CHAPTER 13
Unknown to both Alika and Hasina, Solace had gone out when he noticed the door was ajar and had crossed the gates when Alika's car passed through. It followed Alika's car which she didn't notice because she was in a haste to help Noor.
The while, Leonardo was headed back to his villa when he felt someone trailing behind him. He turned around and realized it was a Maremma Sheepdog. It wagged its tail in excitement while staring at Leonardo with keen interest.
Leonardo was shocked at the resemblance this dog had to the old dog back at the old mansion. Wasn't it a rare kind? How did this owner get it?
He wanted to ignore this dog but it's whimpers made him change his mind... He returned to his villa with the dog.
Fabian looked at Leonardo with a hint of surprise. "Young Master, this dog-"
"It got lost. Take care of it." Leonardo didn't wait for him to finish before cutting in while climbing up the stairs. Fabian knew not to press the issue further.
Meanwhile, Alika arrived at the station and found Noor sitting in front of a desk fidgeting with her slim fingers. "Noor?! What happened?!" She exclaimed at the sight of the woman. Noor stared at her with fright clearly visible in her eyes. Alika's chest tightened at this and quickly embraced the poor woman.
The officer who sat behind the desk stared at the two women for a long time before speaking- "Are you here to bail her out?... After what she did, I think she needs to stay here for some more time in order to learn her lesson. All you rich spoiled brats have no remorse for those like us. I was offended but she gets to dodge the bullet." He complained but sighed in surrender.
"I'm really sorry Sir. I already apologized before, right." Noor pleaded but the man merely gave her a glance.
"We're really sorry for whatever happened... Please allow us to compensate for any damages caused." Alika proposed making the man look at her with a smile- showing how pleased he was with her words. This was the formula of every police officer in A City; always willing to let things slide as long as you greased their palm. Unknown to the man, Alika meant it literally, as a genuine offer to cover damages and not as a bribe to influence his official decision.
Alika caught onto his smile and immediately tried to clear up his misreading. "Instead of compensating you, can I donate to the police department's community fund?" She said, maintaining her usual reserved demeanor. The police officer understood her question and wanted to hide his face in humiliation. He quickly provided the account and uncuffed Noor then scurried off.
Alika and Noor watched his back with disgust flashing in their eyes. "I have never met a more dishonest cop!" Noor retorted, her words filled with contempt and disdain.
Ring-ring-ring....
"Miss Langston... It's Solace.... He's nowhere to be found!!" Hasina's voice trembled with trepidation.
"I'll be there soon." Alika hung up and quickly rushed out of the station.
"Call me later!!" Noor yelled behind her without asking any questions, realizing that it was an emergency.
***
Hasina rushed to Alika's side when she heard the sound of a car engine. "Miss Langston, I looked everywhere and asked security but no one saw him."
"He must've followed me when I left before." Alika stated.
"What if a resident saw him and took him?" Hasina asked. Alika thought that this made sense. If the security had not seen him leave the estate, then he must be around.
It was almost one in the morning and they set off to look for Solace. Alika made sure to post the 'missing' poster of her dog which Hasina had prepared before she returned on the group chat meant for each resident of Waterville Estate. One thing Alika dreaded was someone taking something without permission. She was furious. This person could have simply returned the dog to security but instead, they decided to keep it with them. Was this person just looking for trouble?
Leonardo sat on the terrace of his room with the sleeping dog lying by his feet when Fabian knocked lightly on the slightly ajar door made from mahogany. "What is it?" Leonardo asked with a lazy tone feeling exhausted from babysitting the dog which had insisted on being in his room.
"The owner of the dog posted it on the group chat and claims it is 'missing'." Fabian reported, deliberately emphasizing on the last word; a bit annoyed that they might be painted as dog thieves by daybreak.
Leonardo looked over at Fabian and saw the angry look on his face. "Just say that we have it." He said, taking in with delight the exaggerated anger of his assistant.
When Leonardo had found that dog, it was late and disturbing the security at that time would have been inconvenient. So, he had taken it home with him. Now that its owner was in search of it, he had no intention of keeping it much longer.
Fabian decided to leave the message on the group chat- "Your dog is fine and is with us. We'll return it to you now."
Others who saw this message wanted to scold him but withdrew because Alika did not. "Thank you." This simple statement left others in a daze but Alika was not unreasonable. Solace had gone after her but got lost due to hers and Hasina's carelessness- there was no need to blame anyone.