She's My Sleeping Pill

For the very first time in her life, Cayenne experienced what it feels like under the glaring lights of many cameras. She may not be famous but there were still many people who recognized her and follows her life. Some of them were also her subscribers while the others were admirers of her brothers.

Seeing so many people crowding her, Cayenne also felt a little fear deep within her heart. She didn't want to be drowned by all of them.

Stefan held her close to him and made sure that the bodyguards held everyone at bay. 

"Miss Cayenne, can we take pictures of you?"

"Miss Cayenne, can we have an autograph?"

"Can you sign my shirt?"

"Are you here to get the magazine, too?"

Questions after questions, request after request; Cayenne was stupefied and she didn't know what to do first. There were just so many people around her.

She kept a smile on her face without taking off her glasses. She was also nervous. "I'm…I'm not really famous but if you want to take pictures, it's okay, too. As for the autograph, I don't have a pen so maybe, next time?"

"That's fine, too." A lady said and immediately approached her to take pictures. Since Stefan didn't want to leave his wife, the ladies and gentlemen took pictures including him. Not that it matters to them.

One after another, they took pictures with Cayenne and Stefan. At first, the crowd wasn't that large but the commotion attracted other shoppers and they joined them as well.

Thankfully, the magazine store has finally took out the boxes containing the new prints of YES magazine making the crowd to slowly disperse. Cayenne looked for the little girl earlier and told her something that only she knows. After that, Cayenne left the store, letting her bodyguard get the magazine for her.

Together with Stefan, the two of them went to a dessert shop.

Since there were many people who wanted to buy the magazine, even though they made reservations, they still needed to line up. And reserved items were double the price.

After almost an hour of waiting, her bodyguard came back with the little lady earlier. She was also holding a magazine in her hand and was smiling happily as she walks towards them.

"You've managed to get one? That's great."

"Hn. I'm so lucky. This is actually the last stock."

"Oh. That's great." Cayenne retorted. "Thank you so much for your support and send my gratitude to your best friend, too." Cayenne took a small box from the guard and handed it to the little lady. "This is for you and your best friend. It's not a lot but I hope that you will like it."

"Hn. Thank you so much. She will be very happy with this. Thank you."

The two of them took pictures together and the little lady took pictures with her before leaving to go home. Cayenne received her own copy of the magazine and they also decided to go home.

"Shall we eat out tonight?" Stefan asked while stroking Cayenne's hair with his finger. "We can have dinner with everyone outside. It's been a while since we last dined with our family."

"Yup. I agree with you."

On the other hand, Chris was driving to Rissy's house to pick her up and have an exclusive advance birthday celebration with her. He prepared this thoroughly in the morning and he was even taking time to choose her gift. He wanted her to have the best birthday ever, coupled with the surprise that her students have prepared for her on the next day.

"Good evening, auntie. Good evening, uncle." Chris greeted Rissy's parents when he arrived to their house. "I'm here to pick up your daughter."

"She hasn't come back yet." Rissy's mother stated. "She said that she'll go out for a while to meet with her co-teacher at the park. Her colleague seemed to have some problem and needed her help."

"What time did she leave?"

"Half an hour ago. She should be back soon." Rissy's father responded while taking out a chessboard. "Play with me while waiting for her, will you?"

"Sure uncle." Chris played with Rissy's father but as the time passes by, he started to feel anxious. The two of them agreed to meet at six in the evening so that they can watch a movie together first before dinner. However, it was almost seven in the evening and she hasn't come back yet. "Uncle, do you know which colleague is she meeting today?"

"She mentioned that it's Teacher Rose."

"Teacher Rose? I see." Chris didn't say anything anymore but he pulled out his phone and looked for Tristan's number. He sent him a message and after five minutes, he received a message containing a phone number and address. "Uncle, can I make a phone call first?"

"Sure."

Chris stood up to make a call and suddenly, a loud crashing sound stopped him from moving for a sec. He changed direction and went to the kitchen instead. A broken glass laid on the floor with so many tiny bits of pieces around it.

Rissy's mother was standing in the middle with anxious face. Just like Chris, she was also feeling nervous for no reason.

"Isn't this Rissy's mug?" Chris asked while picking the broken item before looking for a broom and dustpan.

"I was cleaning it because I know she'll use it to drink milk once she arrives home but…but I felt so nervous for no reason and it slipped my hand."

Chris' hand trembled from fear and his actions were getting quicker. He cleaned the mess in the kitchen and immediately dialed the number that Tristan gave him right after cleaning.

"H-hello?" The voice on the other line sounded nasal and it seemed like she had been crying. "Hello. Who is this?"

"Teacher Rose, I'm Chris. Is Rissy with you?"

"Huh? I am waiting for her. She told me that she'd come and meet be but she has not arrived yet."

"Do you know where she lives? Can you come directly to her house from where you are right now?"

"But I told her that we'd meet here. What if she arrives and I am not here?"

"Your safety is our next priority." Chris was already walking out of the kitchen while speaking. He was hoping that nothing happens to her girlfriend but with how things are, he was getting tenser every second that has passed. "Come over to Rissy's house now!"

The call ended and the woman on the other line was startled with the boiling anger directed at her. She instantly stood up from where she was sitting and started to walk towards Rissy's home. She felt nervous and scared. She didn't know why but she felt that something must have happened to Rissy.

Chris didn't call Rissy earlier because he didn't want her to feel that he was nagging her and that he's possessive over her time and presence. He only called to check if she was really with her colleague. But now that he's calling her, there was no answer coming from her.

His heart was beating wildly in his heart. For the very first time, he felt really scared. He was scared that something has happened to her.

Chris walked around the vicinity and he even bumped to teacher Rose. The rims of her eyes were red and it's swollen. There was a bruise on her arm and there were handprints around her neck as well. Even though she tried to hide it under her scarf, Chris was still able to see it.

"Did something happen to teacher Rissy?" she asked when she saw Chris walking around. "We were supposed to meet and she said that she'll come to find me."

"Don't worry, she'll be fine." These words, they were supposed to comfort the woman in front of him but it was like an incantation that he put in his heart. He wanted to believe that she'll be fine.

Chris kept calling Rissy's phone. At first, it rang several times whenever he calls but this time, the number was out of coverage. Her phone was obviously turned off.

"Damn it!"

"What's wrong?"

"Go to her house right now. I'll find her." Chris didn't bother sending the woman to Rissy's house and just asked her to go there by herself. He couldn't afford to waste more time. He dialed Tristan's phone and called him before taking a taxi to the nearest police station. He left his own car in Rissy's place.

"What can I do for you?" Tristan asked while eating a lollipop in front of his computers.

"I sent you a series of number and I want you to trace its last location. Give me the place as soon as you can."

"Okay." Tristan started typing a series of number on a small search box and put in a series of codes that only himself could understand. Several dialogue boxes appeared on his screen and were showing locations of different places. "Where was she in the last three hours?" he asked Chris on the call.

"She was at home and she came out about an hour ago to meet with her friend but she didn't arrive. They didn't get to meet. I tried calling her but the phone was suddenly turned off."