Chapter 105: An Imminent Danger

Night had fallen, and Analú still hadn’t returned to the mansion. Meanwhile, the businessman had experienced severe chest pains throughout the day. Alexia assumed it was due to accumulated stress since he had been dealing with a complicated issue related to an employee at the company. However, as Analú’s prolonged absence became more noticeable, worry began to take hold of her. She remembered her friend mentioning she would be with Nicolás, so she decided to call him.

—Nico, how are you? I’ve been trying to reach Analú, but she’s not answering. She told me she would be with you, but it’s so late, and she hasn’t come back. Do you know anything about her? —Alexia asked, her nervousness evident.

Nicolás, on the other end of the line, seemed surprised.

—What do you mean Analú hasn’t arrived home? I couldn’t pick her up, and I didn’t have time to let her know either…

Alexia’s voice rose a tone, filled with alarm.

—Are you telling me Analú isn’t with you? Then where could she be?

Nicolás reacted immediately.

—I’m heading over right now, Alexia.

—Alright. We’ll be waiting for you here. If you hear anything, please tell me right away.

Meanwhile, in a dark and damp place, Analú opened her eyes slowly. She could barely make out the shadows around her. The stench of rat urine filled the air, and the cold seeped into her bones despite her wearing a jacket. Her heart pounded as she listened to the voices of two men arguing nearby.

—I asked you if you were sure it was her —one of the men said angrily—. But because you were so focused on that stupid game, you didn’t pay attention.

—Don’t pin all the blame on me, brother. She was wearing the same jacket as always. Besides, you saw the photo too.

—We’re idiots! How could we mess up like this? Now the boss is going to kill us.

Confusion and terror consumed Analú.

—What’s going on here? Please let me go. I haven’t done anything!

One of the men approached and yelled at her:

—Shut up! If you keep screaming, you’ll regret it.

—Help! Please, someone hear me! —Analú cried out desperately.

The kidnapper, furious, kicked the chair where she was tied.

—I told you to shut up!

—Calm down! —the other man intervened—. You’re scaring her more than necessary. She’s not to blame for our mistake.

At the mansion, Nicolás arrived with his face contorted in worry. He paced back and forth, guilt-ridden for not picking Analú up.

—If I had gone for her, this wouldn’t be happening —he murmured, visibly shaken.

Alexia looked at him reproachfully.

—That’s true. I don’t understand how you could leave her alone, Nicolás. If you couldn’t go, you should have at least called her.

Frederick, who was also present, spoke sternly.

—If something happens to my daughter, Nicolás, I assure you, you’ll regret it.

—Your daughter? —Nicolás asked, confused.

—My father sees her as a daughter —Alexia explained—. Mr. Thompson left her highly recommended before leaving.

Meanwhile, Analú felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. With effort, she managed to slide her hand down and press the button to answer.

—I’m kidnapped! —she shouted desperately—. There are two men: one tall and skinny, with a tattoo of roses on his right hand and a golden skull-shaped ring. The other is fat, with a red mole on his face. Please help me!

Before she could say more, one of the kidnappers snatched the phone from her.

—What are you doing? —he roared angrily.

At the mansion, Nicolás and Frederick exchanged a tense glance. Both spoke simultaneously:

—The Ratasquilla brothers!

The police were called immediately. When they arrived, Alexia explained what had happened, including the descriptions of the kidnappers that Analú had provided. The officer nodded gravely.

—We’re dealing with an extremely dangerous criminal group. We promise to do everything we can to find her.

But in everyone’s hearts, a dark fear continued to grow. Time was running out, and every second mattered.

The following day, Mr. Frederick Michelini decided it was time to call the young woman’s parents to inform them of the terrible news that had shaken their family. The phone rang in the quiet Alberti residence, where dawn had not yet broken. Albert, Analú’s father, answered, his voice sleepy but concerned when he saw the call was from England.

