Chapter 106: Back to New York

Once Ana Lucía spoke with her friend Esperanza, she decided to accompany them to the airport with Lucas, the chauffeur of the mansion. After making sure they boarded without any issues, Esperanza and Lucas began leaving the airport, heading to the parking lot to pick up the car and return to the mansion.

—Wait a moment, Lucas, don’t you hear some screams? —asked Esperanza, stopping and looking around.

—No, Esperanza, I think the situation the bosses are going through has affected you more than you think. It’s probably your imagination.

They both continued walking toward the parking lot, but as they moved, the screams became clearer. Lucas, finally, also heard them.

—Now I hear them —Lucas said, his face tense.

—See? I told you! We need to figure out where those screams are coming from… Listen, Lucas! It seems like they’re coming from that gray car!

—You’re right, but there’s no one inside, is there?

—Wait here for me, I’ll get closer to see what’s going on.

—Esperanza! Are you crazy? We don’t know who’s in that car. Let’s stay here and observe from a distance.

Despite Lucas’s warnings, Esperanza approached the gray car. Minutes passed, and while they hid behind a wall, they watched. Fifteen minutes later, two men approached the car, pulled a young woman from the backseat, who was tied up and had a rag stuffed in her mouth. They dragged her into a warehouse.

Esperanza, terrified, watched it all with wide eyes. Her legs began to shake, and her heart raced, recognizing that those men were the same ones who had kidnapped her.

—Lucas, those men! Those are the ones who kidnapped me! —she exclaimed, her voice breaking. —Please, help me follow them! I need to know something about my past life. I know this is very risky for you, but please, you have to help me.

—Of course, you can count on me, Esperanza —Lucas responded determinedly—, but you need to calm down. We can’t risk being discovered. If they see us, everything will get much more complicated.

After a while, the kidnappers got into the gray car and began driving. Lucas, without making a sound, started his own car and followed them at a safe distance, avoiding detection. After a long drive, they arrived at an unknown destination. Lucas, noticing he couldn’t get any closer, stopped, and they decided to walk so they wouldn’t be seen.

When they reached their destination, the kidnappers opened the back of the car, pulled the young woman out, and removed the rag from her mouth. At that moment, the young woman began to scream.

—My name is Analú Thompson! They have me kidnapped! Help! Help!

—Don’t be so stupid! —shouted one of the kidnappers—. No one will hear you, no matter how much you scream. We’re in our boss’s company, and this basement is completely isolated from the outside.

—Did you hear that, Lucas? —Esperanza said, her eyes full of panic—. It’s Analú Thompson! The daughter of Mrs. Ana Lucía and Mr. Albert! I have to do something! But this is so dangerous...

—I heard it. That’s the Thompson’s daughter. I already sent the photos to Mr. Albert, but he hasn’t received them yet. But we still don’t know who’s behind all this. There’s someone they call "the boss." He must be the one responsible.

Meanwhile, Albert and Mrs. Ana Lucía arrived at the airport in England before noon. They were greeted by a businessman who, upon seeing their distress, hugged them tightly and took them to the mansion.

—We don’t have any clues about Analú’s whereabouts. However, we know the kidnappers call themselves "Los Ratasquilla," a very dangerous gang that operates in several parts of the world. The police officers in charge of the investigation informed us that at 1:00 pm, they will try to intercept all the phones in the mansion. We also expect to know if the kidnappers will try to ask for a ransom.

Alexia and Mrs. Ana Lucía hugged each other, crying uncontrollably over Analú’s situation. Meanwhile, Thomson and Michelini walked back and forth, waiting for any news. However, the hours passed, and no updates came about the young woman.

—Albert, please turn on your phone. Esperanza is really worried about us —whispered Mrs. Thompson.

When Albert turned on his phone, several messages and photos from Lucas arrived instantly. Upon seeing them, Albert froze.

—Look what just came to my phone, it was sent by Lucas, the chauffeur from Alexia’s mansion —he said, his voice trembling.

—It’s my daughter, Albert! Look at how badly they’ve hurt her!

—Please, call the officer so he can see this —ordered Albert.

The officer quickly arrived at the mansion, and after reviewing the photos Albert had received, confirmed that the kidnappers were indeed "Los Ratasquilla." They were shocked to realize how fast they were; they had already managed to take Analú out of the country.

—How is it possible that Analú is already in New York if she was kidnapped yesterday? —Albert asked, incredulously.

—Those people are very dangerous, they have no limits. And with their boss’s money, they can do whatever they want, whenever they want —replied the officer.

Frederick suggested that the Thompsons rest before taking a flight to New York, but Albert didn’t think twice.

—Frederick, how do you think we can rest? We need to take the flight right now! —he replied, determined.

Nicolás called his sister Roxana to inform her about the situation and tell her that he was also traveling to New York.

—Hello, Roxana. I need to tell you something… It’s about Analú, she’s been kidnapped. I’m about to travel to New York to try to help her.

—What?! Oh my God, Nicolás! I can’t believe it. How did this happen?

—It’s a long story, but the important thing is that we have clues that she’s in New York, and I have to go there to help find her. I can’t stay here doing nothing.

—No, of course not! You’re right, you can’t stay doing nothing. I know that what you’re doing is the right thing. But you have to stay calm, everything is going to be fine. If we keep our heads cool and follow the right steps, we’re going to find her.

—I know, Roxana, but this is so... so complicated. I don’t want to lose her, I don’t want anything to happen to her. I’m afraid we won’t make it in time.

—I understand your fears, Nicolás, believe me, I do. But the worst thing we can do is let panic take over. You have to trust that everything will be fine. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that, no matter how dark everything seems, there’s always a way out. You’re doing everything you can, and that’s what matters.

—Thank you, sister. I needed to hear that. I’m going to do everything possible to bring her back, no matter what it costs.

—I know you will. I’ll be thinking of you, and I’ll wait for you here with good news. Don’t despair, okay? Stay focused. And, please, be careful.

—I will. Thanks for being there, always. I’ll call you when I get to New York.

—Count on me, Nicolás. I love you so much, and I know everything will be okay.

—I love you too. We’ll talk soon.