Chapter 2: Missing and Found
1324 Words
Asher’s POV
“Do you realize it’s exactly two months and five days since Melissa went missing?” Logan’s voice grated from the other end of the line.
I rolled my eyes, wishing he could see my bored look right now. Get to the point, Logan.
“You’re running out of time, Mr. Stone. If you don’t find her soon, I’ll let the world know how you chased your newly wedded wife away with your cruelty barely a week into your marriage.”
My grip on the phone tightened in annoyance, almost cracking it in two. “She started an argument and left the house on her own. What should I have done? Run after her like a madman? And let’s not forget—you and her parents were the ones who forced her into this marriage against her will.”
“Point of correction,” Logan said coolly, “the marriage and merger were both your late grandfather’s and her late grandfather’s will. We only executed it.”
“Exactly,” I told him. I wouldn’t have married her too.”
“That’s none of my business,” he snapped. “Two weeks, Asher. Find Melissa—or I’ll leak to the press that you’re the reason she’s missing... and that her father died from overthinking because of it.”
His voice lowered. “Remember... the news leaked once, and I debunked it to buy you more time. I won’t cover for you again.”
I laughed bitterly. “And I warn you back, Logan... Quit threatening me. I’ve said it over and over—I’m not responsible for her disappearance. But I’m still searching. And don’t forget... we’re in the middle of a merger. Any scandal that hits my family hits you too.”
“I’m not…”
“Think carefully next time,” I cut him off “before calling me at night to threaten me.”
Without waiting for a response, I hung up.
“Damn it!” I slammed my fist on the bed. Even her father hadn’t threatened me this much when he was alive. Now her uncle who’d only stepped in last month, wanted to complicate things further.
If only he knew...
Melissa didn’t run away. She was kidnapped. If only he knew the stress I’d gone through these past weeks, working with my private investigator to track her. He had no idea how I’d found her unconscious, saved her, and placed her in a discreet hospital where she’s been in a coma ever since.
I finally succumbed to sleep.
•
The shrill ring of my phone jolted me awake at dawn.
For a second, I thought it was Logan again with another useless threat. I grabbed the phone, already scowling. But when I saw the caller ID, my heart skipped a beat.
The hospital.
I answered quickly. “Tell me she’s awake, Doctor.”
But the chief doctor’s next words drained all color from my face.
My eyes widened in horror. “She did what?”
~•~
“What nonsense are you saying?” I snapped at the chief doctor. “How does a coma patient go missing under your watch?”
“I... I’m so sorry, sir,” the doctor stammered. “There was a power outage last night... She must have woken up and wandered off.”
His excuse only fueled my fury. After everything I’d done to keep her safe.
“You’re all incompetent!” I barked, glaring at the trembling staff who couldn’t meet my gaze. “You have twenty-four hours to—”
“Sir! We’ve found her!” an intern came running toward the chief doctor, his voice shaking. “She’s with another patient.”
“Show me,” I said at once.
“Sir? Me?” the intern blinked, visibly terrified.
“Yes, you.” I placed a hand on his trembling shoulder, making him flinch. “And one thing... I’m the wrong person to mess with. Now move.”
“Yes, sir!” He bolted ahead, making sure we didn’t walk side by side.
The rest of the staff quickly cleared the way, holding their breaths as I passed. They followed behind but kept a safe distance.
When I entered the room, I was surprised to see my mother and her assistant already there. I gave her a curt nod and turned my glare toward the woman sitting on the bed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped. “You just woke up from a coma, and you’re already trying to run away?”
Her brows lifted in confusion, but the other lady—her friend, apparently—jumped in.
“She didn’t try to run, sir! I had no idea my friend was even in this hospital. She woke up during the outage and was trying to find a doctor when she stumbled on me and my sick brother.”
“Hmph.” I gave a small nod.
“Son,” my mom’s voice came softly behind me, “why didn’t you tell me you found her?”
“We’ll discuss this at home,” I said, dismissing her for now.
“Asher, I’ll wait outside,” she said and left with her assistant.
I turned back to Reyna. “Get ready, Melissa. Once I return, we’re going home.”
Then, to the other woman: “I’ll cover your brother’s bill. Along with hers.”
Before they could thank me, I was already stepping out to meet Mom.
“What was that all about?” she asked the moment I stepped outside.
“So you found her and didn’t tell me?” She crossed her arms, frowning.
“I planned to, Mom. Soon.”
She sighed. “Even though I don’t like that girl, I’m glad you found her.”
I smirked. “You don’t like her because she’s as stubborn as you.”
“Oh, please.” She flicked her hair dramatically. “No one compares to me.”
I chuckled.
“Is that why you followed me here?” I teased.
“Why not?” Her gaze softened. “You and I both know how Richard started acting strange before we lost him... keeping secrets. Now you’re doing the same. I’m scared, Asher. I’m scared of losing you too.”
I rested my hands on her shoulders. “Nothing will happen to me. I promise.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I haven’t even healed from Richard’s death. If anything happened to you...” Her voice broke. “I don’t think I’d survive it.”
A lone tear slipped down her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb and forced a smile. I couldn’t let the moment stretch as the same grief ate me up too.
“Go home and get some rest, Mom. I’ll visit you soon.”
~•~
I spent the rest of the day in my study catching up on office work. Night fell before I realized it.
By the time I entered my bedroom, the woman was already fast asleep.
Slipping under the duvet carefully, I tried not to wake her. But sleep didn’t come easy. She was such a restless sleeper.
She tossed and turned, constantly shifting against me. Our bodies kept brushing, forcing me to reposition again and again until I finally angled myself so her head rested near my legs and my head near her feet.
At last, I found the peace I sought and drifted off.
But morning came with another problem.
The erection I woke up to wasn’t the issue. That was normal. But what shocked me was the sight of her hand, wrapped loosely around the bulge beneath my trousers.
“What the hell?” I shouted, jerking away and slapping her hand off me.
Her eyes shot open, confusion and horror flashing across her face.
“What’s the meaning of this nonsense?” I thundered.
- Writer
