Finding Joy

CHAPTER 9: PLEASE STOP

Joy and Edan made their way back to the entrance of the hospital and they saw police cars parked along the curb. Joy rushed in and saw a crowd of patients, employees, and policemen. In the center of the commotion was a policeman talking to CEO Winter and an elderly woman who stood  next to them.

"We received a call from this lady that one of your employees has been abducted" said the policeman. "She says she saw her being dragged into a van in the parking lot. I've sent some of officers to search the area. Can we get an identification on this employee?"

Lily and Nick ran up to Joy, and Nick whispered to her, "Joy, you should leave."

"Quickly!" said Lily as she frantically tried to pull Joy away from the crowd.

Before she could move, the elderly woman saw her out of the corner of her eye. "Oh, it's that young lady! I'm ever so thankful and relieved that she is alright" she said as she pointed to Joy.

The policeman turned around and motioned for Joy to come.

"Why do I keep seeing him everywhere I go?"

When Joy walked up to Brandon, he scoffs, but then puts on a smile. He pulled out a pen an notepad and said, "Hello Ma'am. I'm officer Brandon. Could you give me a statement on what happened?"

Joy turned her head to the side and avoide eye contact with Brandon. She thought to herself, "So I'm just a stranger now?"

"Excuse me, ma'am, I need you to cooperate."

Despite Joy's silence you could hear the murmurs of the crowd surrounding them; it was suffocating. Joy tensed up and narrowed her eyes, trying but failing to block out the noise.

Edan walked up from behind and firmly places his hand on Joy's shoulder and, although she flinches, she was freed from the spell. Her eyes widen as he lowered his head so it's next to her ear.

He whispered, "Lift your head." He then turned to Brandon and said, "What she's trying to say is: we don't have to tell you anything."

Brandon furrowed his brows and crossed his arms. "Excuse me, who are you?"

Edan ignored him and whispered into Joy's ear, "Do you know him?"

Joy nodded. "My Ex."

"Sir," Brandon said, raising his voice. "I asked you a question. What is your relationship with this woman?"

Edan put his arm around Joy's shoulder. "I'm her boyfriend."

"Really? I don't buy it."

"Believe what you want." Edan pulled Joy close and hugged her with one arm. He used the other to cup her face.

"Wait!" Joy whispers nervously. "What-"

Edan cuts her off. "Close your eyes."

Edan leaned in close and looked over at Brandon as his lips hovered next Joy's. It looked almost as if he was mocking Brandon.

Brandon, clearly irritated, tightened his fist and pressed down firmly on the top of his pen. "Ok, I think we're done here. If you refuse to cooperate then there's nothing I can do." Brandon turned back to Winter. "Sir, we will continue to investigate this case. We will get back to you as soon as we can."

Brandon bowed his head and signaled for the rest of his men to leave.

As the police drove off, Winter turned around. The once rowdy room was silenced in an instant. Without a word, he left and all of the employees in the whispered to each other.

"It's going to happen again."

"He really is just as ruthless as the rumors say. Who did him so wrong that he turned out this way?"

"What can we do? It's the only way to weed them out."

Lily wrapped her arms around Joy's arm and said, "Wait, does that mean we're screwed?"

"What! No, I don't wanna leave you guys!" Nick sobbed as he put his hands on the side of his face and shakes his head left and right.

Joy puffed out a firm breath from her nose and pulled her arm free from Lily's grasp. "I'm going to talk to him. I didn't go through all of this just to let a repeat of history happen again."

"Are you crazy?" yelled Lily as Joy turned around to leave. "I know he's pretty nice to you compared to the rest of us, but this is more serious than just coming in late for work!"

"Don't stop me."

As Joy started to walk away, Edan put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll come with you."

She brushed his hand off. "No, I can handle this."

Ignoring what she said, Edan started walking towards her. Nick stepped in front of Edan, and stopped him but pushing his hand against his chest.

"She may not look it but Joy has her own type of strength." said Nick. "She's reckless, but tenacious. If anyone has a shot at reasoning with Winter, it's Joy."

Edan him down and walked away.

Nick breathed a huge sigh of relief and almost tipped over. Lily stabilized him by grabbing onto his arm. "Oh my gosh that was so scary. I thought I was a goner."

"Good job. You were so cool!" Lily says as she ruffled Nick's hair.

"Teehee!" Nick giggled. You could almost see a tail wagging, and his aura became so bright, it was blinding.

In the corner of the room, Paris, who planned to visit Nick during lunch, watched them. "Tsk, That should be me." She walked over and swatted Lily's hand away. "Nick! You were so manly. I love every side of you." said Paris as she winked and nudged up against him.

Annoyed, Lily stood to the side and tapped her foot. "Geez, it's just one problem after another today."

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