chapter five

[[ Clara's Pov ]]

I sprinted around almost stumbling on my feet but I managed to stand straight for the support of railings. I was sure that I was looking like an over-excited child.

Dylan ended his phone call and connected his deep unfathomable eyes with mine. For a moment, my heart skipped a bit. He was looking like a pile of broken glasses who didn't know how to fix himself. The darker shade of night made it almost impossible for me to identify what lay behind his face.

I pressed my lips together before suturing a straight line,

" Any..any news about Catherine?"

To my surprise, he didn't argue with me this time. Pursuing his lips together, he replied patiently, a light coming out from his eyes,

" The police from there discovered a couple from the seaside. They happened to see a woman lying on the seaside but she disappeared when they went to call other people."

My expression relaxed. At least there was a clue of her existence.

Dylan's mood dropped noticing the little smile on my lips. He snorted coldly tugging his tie uncomfortably,

" Don't act so happy, Clara . As long as I don't find her safe and sound, you will always have to be my suspect. If you are still part of this plan, tell me in advance before I lose my patience with you.”

The little happiness that I had vanished away from my mind. I figured out that no matter what I did, Dylan would always declare me guilty.

I sighed by taking another stair and sneered at him,

" You know what Dylan? You don't understand human words."

I ran inside hastily before he could hit up another round of argument with me.

**************

We boarded the jet around 3 a.m. The ride was quiet without any more argument as Dylan was busy with phone calls. I understood that it was out of his territory. Thus he had to use his connections to seek help from the people of D Nation.

The jet landed around 6 a.m. The sun was already up and was glistening with light rays of sunshine. A black car was already waiting for us when the jet landed at the airport.

We reached a middle-sized mansion around half an hour later. Coming out of the car, I observed the place. The mansion wasn't big enough like his own house in A Nation. A flower garden was accustomed to the mansion and highlighted its European style.

Everything was neat and clean as if they were deeply cared for by someone.

A fifty-something-like woman welcomed us into the mansion. Finally having some time alone in my thrilled room. I swiped my gaze across the hallway taking note of everything. The mansion wasn't much bigger. Three rooms upstairs and a kitchen with a small room had taken the entire space.

Dylan ended the phone call and called the old woman to say something. The woman came to welcome me with a smile. I heard Dylan's cold voice,

" She will show you your room. Do not wander around without my permission. This place isn't A Nation."

I shrugged at his lame warning and strode upstairs. Before I could step on the corridor line,

Dylan's words came out again,

" Wait! "

I snapped my head back with confusion. He resumed running a despised glare on my outfit,

" We will be heading to the police station, soon. Wear something appropriate. You aren't going to a Fashion Show."

I growled inside in frustration. I was exhausted after this damn long journey. But one thing, I knew very well.

Disobeying his command would push me into more trouble.

I faked an obedient nod before stumbling towards the instructed direction of my room. I was boiling in rage.

What did he comment on my dress-up sense?

Dude, I was wearing skinny jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Do I need to wear a Sweater now?

As soon as I saw the bed, I crashed against it without second thoughts. A certain relaxation spread through my veins as I tried to find inner peace. But it was suffocating somewhere with all this chaos going around.

I sat up from the bed before pulling my suitcase closer. This room looked very shabby. Only a tiny washroom and cheap types of furniture had taken all the places around. No wonder, he had given me his worst room. He wanted tosee me in misery badly.

After changing into a summer coat that reached my knees, I walked over to the window side. The fresh fragrance of flowers filtered through my nostrils slowly. My eyes laid on the chained German Shepherd in a corner. The dog looked so healthy like a stuffed animal.

I was always fond of dogs. But my dad was allergic to dogs. Thus I had to give up on my fantasy.

I wanted to run out and play with that dog. But taking a reminder that Dylan would look for me within an hour, I paused the idea.

Dylan knocked on my door just in time. He entered without hearing my response and stood in the doorway. His deep eyes trailed on my attire once. For some stupid reason, my cheeks heated up.

I spoke trying to erase the awkwardness,

" I hope, it's okay with you now?"

He pressed into a straight line cruelly,

" Well, you don't look like a seductress now.”

I gritted my teeth in anger and heard his command,

" Let's go now. The inspector is waiting for us."

