Chapter 3 A peaceful place to hide

They walked into Paula's house, and she pointed to a sofa for Janus.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Director. Is this your first visit to my small hut?" She comes across as sarcastic.

"You looked like a shambles; you definitely need a whiskey." Zack had two glasses ready for them.

Janus drank his drink in one gulp and then rested his head.

"Paula, please help me in locating her." He unties his tie and takes a deep breath.

"Your princess will be fine. Now I understand how deeply you care about her. I'm glad to hear that." She clenched her fist and fake smiled.

Janus' eyes were cold and piercing. His tight lips are perfectly hidden beneath his thick mustache.

Paula pours herself a glass of orange juice and takes a seat next to Zack.

"When was the last time you saw her?" I called her last night to invite her to dinner, but she was not available. "Did she accompany you?" Paula shook her glass and looked through it at Janus. Janus tries to conceal his nervousness.

" She inquired about her leaves two days ago, and she stated that she was ill, but that she could be found. I called her and went to her house, but there was no one there. "I'm curious about her health." With his gaze fixed on the ground, he said.

Paula said, "Let me call her mother." "Please, honey, don't make Sophia's mother worried," Zack said.

"Ah, I see." She went to the phone desk and looked through the phone book for the number. Janus's attention was drawn to her.

"Hello, my name is Paula Hardjo, and I'd like to speak with Mrs. West."

Someone on the other side asks Paula to wait, and she is soon greeted by calm and polite voices.

"How are you doing, auntie?" I hope you're having a good time there. This is Paula."

"Hello Paula, nice to hear you. Is Sophia with you there ? Is she all right?"

"I'm sure she'll be fine, ma'am. I'm at home, not with her. May I ask you a question?"

Sandra's calmness drew Paula's attention, and she inquired about Sophia, implying that she has no idea where Sophia is.

"How can I assist you, Paula?"

"Hmm, Sophia's birthday is coming up next month, and I'd like to surprise her." "Do you have any recommendations?"

Sandra West let out a soft laugh.

"How thoughtful of you, Paula. Let me tell you that Sophia is the youngest of five siblings.

When she was younger, she preferred to play with dolls, but her siblings preferred to play with balls, toys, and cars, as well as participate in outdoor sports. She actually enjoys playing with dolls. She is my precious girl, and even though she has grown into a young woman, I am sure she would be delighted to have a beautiful princes doll or a babies doll. It's amusing."

"OK, auntie, I got it. Thank you for your brilliant ideas. "Bye for the time being."

"Bye, Paula, you should go play dolls with Sofie."

She got off the phone.

Paula leaned back in her chair and shook her head. Sophia will soon have a baby, not a doll, but a real baby.

"She has no idea, and Sofie has not contacted her." Janus I'm having a bad feeling about it. "And how about you?"

The man did not respond. He stroked his own mustache.

"It's been over 24 hours; can we ask the police to find her?" Zack gives them a jolt.

"Please allow me to call her home." Argh... I've heard that in neighboring countries, people already use mobile phones, which are small devices that fit in our pockets. "I hope we'll be there soon," Paula grumbled as she dialed Sophia's phone number. The line is active, but no one answers the phone.

"What do you think, Janus?" "Should we go to the police station?"

"There's no need. "Please let me know if she contacts you," he said as he stood and walked away.

Paula stomped her feet after Zack shut the door.

"I'm starting to despise him, and I'm not sure why Sophia fell for this jerk."

"Calm down, we'll assist her." Sofie can stay at my sister's house in Green Garden Town for the time being. It's not far from here, it's a quiet place, and it's appropriate for her condition.

"You consult with your sister first before we make an offer to Sofie." "All right, let me call her."

Zack called her sister, who said Sophia could come to her house.

The next day, Paula and Zack went to work, had lunch with their coworkers, and then had dinner just the two of them. They play the trick in case Janus is watching. Janus dispatched two guards to Paula's location, where they spied on her activities and followed her to the office. But no one knows that Zack and Paula went to the hotel early in the morning to arrange Sophia's departure to Green Garden Town. They crept out the back door and walked to the opposite road to flag down a taxi.

"Sofie, my sister is a single mother with extra space who says she'd be delighted to have you." Best of luck to you." Zack stated.

"For the time being, we can't meet, but we can communicate via special phone."

"We'll assign a new number in your place," Paula says., hugged Sophia tightly as she explained her plan.

"Thank you, Paula and Zack; if it wasn't for you, I believe I would have lost my child."

"Don't overthink it." I love you, take good care of yourself and your baby."

They say their goodbyes, and Sophia, despite her smile, tears up. She is now feeling safe as she drives away from the capital to the small city of Green Garden Town.

Lisbeth greeted her warmly and escorted her to the room. It was a small and tidy room with a large window facing west. Behind the window is a small veranda.

"How thoughtful of you, Lisbeth... I'm a straggler with a major problem," Sophia hugged her new friend.

"I used to be like you. I'm overjoyed to have given birth to my son. You made the correct decision and will not be sorry. I am delighted to assist you."

"I'll cause you problems..."

"Then you should be prepared to pay," she says as she strokes Sophia's belly.

Sophia predicted Lisbeth 10 years older than her.

"How old is your son and where is he?"

"He's a lovely young man. He studies in the capital and lives in a dormitory. Junior high, "Lisbeth stated.

"How nice... I'd like to meet him." Sophia is eager to have a baby, and children are attracting her attention more and more.

"He'll return next month for a week's vacation. Let's have a drink "They proceeded to the dining room.

They took their places at the table.

Lisbeth makes coffee and serves her hot chocolate.

"Stop drinking coffee while carrying the baby," suggested Lisbeth.

"Nonsense! We drink coffee like water in my house."

Sophia remembers her father, grandfather, and mother. She misses them terribly.

"Tell me about yourself, Sophie, what your hopes and dreams are..."

"I work as a junior public relations officer in a good company and am starting to work as the marketing director's personal assistant." "He's the father." She purses her lips and takes a deep breath.

"I hope to one day own my own public relations firm." "However, I must now bury my fantasy." Her eyes had lost their luster.

"What are your strong points?"

"Oh well, I'm fluent in English, Spanish, Japanese, and my native tongue."

"That's an excellent point; you can live with it!"

"Exactly what do you mean, Lisbeth?"

***