Fourteen

Kelilah's POV

The morning light streamed through my window as I woke up to an empty bed, the silence gnawing at me. I glanced at the clock—damn, I was going to be late. 

“Loveth!” I called out, but no response came. A knot of worry tightened in my stomach, but I brushed it off. She’d probably just left early.

Hurriedly, I got dressed and rushed downstairs, still pulling on my shoes. 

“Mom, have you seen Loveth?”

She looked up, shrugging.

 “Haven’t seen her this morning. She might have gone out early.”

“Okay, I’m running late. I’ll check in with her later!” I bolted out of the door, making it to work with just two minutes to spare. At my desk, Betty greeted me with a broad smile.

“Lovely day off?” she asked.

I nodded, sighing.

 “I’d love a week off.”

She chuckled. “Take what you can get.”

Settling in, I rubbed at my temples; a dull ache was already forming, threatening to pull me under.

 I pulled out my left over work and started working silently, still try to focus. Until suddenly, I heard footsteps and unwelcoming perfume approaching. I didn't need to turn to know who it was. There was only one person I shared my corner with. Cindy.

“Feels so good to be away from the office,” she murmured as she settled in. “I’d almost forgotten how toxic people here can be.”

The irony of her words struck me, but I held my tongue. The only toxic person here was her, but I will allow her to keep her delusions. Meanwhile, she seemed to get the message that I wasn't going to exchange words with her, so she got busy with her work. At least. I won't have to hear her whine for the meantime

 As I settled back into my work, my phone buzzed. It was my mother, her name flashing on the screen.

“Hello, Mom,” I whispered, glancing at Sir Mateo’s office door to make sure he wasn’t around.

“Kelilah, have you spoken to Loveth today? I tried calling, but she’s not answering. Your father wants to discuss something with her. Could you ask her to call back if you reach her?”

"I'm at work mom and I'm not even supposed to be on the phone right now. Keep calling her or text her instead*,

She hesitated. “It’s… important, Kelilah.”

Just then, Mateo’s door creaked open. Quickly, I ended the call, sliding my phone back onto my desk, feeling uneasy. It was really risky to get cut by this silly excuse of a man.

The rest of the morning dragged on, and by lunch, I felt completely drained. I caught sight of Morgan across the cafeteria, and he waved, but I turned away, biting back irritation as I heard quiet laughter from his table.

 Just as I sat down, my phone buzzed again—it was Mom. Taking a breath, I picked up.

“Kelilah, I haven’t heard from Loveth,” she said, her voice tinged with worry.

“What do you mean?”

“I even stopped by her office, but no one’s seen her. And her phone isn’t connecting.”

I frowned. “Maybe she’s in a meeting. Or perhaps Juliet or Helen would know where she is?”

“I’ll try calling them,” she replied before hanging up, but her anxiety was contagious, leaving me distracted for the rest of the day.

Sir Mateo had scheduled an important meeting for all staffs of the office. So I was certain I wasn't going home on time today. The meeting lasted for a long while, and I was so exhausted, causing me to slump in my chair.

After the meeting was concluded, I returned to my seat and saw my phone ringing. It was Mom again. But this time I didn't pick it, I just sighed and turned it off. She was panicking for no reason. I wasn't going to pick the call with my boss not inside his office.

The day finally came to an end, and I decided to stop by Loveth’s office before heading home. Her door was locked, and a few of her coworkers were milling around, looking curious.

“Good evening, ma’am,” one of them greeted me with a polite smile. “You didn’t come to work today?”

“Wrong twin,” I corrected, trying to hide my anxiety.

He laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. “Oh, my mistake. But, Is Madam okay? She didn’t come in today.”

My heart skipped a beat. “She… she wasn’t here?”

I tried to shake it off, hoping she was just out on some errand. But the uneasy feeling gnawed at me as I made my way home.

When I entered, I found my parents and some servants in the living room, their faces solemn. Mom’s eyes were red, swollen as though she’d been crying. The air felt thick with unspoken words, and my pulse quickened.

“Mom?”, i called out, rushing over to kneel beside mum.

"Kelilah" mom called out my name as she jumped up as soon as she heard me. 

"What's wrong mom. Why are you crying? Where is loveth?" I asked while looking between her and dad for an answer.

My question only made her sob harder and I became scared. Was she hurt? Or... Did they marry her off in my absence…i guessed this was the only val reason i could think of?

"Hope it's not what I'm thinking?”, I said to Mom, and her sobs grew higher.

I was right. Loveth has been married off in my absence.

“But we had a month left, didn't we" I shouted angrily, not waiting for their reponse anymore.

How could they come and claim her before the givetime. I didn't even get the chance to see her. How could they do this to me. I couldn't stop the tears from falling from my eyes.

"And you just let them claim her. You allowed them to claim your daughter against her will" I screamed angrily at my parents.

“Princess.." mother held my arm, but I pulled away roughly and stomped to Loveth’s room. 

On getting there, I opened her wardrobe and discovered that some of her clothes were gone from the wardrobe. Stunned, I fell to my knees and sobbed harder, why Mom came closer to me and wrapped her arms around me.

“She’s not… claimed, Kelilah,” Mom murmured, her voice breaking.

My tears stopped in an ongoing instant. My rage stilled, confusion taking its place

She hasn't been claimed yet? So why were they moody then?.

"Then where is she? And why is her wardrobe half-empty?”

Mom’s silence stretched, tears streaming down her cheeks. Whatever words she struggled to say weighed heavy, too crushing to speak.

"Mom talk to me" I yelled impatiently.

"She's gone, Kelilah”

"Gone? Gone to where if I may ask”, 

At this point, my heart was beating so quick. I had one answer hovering in my mind, but I completely rescued to believe it. I maybe having the wrong imagination right now 

Just when I thought I was thinking rubbish, mother spoke. 

Her gaze dropped, lips trembling as fresh tears welled in her eyes.

"Loveth ran away”.