Fireworks Of My Heart

Vanished

Laura was mid-sentence in her live stream when she heard a faint rumble from beside her. She turned to Luna, who was sheepishly rubbing her stomach.

"I'm starving," Luna admitted, her eyes wide.

“Laura, let's get something to eat.”

“We have been shopping for a while now,” she continued mumbling nonstop.

Laura sighed, a bit frustrated. "Fine, let's go grab a bite to eat," she said, reluctantly ending the live stream.

“Just look at how you have just ruined my live stream.”

“Can’t you keep your stomach in one place for a few hours?” Laura said with flaring nostrils.

“Even you know we couldn’t eat anything after brother Oliver announced that we were going on a shopping spree with Nanna.” Luna promptly told her sister.

“You are well aware how brother Oliver’s black card doesn’t get into anyone's hand just like that.” She added, “I was beyond surprised that I couldn’t eat anything then.”

Laura shook her head knowing fully well that her sister was right. Oliver Cortez is not an easy one.

“Whatever! But make sure to not waste my time,” she yelled, turning around.

While they make their way to leave the boutique, they realise something was amiss. Grandma Florence was nowhere to be seen. They had been so engrossed in their shopping and live stream that they hadn't noticed her absence.

“Nanna!” They screamed in unison.

Panic started to set in. They frantically searched the store, calling out for their grandmother. But their search was fruitless. A cold dread washed over them as they realised the seriousness of the situation.

She was gone. Where to?

Luna's voice trembled as she voiced her worst fear. "I hope they haven't kidnapped Grandma," she whispered, her eyes wide with terror.

Laura quickly hushed her sister, trying to calm her down. "Don't think like that, Luna," she said, her voice steady. "Maybe she just needed some fresh air or went to a different store. We'll find her, I promise."

Despite her reassuring words, Laura's heart pounded with worry. She knew they had to act fast. They quickly made their way through the mall, checking every store, every corner, and every seating area. But there was no sign of Grandma Florence.

Time passed, and their anxiety grew. They had searched the entire mall, but their grandmother was still missing.

"Maybe she got tired of waiting and went to the car," Laura suggested, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Let's check outside."

With renewed determination, they rushed out of the mall and towards the black Rolls-Royce. Their hearts pounded as they approached the vehicle, their eyes scanning the surrounding area. But the car was empty. No sign of Grandma Florence.

“Butler James, have you seen grandmother? Did she come here?” They didn’t allow the poor butler to sink in any of their questions as they continued nonstop.

“Grandma Florence? Weren’t you guys inside together?” Butler James’s head began aching, what had they done?

Laura and Luna glanced at each other wide eyed, “We can’t find Nanna, she was just inside but we checked everywhere and she is nowhere to be seen.”

“Let’s go back inside, Madam Florence has to be somewhere in there,” butler James suggested because he hadn’t seen the old woman coming out of the mall throughout his time here.

Panic began to set in once more. They had searched the mall, checked the car, and still, there was no trace of their beloved grandmother. Fear gnawed at them, painting a grim picture of what could have happened.

“Yes, yes, you are right!” The twins both agreed in unison running back to the Mall.

Desperate, the twins returned to the mall, their hearts heavy with worry. They decided to ask the mall's security guards if they had seen their grandmother. With a photo of her on their phone, they approached a group of guards, their voices filled with urgency.

One of the guards, a middle-aged man with a kind face, studied the photo intently. A look of recognition flashed across his eyes.

"I think I saw that woman earlier today," he said, his voice hesitant. "She wasn't feeling well, so I helped the mall manager take her to her office."

The twins' eyes lit up with hope. They thanked the guard profusely and rushed towards the manager's office. Their hearts pounded with anticipation as they approached the door. They knocked, and a moment later, the door swung open.

The door creaked open, revealing a woman in her janitor's uniform. She was startled to see the two girls, their faces etched with worry.

"How can I help you, young ladies?" she asked, her voice gentle.

The twins, their hearts sinking, showed the woman the photo of their grandmother. "Have you seen this woman? She was with the mall manager earlier today."

The janitor studied the photo, her brow furrowed. "No, I haven't. The manager wasn't here when I came in. I haven't seen that woman either."

The butler, who had been searching for Grandma Florence with the twins, stepped forward. "Perhaps it's time we contacted Master Oliver," he suggested, his voice filled with concern. "He should be informed of the situation."

Luna, her voice trembling, pleaded with the butler. "Please, don't call Oliver! He warned us to take care of Grandma. We failed him!" Tears streamed down her face as she broke down in sobs.

Laura, though equally distressed, tried to console her sister. "We'll figure this out, Luna. We just need to keep looking."

The butler, understanding their fear and anxiety, hesitated. He knew that calling Oliver would undoubtedly lead to consequences, but he also knew it was the right thing to do.

"We must inform him," he said firmly. "He'll know what to do."

Luna's sobs intensified as she voiced her next concern. "What will we tell Mom? We can't tell her we've lost Grandma! She'll be devastated!"

Butler James sighed, his expression grave. He shook his head, a silent acknowledgment of the dire situation the twins had created. They had, indeed, dug a grave for themselves.