Jenna's chase

Monday arrived in a flash, and Giselle had a worrisome start of the new week, for Lia still tenaciously protested to talk to her mother.

Thankfully, the child listened to her and behaved, but without a word to respond or even glance to spare. Giselle got hurt with Lia's behavior, yet she endured to respect the child's reluctance.

As said, Lia got ready for the school, and they left the house together. Strange as it became ever since Lia stopped talking. The love that thrived within the family disappeared to haunt the two lonely souls. Silence befriended the housemates as they lived apart without saving any attachment.

Giselle dropped Lia at school and waited to say goodbye. However, Lia left once again without a farewell greeting. Giselle stood alone and suffered about this prolonging act.

She watched little Lia leave as she kept turning her head in anguish, a small frown on her face that explained how she hates behaving as such to her mother.

Things kept getting complicated more, Giselle turned to leave, and as she did, she removed her mobile from the handbag and pressed the dial to reach out to Shane Ricardo. However, her actions fluctuated with doubts and despair from failing her given task. Her decision faults as she returned the phone to the bag and left the school.

***

Unlike South Carolina that displayed constant alarming weather conditions, New York brightened the day with its sunny warmth.

Jenna arrived at the office sharp at time. But, even the brightest day of the beginning week couldn't make those dark circles disappear or lifted her draining spirit.

Gill's new book became a best-seller, and the success kept Jenna occupied with meetings and steady receive of requests from various entertainment houses. They were all invites for Lillian Grey, also known to her readers as Gill, to sit down for different interviews and events.

Jenna also had to join on several meetings, which exhausted her body apart from already receiving a blow upon learning her author, Lillian Grey's disappearance.

She worked hard to respond to the mails that might interest Gill and reject the invites where Gill's identity can get exposed. Lillian never agreed to reveal herself to the media and thus maintained strict conduct to only do print interviews.

Spending last week with meetings and events, Jenna took this day to finish responding to the left off mails. She worked quick and focused, never letting her mind to get distracted. Upon replying to the last invite, the afternoon ended with her skipping the lunch.

A few of her co-workers asked Jenna to join for lunch, yet she tactfully declined, showing no interest in eating. Meals tasted poorly and sleep- Jenna couldn't sleep at peace ever since hearing about Lillian Grey. She tried to track on her own but failed from the lack of information. She recognized it earlier and chose another route to pursue.

Finishing her job, she returned to her newly adopted routine of following a particular person closely from the shadows.

This person became her target for days and passing weeks because this individual might be aware of Lillian's whereabouts or even have a clue on her. Every day, Jenna kept stalking this person after her work and tracked them secretly. However, her person of interest got occupied with multi-task and kept moving from one place to another room. Privately, and skillfully, Jenna kept following until the target realized itself someone tailing him for days. After getting tired from this pursuit, he played along for a few more hours to later catch Jenna.

"What do you think you are doing, Jenna?" he asked.

"Nothing," Jenna replied.

Having caught finally, she got left with no choice but to face the man responsible.

"I heard Lilly received a lot of interviews to sit down for, what happened to those?" he questioned authoritatively.

"All done, I replied to those emails already."

Despite the fear of going against this person, Jenna stayed strong to endure and win by acquiring new updates.

"Then, why are you following me? Do you have any business to attend?"

The person of her interest asked without budging to her daring move.

"No- Yes. I do," Jenna faltered.

"Choose one already,"

"Yes, I have a business with you," Jenna confirmed.

"What is it? Tell me fast I have another meeting to join soon," the guy rushed.

"Mr. Ricardo, where is Ms. Grey? Why is she not at home? It's been weeks, and I'm worried sick for her," Jenna pleaded soberly.

"I remember notifying you that she won't be available for a while," Shane replied.

"Yes, you did, but-"

Shane Ricardo saw Jenna troubled sternly for Lillian Grey to the point of affecting her health. He sighed from frustration.

"Do you have any plans for the day?" he asked.

"No,"

Shane checks time and informs Jenna to wait for him while he finishes his work.

"But, Mr. Ricardo, I only wanted to know-"

"You want to know about Lillian Grey, right?" Shane asked.

Jenna nodded, and he informed her to stay put if that is her desire.

Jenna agreed.

Leaving her alone, Shane walked straight to the conference room where the meeting will take place soon. Before getting inside, he took out his phone to check if Giselle sent him any message, but no. Since Saturday evening to report her arrival, there hasn't been any contact from Giselle's side. Shane worried if something happened to his absence.