Chapter 9: Who's Missing?

Three days have gone by I haven't heard from Jamal. Dr Khaleefa has gone extra miles searching yet there was nothing. I told Ada about it, even the cops and every security personnel we could get through to.

Ada was driving us to her Mom's consoling me

  "Danielle, we'll find him. He's not safe but he's alive, trust me." She assured

  "For three days? No accidents, nothing.... Is it fair? I ain't taking this, West would have to explain everything to me, its time I faced him" I yelled

  "Do you want to die as well? He doesn't deserve your time, chill out!"

She added

  "Ok i heard." I frowned

  "Danni? Are you sure you want to go?" She asked

  "Drive on, Addy!" I yelled being pissed

After some 30 minutes drive, Ada pulled over at a well furnished mansion, did I tell you her parents were politicians? Yes they are. After the security opened up the gate, we drove in parking at the lot. We walked in

  "Addy! This is a hell of a fortune though!" I teased

But honestly that's the truth, from the roof top down to the stones beneath.

  "Crazy! I happen-- we happen to be lucky, ma'am!" We laughed and sat on the sofa.

From the hallway, I sighted a woman from a short distance. She was dressed in a long Sari-like gown, it has this glitters and shiny diamond and pearl stones on it. She had golden bracelets, rings and bangles on, then a golden necklace that matched her earrings and small round nose ring. Her nails were neatly polished nails, the heels were specifically Gucci, the makeup wasn't too loud and the longs braids looked exactly like dreads.

She came forward, keeping this welcoming smile. We stood up to greet

  "Hi ma'am!" I offered a handshake

She ignored gave a warm hug instead

  "Mum!" Ada gave a hug straight away then we all sat

  "Welcome home darlings! Let's have some food, I bet y'all are tired from a 30 minutes drive....." She teased, we all laughed

We walked to the dinning room, the chandeliers above the table was spectacular then the timbers from the furnitures were turkish i suppose, to cut it all Ada's home is really flamboyant.

The maids served different delicacies and different foreign wines. We started eating, after a short prayer

  "So Danielle, tell me about yourself, would you?" Carol asked

I cleared my throat, after sipping wine

  "Why not! I'm Danielle Chris....."

  "And where did you acquire your certificate?"

  "Harvard!!" I smiled

  "Good. Your parents?"

  "They passed on few years ago"

  "And ailment......"

  "A plane crash." I said bluntly

  "That's pathetic, my dear. You are really a fighter, you know some desperation could make us stray away, but you're standing, that's a lot." She consoled

  "Thanks ma'am!" I nodded in agreement

  "You don't look unemployed....."

Now this compliment sounds really awkward

  "I own an enterprise. Real Estate Surveyor....." I gave a few details

  "Oh that's thoughtful." She smiled and turned away

  "Mum you are really......you know...the questionnaire!" Ada added

  "I know. Its only a decent conversation, she's really well brought up and outstanding. Take that from me." Carol added

  "Thanks ma'am. You are extravagant yourself, very fulfilled." I added mine

Sabrina and a guy walked in, taking seats as well

  "Hello dear!" He almost whispered

  "Hi!" I snapped feeling uncomfortable, he sat next to me.

  "Danielle, this my son Hunter. Hunter this is Danielle, Ada's pal." She introduced

  "Hi." I said again, and he gave a smile

  "Welcome home" he later said and continued "Ada you didn't mention a queen coming over....

  "I mentioned. A friend....." Ada air quoted

  "There is a difference. A queen and friend!" He turned to me and smiled

I blushed, he was this flirty guy but seemed nice.

  "You see, Hunter is a pilot and too single ready to tie the knot" Carol joked, we laughed to it

That was not a joke to me, she was trying to make a thing out of nothing actually, then Sabrina cuts in

  "Thank you Danni for honoring our invitation. We've heard a lot in a short while." She complimented

  "My pleasure, Sabrina. And not to bother, your wedding would make eyes drop, for real" I added but I was being honest, I have connections for that, well fully aware Madam Carol would handle a lot or everything.

We finished lunch, I almost forgot Jamal was missing. Then I realized I really had feels for this man. As they say its better to keep the devil you know than the angel you know nothing about. I sat in the garden, not realizing a tear drop, I was carried away in thoughts this family made me feel at home. If I had a mother, I'd have someone to talk or even dad. Life is really toying with me, all along I've been in the dark not realizing I've lost a lot. Hunter was right behind me, I didn't know

  "Take this! Whatever it is, its only a test yunno." He handed me a white handkerchief and sat beside me

  "I'm really sorry!" I wiped it off

  "Sorry for letting it go? Its normal."

  "I was actually waiting for Addy, we should be on our way tho" I added

  "I know. Here's my card, give me a call if you ever need to say something!" He handed

  "I'd honor it, thanks" I smiled

  "You are pretty......I love your bottom heels tho!" He complimented and left

Oh yeah, my black heels had this fendi prints on them, I wore a short off shoulder flare down reaching my thighs.

