𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Has Anyone Seen My Sister?

(First Edit)

𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞

I woke up alone in my bed the next morning, not being able to recall how I got there when I distinctly remember dozing off on the couch around twelve thirty. Sitting up I ran my hand over my face and exhaled deeply. Well, I guess it's time to get up.

Pushing back the covers I set about doing my morning routine, brushing my teeth and washing my face before slipping on a pair of black skinny jeans, a high necked, grey ribbed sweater and stiletto boots. I let my hair fall down my back and applied a small amount of eyeliner and lipgloss. Leaving the room I made my way downstairs where the family had gathered to have breakfast.

"Good morning sweetheart," my mother was the first to greet me.
"Morning Mom," I say as I take my seat and pull in my chair, noticing right away that Valentino was absent.

"May I interest you in some eggs, pancakes and sausages Mrs Guerrero?" Carol asked as she poured my coffee.
"No thank you Carol. I don't have the appetite for it," I murmur.
"Darling you haven't eaten anything since yesterday," Mom said. "At least have a muffin to break the gas in your stomach."

I shook my head sadly and looked down into my steaming mug. "How could I eat in leisure while Adella is by herself out there, possibly being held prisoner by some depraved animal?" I glanced up at my mother, tears swimming in my eyes. "Whenever Adella goes for a run she doesn't eat anything beforehand because it makes her nauseous. And that was since yesterday afternoon. It's been hours since she's been gone Mom. How..how could I eat anything knowing my sister is out there, probably cold and hungry and all alone?!"

Placing my arms on the table I buried my face in them and began to cry, inconsolable despite everyone's efforts. After nearly twenty minutes I lifted my head and used a napkin to dab at my eyes. While I was doing that Valentino came inside and the moment he saw me he came over and took his seat, pressing a soothing kiss to my forehead. "Good morning my love."

"Val please tell me the men found something," I whispered. "I don't know how much longer I can hold myself together. Adella is missing, we have no idea where she is, who has her, what condition she's in or if she's even alive. Oh God this is killing me!"

"Tesoro I know you're worried about Adella, we all are. But panicking and fretting isn't going to help right now," Valentino said in a gentle voice. "I have people out looking for her, people I trust. They'll find her and they'll bring her home. And then I'll find whoever's responsible and make them pay with their lives."

Nodding my head I looked down at my hands, seeing the charm bracelet Adella got me for Christmas. It had my zodiac sign, a cat, a pair of shades, a flower and several others. It was made of silver and fitted perfectly around my wrist.

I fingered the cat — which coincidentally was the nickname Adella gave me when we were kids — and found myself crying once more. "It's my fault. It's all my fault. I caused this to happen. If..if I didn't agree for her to c..come to New York then she wouldn't be at the mercy of whichever bastard t..took her. I'm to blame for this."

"That's not true Jasmine," Sabrina exclaimed tearfully. "You are in no way responsible for this. How could you even think that?"
"It is my fault Sabrina. Adella is in this position because of me!" I sobbed. "If anything happens to her I'll just die!"

"Don't say that sweetheart," Valentino said as he tucked a finger under my chin. "And don't blame yourself either. None of this is your fault, do you hear me?"

I nodded shakily and he smiled before picking up his knife and fork and cutting into his pancakes. He directed a piece to my mouth but I shook my head. "I'm not hungry."
"Baby you need to eat," he implored. "You haven't had anything since yesterday, you need to keep your strength up."
"But-"
"Please tesoro, do it for me. Do it for your Val. Please?"