her disappearance

40

CREIGHTON

It's been two weeks since me and Anoushka broke up and I've been getting Luca to give me updates on her from Wren but I concluded that Ivan blackmailed Anoushka into breaking up with me. With what? I'm not too sure. I'm tempted to hurt him for even trying to blackmail her but that'll have to wait until the end of my plan.

I told Luca what happened and we decided that we'll follow Ivan around for the day. Just to get an idea of where he goes and what he does. Maybe even expose where he is keeping Iris.

Sitting in Luca's car, I chew on my burger. His phone buzzes in his lap and it's Wren. He presses the answer and puts it on speaker. "What's wrong, princess?" he asks.

"Anoushka," she says.

My heart immediately began to race at the mention of her name. What did she mean Anoushka? Is she hurt?

"What about her?" he asks, watching me carefully.

"She's fucking heartbroken!" she yells. "Tell Creighton to come home before I beat his ass."

I press mute on his phone. "Maybe tell her she broke up with me and allegedly cheated."

Wren could hurt me if she tried and she seems angry enough.

He nods before going off mute. "From what I've heard, she broke up with him and also cheated."

Wren scoffs. "She did not fucking cheat," Wren exclaims. "Luca you know Anoushka. She is the most loyal person ever. Creighton needs to fight for her."

If only she knew how much I was fighting for her.

"Well. If Anoushka wants to talk to Creighton, she knows where to go."

I could hear distant talking in the back. "Who are you on the phone to?" I heard her angel like voice speak for the first time in what felt like weeks.

"Just Luca," Wren replies. "He's just picking up some baby stuff."

Luca smiles at his phone. He was excited to become a father. Wren had started to show more and it was difficult for her to cover her pregnancy. It is their last year and Wren isn't due until after summer so they had time to get their lives together without the school knowing.

There is more talking in the back. "Luca please buy Anoushka something to eat. Preferably a burger or something. She hasn't eaten in ages."

My blood runs cold at the thought of Anoushka starving herself because of the breakup. I taught her how to cook so many dishes so she should know how to make something.

"I'll drop off something for her," he tells Wren.

"Thank you, baby," she replies.

"I'll speak to you later," he tells her before hanging up.

"We'll drop a burger off," I tell him.

"We have an hour until Ivan leaves his house so we have to be quick."

•••
ANOUSHKA

I knew it was Creighton who brought me all this food. I wasn't that close to Luca for him to know that I loved dark chocolate or chocolate orange. He bought me a box full of chocolates and sweets and a huge burger meal.
Grilled Chicken, not fried.
Diet Coke not regular Coke.