harm my family and drag my father from his business but he never gave up . He thought that one day they will get tired of it but their evil deed is increasing as time passed. 

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Mum and dad told me to get some rest because I had travelled a long way so  I went to my room , upstair to fresh myself . I came back home here after soo long time . I was staying in a room near my college so I visit home once in a while . My room was clean and tidy . Auntie Xie know that I dont like dust so I can guess she always come here to clean the room. Not a single thing was moved from its place . It was as how I left it . I took shower and changed my clothes . 

There are lots of thing roaming in my mind - first I dont know what happened to Mile that he didnt receive my call and didnt message me back . I didnt even get a chance to tell him that I came here . And secondly , my brother - I dont even know how is his condition and what they are doing with him ? He must be scared .

I went down after refreshing myself . I could see everyone were stressed . They were in the hall . Some of the servant were standing beside the sofa and Auntie Xie was comforting my Mum . There is nothing I  could do at this moment . I could only give comfort to everyone.

It was midnight and noone had went to sleep and eaten anything till now .

" Mum , why dont you eat something ?", I said , approaching towards her

" Apo , how could I ?  I dont even know how your brother is doing. Did he eat or not ?  ", she started sobbing

" Richael , eat something . At this rate you will lose all your strength until Gulf came back . Just eat something ", dad said

Mum went to kitchen and brought food  .

" How can I eat alone when noone had eaten yet ? We should eat properly to welcome Gulf when he came back home ", she said approaching towards dinning table with food tray . "Xie bring everyone here in the dinning table . We will eat together ".

Everyone joined her  but noone could properly ate the food .

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It was morning . I was in my room upstair . I forced everyone to take some rest , so everyone had gone to their respective room .

I couldnt blink my eyes for a second .Soo much happened in one day . Even in this suitation I had one person in my mind ~ . I reached my phone in the hope that , that person had atleast called me but I didnt realise that my phone battery was dead . I got up and put plugged in it.

At was 10 a.m in the morning and everyone had gathered in the hall . And suddenly Dad phone rang and it was the inspector we met yesterday .

" Yes , inspector "

He suddenly got up from his sit . Everyone was anxious and looking towards his direction . And after the call ended dad said -

" They found Gulf ", Dad said

This is first time I saw dad eyes full of tears . Dad had never showed his emotion but this time I could fell he was really scared , scared that something may happen to Gulf because of him ....