"O-Officer... it's been been almost a month since my daughter has been missing." Mrs Bennet cried.
Looking for her lost daughter desperately as her heart was burning on fire, to think about her condition. Massively anxious and on the verge of crying.
"Don't worry, Madam. We will find your daughter. Please be patient." The officer tried to assure but the pain of a Mother's heart was beyond their comprehension.
"Please.. Someone find my daughter..."She sobbed, holding Bertha who was trying to provide any equanimity to her Mother but to no avail.
Trying to put a halt to her cries of grief and fear anticipated by the fact of how Red is, if she had eaten or not, been safe or not.
"Don't worry Mama. I am sure Red will be fine."
~~•~~•
Back in New York City, a certain charismatic yet icy businessman was having his lunch in silence after a tiresome meeting.
Letting his stress out with a deep breath, he began to use his phone.
Scrolling through instagram until his eyes fell upon a familiar figure in a post. He narrowed his eyes, considering it a deception until he read the caption,
"The rumors of me being married were indeed true and she is my beautiful wife; Iris Grave. My love for her is inexplicable, coming into my life as a ray of shine, igniting my future. I only desire to spend the rest of my life imprisoned in your heart. I love you so much, Iris. I hope this start will bring us hopes and endless smiles together."
Erich blinked, shaking his head trying to deny what he just saw.
Lucifer with a woman none other than Red, holding her waist, pulling her close and looking at each other with eternal fondness.
'Please tell me this is a joke.'
His breaths become rough, mind lost in the deepest depth of fear.
'This can't be Red.'
Of course the girl looks slightly different but how can he ignore the azure gaze staring at Lucifer and not him.
He can't convince his heart unless he sees Red himself.
Hastily, he called April, "Hello?" She answered in her usual bewitching tone.
"Do you know where Red is?"
"I am sorry my dear Erich but I am not interested in stalking your oblivious love." She mocked.
A scowl crept upon Erich's face as he growled, losing his forbearance. His heart beating in dread and unwanted thoughts.
"But-" She took a pause.
"See the news channel, you will find some interesting news." With this, she cut the call.
"...-twenty five girls were kidnapped in the middle of the night. The whereabouts of them is still unknown. It came as quite a mystery who can do this and for what purpose. The devastating families were waiting for their daughters, sisters, wives and some of them were even mothers to come back but left with no trace, they vanished from the world.
From our sources, we have found these girls were missing. If someone sees them, Kindly inform the Police."
And the image of the girls were shown.
With a shaky breath, Erich's hands turned cold, heart pounding out of his chest in extreme distress.
'Please don't be there. Please don't be there.'
He chanted, making an almost cry face. He knows it better than anyone- He needs her and if she was obliterated from this world- so will be his heart.
And his mind froze in apprehension when Red's image came.
A tear rolled down his cheek, his breath stopped, unable to think, feel or speak.
His heart crumbled and shattered his last straw of serenity as he slammed his hand on the table.
"Fuck!"
He stood up, loosening his tie and opening a few buttons of his shirt.
With a deeply sorrowful yet infuriated expression, he looked at the instagram post again, his doubt turning into belief.
"You think I wouldn't know, Red? Getting a makeover and changing your name can't change your identity." He said breathlessly.
Utterly disquiet, he threw his phone.
'How did she go to London in the first place?' He thought.
Taking a deep breath, he boomed out from his cabin and went to his asisstant's
"Gracia, Tell right now the amount of clients we have in London."
'If you are there, I know you must have your reason and you will attend any Gala or Show. Sweetheart, I know you too well.'
"Yes, Sir." She nodded and gave him the list.
"And which of them are going to have a fashion show or a gala in future?" He asked, his voice calm but one could feel the wrath of it:
It was envy.
"There are two of the upcoming events: After five weeks- J Dot. And this is seven weeks away- Kylies."
"Seems like they have some rivalry between them but it's none of our matters and the rest are still far away. A Brand Fashion show, including most of our partners after four months." She explained, looking cautiously at her Boss who was extremely agitated.
"And which of them have their shipment done through Graves?"
"Both. Most of the International Brands do."
"And do we receive the invitation for it?"
"Of course. They use our fabrics, we can attend it or not but they have to invite us." She said,
"I see. Okay then, pack your stuff, Gracia. We will attend both of them." He ordered.
"But Mr Black, they are still far away."
"Who is leaving now? We will leave two days before the Show and attend both."
Before she could ask about further details, he left. Bewildered by her Boss demeanor.
'What happened to him?' She thought and went back to work.
~~•~~•
Back to the scene where Lucifer and Red signed the papers. "You are an intriguing woman, Red." He smirked.
Red facial expressions changed as she shook her head, "Oh, Shit."
"What happened?" He asked.
"I signed by my real name. Tear the papers. I forgot my name is... uh.. What was it?"
He frowned upon hearing it.
"You should have watched it." He muttered, tearing the papers.
"Wasted time and effort."
"And what will change if I sign them? A marriage needs proper registration. I don't have an ID card or other essential papers unless you prepare them... illegally." She winked at him, saying the last word, deepening his frown.
"Tell me, wouldn't your lover would-" He cut her off.
"I don't have any."
"And you mean to say you are single with this hot body and such persuasive skills?" She asked, chuckling.
"I don't have time for it."
"Okay then... I guess. We have to act in front of your parents." She stretched standing up.
He nodded, throwing the papers in the dustbin.
"We will get married later. Let's start faking it." He was about to open the door but she stopped him.
"Chill dude. We know your parents are outside. I am a great actress, cover your ears since you don't like noises and play along." She yawned.
He gave her a questioning look but complied. He covered her ears, Red smirked and took a deep breath and began to yell,
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE LUCIFER! I WANT YOU TO TELL THE WORLD WHAT AM I TO YOU!?"
"WHEN WE ARE BOUND IN A SACRED BOND THEN WHY ARE WE HIDING IT!? IF YOU CAN'T LOVE ME IN LIGHT, THEN FORGET ABOUT ME!"
She motioned him to remove his ear and whispered, "Come after me, hug me from behind and apologize."
Lucifer didn't need instructions. He knows what he should be doing.
With a nod, Red faked tears and ran out of the room, crying.
She was leaving, crying, letting out tears of deceit as Lucifer came after her with a very convincing breathless and heartbroken look and hugged her from behind.
Speaking his words in a louder voice so Mr and Mrs Grave who was left with the inability to comprehend could listen clearly.
"Please don't go, Iris. I can't live without you."
"I will do whatever you say but please stay with me. This hollow heart of mine needs you, to guide my path and take me out from darkness... Please don't leave me.."