Chapter 32

…Emile kiddie pov…

I entered one of the cabs and the driver helped me to arrange my luggage in the booth.

I didn't know how to approach my best friend Erick and neither did my mom.

"Take me to a hotel," I told the cab driver.

As the cab pulled out onto the busy street, I glanced out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis. I tried to relax and enjoy the ride, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

"Is everything okay, miss?" the driver asked, catching my eye in the rearview mirror.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile.

But as the minutes ticked by, my anxiety only grew. I felt like something bad was going to happen. When I looked out the window from the side mirror, I saw a car following closely behind us, a black Toyota car.

Suddenly, the taxi came to a stop at a red light. My heart raced as I saw the car behind us pull up beside us, and two men wearing masks and gloves jumped out.

"Get out of the car!" one of the men shouted, yanking open the door and pulling me out onto the street.

They both held a gun and he pointed it at the both of us.

"You lie down and don't look up", the taller man barked at the driver. While the other one tied my hands behind my back as he dragged me to the car.

I struggled and screamed as they dragged me into their car and sped away. It all happened in a brief moment.

The car raced through the city; they seemed to be heading for the outskirts of the city. Who were these people? What did they want from me? I knew I had to come up with a plan, but I was too terrified to think straight.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the car came to a sudden stop. My kidnappers dragged me out of the car and into a dark, deserted alleyway.

"If you do as we say, you won't be hurt," one of the men growled, as he lifted me and carried me on his shoulders. "But if you try to escape, we won't hesitate to use force." He said.

My stomach churned as I realized that I was completely at the mercy of the kidnappers. I had no idea what they had planned for me or what they wanted with me.

My eyes were blindfolded. I was semi-drugged and could only hear what they were saying but lacked the strength to scream.

The men led me deeper into the alleyway, I tried to think of a possible way to escape. But with my hands tied and my options limited, my handbag had been taken from me. I could only say a silent prayer that I will be able to come out of this unscathed.

……. Dickinson pov…..

I arrived at the cottage and stepped in throwing my jacket on the couch and loosened my tie.

'Did she get home safe? Where is she staying? She didn't tell me where she was heading.'

Worried i took my phone out as I dialed her number. It rang for a few moments but there was no reply. I called again while walking into my room, I placed the phone on the and undressed as I watched the phone trying to connect.

No reply.

Damn it! I picked up the phone and began to compose a text.

Hope you got home safe. Why are you not picking my calls?

I tapped send then placed the phone back on the bedside table.

Jumping on the bed I drifted to sleep cuddling my pillow.

************

OMG! I suddenly woke up from sleep sweating profusely. What was that? I wiped the sweat from my forehead. "What a nightmare" . I stood up slowly slowly, I pushed open the bathroom door and had a shower.

Coming out I was wrapped in a towel, dripping water my eyes trailed to the clock on the wall.

I was late!

I hurriedly to my closet and dressed up in a black two-piece suit.

Where are those file? Ahh? searching the tables the drawers and the shelves I looked for the presentation file for the foreign investors.

Found it!

After searching for fifteen minutes I found it under books in my reading table. I dialed Jim number.

Good morning sir-

Where are you jim? I interrupted him as I grabbed my briefcase with the files in them.

"I am out here sir", he said.

Outside he was leaning against the car as I fixed my tie moving towards the car.

Good morning sir! He said opening the car doors.

``Good morning Jim, can you drive faster today? I am late". I said as I entered the car, finally arranging my collar and tie.

In a few minutes I pulled up at the office building. I used my private lifter and pressed the buttons heading up. The door opened to my Secretary sitting behind the table and looking worried.

"Good morning sir she stood up", as she saw me stepping out for the lifter. Sir the representatives of the investors from france have arrived and are in the meeting room with the board members.

"Okay", I said. Is Miss Emile here? I asked.

"No she isn't". She said,

Oh...uh… I saw I walked off to my office to grab some files then glanced at Emile corner. "Emile needs to understand me", I muttered as I headed out making for the meeting room.

Sir, your wife came while you were on your trip.

I stopped in my tracks and looked at her, my eyebrows slanted into a deep frown

She… wanted to see you? She stuttered sensing my change in mood.

"Next time she comes, tell her she is not allowed in, do you get that? Tell the security that too". I spoke slowly but I'm high pitched so that she will catch every word I say.

O...okay, she said.

I pushed the door of the meeting room and entered inside the board members and foreign investors were seated already. Looks of impatience were visibly on their faces.

"Sorry am late", I said as they all looked at me.

"Can we begin", I sat at the head of the conference room table, arms crossed over my chest as I listened to the investors from France present their proposal. My board members, seated on either side of me, listened intently as the investors spoke, taking notes and nodding their heads in agreement at various points.

But I was not as interested. I had heard it all before. The same promises, the same assurances of success. I was tired of these meetings, of the constant pitches and proposals. All I wanted was to wrap up this meeting and get back to running my company.

As the investors finished their presentation, I glanced at my watch. "Well, thank you for coming in today," I said, a hint of impatience creeping into my voice. "We'll take your proposal into consideration and get back to you."

One of the investors, a man named Pierre, leaned forward. "We understand that you may have some reservations about working with a foreign company," he said. "But we believe that this partnership could be extremely beneficial for both of our businesses."

I sighed inwardly. I didn't want to be rude, but I really just wanted this meeting to be over. "I understand your enthusiasm," I said. "But I'm afraid we'll need some time to review the proposal and discuss it with the rest of the board."

The investors nodded, clearly disappointed but not surprised. "Of course," Pierre said, standing up and shaking my hand. "We understand that these things take time. We'll follow up with you in a few days to see if you have any further questions or concerns."

As the investors left the conference room, I let out a sigh of relief. I didn't want to be rude, but I just couldn't bring myself to get excited about another potential partnership.

My board members gathered around me, discussing the proposal and offering their thoughts. I listened politely, but my mind was already made up. I would take some time to review the proposal, but I knew deep down that I wasn't giving it much thought, my mind wasnt settled.

Emile…

I sat at my desk, staring at the phone as I waited for my lawyer to pick up. I drummed my fingers on the wood, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. I needed to get these divorce papers signed, and I needed to do it quickly.

Finally, the call connected and I could hear my lawyer's voice on the other end.

"Hello, Dickinson," he said. "What can I do for you today?"

"I need to know where we stand on the divorce papers," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Has my wife signed them yet?"