Lost & found: Where did Seb go?

Chapter 1: His Story (Part 2)

The two looked at each other. "What happened to Sebastian? Where did he go?" Lola asked completely confused.

Five years had already passed since Sebastian Hugo, a young master in the small town of Inswei disappeared. No one knew where he went. A well-known wealthy family was shattered when the lady of the Hugo family died from an incurable illness. Her death caused the downfall of the Hugo line. Even at that moment, no one knew what happened to the rest of the Hugo family, especially to Sebastian Hugo. He vanished.

Mari tucked her loosed hair at the back of her ear. "Nobody knew what exactly happened to the Hugo family after the late Madame died," she said. Lola was listening carefully to what Mari was trying to say. She did not bother making any comments as she wanted Mari to continue. She nodded as a sign of listening attentively. "But this is what I heard from a couple of gossips while being tasked to buy some pastry tools a few years ago. But this is not a reliable source. I do not know the credibility and weight of those gossip's words, Milady. So let us not settle and believe everything that I have heard before", Mari said and clarified to make sure that Lola would not take everything she would say seriously. "I got it", Lola replied.

"Lord Hugo lost all of their assets. He was already addicted to gambling even when the late Madame was suffering from the illness. When she died, he lost everything. Their fortune and his children", Mari continued. "Children?" Lola confusedly asked. Mari nodded. "Lord Hugo vanished alone. The two young masters of the Hugo family disappeared separately from their father. Until now, no one ever heard of them again. Maybe they got to know how they lost their fortune and hated their father for that." Lola sighed after hearing the gossip story of the Hugo family. "Poor Sebastian. I haven't heard any of this". Lola said.

Although the story she heard from Mari is not a hundred percent credible, she felt sorry for everything that she heard. It all sounded so tragic. She could not fathom what Sebastian must be doing after all those years. His mother's death and his family's downfall must have broke his heart. And she was clueless and stupid to just forget about him.

Mari handed Lola a phone. "Milady, you should stop hiding. You have to prepare for the ball." Lola snapped back to reality when Mari reminded her of the reason why she was hiding. "Or you should at least bring your phone with you every time you hide. So that I could contact you. Stop making me worry, Milady." Lola sighed and took her phone. She stood and asked Mari to head back and prepare for the ball as a sign of defeat.

While sitting and having all the maids do her makeup and hairstyle, Lola could not stop thinking about him. She was still holding his letter for her, unconsciously. When she noticed herself still holding the piece of paper, she looked downwards and hovered her gaze at every detail of the paper. Then she noticed small details, a postal address was written using a pencil. It was unnoticeable at first because, unlike the message that was inscribed using ink, the postal address was written with a pencil. "City of Brent", Lola gasped as she realized where Sebastian must be currently residing. She had her mouth wide open after reading. She quickly clasped the paper in between her hands to hide it from everyone who was around.

The ball ended successfully, and everyone of her family was happy with her successful speech. On their way back home, riding a limo, Lola sat between her parents seats. "So, what about a little celebration back home?" Lord White, Lola's father initiated. Hearing her husband's idea made Madame White, Lola's mother, smile. "That's a good idea, hon... What do you think, Lola?". Madame White agreed while reaching for Lola's hand. "I don't know Mom. I'm a little bit tired tonight. Maybe next time Dad?". She honestly replied. Both her parents agreed and nodded as their reply to their daughter's plea.

A silence reminded Lola of her unending curiosity about Hugo family. Hoping to get any information from her parents, she initiated asking them a question. "Mom, Dad, have you heard anything from Hugo family?". Her mother was surprised. She looked at her husband's eyes and then looked back to Lola's. "Why do you ask? Have you heard anything from them?", she asked her daughter. Lord White kept silent and listened to his wife and daughter's conversation. "No Mom, I just heard weird gossip," Lola replied. "I don't know, honey. I'm also worried about Elise's boys". Madame White replied.

Elise was Sebastian's mother, who was also a good friend of the White family. Both Hugo and White had close ties together, as both Madames of the family are friends. "I couldn't believe what happened. I'm still waiting for the boys' safe return. No one knows anything about them. They might have suffered a lot of difficulties. I want to help but... They are out of my reach" Madame White continued. "We should look for them, Mom" Lola suggested. "I tried, honey. Even if we're living in this modern world and can access social media platforms, I couldn't get a hold from them". Madame White said. "And after Elise's death, Ethan made a huge mistake that left the rest of Hugo's being chased by creditors. I can understand the children doing their best to hide after all the commotion their father caused them to end up suffering" Lord White empathized. "But you know what, honey, I don't believe Elise left them unprepared. Her death was not a sudden tragedy. She must have done something for her sons", madame White added. Her husband nodded, agreeing to his wife's idea.

Lola got an idea. But she wasn't sure her parents would agree. "What if I look for them? The brothers?" she asked.