Crossing The Devils Path

chap 30- the call

Richa's pov:
I got up with a bad headache. I knew this was going to happen because sleep wouldn't come to me last night. Everything around me felt like a fast paced world I can't cope up with. Taking a deep breath I tried to calm myself. I pictured Richard soothing me, comforting me last night. He barely touched me but he left my body on fire. He had this effect on me that I myself couldn't much understand. But I smiled knowing that in an unknown land he was the only one who truly cared for me.
Ironically , he's the reason you are in an unknown land. My subconscious pointed out to me. I just sighed and got in rhe shower . The nice long shower calmed me down and I felt way better. I dressed myself in comfortable jeans and a foral T-shirt and went upstairs to have breakfast with Richard. What I hadn't expected, was to see Dante there. I froze but Richard placed his hand on mine and silently assured me that all was fine. Dante gave me a weak smile and I just looked away. I tried to eat but I couldn't. I heard a sigh from the other side of the table and looked up. It was Dante, he was looking at me apologetically. I looked down and presumed my eating but stopped midway
" Richa...I...I am sorry please."
I.looked at.him trying to.find any sign.of ingenuity and there it was...
His eyes.held guilt and I found myself forgiving him. I smiled and nodded at Dante. He smiled and nodded back.
After that we all ate our breakfast in. Silence. Till Dante decided to speak
"Richa do you have any clue that you have got.this guy whipped....
Big time "he said laughin and pointing at Richard.
I blushed hard and Richard squeezed my.hand under the table. But the way Dante looked at me was different hos eyes held dark.emotions...maybe love. But the thought went away as soon as it came and we all started chatting again. Once breakfast was done Richard and Dante left and I was left alone. I watched television and read through magazines and then.decides to dance. In the.middle of my dance my new phone.rang. Richard had given it to me some days back with his, Dante and Sam's number saved in it. I picked up.the call without checking the caller.
"Hello..Richa?" the voice on the other line said. It was some woman on the other line. I knew I hadn't heard that voice before but I suddenly felt anxious as if something wrong has happened.
I didn't answer waiting for her to say something and she did "oh come on girl! I know it's you. I know who you are but we still need to be introduced. Well first things first, someone wants to talk to you. "mmmmm" is all I heard from the other side. There was some shifting noises and the woman spoke again." Sorry, your boyfriend cannot talk much with a duct tape on his mouth now, can he?" she laughed a low throaty laugh. I stood there frozen in my place trying to process everything she just said. Boyfriend?...duct tape?...who was she talking about and then my bulb dinged. Richard yes she was talking about him... but duct tape? Was he kidnapped but why? Business rival?...or Sameer? My throat suddenly felt dry. Finally after what felt like forever I heard myself speak " w..hat do you ww..ant?" I croaked out.
"Nothing much baby , just you." She said. " Be ready by 1, I will text you the address and exact place. Come there alone and obviously you know the rules if you inform the police or anyone else be prepared for your guy's funeral" she said and cut the call. I stood there staring at the wall and music blasting in my ears. I shut the music and sat down on a chair. My heart was beating wildly and I was clueless what to do next. My phone vibrated and this time was a message from an unknown number.
7th avenue street, in the backyard of the abandoned house , at the end of the road. Hoping to see you at 1 , the clocks ticking pretty girl. -S
S? Who could it be.... Sameer? No no no ... it was a woman on the phone ...could it be some of his employee? I had a hurricane of thoughts in my head and I didn't know what to do. I was still new to London except the few times I went with Richard. How was I supposed to go there alone? This could be a hoax call ...but no one had my number. Most importantly, everyone knew me as Rachael not Richa. I picked up my phone and called Dante. He was the only one that could help me. He picked up the call after a few rings.
"Dante? " I burst out crying."Richa? what's wrong? why are you crying" and then I told him everything. He calmed me down and told me that it could be hoax call or something so he would check up on Richard and call me back in 10 minutes. I was anxiously pacing the room waiting for Dante's call. Finally he called back ,"Richa I am Richard's office, he didn't come here since morning the secretary said . Plus, his phone is unreachable. I am coming to your place in 5 minutes we are going to the address you got." I didn't bother to reply and went to put on presentable clothes.
After a while, Dante came to pick me up and we drove in silence till we reached our destination. Hurriedly we ran out of the car . Dante and I had agreed to go inside quietly, with Dante following me at a safe distance . Once inside the abandoned building I started feeling anxious again. It was dimly lit inside but I kept walking forward. On hearing a noise, I turned around "ahhh my head!"
and the next thing I saw was darkness.