Chapter 249: 249

Chapter 249

Olivia

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I was worried!

I was so worried.

It was getting dark and Riley wasn’t responding to my calls.

I even asked her brothers to call her, but she didn’t pick up either. My stomach churned as different scenarios played in my head.

What if something bad had happened to her?

I even tried reaching out to roommates but none of them had seen her. I was starting to panic and I couldn’t even do anything else.

“Alex, you see what you’ve caused, right? You pushed her away and now nobody has any idea where she has gone.” I said through gritted teeth as I met Alexander in his office.

There was a hint of guilt in his eyes. “I’m sure she’s safe. She just doesn’t want to answer because she is still upset.” He sounded like he was so sure.

“If anything happens to my daughter, I’ll hold you responsible,” I replied before storming out of his office.

If they didn’t have that stupid fight, I wouldn’t be in such a situation. I couldn’t even go to bed until I was sure she was okay.

“Can you check her location? Do you guys still share your location?” I asked Rowan as I got back to the living room.

Rowan had a frustrated expression registered on his face. “I already checked, Riley turned it off.”

I always asked them to share their location in case something happened. A part of me felt like she turned it off because she didn’t want anyone to find her.

But I still feared that something bad must’ve happened and they turned off her location so we wouldn’t be able to find her.

“Oh my goodness! What has gotten into your sister?” I asked Rowan like he knew the answer to the question. “Jason, can you try calling her again?” I requested as I slumped into the couch.

The boys couldn’t do anything either because I asked them to assist me with trying to find Riley. Everyone was panicking because of her disappearance.

Jason tried calling her but she still didn’t respond.

“I think I’ll send her a text instead,” Rowan suggested and we all nodded in agreement.

While Rowan sent her the text, I decided to make a few calls. I had no idea where else Riley would have gone, but I still decided to try my luck.

She didn’t have access to her money, so she wouldn’t be able to book a hotel room. She must’ve gone to meet one of our family members.

I would have called Caroline first but she wasn’t in New York. Caroline and Riley were really close and she would have been the first person who Riley would have gone to meet.

I called Amanda instead. I was going to try David if she wasn’t with Amanda.

“Hey,” Amanda answered the phone on the first ring.

“Is Riley with you?” I asked with a hint of fear and curiosity in my voice.

Amanda paused for a few seconds. “Is everything okay?” She asked, her voice calm.

I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. “No, Riley got into a fight with her father. She left the house and we haven’t been able to reach her.”

Amanda let out a deep sigh. “Riley is with me.”

“She’s with you?” I let out a relieved sigh as I closed my eyes momentarily. “Riley is with you?”

“Yes,” Amanda replied. “But she said everything was okay.”

I was happy to hear that she was safe.

“Maybe she didn’t want you to disclose her location to anybody. I’m glad she is safe.” I replied, letting out a deep breath. “Where is she right now?”

“She’s in the guest room. She was meant to shower, and then watch a movie with me.” Amanda replied, her voice barely audible.

“Okay, please can you call me back when she is done?” I asked, my heart leaping with joy.

“I’m going there now, it wasn’t nice for her to lie to me.” Amanda’s frustration was palpable through the phone and I wouldn’t blame her for feeling that way.

I remained quiet on the phone while she walked over to the guest room. As soon as she knocked on the door, Riley answered.

“You lied to me, Riley.” Amanda confronted her as she answered the door.

“I….I… emmm…..I’m…” Riley stuttered as she tried to come up with an excuse for her behavior. “I’m sorry, I just didn’t want you to tell my mother that I was at your house.”

Her voice was laced with guilt and remorse.

“Do you know how scared your mother sounded through the phone? Even if they made you angry, it wasn’t fair to ignore their calls and keep them worried.”

“I know, but I’ve texted Rowan back to let him know I’m safe,” Riley replied, her voice cracking slightly. “I’m really sorry for not telling you.” She apologized.

Amanda let out a wistful sigh. “It’s okay, your mother wants to talk to you when you’re done showering.” She added.

“Okay, I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

I heard the door closed, so I assumed she wasn’t with Riley anymore. “I’m sorry that she lied to you.” I apologized on behalf of Riley. “I’m sorry she had to drag you into this too.”

“It’s okay. I’m happy she came to my house instead.”

I felt the same way.

It was a good thing she went to Amanda. At least, I knew that she would be safe there. It was as though a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

After talking to Amanda for a few more minutes, the call ended.

“Your sister already texted you, right?” I asked Rowan, just to confirm what I had heard Riley say to Amanda through the phone.

“Yes, but she refused to tell me her location,” Rowan replied,

“It’s a good thing you called Amanda.” Jason chimed into the conversation.

“Yes, you guys can go back to your rooms now,” I informed the boys. “Thank you for your time.”

They nodded and hugged me goodnight before leaving the living room. After they left, I went over to Alexander’s office to tell him that Riley was safe.

“I told you she was safe.” His eyes mirrored his relief, even if he was acting like he wasn’t worried.

“She’s coming back home and you have to find a way to accept the fact that she would be with that boy if she wants.”

Alexander’s face formed into a frown. “You should tell her to find a way to live without him instead.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

He still hadn’t learned his lesson.