Page 23 of Entwined with My Best Friend's Brother

I fix a small breakfast and lunch for Cale in the kitchen. I'm so focused on my work that when a hoarse voice sounds out from behind, I almost drop the sandwich, "What are you doing, Hart?"

I turn as I think of my excuse, smiling at Ryan as I continue to pack Cale's lunch, "Nothing. I am just preparing Cale's lunch box. His teacher contacted me, saying Cale has an important event to attend today at school. So, I am going to go with him."

Ryan's cold, stern expression is so hard to understand that I decide to walk past him, get Cale, and get on the road when he grabs my hand. "Sure. You won't mind if I tag along, right, Hart?

Ryan looks at me like he knows what I am thinking of doing. I should be able to bring him along for now and ditch him on the way, "Yes, actually, I was going to ask you or Gwen to give me a ride. I don't know the way back from here."

Ryan shakes his head, reveling in my misery, "I'm completely free. I wouldn't mind going to meet your buddy, Charles."

I can't believe, "You have been spying on me?"

Ryan almost seems guilty, "I wasn't spying. I just heard you when you were out on your balcony."

Angry, I yank my arm away from his, "Then you know you can't come."

Ryan blocks my way. His figure almost towers over me, "You know I can't do that, Jen."

I nod, giving up, "Alright. You better hurry up and change, then. We don't have a lot of time left."

Ryan finds my sudden compliance surprising as he stands there. Annoyed, I glance at him sharply, "What are you waiting for? Go."

Ryan seems to hesitate but rushes upstairs to get changed.

I quietly slip out of the mansion with Cale, making as little noise as possible, and get to Gwen's car. I open the driver's side door and smile at Cale, "Here is your lunch, bud. Now let us go."

Gwen's car is automatic, so it is a smooth ride. Along the way, my work cellphone buzzes. Knowing it can only be Ryan or Gwen, I turn it off.

As I drop Cale off, I glance at a suspicious black car at the side. But I ignore it and drive by. Any vehicle that enters the kindergarten gates has its identity confirmed, so it is probably not dangerous.

Having dropped Cale off, I speed up the car towards Charles' house. No matter how Charles may present himself or his car, his house is no joke. He has a two-story pristine white bungalow with a beautiful garden. It isn't as luxurious as Ryan's, but it is fantastic.

Parking the car outside, I enter the bungalow. No matter how beautiful it is, I feel ominous about it all. It is still relatively early in the morning. People are supposed to be on their way to work. Yet there are hardly even any cats or dogs roaming the street.

I can't help but hesitate as I walk in further. I call Charles, but he doesn't pick up. Yet I can hear a familiar tune ringing. That tune belongs to Charles' cell. Why isn't he picking up?

Following the tune, I go to the reach the find the door unlocked. I go upstairs and find Charles' body hanging from the ceiling. He is dressed the way he always does. A wire is tied around his neck, digging so deep into his skin that I can see blood dripping down his body. I can see his bloodshot eyes almost popping out of his skull. My legs tremble as I vomit the contents of my breakfast out in the hallway. I can't help sobbing. I don't understand. We had just talked over a call. What happened?

Suddenly the sound of my cell phone's ringing pierces the silence. The bright tune feels ominous amidst my cries. As I unlock my cell, I receive another message from an unknown number 'Don't mess with us. Going into hiding won't help you. Just resign. We will return your kid when you do.'

Reading the message and the picture attached of Cale blindfolded and tied, I can't help feeling as if the world is ending. No. Everything was just fine an hour ago. I had just dropped him off at school safely.

My hands tremble as I immediately dial Cale's teacher's number.

"Hello?" Ms. Hanna's voice comes through.

My voice breaks, "Hello. I am Cale's mother. I just talked to you recently. Have you seen Cale today?"

"Cale? Ms. Hart, what are you talking about? How can I see Cale today? Isn't he with you? Didn't you email the school office that you would keep him with you for a while because you don't feel comfortable sending him to school in your situation?"

"What? What email? I didn't send any emails!" I can't help shouting. I suddenly feel terrified. Whoever it is had this planned out meticulously. I end the call. Looking at Charles' lifeless body hanging again, I realize I must call someone. I can't reach the Chicago PD, and I can't trust anyone other than…Ryan and Gwen.

As I turn on my professional phone, it rings right away. Gwen's relieved voice answers, "Oh, thank God you picked up. Jen, are you at Charles' place? Stay put. We are almost there."

Hearing Gwen's voice, I can't hold it back anymore. I sob, "Gwen, Cale's been kidnapped. Charles is also dead."

Gwen only says, half question, half shock, "What?!"

But just imagining her angry expression, I can't help crying. The call suddenly goes silent. I hear Ryan's voice in the background "Jen, just breathe. We'll be there in five minutes. Take deep breaths. In and out."

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