"Usman, if you bring back my wife AKA your beloved, within twenty-four hours, I'll relinquish my claim on her," He said, pacing around Man with calculated steps. "I'll divorce her and ensure she marries you, even if it's against her will." His voice dripped with sarcasm as he halted before Man."I promise."
He scoffed, turning to exit the Fada, leaving Man appearing unfazed despite the weight of the ultimatum.
"This shall remain undisclosed!"
•
Batoul stood still, her back to him, as he zipped up her dress. Their eyes met in the mirror, and he offered a reassuring smile. He helped her up and enveloped her in a gentle hug from behind, his warm breath on her neck.
"It's going to be alright," he whispered, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. Batoul had been stressed and quiet, her mind consumed by Mahira's disappearance.
"I trusted Mahira so much," she said, her voice trembling as she began to knot her hair. "I never thought she'd stoop so low."
He gently stopped her, holding her hands. "What if she was kidnapped, Batoul?"
"How could she be?" Batoul countered. "Nanny B would have heard her scream. And with all train stations and airports shut down, it's impossible for her to escape." Her voice rose in panic. "What if people find out Mahira ran away on her wedding day?"
The doctor's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Batoul's distress. "If she had run away, we would have found her by now. Her photos are circulating among road officials, and there's a thorough search underway." He finished knotting her hair in a gentle, soothing motion. "I think I know who might have taken her."
Batoul's eyes welled up with tears. "Who?" she urged, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor's expression softened. He leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Lifting her onto the bed, he tucked the duvet around her. "I'll be back soon," he promised, disappearing into the walk-in closet.
•
Sanaah sat motionless in the elegant, blush-hued room, clutching her white teddy bear tightly. Her eyes, red-rimmed from crying, seemed sunken, and her porcelain skin looked pale. The soft pink and blue jumpsuit she wore contrasted with the turmoil brewing inside her. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun, but wisps framed her face.
Achraf entered the room, his footsteps quiet on the plush carpet. He settled beside Sanaah, gently prying the teddy bear from her grasp. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close. Together, they sat in a comforting silence, the only sound the soft ticking of the clock.
Minutes passed before Nanny B entered the room, her warm smile a beacon of reassurance. "How are you, sweetie?" she asked, her voice soft.
"We're both doing well." Achraf smiled.
"I don't know but I'm suspecting your stepmother is behind this." She said while crouching down on the pink lush carpet.
"I feel that way too" Sanaah said, almost inaudibly.
Achraf cleared his throat and sat up right, "She's way too composed, but before that, I think I need to tell Gee about Jamal." He said.
"Jamal?" Nanny B asked, looking a little nervous.
"Who's he?" Sanaah asked.
Achraf noticed Nanny B's uneasiness but decided to shrug it off, "He's my sister's ex boyfriend. She recently complained that he has been hitting her up on all socials and even went as far as sending her emails when she blocked him. To be honest, she loves him a lot and has been traumatized since he left her." He explained.
"No! I don't think Jamal has anything to do with this Ashy." She smiled, warmly.
Something about her smile was giving off creepy energy but Achraf didn't want to push further so he decided he'd meet Gee secretly and tell him about Jamal.
"What can we do now?" Sanaah asked.
"Good question." Nanny B said and removed a small object from her purse. "This is a small but mighty object. A hidden camera that records video and audio. So all we need to do is paste it on the wall somewhere inside your stepmother's room." She said.
"That's very thoughtful but how do we do that? And how will it help by the way?" Achraf asked.
"If they have anything to do with Mahira's missing then they're surely gonna discuss it, perhaps tonight or tomorrow morning. We'll use the recording as evidence to prove them quilty." Nanny B explained.
"I know what you're saying but how do we get it into her room?" Achraf asked again.
"Sanaah." Nanny B shift her gaze to her, "she'll be the one to paste it anywhere on the wall, and the excuse she'll use incase she gets caught is she's searching for her tablet as she can't find it." She said.
"But my tablet is right here, it doesn't make any sense rather it will only arise suspicion." Sanaah said.
"That doesn't matter lil girl, are you in? Or am I alone in this?" Nanny B asked.
"We are!" They both exclaimed.
•
At 3:45 a.m., a BMW M4 sat abandoned on the deserted motorway. The surrounding chill seeped into the car, mirroring Man's frozen thoughts. He had parked there at 2:56 a.m., his head now resting on the steering wheel for the past half hour.
Before leaving the house at about 12 midnight, he had ordered the securities to check all security cameras in search of any suspicious activity, but much to his surprise they haven't been any suspicious actions.
He had ordered the securities to monitor the activities of every individual that goes into and comes out of the Dala residence.
Time was running out. Twelve hours had passed since he received the twenty-four-hour ultimatum to find Mahira. His father had grounded all flights nationwide, shut down train stations, bus, and car parks. Security checkpoints were under intense scrutiny. Despite these efforts, no evidence had surfaced.
Lifting his head from the steering wheel, Man's eyes re fierce and face etched with resolve. No words could explain the intensity of his gaze, in all we can say he looks extremely scary.
Igniting the car, he made a swift U-turn and drove down the quiet street.
End of Part 17
A boring one? I'm sorry! 😣
Not me foolishly smiling because I know I've wronged you guys.😭
What do I say?
I want to explain but I don't know how to, all I can say now is SORRY!
And I'll be making frequent updates, insha Allah.🌝
Love y'all.
YOU ARE READING
INTENSE BLING
Romance•THE GENIUS & MS. LONDON• Ms. London, a beautiful young lady, returns to Nigeria, facing numerous challenges and the weight of her mother's past actions. Amidst darkness, she remains determined to find happiness. Meanwhile, The Genius, a globally re...
