Stand for Love Ch. 16

"Oh... I got it." Victoria gasped, dropping her hands while her face got filled up with excitement. "We'll set bombs in this whole place and then you'll burn down together with the building. You'll burn to ashes leaving only something that will identify you. They'll only find ashes and anything valuable on you, perhaps... your ring."

Adrian closed his eyes and cried while the rest of them cheered happily. He was more scared than ever. The thought of his body burning on that chair made his whole body to contract and shudder in fear and pain. His breaths became harsh and he was finding it to breath. His heart was already pounding and his hormones got out control. Adrenaline rushed to his entire body making him even more vulnerable than he had ever been.

"And do you know the good part?" Victoria laughed. "You'll burn to ashes."

"I'll die," Adrian sobbed. "But one day karma will catch up with you. You'll pay for your sins and you'll burn in hell."

"I told you before," Victoria chuckled. "I don't believe in that shit or the traditions that involve it. I am a modern woman in a modern country filled with stupid traditions. But that doesn't mean I follow all of them."

"What about your son?" Adrian asked, in pain. "Don't you... "

"I'm also doing this for him." Victoria chirped. "He slapped my beautiful face and this will be his punishment too. He'll eventually heal and begin his new life with Jake."

"You're really evil people." Adrian muttered. His voice was slowly fading. "I thought you were humans but you are... demons in disguise."

"We don't care what you say." Todd said angrily.

"By the way," Victoria chuckled. "The fun part is we will help Nicholas find you. He'll not stop searching if he is not convinced that you're dead. So... we'll do him favor by telling him where you are and then he'll find you... "

"Please," Adrian cried out. "Please, anything else but that. Have pity on my husband. You'll kill him if he comes here. It's better if he continues searching for me without knowing that I am dead. He'll not live through it. You saw how he was when I thought I had betrayed him. He'll be... "

"In shock," Victoria said sarcastically. "But that is when we will use it to our advantage."

"How can you... "

"I have heard enough," Victoria quickly turned and started going away followed by everyone. They all had smirks and as they went, Adrian could notice their happy moods. He was in pain but they were happy. Then Victoria made a quick turn and smiled,

"By the way hope you'll enjoy the little hours that you have left." She emphasized. "By this time tomorrow you'll be in hell okay? See you tomorrow in the evening."

Then she quickly turned and left.

Making sure that they were gone, Adrian's sobs turned into loud cries and screams of pain and torture. He was trying to get the pain that he felt in his heart out but it couldn't be removed at all. The pain had already intensified and the more he wailed the more painful it got till he reached the point where he wanted to die. Why couldn't the forces of nature take its course and strike him with lightning. It was better than the torture and anguish they had promised to give him.

Thinking about how they had killed his father was the most painful. He loved his father a lot and all they had to do was take him away. All of them had killed at some point and that was the most painful thing of all. His father, his grandfather and his father in law had all been killed by them. They were more dangerous than he actually thought them to be.

How could human beings be so wicked as to kill a sweet man like his father? Sure, he had known that his uncle hated his father but he wasn't even related to them. If only he could get a chance to deal with them once and for all but where would that chance come from? There would be no such chance for him. Everything was over.

From his grandfather and his father, Adrian's mind went to his husband. The pain intensified when he thought about what his husband was gonna go through after his death. He had a lot of question in his mind but he was hoping his husband would heal soon and then meet a great guy, a guy to love him more than Adrian did. He was just hoping the pain wouldn't be too much for either his husband or his family. He was gonna pray in his heart for his husband to take things easy. By the time he was done, his face was flooded with tears and it hurt everywhere.

Adrian was so lost in his thoughts, pains and torture that he didn't even realize that Drake had come back, seated on the chair and playing with his phone.

One thing Adrian knew was that he was gonna be taking the pain of losing his husband to his grave. His love for him will never die even beyond death. That's how much he loved Nicholas and no wonder the pain was just too much.

****

Nicholas was seated on the couch, arms crossed and tears in his eyes. It was early morning and there was no sign of Adrian. He had woken up a few hours earlier after having a beautiful dream about finding his Adrian and now he got up to find that his lover was still not home? Where was he?

