Chapter Three - Her Information

[Employees' Room]

Vanessa sat quietly in a corner of the employees' room, her mind replaying the encounter from hours ago.

She could have sworn she had heard that man's voice before.

But where?

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Rachel entering the room.

"Vanessa."

No response.

"Vanessa!" Rachel called again.

Still nothing.

With a sigh, Rachel walked over and gently tapped her shoulder.

Vanessa blinked, snapping out of her thoughts.

"Huh?", she asked confused.

"Any problem?" Rachel asked, studying her face with concern.

Vanessa hurriedly stood up, instinctively reaching for her cleaning tools.

"Uhm... yes, there is," Rachel said. "I've been calling you for the past five minutes, but it seemed like you were on another planet."

Vanessa let out a small breath, realizing Rachel was only worried.

"I'm alright," she forced a smile. "Just thinking about what's waiting for me at home."

It wasn't exactly a lie.

Rachel's expression softened with pity.

"Just take my offer," she said gently. "You don't have to stay there forever, you know."

Vanessa lowered her eyes.

"I know, Rachel. I've told you I'll think about it... but I can't just leave like that." She paused before adding, "I still have a lot to take care of. Don't worry... it'll all be over soon."

Rachel stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm hug.

Vanessa slowly returned the embrace.

"Thank you," she whispered, tightening her arms around her friend.

Rachel smiled before pulling away.

"C'mon. It's almost time to clock out."

With that, she walked out of the room, leaving Vanessa alone once again.

The silence returned.

Vanessa stared blankly at the floor, her thoughts drifting back to the house she dreaded returning to.

She had only said those words so Rachel wouldn't worry. Rachel had been more of a sister to her than her own blood sisters had ever been.

She had endured years of pain, insults, and abuse.

But how much longer could she keep enduring?

'Could she ever escape this?'

Vanessa said her goodbye to Rachel before leaving the hotel. Instead of taking a taxi, she decided to walk home, hoping to arrive late enough to avoid whatever punishment awaited her.

By the time she reached her neighborhood, it was almost dark.

She decided to wait outside for a while until she was sure everyone in the house had gone to sleep.

Unknown to her, a black luxury car had been following her the entire time.

Inside the car sat Devian. He hadn't left the hotel at all. He sent his secretary while he waited till she closed from work. He had watched her walk all the way from her workplace to her house without stopping once.

His gaze remained fixed on the mansion before him.

She works as a cleaner... yet she lives in a place like this?

The thought didn't make sense. Just then, his phone vibrated three times. 'Informant' written on his phone.

He answered the call.

"Speak," he said coldly.

"About the information you asked for, sir. I've already sent it to your email."

Without another word, Devian ended the call. He unlocked his phone and opened the message.

*Name: Vanessa Brown

*Age: 21 years

*Date of Birth: July 20th, 2003.

*Mother: Amelia Brown (40 years)

*Father: Thomas Brown (42 years)

*Siblings: Mira Brown (18 years), Anna Brown (18 years)

*Highest Level of Education: High School

'That's all?'

*********

Vanessa looked up at the mansion. One by one, the lights went out until darkness swallowed the entire house. She hugged herself against the chilly evening breeze.

They should be asleep by now... Taking a deep breath, she quietly pushed open the gate and tiptoed inside.

Devian's attention remained fixed on the report displayed on his phone. By the time he looked up, Vanessa had already disappeared behind the large iron gates. His eyes lingered on the mansion for a few more seconds before he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Let's go," he said.

The car slowly drove off into the night.

********

Vanessa quietly snuck into the house. The security guards were no where to be seen neither were the guards in sight.

She carefully tiptoed up the stairs, making sure not to make a sound. Every creak of the wooden floor made her heart pound. When she reached her bedroom door, she froze.

Please don't be locked...

Slowly, she turned the doorknob.

It opened.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips.

She hurried inside, reached beneath the small cupboard where she had hidden her spare key, and quickly locked the door behind her. Leaning against the door, she listened carefully.

Silence.

She counted to ten. Nothing.

Maybe...

Maybe they were really asleep. Only then did she allow herself to breathe.

"I'm safe..." she whispered.

For now.

She pushed herself away from the door and walked toward her bed.

She wanted nothing more than to have a warm bath and wash away the day's exhaustion, but she didn't dare. The sound of running water might wake someone. Then she suddenly remembered something.

My phone.

She immediately opened the top drawer. Nothing. She searched the second drawer. Still nothing.

"Please..." she whispered under her breath.

She knelt beside the bed and reached underneath. Only dust.

She searched beneath her thin pillow. Empty.

She pulled open her wardrobe, checking every shelf.

Nothing. Her shoulders slowly slumped.

"It's really gone..." she murmured.