The Kidnapping
1447 Words
Chapter 4
Andrea read the text again, this time, more slowly, expecting to see something different, but the words didn’t change, they never did.
“You might want to ask your ex-wife what she’s hiding.”
Andrea's thumb hovered over the phone, his muscles were twitching as if the words itself was a provocation, he placed the phone down on the desk.
What was Isabella hiding?
He asked no one in particular as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes for a brief moment, his mind raced, he thought of everything he knew about her, and about their life.
It was clearly obvious he didn't know a lot of things about her.
Andrea leaned back in the leather chair, and the chair creaked under his weight, his eyes lifted slowly to the darkened glass wall of his study. Beyond the glass, he could see as the city glowed , and lights from high-rise buildings reflected in the night.
What could have gone wrong? As far as he was concerned, people were moved by his words, systems bent to his command, but Isabella, she had always been the problem.
The thought irritated him deeply, he picked up the phone again, this time, his fingers were steady, he dialed, and the line connected instantly.
“I need everything ” he said, his voice was calm, and stripped of any emotion.
“Yes ” he added, anticipating the question before it could come.
“Even the insignificant ones.” he added, his fingers drumming once on the desk.
He didn’t wait for an answer, instead, he hung up.
Andrea stood, stretching his back slightly, he walked to the window, and watch as his reflection stared back at him.
Whoever sent that message wanted him to confront Isabella, and that alone was enough to make him suspicious.
His eyes narrowed, If she was hiding something, it meant two things.
One, she believed she could keep it from him,and two, someone else knew.
He pressed his palm to the glass, staring out at the city, the lights flickered like distant stars, and the cool glass pressed against his hand, but Andrea's mind refused to stop racing, he needed answers, and he would get them.
***
Isabella sat on the soft cushion of the small apartment’s living room, she curled her legs beneath her, as the cushion dip slightly under her weight. The apartment wasn’t big, but it was cozy , her brother Miguel had bought it for her.
She stared blankly at the walls, though she was seeing them, but her mind was elsewhere, she had been like that all day, sober and thinking about the one person she never wants to speak to.
Andrea.
Pushing her to the floor after being caught cheating with her best friend was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Andrea had crossed lines she never wanted to be crossed, and she had decided to divorce him to protect her unborn baby. Isabella knew that if she continued living in that mansion, she would lose the pregnancy.
She remembered the cold marble floor against her back, the pain and fear she had felt all together, and the way her body had curled around her stomach instinctively when Andrea pushed her.
The thought of it made her swallow hard.
Andrea had done enough, she wouldn’t take chances again, so why was she still thinking about him?
Why did his face still slip into her thoughts without warning? Why did her chest ache when she remembered his voice? Why did she still desire a man who had hurt her so badly, she missed him and she hated that fact.
Isabella pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling the tiny flutter of life inside her, the baby kicked, as if sensing her unease.
Why did she still ache for a man who had hurt her so badly? Isn't she supposed to hate him by now? These questions she asked herself with no one to answer her.
Just then, the door clicked open, and Miguel walked in.
“Hey, sis,” Miguel’s voice called, excitedly.
Isabella lifted her head, relief washed over her as she saw Miguel stepping inside, filling the room with his presence, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, she smiled, faintly.
Miguel's eyes swept over the apartment, pausing at the dining table, the food Miguel had prepared and left, was still untouched, covered with lids.
Miguel frowned.
“You didn’t touch your food?” he asked, lifting the cover, steam rose gently. “You’ve been starving yourself for days now” he said.
“It’s not good for you, you know the condition of the baby, you can’t take any chances.” he explained.
Isabella looked away, her gaze fixing on the floor.
“I’m fine,” she whispered. “I’ll eat later.”
Miguel’s brow furrowed, and his voice softened, mixed with frustration, he knew exactly what was going on in his sister's head.
“You still miss him, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes, and I hate myself for missing him” Isabella admitted, slowly.
“ You need to stop thinking about him, not after what he did to you “ Miguel added.
Isabella remained silent. Miguel sighed, as he quickly sank onto the cushion beside her, the weight of his body made the cushion dip, his hand brushed hers briefly, as if to ground her, and to remind her she wasn’t alone.
“Isabel ” he called softly, drawing her gaze.
Isabella's chest rose and fell quickly, she knew what her brother wanted to say before he said it.
“I know you want your kids to have a father figure” Miguel continued, his tone, more gentle.
“But Andrea… Andrea is not the man you think he is, he’s an asshole, he's not worthy to be a father, and you can’t let him back into your life.”
Isabella’s lips parted, trembling slightly, she tried to speak but no words came.
“I’m done with Andrea,” she finally said, her voice low but firm.
“Don’t bother yourself about him.”
Miguel studied her face, these were the same words she said at the hospital, he didn't want to doubt his sister, so he nodded slowly, and stood up, stretching his arms briefly.
“Then go eat your food, okay?”
She nodded, silent.
“I’ll be going to work now,” he said.
Before she could respond, he bent down, placing a hand gently on her stomach. Isabella gasped, startled, then felt a smile tug at her lips.
“Hey, cutie,” Miguel said playfully, his voice lighter now. “What do you want uncle to get for you? Ice cream?”
The baby kicked, a tiny, insistent movement that made Isabella laugh softly.
“You’d love strawberry, huh?” Miguel whispered, brushing his hand across her belly again.
She nodded, widening her smile . Miguel planted a kiss on her forehead before standing fully and heading to the door.
Isabella followed him outside, watching as he entered his car and drove off. She raised her hand and waved.
“Be safe ” she whispered, once Miguel’s car was out of sight, she turned to go back inside, that was when it happened.
A car sped into the compound suddenly, Isabella froze, her heart jumped in commotion, she turned, as confusion flashed across her face.
Before she could process what was happening, strong hands grabbed her roughly , she screamed.
“What are you doing?” she shouted, struggling wildly. “Let go of me!”
Her feet dragged against the ground as she fought back, but they were too strong, too fast, and skilled. They overpowered her with ease, she kicked, and tried to fight back, but they were too strong.
Her heart pounded violently, she could feel the baby inside her kick wildly, sensing the panic.
“Stop! Please!” she cried, tears streaming down her face,but no one listened.
Instead, they shoved her into the car like she weigh nothing, Isabella hit the leather seat hard, the door slammed shut, the engine roared, and the car sped off.
Isabella sobbed uncontrollably, pushing against the men who held her.
“Please! Let me go! You've got the wrong person, please” she cried, but no one listened to her.
Instead, a rough hand pressed a hanky against her nose and mouth, she struggled, but the chemical smell was too strong, it burnt her senses, and her strength faded instantly.
Isabella's eyes widened in panic, as the world began to spin around her, and with that, she passed out.
- Writer
