Morning. day. monday. Gibson house. bedroom. he standing front of the mirror, suiting himself. wearing causal suit. shaving. rub his chin, then storm out from the bathroom. grab his suitcase and walk downstairs to kitchen. he taking quick breakfast by drinking coffee. he laid the cup inside the sink then he storm out from the house.
he unlock the door car and start the engine while waiting for Belle walking at the aisle. he smile. just think the aisle she walk wearing a wedding gown to be his wife. his life so .. ? he looking foward for it. he want Belle be his wife. who's going to stop him? he kill them.
minute passed. he glance over his watch. the time show at 7.20am. and he still waited for Belle.
she hadn't show up nor her shadow. nor her figure.
taking deep breath. he walk toward the door and knock it. he hear a footstep walking reached the door. hoping it was Belle who open the door. maybe she's late a bit, over slept or something, but his thought were wrong. it was her mother, Molly.
he show her fake smile as she smile at him back with cup of coffee at her hand. he can smell it. "Morning, Molly."
"Victor? Gibson? whatever. what an suprised this morning. is there anything you need?."
"No. but - I've been waiting for your daughter actually. school."
the mother suddenly scratch her scalp head with giggles. he doesn't know why and he know there something she keep it. a secret?
"My lord. I thought she told you already. I expected everything is fine and you know it. well - you don't."
he blinked. said. "I don't understand. told me what?."
"Today is monday am I right?."
he shook yes. the mother continue.
"Well. today is her visiting to L.A with her co workers. her boss, Jonah. he done everything include with Belle school. the principal already know. I guess everyone know include you."
Gibson. he faking his smile shake his head. he swear he don't know anything about it. he doesn't know the lamb sheep restaurant. whatever. whomever will do such a thing. they took his Belle away from him. now what supposed he do now.
"Thank you. I appreciate you told me this." silent. he smile. "I got to go. I'm running late now. have a nice day."
he about to turn, and the mother about to close the door as he stop her.
"Have you know how many days she were gone? I mean I can report to principal if she wasn't back or another trip. something."
"I don't know. Belle not talkative daughter I gives birth to. I assume about a weeks."
with nod and smile he left.
he went back to his car. take a glance to the mother, he drove his car to school. about minute he arrive. he parked the car without turning off the engine. he knock his back head on his car seat as his eyes close and bout to cried. why Belle do this to him. why she didn't not tell him where she goes.
why?
"Gibson?." his eyes wide open. he turn to mirror. "You alright?." one of the teacher knock his window. he nod show him his okay. the teacher left him after that.
taking deep breath. he turn off the engine, bolt out the car went inside the school. he walk at the corridor to student locker room. the student rushing toward the class as the bell rang. he watch the student and waited till the corridor is in silent and empty. he looked for Belle locker room. he stood for a minute then went to his office.
afternoon on road. Belle are sleeping beside her are Tiana. the others are having their fun. talking. singing. Jonah rent vw microbus for them road to L.A. Belle wake up. Tiana smile.
"Morning sleepy head or should I said afternoon?." she chuckle. "We're having lunch I'm about to wake you up." Belle rubs her eyes.
half an hour. Frank take a stop at the gas station beside it has convenience store. Frank fill the gas, the other went inside the store.
"Oh my god. this ramen are super hot stuff. it's viral around the world thanks to korean."
Belle stood between the bun and junk food row. basket on her arm. she pick her favourite bun and lots of chocolate. she loves chocolate as Gibson told her before. and yes she love chocolate that she cannot lied herself.
Tiana also take her own stuff. then looked for Belle. "Chocolate?."
"I love it."
"Sure. who does not love chocolate."
half hour past. the crew start their journey again. "I don't know how Jonah manage your school, Belle?."
asked Frank while driving. he spoke back. "He keep his job clean like I'd said."
"Whole weeks. my principal must be shocked."
Tiana grin. said. "We having our fun in here. no school. no teacher. no homework. fun. you deserved it, Belle. you young and sixteen. let your stress out."
"Being teenager wasn't stress enough. we just a kid. still living under same roof with the adult. money. famous. bullies. everything."
Tiana nod agree. "I like kind that way you talked about teenager. your ages. I agree with that. and don't forget their spoil very much."
"Good thought."
"Am i?." Tiana look around. "I mean we all have our teenager problem even Frank." silent. she spokes back. "And i'm one of them."
gently Belle tapped Tiana laps. all about Tiana she know. remembered how her fiance cheating behind her back by having sex at the cheap motel. that girl was Tiana childhood best friend. she did it on purpose. envy. to Tiana of what she had in her life. compared that woman life. she always envy to Tiana. by the chance she stab Tiana behind.
to begin with. Tiana found they two on bed. she receive a strangers call asking her to come at the motel where her fiance were at. first she thought just a prank but no. he broke her heart. she called off the engagement and cursed them both to death.
