Rio

Whipping into the the cemented driveway, the first thing I notice is the absence of Victoria's Nissan. Usually parked right outside the garage and in front of my BMW - her silver vehicle isn't there.

I lick my lips slowly a moment, when partial disappointment settles in me - and I glimpse down to the flowers I bought her this morning; the crimson red roses bestowed on the passenger seat.

I pull up and eventually remove the car keys from the ignition, before I exit. I'm sure to take the roses into my grasp, before coming up to the small wooden front porch. Taking out the house key to unlock the front door, I push it open to gather an empty house - much expected from the desolate driveway outside.

The strong aroma of coffee smacks against me instantly, when I shut the door and head toward the kitchen. One of my fiancé's ceramic mugs are placed on the island, and I walk over only to see it filled with her favorite caffeinated drink. Curiosity strikes me as to wear she headed - and I then begin pondering on if she ever viewed my note.

I sit the bouquet of roses across the fine granite countertop. Making my way upstairs, the bold scent of coffee soon slips away.

When I enter our bedroom, my dark brown eyes fix on the keen bed, up against the farthest wall in the center of the room, and Victoria's plumped pillow with a sheet of paper upon it. Taking the thin paper into my hands, I read it.

Tried calling you, babe! I figured I'd leave you a note too! Ran to the nearest Super Market for sugar, so I'll be back shortly. I love you...
Signed,
Your fiancé.

I glance down to the small heart she drew underneath the last written words. Placing the hand written note back on the bed, with twitched lips, I leave the bedroom - in certainty that she has indeed read my note earlier. Pulling out my phone from my pocket, I dial Victoria's number to inform her that her note just may have made my morning.

But, there's no answer.

I lick my lips glancing down to the phone screen again, before reverting the device into the pocket of my jeans. I don't think much of her not answering - I'm not too possessive.

....

Anyway, minutes after I head outside again, mainly to distract myself while the fiancé's out, and taking out the groceries from the car for later tonight, I bring them inside.
I bought a couple of t-bone steaks with some vegetables to go on the side - the veggies being the queen's favorite part.

Minutes after putting up the dinner in the house, I settle down and relax, in wait for my fiancé's arrival.

And I plop down on my admired couch; the black denim jacket I vesture blending in with the comfortable dark sofa. I tug at the dark beanie on my head, while flipping through the channels of the television. But I come to find out that the channels are wack and do nothing but bore me. I turn the t.v off before placing the remote on the coffee table ahead of me.

Leaning back on the couch again in a lazy manner, teeth tugging at my bottom lip, I glance down to my watch - in accordance to the time.

Unavoidably, I start to feel slumped; the lacking of my fiancé's presence beginning to weigh me down. And when noting the ten minutes that has passed since I brought the groceries in, my thick brows draw together.

I shove a hand into the pocket of my jeans for reach of my phone once again, and I pull it out. Peering down solemnly at the screen, I dial a friend's number.

Bringing up the cell to an ear, I wait as it rings.

"Rio!" Victoria's sister pipes down the line, and I take in a sharp breath.
"Is Victoria with you?" I question her sternly, picking up myself the concern hinting in my deep voice.
"Hi to you, too." Ann murmurs. "What do you mean is she with me? Isn't your fiancé suppose to be with you?!" Blondie adds, tone confused - earning my perplexed state to swell.

"Nah, she's not. I left this morning for some groceries and-"

"Aw..." Ann interjects to herself, and I pause. My lips part as my eyebrows narrow. I briefly shake my head and roll my eyes.
"...And when I got back she left a note stating that she'd left for the Super Market." I continue lowly. "Thing is it also informed that she'd be going to the nearest Super Market. It's been almost twenty minutes and she hasn't at least called." I explain.

Ann's silent a moment, over the phone. I raise a brow. "Hello?" I ask, almost impatiently.
"She called me earlier, now that I think about it. But when I picked up there wasn't any answer. I didn't think anything of it..."

I blink repeatedly, a second, and I stammer, subtly. "She- she called you?!"

--

My tongue connects with my lips just before I swing open the front door. I open it to a short blonde stood firm on the doormat - the familiar set of hazel specked irises meet mine. Though her light irises send darts.

"I give you my blessing for marrying my sister and she disappears!" Blondie starts, moving past me and entering the house. I hold back my agitated breath, and stay put to shut the front door behind her. I follow her.

Blondie makes her way over to the kitchen, which doesn't surprise me - her hands planted on either hip of hers.

