Chapter 25

Christiana cried as the taxi drove her to the airport. She couldn't believe she let Emerald win against her love for Andy. She hated herself for not being able to fight for her love for Andy. She felt she was a coward who chose her life instead of staying back and fighting for her love.

It hurt her so much she was running away knowing how hard it would be for her to get used to not having Andy in her life. She loved him so much that it was as if she needed him to breath.

She didn't want to die yet she wished she had fought more and told Andy, but she chose an escape. After the last incident, she knew Emerald would go far to kill her. She could have died then but she survived, and she believed it was fate giving her a second chance.

The thought of Andrew later ending up with Vanessa churned her stomach. Will Andrew forget me easily? Will Andrew search for me? Will he even go far to get me back in his life? She wondered within herself.

She was pained and hurt. It took her a lot of courage to actually write that letter for him, the tears wouldn't stop coming out. She took in a deep breath, assuring herself things would be fine although it would take a while.

She got down from the taxi, paid the man and walked away to find her new path without Andrew in it.

Andrew was devastated. What could have happened to make her leave, he wondered? Was she playing a prank on him? He thought she was joking around and laughed, then he read the letter over and over again till it dawned on him.

He immediately started searching for Christiana. He had called her father but couldn't get through. He travelled to Switzerland the next day but didn't find anyone at home. He heard her father left the day Christiana went missing. He hired private investigators and did everything in his power to get information, but it was all for naught after a month went by and still, nothing. Where did he go wrong? He went insane thinking that he had lost her.

Andrew became disheveled ever since. He lost himself, drank alcohol, and though his father had tried consoling him, the only thing that could fix him was his Christiana. His sister had tried doing some research too, but it seemed like she had it all planned before disappearing. Andrew had asked John if he had any idea, but he didn't. In fact, John was equally pained as him. Emerald and Vanessa, however, had a party celebrating their victory. They too didn't know where Christiana was as she didn't take them up on their offer. But nevertheless, she was gone.

As usual, Andrew was sitting in his armchair, isolated and drinking alcohol. Two months had passed since Christiana left, but he still searched for her. Emerald walked up to his room, disgusted by the smell and irritated by the fact that he didn't allow maids to clean his room.

"I won't tolerate your stupid attitude anymore, Andrew!" His mother's voice was laced with annoyance. She glared at him in anger. She hated the fact that he was sulking over some lower-class girl.

He didn't look at her, rather he ignored his mom and just gulped the liquor down his throat.

"I always told you that bitch was only after your wealth, but you wouldn't listen! See what she's done? She's using voodoo on you, that short witch!" she spat. She hated Christiana with a passion, and she wondered why her son was so crazy over her.

"How can you be my son, yet you are not smart enough to know a conniving bitch as that woman! A woman with no status at all, a woman who would do anything to attain wealth! I just knew she wasn't worth it. Anyone who loves you wouldn't leave you like that." Emerald felt she was giving enough points to make Andrew forget Christiana, but it was the opposite of it all.

"You know what, Andrew? You're forgetting that you have a whole life ahead of you. Pouting in one spot for that little witch isn't something you should be doing!" Andrew grew numb to his mother's word. He couldn't hear her. He refused to hear her.

She kept ranting but all he was thinking about were the memories of him and Christiana. Her smile, the way she talked, how she walked, and even her tantrums—he missed them all.

A teardrop fell down his cheek for the first time in his life. Andrew knew she was his addiction. The man wished he had held her tighter the last night they made love. It was so intense and passionate, very different from their other intimate moments.

"You are the sole heir to one of the biggest companies here in America and a simple heartbreak is breaking you into pieces?" She scoffed.

"I'm so disappointed in your Andrew! You are more than this! You are a grown man. A man born from a lion and lioness. Your father never acted like this."

"You know what Andrew, think of the family and also the family business. You are supposed to be at work but here you are, letting your sister husband handle everything in your absence." She heaved a sigh, clicked her tongue then placed her hands on her waist.

"You have to think of the progress of your family company. There are many ways to aim higher, like for instance..." She trailed off acting as if she was thinking of good business ideas whereas she has a hidden agenda in her.

"You know the marriage of two heirs of two big companies is a very good thing. Both companies get to benefit from the other and help expand each other. I know many beautiful and talented heiresses you know."

"Take a look at Vanessa, she is smart, beautiful, business oriented and sophisti—"

"I do not want to hear! Mother can you take a break from all your shenanigans?" He spat out taking her by shock.

"Did you...just...." He cut her off again.

"I am not getting married to anyone. I do not want anyone! I care about no one! I love Christiana and I want her back! I really love her." He cried out. He felt numb, nothing seems real anymore to him. All he wanted was Christiana back in his life. He missed her so much that it was hard for him to live or think without her invading his senses.

"Please, help me find her."

Emerald frowned, she couldn't believe what she was hearing from her own son. She huffed, "You will get married to Vanessa and prepare accordingly, you hear me?!" Those words tore through his thoughts. He turned to look at his mother. "Yes, I said it. Get over that little witch and prepare for your engagement party to Vanessa planned for the end of this month.

Andrew scoffed, rising to his feet and standing eye to eye with his mother. "You wouldn't want to see me angry, correct?" he asked, his voice threatening and deeper than before. "I have a feeling you're involved with Christiana running away. I promise you, if I find out you were involved ..." he trailed off. " I will declare I have no mother."

He left his mother at a loss for words while he walked to the bathroom.

"Andrew!" his mother screamed, surprised by her son's outburst. That little witch had ruined him.

"Andrew come back here, I'm warning you!" She shouted behind him.

John decided to go back to Switzerland. Since Christiana was no longer here, he didn't feel welcomed anymore. He told Andrew about it a week ago and Andrew was devastated that he wanted to go. Christiana had left him and now John too.

After reaching the airport and waiting for his flight, John turned to Andrew. "Can you do me a favor, Andrew?" he asked. Andrew was taken aback. John had never asked a favor from him before. He nodded.

"Don't bother yourself anymore. Try to live again. Don't drown yourself to a stupor. Live happily, Christiana would want you to be happy." He patted Andrew's shoulder.

Andrew was confused. He wondered what John was trying to get across.

"That's my flight. Be happy, Andrew." They did the bro-hug and John left.

Andrew was getting into his car when he received a message from John.

She is safe and alive, but she needed to leave because people in your house want her dead. Live well, that's what she wanted for you.

Andrew's eyes widened at the message as he reread the text, making sure he wasn't hallucinating. He ran back into the airport in search of John, but he was gone. John knew where Christiana was, and he would be damned if he didn't go after him to Switzerland.