"What do you mean you can't find her? What do I pay you for? An entity her size could not just vanish into the thin air just like that!" Akim screamed at his phone.
Whoever was on the other line may have been shivering because he began to stammer.
"Bbb..be..boss. We are..tr...trying our very best. We would..."
"Don't promise me anything you dimwit!" he cut in quite irritated and impatiently.
"Prove yourself with results rather than words. Tell me how long it has been...Four solid whole years. It's a common nurse we are looking for. How many restaurants do we have in the country? It doesn't look like she had travelled anywhere."
Just then whispers could heard on the other line followed by a deep exhale indicating satisfaction.
"Boss we have good news for you..."
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On another edge of town, Pheobe stared at the sleeping child whose head was on her lap. Tomorrow she'd be five years old. Phoebe should be happy but she wasn't. She was troubled. Memories flooded through her mind. He said he'd see her again. When he did and how he did is what he called a "surprise birthday gift". He told her he'd be there before she turned five as a good father would. How did she get herself tied up with such a monster?
The night was quite peaceful but sleep was far from her. After some time of caressing her daughter's face, she looked over the table to pick up her phone. It was 12:17 am. It was time to wake up the birthday girl
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"Make a wish baby" Pheobe urged her daughter as she braced herself to blow off the candles on her cake.
The round table was filled with a variety of foods, snacks and drinks with a cake shaped like a Barbie Princess in the middle. Nana Efua was in the midst of loved ones as the candles went out. What did she wish for? That her Mommy would be happy again just as she was when daddy was alive. After the cake was cut and slices were passed around, it was time to open up the presents. Pheobe left her and went to attend to the guests around and have a re-fill.
A pink box was passed to Nana Efua, bearing a little note on it. After reading, she smiled and excused herself. She went to her bedroom, grinning from ear to ear. There sat a man on her bed. As she approached, he turned to face her.
"That's my birthday girl! Now can we go for our surprise?" He asked playfully.
"Who are you?" She asked, slightly tilting her head.
"She didn't tell you. She must have forgotten. I'm all part of the surprise she has prepared for you. I'm here to pick you up." He explained.
"What about Mommy ?" She asked, still not convinced.
"Oh don't worry about her. She'd meet us there. Can we go now?" He said
Although not fully convinced, she nodded. Joy evident in her eyes. How great could the day get? They passed through the back door and entered a white Ferrari which drove off as soon as they were settled.
Pheobe saw a car driving away from the house. She became alarmed. No one had told her they were leaving. She turned to her mother with whom she had left her daughter.
"Mom, where is Nana Efua?" She asked her.
"She told me she was going to the washroom. She must be having tummy upsets." She said.
Her heart racing, she went into the inner rooms, calling out to her daughter.
"Nana Efua! Baby, where are you? Nana, are you okay?" She asked while searching the rooms.
The silence was killing. She dashed outside, hoping to stop the car or at least get a glimpse of its number plate. She sunk onto her knees on the street. Tears running freely. The car was gone. Her baby was gone. How could she be so loose when he had warned her?