Approaching the spacious kitchen with the grumpy blonde, I plant my two feet next to the island, leaning over it with folded hands. I watch Victoria's sister cross her arms over her chest, locking onto my gaze.

She huffs out a breath, letting her arms drop to either side. "Well... when's the last time you saw her?"

I flutter my eyes shut, momentarily, peering down and running a hand roughly down my face. "This isn't CSI, Blondie." I state lowly, flicking up my gaze onto her again.
Ann purses her glossed lips into a thin line, before they puff out with a sigh. She begins fidgeting with her fingers, I notice.

"She called right around..." I watch her plunge out her cell. Standing upright, I walk over toward her, peering down over her short shoulder to see the phone screen in her hand. "9:45..." She adds. I glimpse at the clock hung above the refrigerator.

10:22.

I lock my jaw, standing close by her immensely short side when I glare over to her. Ann's hazel eyes narrow my way as well. She steps aside.

"Maybe we can head over to the Super Market and just see for ourselves that she's alright." She tries reassuring, and I walk over to the island again, claiming a barstool this time.

My tongue connects with my lips quickly, and I scratch my stubby jawline. "Alright."

I fix my dark brown eyes on Blondie again, who nods her head firmly. "Alrighty. Shall we?" She beams, starting in her tracks near me - anticipation flickering across her hazel specks.

I come to a stand. Then I flash a smile, before walking past her.

"Nope." I rather state. Grabbing my car keys and heading toward the front door. "Stay here." I say sternly.

"Wh-" I shut the wooden door behind me, before Blondie can finish. Pacing down the porch steps, I make my way to my BMW - my blood pumping cold.

--

Merry & Cheer Super Market - the tall welcoming sign displays. I turn into the vast parking lot, almost immediately spotting only few vehicles parked before the small run-down building.

I park, later taking the keys out from the ignition for the engine to halt. My teeth clench together hard, as I inhale sharply before stepping out of the car.

I head towards the front of the lot, nearing the brick building, while peering around for Victoria's car - my car keys clutched hard in my fist while doing so.

About ten feet from the building, my peripheral vision spots silver. I turn only to face the familiar Nissan, parked across the lot from where I did halted my BMW. I hesitate for my lips to quirk, before I pace over toward the vehicle.

When I come up to it, I gather sight of the Nissan being empty. I fixate on the building, before making my way toward it.

She's gotta be inside.

She better be.

Approaching the crosswalk, my foot steps on something hard, suddenly. I stop firm in my tracks. And peering down, my blood turns cold.

Just as I squat down to take the cracked device into my grip, my cell phone buzzes from my pocket.
But before I take out my own, I take the found cell into my own hands, picking it from the cemented lot.

My heart pounds mercilessly, as I stare into my open palm with frantic eyes - my gaze observant on Victoria's phone.

My phone won't stop obnoxiously ringing, so I finally pull it out and hurriedly answer - my hand slightly shaking when I do.

"Find anything?" Blondie starts, her piping voice pinched with concern.

My jaw immediately hardens once more, when I stare down at the familiar cell in my other hand. "I found her phone." I inform her lowly.

"What? Wh- where is she?!" She panics, and I shut my eyes briefly, in dismay.

"She's not here, Ann." I state sternly, my tone low and warning, eyes glancing around the lot, still.

"No..." Ann starts again, quietly, "is her car there?! Rio she wouldn't just...leave..."

Within my chest occurs a skip, as my guts twists inside - my nerves unsettling.

"Vic wouldn't... she didn't..."

Don't say it.

Don't you dare you say it, Blondie...

Ann releases a shaky breath, over the line.

"Something happened to her, Rio." She assumes darkly - though I know in my gut, it's the truth.

I swallow, my jaw still hardened, when I squeeze the grip I have on my own cell, and revert it from my ear. I clutch it into my hand, hard, and end the call I once held with Ann.

I glimpse down at Victoria's newly cracked cell in my other quivering hand again.

My hard chest rises and drops excessively, anger flooding my cold veins.

And I feel like I can't move, as if my two feet were glued to the cemented ground beneath me.

The only thing I correspond to, at the moment, is the lethal darkness that was once buried deep inside - now raging within me like a venomous fire.

---

Hello loves! Hope you enjoyed and thank ya so much for reading! Chapter 41 will be up soon!!!!! ;D

Love y'all a bunch!

Lots of love,

xx