The quest for answers.

(JARED'S POV)

I pressed the doorbell button on the wall beside the door, and waited for a response, but a few minutes later, none came forth. I tried again, but got same unresponsiveness. Confirming my suspicion, I grasped the door handle, and sure enough, it was locked. I mentally smacked myself. "Of course," I muttered. What did I expect at 10 am on a working day? Ashley, like most working professionals would be at her job.

A sudden realization dawned on me. If Ashley was at work, and Arielle had sought refuge with her yesterday, perhaps Arielle was at her workplace too.

That decided, I swiftly retraced my steps to the car. I was going to look for Arielle at the restaurant. As I drove, my mind wandered. I hope Arielle would be willing to listen, knowing how stubborn she can be when upset. Speaking of apologies, I shouldn't apologize to her empty-handed. I decided to get her favorite flowers, lavender.

I spotted a supermarket a few meters ahead and pulled over. Inside, I picked out a bouquet of fresh lavender flowers and continued my journey.

As I arrived the restaurant, I stepped out of the car and approached the entrance. Just midway, a familiar face approached me-Arielle's junior chef, Rebecca.

"Hi, sir," she greeted with a smile. "How's it going? I was just wondering, is your wife okay? She's not at work today, and her phone's not going through."

My expression froze, and I momentarily went blank. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to digest her words. Was this some joke? "Isn't Arielle in her office?"

Rebecca shook her head. "No, she hasn't come to work since she Left early, yesterday. I've been trying to reach her, but...." her voice trailed off when she saw the look on my face.

I felt a tide of dizziness wash over me, and my grip on the bouquet slackened. Panic grew, making my voice almost shaky. "D... Did she tell you where she was headed before she left yesterday?"

fill in for her, saying she needed to

mustered a reassuring smile, not wanting to raise unnecessary alarm. "Yeah, everything's fine. Thanks for letting me know." I handed her

nodded, and

lunch break. It was a few hours later that your wife left," Rebecca announced. "Thanks, Rebecca," I said,

settled into the driver's seat, I tossed the bouquet onto the

wasn't she at work

control? Why wasn't her phone going through? And most importantly, why was she home earlier than usual

of Rebecca's revelation. If Ashley visited Arielle yesterday, then she ought to know of

She was the only one who most likely had answers to my questions, and until I spoke to her, I can't decide anything

was Ashley's place of work, a multinational corporation where she headed the

recognized me and flashed me smile. "Good morning, Mr. Smith. How can I assist

Ashley," I replied, my

with her PA." A brief

Melinda, emerged from the elevator and greeted me. "Mr. Smith, please

walked to her desk, I inquired, "Is Ashley

She left work in a hurry yesterday, earlier than usual. And

legs wobbled and almost

me goosebumps. Both women had left their workplaces earlier than usual, for what

anything about why she was leaving early?" I pressed, trying

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