Chapter Fifty-Six
Author's Pov
Back a few days ago
Alfonso's heart raced as he entered their dimly lit mansion. The emptiness that greeted him sent chills down his spine, a foreboding feeling creeping over him like an unwelcome guest. He called out for Rose, but his voice echoed through the vacant rooms, unanswered.
Panic consumed him as he retraced every step, desperately searching for any clue to her whereabouts. Fear and worry twisted in his gut, his mind racing with unimaginable possibilities. How could Rose suddenly vanish without a trace? Surely something wasn't right; she was supposed to be back from work by now.
He picked up his phone, sliding his fingers across the screen. It was late in the evening, with the time reading X: XXpm. Worry began to creep slowly across his body. He had arrived home late because he had extra stuff to deal with at work.
He had called to inform her that he wouldn't make it for dinner on time, but her phone kept sending him straight to voicemail.
Hours turned into an eternity as Alfonso reached out to friends, family, and the authorities. Their efforts merged into a collective force, determined to find Rose and bring her back safely. Yet each passing moment only deepened the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
As dawn's first light painted the sky, Alfonso refused to succumb to despair. With the strength born from love, he armed himself with determination and began tirelessly combing through every corner of Rose's life, hoping he could find something, anything from his store of memories, that could lead him to her. He revisited her favorite spots in Italy, hoping to rekindle memories that might lead him to her.
Hours blurred together as Alfonso tirelessly searched, following every lead, no matter how faint. His once vibrant spirit grew weary, but his resolve never wavered. Sleep became an elusive stranger, unwilling to grant him respite.
In his darkest moments, Alfonso found solace in the support of his loved ones. Friends offered their shoulders to lean on; their presence was a reminder that he wasn't alone in this harrowing journey. They shared his concern, offering their unwavering support and encouragement.
But despite their collective efforts, answers eluded them. The trail grew cold, leaving Alfonso with only fragments of hope to cling to. It was as if Rose had vanished into thin air, leaving behind a void that threatened to consume him.
Alfonso sat anxiously in his study, the weight of worry bearing down on his shoulders. It had been a day since Rose had disappeared without a trace, leaving him desperate for any sign of her. His mind raced with countless possibilities, each more harrowing than the last.
Just as he was about to give in to despair and cry his heart out alone, the shrill ring of his phone shattered the silence of the room. With trembling hands, he picked up the call, his heart fluttering with despair and numbness at the same time.
The name "Nicole" flashed across the screen. Not now, he thought as he swiped his fingers across the screen, denying her call.
He was about to place the phone back on the table when he felt the vibration across his palm, accompanied by the blazing sound of his ringing tone.
Confusion mingled with caution as Alfonso answered the call, unsure of what urgent discussion Nicole could possibly have at this point in time.
Their relationship had ended, and they hadn't spoken in years. Why was she disturbing his now-peaceful life? But desperately, his thoughts wandered to the possibility of her knowing something about what was going on at the moment, and as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures, and Alfonso was willing to explore any lead that might bring his beloved wife back home.
"N-Nicole? What do you need? Make it quick. I'm busy." Alfonso stated that he kept his voice steady so as not to show any sign of desperation. His tone concealed the mix of desperation and sadness at the unexpected lifeline she seemed to be extending.
There was a moment of pause on the other end of the line before Nicole's voice came through, tentative but determined. "Alfonso,I know where Rose is. She is with her uncle, and I suggest you come get her fast before something bad happens to her here. He's a distressed and mentally ill person, Alfonso. I'm sorry, but... She spoke quietly, pausing in between her sentences; she seemed to be sobbing.
Alfonso's heart pounded against his chest, hope and fear battling within him. His instincts told him to trust Nicole, despite their past. "Nicole, please, if you have any information or any clue about where Rose might be, I implore you to share it with me. Please, if you really felt anything towards me in the past, even a tiny bit of friendship, then please, please, I will be eternally grateful for your help."
Nicole hesitated briefly before revealing a location—a small cottage nestled deep in the woods, a place they had visited together during their time as a couple. She offered the address, her voice filled with remorse and regret for not reaching out sooner.
Thanking Nicole profusely, Alfonso hastily ended the call and sprang into action. He knew time was of the essence, and he couldn't afford to waste a single moment. With a renewed sense of purpose, he gathered his belongings and drove towards the cottage, praying that Rose would be waiting for him there.
As he navigated the winding path, Alfonso's mind wandered, contemplating the unexpected turn of events. He marveled at how the threads of their past intertwined with the present, leading him down this unforeseen path to find his missing wife.
He arrived at the front of the cottage with the police hidden behind him. Picasso placed a supporting arm on his shoulder, asking him not to worry.
They both made their way into the cottage, looking around the now empty and silent cottage, which had horrific imagery around it, making him pray silently that Rose was going to be okay.
After looking around the house and finding nothing, Alfonso slammed on the couch in the tiny living room, his head on his hands, as a wave of sadness washed through him.
His phone blasted again, and he quickly dug his hands into his pants pocket, taking the cell phone out of it.
He saw Nicole's name across the screen. Quickly swiping the screen, he placed the cell on his ear, waiting for any information he could get.
"I saw her crawling down the floor passage in the third room." Nicole added before quickly cutting the call.