Deadly Secrets

Chapter 46: Revelations

Simon sat at the kitchen table, his gaze fixated on a steaming mug of tea. It was the first time in weeks since he could bask within the tranquility of his own home, without having to be on any time constraints, without being watched around the clock. He picked up a teaspoon of sugar and poured it in his tea, stirring it in. His thoughts followed the motion; they whirled around in his head, until they dissolved into the aqueous depths of his mind.

The ceiling light hung right above his head, illuminating him in a yellowish glow similar to the one he was placed under whilst in captivity. The worst part wasn't being forced to sleep on a mat on the floor, with only a thin blanket for warmth, or even being fed nothing but soup for the past two days. It was being away from home, unaware of what his granddaughter was doing, or whether she was in danger. Had she worried about him? Had she kept him in her prayers?

Simon slowly looked around, at the shadows cast on the cheap furniture. Everything looked the same, unfazed by his absence—after he had come home late that night, he had scoured the apartment, searching for any hidden cameras or voice recorders hidden by the Jaguars. Luckily, he had found nothing, even after searching in every nook and cranny. Now, silence was his only companion, sporadically interrupted by the jerky buzz of the old refrigerator, now years past its prime.

He took a sip from his tea, his eyelids drooping. It was almost midnight and his granddaughter still hadn't returned, and his concern for her wellbeing only increased with every tick of the kitchen clock.

I've repaid my debt. I know they will keep their word.

When he was allowed to leave, the Jaguars had promised that he could now return to his old life. It perplexed him how they hadn't ended him. His mere existence could jeopardise their plans, yet that potential issue didn't bother them. Maybe they hadn't completely exhausted him of his use. He knew that he would now live every day in fear, expecting to be dragged out of his bed and into another cell.

As long as they left Zara alone, it didn't matter what they did to him.

His head snapped towards the hallway when he heard the front door creak open. He held his breath, giddiness bubbling up inside him.

She's here.

He wanted to run to her and scoop her up, begging her to forgive him for his abandonment. But his leg, the cause of his ailment, kept him chained to his spot, leaving only his mind to wander.

A figure walked by the kitchen, without throwing it a second glance, but then it took a couple of steps back.

It was Zara.

She stood there, frozen in her spot, her eyes wide and her lips parted in surprise. It was like she was debating whether the person sitting at her kitchen table was who she thought he was, and not just an hallucination.

As if a jolt of electricity had snapped her out of the trance, she ran up to Simon and threw her arms around him. She almost made the tea fly off the table, and her grandfather crash to the floor. He returned the gesture, holding her tight within his own arms. His granddaughter was here, in flesh and bone, and she was unscathed.

Thank God.

"I've missed you, my child," he said, his voice raucous with emotion. She broke away from him and he cupped her cheeks with both wrinkly hands. His eyes watered, and a small smile appeared on his face—his beautiful granddaughter really was here! It was almost unbelievable.

"I missed you too Grandpa," She sniffled, and hugged his neck again. The two remained like that for a couple of seconds, until she broke away a second time and stepped back. She brought the other chair up to him and grabbed Simon's hand, her eyes scrutinising his face. "Where have you been?" The question was almost an accusation, a double entendre which both parties understood. Nobody vanishes in thin air without a plausible explanation. Zara looked tired, with bags under her eyes and brown curls that hung limply around her face. It seemed that she too struggled to keep her eyes open.