The Casa Del Castaneda

Disappear Without News

Rafael felt his body float so lightly. A gust of wind entered through the pores of the sack, hitting the surface of his injured skin. This further adds to the pain all over the body.

A little bit of consciousness remained, making Rafael reflex move to protect the head and neck from the impact of rock cliffs, as his body which was still in the sack fell rolling.

A little while later, Rafael's body finally hit a large stone, then stopped and was held back by the very sturdy natural object. Raphael could hear the crackling of shattered bones, making him feel a tremendous pain.

Slowly Rafael's consciousness began to weaken. At that time, the shadow of Paloma was holding Nilo. The mother and child, turned their heads and smiled broadly while waving at him. Raphael smiled back, even though it was just a faint arch on his lips that was already filled with fresh blood. However, the shadow had made him feel calm for a moment.

A moment later, the two figures that appeared in Rafael's shadow slowly disappeared. Like the morning mist that disappears because it is swept away by sunlight. The beautiful shadow was replaced by a dense fog that began to envelop the vision, and blurred the view and consciousness of Rogelio's adopted son.

Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away on different continents. Paloma woke up with sweat pouring. The beautiful woman slipped on her chest involuntarily, then looked up to see the wall clock that showed at four in the afternoon. “Gosh, how long have I been asleep,” he murmured.

Paloma intended to get out of bed, as the mobile phone he had placed on the pillow rang aloud. The short-haired young lady let out a slow breath, as she read Sebastian's name on the screen of her phone.

Paloma thought that there was no point in continuing to avoid the man. It would be much better, if he talked about everything he felt in the man who had just pledged himself as his lover.

“Hola,” greet Paloma lazy.

“Why is it so hard to contact you, Paloma? Are you afraid Rafael will listen to our conversation?” ask Sebastian.

“Rafael is not here. He is taking care of his problems with Tatiana Vidal in Sevilla,” Paloma replied rather ketus.

“So ... You're not coming to Spain?” asked Sebastian again in astonishment. “I thought you were coming with Rafael here.”

“Do you already know that Rafael went to Sevilla?” Paloma asked back.

“Yes. Tatiana told me,” Sebastian replied. His tone sounded dull. “Listen ... Paloma ..”

Sebastian hesitated to continue his sentence. Moreover, when he felt that Paloma seemed lazy to respond to what he said. “Are you still mad at me?”

“No. Why am I angry with you,” Paloma said.

“I'm sorry,” Sebastian said slowly. “I only ...”

“I understand,” interrupted Paloma cutting Sebastian's speech. “It's only natural that you're jealous of Rafael. I won't blame you. But you also have to understand one thing. Respect our divorce proceedings. I'm not asking you to wait. If you can, wait for me to officially bear the status of widow. At the earliest, two years ahead. If not, I won't force you. You are free to make your choice.”

“It's not that easy, my dear,” Sebastian denied. He laughed even though nothing was funny. “You will be surprised to know how loyal I am. From the very beginning, I have given you heart and hope. Death cannot even take my heart and mind off your figure. You hear that, Paloma? I'll keep waiting for you,” Sebastian said.

Paloma's cheeks flushed, upon hearing Sebastian's electrifying words. He did not think at all, that the rich widower really wanted to challenge himself. “We'll see later,” Paloma reply while blushing.

“Are you willing to forgive my hurtful words yesterday, dear?” Sebastian's voice again spoiled the beautiful woman's hearing. So tempting and made the woman who was waiting for the widow's status, again shook violently.

“Which words? I've forgotten.” Paloma laughed softly, for the sake of hiding the uncertain feeling in his heart. Paloma's attitude made Sebastian laugh. The awkwardness between them slowly melted away. Small talk accompanied by jokes, also filled the conversation of two human children.

Without notice, an hour had passed. Paloma had to end his conversation with Sebastian, when someone knocked on the door.

Paloma rushed down from the bed. He walked half-run towards the door. However, the fluffy smile of Paloma's beautiful lips was forced to fade away, when he saw someone who was behind the door of his room. “Dad?” his Paloma lirih.

“Are you okay, son? You didn't come out of the room at all, from the end of lunch.” The look on the face of the middle-aged man who was none other than Rogelio looked so worried.

“I'm fine, Dad. After lunch earlier, I fell asleep and just woke up,” Paloma replied without returning Rogelio's sad gaze.

“I ... I mean ...” Rogelio sounded doubtful. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I ... would like to take you for an afternoon walk if you are willing,” take Rogelio a few moments later.

“Sorry. I guess, I'll just be in the room,” Paloma refused. His tone was gentle, but it sounded so painful to Rogelio.

“You ... don't want to breathe fresh air, Son?” ask Rogelio carefully.

Paloma did not answer. He instead stared fixedly at the middle-aged man's face that was beginning to be filled with wrinkles. “No, Dad. I want to be alone first,” replied Paloma slowly.

“Good. I understand.” Rogelio seemed unable to hide his disappointment. However, he still forced a smile in front of Paloma. Rogelio was about to turn his back when he remembered something. “Oh, yes. Has Rafael contacted you?” tanyakanya.

“No. Not yet,” sahut cold Paloma. “Now it must be midnight there.”

“Ya, I know it.” Rogelio nodded stiffly. "Two hours ago, Rafael called and said he had just finished meeting with the lawyer he hired. Rafael promised to call me again after arriving at the hotel. However, until now he has still not called,” explained Rogelio fretting.

“Please wait a moment, Dad. He will definitely contact you soon,” said Paloma.

“Yes, you're right. Alright. I'll wait for him. Thank you, Paloma.” Rogelio's body language looks clumsy. Moreover, while feeling Paloma's cold attitude towards him. Rogelio will not force. He understood completely, on the attitude of the princess who had just learned the reality about her.

Rogelio relented by leaving Paloma alone. The middle-aged man chose to return to the room, while waiting for the next news from Rafael. However, the news he was waiting for did not come. Until the afternoon turned into night, and the night turned into morning, Rafael did not contact him.

Rogelio's concerns grew, as an unknown number contacted him. He only wished that the number belonged to Rafael. Rogelio's estimate was wrong. The voice that greeted him from across there did not belong to his favorite foster son.

“Is this with Mr Rogelio Gallardo?” ask the foreign voice.

“Yes. That's me,” Rogelio replied quickly.

“Thank God. My name is Jose Alvaro Cardenas. I am a lawyer who has the trust of Mr. Rafael Hernandez, to help him solve the problem with Mrs Tatiana Vidal,”.

“Where is Rafael?” Rogelio asked that. His instincts as a father began to work, when he caught the strangeness he felt.

“That's what I want to ask you, sir. Mr. Rafael Hernandez, disappeared last night. From the surveillance cameras around the hotel, we found that Mr. Rafael Hernandez was mistreated by some unknown person. They also took it and put it in the car."

"Based on the evidence I have, it is likely that Mr. Hernandez has been kidnapped. I have also reported the case to the police ..” Cardenas' lawyer gave a lengthy explanation.

However, none of his explanations went into Rogelio's ears. The middle-aged man's mind was suddenly empty, just as Lawyer Cardenas gave an explanation that Rafael had been taken by an unknown person and disappeared without news.