*******************

[[ Dylan's Pov ]]

She was looking very elegant in this outfit. The childish aura of her body was gone. It suddenly reminded me of my first meeting with Catherine. She was wearing a school uniform at that time.

My car sped away through the narrow paths carefully. D Nation was famous

for having natural beauty. Hills and oceans were a very common part of their life.

We didn't talk all the while to the police station. I got out of the car first and asked her to come down. She was obeying me obediently.

We entered the police station together. The inspectors shot her a curious glare but I cut them off wisely. The head inspector, Mr gal welcomed me with an overwhelming smile. Later he took me inside a room where the couple was sitting down. From their little information, I got to know that

they were fishers who lived at the seaside.

Mr.Gal spoke pointing at the curious couple calmly,

" They are the people, Mr. Dylan. I was waiting for your arrival."

I responded with a hum and approached the couple not before pulling out my phone. I showed them a high-zoomed picture of Catherine before inquiring hopefully,

" Have you seen this girl?"

The old couple looked at each other

dumbfounded. The old man replied quivering in nervously,

" We..we didn't see her face.."

I persuaded them with a soft voice,

" Please don't be afraid. We mean no harm to you. This matter is very important to me. Do you remember

anything? What color of the dress she was wearing?"

I needed every single detail. I clearly remembered that Catherine wore a red velvet gown that night. Even if they couldn't manage to see her face, they might have seen her dress.

The old man wiggled his eyebrows before suturing reassuringly,

" It was blue..Maybe..."

The old woman interrupted voicing in their local language,

" No...It was sky blue..Aahh..

Something like ocean waves.."

The old man corrected emphasizing his words this time,

" No, honey..It.. was green...I remember now.."

I watched them hopelessly. Mr Gal tapped on my shoulders before indicating to me to leave. Clara was behind my back. Mr.Gal has been in this profession for a long time. After my questions, he immediately understood that this couple was a fraud. They just cooked up a story after knowing that I had announced a handsome price for the missing girl.

They were just too naive to think that we would give them money without verifying their truths.

Mr.Gal spoke looking down at the floor beneath us,

" I am so sorry for wasting your time, Mr.Dylan. I thought that they might become our help."

I waved at him blankly,

" It's all right, Mr.Gal. You tried your best."

I continued staring at him hopefully,

" What about the territories inside the

ocean? I heard that there are several living islands."

Mr.Gal seemed to fall into deep thoughts. He explained with seriousness,

" Mr.Dylan, you know that those areas belong to Mafias. Even police don't dare to step on their lands unless they want a horrible death. Besides, I know that you have grudges with them."

I swallowed hard before exhaling a deep sigh. Nodding my head comprehensively, I explained the matter in short,

" It's the truth, Mr.Gal. For a long time, they wanted to expand their territories in A Nation. But due to my control over A Nation, they didn't succeed and held a grudge against me. That's where my fear lies. What if they have abducted my wife or did she end up being in their territory?"

Mr.Gal agreed with my words and nodded comprehensively,

" It can be possible, Mr.Dylan. But the police are helpless in this territory."

I asked with a frown,

" What do you suggest then?”

Mr.Gal fell into a dilemma before suggesting reasons,

" I will recommend you to seek help from Militaries. They are fierce and much more powerful than us. They can take this case if you manage to bring their attention."

I replied pondering in deep thought,

" But I don't know any higher-ups of Militaries from C Nation."

Mr.Gal laughed softly before patting my shoulders,

" With your capabilities, I am sure that

you won't need much time to find someone reliable, Mr.Dylan. I have faith in you."

I nodded before sighing deeply. I just hoped that my Catherine was safe and sound out there.

We strode outside together with Clara . She was quiet ever since she arrived here. My suspension grew stronger on her.

What if everything was a plan for her and the mafia that she was pictured with?

Then I felt another surge of hatred towards the car.

She asked a little helplessly,

" What next?"

My mood was unsettled like my emotions. I kinda replied rudely,

" I am not going anywhere without checking in their territories."

I spoke before walking ahead of her. She didn't seem to talk anymore. I was deeply frustrated this time and lit up a cigarette to refresh my mood.

Looking up at the dark sky above us, I murmured painfully," Where are you, Catherine? Please come back to me. I need you and..our baby..”