Lost (Beautiful Beast I)

Chapter-14

Leia

Later in the evening, I was preoccupied in the café that I hardly had time to breathe. The café was houseful and some of the customers had to wait for a table.

'I've spoken to Laura several times to build another floor' complained Isabella.

'Another floor means extra furniture, extra items, extra work' said Janet, one of the girls working here.

'Plus extra income' said Sara.

'She's thinking about it, don't wanna make a hasty decision' said another girl, Natasha.

I do agree with Natasha. Laura has a lot of commitments and being a single mother makes it harder. George is doing some online work which earns him some money and working hard for a scholarship. Whereas Jordan, he's the only one who seems to be enjoying his childhood life.

We didn't get anymore time for chitchat and were engrossed in work.

Everything went hectic for half an hour, taking orders and preparing and everything.

George came by to check all the monthly stock that came around afternoon. He was busy checking them and informing his mother through phone while we were busy with our work.

I was taking order from table three when my name was called out from inside.

I quickly took the order and went in.

My eyes fell upon two officers who were talking to Isabella. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

When they looked at me, one of the officers spoke.

'Are you Miss. Leia Ferrari?' He asked politely.

'Yes' I said softly, looking really aghast at them.

'You need to come with us, please' he said.

I don't want a genius to tell me that it's about the murder.

'Yeah, I'll just change' I said, refereeing to my work cloths.

'We'll be waiting out for you' he said and went away.

Isabella pulled me through my arm and brought us away from everyone's peering eyes, especially from George.

'What is all this?' She asked hastily.

'I'll tell you everything when I return. Can you please tell where were you yesterday?' I asked.

'Yesterday was Sunday. I was at home, why?' She asked curiously.

'Have you ever gone to Dell Amore Food?' I asked ignoring her question.

'Yes, several times with my boyfriend' she said.

'And I've asked several times to make me meet him, right?' I said.

She gave a cute smile.

'Why are you even asking that?'

'Nothing. Thanks' I said and went away to change.

Isabella is kind of shy to introduce her boyfriend to us. She loves him, it's clear by the way her twinkle whenever she talks about him. Sara followed him in insta and showed his pictures to everyone in the cafe which made Isabella to go all red. She doesn't even let him come to the cafe. She's just so shy when it comes to him and public affection is too much for her handle.

I quickly took my purse and went out to see the two officers waiting near the car.

The one who spoke to me got behind the well while the other opened the back door for me to get in. Once we all buckled up, the officer started the engine and we were soon driving under the steers lights towards the police station.

I've never visited a police station and that makes me nervous. I started to think whatever I saw yesterday and whatever Nicholas showed me in the footage. The cops don't know that I've already seen the video, so I need to be very careful when I'm talking.

I was rattling my mind to all the possible questions they might ask me and answering them all but one particular question seems to put me in whole lot of trouble and that question is where is my father?

Once we reached our destination, I got down and followed the officers.

The office was small and they were tables at sides behind which an officer sat. They were people crying and some lodging complains. All of them in the room glanced at us before getting back to their work. The officer who held the door for me went away.

'The other officer walked further in and opened a door. There were two people, a woman and a man sitting in front and talking to the Sheriff. My eyes widened and my lips curved into a huge smile.

He Sheriff still didn't look up but simply motioned his hand to us to wait. Once the woman and man got up, the Sheriff's eyes fell upon us, fell upon me. His eyes widened in shock and happiness just like mine.

'Leia' he came out of his seat.

'Adam' I said and quickly ran towards him and wrapped my arms around him.

His huge strong strong arms wrapped my tiny frame and he stroked my hair.

'I missed you so much, Adam' I said, pressing my head even further in his chest.

'So did I' he kissed my head before retreating.

'Aunt May didn't inform me that you returned from America. How did the case go?' I asked.

'It was all good. I returned two days ago, mother wanted to inform you. Maybe she forgot, you know she forgets things and I became busy as soon as I came here' he said.

'That's fine' I heard myself say.

'So, what are you doing here? Rocco why did you bring her?' He asked the officer who was still standing at the door.

'Sir, she's the one on the footage' he replied.

Adam looked at me before talking to Rocco.

'Get me the file and the footage' he said. Rocco went away.