Nicholas didn't change his clothes... he hadn't eaten anything... he hadn't bathed... he hadn't even bothered to pick any calls which were related to his work. He didn't even give a fuck about what had happened. If it was really a kidnap then why hadn't anyone called for a ransom? He didn't want to get any funny idea but he was suddenly thinking about the worst that could happen with the situation at hand. What if his Adrian was dead somewhere? But he wasn't gonna believe it. He was gonna keep searching for him till he finds him. Then he was gonna live with him and protect him. He was gonna make sure that he kills someone if truly Adrian was kidnapped. He didn't care the consequences later.

Seated on the couch while thinking, Nicholas heard the door opening. He quickly moved his eyes towards it and stood as soon as his eyes looked at the person who was coming inside.

"Inspector," Nicholas gasped, moving in closer to the man who was coming in. "Any news?"

The inspector came in with a sad face and Nicholas got the idea of what was going on.

"No!" The inspector sighed. "We searched most of the city and... "

"You haven't found him?" Nicholas yelled. "Just what kind of police force do you have? What kind of idiots do you have working in your department?"

"Mr. Miller, calm down and... "

"Calm down." Nicholas was more than pissed off. He was dying inside because of Adrian and they had the guts to tell him to calm down. "You have no idea what I am going through. Any minute that passes could be bringing my Adrian to more danger. Can you please speed it up? Today is the third day since my Adrian got lost and I need to find him."

The family members where quiet, not uttering a single word. They couldn't even stop Nicholas from his rage because they knew he was right. They just watched sadly and really hoped the inspector would do his job and find Adrian soon.

"Please try to understand," The inspector spoke softly, trying to get to Nicholas. "The capital is really huge and there is still much ground to... "

"I don't care whether it will take you to search the whole world just find him or tell me you can't and... "

"No, Mr. Miller," The inspector said. "We will do everything to find him."

Nicholas sighed. "What about the car and the driver?"

"We have found neither." The inspector sighed. "This case is proving difficult but I assure you that we've notified all the other police departments in the country and we will be notified if the car is spotted." He reassured. "Which makes me wonder, has anyone called for a ransom or something?"

"No!" Nicholas muttered.

"But if it was a kidnap then we could have heard from the kidnappers demanding for ransom by now." The inspector said. "I am starting to wonder if it is a kidnap at all. You're a really rich man Mr. Miller. If he was kidnapped then you could have heard something by now."

"But I am sure that Todd has him. I want you to arrest him and torture him till he tells you want you want to know. In fact, arrest everyone in that house. I am sure they are keeping him somewhere."

"I am sorry I can't do that." The inspector nodded. "I can't do that without evidence. Besides, some of my men are keeping an eye on that house and up to now they are still in that house."

"Then search the house." Nicholas yelled. "I don't care but search that house and arrest them."

"Okay," The police inspector muttered. "I'll have a search warrant and I'll personally search the house. Is that okay with you?"

"No!" Nicholas yelled. "I want them all arrested and tortured. Never let them go until they tell you where he is."

"That is really risky." The inspector said. "Searching the house is all I can do for now. If indeed they kidnapped him then we could put his life at risk if we arrest them and torture them. There could be others and I have seen cases like this. And believe me, if they are involved then that is the last thing you wanna do. We'll keep watching them and following them wherever they go. But if it takes too long... then I might just use your suggestion even though it will be risky."

Nicholas remained silent after talking with him. He was still in rage, aching to kill the bastard who was involved in that case.

"I just came to tell you that we haven't found anything and to assure you that we'll not rest until we find him. I am leaving now. I'll just go get a warranty and then head to Mr. Wilson's house."

Nicholas just dismissed the inspector and then stood there as sorrow and pain took over once again. He kept on wondering where his Adrian was and what condition he was in. If ever anything happens to his Adrian, he'll definitely die. He'll die and be with Adrian.

"Why?" Nicholas snapped, grabbing a small glass table by the couch. Then he lifted and threw it furiously on the floor. In just a few seconds he heard it shutter and break into many pieces. He was raging and the only way he'd get back to the mood that he was normally in was if Adrian returns safe and sound. Then he was not gonna leave him.

