CHAPTER FIFTEEN

<p>WAITING FOR THE CALL <br/><br/>Anna rushed to her teams and they all gave her a questioning look <br/>" Still not picking up?" Don asked and she nodded <br/>" It's already 9 at night, did you think something happened to her?" Jen asked and they all went silent <br/>" Let's call Donald"<br/>" We did, he is also not picking up, and Dave too isn't"<br/>" The boss?" Jen asked and Anna looked at the team leader then back at her and shook her head <br/>" The same". Anna said and sat down. <br/>" I hope she is well" she muttered <br/><br/>Donald rushed in and saw his boss. He looked at him and shook his head <br/>" No response," He said and Iver sighed, <br/>Iver sat down and ran his hand through his hair <br/> " What if she does something bad? What if..." He closed his eyes and sighed, regretting his actions. He would have ordered them to track her down but she threatened, she will be more mad at him if he did what she doesn't want at the moment<br/><br/>Just then, Dave rushed in <br/>" I found it, one of her friends"<br/>Iver wanted to collect it but Donald quickly take it, knowing he may get too emotional.<br/><br/>Donald quickly dialed the number that Dave had provided.<br/><br/>Elina stare at the ceiling as she replayed the scene from the morning. That person she didn't know but she keeps longing for. Then her phone rings, making her snap to reality, <br/><br/>Donald dials again when the first is not answered. After a few rings, a voice on the other end answered<br/><br/>"Hello?" a hesitant voice"Hello, is this Rhida's friend?" Donald asked, hoping to get some information about Rhida's whereabouts.<br/><br/>"Yes, it is. Who is this?" the voice responded with curiosity.<br/><br/>"This is Donald, The assistance executive director of Collins Co." <br/><br/>Elina's eyes brighten and she quickly sits up <br/>'why will he call her? Did he ask for her number from Rhida? Is he interested in her? ' she thought and smiled before she heard the voice again<br/><br/>"We were hoping to speak with Rhida. It's urgent," Donald replied, his voice filled with concern.<br/><br/>There was a brief pause on the other end, Elina's smile disappeared and her heart was thumping, ' Rhida, what's wrong with her? ' She wondered worriedly<br/><br/>"We're worried about Rhida's safety. It's important that we get in touch with her as soon as possible," Donald explained, his voice tinged with urgency.<br/><br/>"I haven't heard from Rhida in a while, but I can try reaching out to her and let you know when she picks up. Do you have any idea where she might be?" Elina asked, worried<br/><br/>Donald exchanged a worried glance with Iver before responding, "We're not exactly sure. All we know is that she had been threatening to do something drastic, and we're concerned for her well-being."<br/><br/>"I understand. I'll do my best to get in touch with her and let you know," she assured them.<br/><br/>"Thank you," Donald said gratefully. "Please let us know if you hear from her or if there's anything else you can do to help."<br/><br/>With that, Donald ended the call, his mind filled with anxiety. They had made some progress in tracking down Rhida's friend, but the uncertainty surrounding her situation still weighed heavily on their minds.<br/><br/>Iver sighed and looked at Donald, his eyes filled with determination and sadness, it was cold and emotionless "We can't stop searching until we find her and make sure she's safe," he said coldly and worriedly.<br/><br/><br/>Rhida stares at the bridge in front of her. The breeze wipes her hair back and she sighed sadly <br/><br/>She had always loved this bridge. It was her sanctuary, a place where she could escape from the chaos of the world and find solace in the gentle flow of the river beneath. The sound of rushing water always calmed her, and she often found herself seeking comfort here whenever life became overwhelming.<br/><br/>But today, as she stood there, something felt different. The breeze carried a sense of heaviness as if it too were burdened by the weight of Rhida's sadness. It swirled around her, playing with her hair and whispering secrets in her ear. She closed her eyes, trying to drown out the noise of her troubled thoughts, but the weight on her heart remained.