Chapter 90
Chapter 90
Justin picked Serene up from the hotel she stayed in. There was no longer a need to hide from him
since she needed to work with him to rescue her children. She sat in the front passenger seat while he
drove.
Justin looked concentrated on his driving, but he’s biting the inside of his cheeks from anger. The hotel
where she and her children stayed was only a couple of blocks away from Hotel Le Grande. She
always hid in plain sight, it made him look stupid already.
He pushed his anger aside and concentrated on the issue at hand. The kidnappers gave him the
location of the meeting. It’s an abandoned warehouse near the pier. They instructed them to leave the
money beside a trash can near the entrance.
Justin got off the car and did exactly that. After dropping a huge duffle bag beside the trash, he walked
away and got in his car.
Inside the car, he and Serene waited in suspense. Their eyes glued to the duffle bag. After a while, a
man approached the trash can. A mask covered his face except for his eyes. He picked up the bag and
looked at the contents. After being satisfied with his inspection, he took out his phone and seemed to
talk to somebody.
After ending his call, he carried the heavy bag on his shoulder towards a car near the exit. A minute
after he had driven off, Justin’s phone rang.
“Justin here,” he answered. His voice did not register any trace of the agitation he felt. Serene watched
him with her big, round eyes.
“Is that them?” Serene asked after his brief conversation.
“It’s Joseph. The twins are in Rain International. A van dropped them off there and sped away.” he
explained and drove away.
Serene couldn’t help but cry, feeling relieved that her children were now safe. She chewed on her lips
as she looked outside the window.
“It’s over, Serene. You can relax now.”
“I want to see them.”
“Yes. Shortly.”
The drive from the warehouse to Rain International was the longest 30 minutes of her life. She heard
the ticking of her wristwatch inside her ears. Her chest wanted to explode from the wild beating of her
heart.
As soon as the car stopped, she rushed to get out of it and ran towards the building. She had not yet
reached the entrance when two children ran towards her.
She crouched down to meet their embrace. She held them, hugged them and kissed their faces. Her
tears could not help but fall, feeling relieved that they’re finally in front of her.
“I missed you two. Are you OK? Did you get hurt anywhere?” She asked as she inspected them one
after the other.
“Not hurt, Mommy,” Felicity said.
“Just scared,” said Pax. His lips trembled as he tried to stop himself from crying.
“I’m sorry you’ve gone through that,” she hugged Pax.
Justin approached the trio and said, “Let’s get you guys home to rest.”
Serene nodded and carried her children. One child on each hip. Justin wanted to help her, but they
clung to her neck, like it’s their lifeline.
Joseph drove the car while the four of them sat in the spacious backseat.
Mother and children continued to ignore him, but he did not mind. He watched them from the side.
Serene did not tire of hugging and kissing the two. Both children accepted the affection and from time
to time kissed her.
After a while, Felicity moved away from Serene’s lap and transferred to his. She put her head on his
chest and her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Her actions surprised him at first, but then he felt
warm inside. He waited five years to hold his children, now for the first time, he held his daughter. An
indescribable joy filled him.
He looked down at her daughter only to find her sleeping on his chest. She and Serene looked the
same when they slept. Mother and daughter slept with partially opened eyes.
Serene unbuttoned the front of her blouse, exposing her bra. Her movements caught his vision, making
him frown. His eyes quickly darted to the partition between and the driver. It’s a good thing it was up.
What is she doing, he thought.
He got his answer when Pax latched on to her breast. She held him across her chest. It surprised him
to see his son still feeding from her when he’s already so big.
As if reading his thoughts, Serene said, “He can’t sleep without latching. Children feed not only for
nourishment but also comfort.” She gave him a sidelong glance before returning her tender gaze to
their son, who sucked on her while he slept.
Serene had been pre-occupied with her children, she did not notice that they’re driving away from her
hotel.
“Where are we going?” Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“Magnolia Crescent”
“That’s unnecessary, Justin. We can go back to the hotel, or to my house.”
“No can do. Not until I find out who is behind the kidnapping.”
Serene did not argue with him and stayed quiet. She too wanted to know who’s behind it.
Sharing the experience of horror of losing their children, ironically bonded them. They had to set aside
their personal issues and work together to rescue their children. For the first time in a long time, they
stopped shouting at each other and started communicating.
Without noticing it, the walls she built between them crumbled. She would not admit it, but having
Justin around gave her a feeling of security.