UNDER THE SAME SKY

CHAPTER 3: THE STRANGER

Clara's POV

Sam was sensitive and attentive. One of the reasons why I still worked with him. He took an entirely different turn from the one we would usually use to go home.

The vehicle following us disappeared for a while and then reappeared after some few minutes. Sam sped through a different drive way the vehicle kept following. “Ma’am why are they after you?” Sam finally mustered the courage to ask.

“I was caught up in the midst of a gun fight” I said “I know nothing about what's going on but am now on the run and the victim” Sam looked back at me with fear in his eyes “I will do everything to distract them” he continued. We kept driving round town in circles. First he took me to a suburban area then we took a right turn out.

“Sam, where were you when you noticed I didn't call around 4:00pm?” I said abruptly as I just remembered. “I was called home for an emergency” he quickly looked behind? “What kind of emergency?” I continued, “Japheth had an injury, so I rushed him to the hospital.” “A text would have been enough, I was busy fighting for survival, you would have shown up in time, it's okay” I raised my hand slightly as I muttered.

We kept on running around till the vehicle was out of sight. Then he drove me to my mansion. I told him to take the guest room and retire for the night. Since it was 12:30am.

By the entrance I noticed fresh foot prints outside my door. My door knob slightly twisted out of place. Thankfully Mrs Jerkins the house keeper had gone to see her sister and won't be back till after 2 days.

My heart raced again as I pushed the large mahogany steel door slowly. I slid into the darkness expecting the worst.

I didn't sleep for two days. I was restless neither did I go to work in those two days. All my activities had been rescheduled by Jessica.

On the third day, I resumed work. I was in my office deep in thought subconsciously tapping my pen. When Cindy came in. Her usual manner of not knocking before entering.

“Jezz Clara you look awful” she teased. “Tell me, what have you been up to lately?” She continues. “You didn't show up for work with no reason this is so unlike you. I thought you were beginning to change and heed my advice. Or maybe giving a man a chance in your life after Peter, was finally making sense” she said smiling.

I looked up at her absently still lost in the chaos of what had happened. Though I tried to hide it. No one knew except Sam. I didn't want her to sense something was wrong so I forced a smile and replied “Am not fine so I took two days off to rest.” I said.

She didn't look convinced. “Clara, if anything is wrong with you. You should know that I am always there for you. Don't keep it to yourself. All we have is us.” She crossed to my side and gave me a warm hug. “ You all I have got now and I don't want to lose you too” she said parting my back gently. I managed a sweeter smile and said “am not going anywhere Cindy not yet”.

We discussed the Colorado collaboration and she went away with some files. As the door slammed shut behind her. I released my breath. I didn't realise I had held it for so long. This was my problem. I didn't want any of my loved ones involved.

Cindy’s dad and mine were brothers. He was the older one. Though it was my father who brought the idea of establishing Cavanaugh. A cosmetic company. Which they ran smoothly till their death. Cindy was an only child and so was I. I loved her so much like a blood sister not a cousin.

Though she was a year older we didn't see the difference. She owed 50% shares like I did when we were co-owners.

After two days Jessica reported that Cindy hadn't shown up for work. I felt guilty immediately as I dialed her number to find out the reason why. I should have reached out to her earlier but how can I explain it. I have been so engrossed with work and the thoughts of that stranger.

His smooth masculine voice, his scent, aura and beautiful physique though I couldn't see his face but can only imagine he will be handsome to look at. I tried so hard but couldn't shake his image out of my mind. This is crazy this man literally kidn*pped me and I may never see him again but am fantasising about him…,I need help.

Clipping my thoughts together, I pulled a call through.Cindy’s number wasn't going through. I closed from work and tried to call her all night but it was unsuccessful.

That was when the panic started. The next morning I involved some of our workers. The ones who were close to her. We tried every contact and searched everywhere but it was fruitless Cindy was missing.

I reported to the police immediately and a thorough investigation began.

After a week of no results in the evening at my house a package was delivered to me. A box inside was a plastic bag in it were some fresh human parts and Cindy’s ring, the ring her mother gave her at twelve on her sick bed when she was about to die.

I collapsed to the floor and wailed Mrs Jerkins came and held me. I wept bitterly and told her what happened. She called the security guard to pick the items. I saw a letter. A small white envelope. In it was written “ your the next”. I closed it and called the police.

They came and took the report using the ring in custody as a guide. “I locked myself up for a week without going out. The bitterness and emptiness I felt was endless.

All I was concerned about was to get to the root of the problem. Those bastards took Cindy away; she was all I had.