~Zane's POV~
"That's the place," Tay says as we both gaze at the large apartment building before us.
The apartment building before us is huge and I does give that hotel looking vibe. This place must cost a fortune to afford. I park my car in the lot. I'm obliviously looking at something I can't place when I feel Taylor's hand on my shoulder.
"Are you okay?" she asks with her brows furrowed, her voice comes out as a whisper.
I stare into her eyes to find nothing but genuine concern. "Yeah...yeah I am. I just hope she's fine."
I get out of the car, following Tay to the reception area. The tiles are black marbles and the walls are painted white and gold. The chandelier is hanging above the receptionist's desk that is situated at the left end of the room.
The man before us looks like he's in his early thirties. His smiles, exposing his pearly white teeth. His tag on his black suit reads 'Bryan'.
"Good afternoon. My name is Bryan and how may I be of assistance?" he says, retaining the smile on his face.
"We are looking for a Ms. Vanessa. She lives here," Tay states.
"Does she know you are coming?"
"We have a surprise and so we don't want to ruin it for her."
The man's lips form an 'o' shape before he turns back to the computer screen by his side, typing away quickly.
I just hope this works.
"Apartment number 533. That's the sixth floor."
"Thank you sir," I and Tay chorus.
We move away from the desk about taking the elevator when I see—Darren. What's he doing here? I pull Taylor to a small corner that is well hidden.
"Why did you do that?" she asks. I point towards Darren. "Your friend?" she turns back to look at me.
I nod.
Darren walks out of the building with his phone placed on his ears.
"What was he doing here?" Taylor asks when we finally get to the elevator.
"I have no idea Tay...no idea."
What was Darren doing here in the first place? Does he have anything to do with Cassie's kidnap?
No, it can't be.
Why would he?
"Hello? Earth to Zane..." I snap my head to look at her...amused at my own obliviousness. I teasingly smile at her. Her expression hardens slightly. "We are here."
I stare at the door before me. This is it; what I've been waiting for since I suspected Vanessa...and now my best friend.
I push the door bell and the chiming sound is echoing in the house. Not long after, the door is opened to reveal a plump dark woman who is wearing a white shirt and a black skirt. Her hair was a neatly woven cornrow. She moves aside and welcomes us into the house.
"Good afternoon ma'am," I begin. "We're looking for Ms. Vanessa. Is she in?"
"Yes she is. You just take a seat and I'll go get her," she smiles and walks away; she halts as she's about leaving the room that I presume is the foyer. "Who should I tell her is looking for her?"
Taylor looks at me. "Please tell her Taylor Hartley. She was sent to deliver a message to her," I conclude.
She nods and exit the room.
"So what do you think?" Tay asks, searching my face for an answer.
"I don't really..."
"What does Ed want from me now?" Vanessa's voice boomed as she stepped into the room where we sat. Without thinking, I sttod up.
"So you do know Ed?"
"What do you want Zane?" She crosses her hand over her chest.
"Where is Cassie?" I ask sternly.
"She's is in the rehab centre-"
"No she isn't," I yell. She's trying to push buttons that she just shouldn't.
Her eyes dilated. "What is it now?" Her voice is low.
"Where is she?" I move closer to her.
"Just get out!"
"No I wouldn't-"
"I'm going to call the cops that you are trespassing"
"And tell them that you kidnapped someone?"
She's panicking?
"What's going on?" I calmly ask, trying to mask my anger.
"I'm sorry. I never meant to do anything to Cassie. She's like my own child but what about mine? He took Lee and killed Trystan. Please all I want is my son back..."
She's crying? In a matter of minutes, her eyes turn red and her knuckles turn whiter than usual.
"But please tell us where she is?"
"That's the problem, I don't," she says, dropping her hands down on her thighs.
"How do you-" I'm about to say in a fit when she cuts me off.
"He changed her location. I don't know where she might be so please...all I want is my baby back. I'm pleading...."
She places her hand on her chest. I scan the room, only to find and picture of her and two little boys. They both have curly hair but the second one on her left hand side is wearing glasses. The two boys are wearing identical clothings- a blue denim jacket and shorts, black shirts and white sneakers. Vanessa is in their middle, wearing a black knitted gown. Her hair pulled to a bun with her glasses on.
"Ed killed Trystan two months after this picture was taken. It was...it was their birthday. He killed my son..."
She tightens her grip on the chair by her side. The plump dark woman rushes in with a cup of water in her hand and begins to pat Vanessa on the back, watching as the young woman gulps the water down in matter of seconds.
She coughs a little and wheezes. She sits on the chair, taking in deep breaths. The dark woman is still by her side, staring with worried. Vanessa takes the woman's hands in hers and smiles.
"I'll be fine Rena,"
"Are you sure ma'am?"
Vanessa nods.
I squat in front of her. "We only came to ask if you could help us find Cassie. What do you know?" I ask.
She looks at I and Tay with a smile on her face. She pulls out a paper with a pen and scribbles something.
EatDrinkAmericano--12 pm
YOU ARE READING
ꜱᴋᴇᴛᴄʜᴇꜱ
Teen Fiction"It's okay Zane. My dad always told me that a man who is proud of dying, is proud of showing his battle scars. I want to be that man," Her life was gone. Everything she had was gone and now she's struggling to put back the pieces of her life back to...
