Chapter 2: Shadows of Uncertainty

"George... Audrey isn't here either where could she be" Mrs Smith yelled to her husband downstairs. They searched for Audrey all around the house and neighborhood but they still couldn't find her.

Suddenly the doorbell rang *

As Mrs Smith opens the door, she sees Amy standing there like a lifeless ghost.

"Amy?? What is it?...have you seen Audrey?.... Where is she?.... Why do you look like that?... what happened?" Asked Mrs. Smith at once panicked at the sight of Amy every other bodyguard and cook stopped what they were searching for as they heard Mrs. Smith

"Mrs Smith I think Audrey is missing," said Amy in a regretful tone.

"Well how do you know...come inside," said Mrs Smith holding Amy's hand

"Last night I begged her to go out with me to the club and it was late but I urged her to enjoy herself then we heard gunshots and we ran and I lost sight of her," said Amy bursting into tears.

Mrs smith looked like someone who had just lost herself standing there staring at Amy "No no no she can't be missing, my Audrey can't be missing... George" Mrs Smith said turning to her husband.

Mr Smith who was standing at the bottom of the stairs suddenly spoke.

"Well then, Bane you have 24 hours to find my daughter I believe I don't need to tell you the consequences of failure," Mr Smith said to one of the bodyguards.

"Yes sir" he replied walking out.

"George let's continue looking for her outside, Amy stay here in case she comes back," said Mrs smith running out the door

"Okay, Mrs Smith," said Amy still looking down at their feet.

In the basement of the Cyrus mansion, Audrey was tied to a chair in a confinement room. 

AUDREY's POV

I gasped as I woke up to cold water being splashed on my face. I could perceive the smell of wet sand and dust. Where was I? The last thing I remember was being locked up in the trunk of that car... Oh no. My parents would think I'm missing by now. Did they find Amy? Is she alright? My thoughts were cut short by the sound of a voice.

"How much of it did you hear?" I heard not too far from me. Was he inquiring about what I heard while they killed that man in the room at the club bar?

"Who are you?... please let me go, I didn't do anything," I said in a hoarse voice as I looked around. There were different shadows at different corners of the room.

"How much of it did you hear?" Repeated the voice. "Hear what? I don't understand" I feigned ignorance. If I tell the truth, they might not let me go but if I don't know anything, they'll have no choice but to leave me alone.

"Bring the drum," said the voice. 'Drum? Are they going to drown me? Or is the drum filled with oil to fry me? What kind of drum?... what are they going to do? I don't like the sound of that' so many thoughts raced through my head as they brought forward a big wooden drum filled with water that could fit at least 10 people. 'I guess they're going to drown me then' I thought to myself.

Well, I can swim even though I almost drowned one time. I can still hold my breath for a long time, so let's see who'll win.

NOAH'S POV 

"Put her in" I ordered one of my men scanning her face for any emotion but the only thing I could find was determination. What was she determined to do? Drown? Ugh, you're thinking too much again I said to myself.

I walked to the drum wishing she'd just say what she heard. But she stood there like nothing was about to happen.

I held her neck hesitant about what I was about to do. But I pushed my thoughts out of my head and dunked her head into the water.

She didn't move for a while. I know what she's trying to do. Hold her breath so we'll get frustrated, Nice plan! but not working.

I kept her head in the water till about a minute and a half when she started to struggle. A smirk grew on my face as her plan had just failed.

I finally pulled her head up as she gasped desperately for air while coughing.

"I don't usually feel bad about things like this so why now?' I thought to myself.

I pressed her underwater again and again until I stopped to repeat the question.

"How much of it did you hear?" I said.

"I only heard the man with a... (gasp) with a glass cup telling them to get rid of the body. Sir, I promise I didn't hear anything else" she said as tears streamed down her eyes "Please let me go," she said sobbing.

She was pretending again I laughed out "Audrey Smith the only daughter of the billionaire George Smith, why do you like being naive? You and I know very well that if I let you go, your dad will come after me and my company so why would I jeopardize my business for your freedom after all my sister is still missing" I said looking at her and she looked shocked.

"What? shocked that I know so much?" I smirked.

"When I get out of here I am going to make sure that I do exactly as you say," she said looking angry.

We'll see if you can fulfill your promise" I said as I walked away with my men. I stopped when I heard her say "You can't leave me here, what if I die" I laughed at that single statement.

"Do I care?" I said but deep down... I did. I was going to send someone to take her up later but she just couldn't wait.

"If I die you won't know how capable I am to bring you down," she said. She was really funny finding different paths to work in her favor.

Sigh. "Bring her up," I said to Charles who looked shocked at my statement

"What are you now, the boss?" I asked mockingly.

"Yes sir.... I mean no sir ... I mean I'll get her now sir" he stuttered.

"Good!" I replied.

Audrey was taken to a well-furnished guest room beside Noah's study.

It was easy to know why she was taken there.

After settling in, Audrey took a bath and carefully picked a book to read. Not long after, she heard a knock on the door.

(Knock knock) "come in," said Audrey.