  "Sorry I took so long, Sabrina is really pissing me off. She couldn't make decisions, her colors are really Barbie....." We laughed 

At the car, Madam Carol stood there

  "Please come by. Pete will be pleased, there's a contract for you--as your field suggests..." She offered

  "Anything money, calls me home!" I joked then we drove away

On the way, few minutes gone by West called

  "Yeah!" I snapped

  "I'm at your house, but you're not there" 

  "I'm out with a friend, what you need?" I asked

  "What I need? You of course, I got something for you honey!" He said

  "Ok great, Give me 10 ok?"

  "Anything." He hung up

Ada turned to me

  "West?"

  "No, its my colleague. He brought some files to sign. Could you hit 360° please?" I teased 

  "Your call!" She geared up a bit, good thing it was an empty lane

Ada dropped me off, then i saw West In his car, I dialed

  "I'm home, sleepy head." I joked

He looked cute actually

I opened the door, he was behind me then we entered

  "You look hot. Fendi suits you." He complimented

  "Thanks West! What's up, no work?" I asked

He was usually at work most times, why's today different again. I'm pretty sure he'd lie to me again

   "Oh work. I resigned..

  "Ok, that's good. Coz burgers weren't your call, you had plans though" I snapped taking off my shoes

  "Sorry, what plan?" He asked

Damn, did I mess up? I was suppose to keep mute and never give a hint

  "Err! Uhm, you know... You got a business I guess!" I switched

  "Oh yeah, I do." He turned away

  "Sorry I don't cook, can we go get something at the restaurant?" I offered simply because I didn't want him around

  "C'mon Danni, i could." He offered

  "Oh no! I'm not hungry. You do noodles?"

  "No thanks, I'm full." He said

Ok, i don't know what exactly West wants but he's trying to get thru to something. Immediately, I got a call from Dr Khaleefa

  "Yes sir, did you find him?" I said without pleasantries

  "He was abducted. We got a call from the villain, he didn't request money....."

  "Then what?" I got scared

  "Do you need to tell me something? Help my son" 

  "Sir, I think...."

  "Mustapha would get you soon, in an hour. Stay home and calm" he hung up

I knew I had a lot of explaining to do, Jamal would really slit my throat if i say a word.

West was restless too, but is he supposed to be restless or is he also playing games as usual.

  "Are you ok?" He looked really concerned

  "No West, no. Jamal is missing, where's he? Where's he at?"

I cried jerking his hoodie by the neck, shaking him back and forth. I didn't care if the strength was good or not, I found myself sharing tears. Exactly what I needed to do. West stood silent, the only thing he could do was to hold me tight.

  "Its ok. He'll be alright, don't do this to yourself. Is he even worth it" he started yelling, then I went to the other side

  "Why not! He is, more than you can think of." I yelled back

  "Oh really!" He yelled again

  "Yes! You know, I've been speculating lately on and on, wondering who might have taken him..... Jamal left within a minute. So I'm going to ask you, did you take him" I stirred

  "Goddamn, do I look like some--some bandit...." He looked lost

  "Maybe a hitman?" My ponytail got loosen

   "Jeez Danielle, where is this coming from, like...are you for real? I don't even know who Jamal is, I know nothing at all." He yelled

  "Oh you don't? Why are you after me, like what is it you want from though?" I yelled until my voice started breaking

  "What I want? You've got to be honest with me, what do you think of me? Where on earth did you get all these shit from?" He yelled asking

  "Are you still asking me questions, when you got answers to them?" I stood folding my arms

  "I feel like I don't even know you no more, you changed. Did I ever hurt you, did I ever make you cry.....like where is this...all of this coming from? (he sighed) I should've known you better." He finally  said under his breath and left

He Yanked the door so hard that I got startled. 

I sat On the couch halfway, just thinking about what I did earlier, was I stupid, mad or being defensive. I did no search, i let people get into my head all in the name of West being a hit man, and so what if he is? Jamal had never Been a saint either, not even myself. Was it really worth it, confronting him? I only had presumptions not proof, is it really West or I blamed him for nothing.

I bolted the lock on the door then headed to the room taking my heels, purse and my cell phone. I entered my bath tub for a cool bath, I'm done sorting out feelings. Few minutes later I got dressed, into a jean cross belt jumpsuit and a black shirt inside of it. I braided my hair into two, I really didn't care about makeup, i wore my jordans sneakers waiting for Mustapha. I heard a knock immediately, I guessed it was him so I took my bag and cell then left.

  "Are you ok, ma'am?" He asked me

  "Yes i am." I turned away looking outside the window

  "Its really disturbing, the boss's son is missing." He added in concern

  "Yes it is. Where are we even going to?" I asked curiously

  "Outskirts!" He snapped

Is that even an answer? I shunned

After about 2 hours, we pulled over in a mansion (flamboyant one). I saw lots of men dressed in black suits and tuxedos, except Mustapha who wore a blue suit and brown tuxedo. We got down the  bullion van, I followed Mustapha behind through a hall then Dr  Khaleefa's chamber.

Dr Khaleefa was looking through the glassy window when we interrupted

  "Boss, she's here." Mustapha said

  "Leave us!" Khaleefa did not turn around

I was really scared, they were like Mafia. Mustapha left us, closing the door behind. Dr Khaleefa turned around finally and asked

  "Where's my son?" He looked serious, I stomach rumbled a thousand times.