Jian’s POVAs the car pulled into the vast compound, thoughts of Rosie assailed me. The helpless expression that had been etched on her face before I walked out on her the previous night, haunted my memories. It was the only thing I’d thought about all night and all day at work. It was difficult for me to concentrate. At one point, I had to take a break, just to go over my decision again.Last night, I’d been so angry that I shut her off and told her I was done with her. Following that decision, I intended to send her back home and cut all ties with her but throughout the night, I couldn’t get her sobs and helpless expression from my thoughts. Coupled with the mess she’d gotten herself into and the severity of her situation, I knew her safety was at stake. Now that it was all over the media that she was Clifford Davidson’s illegitimate daughter, a lot of hate would be directed at her but apart from that, it would be easier for the people after her to finally get to her again if she’s
Rose’s POV…I ran through the field, with my arms wide, and the cool evening breeze ruffling my hair. A bright smile was on my face, and I could see Jian at the end waiting for me, with an equally charming smile etched on his face. He beckoned on me to get closer, and I increased my speed, still smiling radiantly. The feelings of peace that coursed through me at that moment were next to none. My life was perfect. Nothing was bothering me and I wasn’t running from anyone anymore. I was free to explore the world and to be with the man I loved.On my way to him, I slowed to a stop, reached for a sunflower that was in my path, and plucked it. It looked so beautiful and radiant that it matched my mood. I inserted it into the side of my hair and twirled around. My eyes caught on Jian, who suddenly had a camera out and was taking my picture, while still smiling. I was so excited that I gave him more poses, and even laid on the field to get more pictures. I closed my eyes to revel in the f
Jian’s POVIt’s been twenty-four hours since Rosie left and I’m yet to get any tangible information regarding her whereabouts from the private investigator. He kept asking for more time that he was on it and he’d get to her soon but for every hour I’d called him and heard those same words, I had the urge to grab him and strangle him. He was quite lucky to be far away from me.I sat in my home office, dressed for work but I had no intentions of leaving home. I had a meeting in an hour and I needed to be there in person but I had no regard for whatever it was anymore. All that was revolving around my head was Rosie, and if she was safe. I wish I could reassure myself that she was, but knowing her, she was very careless.I stared at the email I’d sent to Don Torelli the previous night after I found the video evidence of what transpired at the club that night. I couldn’t find a personal email to reach him, hence, I used one of his companies, addressing it to him. All I told him was that I
Jian’s POVIt’s been twenty-four hours since I sent that text to Don Torelli and it’s been forty-eight hours since Rosie left. I’ve not heard anything from either of them and it was driving me crazy. I was trying to be patient with the Don, while also trying to save my head. I knew not to bother him too much and I was hoping with time he’d eventually get back to me, and fast enough for me to be able to find Rosie but on the other hand, I couldn’t push off the thoughts that he had her in his custody already, hence his lack of interest in whatever I had to say. I’d contacted the private investigator to help me confirm if Rosie was with the Don but he’d said his source confirmed that the only girl in the Don’s custody was Samantha Davis, Rosie’s best friend. I sat in my home office, dressed in sweatpants as I kept staring at the second email I’d sent to the done just moments ago. I’d managed to get his personal email address from the private investigator and had sent a follow-up messag
Jian’s POV“It’s been a while,” I responded, slumping into one of the sofas in the living room. My eyes were fixed on the TV screen displaying a news channel but I grabbed the remote and muted the sound, just so I could focus on my call with Amelia.“You can say that again. It seems you forgot all about me in the past few months. Who’s taking your attention from your favorite sister, Jian?” I could hear the smile in her voice and it made me smile, but at the same time, it brought back thoughts of Rosie.“She’s actually the reason for this call,” I confessed.“Oohhh… so there’s someone. Okay, spill the tea…” She drawled, and I found myself chuckling. Her energy was infectious and it was one thing I loved about her. She was always so cheerful and welcoming.“You know her, actually…”“Really? Come on, tell me her name. Stop stalling and gatekeeping. You’re killing me here,” Her impatience was cute and I told her just that but then, I drew in a deep breath and finally mentioned the name.
Jian’s POV The next evening saw me at Phantom, the nightclub where Don Torelli had asked to meet. I’d arrived ten minutes earlier than the scheduled time and was in my car at the parking lot, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man but I saw nothing in all of the ten minutes I was outside. I had no idea what he looked like but I expected an entourage to show up when he arrived. Yet, all I saw was regular sleek cars, belonging to both the well-known socialites, and the college students. There was nothing special that drew my attention to his supposed arrival. I sat in my car until the time hit 9 p.m., the appointed time. For the fear of missing him, I decided to head in, believing that I may have missed his entrance, or that he’d arrive late. So, I stepped out of my car and headed into the building, after passing the bouncer at the entrance. I dressed down in jeans, and a t-shirt, just to fit into my environment. Although I knew it’d be rowdy inside, I didn’t prepare myself for the loud
Rose’s POV…“Help, please help me,” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I struggled against the ropes that were binding my legs and arms. “Please help me, please,” I screamed again.There was a blindfold covering my eyes, and I couldn’t tell where I was. All I felt was the cold from the hard floor seeping into me. Besides that, there was nothing to tell my location. Even as I screamed for help, my voice echoed back, informing me that I must be in an empty room.I’d been here for days, and no one had shown up. I couldn’t recall how I got here or even when. I had no idea how long I’d been here. All I could recall was that I was in an argument with Jian. He found out everything and he was angry. He said he was done with me and was threatening to throw me out of his house and even expose me to the police for killing the Don’s son. I’d been angry and instead of apologizing for all of the times I’d strung him along with my issues, I yelled at him and called him names for wanting to abandon
Jian’s POV All attempts to find Rosie had been to no avail. At this point, it was as if the private investigator was no longer helping. Every time I reached out to him, all he told me was that he was still working on it and that he was getting close. It was getting on my nerves but I knew I couldn’t rely on him for much longer. It had been a week since Rosie disappeared and he was yet to get any intel on her. The last time, he’d been very fast on it. I couldn’t help but wonder, if whoever took Rosie was aware of this investigator and decided to hide her very well or if Rosie was so good at hiding that he’d missed her but I knew the latter wasn’t the case. Rosie was quite careless. Hence, I decided to take Amelia’s advice, to inform her parents and seek external help. It was becoming increasingly obvious that I couldn’t handle it all on my own. That weekend, I flew to New York to meet with Sylvia. The evening I landed, I went straight to Nester's nursing home to have a word with her.