Zachary POV

"Zach-" I pull myself away from her. "Get off me man!"

"Nichelle!" I yell as she left. My world was crashing right in front of my eyes.

We just got right and I done made the worst mistake I ever could. This has been one of her fears and I just traumatized her again.

"Zachary just let her go!" Vanessa complained from behind me. Ignoring her I step out of the office

I witnessed her slap my mother
"I don't want to see this entire family ever again" my dad frowned before she stormed off.

"I'm going to press charges!" My mother yelled. My father turned to me with a look that could kill. "In the office. now"
At this point there was a crowd forming. "Everyone get back to work" my father barked, scaring everyone.

He entered the office and witnessed Vanessa and then looked back at me before stuffing his hands in his pockets.

He pointed at the door, I shut it.

He stood by the front of my desk
"What's going on here?" He pointed at us two.

"Dad... I -"

"Zachary, answer me"

"Mr. Anderson-"

"Speak when spoken to Ms. Kelly" shutting her up immediately.

"Nichelle thinks I cheated on her with Vanessa"

I can tell he's angry because of how calm he is. 
"And did you?"

"Vanessa kissed me and I kissed her back, it was a genuine mistake. It meant nothing and ever since I've tried to keep her away"

"So you cheated?"

I didn't respond "this meant nothing to you Zach?" She said but this was probably the worst timing.

"Vanessa, I helped you in your time of need and yeah you helped me when I was upset one time but that's it" I said exhausted from this.

"That kiss was a mistake. I've been trying to tell you that for the last 30 minutes and you just can't take no for an answer"

She was on the verge of tears "Vanessa, we've taken you into our home to provide not only a place to stay but protection for you and the baby but it's been over a month now and it's time for you to settle in your own place" my dad said.

"We will still offer our support and anything you may need"

"Don't worry, I sure as hell won't be there by the time you come back" she said walking out.

Leaving just me and my father.

"I am very disappointed in you"

Words I hate to hear.

"Not only because I raised you better but because of the way you've built such a beautiful family and life for yourself and to tear it down by your own hands"

I sighed before looking down. I couldn't look him in the face anymore. The disappointment was more than evident.

"The character of a real man in the CEO position, holds strong values and morals but importantly integrity"

"Handle your marriage well and you'll handle your business well and you've failed"

"Dad-"

"She is not only your wife but the mother of your child!" He yelled flinging the chair "did you think about that?!"

"I made a mistake-"

"It doesn't matter now Zach! Mistake or no mistake the damage is already done"

"What example are you setting for Amira?!"

Tears threatened to leave my eyes. It was a genuine mistake.

"You know Nichelle better than we all do, figure out how to make this right" he said before leaving.

I dragged my hands over my face. I actually don't know what to do. I don't know if to give her space because of how angry she was or if I should just go now.

Deciding not to let another minute go by I grabbed my jacket and ran to elevator.

"Everything okay boss?" The security asked "yeah, have you seen my wife?"

"Yeah, she left out here with some older guy" I looked at him confused. "We don't know who he is"

I nodded. I know don't go around with randoms. "Did she look afraid or?"

"No, she willingly went with him"
I nodded. I went to the parking lot to get in my car when I seen Nichelle's car still parked here.

"What the hell?" So she's still here? Or?
Where did she go?

I run back in to go to security. "Hey man show me the cameras" he nodded and I followed behind him and entered into the office filled with screens.

"I just need you to backtrack to the last 30 minutes" he nodded and pulled it up.

Looking at the screen I see when Nichelle walked in "fast forward 10 minutes."

She was exiting the elevator when she bumped into Mr. Avery. "Go to the parking lot" he did just that and I was able to see that she got into the car with him. I sighed.

"Alright, thank you man" I headed back downstairs and into my car. The first place I could check was the house.

Once I settled in my car I sped home. I'm grateful I didn't run into no cops because right now, I need to do something.

I reach home and I ran up the stairs and unlocked the door. I entered the house and something felt different about it.

Emptiness.

I search the room "Nichelle" I called out. I looked into Amira's room and she wasn't there either.

"Amira!" I search the entire living room "Esperanza!" She came out quickly "did Nichelle come here?"

She frowned "yes sir she did."

"She told me to pack her things and Amira's things too"  panic started to set in. What?

"She went with Amira?" Not believing her I ran back to the room and searched our closet and more than half of Nichelle's things were gone.

I raised my hands to my head not believing this.
I ran to Amira's room to search her closets too and to my dismay it was the same. Half of her clothes were gone.

I kneel to her bed and I let my emotions out. I cried. My family was gone.

"Mr. Anderson" Esperanza said from behind me. "She left with Mr. Avery"
She said making me still my crying.

They're with Mr. Avery.

I took my phone out and asked my father if he knew where Mr. Avery lived.

"Is that where she is?"
"Yes"

"Zach, maybe she might need a day or two to clam down" my father sighed in the phone.

Refusing to hear that "when you find it send it over to me please"  I hung up.

I couldn't sleep like this tonight. I was barely here 5 minutes and I felt the emptiness in my home.

My father sent the directions with specific instructions to wait until tomorrow but I couldn't.

I made my way there and after going through security i knocked on the door.

Mr. Avery stood there and greeted me "Zachary, good night"

"Mr. Avery, I have every reason to believe my family is staying with you tonight"

"I just need to speak with Nichelle" I pleaded.

"Zach" he sighed "she's not in the best condition right now"

I shook my head and I knew it was all my fault. "I know but we need to talk" he shook his head and frowned.

