Chapter 8 Nancy's missing

I ran upstairs and changed into a pink trouser and milk crop top. I packed my hair in a loose ponytail and wore my milk flats.

Michael changed my wardrobe after Oliver complained that he makes me dress like a prostitute.

I looked at the mirror and was fulfilled with my dressing. I walked slowly downstairs and saw him sitting in one of the fancy chairs.

" Ms Jasmine." I heard Nancy. Gosh! I thought she was sleeping. " I just woke up."

" Oh. I'm going out so you'll be in the care of Katherine okay?" I said as I hugged her.

" I want to go with you." She pouted.

" You're not allowed to go with me today." I sighed

" But why? A date is complete when there's a child in it." She said fondling with her fingers.

" And who told you that? " Michael asked.

" My friend from school." She said.

" Well she lied." Michael said

" Nancy I'll be home before midnight so we can play before you go to bed." I said as I walked to Michael.

****

Michael took me to the Marcelous restaurant at Charles avenue.

" I heard this was your favorite restaurant." He said as he pulled a chair for me.

" Thanks. I've been coming here since I was a child. I had my first grilled cheese here." I smiled.

" What are you gonna order?" He asked as he took his seat.

" Spaghetti and meatballs will be enough. I'm not that hungry." I said

" Nothing else? What about desert?" He asked lovingly. I was surprised because he often spoke to me harshly.

" Strawberry ice cream. I don't feel lemon today." I said.

***

" So your aunt came to the house yesterday and you didn't inform me?" He said looking at me cautiously.

" I didn't want burden you besides I took care of it. I wonder how she found your house." I said and he hummed.

" Have you ever been to the park? " He asked suddenly.

" Yes. Why?"

" Have you gone there with someone?"

" Only with my friends but it's been long." I replied.

" Are you done eating?"

" Yes. Are you okay? Perhaps a slight headache?" I asked and he laughed. Good! Second laugh I've heard from him.

" I'm fine Jasmine. Do you want to go the park with me?" He asked with a smile.

" Can I refuse such tempting offer?" I teased. He paid the bills and we walked of the restaurant together.

***

We got to the park and Michael bought a ticket for the dolphins show. Did I forget to mention how much I love the dolphins show?

We sat beside two couple and their lovely daughter who kept talking none stop. Michael wanted a VIP but I kicked against it.

" Bonsoir mademoiselle." The woman greeted immediately the show started.

" Bonsoir." Oh, they're French. What's a French doing all the way in Louisiana? Yes English?"

" I prefer French that way the men won't know what we're saying." She smiled. She was a rare redhead beauty with brown eyes.

" Oh..." So her husband isn't French. " I don't know much of French." I said.

" Oh that's not bad. We can talk silently." She giggled.

" What's she giggling about?" Michael frowned.

" She's just happy." I said.

" I feel like she's mocking me." He said.

" Not everyone you see mocks you." I said and tapped his shoulders.

" He's handsome, qui?" The lady asked her husband.

" He is. They make a perfect couple. " The man said sort of jealous or was it angry?

" I'm not comparing him, Jim. I just feel sorry for her. She's entangled to a man who doesn't believe in love. Just look at how stiff they are together. " She whispered but I could hear her since I was suiting beside her.

" Sorry but you're wrong. Mike is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love him and he loves me too. " I said holding Michael's hand romantically. He looked at me confused but I drew him closer to me and whispered in his ear. " You're too stiff."

" It doesn't seem like it to me." The woman said.

" I don't know why French people don't mind their own business. Work on your relationship first before you comment on others." Michael said annoyed and I was surprised. Not because of what he said but because he used words on a person he was annoyed with.

" Let's go ." He said and I contemplated.

" But the show."

" Maybe next time." He said and pulled me up.

We drove in total silence to the mansion, no one sparing a glance at the other. When we got to mansion, Katherine came running towards us.

" Kathy what is it?" I asked as I came down from the car.

" Sorry ma'am. Nancy's missing." She said gasping for air.

" What?!" Michael and I asked in unison.

" You told me to check on her once it's 6: 30. I went to her room but she wasn't there. I thought she was playing her game but I haven't found her since and it's now 7:30." She explained and Michael's expression changed to that of an angry lion.

" You thought she was playing! What am I paying you for? You bitch!" He roared and we both flinched.

" Mike calm down. " I said calmly.

" I'm sorry sir. I should have been more careful." She said bowing her head in fear.

Michael dialed Oliver's number and he picked at the first ring.

" Hey Mike. How was your date? You done already?" Oliver said at the other end.

" It ended badly. Is Nancy with you?"

" No. She's supposed to be with you."

" We can't find her. The maids said they've been searching. "

" Oh my gosh! I'm on my way right now." He said and hung up.

" Should we call the police?" I asked.

" Not yet. She could still be in the vicinity." He said.

**

We searched the whole mansion for Nancy but it seems like she just disappeared. Oliver looked like a mad dog. We eventually called the police when we couldn't find her in the mansion.

" I told you to watch her." Oliver said pulling Michael's collar.

" I did watch her, dude." Michael said.

" Oliver calm down. We'll find her." I said and took him along with me.

" I've never seen her more happy than when she was with you guys. It's like she forgot all about the pains." He said as I sat him down.

" What pains?" I asked confused. Nancy doesn't strike me for a girl who's in pain."

" She never talks no matter how many times I asked her." He sniffed.

" We'll find her." I said and hugged him.

" The beach might help you." Michael suggested. There was a small at the back of the mansion with a beach. I always go there with Nancy when I'm sad.

The beach! Why didn't I think of it?!

" Follow me." I said standing up and walked towards the back door of the mansion. The beach was about two miles from the mansion and it was almost nine.

I stopped walking when I got to the beach and I heard footsteps behind me.

"What are we doing here?" Oliver asked.

" I always come here with Nancy." I smiled as the wind slapped my face. My eye sighted something on the ground a little far from where I stood. I walked towards there and it was....

"Nancy!" I yelled as I knelt beside her. I shook her but she looked lifeless. " Nancy!" I continued shaking her. Her mother was went which means she went into the water. The lake was deep and not advisable for learner.

" Nancy!"