A maid walked in and bowed saying "Madam, dinner is ready"

"It's okay you can go I'm not coming down for dinner," she said.

'Dinner pfft, I bet he just wants to poison me to silence me completely' she thought to herself.

Noah was sitting at the dining table waiting for the maid he sent to call Audrey down.

When the maid finally came she said "Sir, she said she's not coming down for dinner" and then bowed.

"Why won't she? It wasn't a request, it was an order" Noah said angrily. "Charles, get her down now," he said.

"Yes sir" he went upstairs.

(Knock knock) "Who is it now?" asked Audrey feeling annoyed.

"Ma'am, Sir asked us to bring you down for dinner," said Charles feeling helpless.

"I'm not hungry and why are you all calling me madam?" said Audrey angrily.

"Sir asked us to treat you with respect and call you madam, Ma'am" Charles replied.

"Well I don't need the respect, now go away," Audrey said shooing him away with her hands.

"Don't blame me for this madam" Charles said putting her on his shoulder.

"Ahhh let me go... If you let me go now, I'll spare your life… I said put me down" Audrey kicked and screamed till they got downstairs.

Audrey looked around the living room to the dining room and was shocked at the scenery.

The large windows were shaded by grey curtains giving it a dark rich luxurious vibe with a couch set that was worth hundreds of millions of dollars and a glass table in the middle.

The chandelier in the middle of the living room was as big as that of a ballroom and was giving the living room a bright light.

'This was not where I was brought in from' she thought to herself.

"Where is this?" She asked looking at Charles.

"Well madam, this is the main living room," said Charles

The sight alone made Audrey feel that her father wasn't as rich as she thought.

'What exactly does he do' she thought.

Before moving to the dining room, another question popped up in her head.

"Where did you bring me in from because I don't remember being here," Audrey asked curiously.

"You were taken directly to the second floor from the basement ma'am," said Charles feeling tired.

"Okay, what does your boss do for a living?" Before Charles could answer, she heard another voice.

"You ask too many questions, just come here I'm already hungry," said Noah frustrated by standing there waiting for her to finish asking all her questions.

He went in and took a sit. 

The dining was made for 10 people and Audrey sat at the far end opposite Noah.

"Why not just sit here?" Noah asked.

"Because I'm not hungry and I don't want to sit close to you," said Audrey folding her hands across her chest.

'How is she still so beautiful being annoying….. ugghh she's getting in my head.

Why did I even bring her down? She's supposed to be locked up' he thought to himself feeling frustrated but deep down, he liked being around her.

"Suit yourself," Noah said and started eating his food.

Audrey turned and looked at the food and felt hungry.

But she wouldn't give in to it.

Noah usually doesn't eat much but eats almost everything just to make her feel hungrier. 

Audrey was salivating at the last bowl of rice and rushed up to grab it. Noah saw this and quickly grabbed the bowl.

They both held the bowl struggling to get it out of the other's hand. 

"I thought you weren't hungry," Noah said teasing her.

"I'm not, you are eating too much and it could cause constipation" replied Audrey.

"I like having constipation let my food go," Noah said this time, smiling.

"No it's not good for you, let me help you and why are you smiling like an idiot?" Audrey said angrily.

"I'm smiling because you are hungry and want to eat but too prideful to say it," Noah said dragging the bowl with force. As a result, the bowl fell.

Audrey almost cried out of hunger as the bowl fell.

"Are you happy now? It fell. Well being the dog that you are, I bet you are going to get on your knees and start eating it directly from the floor since you like having constipation" said Audrey.

She ran upstairs and locked the door behind her. 

Noah felt bad about the rice incident. He wanted to give it to her but also wanted to tease her a bit. 

'Fuck!, I should have just listened to myself at the beginning' he said to himself.

Noah asked the maid to make a bowl of beef noodles and he took it upstairs to the room where Audrey was. 

He knocked on the door but no one answered. Then he knocked again (knock knock) 

"Go away, I don't need your food," said Audrey.

'I've survived hunger for days and I can do it again' Audrey said to herself.

"Just open the door it's not food" Noah lied.

"Leave me alone" replied Audrey.

"It's my house and I have a spare keep for every door so just save me the stress and open the door," said Noah.

A few seconds later, he heard the sound of the door unlocking. She stood at the door in a matching pajama set. Noah had ordered new clothes, skincare, and jewelry for her. He could tell someone's size just by looking at them.

He went in and put the food on the bedside table. 

"I'm sorry about dinner," Noah said.

"I'm not hungry take it away" Audrey replied.

"I've never said sorry that easily so you better just eat it," Noah said moving to the couch.

Audrey took the bowl and inhaled the scent feeling hungry at the sight. She sat down and started eating. After eating about half of it, she heard him mutter "Pride" 

'Pride hun? I'll show you what pride means' she said to herself.

She stood up, walked towards him, and stopped in front of him.

"What?" Noah asked looking up.

"Nothing I just thought that your hair needs more curls," she said dumping the bowl on his head.

He shot her a deadly glare and she ran away.

Noah chased after her.

And then....