Strip Love

Part 23

Narrator

Asia sat on the edge of the hospital bed, her heart racing as the nurse handed her discharge papers. The sterile room felt suffocating, and all she could think about was getting home to Ariel.

"Are you sure you're ready to leave?" the nurse asked, concern etched on her face.

"Yes, I need to go. My daughter is waiting for me," Asia replied, trying to mask her anxiety.

Once outside, the fresh air hits her like a wave. She fumbled for her phone, desperate to call Rose again off a strangers phone but there was still no answer. A pit formed in her stomach as she climbed into the Uber, the weight of uncertainty heavy on her.

The drive home felt surreal, the streets blurring past her. She got out of the car and rushed inside, calling out, "Ariel? Sweetheart?" Silence echoed back, amplifying her panic. Thank goodness she always kept a spare key in her plant pot that's directly in-front of her apartment door.

Asia checked every room, but her daughter was nowhere to be found. A frantic call to Rose went unanswered again, this time using the house phone.

"Where could they be?" she muttered, dread pooling in her chest. She quickly grabbed her car keys and headed for the school, praying that Ariel had gone there. Grateful once again that someone was kind enough to take her car to her house.

When she arrived, the receptionist looked up, surprise flickering across her face. "Asia! You're back. How are you feeling sweetie?"

"I need to know if Ariel has been here," Asia said, barely able to contain her anxiety.

The receptionist frowned, flipping through records. "I'm sorry, but she hasn't shown up for three days."

Three days. The realization hit her hard, and she felt the walls closing in. "What do you mean? Rose hasn't brought her here for school since when?"

"I'm not sure, but we can call her."

Panic clawed at Asia's throat. She couldn't think straight. Jason had mentioned needing to lay low, but she never expected him to take advantage of the situation. Was he involved?

"Can you please do that?" she urged. "I need to find her." Hoping Rose would pick up the school's calls at least.

As the receptionist made the call, Asia's mind raced. She felt trapped in a nightmare, every second ticking away. What if Jason had done something to her? She couldn't let her daughter slip through her fingers again.

"Asia," the receptionist said gently, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm really sorry, but it seems like her phone has been cut off"

Frustration boiled over inside her. "I need to get back to the salon. And then to the police to report a missing child."

Before she could second guess herself, Asia rushed out of the school, determination fueling her steps. Whatever it took, she would find Ariel and bring her home.

Asia POV

I arrived at the salon in under 15 minutes, surprised to find it open so soon after last week's chaos with Kiara getting shot and my own kidnapping. Had the police really cleared them to resume business so quickly? The amount of cars seen in the parking lot tells me so.

I swung open the doors, and every head turned my way, as if they'd seen a ghost. If I weren't so frantic about finding my daughter, I might've cracked a joke, but that wasn't the mood. It amazed me that most of the girls were back to work already. The world moves on fast, even after a day filled with bullets, shattered glass, and panic. The door looked brand new, and I spotted Marisa, Rene, and Celine but no sign of Kiara. Panic surged; had she not survived?

"Asia?" Marisa called, leaving her client's side to approach me.

"Yes, it's me in the flesh," I replied, trying to sound steady.

To my surprise, she wrapped me in a tight hug. I didn't realize how much I needed that embrace until it happened. After a long week, it felt like a lifeline.

I pulled away from Marisa, trying to steady my racing heart. "Where's Kiara?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Marisa's expression shifted. "She's still in the hospital. They said she's in a coma. It's really bad, Asia."

My stomach dropped. I had to see her, but first, I needed to find Ariel. "I can't stay. I need to go to the police station."

"Are you sure?" Rene chimed in. "With everything that happened..."

"I have to," I insisted, my mind racing. "Ariel's missing, and I can't just wait around."

I left the salon, the cheerful chatter of my coworkers fading behind me. My thoughts were consumed by dread as I drove to the police station, memories of last week's chaos replaying in my mind.

When I arrived, I found Officer Antonio at the front desk. He looked up, surprise etched on his face. "Asia?"

"I need to report my daughter Ariel as missing," I said, urgency lacing my tone.

Antonio's expression shifted to concern. "Missing? Still can't get a hang of her?"

"No, she's not home and birthed is the sitter."

"Let's take this to my office," he said, motioning for me to follow.

As we walked, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Antonio had been the only officer I felt I could trust. Although right now I can't trust anyone. Once in his office, I explained everything, my voice trembling as I recounted the details.

"Don't worry, Asia. We'll do everything we can to find her," he reassured me. I looked into his eyes, grateful for his sincerity.

"Please, I just want to know she's safe," I pleaded.

"Let's start with a missing persons report. We'll get on it right away," he replied, taking notes. As he worked, I couldn't shake the fear gnawing at my insides.

What troubles me the most is that Rose won't answer my calls, nor anyone else's calls. Is she safe? Did they take her along with my baby? Maybe those monsters are trying to get back at me because Jason killed their leader. When will this nightmare end? I've done nothing to deserve this. They took my parents from me years ago, right before my eyes 'traumatizing, I know' and I never sought revenge; I just wanted to escape. But now they're back, turning my life into a living hell and dragging my daughter into it.