Chapter 20

Monique went home from the café and cooked dinner for Little Nomi. After the meal, she went out to work as a taxi driver with Little Nomi. Ever since she drove Louise from the city back to the suburbs the other day, she tried her best to get as many customers as possible from the city to the suburbs since she was on night shift anyway. She felt happy and fulfilled to be able to help people. “Fate brought us together outside the troubled times…” Monique’s phone rang as she headed toward the city. “Mom, your phone.” Little Nomi grabbed the earpiece with her little chubby hand before passing it to her mother. Her beautiful face was flushed, and her clear eyes were shining. “Hello, Monique speaking,” Monique put the earpiece on and picked up the call. “Monique, I’m Louise, I’ve just gotten off from working overtime, are you free to pick me up?” Louise asked as she walked outside. “Of course, I’m on the way to the city, wait for me.” Monique had a sweet smile on her face. Of course Monique was willing to do so. She could not handle things herself yesterday, and Louise had to help guide her. She had to thank Louise today. “Okay, drive carefully, I’ll wait for you,” Louise replied. Louise was exhausted today. She had only just got off working overtime, and she was yet to have dinner. She was starving. She walked out of the building and leaned against the street light at the intersection in exhaustion; her slightly squinted eyes seemed a little confused. She had an amazing body; the tight-fitted pink shirt on her made her breasts look like they were about to break free anytime soon. The dim street light on her pale skin made her features look more enchanting than ever. It was as if she was a crystal flower blooming in the night. “It’s Aunty Louise from the other ride. She’s waiting for us at Marriott; we’ll get her home,” Monique said to Little Nomi after hanging up. Her voice was soft and warm; it was as if her voice was a calming stream of water. “Oh, the beautiful Aunty Louise,” Little Nomi said happily as her clear, almond-shaped eyes watched the passing street lights. She liked Aunty Louise a lot. Her mother had told her that Aunty Louise helped her out yesterday. Little Nomi was happy about it. She planned to thank Aunty Louise later. The car moved fast on the road, and it only took a while to reach Marriott International. However, Monique could not find Louise. They waited at the entrance for some time. “Did Aunty Louise leave?” Little Nomi looked out while stretching her pale neck. She could not see Louise anywhere. “Maybe she’s still busy and has not left her office yet,” Monique replied after taking a good look. She thought that it was a normal occurrence since she had customers who made her wait. Louise was still not out of the building after some time. Monique tried calling her but no one answered. Monique felt a little uneasy given that it was pretty late. She brought Little Nomi and asked the receptionist on duty; they were told that Louise had already left the building a while ago. Monique became more anxious than ever. She tried Louise again, and no one answered. Louise would never not pick up her call. Louise had told her about being sexually harassed by a creepy man the last time… Could it be? Monique’s hands were shivering. What could she do? “Mom, don’t panic! Let’s look around!” Little Nomi comforted her. Her voice was young and calming like water. Monique thought that made sense. She drove around the block, but Louise was still nowhere to be seen. “Could something have happened to Aunty Louise?” Little Nomi began worrying as well. Monique was freaking out. What if something bad did happen to Louise? “You can ask Daddy for help!” Little Nomi rolled her eyes. Daddy had gotten into the car right here the last time! That tall, handsome man was unforgettable. “Right, why didn’t I think of that? Little Nomi, you’re smart,” Monique said as she dialed her phone. There were not many contact numbers on her phone; she only had his from yesterday for returning his clothes. As she found Pervert Moore’s number on her phone, Monique hesitated. This was a man up to no good as well! While she was still in doubt, Little Nomi grabbed her phone and dialed the number. Monique’s heart dropped and grabbed the phone again, but she shrugged helplessly after seeing Little Nomi’s innocent face. She really did not want to see him, but she had no one else to call other than him. She did not know if he would pick up either. “Hello?” The man’s cold voice could be heard on the other end of the call within moments. Henry grinned unconsciously; he assumed that Monique was calling to return his clothes. “Something bad happened, something happened to your employee, it’s your receptionist, Louise Lou!” Monique said anxiously. “Louise Lou?” Henry scoffed. Who was Louise anyway? What did she have to do with him! Monique explained everything quickly. He was obliged to help since Louise was his employee after all. Henry rolled over lazily; he was annoyed. She was not here to return his clothes after all. Why was he annoyed over clothes today? Monique became more anxious as the call went silent. “Can you please help me, I’m with Little Nomi, I don’t know where to look for Louise.” Even if Louise was in danger, Monique knew that she could not run around with Little Nomi in tow. It would put Little Nomi in danger. Her voice was trembling with anxiety. Henry thought about how frightened she must be, alone and helpless; his heart ached for a moment. “Don’t worry, wait for me, stay where you are,” Henry said with arrogance. His dark eyes were glowing with terror. “Okay, I’ll wait downstairs…” Monique said with a trembling voice. After hanging up, Henry called Jane and said, “Launch the City GPS and search for our receptionist, Louise Lou’s phone. Send the location to me once the search is complete. Lodge a police report while you’re at it.” Who was brave enough to mess with someone on his turf? Everyone knew how brutal and ruthless Henry Moore was in B City. Henry walked quickly; he wished that he could fly at that moment. As he arrived downstairs, he found Monique standing in front of her car, shivering. Monique’s naturally pale face was whiter than ever; her beautiful brows were locked together. Her skinny body stunned him; he had the urge to pull her into his arms to protect her. It was already autumn, and the wind at night was a little chilly. Monique was wearing a long-sleeve chiffon top; Henry was unsure if she was feeling cold or shivering from worrying about Louise. Henry took his coat off and covered her with it. His move seemed arrogant yet gentle.