Chapter 2: Return of the princess

The loud ringing of a phone interrupted their thoughts. Henry looked at the caller's name and froze in fear.

Brenda noticed his panicky expression and looked over.

The name 'Darling' was boldly displayed on the screen, alongside a picture of her mother.

They exchanged glances, and Brenda shook her head quietly, telling her father not to pick up.

The call ended, but as soon as it was disconnected, it rang again.

Henry was hesitant to pick up the phone, and it took him a few seconds to answer.

"Hello darling, we are still waiting at the airport; it appears the flight was delayed," he quickly explained.

"Really, well, do not come back until you have Sonya; you both have to pay for your sins," Avni's irritated voice replied.

"Yes, yes," Henry replied, nodding.

"Is Brenda with you?" She inquired.

"She is right here."

"Good," Avni said before hanging up.

Henry quickly dialed Sonya's number, and after a few rings, the call was answered.

"Hello, Dad," Sonya said cheerfully.

Brenda & Henry: sigh

"Where are you?" Brenda asked through gritted teeth. Her brow furrowed deeply as she pressed her sister with questions.

"Is it fun to make us suffer? Why did you leave without your guards? Where are you going? I hope you are not going to see your boyfriend…"

"Is it fun to leak out my flight details, huh? You have the nerve to talk," Sonya interrupted her. Her voice was clear, cheerful, and pleasing to the ears.

"Who said I did it, huh. Brenda humphed. "If you do not want fame, why are you a genius?"

"Why are you not in the newspapers and magazines yet? If you want that much fame, I can sponsor you," Sonya said.

"So now you are trying to flaunt your money; just wait and see."

Henry listened silently to the two girls' banter. It was their routine to fight all the time, and he was used to it, but the most important thing was to find out where Sonya was.

"Sonya, please tell me where you are," Henry asked. His hand motioned for Brenda not to interfere. His younger daughter is always finding reasons to argue with her sister.

"I am on my way to completing an assignment. See you when I get back," she paused before adding, "Go home and take your medicine, and I also advise you to give a pill or two to Brenda."

"You... Sonya, do not even come back home," she threatened. Sonya laughed softly, and Brenda wanted to explode. She promised to deal with her sister once she found her.

How cruel of her to make them wait at the airport with their hearts in their throats.

"But how did you change the flight without our knowledge, and you do not have security with you? You are being irresponsible; this is not the Geopics, and you know your life is in danger without security," Henry reprimanded quietly.

"I did not really give you the correct flight information, but do not worry about me; I will be fine. I know how to take care of myself," she replied.

Brenda added, "You are not just a cheat; you are also very stubborn and irresponsible."

"Look who is talking: Aquilas' rebellious daughter. Brenda, no one knows how to be stubborn better than you, so cut it out and take Dad home. Go get some rest, dad, I am driving; we will talk when I get home." Sonya hung up after that.

Henry let out a deep sigh. He felt the heavy boulder being lifted off his shoulder. However, the person beside him remained bitter.

She stomped her feet and walked away in rage, promising to deal with her elder sister

Blue Tower Wood and Pine Estates.

An elderly man sat in front of the massive wall television, watching the morning news with interest. The room was spacious and grandiose.

And the furniture, vases, and flowers screamed of luxury and wealth.

The massive chandelier on the ceiling glittered bringing about a certain beauty to the room.

The old man had gray hair that was meticulously permed to the side, making him appear younger and fresher. His brow was covered in white and brown hair, and his black eyes were sharp, full of wisdom and life.

He had fine wrinkles on his face that spread across his brow when he frowned. He was dressed in expensive homewear and appeared relaxed on the sofa.

He is the Cole family's patriarch, Oldrich Cole.

The current program on the screen was about Sonya's arrival, and when he saw the news, he was surprised and intrigued by the girl who had been labeled the best in the field of psychology and psychiatry.

He looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking to his assistant beside him.

"Find out about her and book an appointment. Do it discreetly. I do not want Louise or Anderson to know." The assistant nodded and walked out.

"It appears the Aquilas have produced yet another genius," Oldrich said to himself.

A few minutes later, a tall, lanky man with pale blue eyes and black hair entered the room. His appearance resembled Oldrich slightly.

His bearing exuded confidence and authority. His steps were long, and he arrived at the table opposite his father in a matter of seconds. His sharp brows were furrowed into a tight frown.

"Did you ask John to investigate the new psychologist?"

Oldrich sent an indifferent stare at him and looked away.

"It appears to me that John is becoming more intelligent as he ages," he scoffed. He remembered telling the man to do the job secretly.

"You can't do that, father; all you have to do is persuade Louise to return to his former doctor..."

"Convince him yourself," Oldrich interrupted. "He clearly stated that Dr. Humphrey is old and muddled; Louise no longer wants him," Oldrich snapped.

"And this girl is young and inexperienced. What will she know? "Louise needs someone who was present during the incident," Anderson argued.

Oldrich turned and gazed at his son.

"The young are displacing the elderly. This is why Louise is superior to you; you should be more open-minded. If Louise is not comfortable with his doctor, how can he be treated? Plus, the doctor is for Sianna, not Louise." Oldrich yawned and turned away from him.

"Do not bother yourself with these matters; instead, focus on the company and your wife; I am wondering if she is the reason everything is not working properly here," He added.

Oldrich's mood turned sour when he thought about his daughter-in-law.

Anderson read his father's mood and chose to leave him alone. The topic of his wife was always the old man's way of avoiding an unpleasant conversation.

And if he forced the conversation it wouldn't end well.

Oldrich watched his son leave, and a scowl formed on his face.

"When I asked him to look after him, he neglected the job and now he is trying to lecture me. If he had listened to me not to marry that woman all of this wouldn't have happened," He lamented.

He remembered the first time he met Mia, the woman kept trying to flatter him and her eyes never stoped roaming the house. The way she talked and behaved was exactly like that of a thief surveying a target place to rob.

And She did indeed rob them.

It would be better if he put more attention on his wife, because since the incident he noticed the strain in their relationship, and this has also become an issue in the house.

Somewhere in a city far away. In a slightly dilapidated duplex, inside a dimly lit room a young woman was bound in chains on the bed. Her mouth was sealed with a duct tape

Her hair was haggard and scrawny and she looked dirty and dull.

Her eyes were on the TV where a news was going on live over the chaos at the airport due to Sonya Aquila's return.

She pulled the chains binding her, her eyes flared as she stared at the man seated at the other side of the room on a single sofa.

"Mmmmmm," She pulled the chains and the rustling sound turned the man's attention to her.

"I've told you time and time again not to disturb me while am watching any news concerning Sonya. Are you asking for a beating?" The man growled.

The woman didn't stop moving and continued creating nuisance with the chains.

As she struggled more fiercely. Her black eyes glared at the man with hate and rage.

Her rebellion did not sit well with the man as he went over to where she sat and knocked her head with the chain.

Blood gushed out from her head and she passed out.

"Crazy bitch," He glared at her and went back to his seat.

He withdrew a photo of Sonya from under the table and was staring at it intensely for a few minutes before busting into a maniacal laughter.

"Finally! the run away bride is back. I wonder what you look like though, are you still chubby or have you shed some fat," He said talking to the picture.

"I've waited for so long to finally begin my plans for you, I won't wait any longer. Am coming Sonya dear. Get ready, cause your life is about to make a turn"

Followed with his words was a deep and deafening laughter.