Together but Separate

Chapter 48: To Find Her

Nicko Ferragni

I ran downstairs to find my wife. My heart was pounding so fast since I saw her broken phone on the ground. I immediately had a negative feeling from what I saw. I was trying to dismiss the negative feeling that's why I searched in every corner of the house, hoping to prove my assumptions wrong. But I searched everywhere and couldn't find her.

I felt nervous that my heart beat faster. I grabbed my phone from my pocket to call the head of my wife's security team.

Even though Kate asked them to stop following her, I commanded them otherwise. I wanted them to keep an eye on her from afar. I wanted them to protect my wife from the paparazzis or from people who could possibly hurt her.

With just one ring, he picked up my call. "Hello, Sir Nicko?"

"Where is my wife?" I asked straight to the point.

"Sir?" he asked, wondering. "Nasa loob po ng bahay nila. Teka, sir, nakita po namin kayong pumasok sa bahay ni Ma'am Kate. Wala po ba siya riyan?"

I clenched my left free hand when I heard his answer. It made me more nervous. It was enough to conclude that they didn't know where my wife was.

"I won't call you and ask that question if she's here." I was getting upset with them. "Don't tell me you all didn't see her leave the house?!"

"S-sir, nakabantay lang kami dito sa harap ng bahay ni ma'am. Hindi po kami umalis. Sinigurado ko pong may mga matang nagbabantay palagi. Hindi po namin siya nakitang lumabas ng bahay."

"Well, she's not here!" I was so upset. "You are all not doing what you're supposed to do! If something happens to my wife, I will make sure you all lose your jobs. So better go and make sure you find her!"

I didn't wait for him to respond. I hanged up the call because I was so mad. I was so mad that they didn't know where Kate was. I was paying them more than I should in order for them to do their best in making sure that my wife is safe. I couldn't believe my wife escaped from their watch if they were doing their job properly.

I raked my hand in my face. I was so worried and nervous for my wife. She probably left because she thought she was going to lose her business totally. Based on what Kaila told me earlier, she was probably hurting right now. And that fact was enough to make me so worried about her safety. People usually don't think straight when they're hurting. I was afraid she would put herself in danger. If only I was not being a coward and helped her right away. I could've prevented this from happening. I shouldn't have mind her getting angry at me for helping her. I would rather endure her anger than being in this situation, not knowing where she was or if she was safe or not.

"Nicko, anak."

I turned around to see my mother in law. She looked so worried. I didn't know if she was worried about Kate or about me —for she probably heard and saw my outburst.

Kaila was standing next to her. She probably saw it too.

"I'm sorry if you saw me like that," I apologized in a low voice. I tried my best to control my anger.

"Anak," she said again. The fact that she recognized me as her son helped a little bit to calm me down. "Naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman mo ngayon. Pero walang magagawa ang galit at sigaw. Kahit ako rin ay kinakabahan para sa anak ko. Pilit kong iniisip na baka babalik din si Kate. Siguro kailangan niya lang ng oras para mag-isa at magpalipas ng sama ng loob."

"Pero, nay, hindi naman si Ate 'yong tipo na aalis na lang bigla kapag may problema. Saka tayo ang madalas niyang takbuhan kapag may problema siya. Hindi siya umaalis ng ganito na walang pasabi."