Tiana wished come true. the couple died in car crash while she visit her grandma. the evidence pointed at her. but then the case discharge, Tiana aren't involved. the night she found them at the motel, she went straight home packing her clothes and the same lucky night she got last ticket to Kansas. two days later she hear the news about them.
"Bullshit! he deserved that!." shout Frank. oh. Frank know too.
back to school. Gibson met the principal. he must lied about something so then he could chase Belle at L.A. he must do something. he cannot let her go like that. like no way.
"What brought you here, Mr. Gibson?."
"I'm just want to tell you Miss Decker is on vacation."
the principal nod herself. "And no one told me. I'm her teacher. I deserve to know what happen to my student."
he grit. hit his fist on table. he about to launch on top of her but no.
the principal, Mrs. Shimmers just smile to him. nothing else she like to said but this.
"I know. all the students is our priority. but when or where -? had nothing to do with you. yes. I'm apologies on behalf that I not telling you or others teacher telling you."
"I get that a lot."
he's get up. walk. before he could reach the knob. he sudden slop his hand inside the pocket. he pull the cellphone then put it at his ear. in second pass, he slop his cell back inside. slowly he turn back to the principal.
"I didn't hear any cellphone ringing."
"School. I keep my phone silent while I'm at school and teaching. vibration inside my pocket. something happen to my family."
silent. he spokes back. "I won't be here if Miss Decker back from her vacation."
"What do you mean? just because Miss Decker you quit your job."
Gibson scoffs. he show his fake sad face. yes. everything. fake phone call. sad face it's all fake. he do this because he want to be with Belle. he will do anything for her.
"No. my grandma she -." silent. "She sicked. alaska. she lives in alaska. what can I said she take care of me when I was small."
the principal nod sympathy. she said. "You need anything? I proceed your visiting. come back wherever you can. sending my regards to your family. I find replacing teacher for your student while you away."
"Sure. thank you. I packed. I leave my student to you."
the principal nod as he walk out from her office. he slop his hand inside the pocket again. he dialled the number. secretly contacting the person whom may help him to track Belle as fast he need.
"Eh, Josh? would you like part of the team."
next day. the crew arrived in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Belle eyes saw "Hollywood" sign on top of the hill. welcoming them. she turn look at Tiana who her mouth wide open looking around the view.
"Guys! this is amazing."
"You tell me. it is incredible. yo Frank! where we heading to." said one of the crew.
since yesterday, Frank drive from Colorado to Los Angeles. he never switch driver with, just he don't like it. Jonah choose him to be their tour guide and leader to the team.
he look up at the rear mirror. "Rorschach, hotel. we need rest and sleep. tonight is free activities you can go wherever you want but tomorrow our journey is begun. I have it on my list."
he pointed at his bags. "Tomorrow will be our last breath I recommend you all." he said while driving.
"Can wait. oh I forgot to call my mom that I safely arrive."
she slopped her hand inside her bags, reach the cell she slide the screen and dialled the number on the pad. waiting. her mother get the call.
"Mom!?"
minute later, they arrive at the Hotel. as the same day Gibson arrive. she didn't notice him. knowing him still in Colorado. teaching. but her thoughts were wrong. he's with her. like right now. he stayed at the same Hotel she were in.
thank you for the information he made a called yesterday. he stood front of the reception desk waiting for line. slowly he turn his back as he hear her voice. he watch her. together with the others.
previous before Belle arrive. there a stories behind it. how Victor Gibson get to Los Angeles so fast at the same time she arrive. by a plane. someone helped him booked the same place Belle check in.
everything are arranged.
"And just so you know, our fitness center will be closed because of the renovations being done on the mezzanine level." said the reception man, as Gibson pushed his visa card to be swiped.
"Thank you, Mr Gibson."
he still hear the crew behind him. still. Belle with them. how exciting they are to be part of group. the man nowhere to be seen. maybe smoking outside the Hotel, leaving the girl behind. he turn back to the reception man. smile.
"If i can just get your autograph."
Tiana walk toward the reception while Belle and other girl are sit on the sofa.
"Can i get two keys to suite 312 and 315? reserved under Frank nee Martin."
Tiana stood beside Gibson. she don't know it was him followed.
"One moment."
Tiana turn to him and smile without saw his face, as he busy himself filled the form guest. cleverer him. Gibson disguise himself. that's why Tiana couldn't see him clearly. she turn to the reception man.
"All right. there you are. the keys. have a nice stayed."
Tiana reach the key with smile. "Thank you." turning her feet walk toward the girls. the girls are about to take the elevator as Tiana pass the key to Frank outside the hotel.
Gibson hand it over the filling card to receptionist man. his eyes on Belle. the reception man asked.
"Do you have a preference as to which floor, Mr Gibson?"
he bit his bottom lip. said. "Third floor would be great."