~Moore mansion~
"Is Canaan back?" Mrs Moore asked as soon as she stepped into the mansion.
"No ma'am" A female servant replied. Mrs Moore frowned deeply.
"It's been three days already. Where could he have gone to? He has been cancelled on two important interviews and three contracts. What do I do with this child" She thought aloud as she walked pass the servant.
She stopped at the foot of the stairs and asked, "What about Shugar?".
"In her room, ma'am. She just had dinner".
Mrs Moore said nothing as she ascended the stairs. She went to Shugar's room and found the door open.
Shugar was already in her pyjamas and her hair was wrapped in a towel. She smiled as soon as she saw her mom.
"You're back! I'm sorry I had dinner without you but I promise it wasn't that good anyway. Rihanna burnt the chicken again and I had managed leftover soup you made" Shugar pouted. Mrs Moore chuckled.
"You complain so much about food but you can't even cook."
"I'm a singer and these hands play guitar. You can't possibly blame me" She whined.
"Have you heard from Canaan?" Mrs Moore asked.
"Not since three days. I've gotten a lot of calls from his manager too. I think he ghosted everyone like he usually does" Shugar shrugged.
"I'm worried about him. What if he's in trouble? How do we help him then? I don't know why he behaves like this. It is not okay to just disappear on everyone." Mrs Moore said.
"I expect you to know Canaan better than everyone. He's always been like this, eomma. He'll be fine".
"But he didn't take his guards....."
"Ma! He has a lot of guards positioned everywhere he's likely to be. You don't know all of them so you can't be so sure" Shugar groaned.
"What if he's out in the cold? You know his health condition. What if he hasn't eaten? He forgets to eat a lot and he needs someone to constantly remind him. He's not okay by himself. We have to find him please" Her voice rose with panic as she spoke.
Shugar pulled her to sit on the sofa and wrapped her in a hug.
"He'll be fine. Just don't die before he comes home".
Shugar's phone rang immediately and she groaned when she saw he caller ID. She answered the call.
"No, Fernando, he's not yet home" she spoke before he could utter a word. She heard a sigh at the other end of the line.
"It's been three days! The clients are getting impatient. The board are on my neck and ABD.....Do you really not have an idea of where he could be? We've already searched his penthouses and beach house."
"It's just three days, Fernando! The longest he's been gone is three months. Relax, he'll come back when he wants" She said and Mrs Moore glared at her.
"I guess we'll just keep looking then. Goodnight" He ended the call and Shugar sighed. She didn't get why everyone was panicking. He disappears all the time yet they ack like they're just experiencing it.
"Go and shower, mom. You need to eat dinner and get some rest" She said to her mother. Mrs Moore left sullenly without argument.
~Ariel~
After collecting my pay, I headed for my second job. It was at the local library. The pay is very little but I don't mind a little extra.
I walked a good distance to the library and wiped my sweat with my sleeve. I pushed it open and walked in.
The old lady looked up from the counter and a warm smile graced her face.
"You're quite early" She said.
"Do I get a bonus?" I teased and she laughed.
"Maybe but only if you get the top shelves cleaned and cleared".
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, I am really grateful" I vowed repeatedly thanking her. She chuckled.
"Go and get it cleaned already. I don't want you to break your neck for nothing".
"Thank you" I bowed and dropped my bag at the usual spot. I set a bunch of stools and found my way to the top.
I glanced over at the library. It was empty except for someone who sat few metres away from me.
I couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl. I focused on my job. Ma'am Nana was very generous with her bonuses and I wanted to make it worth it.
Maybe if I impress her, she would increase whatever amount she had in mind. Honestly, money was a good motivation to work.
I hummed a song in my head as I threw down books and wiped off the dust and cobwebs.
When last did they clean up here? Her former workers certainly cheated her with their ghost cleaning.
"Careful up there, Kim. I don't want you to hurt yourself" I could see the worry in her expression as she spoke. It made me smile.
"I will be" I assured her.
I successfully cleared the first and stepped down. I adjusted the stool to the next one and tried to ignore how close I was to the customer.
I climbed on it and started throwing it down. I didn't notice how unbalanced the stools were until it wobbled.
I gasped realising I must have shifted it out of position when I was pulling.
I tried to balance myself as I threw down the books, it wobbled more and slid off the second stool, sending me off.
I yelped as I landed on a pile of books. The pain shot through my entire system and I let out a cry.
The chair pulled back and that was when I realised it was a he. The hoodie covered his face perfectly. Sweatpants and even socks.
I moaned in pain and he glanced at me. I thought he would atleast give me a hand so I stretched mine.
He simply picked his phone and left. I sat in shock forgetting the pain for a second.