"I'm afraid I can't allow that to happen until she wants to"

"So what? you her body guard or something?" I say getting defensive.

"Zach, it's getting late why don't you go ahead and come back tomorrow" he sighed

"Nah, I came here to see my wife and I won't leave until I do" I argued getting ticked off.

"Mr. Anderson if you don't leave my property my security will have to escort you out" he warned.

"I don't care! I came here to see my wife!" I yelled, he was making me angry. I just need to speak to Nichelle and see my baby.

"Nichelle!" I yelled hoping she'd hear me and come down.

"Mr. Anderson please" he said but I ignored him "Nichelle!"

"Nichelle!"

He phoned the security and they came up quickly.  I try running but this nigga had too much security so almost immediately caught me.

"Nichelle!"

"Man get your hands off of me" it was then I notice he had another what look like a condo.

They began dragging me but I kept my eyes on the condo and at the window I finally see the curtain moved.

She was there.

Nichelle pov

I yawned and stretched as I finally woke up. My body was sore and I felt drained.

I got up and did my hygiene before I went to check on Amira.

My baby usually up before me. That room must have her completely obsessed.

I got to the room only to find that she's not here.
Panic settled in me quickly. "Amira" I called out and I ran to the bathroom connected to her room and she wasn't there either.

What the heck? I ran out the room and went down stairs and searched the kitchen " Amira!"

I was about to have a full blown panic attack when I heard her loud laughter coming from afar.

She was outside. I breathe a breath of relief.
"Higher! Higher!"

I got outside and followed the sound of her laughter.

She was on a swing set and Mr. Avery was pushing her. They both looked like they were having so much fun.

"Oh hi mommy!" She yelled while being in the air.
Making Mr. Avery also notice me, he quickly stepped aside so he won't get hit by Amira swinging back and forth.

"Good morning" he smiled at me.

"No it's not a good morning" I huffed making him look at me confused.

"Why I did wake up this morning to my child not being in the condo?" I said with my hands on my hips.

The mother in me was awakened.

"I-" I cut him off.

"I mean I almost had a panic attack not knowing where she was!" I said with my hands in the air exasperated.

"I get that you're doing us a favor Mr. Avery but please at-least have the decency to let me know where my child will be before taking her anywhere" I blew out a breath of frustration.

Mr. Avery only gave me a an awkward smile.
"I understand and I'm sorry to scare you"

I sighed calming down and rubbing my temple.
"I came by to let you know that breakfast was being served but instead of you answering the door I was greeted by this beautiful young lady" he said looking back at Amira who was still swinging back and forth but watched us engage.

I sighed "I'm sorry, I just panicked but I need you to let me know these things. It's just me and her now and I want to make sure she's within my reach..." water filling my eyes.

"She's all I got" I looked back at him only to be met with a face of concern.

"Nichelle, you're not alone. Know that I stand with you" he said resting his hand on my shoulder for a few seconds and then placing it back in his pocket.

"Anyway I'm sorry for the scare, I definitely didn't mean to. Your princess wanted to play" he smiled at me then looked at her again.

She looked like she was waiting to see me calm down before saying anything. I smile " I can only imagine"

She then smiled "mommy come swing with me!"

"Just now baby, mama gotta eat. I'm hungry" I said honestly.

"Come on baby let's go eat" I walked over and slowed her down until she came to a stop and we both followed behind me. Avery.

I thought we were getting like a plate or something. This man had this entire kitchen decked out like a buffet at a fancy restaurant.

"Oh wow" I say under my breath.

"Take as much as you want" Mr. Avery said smiling before checking his watch.

"Enjoy ladies, I have a quick run to make. Feel free to enjoy the other amenities we have here. Mi casa es su casa" he said before leaving.

"Mama, what that mean mi casa .." she jumbled the rest of the words.

"It means, my house is your house. Like we can use anything we want" her eyes lit up.

"But we're not going to use everything  because this isn't our house okay?" She nodded

"Now let's eat. Im starving"

"Like Marvin" Amira said grabbing a plate and I couldn't help but shake my head.

********
3 days later..

Zach POV

"Zach"

"Zach"

"Aww shit Nichelle done killed his ass" I could hear Danny say.

"Shut up man" Jeffrey said chuckling.
I felt two fingers at my neck. "He got a pulse"

Then the shaking continued until I felt a cold substance soak my body.

"Wake up man!"

"What's goin on?"

"What's going on is that you didn't show up to work and you weren't answering your calls all day" Danny said cocking his head to the side.

I looked at the time it was 5 PM. Damn.

"Yeah, you done drank your life away" Jeff said shaking his head and throwing the bottle away.

"Why you didn't tell us you told Nichelle?" George said and I shrugged.
"It all happened so fast I'm still trying to catch up"

"Well you still alive, I didn't see any bruises, your house ain't burned down and the car still in tact." Danny said looking around

"It must've not been that bad"
I gave him a look before I told them the whole story.

"Whoaaa"

"All that and she just slapped you?"

"Who's her anger management counselor? I'm tryna see sumn" he took his phone out to take the info but I ignored him.

"Damn, she must've really been hurt" George said making me drop my head in my hands. I didn't even realize I was on the floor in front of my couch until now.

"Get up man, go get cleaned up and get dressed" I shook my head.

"Bro just do it, you already wasted a whole day" Danny said.

"And you stink in real life, go shower" Jeff said making me self conscious I smelled myself.

"I wasn't lying"