As I stood in front of the audience, listening to my dad, my mind wandered. The past few months had been filled with ups and downs. I thought about the things i had to do to get here, to this happy moment.
Vows renewed and the start of my era as CEO of Numero Companies.I fought for this moment—this life I was building with Nita. Everything I did was for her and for the future we were creating. She was my everything.
Then my mum came to stand beside me, looking slightly frazzled.
"Where’s Nita?" she whispered. "I can’t seem to find my phone. I don’t remember if I left it in her purse or something."
I frowned, my heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean, where’s Nita? You sent her a message that you needed her!"
"What are you saying?" she asked. "Didn’t you hear what I just said? I can’t find my phone!"
I didn’t wait for any more explanations. My eyes scanned the room for Martin, who was stationed at the edge of the hall. I weaved through the crowd as fast as my legs could carry me. I heard my dad introducing me to the audience as the new CEO, but I didn’t care. Camera flashes popped in my face, but they were irrelevant. There was only one thought in my mind: my wife.
I burst into the hotel lobby. "Martin!" I called out, relieved when I saw him moving quickly in my direction. If anyone knew where she was, it was him. "Where is my wife?" I demanded.
Martin’s brow furrowed. "She told me she was heading back up to your room to see your mom. She said it was a wardrobe emergency."
"Our room?" I repeated, my voice growing frantic.
Without waiting another second, I raced toward the stairs. The elevator wasn’t an option—it was too slow. My adrenaline surged as I climbed two steps at a time, Martin trailing behind me. My heart pounded in my ears. Fear clawed at the edges of my mind.
Getting to the floor our suite was on, I sprinted down the hallway. I already had the keycard in my hand; I slid it in the slot, and the door unlocked with a quiet beep. As I pushed it open, I prayed to God she was inside.
"Nita!" I called out.
The room was eerily quiet. I scanned every corner, praying she was asleep. Since her pregnancy progressed, she had been sleeping in off and weird places and positions. But the bed was empty. My stomach dropped.
I raced to the bathroom. Empty.
"Nita!" I yelled again, my voice louder this time.
"Boss..." Martin called, his voice low. I turned to see him standing by the door, his eyes fixed on something.
"What is it?" I demanded.
He stepped aside, revealing a dark smear on the edge of the doorframe. My breath caught in my throat as I realized what it was. Blood.
My heart raced so fast it felt like it might give out. "They took her," I whispered.
Martin was already barking orders into his walkie-talkie, mobilizing the other bodyguards stationed around the hotel. But I couldn’t stay still. I couldn’t just wait. I yanked the door open and bolted down the hallway.
"Boss, wait!" Martin called. No way in hell! I didn’t stop.
I ran through the lobby and out into the street. I scanned the bustling city around me. My eyes searched the busy street, but she was nowhere to be found.
People turned to stare, but I didn’t care. I ran down the sidewalk like a man possessed.
"God, please don’t let them hurt her. I’ll do anything. Please, God." I muttered.
My knees gave way and I collapsed onto the pavement. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
"She’s pregnant," I whispered to myself. "She’s pregnant, and they took her."
I couldn’t lose her. Not Nita! Please, not my girl!
I headed straight to Sam’s house. It had been forty-five agonizing minutes since my wife disappeared. The party was in chaos. My dad’s carefully orchestrated event was now the center of a media frenzy. Nita’s face was plastered everywhere under the grim headline: MISSING. But I had no time for any of it. I had only one suspect in mind, and I was standing at his door.
I banged on the door so hard I thought it might crack under my fists.
"Sam! Open the damn door!"
No answer. My patience snapped. I stepped back and kicked the door with all my strength. It flew open.
"What the hell?!" Sam stumbled into view.
I stormed past him. "Where is my wife?" I growled.
"What are you talking about? What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Don’t play dumb with me, Sam!" I barked, kicking open doors, one after the other, searching every corner of the apartment. A bathroom. A bedroom. A closet. Empty, all of it. "Where the hell is she? WHERE IS MY WIFE?"
Sam followed me. "Have you lost your mind? What are you even saying?!"
"You kidnapped her!" I roared. "Don’t you dare lie to me!"
Sam threw up his hands in exasperation. "Oh, so now everything that happens to you is my fault?"
I stepped closer. "The police are already on their way. I’m giving you one chance to get ahead of this, Sam. Tell me where she is. Right now."
Sam glared at me. "The police? Good! Let them come. I’ve been here all day. I’ve got proof. Security cameras are all over this place. I didn’t touch your wife!"
I narrowed my eyes. "How convenient. No one asked for your alibi, and yet here you are, spouting it off like you’ve rehearsed it."
"You cannot ruin my life further than you already have."
I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "If you hurt her," I hissed through clenched teeth, "I swear to God, Sam, I’ll end you."
Sam didn’t flinch. "I don’t have your wife, Richard. Get the fuck out of my house. I’ve had enough of your bullshit. What more do you want from me?"
I released him with a shove and stormed out of the house.
Martin was waiting outside. "Boss?"
"He has her. I know he has her."