'Leia do you know why you are here?' He asked seriously.

'I do, Adam. It's about the murder' I said softly.

'Damn, I'm so sorry you had to see that. I didn't see the footage yet, else I would've known. I just asked them bring the witness' he said.

Just then Rocco entered with a tape. Adam took it from him and dismissed him.

'Please sit' he said.

I took a seat in front of him while he started to work in his system. I was watching around and saw shelves filled with files.

'Here' Adam turned the laptop in such a way that both were able to see it.

The footage was me getting inside the room and freaking out before running away. Everything was the same except, there's a small portion missing.

I don't see Nicholas here and me coming out of my hiding once he was gone. I scrunched my eyes in confusion.I remember very well the footage played from the part where Nicholas came out of the room.

'What were you doing there, Leia?' Adam's question pulled me out of the reverie.

'I...I was shopping with my friend, Liam and I thought I saw one of my colleague entering the hotel with her boyfriend' I said.

'Liam? That pumpkin boy?' Adam asked making me giggle.

'Yeah. I met him few days ago' I said.

'Alright. Which friend you thought you saw?' Adam turned serious again.

'Isabella. We work together in a cafe. I thought I saw her with her boyfriend and I went after her' I said.

Adam was quiet for a second.

'Why did you enter that room?' He asked.

'I lost them in that floor. Since that door was open I thought it must've been them' I said.

'So you didn't find them?' He asked

'No. I was so...petrified when I saw that m-man dead, Adam. I don't know what happened, I just wanted to get out of there' I said, recalling the dead man's horrible state and the dream I had.

'What did you do after you left the hotel?' He asked.

'Liam was there. He saw my state and quickly took me home. I didn't tell him what I saw and he didn't push the matter' I said.

'Did you ever find out whether Isabella and her boyfriend were there in that hotel?' He asked.

'Yes. I asked her today, she said she was at home'

Adam closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his locks.

'I just came here two days back and I already got a big case to solve' he said.

I nodded my head in understandment.

'It's already late' he said glancing at his watch 'Come on, Leia. I'll drop you off'

He got up from his seat and we walked out of the station. I was taking deep, calm breaths throughout. I'm so glad it was Adam and not anyone else. I can't even imagine how it must've been if there was someone else investigating, he probably wouldn't have cared about the like and would've scared me with his questions.

'Mother told me about everything. I'm so glad you're finally living your life' Adam said, glancing at me with a smile before focusing on the road.

'Yeah, I am' I replied.

'So, how are you doing all by yourself? Excluding this murder you witnessed' he asked.

'Great. I've got two jobs that keeps me busy all the time. I'm doing fine till now, Adam' I said.

Our conversation didn't prolong as we reached my place.

'Leia' I heard Adam call out when I was about to get out of the car.

'I know this is all too much for you. Just don't be scared, alright? You are no where connected to this murder and I will definitely make sure you're not called again' he said, his eyes filled with concern.

'Thanks, Adam. You have no idea how better I feel now' I said.

'You're welcome' he smiled before taking off.

Once I reached home, I locked the door and made sure the windows are closed as they were and hopped into a hot shower.

I felt my stress and tension draining off due to Adam.

Damn, today was a tiring day for me. When I hit my bed after shower and dinner, sleep was tgede last thing in my mind. My mind kept thinking about the time I spent with Nicholas and our heated argument.

I couldn't help but smile that he was protecting me from Benjamin. I don't know how I'll going to replay his gratitude.

I took my phone and scrolled down my contacts to his number. 

After staring at his number for a long time, I typed a message.

"I'm sorry for today, Nicholas"

I hit the button Send.

He saw as soon as it reached him. I felt nervous all of a sudden and waited for his reply

Which never came.

* * *

Adam as promised made sure that I never step into the police station again. He didn't even question me personally because he knew I was no where connected to the crime.

Aunt May called me over dinner and I decided to take Liam along with me. Aunt May couldn't believe it's the same Liam who lived across her home.

Charlotte, Adam's wife is a teacher. She's a sweet woman who is always ready to help me whenever required. Their only daughter Lily is a ten years old. Me and lily were best buds, I've known her from the time she was born. I didn't realise how much I missed them until I saw them all together.

