(Stella)
Callum’s solemn face ca into view as he picked up the video call. I tried to contain my tears, but my heart wouldn’t ease.
And here was Zaylen, acting more mature and stronger than all of us. I knew Uncle Zyair was barely holding on because of how attached he was to Arata, and even though I was trying, I was an emotional ss.
Arata was my best friend and the sister I never had.
"Any progress?" Callum asked, and I had to shake my head.
"Not much, Uncle Zyair and Uncle Kail are speaking to the police now, and we are still trying to find a lead." I wasn’t going to reveal the truth about the USB to anyone else yet.
"Alright. I made a promise to Arata, but I had no clue that such a day would co. So I am telling you guys."
Our ears perked, and Zaylen exchanged a look with as we said.
"Go on."
"Arata asked to do a thorough background check on her boss, and I found so disturbing facts," he paused, and leaned in towards his phone from the chair as if trying to keep this information contained.
Unease settled in my heart. This won’t be good.
"Firstly his biological father is in jail for raping and assaulting nurous won and he even had children with them." Both of us gasp at hearing this, but Callum continued.
"That’s not the only weird part. His maternal side belongs to the mafia world. The Toledo family of Sparia. He is set to be the next kingpin, I guess." Callum shrugged, but rather uneasily.
"What?" Both Zaylen and I gasped and exchanged uneasy looks.
"Right? It was buried so deep, and I had to use Dad’s connections to get that information. I am not sure why Arata needed to dig into his past, but that’s pretty shady to . Do you guys think...?" Callum didn’t complete his sentence, but I did it for him.
"That he has got sothing to do with Arata’s kidnapping?"
Callum nodded grimly. I could sense the tensions dancing on his face.
"We have our suspicions, but we can’t say anything with certainty. But this does shine a new light on things. Thanks for sharing this with us," Zaylen answered, turning the phone away.
"Keep updated. Mr Zyair left in charge, or I would have joined you guys," Callum’s voice ca but I could no longer see him.
"We will." Zaylen ended the call after that, and I moved like a zombie, flopping on the armchair. My hands held my head. A splitting headache had begun.
I blurted out. "It keeps getting complicated."
Zaylen advanced towards and fell heavily onto the sofa, his pitch black hair curtaining his sharp eyes as he joined his hands and rested them under his chin, asking in all seriousness.
"Can he be involved? What did Arata say about him?"
"To be frank, I am not sure. But she always said he was cold but fair. He gave her a tough ti, but that’s what bosses do. She never told anything unhinged about him."
"That’s because he hides it too well?" Zaylen asked, turning towards .
"We need to get our hands on that flash drive. I can’t wait for the police to clear the apartnt so we can see what clues Arata has left us."
Zaylen nodded with worries lining his handso face. He leaned back and placed his hands behind his head.
"I worry about Mom. She acts tough in such situations, especially because of Dad, but it breaks her."
"Mom is there with Aunt Skyla. She will be there to support her, and we will try to wrap this up as quickly as we can." I reached with my hand and squeezed his thick arm.
Just then, the door had a knock, and Zaylen got up to proceed to the door. He threw it open.
It was Uncle Kail. His sharp gaze travelled between us as he said with a serious face.
"Police have cleared Arata’s apartnt, let’s go get that USB."
I jumped from the sofa and almost ran to the door. Zaylen was already out. I grabbed my coat and hastily put it on, struggling with my arms.
"Did they find anything? Especially the USB?" I asked, falling in step with Uncle Kail as he briskly moved.
"No, since it’s not the cri scene and she had left the apartnt willingly, according to the guards of the building, they could no longer hold the place."
A ray of hope flickered for . We went down the hotel lobby and we walked out in the freaking cold weather of Marica City.
Zaylen held the back door open for , so I settled inside the car. Uncle Kail took the passenger seat while Zaylen took the driver’s seat and off we went.
"What’s Dad doing?" Zaylen asked, manoeuvring the car through the traffic.
"Working with the police to narrow down the suspects. He has a lot of enemies, especially because of his past. They are also trying to get Arata’s phone data and locate the last location her phone was at before it went dark."
Both of us nodded and soon we arrived outside her apartnt building. A few officers still lingered but we were allowed to go through when we introduced ourselves.
With my heart rate increasing with every step I took, we reached Arata’s apartnt. A police officer was guarding it, but he let us pass because of Zaylen.
Once the door closed, I quickly ran to the kitchen and opened the cabinet, taking out the cereal box she had ntioned.
It was her favourite, chocolate churros. With shaking hands I pulled open the flaps and extracted the plastic wrapping from inside.
Uncle Kail watched from the side as Zaylen grabbed a plate and I emptied the half open packet on it.
Sothing clinked against the marble plate and I spotted the red and white USB shaped like a red rose.
Pulling away the churros from it, I grabbed it from underneath.
"Found it."
"Let’s head back so we can view it in privacy," Uncle Kail instructed, taking a professional look around and heading to the door.
I followed but Zaylen lingered. His saddened eyes took in the place. I knew what he was going through.
Leaning close I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
"We will find her. Let’s track the fucker and set her free."
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