"I see... Thank you, so much.... Alright bye", Richard hang up the phone before turning to face the three women and little girl.
"What did they say?" Stella and Alex spoke at the same time while putting down their phones.
"They found a footage of him passing through town from yesterday morning and nothing else. But it should be easy to trace his whereabouts the moment he turns on his phone or uses his credit card", Richard said.
"How about you? Anything?"
"His phone is still off", Alex sighed. The young woman wiped some stray tears and run her hand through her hair out of frustration. She sat down on the sofa and buried her face in her hands. Stella frowned when she saw this. Her phone ring and she picked up immediately. Alex's head whipped up in her mother's direction at the sound of the phone ringing.
"Hello?... Oh! Hey Nora.... Nothing yet. We'll let you know if something comes up... Thank you sweetheart... Okay, one sec", she walked over to Alex and handed her the phone. "Your sister wants to talk to you."
Alex took the phone while Stella remembered something and left for one of the rooms. She could overhear the conversation going on inside as she got closer to the room.
"And then mommy said we would go again next year as long as I remain a good girl", Stacy's eyes sparkled from excitement. She was sat on the floor cross-legged while making some crayon drawings on a white sheet of paper.
"Wow! That sounds amazing! Have you been a good girl?" Amy was seated right opposite the girl watching her with curious eyes. Stella was worried Amy would be awkward with a six year old but it seemed the two had hit it off.
"Yes! I put away my toys when I'm done playing, I make my bed every morning and I brush my teeth everyday."
"Wow! You really are a good girl!" Amy smiled as she patted the little one's head. She felt Stacy was just too cute.
Stacy put down the crayons and held up the paper for Amy to see. "What do you think Aunt Emily?"
Amy looked at the three stick figures drawn in crayon, two big and one small. There was a table before them with something round on top. She was not sure but quickly got the idea.
"Is that, you, me and your grandma?" She watched Stacy's expression that lit up immediately. She had hit the nail on the head.
"Wow! This was when we were baking right? Stacy this is so cute!!!"
"If you like it, you can keep it. It's my gift to you", she said while handing her the paper.
Stella walked in on this scene. The two had been so immersed in their conversation they did not hear her knock. Amy was genuinely touched by the little girl's actions. A thought crossed her mind in that moment: was this how it was going to be with her little one?
"Grandma!" Stacy jumped up from the floor and run to Stella.
"Slow down sweetie."
"Anything yet?" Amy asked. Stella shook her head.
Stacy looked between the two adults not understanding their conversation. A complex look settled on Amy's face. She fished out her phone and a frown settled on her face when she saw the screen. Stella was touched when she saw this. It seemed Amy was as bothered by this whole fiasco like everyone else.
"Don't worry dear, something will turn up", Stella comforted.
"It has to", Amy mumbled.
"Grandma, I want mommy", Stacy spoke up from Stella's embrace.
"I'm here sweetie", Alex walked into the room to sit down on the single bed covered floral sheets. She looked like she had aged a decade in one day. She took Stacy in her arms and hugged her. She planted her lips on the little one's head before resting her chin on it with a heavy sigh. Stacy didn't understand what was going on but she knew her mom was sad so she quietly embraced.
"Nora is thinking of hiring a P.I", she started in a quiet voice earning curious glances from Amy and Stella.
"And what did you say to that?" Stella asked from where she stood by the wall.
"I said we'd have to at least give the police a day before goin-"
"Ian?" Richard's supposed voice echoed around the house followed by the sound of a door closing. "Stella! Alex!
The three ladies immediately left the room and made way to the living room where they had left Richard. Alex practically run even with Stacy in her arms. And true to Richard's shock, Ian stood by the door in a black ensemble consisting of a shirt and jeans, while his bangs shielded his eyes from the world. His hands were clenched into fists while he constantly bit and chewed on his lower lip.
"Oh my gosh! Ian!"
"Oh! Ian!"
Alex put down Stacy before rushing to hug him. Stella joined in the hug while Richard and Amy watch on. Amy. Ian looked at her with a complex gaze despite his expressionley face. Amy fought the urge to smirk and simply maintained an impassive expression.
"What happened to you? You had your mother and grandmother worried over you!" Richard could not help his fury mixed with disappointment.
The two women pulled away from the embrace and wiped away the tears from their faces. They gave him a once-over checking for any bruises or any other signs of being physically hurt. The young man sighed when he saw this and gently pulled away from them.
"Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom. I'm going to live on my own."
"What?" The three shouted in unison expressing their shock. With his bangs shielding his eyes, they were unable to see that Ian's gaze was trained on a certain figure leaning against the wall. His eyes were on Amy and the latter kept a neutral expression.
She looked down at her phone and her lips slightly lifted. 'He's just in time and Mona..... She should be throwing a fit right about now.'
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr𝒆e(w)𝒆bnovel