Vanished
1086 Words
CHAPTER 12
Ava’s POV
By the time I got to the nanny’s house, the sky had already turned dark. The streetlights glowed faintly along the quiet road and the night air carried a soft chill that brushed against my skin
I knocked softly. The nanny opened it almost immediately, her face showing a mix of relief and concern.
“Good evening, ma’am.”
“Good evening,” I replied quickly, already looking past her. “Leo?”
She sighed and stepped aside to let me in.
“He has been crying for a while now.”
My chest tightened painfully. I walked inside and saw him sitting on the couch, his small shoulders trembling as quiet sobs escaped his lips.
“Mummy!”
The moment he saw me, he jumped down and ran straight into my arms. I knelt down immediately and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
“I’m here, baby… I’m here,” I whispered softly, stroking his hair.
His little fingers clutched my blouse tightly as if he was afraid I would disappear again.
“You came late,” he said between sniffles.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, kissing the top of his head. “Mommy had a lot of work today.”
He pulled back slightly to look at my face, his eyes were red and watery.
“I thought you forgot me.”
The words pierced straight through my heart.
“How could I ever forget you?” I said gently, wiping the tears from his cheeks.
“You are my favorite person in the whole world.”
He sniffed again and nodded slowly.
After thanking the nanny and apologizing for being late, I carried Leo outside. His arms remained wrapped around my neck the entire ride home.
When we finally reached the apartment, exhaustion weighed heavily on my body.
“Are you hungry?” I asked softly.
He nodded. I quickly warmed some food and sat beside him while he ate.
Normally, he would chatter endlessly about cartoons or toys or something funny he saw during the day but tonight he was quiet.
He kept glancing at me and after a moment, he asked softly,
“Mommy… are you okay?”
My heart skipped, children always know, I just forced a small smile.
“Of course I am.”
“You look sad.”
“I’m just tired,” I replied gently.
He studied my face for another moment, as if he was trying to decide whether he believed me. Then he nodded slowly and continued eating.
After dinner, I helped him change into his pajamas and tucked him into bed.
I sat beside him, gently stroking his hair while his eyelids grew heavier.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, baby.”
“You won’t go again tonight, right?”
“No, I’m right here.”
He smiled sleepily and snuggled deeper into the pillow.
A few minutes later, his breathing softened as he drifted into sleep. I stayed there a little longer, watching his peaceful face, he looked so small and so innocent.
Suddenly, the thought that my mistake could destroy the life I was trying to build for him made my chest ache.
Carefully, I stood up and left the room and closed the door quietly behind me.
The document. My stomach twisted as I began searching again.
I checked my bag first but nothing, then the kitchen counter, the shelves and every drawer.
I opened the suitcase I had brought when I moved here and scattered all the clothes across the bed but still nothing.
My breathing grew heavier with each passing minute.
“No… no, this can’t be happening,” I whispered.
I searched the living room again, this time more desperately, the couch cushions, cabinets, even the small spaces between furniture.
My hands trembled as panic slowly tightened around my chest. Minutes passed, hours passed, the clock on the wall ticked loudly, reminding me how quickly time was slipping away.
Two days.
Only two days before the final meeting.
I sank onto the couch and buried my face in my hands.
Sleep refused to come, every time I closed my eyes, the same fears replayed in my mind.
Mr. Cole’s disappointed voice, the company losing trust in me, the possibility of losing my job and worst of all, not being able to provide for Leo.
Around midnight, I stood up again and walked toward the window, I pressed my forehead lightly against the cool glass.
“Where are you?” I whispered into the silence.
Because the document wasn’t just missing, it felt like someone had taken it and that thought scared me even more.
‘buzz’ I heard my phone ring. Who the hell is calling me in the middle of the night.
Mr. Cole?
Oh s**t!!!
Should I pick this? What is he going to say this time?
The buzzing stops almost immediately.
I have never been this scared all my life, why is this happening to me now?
‘Buzz'
Oh my gosh. I feel like I'm losing my mind right now.
I looked at my phone and saw that it's Aria calling this time, not Mr. Cole.
Has she found it?!!! I picked up without any hesitation.
“Have you found it, Aria?”
“Huh… no… I just called to ask if you have seen it.”
Finally, the tears I have been holding for a long time rolled down my cheek.
“Ma'am... Miss Ava… are… are you there”
I didn't know what to say to her. I just had to hang up.
No!!!
Why is everything suddenly falling apart?
How can a document so important as that just disappear into thin air, other documents were there why is it this one that can rip me away from everything.
Even if it was taken by someone, who could that person be and what will they gain from doing this?
I have never had any misunderstanding with any staff of that company, so who could have planned this for me.
“Mommy”
I heard Leo sobbing, and it sounded like he had been crying for some time.
I hurried in.
“Baby what is the problem.”
“I had a dream… mom.”
“What? A dream?” This is a real dream not like those ones he makes up.
He sobbed continuously.
“Baby, it's fine ok?” I brought him close to myself. “But can you tell Mommy about the dream you had?”
- Writer
