Chapter 3 - Runaway bride

‘Kate Delaney runs away on the wedding day.’

‘Kate Delaney turns down Bryan West at the altar in a bid to protect their family.’

‘Watch here: Mrs. Alia Delaney release statement about her daughter’s disappearance on her wedding day.’

“They’re already bringing up false narratives.” Kate said looking up to Avan’s emotionless face as she played the video.

“My precious daughter was threatened before the wedding but she kept it all to herself, she’s always trying to be so brave,” Mrs. Delaney let out a chuckle. “And despite the fact that she kept to her end of the bargain to not follow through with the marriage with Bryan, they still kidnapped her, oh my poor child.” She added as she wiped the stream of tears flowing down her cheeks.

“We are working really hard and have involved the police to find the perpetrators of this evil. And please if you happen to see her anywhere, any clue you might have, please do well to call this number. We would not stop until my daughter is found safe and sound. Thank you all.”

“How in the world did she come up with that. Mom would really go to any length just to uphold a good public image.” Kate mused.

Avan took a step back. “It’d be best if you return.”

“No, I can still fix this, uhmm the evidence, it’s in my gallery..uhmm just a second.” Kate said quickly scrolling through her phone.

“Here, it’s here! thank goodness.” She heaved a sigh of relief as she handed the phone to him.

He swiped through the footage and smirked.

***

“Has there been any call come through that line?” Kate’s mom asked pacing around the room restlessly.

“Not at all Ma.” Fiona responded.

“I’d see what I can do from my end.” Bryan said as he gestured to leave. 

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry for such a time like this, I hope we find her soon, I’m worried sick.” Mrs. Delaney stated.

“Ma’am, are you certain this was a kidnap or Kate willingly ran away?” Fiona asked learning forward on her seat. “She told me she doesn’t want to carry on with the wedding so maybe..”

“Shut up! I know my daughter. Come on, didn’t you see her before that day and even on that day! She was happy, this was a dream come true for her, for us.” 

She took a seat at the end of the sofa while dapping the tears that began flowing down her cheeks. “I’m pretty sure she was threatened and while trying to run away, they still caught her. Oh my poor child.” She cried even louder.

“Then maybe they told her to not even show her face at the wedding but she wanted to alert us. What if she was trying to tell me something and I couldn’t grasp it.” Bryan mused.

“Yes, yes that could be a possibility. Oh my baby, she’s all I’ve got left. I really hope the miscreants are feeding her.”

“We can check her phone for any evidence that could help the police.” Fiona added.

Mrs. Delaney eyes flickered. “Of course, that’s a good idea.”

“The phone was in her white purse, and I remember returning it to her room. I’d go look for it.” 

After fifteen minutes, Fiona came back, wearing a panic expression. “It’s not there anymore.”

“Are you sure there’s no other place it could be?” Bryan questioned.

“No, I ransacked her room, it’s nowhere to be found.”

“It could possibly be with her.” Mrs. Delaney said.

“Then that could be a good resource. I’d alert the police to track it immediately.” Bryan said.

At the West Mansion, the ceiling soared two stories up with a chandelier that hung like a frozen burst of light. Different staffs could be seen moving in their arrays.

“I heard about your runaway bride? Is there anything you don’t mess up? I even put stakes on it and you screw this one up too?” Avan retorted. 

“Yeah, right. Rub it on my face. Besides she didn’t runaway, she was kidnapped. You know, you should have stayed out of the wager and everything about the wedding. Can’t you see you’re bad luck?”

“Bryan, look how stressed you look like and you’re not even married yet, what would happen when you are? Mrs. Glyde West commented pulling her son in for a hug. “Let’s just forget about everything and you could settle down with someone else. This Kate of a girl is bad luck, I could sense it from the moment I set my eyes on her.”

“But I thought you said you liked her.” 

“Did I, that must have been her charm working on me, now the scales are off my eyes I can see clearly.”

“Mum, it’s alright. I believe this is a test to our love. We’d find her sooner besides, the police have began tracking her phone.”

“You don’t advise someone in love, do you? She said pulling his cheek. “Come I asked the chefs to prepare your favorite.” 

Avan immediately dashed out of the mansion.