Abducted

CHAPTER 17

Forcing herself back to the present, Sara kept staring at Marina. Her face was pale. Her knuckles protruded as she held them tightly together. Finally gaining the courage, she eyed the casket. Tears pooled from her eyes.
She could not believe Geraldo was gone.
Geraldo, Sara and Marina were friends since their teenage years.
Back then, Geraldo and Sara were an item. They did everything together from movies to pool dates, long walks to studying together.
Their teenage crush lasted until Geraldo was sent away to College, along with his twin.
Only to return five years later, a changed young man.
More business like and not as interested in the adventures of his former years, but still handsome and charming.
Sara had fallen in love all over again. She tried to rekindle the flames, by her surreptitious advances, but it was too late.
To her utter amazement, the man who had stolen her heart, was totally besotted with her best friend Marina.
Sara had set about to spite him by flirting with his friend Tommy.
Regretfully, that did more harm than good.
Sara paid a terrible price for her game.
The lying, cheating, manipulating Tommy knew no bounds.
Geraldo eventually married Marina.
Sara, having suffered from two miscarriages, a result of the abusive hands of Tommy, still consented to marry him.
She saw him as the pot of gold, at the end of the rainbow.
What a price she had to pay?

Marina had never realised the depth of Sara's feelings for Geraldo.
Therefore, when the rich, handsome twin, came calling at her door, her feet slid right into the glass slippers.
She fell head over heels in love with Geraldo Hartland.
A child's voice broke into her heartbroken reverie.
"Hi Aunty Marina."
Smiling, Marina opened her arms to receive her four year old niece, Little Sally Hartland.
They hugged each other other tightly. Trying to keep a tight grip on her emotions Marina held her at arm's length.
"You look so beautiful darling." Marina gushed. Catarina and Sara joined in the compliments.
The beautiful white laced and gold frilled dress, added to little Sally's angelic features, giving her an ethereal look.
Sally bloomed under their praises.
"Thank you Aunty Marina.
Thank you Miss Sara and Miss Catarina."

Indicating to the nanny Rebecca, to proceed down the aisle.
Marina said "Sally will be fine here with me. You can come back for her in a short while."
Marina wondered why little Sally was left in the care of her Nanny at a time like this.
It was only right for her to be with her family.
After all, the deceased was her uncle and Sally had loved him as much as anyone.
Turning to greet the new arrival, Marina was pleased to see Mr. Romeo, the former butler.
Floating into his outstretched arms, she dissolved in tears. He was like a father, to them all. Always there to lend a listening ear or a helping hand.
Sniffling, she eased away from his embrace and took the handkerchief which Sally offered.
Mr. Romeo's eyes lit up when he saw little Sally.
"Oh how like a Princess you are!" he remarked. Bending over, he gave her a grandfatherly peck on her cheeks.
"Looking from Marina to little Sally and back, Mr. Romeo commented again on their uncanny resemblance.
The arch of her eyebrows when she is asking a question. Her smile and that walk. She is almost your replica."
His observation was interrupted by Sally.
"I think they are ready for us Marina." she stated, with a cool glance at the retired butler.
Sara wondered about his untimely comments.
For heaven's sake, wasn't Marina suffering enough?
They were all still reeling from the impromptu accusations of the police detective.
They proceeded down the aisle in single file. Sara's little palm was tucked securely in Marina's arousing murmurs from the guests,  of how like mother and daughter they looked.

Outside, in the shadow of a huge cypress tree, a tall figure leaned on a cane. Dark shades concealed his identity. The bandage on his right arm, slightly concealed beneath his raincoat. To observers, he might have seemed like any other person, attending a funeral.
The fact of the matter was, that the stranger was more important than all, who were present at the funeral, that day.
Watching as the ladies left the entrance to head to the pew.
He muttered eight words.
"Soon, very soon. It will all be over!"