Chapter 24: Chapter 24

We stood in front of Bella's door. According to Ethan. This is where she lives. I placed my hands in my pockets while Ethan rested on the wall. "You won't knock or maybe press the bell?"

I rolled my eyes. I thought he would be the one to do that?. After all, he knows this place more than I do. I still don't know what joined him and Bella together that made him know almost everything about her. Including where she lives and what she loves. "I thought you would be the one to do that?"

He scoffed. "You are not been serious right now. You are the one who needs her forgiveness not me"

I groaned. "Ain't you suppose to be your brother's keeper?"

He scoffed. "Where you miss Bella's keeper?. Why should I be your keeper?"

I rolled my eyes. "You know what? never mind. I will do it myself". I made to touch the bell when the door opened. Miss Lucy stared at me in surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

I rolled my eyes. "I am here to see Bella. I mean miss Bella"

She looked around and then opened the door wide enough for us to walk through. "Come in"

We entered and she offered us a seat. She sat down opposite us. She sighed. "Why do you want to see Bella?"

I furrowed my brows. Is she supposed to question me before letting me see her?. Maybe Bella told her what happened yesterday. I rolled my eyes. I don't think so. If Bella had told her she wouldn't have let me in, in the first place. I sighed. "I can't need to see her for something important"

She sighed. "Bella is not home"

I frowned but had to conceal it. "Where is she?"

"I left her at home this morning. She was very sick and could not make it to school. I wanted to stay back and take care of her but she asked me to go. When I came back she was gone"

I batted my lashes. "Gone?"

She nodded and stood up. "Follow me". She led the way while we follow behind. She stopped in front of a door and opened it. We walked into the room. I looked around. The room was well arranged and decorated. From the pictures on the wall, I knew it was Bella's room. Everything was in place. The bed was well arranged. She sighed. "At first, I thought it was an adoption. But seeing how arranged the room was, I knew she did not leave in a hurry. It was well planned". She moved to Bella's wardrobe and opened it. It was empty. "I still don't get why she left. We were cool with each other. I have been calling her number but she isn't picking up. I just want to be sure she's safe"

I sighed. I feel more guilty now seeing that Bella left home. I felt I was the reason she left home. "I am the reason she left home"

Miss Lucy batted her lashes and Ethan stared at me in disbelief. "You are the reason she left home?"

I nodded. "Yesterday, she opened up to me that she loves me and I rejected her love..."

"You're the reason she slept on the bench at the beach?"

I furrowed my brows. "S-she slept at the beach"

She sighed. "Yesterday after I called you to ask after her. I thought she would come home but she did not. I slept off and did not realize she wasn't back until she called me this morning to come to pick her up"

I brushed my hair backward in frustration. What have I done!!!. I thought she wasn't in school before she was sick and coming here to beg her will be ok but now she isn't here. No one knows where she is. I sighed. "D-did you file a missing person report?"

Ethan scoffed. "You can only do that after twenty-four hours"

I groaned. Bella where are you!!. I punched the wall. Miss Lucy was startled and moved closer to me but Ethan never made a move. "Punching the wall won't bring her back. I believe she is trying to heal up somewhere. We can only hope she has a change of mind and return home soon". I sighed. "You're bleeding. I will get a first aid kit and help you treat your hand"

She left the room, leaving Ethan and me alone in the room. Ethan stared dangerously at me and I sighed. "I am so sorry, Ethan. I never knew she would leave the house"

He ignored me and sat down.

**

It's been two days since Bella left her place. No one knew where she was or where she could be. She also did not show up at school either. I couldn't sleep or even eat. Ethan made matters worst by not talking to me. And as much as I tried to engage him in a conversation, he kept ignoring me. I went in search of Bella. I tried to visit all the places I thought she could be. But since I knew only a few things about her, I couldn't cover a large area. Miss Lucy and Ethan went to the police to file a missing person report. When I offered to go with them, they turned me down. I guess that is what I get for being heartless and cold-hearted towards Bella who had in every way showed me, love. I had to stay home, wait for them and hope they bring back goodness.

The door opened and Ethan walked in. I rushed to him. "Any news"

"Thanks to you. We kept bringing home bad news". I batted my lashes. Those were his first words to me in the past two days. Though I was a bit happy he talked to me, those words weren't what I expected from him. Those words were harsh.

"Just the same way the ones you spoke to Bella was harsh," my subconscious mind said

I sighed. I am reaping the reward of my cold-heartedness. But it's hurt so bad. It's hurt so well. I never thought it could hurt this bad to see my best friend ignore me. I knew I had to keep pushing. It was my fault Bella was missing. I need to know the update. He walked past me and I followed him. "Ethan?"

"What?"

"What did they say?"

He hissed. "I can't believe I have to tell you this. We were told she wasn't missing". I smiled. That's good news. "But they can't tell us her whereabouts. They have to keep it secret"

I rolled my eyes. Why will they keep her whereabouts away from us?. "That's strange. I have never heard of that before"

He hissed. Thanks to you it happened"

I don't think I can go on with this. I can't go on with this ill-treatment Ethan is giving me. "Ethan, why are you doing this to me?. Why are you treating ne this way?. Do you know how hurtful it is?. It hurts so badly"

He scoffed. "It hurts Huh?. Did you consider how hurtful it will be for Bella before you said to her?"

I sighed. "Ethan I have asked you to forgive me so many times. That's because I knew what I did was wrong. What will it takes for you to forgive me?. Let me what you want me to do". As usual, there was no expression was on his face. I sighed. "Ethan talk to me"

"You want me to forgive you?". I nodded. "Find Bella and bring her back"

I batted my lashes. "How will I do that?"

He shrugged. "I don't know but that is the only way I will forgive you". He stood up. "You have two days". I blinked. Two days?. How does he expect me to do that?

**

"Have you seen this lady?" I asked for the umpteenth time. I pointed at the picture I was holding

"No. I'm sorry" a woman answered

I sighed. "Thank you". I have been searching for Bella for the past two hours. Today is the last day Ethan gave me to find Bella. I brushed my hair backward. Where can she be?. Why doesn't she was to be found?. I have visited the police station so many times to see if they would tell me her location but they kept saying it's confidential. They said they couldn't say it because they have been given a clear and strong instruction not to say it to anyone. And as much as I tried to beg them, they said there was nothing they could do. So I told them to help me tell her to come back home. Everybody misses her so much. Her students miss her. Miss Lucy misses her. Ethan also and to crown it all, I miss her more than I have missed any other person. Now, I am walking over the places, hoping to see her or see someone that knows her whereabouts. I sighed. "Where are you Bella"

My phone rang and I checked the caller. It was Ethan. I batted my lashes. Why is he calling me?. "Hello?"

"Miss Bella is back. You can come back home"

I batted my lashes. "A-are you serious?"

"Yes"

I couldn't hide my happiness and joy to hear that Bella is back. I will get tk tell her how sorry I had been. I will also be able to get my friend back