"Two days!" Alexis said through gritted teeth.
"It has been two full days, and Mikel still hasn't come home..."
"What is happening? God, please..." She bit her lip nervously as she paced the living room, her phone clenched tightly in her hand.
Her fingers hovered over his contact for the hundredth time, and even though she knew what would happen, she hit the call button anyway.
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please leave a message…"
She hung up before the voicemail beep could finish. Her heart was pounding harder than usual, a mixture of worry and frustration.
"Where are you, Mikel?" She whispered, sinking into the couch.
As she did, her mind drifted back to two nights ago—the night she left the hospital determined to find him.
"I went to all three of his companies... and he wasn't at any of them." Alexis muttered in frustration.
Her voice trembled as she continued to piece it together.
"None of his employees had seen him that day… His phone was off… No calls, no messages..."
"What the hell is going on? The Mikel I know would find ways to reach me even if anything happens." She mumbled.
"Let me calm down. Nothing bad will happen to him, right?" She asked as if someone was in the room with her.
Then, she rested her head in her hands, breathing deeply to calm herself, but it didn't work.
"What if something bad has really happened to him? What do I do?" The thought crossed her mind, sending a shiver down her spine.
However, a soft movement pulled her out of her thoughts. Ava, the young chef was walking up to where Alexis was seated.
"Ma'am, your food is ready." Ava informed her softly as she got close to her.
"I'm not hungry, Ava." Alexis replied, barely looking up at the lady.
The lady hesitated, stepping closer.
"Please, Ma'am… you haven't eaten properly in days. I'm really worried about you." She said.
"I will be fine, no need for that." Alexis replied weakly.
Ava heaved a sigh, unsure if she should say more, but her concern got the better of her.
"You have barely rested since you got discharged from the hospital three days ago. The doctor said it was stress that made you collapse… and now you are doing the same thing again. I am afraid you are going to collapse again." The chef pointed out, worryingly.
Alexis sighed, leaning back against the couch.
"I can't rest, Ava. My husband is... probably missing. How can I relax?" She asked.
Ava heaved another sigh in sympathy.
"I know you are worried, ma'am… but if you don't take care of yourself, you might end up back in the hospital." She maintained empathetically.
Alexis shook her head.
"I can't relax, Ava. Not until I know Mikel is safe." She maintained firmly.
"I shouldn't..." She mumbled that part more to herself.
Ava opened her mouth to respond but decided against it. Instead, she gave a small nod and left quietly, leaving Alexis alone with her thoughts once again.
~~~~~~~~~
Later that evening, at one of the expensive restaurants in the city;
"I think I am full. My stomach can't accommodate anything again." Jane said, giggling as Mikel leaned closer to her holding a spoonful of dessert near her lips.
"Well, I want to feed you very well. Open up." He said, his eyes locked on hers with a playful smile.
She opened her mouth obediently, taking the bite and laughing softly as she chewed.
"You are spoiling me, you know that right?" She asked lightly, wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
"You deserve it. With everything going on, you have been patient… more than I deserve." Mikel replied, reaching across the table to hold her hand.
Jane's eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
"I just want to be with you. That is all I need to be happy." She replied.
"And you have me... Completely." Mikel said, his thumb gently brushing the back of her hand.
"I have already made arrangements for you to be a part of one of my companies. Soon, you will have everything you have ever wanted." He told her happily.
Jane smiled in excitement and leaned forward.
"You have made me the happiest woman, Mikel. I don't care about anything else… as long as you are by my side." She told him lovingly.
"And I'm not going anywhere. You and the baby are my priority now." Mikel said, squeezing her hand gently.
"Thank you. Can I resume office on Monday?" She asked excitedly. Mikel chuckled at her almost childish excitement.
"Are you sure you are strong enough for that? I don't want you to engage in anything that will stress you out, you know?" He told her and went in to place a kiss on her lips.
"Okay, my caring man, I am not an egg." Jane muttered with a giggle and kissed him back.
As they continued their intimate exchange, neither of them noticed the figure standing a few tables away, frozen in place.
Mirabelle's eyes widened in disbelief, her hand instinctively covering her mouth.
"No, I am definitely seeing things..."
She blinked, hoping she was seeing things. But when she opened her eyes, the scene remained the same—Mikel and Jane, sitting together, acting like a perfect couple.
Her mind raced for an explanation.
"What… what is this that I'm seeing?" She whispered, her voice barely audible.
Mirabelle's eyes darted around the room, but no one else seemed to notice the betrayal unfolding before her.
She took a shaky step back, unsure whether to confront them or leave quietly.
"No, it is not my place to confront him." She said, shaking her head.
Her hands clenched into fists as she watched Mikel laugh softly, his gaze never leaving Jane.
"What happened to the perfect husband he was known for?" She couldn't help but wonder in shock.
"So this is why he hasn't been home…?"
Mirabelle's jaw tightened as she stood there.