CHAPTER 49… HOME

Somewhere in Ontario…

A man, dressed in all black with a black nose mask to match walked into the room where Bella was staying. He found her sleeping on the cold floor. It was clear she had cried her eyes to sleep without eating for her plate of food was untouched.

He could not deny the hurt and pity he felt for her. Her own mother had subjected her to this harsh treatment without caring.

Just how heartless can his boss be?

He sighed and walked up to her. Carrying her gently, he placed her over his shoulder and picked up her bag and school clothes.

"Travis, what happened?" A woman asked, puffing out smoke from her nostrils. "Where are you taking her to?"

"The boss said to get her home, now!" He said and starting to walk away. "And stop puffing out smoke like a fucking factory."

When Travis got to the car, he placed the sleeping child carefully in the back seat and just when he was about to close the door, she turned and muttered something in her sleep.

Travis moved closer to her lips only to hear her muttering the words…

"Mummy… Daddy…"

He sighed and entered the car before zooming out of the area.

***

The car stopped before the address Raina had sent. Travis came out of the car and knocked on the gate. When he was sure he heard footsteps, he placed her on the floor and drove away.

Stopping at a safe distance, he could see when a man, possibly the gateman, came out and he looked suprised to find the child on the could floor.

The gateman quickly wrapped her in his arms and carried her in. Only then did Travis ignite the car and left the area.

Inside the house, Zeres, the gateman ran like the wind, barging into the main house. Although it was almost ten in the night, he did not care and started to call for the housekeeper in a loud voice.

"Mrs. Johnson! Mrs. Johnson!" Zeres called repeatedly, hoping the child was fine.

Mrs. Johnson who hated her sleep being disturbed came out of the room, hissing and frowning.

"You had better- gasp!" She gasped when she saw the figure in Zeres hand. She ran to where he stood and took the child in her hands.

"What happened to her? Where did you find her? How is she this hot?" Mrs. Johnson began asking all her questions but Zeres had answers to only one.

"I found her outside the gate." He replied, trying to check if the girl was still breathing. "Is she alive?"

Mrs. Johnson ignored his question and went to place the child on the couch. She turned to the kitchen.

"Quick, go get the boss."

Zeres nodded and started to run upstairs. Meanwhile, Selena and Timothy had heard him calling for the housekeeper a while ago and they woke up. They were already coming downstairs when they met with Zeres halfway through.

"Sir… madam…" Zeres struggled to speak, he was pointing downstairs.

"What happened, Zeres?" Timothy asked, knotting his robe around his body. Close to him, Selena was trying to stiffke a yawn and keep her eyes open.

"The litt- Bella." Zeres said and started to descend the stairs again.

Selena's eyes cleared immediately she heard Bella's name. She followed Zeres, asking where she was.

As soon as they reached the foot of the stairs, Selena froze. Bella was lying down on the couch, naked as Mrs. Johnson pressed her body with a towel.

Behind her, Timothy was speechless too. He held Selena by the shoulders and gently led her down to where the little girl was laid.

"B- Bella?" Selena muttered, looking up to meet Timothy's gaze. A tear trailed down her cheek as she bent down before the child. 

Her trembling hands reached to touch Bella's face and she could not hold back the tears that fell when she felt the girl's skin hot underneath hers.

Mrs. Johnson carried the bowl of water and left the room. Zeres narrated how he found her to Timothy and he also took his leave.

Timothy stood behind Selena, silently watching her cry. He could easily tell her to stop crying but, he would not.

He knew she had been holding in a lot of tears and emotions since when the child got missing and now, all he wanted was for her to pour it out.

Selena took the child in her hands and placed her on her chest, her tears wetting the girl's hair.

Bella opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred but she was able to make out the face of Selena.

"Mummy? Are you the one?" she whispered in a barely audible tone, lifting a weak hand to touch Selena's face.

Selena held the hand on her face and closed her eyes.

"Mummy's here, peanut." Selena mumbled, forcing herself not to cry anymore. "You're home now, baby. You're safe."

 Bella's smile was weak and her voice, even weaker. She said, "I missed you, mummy."

"I missed you too, baby. I missed you." Selena finally broke down into gard sobs that made her body shake.

Unable to take it anymore, Timothy walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to him and he shook his head.

"Let's get her in bed." He said, stretching his hands to take the child but Selena quickly shifted. She shook her head and continued to sob.

Timothy sighed.

"Fine. She'll sleep in our room." He suggested and Selena nodded. "How is that?" He asked and she finally stretched her hands for him to take the child.

Timothy carried her on his shoulder and held Selena by the waist. She placed her head on his other shoulder as they walked back to the room.

In the room, Timothy placed Bella in the middle of the bed and pulled the sheets over her. He tucked Selena in by her right while he laid on the left side.

"You should sleep." He said after a while when he noticed that Selena's eyes were still open. "You have a long day tomorrow."

"Who took her?" She asked, meeting his gaze. Her hands were wrapped possessively around the sleeping child. "Do not lie to me. I know you know who did this."

Timothy did not react, nor did he reply. He only stared at her in silence until the silence became deafening. 

"I will not do anything. I just want to know who took her." Selena assured him. "Who did this, Timothy?"