108 In the Fores

When Jim went back, the helicopter was already so high up in the sky. He was a bit confused for few seconds that he just stood staring into the disappearing airbus. Then the truth hit him! Jia was abducted!

He suddenly recalled everything. The early arrival, the landing site, the call... All these were carefully planned! He remembered his dad right away. Who else could have taken her away except his own father who was consumed by greed?

Flaring up from a sudden rush of anger and fright, he immediately called him.

"What did you do, Mr. Wayne? if anything will happen to Jia, take my word! That marriage you cared so much about in exchange of your greed? Go ahead! Let her marry my dead body! "

In his wildly ablazing fury, he no longer addressed him as his father but an enemy. He was not worthy to be called a father but a beast! An ideal father would never do this extent to hurt a son. He would never trade his happiness over the glittering reflections of fame and fortune!

He got the answer right then.

"I warned you, Jim, but you could not be convinced in an easy way. Get the annulment and I will set her free. I promise I will not allow her any harm. Don't let me face shame because of your stupidity! "

Then, the phone went off. He dialed again and again but the phone was intentionally cut off.

In frustration and anger, he kicked the ground and yelled, cursing his own father.

" Damn that wealth! I don't care about it! Disown me if you like and tell the whole world that your own son is dead! I will pay you everything. Name the price! " He yelled at the top of his lungs while kicking on the ground until he slumped down, drained of energy. Then, his shoulders trembled as he broke into a hard sob.

"Jia, I am sorry I was not able to protect you..."

He, then, went back to the hotel and had the incident reported to the authority. What's being worst, was that he did not have any clue or anything to hold as evidence to trace down the abductors of Jia. He could not even remember the outward facade of the helicopter since he was busy on his calls that time.

He could not even tell the truth to the police that the culprit was his own father. He was so afraid that such move would intensify his anger and might even prompt him to harm her.

He just wanted them to start finding her right away. Every second was too precious to waste and he was already dying to let them start the search operation.

"Sir, can you think of any reason why would she be abducted? "

"Did you or your wife offend someone so badly to the extent of abducting her as a revenge? "

"Can you describe the man you presumed as a crew? "

" Can you describe the pilot? "

"Can you remember anything about the helicopter? "

These questions drove him crazy! Damn it, what did he knew about interrogations, suspect tracing, police matters and crime solving!

He only knew about the matters of a physical heart! Give him a stethoscope, an echocardiogram and ECG machine, he mastered every mechanism of these beasts perfectly! Could they just start finding her and not make any further delay?

___

Jia tried her very best to keep herself sharp and calm. Glancing down, she could now see the dense forest below. Damn it, where were they going to dump her? Palawan is recognized as the the country's oldest, largest and the most diversed rainforest..

Would Jim be able to find her before she would end up in a wild animal's belly? Until when would she be able survive? Would she still be able to see Jim and her son again? These thoughts terrified her so much that she could not hold it anymore. She cried bitterly and painfully as if it was her last!

She, then, felt that the craft was slowly lowering down. She was already visibly shaking. Finally, they landed on a place surrounded by giant trees and wild shrubs. The crew stood up to assist her, picked up her luggages and went down ahead of her.

Few meters away, she saw a building which looked like a house. The crew gestured for her to follow without a word. She did not dare to resist. She knew she was already absolutely helpless. The best thing she could do was to cooperate to be able to devise a plan to escape. However, the chance was so slim. At least, the abductor was, perhaps, treating her a little kindly. She was not hurt. She was not blindfolded, either.

They entered exactly the house she just saw. It was very quiet inside and the silence was defeaning.

Obviously, there was no one around.

The house was not too large. It had a well - painted concrete walls and a vinyl flooring. It was even well - decorated with painting frames. There was a sala set in the living room and a book stand full of books. What instantly caught her eyes were the computer set, an internet modem, sound boxes and a bluetooth speaker.

"Is there someone living here? " She asked, after having observed that the house was well - maintained and fully - furnished.

"Mr. X's woman lived here before. This used to be a big house but after her death, the extra spaces had been removed. He often comes here whenever he's in the country."

Jia's fear was slightly eased. She's not far from the city, perhaps, since there was an internet connection and his abductor was, accordingly, staying here once in a while.

Then, the man gestured for her to follow him. He stopped in front of two doors.

"This is Mr. X 's master bedroom. Then, this is your room." The man said while opening the room assigned to her.

She felt relieved. At least, she wouldn't be tied and be beaten. The room had a family sized bed, a bedside table and a closet. The room was neatly arranged and the wall was in a contemporary design. On a corner, there was another room. The man caught her looking at it.

"That's your bathroom." He said, then went out, gesturing her to follow him again.

He, then, walked towards a dining room. There was a wooden dining set, cupboards and a medium - sized ref. He opened one of those and showed her what's inside.

"Cook whatever you like. You'll live comfortably here. Don't ever try to escape or else you will be inviting trouble. The forest is even too

dangerous. Someone is even being paid to come here regularly to clean the house."

After his instruction, he picked up his phone and called up someone.

"Sir, we are leaving now. That woman is already here."

Then, as he walked towards the door, he remembered something.

"Give me your sim cards and your battery. See, Mr. X is kind enough to let you retain your precious memories!"