Chapter Twenty Three

Andrew’s POV

It’s been over twenty four hours and we still have nothing. Not a single trace, not a single clue. Everyone that are suspects have been questioned and proven innocent.

Everyone has been interrogated and still nothing.

We’ve been waiting for anything from whoever the kidnappers are.

Is it money they want? We’re ready to give them that, we just want Victoria back safe.

“Andrew,” I felt my knees shake and I looked up.

I hummed in response as I looked at Victoria’s mum.

“The officers asked you a question.”

I looked at the said police officers. “Please come again.”

“You obviously know her more than everyone else, do you know of anyone that may have any reason to harm her. Maybe from your high school or college? Any rivals? Anyone that could have been jealous of you guys’ relationship back then or now?” The officer asked.

I cleared my throat before speaking. “It was high school, everyone was jealous of our relationship.”

“And have you come in contact with any of these people from high school or college recently?”

“I wasn’t there but she told me that she met someone. Grace Eastwood.” I remembered the afternoon when she told me all about their little ‘reunion.’ Grace Eastwood doesn’t look like someone that would want to harm Victoria but we can never tell the hearts of men.

“And what happened when they met?”

“Like I said I wasn’t there but she mentioned that Grace Eastwood was getting married and she invited her for the wedding. That’s all I know, you should ask Miles for more details, he was there.”

“Did she mention the name of Grace Eastwood’s partner to you?”

“Vaughn White.” I stated.

Vaughn White and Grace Eastwood, the most unlikely couple and of course, very cliché story. I never would have thought that the two could become a couple.

“Did Victoria attend the wedding?”

“No.”

“Do you know why?”

I sighed. “She didn’t want to have to cross paths with old school mates and all.”

"Do you think Grace Eastwood could have been offended by this?"

I thought back to our time in high school. We never talked, all I knew was that she was in most of my classes so I never would have known if she would have been offended over Victoria not attending her wedding.

Even if she is, is that a real reason to kidnap someone? It doesn't make any sense.

"I don't know. She was always quiet in class." I answered.

The two officers said a few words between themselves before the both nodded and stood up. “That will be all for today. Thank you. We’ll keep you posted” The female officer said this time around.

I nodded and Victoria’s mum walked with them to the office.

“We’ll find her, I know we will.” Aunt Sade said and gave my arm a slight rub.

I chuckled dryly. “I’m supposed to be telling you that, not the other way around.”

She chuckled also. “I’ve watched you two grow together, I know how much you love her and I know how it feels to just want the love of your life safe and back to you. We all need a little encouragement.”

I nodded in reply and sat back on the couch.

“Speaking of which.” Aunt Sade sat down beside me. “This probably isn’t the best time to talk about this but I really need to talk to you about this.”

I sat up. “Okay.”

“What exactly went wrong between you two? Every time I ask Victoria she just finds a way to avoid the topic.” I could hear the pain in her voice.

“She chose Miles over me.” I shrugged.

It hurts to say it, it really does but the thing is, I’m not going to give her up without a fight. I may have done that foolishly a while back but that doesn’t stop me from giving up completely.

“You know she loves you right?” She placed her hand over mine.

I nodded. “I know and I love her too.” I sighed. “I’m not giving up especially given the fact that we’re going to have a baby together.”

She smiled faintly at me. “You know, you still haven’t served your punishment for defiling my daughter before marriage.”

My eyes widened in embarrassment and I looked away. I scratched the back of my head with my free hand. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Are you really?” I heard her chuckle.

No.

I didn’t respond and she laughed.  “I’m just joking. And I’m also glad that you’re being a man and accepting the baby.”

“I don’t have an option,” I shrugged, still avoiding eye contact.

She hummed in response and stood up. “I have to meet Victoria’s dad somewhere. I’ll be back soon.”

She walked out of the house and I laid down on the couch.

Different scenarios and questions ran through my head as I laid there.

Was Victoria even still alive?

Were they treating her well?

Would the kidnappers ask for ransom?

Even if we meet the kidnappers demands will they still release her? We’ve heard various stories of kidnappers killing their victims even after ransom has been paid.

I tried to look on the bright side and think of if Victoria will chose me after all this is over.

If she chooses me, I want to take things slow this time around, no rush. A great bridge has been placed between us and though we still have our connection but things have definitely changed.

If she decides to give us a second chance, sorry another chance- because this won’t be a second chance, it’s maybe the hundredth- I would do everything in my power to make us work this time. And definitely I want this try to lead to the alter. I want to make her mine officially, no restraints, forever. We’ve come so far together as a couple and this is the least that the universe can offer us, a chance at forever.

I can’t even begin to imagine a life without her. As teenagers in love, we had so many dreams of what our life together would be. The number of kids we want, the kind of house we want to live in, the places we want to explore together –just us- and with our future kids. Even down to our retirement plan, we had every single thing planned out.

I know our lives don’t exactly go as we plan it, especially with God on the throne and the big surprises He has in store for us but it is fulfilling to make these plans, especially with the love of your life.

We've watched each other grow. I remember being an adolescent boy and being fascinated by the changes I saw in Victoria's body. Her voice, her character, the way she carried herself. Every single detail about her, I watched and I was completely captivated by her. I always have been.

We grew together, not apart and even when people said that our relationship wouldn't get anywhere, that it was just a high school fantasy that we'd grow tired of each other, we proved them wrong.

I can never grow tired of loving Victoria and having her in my life. I can never get tired of being her favorite person and of being a shoulder for her to cry on.

I sighed and turned to the side my eyes fixed on the television that was turned off.

My eyes began to droop but I turned again, facing the ceiling again and trying to fight the sleep.

I can't sleep knowing that Victoria is still out there and in danger.

I took out my phone, hoping it would at least keep me awake.

I had so many messages and calls but I wasn't ready to call anyone back so I replied to a few messages.

It still didn't stop me from feeling sleepy. I sighed again and tossed my phone to the floor, the part covered with a rug.

I stood up and turned on the TV. I flipped through the channels and when I found a comfortable channel I left it there and I didn't know how I still slept off.

***

Vote, leave a comment and share!

Lot's of love ♥️