A Visit To Grandma
It's a beautiful Saturday day morning, Riley was already up, solving some puzzles in her room. She heard a knock on her door
"Riley..?"
"Yes...mum..., please come in."
Rosita went into her daughter's room and sat beside her.
"Sweetheart..., get dressed and let's go visit grandma today. She said she misses you so much"
"Grandma...?" she replied with a grin and stood up
"Okay..., mum.., I will be done soon."
"Okay Sweetheart." her mum replied and left.
Riley quickly went to her wardrobe and got her dress. Within few minutes, she was done. She quickly rushed downstairs
"Mum...dad...., let's get going."
"Give us a minute Sweetheart..."
Riley slammed herself on the sofa waiting anxiously for her parents. Soon, she saw them descending the stairs. she took her bag and quickly ran to them.
"I can see you're so excited to go and meet your grandma today." said Clifford
"Yes...dad..." she replied happily
"Okay....okay..., let's get going."
They all left to the car and took off.
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HOLLANDS' MANSION
It was 10am when they got to the mansion. Clifford and his family got out of the car.
"Here we are dear..." said Clifford to her daughter.
Riley, without a word rushed into the house
"Sweetheart...., be careful." said her mother after her.
Clifford and Rosita followed after Riley into the house and met Mad. Flora already with Riley.
"I missed you grandma."
"I missed you too sweetheart but where are your parents." she asked but before Riley could answer, she saw them approaching
"Mum...." Clifford called
They both went in and hugged her.
"Son..., it's been a while. I heard from Rosita and Lian that you have been busy lately."
"Yes..., mum.., I have been busy with some paper works."
"Okay...son but don't work yourself up too much."
"Okay... mum..."
Rosita watched on smiling as they chit chatted for awhile.
"Thanks for bringing them over, Rosita." said Mad. Flora
"Don't mention, mum.. It's my pleasure and I could see from your expression the other time that, you missed them alot." said Rosita with a smile
"Yeah...you're right."
"Okay...mum..., I will leave you guys to catch up with each other. I need to pass by the grocery shop to get some things. I will be back soon."
"Sure dear, take care of yourself."
"Okay..mum..." she replied, went over to her husband and pecked him
"I will be back soon dear." said Rosita to her husband.
"Okay Sweetheart." he replied
"Bye....baby..."
"Bye.....mum...."
Rosita took her leave and left them. Clifford spoke with his mum for a while and excused himself
"Okay..mum..., let me leave you and Riley to catch up with each other. It's been a while since you saw her. I also want to go and meet Aunt Anastasia for a while."
"Okay Sweetheart..."
Clifford also took his leave and left Riley with her grandmother. Riley and her grandmother sat chatting for a while giggling and laughing at each other's jokes. After their long conversation, Riley sat quietly for a while, looking grumpy
"What's the problem dear?"
"Grandma.....it's mum and dad..They've been acting weird lately."
"Weired...? Why....? and what happened?.."
"Grandma...., do you know Aunt. Nichole?"
"Nichole..! What has she done Sweetheart?"
"Ever since I told mum and dad about her, they have been acting really really strange."
Mad. Flora sat quietly lost in her thought on hearing this and didn't even hear her grandchild calling
"Grandma...., Grandma..." Riley called
She was awaken by a pat from Riley
"Grandma.., are you OK?"
"Yes Sweetheart..., but let me have a talk with your dad."
"OK.., Grandma." she replied and went to call her dad. Few minutes later, they both returned to the hall where Mad. Flora was
"Have a seat Clifford, I need to talk to you about something."
"Okay.., mum." he replied and sat beside his mother.
"Can you excuse us dear, go have fun. I will talk to daddy for you uhm...?"
"Okay grandma..." she replied with a nod
Riley ran out into the garden to play.
"Clifford...., Riley just told me something and I want to be sure about it."
"Okay..mum."
"Is Nichole back? and did she meet Riley?"
"Uhm..., yes mum..and we've been receiving threats from her for a while now but none of the evidence we've sent to the police links to her. I think she has people working for her."
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier son..?"
"I didn't want to worry you mum.."
Clifford and his mum were still talking and thinking of ways to handle the issues when one of the workers walked in
"Ma'am..., I can't find Riley." she said worriedly
"What...!" they both exclaimed
"Yes sir, she was playing in the garden but I can't find her again."
"Wait..., what are you saying?" asked Clifford worriedly but before the worker could answer, he dashed out to the garden. All the other workers and his mum tailed after him. They searched the whole garden and every corner of the house but didn't find Riley.
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Rosita was on her way, returning from the grocery shop when she heard her phone ringing. She checked and it was Clifford
"Hello...Sweetheart..."
"Where are you now Rosie." asked Clifford anxiously
"I'm on my way returning from the grocery shop. I'm almost home."
"Okay..., hurry back."
"What's the problem Cliff? You sound so anxious and urgent."
"Come home first, Okay..."
"No...Cliff..tell me now. You're making me worried."
"Uhm...Rosie...It's Riley..."
"Riley....? What did she do..?"
Clifford was silent on the other line of the phone for a while, thinking of how to break the news to Rosita
"Cliff.....? What's going on..!?"
"Calm down first Rosie..."
"Okay..., I'm calm"
"We can't find Riley, Rosie...."
"What....? What are you telling me Cliff? she exclaimed and broke into tears
" Calm down Rosie..., just get back first. We will find her soon."
"Okay....., I will be there soon." she replied and hanged up.
Within a flash of light, Rosita was at the mansion. She packed her car and rushed into the house. She met everybody gathered in the hall, analysing and thinking of where they last saw Riley. She rushed on to her husband and held his shirt
"Where is my daughter Cliff..!?" she exclaimed and broke down in tears.
Clifford held her together and took her to have a seat, consoling and assuring her of finding Riley soon without any harm.