I took my phone from the dinning table and returned to the sitting room to join Jessica. I looked at the phone screen and saw that it was a strange number calling. My heart skipped a bit as she contemplated answering the unknown number or miss it.
The call ended after few seconds and I decided that it was nice I missed the call, though I wasn't sure if it was the right thing I did or not.
Jessica stared at me curiously, though she didn't summon the courage to ask me and I didn't bother talking about it either.
"Erm, back to what we were saying. So sorry about the interruption."
"No, it's fine. Do you have to bother about that? I'm not a stranger here girl. Come off it."
"Still, everyone deserves respect. Stranger or no stranger." I answered, standing firmly on my own ideology.
"Oh goodness. I forgot I was talking with the argument queen. I'm not in for one now alright. I am not ready to have anything close to it.
"Don't call me that." I said frowning jokingly.
Just then, my phone beeped and started ringing. I picked it and checked. It was the same unknown number which called previously.
"If I'm not mistaken, your phone is actually ringing Sonia. Pick it up, come on." Jessica said, in a bit of surprise.
"I don't know, I'm just scared that it could be the kidnappers." I answered, now shivering slowly out of fear.
"That's the more reason you should pick it up. You can't tell. What if they have some information to pass to you that might lead to the release of them ur kids and your employees, won't you buy that? Perhaps, it could be that they have changed their mind and they want ransom." Jess suggested, almost throwing me off balance.
Considering what she just said, I could pick out some truth in it. These period, I am not supposed to miss people's calls no matter what. Someone might have a little information to pass to me and I might miss it because of this same issue.
The call was about to end when I calmed myself down quickly and picked the call.
"Hello, good morning." I greeted calmly.
Then, I heard a female's voice. "Good morning ma'am. Please, am I speaking to Mrs. Sonia? The lady on the other end asked.
Definitely, I said in my head. "Yeah. You're speaking to Sonia Tinkey. How may I help you? I asked.
"Okay okay, thank God. This is Bianca ma'am." The lady from the other end said.
"Bianca, Bianca." I whispered slowly, trying to recall who I knew bore the name, but I was having difficulty in doing so.
Seems the lady noticed that I couldn't recognize or recall the voice, so she quickly came to my rescue.
"Mrs. Sonia, it's Bianca. Frank's wife. Frank your driver who had been kidnapped." She said.
"Oh Bianca. I'm really sorry, I don't know why I couldn't recall that name easily. Please, pardon me for that. How are you doing? Hope you're fine? I asked, now more relaxed and a bit relieved.
"Yes ma'am. I've been managing well with the money you gave me some days back. It has really gone a long way in keeping me and my children. Thank you so much." She replied, sounding quite excited.
I overlooked the excitement as her sign of gratitude and show of appreciation to me. I felt she needs some more cash and probably didn't know how to ask me.
"Okay, it's fine. I'm glad it helped. Do you need some cash? maybe I could find a way to send to you." I asked her.
"No no, not really. The truth is that, something came up this morning. I actually had to look for your number again because I almost lost it. I need to talk to you about something. I can't tell you on phone, so I'm wondering if it will be okay with you coming over here." She said, then added. "Please ma'am, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I think this will be of great interest to you."
I thought about it casually. Bianca would only call me if perhaps she saw something that might be linked to the kidnap. My eyes brightened so wide when I thought of that, and you could see the glint of excitement in my eyes at the moment.
Jessica stared at me like I was going crazy. Maybe I was, slowly, who knows.
"What do you want to discuss, is it so urgent? I asked, trying to get some hints from her.
"Yes. I think it is related to Frank and his business. Please, I think it'll be safer if you come over ma'am. I'm really sorry for stressing you." She apologized.
"Okay, I'll be there in two hours time." I replied.
"I will be expecting you ma'am. Thank you for honoring my invitation." She said.
"It's my pleasure."
I ended the call after that and inhaled, then exhales loudly, so it was quite obvious.
"Are you alright? Jessica asked.
I turned and faced her completely. "I think I am alright Jess. But, I wonder if I would continue to be in the future." I answered, breathing deeply once more.
"What is it? Something you could share? Jessica asked inquisitively.
"That was my driver's wife. I think she has some information that might be related to Frank and also the kidnap as I suspect." I replied, getting up from the cushion and then pacing.
"Okay... So, what will you do about that? She asked again, looking up at me.
"I don't know yet. I told her I will meet her in the house in the next two hours, so I have some time to spare." I answered, still pacing and trying to think it through, what to do exactly.
"Okay. But uhm, are you sure it's safe? To go to her house? What if it was a set-up and they just want you to fall into the trap? Jessica asked, trying to prove a point.
I understood immediately, where she was going. She had a very good point though, but at this juncture, I didn't have a choice.
"My instincts, my instincts says go. I just hope it works out well. Perhaps, that could be a stepping stone to good news soon."
"You'll have to be more careful Sonia. It won't be wise if something happens to you and your children doesn't find you, how do you think they would feel?
"I don't want to find out." I answered bluntly. "i will be back soon. Wait here for me." I said quickly and left the sitting room immediately. I headed to my room, pushes the door open and sauntered in.
Tossing my phone gently on the bed, I undressed quickly. Removing my clothes as fast as possible, then threw my towel on my shoulder.
I walked briskly to the bathroom and had a very quick shower. When I was done, I dried my body careful, but fast at the same time. Not willing to spend more time, I needed something to lay my hands on, something that the police and their colleagues couldn't do in a while, and I was really losing my patience in waiting.
I chose a simple gown and a matching beautiful sandal and put them on. Wore a stop earrings and it's matching necklace. I took a purse from my closet and some money from the wardrobe.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I realized that I was looking so stressed out. It could be the fact that I cried all night, because my eyes were swollen.
I decided to apply some foundation on my face, so it doesn't call for suspicion outside. I applied it carefully on my face till the weariness on my face was concealed. I took a pink lipstick and put a little on my lips, smacking them.
Now, I was looking more presentable compared to few minutes ago. Satisfied with what I saw in the mirror, I grabbed my car keys and off I went, out of the room.
As soon as I got downstairs, I noticed Jessica was on her feet already.
"Are you leaving already? I asked her.
"Nope. I figured you made up your mind already, to go see the lady. So, I thought it'll be okay if I went with you. Atleast, you need someone to watch your back." She answered.
"Are you being serious right now? I asked, amazed. I wasn't expecting her to do such thing for me."
"Yeah, I am. Don't worry about the kids. Amanda is taking good care of them. So, I literally have a full day off."
"That's so sweet of you Jess. How do I repay you for your kindness. Thanks so much." I said emotionally. Then, I walked up to her and gave her a tight hug.
"That's enough, let's go."
We were about to leave when Mom came out of nowhere. Not so sure if she was eavesdropping though.
"Where are you going? Sonia? She asked.
"Mom, there's no time to explain. I'll tell you when I get back home and please, don't try to stop me. It's not gonna work."
I left the house with Jessica. Getting outside, Jessica suggested we used her car, since it might be easier to track me with mine.
That was a nice suggestion, so I bought into it and off we went.