"Please calm down," George wrapped his arms around his best friend and brought him for a hug. He heard him melt and then in no time they were both on the floor holding each other, crying.

"I just wanna find him." Nicholas sobbed. "I... I will die if anything happens to him."

"Nothing will happen." George reassured, holding Nicholas tightly. "The Adrian that I know is strong. I am sure he will overcome any obstacle that comes his way. Let's just give him our love. He'll conquer through it all and he'll be victorious. You know that you married a fighter right?"

Nicholas was quiet. All that came out of his throat were grunts and groans. He was in unimaginable pain. He had lost his father and he didn't want to lose Adrian. They hadn't even celebrated their first anniversary. They had only been married for six months for God's sake.

Tightening his grip on his friend, Nicholas cried out like never before. He didn't care about the family members that watched. All he wanted was to cry to death.

****

Nicholas was back on the couch still in his sadness. The pain was growing stronger with each passing second and he had no idea how long he was gonna have to endure it. It was almost 4 pm and he had been like that ever since the inspector left. He hadn't eaten anything... he hadn't taken a bath or even to change his clothes. He was so dirty... his hair was unkempt... his eyes were blood red... his body was in excruciating pain... his mind was literally blocked, filled with so many memories. He didn't even know what hurt the most whether it was the fact that he couldn't see Adrian or that he was filled with happy memories when Adrian was not there. It was really painful and he hadn't even spoken to his son since this started. He was just praying for Adrian to be found and brought home soon.

Other family members had taken baths... some had eaten... but he was still there without any food in his stomach and dirty. In fact, none of the men in the house had even taken baths. Phew!

Sitting on the couch, Nicholas wished he had been the one who had been in the situation Adrian was in, instead of Adrian. That way, the pain wouldn't have been that much and he would have surely found his way back to Adrian. But as he sat there he was wondering how Adrian was doing... where he was... the condition he was in... if he was missing.

Fuck! Those questions were making him even more vulnerable. His only desire was to find out where his Adrian was. Was it that difficult to understand? If Nicholas didn't hear of Adrian when the day ends, he promised himself to go the next day. He promised never to return until he finds his Adrian. He didn't care where... he didn't care why... he didn't care what. All he cared about was that if Adrian doesn't return, he would go in search of Adrian, never to return unless with Adrian.

"Inspector," George exclaimed quickly getting up. The inspector and two of his men had just arrived. George was really hopping they had some news for all them, at least to get them out of their misery.

Hearing the inspector's name, Nicholas quickly got up and stood firm, staring at the inspector with his men. His heart was suddenly pounding, expecting some good news from the inspector and his men.

"Where is he?" Nicholas asked, trying to see behind the inspector. "Where is my... "

"I am so sorry," The inspector apologized. "That's what I came here to tell you." He dropped his eyes to the floor. "We tried but... "

"What?" Nicholas hollered as a sharp pain struck him. "Are you trying to say my Adrian is... "

"We searched the whole place." The inspector sighed, looking up at Nicholas. "But unfortunately, he is not there. In fact, we searched thoroughly and we couldn't find a thing."

Nicholas' strength left him and in no time he was on the couch with his face on his palms, crying. Just where was Adrian because he was hurting terribly. He needed Adrian by his side or he would go insane.

"No!" The police inspector hollered, trying to reach Nicholas. "Please don't give up. We will not rest until we find him. As for Mr. Wilson, he told us to interrogate him anytime. I told him to come to the office tomorrow and... my men are still watching his house."

Nicholas couldn't say a thing. He was in too much pain that he didn't even know if he still had his voice. The tears that were coming out were too painful even to his feel. He hated himself for not being there with Adrian. Maybe he should have been wherever Adrian was even if it was in a bad condition. As long as he would be with Adrian he would be fine.

"Thank you so much." George's voice sounded painful to everyone who heard. They could tell that the guy was in so much pain. All he wanted was to find Adrian so that he could put himself and his friend out of the misery that he was in. "Please, don't forget to tell us of any news."

