Rosita laid her head on her husband's chest still crying.
"Find my daughter for me, Cliff. You know she is my everything."
"I know dear..., we will find her soon. He assured.
Rosita tried her very best to hold back her tears but she couldn't. It's been almost 2hours now and Riley has still not yet been found.
" What are you doing Cliff? Why are you still sitting here....? Please.... go out and find our daughter. " said Rosita amidst tears.
The whole house couldn't bear seeing Rosita in tears. Mad. Flora couldn't also stand it. She moved over to where Rosita and Clifford were sitting and sat beside Rosita
"I know how you feel Rosie, but you need to calm down. We're going to find Riley soon, trust me."
Rosita turned to look at her mother in law with tears in her eyes and nodded. The house was in so much tension and everything in a stand still. An hour more later, their silence was interrupted
"Mum....., why are you crying?"
Rosita quickly lifted her eyes to the entrance of the hall and saw her daughter standing there unharmed
"Riley....?" she called amidst tears and quickly rushed in and hugged her daughter.
Everybody sighed in relief to have Riley back safe and sound.
"Where have you been Riley..? Where did you leave to and why didn't you inform anybody where you were going?" asked Rosita, still crying
"Stop crying mum....., I'm sorry I left without anybody's noticed." she replied
"Did you know how worried and scared I was...?
" I'm sorry mum and dad..., I was..." their conversation was interrupted by a call from Rosita's phone. She checked the caller and it was a strange number. She turned to look at his husband and then back to the phone.
"What is it Rosie....?" asked Clifford
She looked at her husband without a word and answered the phone.
"Hi...., Rosie...." a voice answered from the other side of the line
But Rosita was quite and didn't utter a word.
"oh..., cats got your tongue? How did you feel with your daughter gone for awhile...? asked the voice with a disdainful laugh
" Nichole....." she whispered to herself, raising a worried look at her husband.
Clifford starred at Rosita with a concerned look and signalled, asking who it was but Rosita just stayed silently on the phone. After 30minutes on the phone with Nichole, the line went dead. Mad. Flora excused the workers leaving Clifford, Rosita , Riley and herself alone.
"Come here Sweetheart." said Rosita to her daughter
She nodded and went to sit in between her parents.
"Uhm....,tell me dear, where did you go?" asked Clifford
"I was in the garden, playing when I saw a cute puppy at the entrance of the gate so I went over to it. Just when I was about to carry it, I saw Aunt Nichole. She called me over and we went to have fun. I'm sorry I didn't inform you before leaving." she replied
Clifford sighed, looked at his daughter and caressed her face.
"What did I tell you about strangers dear?"
"But dad..., Aunt Nichole is not a stranger."
"But you should still be careful about her. I don't want you to meet her again."
"But dad...."
"No buts....dear."
Riley got furious and rushed off to the garden crying
"Riley...., Riley....." Rosita called after her but she ignored her call. Rosita stood up and turned to her husband and mother in law
"I will talk to her dear...." said Rosita and went after her.
Clifford and her mother was left alone in the hall. Clifford looked at her mum and sighed
"Don't worry son, it's going to be okay."
"Okay mum...." he replied with a weary smile
***********************************
Riley sat in the garden crying. Rosita stood silently behind her for awhile, sighed and sat beside her
"Sweetheart..., you have to understand your dad. He cares about you so much and does not want any bad thing to happened to you."
"I know mum..., but I don't know why he acts all weird when I talk about Aunt Nichole."
"Don't worry dear, everything is going to be alright. Daddy loves you that's why he is doing all that for your safety."
"For my safety.....? What is that about mum...?"
"Yes dear.... Don't worry, you will understand someday but for now, let's just do what daddy is asking you to do, okay...?
" Okay mum....." she replied with a smile
"Now, that's.....my girl...., let's go back inside the house."
"Okay mum...." she replied and they both went back into the house.
Riley went to sit beside her dad and apologized
"I'm sorry, dad...."
"It's okay Sweetheart, I understand how you feel dear. I just want to see you safe and sound."
"I know dad..., I will do what you say. I love you dad..." she replied with a smile and hugged him.
Rosita and Mad. Flora looked on and smiled. Soon, it was time for dinner. They all went to the dinning table and had their dinner. It was 7pm, Clifford checked his watch and turned to his mum
"It's getting late mum...., We have to get going and you also need to get some rest. Today has been stressful and a long day."
"Okay son..., thanks for visiting me today and bringing my granddaughter to see me as well." replied Mad. Flora smiling at Riley
"It's my pleasure mum.."
Clifford hugged his mum bidding his farewell. Riley also went to her grandma and hugged her, giving her a peck.
"Goodbye grandma..."
"Goodbye sweetheart.."
Mad. Flora went to see them off to their car and they drove off.