Chapter 7

By the time Mr Ron returned, I had wiped my tears and was nearly done consuming my breakfast. 

He frowned at my pace, but placed the white pair of flip flops beside my feet nonetheless. "Here they are." He said, I placed my cutlery on my plate and wiped my mouth with a napkin. I turned to him, the moment I had put the flip flops on.

"Thank you Mr Ron, but it really wasn't necessary." I say softly, while standing on my feet. A small smile appears on his face, "nonsense." He says waving a hand in dismissal, "Besides, you're like a daughter to me." He adds, walking ahead. But I pause, hesitantly looking at the plate I had eaten from, then finally taking it.

"No need for that, the maids will have that cleaned." He said, stopping me in my tracks. 

oh.

"It really isn't.." I try to protest, but then his eyes stop me. "O... okay." I say gently placing the plate on the table, finally giving in. With a polite smile he leads me next, to the kitchen.

****

I had soon learned Mr. Hayden had ordered me to help the maids in the kitchen. But on no condition, was I to be treated as one. 

Perhaps, it was to keep me busy while he was out working. I didn't mind whatever his reason was, I was only grateful to the fact that he had given me a task to fulfill.

Thankfully, I wasn't sitting idol; or the scary thoughts that would fill my mind concerning how things currently were back home would... I didn't want to be negative, but I couldn't help it.

The sound of a bell chiming filled the air, snapping me out of my disturbing thoughts.  As though by a given order, all the maids filed out of the kitchen. 

Some set up the table for dinner, and some went towards the door entrance. At first, I wanted to follow the other maids to the entrance; but decided against it when I realized I wasn't ready to face him yet.

I turn around, and aim for the dinning table, where I begin helping some maids to set it up. Barely a minute later, Mr. Ron called out to me.

"Young lady," he called, causing my eyes to snap to his. I paused what I was doing, and rushed towards him. Before I could speak, "what is your name?" he asked me.

I blink, taken aback slightly by the question. With a deep breath I answer, "River Kruiz, Sir." I said. He nodded, then he turned around and began walking towards the entrance.

After some seconds of contemplation, I walked behind him. "I want you to join them to welcome Mr. Hayden." I heard him say, and my heart nearly stopped at those words.

I wasn't ready yet. I wasn't sure if I could face him yet. Then again, I couldn't argue. I hug my head in defeat, silently following him to the entrance. When I get there, I fall in line with the maids.

Perhaps it was seconds, or minutes later, but it felt like an eternity as I stood there; with my heart in my hand. I shifted on my feet, nervous. The sound of a vehicle arriving and screeching to a halt, distracts me.

I lifted my gaze from my flip flops, and turned towards the car. I held my  breath as I heard and watched the car door open. I first see his shoe, then his hair, then his face. Before finally his entire body was in view.

With each step he took towards the entrance, I felt  my lungs constrict. He seemed to be speaking on the phone as he approached, this helped to ease me up a bit. 

However, the moment his eyes caught mine, I had to remind myself to breathe. He stopped the moment he reached me, he snapped his finger at me while he still spoke over the phone.

"Come with me." he said without so much as a glance, before walking past me and up the stairs. I had to remind myself to be calm so as to not panic.With steady steps, I followed him, and I didn't miss the murmuring the maids had begun doing.

-----

Eva

I had just finished my night shift, with my bag hung on my shoulder. I began to make my way to my house, as quickly as I could.

The ache in my chest, I had been feeling since last night wouldn't go away. I couldn't help but wonder if River was alright.

Being deeply consumed by my thoughts, I don't realize when I arrive till I nearly walk into a wall. I gasp, and shake my head at my absent mindedness, before fishing out the house keys from my bag. 

I was in a hurry, my little sister was inside and she was probably starving waiting for me. The moment I'm about to put the key into the keyhole, I feel a presence behind me.

I stiffen, the hairs on my neck standing. I turned around swiftly, hoping it was just my paranoia, but sadly it wasn't. I stagger backwards in fear, the moment I see Mr. Oliver at gunpoint. 

"Mr. Oliver, what are you doing here?" I shifted my gaze, to the man holding the gun to his head. "And who is he?" I ask, frightful of the answer.

"He's one of my men," A voice from ahead says calmly, I turn my gaze in the direction of the voice. The man steps forward, and at that moment I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

"Mr. Arnold Knot?" I whisper under my breath. He looked bored, with hands in his pocket. Mr. Oliver suddenly pointed at me, "she... she's the one." My heart drops to my belly, oh no.

Mr Arnold turns his gaze to me now, and his eyes are glazed with anger and rage. He takes a few steps closer towards me, stopping only a few inches away from me. He scans my face carefully before asking, "you're her best friend, aren't you?" His voice was threatening, at that moment I could only nod in reply.

He inhales deeply, as though he was trying very hard not to lash out at me. 

"Now, I won't ask twice; where is she?" 

At that moment, my blood ran cold. He was looking for River.