The City Held Its Silence byIrel Knx 208

208 Coping without her 

LOUIS‘ POV 1 

“These are the reports of the restaurant’s performances this week, sir,” Ms Deepak told me as she put the documents on my table. “Sales have gone up by 23% percent since last week and 3 of them were fully booked on several nights throughout the week.” 

“This is good news,” I answered in a monotone voice. As I sat at my desk with my body turned towards her I wasn’t actually focused on her. 

Ms Deepak was telling me good news but I couldn’t even be happy. The only thing on my mind was Jasmine and Tony. 

“As for your schedule you have three consecutive meetings this afternoon to make up for your absence these past two days,” Ms Deepak continued. “An update with the marketing department, the finance department, and then a discussion with Mr 

Tindsor.” 

“Okay,” I said accepting the reports she had presented. “I’ll see you when it’s time for the first meeting.” 

When Ms Deepak was done giving me the report she left my office and closed the door 

behind her. 

With Jasmine unable to work, Ms Deepak was filling in the role of my assistant temporarily, until I got through the situation. It felt so odd not having Jasmine beside me and going through the schedule for the week with me. 

It had been three days since Jasmine’s attack in the underground parking lot. I was barely able to sleep that night after returning from the hospital without seeing Jasmine. Knowing that Keith had taken her was so concerning for me because I didn’t know what he was going to do to her. I knew he still had feelings for her I had no doubt he was going to try something on her or try to get back with her. 

Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to stop Keith from taking her as I risked legal trouble. It bothered me how he still had that hold on her. Just when I thought I wouldn’t have to worry about Keith anymore after the court order. Only for this 

situation to arise. 

I had missed work for two days after the incident I had continued looking into the attack that had occured the police were compiling evidence and I knew Keith was 

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208 Coping without her 

looking into it as well. 

However, on the third day, I had to return to work, unfortunately. I couldn’t continue missing work. 

*** 

When I returned home later that evening and I was met with the silence of my apartment a feeling of emptiness came over me. Like a large hole was in my chest. Immediately, an image came to mind of Jasmine greeting Tony when we returned home. 

I realized I had become so used to having Jasmine and Tony around that they had quite literally become a part of my life these past few months. I spent time with Jasmine the most, at work and at home especially recently for her safety. So for them to abruptly not be around anymore was shocking. 

I went to my bedroom, where I stripped out of my suit and wore something more comfortable and casual. Some grey joggers and a simple white tank top. 

Unfortunately, I could only wait for Jasmine to reach out to me when she finally woke up. The wait was already unbearable these past three days and I still had to wait another 4 or 5 days. 

I slapped my thighs. ‘Come on don’t be dramatic‘ I told myself. It’s just 5 days. 

I went to my home office where I had open files on Jasmine and Tony. I had gathered lots of data on the incident in the parking lot trying to understand what had happened. I was building a web trying to figure out where Tony was. I pulled out my phone and called one of my informants/aides. 

“Any updates on the bodyguards?” I asked him. 

“No, sir. None of them have woken up yet,” he informed me. Aside from Jasmine I was still waiting for her and Tony’s bodyguards to wake so they could inform on what had happened in that underground parking lot. 

“Alright, and and any leads on any suspicious or strange vehicles that were seen leaving the distribution center around the time Jasmine and Tony were attacked?” I 

asked. 

“No sir,” he told me. Since the cameras were disable at that time, I was hoping to find any witnesses that had seen something. Anything that would lead me to the kidnapper. 

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208 Coping without her 

“However, on either news the Acland estate was set on fire, sir,” he said. 

“Set on fire?” I repeated as my eyes widened. 

“Yes, apparently it was partially set on fire,” he told. 

“Do you know what happened?” I followed up. 

“No not yet were still looking into it, but the Chairman has moved to another smaller estate across the city,” he told me. 

Jasmine, I thought to myself. I let out a sigh.i finished the call with my informant and left the office. Was it Diana and her friend that burnt his estate? I wondered. It must 

1. be. I wished Keith would allow me to help because I think we could work faster if we collaborated. But he’s too busy playing jealous ex–husband to allow it. 

I went straight to the gym as soon as my gloves were in and the boxing practice dummy 

“I’ve beaten you before and i’ll do it again,” I recalled Keith’s cold words when he 

refused to let me see Jasmine. 

I imagined him as the dummy and punched harder and faster. 

A loud growl escaped my mouth as aggressively punched. My eyes narrowed as I looked at it. I will get my revenge I thought to myself. 

***** 

It was two days later at work when I finally received some good news, 

“Sir, I of the Ms Towers bodyguards in the hospital has woken up,” one of my bodyguards informed me in my office at the how. 

Immediately, I sat up in my chair and my ears perked up upon hearing that. I arranged to meet him in the hospital that evening after work to hear from him what had 

happened,