"We will do everything to find him." The inspector said. "My men are already working on it. They are exploring everywhere and I am going to join them. We will communicate should we find anything. And if at all you hear anything then you can inform me."

George couldn't find his voice anymore. He just nodded in agreement.

"Thank you so much." The inspector then turned and left.

Everyone went back to their seats on the couch, still in much pain than ever before. They all had heartaches. Granny missed her grandson a lot and she had been feeling weak after not seeing him for a whole two days. She had cried... she had fasted... she had prayed but nothing was happening. Now she was just lying on the couch, tears in her eyes because she felt like her heart was failing her. If only she could give her life in exchange for Adrian's she would do it willingly. If this continued, granny knew that she was gonna die in a few days.

*

It was now 7.pm and still no news from the inspector or even from Adrian. Nicholas was feeling really weak and his heart was beating slowly, causing him pain all over. He was still lost in his thoughts about Adrian. His son had come to the living room to ask about Adrian but no one had told him anything so... it was just not helping.

As he sat ion that chair, weeping and drowning in his own sorrows, Nicholas heard his phone ringing. He just stared at it and found a message. He didn't know who had sent it but all he knew was that he was too weak to even check his messages. But he couldn't just ignore it because it was pretty much important.

"George," Nicholas' voice was weak. Everyone who heard it got hurt. "Please check the message for me."

Without saying a word, George slowly got up and picked Nicholas' phone up. Then with a sigh of irritation, he opened the message. Then almost immediately after opening that message, his eyes widened... his breaths became harsh and his hands began trembling in fear. He had no idea how to deliver that message.

Emily had his eyes on George the whole time. Seeing him trembling in the way that he was, she got really worried and she got more scared that she was. Quickly getting up from the chair, she touched George's shoulder. When he looked up at her, his face was pale and his breaths were short and harsh.

"What is it?" Emily asked, feeling her hands trembling. "Why do you so pale and so scared?"

"M... m... " George's mouth shook and he couldn't say a thing.

Hearing how scared his friend was, Nicholas quickly got up and gave him a vulnerable look. He got instantly scared because he didn't want to receive any bad news about his Adrian. His heart felt like it was failing and he was instantly trembling. Then his hands moved to his chest which had tightened up so badly. He was in pain and his movements were weak.

"What... what is it?" Nicholas muttered. His lips were shaking from fear. "Is it... about Adrian?"

"Yes... " George quacked. "... the... "

Noah couldn't take the way George was shaking. He was killing all them with suspense and the last thing he wanted was having bad thoughts about it. With a deep sigh, Noah moved to George and grabbed his phone. Then moving his eyes to the screen, his eyes widened and he couldn't stop staring.

"What is it?" Emily asked.

"It's about Adrian?" Noah breathed as his nerves got the best of him.

"Adrian!" Nicholas gasped, grabbing the phone from Noah. Then he read the message and almost immediately tears began pouring down his face.

"What is it?" Emily asked.

"Aunt, the message we receive tell us of Adrian's location and that if we don't reach him in time, he'll die." Noah gasped.

Nicholas was trembling. He held out the phone, hoping to find the answers.

"We need to leave now." Nicholas gave a look of horror. "We need to leave."

Almost immediately, Nicholas began running out of the house, ranting like a mad man. Never had he been as scared as he was at that time. His Adrian's life was at stake and he was just hoping that he would find him in a perfect condition. The address the unknown number had sent was an old building somewhere on the outskirts of town, out of the road. He was gonna drive like a mad man and reach him. He was crying and he was trembling. His only goal was to reach Adrian and he was really hoping that he would find him.

Everyone was rushing outside, tears forming in their eyes. They all wanted nothing but to find Adrian. But that message had everyone's hearts at the edge. They had no idea what would happen if they didn't reach on time.

Reaching the car, Nicholas quickly opened it and entered. Then he started the engine, almost trembling before he heard doors opening. George, granny and Emily entered the car, breathing harshly. They were really devastated but he didn't care. He just wanted to drive. Then as if the hounds of hell were after him, he furiously began driving, honking like a mad man for the guard to open the gate. When the gate opened he furiously drove off, hearing George talking on the phone but he didn't care. He could see his brother's car following behind.