Reaching Out To You

Chapter 19

Athena's POV

The nerve of that woman,not only did she leave me devastated when she just left me with Roselia,insulted me,got me to hate everything about myself,not once did I not think of how she called me"a freaky abomination",but now she wants what money?!!

On top of that she holds my baby hostage so she could have it her way!!!

I don't think so I'm going to make her pay for this.

She's going to wish she had never met me not even accidentally.

"Katie I need you to trace that number I just sent you,I need the location of the owner ASAP,"I grumbled.

"Give me five minutes Athy,"she replied.

We were already half way to Folksville and I wanted nothing more than to strangle Alyssa to death for cutting short my alone time with Esty.

But that could wait I had to find my little girl.

"It's okay Athy we'll find her"Esty said while squeezing my arms.

I don't know what I'd do without her here. If she hadn't calmed me down yesterday I would have done something I would probably regret later.

Her presence calms my wrecking nerves even if she doesn't realize it.

Wrapping my arms around her I whispered,"I know Esty I just need to find her soon,I can't lose her."

"We won't, just calmed down I know everything will be fine"she cooed.

I know she's right,getting agitated won't solve a thing. I needed to be calm and think of a plan to get her.

Of course I can't involve the police in this. It's not stupid but I just don't like the meddling paparazzi and their made up stories.

I'd rather have a few people know about this.

My phone rang and I hurriedly picked it up without checking the caller ID"Yes?"

"I'm so sorry honey,I shouldn't have left her on her own"my mom sniffled into the phone.

She's been calling every thirty minutes to confirm if I had known of Rose's whereabouts.

I know she blames herself but she didn't know that manipulative b***h would just appear out of nowhere ...not literally...and then just kidnap her.

"Mom stop blaming yourself. You didn't know this would happen okay...I know we'll get her back"I said softly.

"If I had been more careful with her at the park then she wouldn't be in danger. I caused this"she sobbed.

"Oh mom it's okay don't cry,I almost got her location it will be fine, we'll make Alyssa pay for this,ask dad to call Mark and his men once I get Rose okay mom,it will be fine."

"Promise?"

"Yes I promise mom now don't forget to ask dad."

"Okay honey just keep me posted on whatever's

on,"she said.

"Alright mom now why don't you rest a little, Cherry told me you haven't slept a wink since she was taken,no arguing on this mom just do it ."

"Yes I'll go ahead,bye honey"she sighed.

"Bye mom"

I know it's hard for her,being an only child has its pros and cons.

But my mom had it worse,she was only able to have me before her doctors told her she couldn't carry anymore kids.

They tried hard but she had a miscarriage every single time.

So between having an only daughter and an only granddaughter it's hard not to be affected if anything happened to any of them.

I mean I do see more kids in the future with Esty but it might be too soon to tell.

"Your mom must be feeling horrible "Esty breathed in my neck causing the hair on it to stand.

"Yes she is,I am too but all we have to do is focus on getting her back."

She was still wrapped around me when she tilted her head to the side and asked with scrunched eyebrows,"Why aren't you involving the police,it would be easier to find her that way?"

"It may seem like a good idea to involve them but once we do that we'll have the paparazzi on our tails spreading rumors about the situation and I can't be worried about my baby and the paparazzi at the same time."I explained

She seemed to absorb it all as she nodded and laid her head on my chest her arms around my neck.

I wanted this moment to last as long as possible but everything good always has an end.

"This is your pilot speaking,we are almost landing in Folksville,everyone buckle up for our landing,"

Esty and I took our seats and buckled up.

Staring at her I just realized how lucky I am.

Yes she's not mine....yet.

However she has been there for me when I thought no one except family or friends would.

My heart swells in pride when I think of her ,Rose and I being a family. She's going to make a good mother some day.

Sometimes I wonder if the universe is punishing me for being cruel. The moment something nice happens to me, something bad always gets in the way.

I'm only being hard on my employees so they wouldn't slag like lazy human beings.

No one would ever be successful by sitting around,slouching like some couch potato. You have to sacrifice a lot,people will hate you and talk about you but as long you are satisfied with what you do all that wouldn't matter.

I'm just glad Esty is not one to lazy around. She's a hard-working woman,I can remember all the nights she wanted to keep me up so we could finish signing some papers but I would make go home and rest.

Every other employee would leave the building at five in the evening except the guards.

"What are you thinking about?"Esty's question got me from my train of thoughts.

"Just how lucky I am,I may be going through a lot but I'm grateful to have a few people that genuinely care"I smiled

"Of course you have a lot of people who care Athy,"she replied.

"Not really Esty,I for sure know the amount of people that I can trust with my life and they sure do care about me, don't include the fans or anyone that would be so eager to see you falling once they discover your weakness"I stated matter of factly

"That may be true but you know I care about you"she said.

"Oh really, why's that?"

My insides glowed at the thought of Esty caring about me.

"Normally it would take a lot for me to care about someone,but with you it just happened,it's like I've always felt this way,as corny as it may sound I feel like I connect with you in a way I've never with any other person not even my friends"she said grinning

"I feel like I connect with you too Esty"I said with a huge a*s grin plastered on my face.

"So you like me?"she questioned

I wanted to look anywhere but her but how could I when she stared like she could see right through me.

Her question caught me off guard and I'm sure she could see the shock in my face. My mouth kept opening and closing like some fish while I tried to crank my brain up for an answer.

Of course I could say,"I just don't like you Esty,I'm in love with you , I've always loved you ever since we were kids"

But that would sound weird because she doesn't even know me or at least remember who I was before.

Before I could even answer Liam cane and interrupted,"Ma'am we're here but the paparazzi is just outside the airport"

Guess it's too late to not involve them.

"Can't we use another route or something,I can't have the overwhelm Miss Hernandez or me at all"I said.

Of course Alyssa must have hinted them,what an a*s.

"Sure ma'am just give me five minutes we'll be out of here"he said walking away.

"Fuck...this shouldn't have happen"I gritted clenching my fists.

"Hey look at me Athy,"Esty said making me glance at her.

"It's fine we'll get out of here without them following you, how about we go to my place I'm sure they wouldn't think you're there "she said.

"No way Esty I wouldn't want to take advantage of you, that's your own space,I'll know what to do don't you worry"I argued.

"I insist Athy plus I have a spare room so you can just crush there tonight while you figure out what to do"

"You're still the stubborn Esty I remember"I chuckled lightly.

"Huh?"she furrowed her eyebrows.

"Huh?"I questioned innocently.

"You said I'm still the stubborn Esty you remember,what does that mean?"she questioned.

Oh s**t!Stupid mouth

"Uh...um..well...

"Ma'am we found a way"

Saved by Liam again...I sighed releasing Esty who still had a curious look on her face.

"We'll be right there Liam"I replied.

"Guess we're going to you place Esty"I said not looking at her.

I have a feeling she won't let this go.Please make her forget sweet Lord.

I prayed fervently in my head because honestly I wouldn't know what to say at all.

Getting off the plane we got into a black car and Esty gave directions to her place.

Of course I knew where she lives but I can't have her know I was the one that took care of her when she got drunk.

One hour later we got there and she took our suitcases upstairs to her room.

I didn't know what to do so I stood there awkwardly looking around as I waited for her.

She sure does have a cosy apartment,her walls filled with every kind of art and some of her baby pictures and her family's.

Deciding to walk around I run my fingers over the paintings,all these must have cost her a fortune.

"I didn't take you for an art enthusiast?"I almost jumped when I heard her voice.

"Yeah well there's a lot you don't know about me Miss Hernandez,"I smirked walking towards her.