—Hello, Frederick. Tell me, what’s the reason for your call? It’s still early morning here —he said as he rubbed his eyes, trying to wake up.

Frederick took a deep breath on the other end of the line. His voice was heavy with tension.

—I know, Albert. Forgive me for interrupting your rest and, even more so, for having to deliver this terrible news…

Albert immediately sat up, feeling an inexplicable chill run through his body.

—What happened? How is my daughter? —he asked, his tone growing alarmed.

Frederick hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words, but he knew there was no easy way to say it.

—Yesterday, Analú left for university as usual. But she never came home. At first, we thought she might be with Nicolás or a friend, but that wasn’t the case. We tried to reach her multiple times until she finally answered the phone…

—And what did she say? Tell me what’s going on, Frederick! —Albert’s voice trembled, on the verge of losing control.

—She informed us she’s been kidnapped, Albert.

A deathly silence fell between the two men. Albert’s heart stopped for an instant, as if the words couldn’t be real.

—That can’t be possible, Frederick! How could my daughter be kidnapped? What are you doing? How did you let this happen? —he shouted, his desperation overflowing.

—I know it’s hard to process, Albert, and believe me, we’re all devastated —Frederick responded, trying to calm him down—. The important thing now is to act quickly. Analú managed to give us some descriptions of her captors before the call was cut off. We’ve already informed the local authorities, but we need your support. Please take the first flight and come to England as soon as possible. Don’t worry about business matters. Nothing is more important than your daughter’s safety.

Albert hung up the phone, trembling, unable to process what he had just heard. He got up mechanically and returned to his bedroom, where his wife was sleeping soundly. Entering, he watched her for a moment, trying to gather the strength for what he was about to say.

—Ana Lucía, wake up... —he said in a choked voice as he gently shook her.

His wife opened her eyes with difficulty, immediately noticing the anguish on Albert’s face.

—What happened, Albert? Why are you waking me up like this? —she asked, alarmed, seeing him so distressed.

Albert took a deep breath, trying to find the right words, but desperation consumed him.

—Ana Lucía, something very serious has happened… I need you to prepare for difficult news.

She immediately sat up, grabbing her husband’s hands tightly.

—What happened to Analú? —she asked with a trembling voice, fear already settling in her chest.

Albert lowered his gaze, unable to meet her eyes.

—Analú was kidnapped yesterday while on her way to university.

Ana Lucía’s scream filled the room.

—It can’t be! That’s not possible, Albert! Why didn’t they tell us sooner? She’s my daughter, my little Analú! —she exclaimed, breaking into uncontrollable sobs.

Albert held her tightly, trying to console her as his own heart felt like it was shattering.

—I know, love, I know... Frederick wanted to confirm the news before calling us. They’re already doing everything possible to find her. We need to be strong and act quickly.

Ana Lucía pulled away slightly, looking at him with desperation.

—What are we doing here? We need to go to her! My daughter needs us, Albert!

—Frederick already arranged tickets for a flight leaving in two hours. I need you to pack while I call Esperanza to handle the mansion.

Ana Lucía nodded through her sobs and got up hastily. As she gathered clothes and documents, her mind couldn’t stop imagining her daughter’s face in danger, her voice crying for help. She felt a mix of helplessness and rage that kept her moving, though each step was a monumental effort.

Albert, meanwhile, locked himself in his study to call Esperanza. His voice was broken as he explained the situation, asking her to take care of everything in their absence.

—We don’t know how long we’ll be gone. Please look after everything and stay alert in case we need anything.

He then quickly returned to his room, where Ana Lucía was already ready, her face still wet with tears. He approached her and embraced her tightly.

—Let’s go, my love. We’re going to bring our daughter back.

They both hurriedly left their home, leaving behind the tranquility of their lives to face a nightmare they never imagined living. The drive to the airport was silent, but their hearts screamed in anguish. Both knew that every minute mattered, and though fear consumed them, they clung to the hope of seeing Analú safe again soon.