Riley looked at her parents with a surprised face
"Mum...., dad....,what's wrong? why are you looking so shocked."
"It's nothing dear, I think you should be more careful not to go out with people you don't know. Okay?"said Clifford
"But dad..., Anutie Nichole is not a stranger. Is she?"
" I know dear but just be careful, uhm..?
"Okay....dad.." she replied adamantly
"Okay Sweetheart, go to your room and change now." said Rosita smiling
"Okay...mum.." she replied and left her parents to her room.
Riley and Clifford sat quietly for a while thinking on what to do and how to handle the situation without creating fear and panic to their daughter
"What are we going to do now dear?"asked Rosita
" I don't know for now but we'll think of something soon, okay? I'll protect you and our daughter from any harm." said Clifford assuredly
It was already bed time, Riley and Clifford went in to check on their daughter. They sat beside their daughter, looking worried and concerned
"Mum.., dad..., are you okay? You guys looks so worried." said Riley
"It's nothing dear, we just want to be beside you as you fall asleep." said Clifford
"Close your eyes and sleep now dear." said Rosita
"Okay..mum.." she replied and closed her eyes.
Rosita brushed her hand on her daughter's hair as she fell asleep.
"Honey.., don't you think it will be a good idea to tell Riley about Nichole?" asked Rosita
"No Rosie.., I want Riley to feel relax and leave happily like every other kid."
"Okay dear." she replied
They starred quietly on their sleeping daughter for awhile and left, turning off the light.
***********************************
Riley was awaken by the morning light hitting her face. She checked the time and was already getting late for school
"Mum..." she called anxiously
"Yes...Sweetheart." she replied from the backyard
"Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, running to the washroom without waiting for her mother's reply.
Within few minutes, she was done. She took her bag and rushed downstairs
"Mum..., did I missed the bus?" she asked on getting to the living room
"No Sweetheart, but you will not go with the bus today. I'll be driving you to school henceforth and will come for you after school." replied Rosita
"But why mum....?" she questioned but her mother didn't give her any reason
"Okay Sweetheart, let's get going else I will be late for work."
Riley shrugged but followed her mother to the car and they drove off.
MARATHON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Rosita pulled up in front the school, Riley took her bag and ran off to meet her friends who had alighted from the bus and heading into the school.
"Take care of yourself, Sweetheart." her mother called after her
"Okay mum....." she replied back and went to her friends.
Rosita starred worriedly at her daughter and drove off.
"Hi.....friends...? she exclaimed as she joined her friends
" Hi....Riley" they all chorused
"Why didn't you join the bus today?" asked Kate
"It's my mum Kate, she wanted to drive me to school today." she replied
"Okay, let's get going. The bell will soon ring." said Nancy
"Okay." she sighed
"What is it Riley?" asked Kate
"It's my parents, they have been acting strange ever since I told them about Anutie Nichole."
"Don't worry Riley, I'm sure it is nothing." said Kate. Just then, the bell went off and they all rushed to their classroom
FORD INDUSTRIES
Clifford was in his office with Lian planning on how to handle Nichole
"What have you heard on Nichole" asked Clifford
"From my investigations, I found out that Nichole is back in Australia with her husband and her son attends the same school with our kids."
"I see.., what about the evidence of threats I asked you to give to the police for investigation?" asked Clifford
"About that...., the police have done their investigations and from them, it doesn't have any link to Nichole."
"Really....., then who is it from?" he asked, looking confused
"Same question I'm asking myself here but I'm sure Nichole has something to do with it." answered Lian, looking so certain.