'So Leia, how's your love life going?' Asked Charlotte, making me look at her surprisingly.

'Oh dear, the poor lass hardly makes any male friends' Aunt May said.

'Well, am a male here' said Liam.

Aunt May narrowed her eyes at him before speaking 'You are a pumpkin'

We couldn't help but chuckle at that and Liam gave a nasty look.

'I'm happy that you're working and living your life but it's also time to settle down soon' Said Charlotte.

'She'll find the right guy before she can realise' said Adam.

Charlotte gave a disproving look at her husband which shut him up.

'Charlotte I've not thought about letting another person in my life' I said, hoping that might make her drop the topic.

'But you must soon, Leia. Trust me, I was like you at your age until I met Adam' Charlotte smiled at the frightened Adam.

'Aww, would you look at that lovey dovey eyes of Adam' said Liam in his must hoarse voice. Adam just looked even more frightened.

'I clearly remember on our first night you saying that you'll kick my ding-dong if I come closer. So, I wouldn't say you felt good when you met me, darling' said Adam.

'I'm gonna write your life story and name the title as Ding-Dong, Adam. I'm gonna make you proud, dada' commented Liam, truly enjoying this.

'Of course, son. But don't blame me when I tie you upside down with your underwear and smack that ass with my cop stick' Adam replied smiling sweetly.

'Come on, Adam, don't be so harsh on me. I'm trying to make you proud here' said Liam.

Just then a soft voice called Adam.

'Daddy' Lily stood near the stairs with sleepy eyes and messy hair.

'What is it honey?' Adam got up.

'I can't sleep again' she said.

Adam said nothing but lifted up his daughter and walked up the stairs. She was fine when we arrived during dinner. She was full of joy when she saw me and Liam and after her dinner, she fell asleep in Liam's arms so Liam tucked her in her bed and came back.

'Does she get nightmares?' Asked Liam to Charlotte.

Charlotte remained silent, her good mood gone sad.

I looked at Aunt May and she released a sigh.

'She saw Adam shoot a man' she said.

'What?' Liam looked as surprised as me.

'Men surrounded their house and were going to attack Adam. Adam was defending them and ended up shooting one of the men, Lily saw that' Aunt May's voice was soft.

There were few incidents which even I've witnessed when I was little. Adam's work is truly trouble, mainly because he's sincere to his duty.

'When did it happen?' I asked.

'Last week. Sometimes Adam's work comes knocking at our door' Charlotte said, her eyes deep in thoughts 'He was close at ending the case, so close. We would've returned by the end of last week if the house we stayed in wasn't surrounded by men in the middle of the night. Of course, it wasn't new to me but for Lily it was. Adam tried to fight them all. I called up his colleagues too, but they were late. Adam had no choice but to use his pistol. Lily saw that'

I can't understand as a mother how much this effects her but I do realise it had a huge impact on her. Sometimes, actually most of times things don't turn out the way we want.

Charlotte always feared that Adam's work might be a great treat to Lily and her future but at the same time she was always proud of her husband and his duty.

'She'll be fine. I'm sure the Sheriff's daughter is stronger than this' Said Liam.

When Adam arrived after putting Lily to sleep, no one spoke about it and the rest of the night went normal, but the nagging feeling that I actually know what's going on with Lily made me uneasy, afterall she wasn't the only one who witnessed a murder.

'Tonight was great. Thank you for calling me' Liam said as soon as I hoped out of his bike.

'I needed a company and since you haven't met Aunt May and the other for years, I thought of calling you' I said.

'And I'm glad you did. By the way, me and my friends are going to club this Friday, you wanna join?' Asked Liam.

'Oh, so you're free this Friday?'

'Yep' he answered.

'I got work that day. Some rich man throwing party for his wife's birthday, I thought of inviting you' I said giving a tight smile.

Liam's eyes lit up.

'I finally get to see you play for more than few minutes. Damn, I'm cancelling my plans, just text me the time and place, I'll be there, okay?'

'Sure. I'll see you on Friday' I bid goodbye.

'Goodnight, bunny'

'Goodnight, pumpkin'

Before going to sleep, I couldn't help but check my phone to see whether I got any reply from Nicholas but didn't.