Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

TWENTY ONE

The grand halls of Lada's mansion were unnervingly quiet, the usual bustle replaced by a heavy silence. Lada's heart raced as she paced the marble floor, the sound of her heels echoing in the stillness. The moonlight outside cast a ghostly glow on the estate, but inside, the air felt suffocating. Reporters are camping outside of her house, waiting for any movement.

"What's happening?!" she demanded, her voice edged with desperation. She clutched the edge of a table, her knuckles white. "Has no one got a hold of Bella yet?"

Apinya was on the phone with another contact, his face etched with worry. He turned to Lada, his voice grim. "Lada, no word yet. Bella's disappeared since the news broke. We've got every resource searching for Narin."

Lada's fists tightened at her sides. The image of Narin's innocent face haunted her thoughts. She needed results, and she needed them now. Her voice was steely and cold. "I want her found. Double our efforts. Search every corner of this city. Find Bella and bring her to me. Alive."

There was a murmured agreement from the room, but Lada barely registered it. Her mind was consumed by fear and rage, her resolve hardening. Narin had always been her beacon of light. Now that light was snuffed out, and she would not rest until she got her daughter back.

"Apinya," Lada said, her voice low and dangerous. "Send a message to every ally and rival. If they know something and don't come forward, they'll pay. No exceptions."

Apinya nodded, his expression somber. "Understood. I'll make sure it's delivered."

Lada scanned the faces of her loyalists. "And all of you," she warned, her voice rising with barely contained fury, "if any of you fail me or hold back information..."

The silence in the room was heavy, laced with fear. Everyone knew the consequences of crossing Lada.

"I want my daughter back," Lada continued, her voice soft but no less threatening. "Do you understand?"

A chorus of affirmations followed, and Lada dismissed them with a sharp nod. They left quickly, leaving her alone with her turmoil. She leaned against the window, closing her eyes momentarily, feeling the exhaustion of the past days.

A quiet knock at the door brought her attention back. She didn't turn around, her gaze still fixed on the darkened grounds.

"Come in."

Aunty Sum entered with a concerned expression. "Lada, I brought you some tea. I thought you might need something to help you... relax."

Lada's laugh was hollow. "Relax? How can I relax when my daughter is out there, alone and scared, Aunty Sum?"

Aunty Sum set the tray down and approached Lada gently. "She's strong, Lada. She'll hold on until we find her."

Lada turned, her eyes betraying the cracks in her composed facade. "I can't lose her, Aunty Sum. She's everything to me."

Aunty Sum placed a comforting hand on Lada's arm. "I know, my dear. You won't lose her. We'll find her. And whoever is responsible... they'll pay."

Lada nodded, her anger rekindling. She had to be strong, for Narin's sake.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. Her hands trembled as she picked it up. An unknown number flashed on the screen. This could be the call she had been waiting for.

"Hello?" she answered, her voice tight with tension.

A chilling voice came through the line, dripping with malice. "How does it feel, Lada? To have your loved ones taken from you?"

Lada's breath caught. "Bella," she growled, her voice trembling with rage.

"Yes, it's me," Bella's voice was taunting. "Remember how you felt when my father was taken from me? The helplessness, the rage? Funny how things come full circle."

"Your father betrayed my family!" Lada shot back. "He was a traitor."

Bella's laugh was bitter. "Oh, Lada, you really think that justifies everything? Your daughter... she's not untouchable. She deserves to die just like my father did."

"No!" Lada's voice cracked. "Don't hurt her, Bella. Whatever you want, just take me!"

Bella's voice was icy. "You think you can bargain now? I want you to suffer, Lada. To know what it feels like to lose everything you love."

Lada heard a small, trembling voice in the background. "Mommy... Mommy..."

"Narin!" Lada's heart shattered. "Bella, please, let her go. I'll do anything-just don't hurt her."

"Too late for bargains," Bella said coldly. "I want you to feel the pain I felt. When your daughter is gone, you'll understand."

Lada's world crumbled. The thought of losing Narin was unbearable. "Please, Bella, I'll give you anything. Just don't take my daughter."

Bella's response was chilling. "Nothing you offer can bring my father back. Now, you'll know what it feels like to lose everything."

As Narin's sobs echoed through the phone, Lada's despair deepened. "No... no..." she whispered, dropping to her knees, clutching the phone.

Apinya burst in, his face a mask of concern. "Lada! What happened?"

"She hung up... she's going to kill Narin," Lada's voice was choked with fear.

Apinya's grip on her shoulders tightened. "We'll find her, Lada. We won't let Bella win. We'll get Narin back."

Lada barely registered his words, lost in the storm of her emotions. Apinya's phone rang suddenly.

He answered quickly. "Yes? What's happening?"

As Apinya listened, his face shifted from worry to hope. He turned to Lada, urgency in his voice. "Lada... they found Narin's location!"

Lada's heart surged with a mix of hope and fear. "Where is she? Tell me!"

Apinya relayed the information, and Lada's resolve hardened. She would not rest until her daughter was safe. She is Fahlada Worachai, and she would let no one stand in her way.