005

>>FOUR YEARS LATER

Seated comfortably in a plush swivel chair, a man exuded a cold aura as continued to gaze at the photo in his hand. His emerald orbs remained fixed on it as he felt his heart prick him painfully, taking in the features of the lady in the picture. She was a young woman with long auburn hair that perfectly complemented her hazel eyes. Her genuine smile radiating through the picture filled the man's heart with warmth. He missed her. He missed the woman in the photo terribly. This man was no other person than Jordan Salvador, and the woman in the picture was no other than his beautiful ex-wife, Alexander McKenna.

Jordan continued gazing at the picture regretfully as he felt as though his heart was being stabbed with a sharp knife, replaying the wrong deeds he had done Alexa four years ago. He regretted everything. He wished he could turn back the hands of the clock and prevent it all from happening in the first place. Though he had been searching all over the country for Alexa for the past two years, he still hadn't received any positive feedback. It was as if Alexa had disappeared into thin air.

Every day and night, Jordan's callous actions plagued him each time he recalled how badly he treated Alexa, especially when he had abandoned her at the hospital after the painful loss, to marry his childhood sweetheart, Luciana. Jordan realized he should never have done that. Luciana was nothing other than a liar and a gold digger who invaded his life for her own motives. Jordan regretted ever trusting her words in the first place, especially when she had acclaimed her bastard child as his. He felt his heart clenched tight, recalling Luciana's deceit.

Although he had only divorced Luciana two weeks ago after he discovered the truth, Jordan wished he had punished her some more. Luciana was the sole author of his current misery. He never would've changed his behavior towards his lovely wife had it been Luciana never come back into his life. Jordan deeply regretted his mistakes. It pained him even more as he had no idea where Alexa was or how she had been coping all these years. All he ever wished for was to find her again and apologize for his stupid mistakes.

The sound of Jordan's telephone on the desk disrupted his thoughts, causing him to instinctively pocket the photo in his suit pocket as he made to answer the phone.

Bringing the phone to his ear, he spoke. "Jordan Salvador,"

"Boss," The desperate voice of a male came through the phone, causing Jordan's nerves to fray in anticipation as he recognized the voice of his aid.

"Kris. What's up? How did it go?" He asked desperately, hoping for some optimistic response from him concerning the search for Alexa.

"I regret to inform you, boss. But it's another .. end. We couldn't find her in Puwak City too. We're on our way back, boss. I'm very sorry. We just have one more place to cover before it clocks twenty cities that we've looked in so far."

Jordan felt his heart plummet into his stomach as he clutched the telephone tightly, disappointment and heartbreak coursing through him.

Not having anything to say, he hung up, setting the phone back in its position. Jordan brought his hands to his head and held it firmly.

'What have you done to yourself, Jordan? What gave you the hope that you'd ever find her again after what you did to her? Perhaps, this is her punishing you.' Jordan heard his inner voice scold him and he couldn't help but agree.

However, if truly this was Alexa punishing him for his betrayal, it was working just fine.

As Jordan made to rise, his office door flung open unexpectedly. His cold eyes darted towards the entrance to see who had dared to walk into his office without his consent.

He remained seated as he witnessed two men, clad in police uniforms walk inside. This brought a frown to Jordan's face as he couldn't comprehend what was going on.

The two men approached Jordan's desk; in one hand, there was a sheet of paper.

"Mr. Salvador,"

"What the fuck is going on? What do you think you're doing barging into my office like that?" Jordan snapped, his annoyance palpable.

One of the officers apologized. "Forgive us, Mr. Salvador. But we have a warrant for your arrest."

Jordan's brows scrunched up in further confusion. Had he just heard the man correctly?

"Mr. Salvador, please cooperate," The officer uttered, interrupting Jordan's conflicting and confused thoughts.

Jordan's eyes darted to his in demand. "I don't understand. What do you mean by arrest? What are you talking about?"

Wordlessly, the man extended his hand toward Jordan and offered him the note. Jordan quickly snatched it from him, his eyes skimming through his context. Shock washed over Jordan as he couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't believe the crime he was being accused of.

Jordan redirected his gaze to the officer. "What do you mean I have been charged for the embezzlement of my own company's funds?"

The bulky officer replied as he prompted the other to go handcuff Jordan.

"Please, you'll have to come to the station with us, Mr. Salvador. You have the right to remain silent or anything you say will be used against you in the court of law. You also have the right to an attorney," the second officer said, standing before Jordan as he took his hands.

Though Jordan was shocked, to say the least, he decided to heed their words and allowed the officer to cuff him.

A few minutes later, the two officers and the newly arrested were walking outside. The paparazzi were there as they captured Jordan's arrest, throwing inquiries at him as to why this had happened.

"CEO Salvador, can you tell us your crime?"

Jordan answered the public before getting into the Police van. "I have committed no crime, be rest assured. I'm sure this is some kind of misunderstanding. It would get sorted out soon." He reassured, hopping into the back seat of the van.