110: Hello bastard.

GIOVANNI.

What a wonderful day it was for an outdoor wedding: warm, but not terribly so. The early May sun peeked out occasionally. A pleasant breeze from the north rustled in the surrounding shrubs, cooling the guests and family members as they took their seats on either side of the walk leading to the gazebo. Sweet strains of classical music drifted through the crowd. The wedding reception was a garden party held upon a day of blue skies and sweetly rising heat. Love was in the air as if it were a new kind of electricity, so palpable and real.

I couldn’t believe it; the love of my life and I were finally getting married. What a memorable day it was going to be.

The playground off to my right was empty, although a few children standing around the rows of chairs eyed it with a desire to play. Obviously, they would much rather be jumping and climbing, instead of being fussed over by their mothers and aunts, having their ties and hair bows adjusted. Balloons and streamers fluttered around the railing and banisters, a festive mixture of pink, light blue, and white.

To the left of me were rows of cars glittering in the sun. A stretched Lincoln stood alone, decked out in ribbons and twisted coils of streamers, ready to whisk the groom and bride away. 'Just Married’ was painted across the dark rear window. As I stood back there, I thought to myself how perfect and lovely everything was. The smell of fresh cut flowers filled the air.

I was excited, I was even more eager because Kiki had told me that she had a surprise for me and I couldn’t wait to see what it was. I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life life her either.

I took my phone to call my wife and she had barely spoken much before she was suddenly cut off, and then I couldn’t hear anything from the other line. Just before I could try and call her back, I was called on to walk to the aisle and since I already heard her say she was just around the corner, I put my phone back in my pocket and decided to go ahead.

I smiled at my mom, who waved at me and then I looked at Imelda too, she looked teary as I walked to the front of the ceremony.

I was ecstatic. I was happy. I was at peace.

Until I was waiting at that front for over thirty minutes and Kiki was still yet to show up, we all have called her phone so many times and each got no response.

By now, everywhere was tense and I was scared. O tired to remain positive as I stood hoping that this would turn out to be a prank or a minor traffic delay or something but the moment Rose ran into the venue, looking so worn out, dirty and bruised.

It was immediately obvious that things were not fine.

“What happened? Where… where is Kiki?” I asked as she fell into my arms, family and friends had gathered around us and I couldn’t help but feel claustrophobic.

“She… she… She was taken… she was kidnapped… on our way here… the driver was in on it.” She rasped out and I shouted for anyone to call an ambulance before she passes out, she was obviously so tired.

I was immediately running to the nearest car I could find as I panicked so bad. Just before I could start the car and drive to wherever, which I absolutely do not even know, my phone chimed signifying that I had a message.

Just when I proceeded to read, the door to the car opened and my mom came in. Imelda got into the backseat.

“What are you doing, mom, Imelda? I asked, tensed.

“We have to do this together, I’ve called the police and they are on their way, they also said to keep them in the light about new developments. Don’t worry, son. We’ll find her.” Mom said as she held my hands.

“Can you even drive? Are you stable enough to drive?” Imelda asked, concerned for my safety.

“I… I am, I need to read this first.” I stuttered out.

The message was from a strange number and I began to read,

“Hello Bastard,

We have your woman, she is safe and unharmed but if you hope to see her again, follow my instructions without deviations:

1. Do not speak about this to anyone.

2. Do not contact any authorities or private agencies.

3. Come to the address attached to this message.

4. Come alone.

5. You should be here today!

Remember that I am watching everything and if you think that you can outsmart me, it’ll cost your woman her life.

Here’s a picture to show you your woman in our grasp, and oh… seems like I ordered one package but got two instead.”

I almost fainted as soon as I clicked on the picture sent, it was a picture of Kiki looking so tired and bruised, it was obvious that she had been slapped or even punched.

I immediately became so angry, Mom and Imelda passed the phone around so as to read the messages while I had my head in my palms as if trying to come up with a plan.

“We are not doing any of these!” Mom snapped.

“Oh, I will do some of it, mom. Alone. And I’ll be fine. I know who did this.” I said.

“Who? And there is absolutely no way I’m letting you do anything so dangerous on your own, son. Not under my watch. Well do this together and yes, the police will come with us too.” Mom said, adamant while I sighed.

“It can only be Gaston. I have not heard from for a while after that dirty fight over the inheritance and only Gaston calls me bastard. It can only be him.” I said.

“Then this should be Easy, Gaston isn’t that smart, I’m sure he’s doing this just so you can give everything to him, but I don’t get how he thinks he’s going to do something like this and get away with it.” Imelda said.

“And I don’t think he can pull all of this off alone, he has to have had help, he might have employed one or two men but I feel like there’s another touch here.” Imelda said again.

I looked at her as I went into my thinking mode and then it clicked, “FIORELLA!” I said so loudly.