<br/><br/>Rhida sighed, her breath mixing with the cool air. <br/>How can she be so stupid? Even though all the evidence pointed to him that he was the father of her child she didn't get it. He was beside her all day, forgiving her wrongdoings. The scent, the touch, and everything was so familiar but she didn't get a clue. Even though she believes he is gay, her heart still beats for him and longed for him. She is a fool. She closed her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks <br/><br/>She allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. The weight of the situation was crushing her spirit, and she couldn't bear the thought of what could have happened if she had trusted her instincts from the beginning.<br/><br/>Her heart is heavy and her was mind racing, Rhida couldn't help but replay the moments spent with him in her mind. Their shared laughter, the stolen glances, and the genuine care he showed her, all of it now felt like a cruel illusion. How could she have been so blind? How could she have mistaken all these for nothing? <br/><br/>Amid her anguish, Rhida's thoughts turned to their unborn child. The tiny life growing inside her, innocent and unaware of the tangled mess of emotions and uncertainties surrounding their existence. She knew she had to find the strength within herself to protect and provide a stable future for her child, no matter how uncertain her path seemed.<br/><br/>Reluctantly, she powered on her phone and called Elina <br/><br/>" YEAH!!!!!" The voice shouted from the other end, almost making her deaf <br/><br/>" Where are you since? Did you know how worried I was? Your number is not going through. Did something happen? Tell me, where are you? Let me pick you up" she shouted worriedly <br/><br/>" Elina" Rhida called slowly. <br/>" I found the father of my baby," she said <br/>" Huh? You do? So did you run away with him?" Elina said, her voice calming <br/>" No, it's the irony," she said sadly <br/>"What happened? Is he an old man? Is he married? Is he ugly? Or is he inhumane?" <br/>" No, he is non of that. He is caring, lovely, single, and handsome" she said and she could hear Elina's curious sigh from the other end <br/>" I'm stupid, aren't I? I finally saw the person I'm looking for and he is just exactly as I want but I ran away... I..." She burst into tears <br/>" What's wrong? Rhida, where are you? Let me pick you up. Are you okay?" Elina was really worried <br/>" Guess the father?" She asked but didn't get any reply <br/>" It's Iver," She said and she heard Elina drop something <br/>" HUH???" She shouted <br/>" Yes, he is. Iver Collins"<br/>" Rhida, you know what? Just tell me where you are" <br/>Rhida looked around<br/>" I'm in front of the bridge. That bridge, you know" she said <br/>" Don't leave there please" Elina said and she cuts. <br/>Rhida sat down and sighed. <br/> <br/>In a minute, three cars arrive in front of her. Iver came out of one and Elina and Donald also came out of one <br/>Iver walked closer to her <br/>" Rhida, please, listen to me," Iver said slowly, moving closer to her <br/>" I told you not to find me, are you looking down on my words?" Rhida said angrily <br/>" I told them Rhida, please let's go home," Elina said gently and Rhida looked away. Elina walked up to her and hold her hand. <br/>" Rhida, it's cold, it may harm your child," Elina said and Rhida looked at her, looking calmer than before. <br/>" Okay, take me home," She said and Elina accompany her to the car. <br/>Iver heaved a sigh of relief and followed them <br/>She sat in the passenger seat and Elina touch her hand <br/>" I will be going back, the movie will commence tomorrow" <br/>" Elina"<br/>" He will drive you," Elina said and looks at Iver <br/>" I..." <br/>" Rhida, he is the father of your child, you need to talk it out with him. Please, for my sake" Elina said and place her hand on top of her hands and sighed <br/>Elina pat her hair gently <br/>" I will visit you more often" Then she left with Donald and the other car <br/><br/>Iver enter and she looked away. <br/>" Rhida" He called in a low gentle voice <br/>" Just take me home," She said, looking at the other side. <br/>" Alright," He said, and then he start the car and left</p>