Chapter 42 - She Was Wrong

It's been more than three days now, and Diana hadn't returned to the company. Despite everything, Shane still proceeded with his collaboration with the company.

Diana phone was taken from her before she boarded the plane that took her to the base, and her grandma got warned not to disclose that she knew about her whereabouts, not even to her foster parent.

Diana assured herself that no one cared about her, she assured herself that; no one will search even if she never return, but she was wrong, totally wrong.

Jeffrey has started making a fuss at the company, he visited Diana's house to inquire about her, since her cell phone is not going through; only to discover that it's the same with them. They claimed to have no idea where she was.

He seeked an audience with the director and asked why they were quiet about this, claiming Diana got the contract for the company, yet they are turning their back on her.

At this rate; he didn't care about people assuming that they were dating, he even vow to himself to confess that he is interested in her and leave the company, since office relationship is not allowed.

After his protest and all, they finally send out a few guys to investigate her disappearance.

Ethan grandpa was quite the same, he also tried to contact her to no avail, he asked some people to contact her company and confirm what's wrong, but got the news that they had no idea what went wrong. Since he's an influential person in society; which confused them as to why Diana choose their company when she had connection to such person.

They explained to him about the progress of the investigation within their one day search, the last message the director received from her, the fact that a staff of theirs went to her home and her family confirmed her missing and all.

The old man began to get worried after that, he also release some men to search for her and planned to make a police report if they still couldn't find her within the week.

Mel happened to hear about it from grandpa and started panicking after  learning that she went to the town.

She summoned the courage and contact Stella, asking if by chance, Shane knew about Diana coming to town, or probably he acted weird in a way that can raise one's suspicion.

Stella heart skipped when she heard her question, "why did you ask?" she asked in fearful tone.

"Diana hasn't returned since she left for the town, her cell isn't going through and the company she's working for is searching for her as well." Mel replied.

Stella nearly had a heart attack immediately. She quickly kept away the phone that was her only means of connecting with people without alerting Shane; who monitored everything in her life.

She became restless, she wondered if Shane had done something bad to her child, all her effort, all her sacrifice, no! she refuse to assume such, she refused to sit still and do nothing. If something bad really happen to her child, she will have nothing to live for, she will follow immediately, put an end to her miserable life, all hope will be lost, Diana is her only hope, the only reason she endures her living with Shane.

"Alex! yes Alex!" She exclaimed, 'she's his child, he wouldn't turn his back on his child, he's the only hope now, she doesn't have to fear endangering his life or his family's, Diana is part of their family and it's a normal responsibility they should carry, she couldn't just sit still.

She made up her mind and composed herself, trying to look as natural as possible. Getting inside the wears section, she looked around and saw a customer she's familiar with, as she has helped her picked a matching outfit a lot in the past, she's one of her regular customers.

The lady saw her and smiled brightly, "I was looking for you already madam, any recommendations for me?" She asked as Stella approached her giggling.

Her smile came to a halt as she saw Stella flushed face, it's obvious she's not okay, despite her calm expression, which is unlikely for a friendly woman like her.

The reason Stella is choosing this lady for her plan is because they share the same stature, and also because she had a hat on her head.

"I need your help please, can you call me into the dresser after I picked out an outfit for you? I will explain to you." Stella requested.

The lady was about to switch her mood when Stella spoke again, "please act natural, I'm being watched right now." She said with a smile that isn't up to her stomach.

"Oh! Ok!" The lady exclaimed, but was worried as she hasn't seen Stella acted this way before, her friendly lifestyle is one of the reasons she attends her mall almost every week, she like the kind of person she is, despite being the owner, she lowered herself to the same status as her employees and always carried this cheerful energy that raises the spirit of the person who comes in contact with her.

After rallying around for a while, she picked a long multi colour caribbean gown for her, "this should fit." She said, placing the gown to her body, matching its height with the lady's. "Perfect!" she exclaimed.

"You always picked the right one, I love it." The lady replied. "Let me try it on." She replied naturally like she usually did.

After a minute or two, she poked out her head from the dresser, "need help." She said.

One of the staff was about to help her, when Stella asked her to allow her to do it, and patted her shoulder with a smile on her face which made the girl blush and left with a shy smile.

"What's going on with you madam, are you okay?" The lady's expression turned serious immediately Stella joined her inside the dresser.

"I need to leave this place without getting notice, can I trouble you to lend me your clothes and your car keys? It's a matter of life and death please." Stella said, going down on her knees, which terrified the lady.

"It's fine, anything you want, or should i call the police?" The lady asked, helping her up to her feet.

"No police please, i just need to meet with someone, I'm not the one in danger, I will be fine." Stella assured.

"Ok." The lady agreed.

"There is one more thing, which is very important. Please pretend like I forced you into this, make it look like I assaulted if anyone came in to check." Stella pleaded. She knew Shane will hurt anyone that aid her in going against him, but would never touch her.

A while later, Stella stepped out of the dresser in the lady's clothes, her hair tied up in a tight bun and covered by the lady's hat. She walked outside the mall to the parking lot without arousing attention, her face looking down at her feet.

Getting to the parking lot, she easily located the lady's car by pressing on the function button above the key, and quickly walked up to the car that responded to it.

Just as Stella presume, someone arrived at the front of the dresser, "madam?" She called.

Hearing no response, the young lady, probably in her late twenties pulled aside the curtain and swipe open the door behind it; only to find the customer in the dress picked for her by Stella on her, lying helplessly on the floor, while Stella clothes that she wore to work in the morning was seen on the floor.

Instead of asking if the lady is okay, she shook her awake, and the lady sluggishly opened her eyes and looked around pretentiously, "ha!" She exclaimed holding her head.

"Where is she?" The lady demanded fiercely, her eyes flashing with rage.

The customer also changed her expression like she just recalled something, "she knocked me out! where are my clothes?" she asked, picking up her purse and looking into it, "my car key!" she exclaimed.

Not minding the customer's rant, the lady pressed her hand on the small Bluetooth-like device in her ear, "she escaped." she informed the others as she left the dresser, leaving the woman who kept demanding for an explanation to what just happened to her.