Chapter Three: Where is Our Bride?

Madelyn with her son in their car driving to the Andrews house.

It's Sunday, and Madelyn wants the marriage as quickly as possible.

Jude didn't tell Maya about it, He couldn't bring himself to tell her.

Madelyn couldn't help but smile, her plans were working, Jude has been quiet and obedient, and she hopes the Andrew family has talked to their daughter cause she doesn't want anything to go wrong.

This was her ultimate plan in getting rid of Maya.

Liya, Jude's wife-to-be is easy to control, unlike Maya.

They go to the house, it was a big duplex painted in white but it's not as big as the Sebastians' mansion.

They got down from the car while their driver parked properly.

Mrs Andrew was already outside waiting for them, she gave Madelyn a hug "Welcome" She said.

"Thank you, "Madelyn said smiling "This is my son Jude" Madelyn introduced Henry to Mrs Andrew.

"I can see that, he takes after his mum's beauty, Henry nice to meet you, I'm Liya's mum"

Madelyn blushed at Mrs. Andrew's statement.

Jude didn't say a word.

Mrs. Andrew was embarrassed.

"He is stressed from work, that's why he is quiet," Madelyn said smiling.

"Oh, I can imagine. Please come in"Mrs. Andrew ushered them in.

Jude went in with his mum, the house was a big and beautiful one.

He studied the surroundings, at least he isn't getting married to a pauper girl.

The Sebastians were welcomed nicely in the Andrew house, they eat, drink, and talked.

Jude was enjoying the moment especially when He and Liya's dad talked about the country's economy and business.

Madelyn and Mrs.Andrew were discussing fashion and their kid's wedding.

With all this going on, Liya was kept in her room.

When it's time for business, Both families discussed the marriage and how beneficial it is to them.

Jude didn't see what he was gaining by marrying the Andrew but Madelyn pressed him into signing the documents.

After signing it, Jude requested for his bride to be brought before him.

He was curious about her though he did some research about her overnight.

It was difficult finding her as Liya is a private person but he did through her dad's mutual friends.

Mr.Andrew signaled to his wife to get Liya, Mrs. Andrew excused herself and left.

She went upstairs to Liya's room.

"Sweetie, open the door, it's time to see your groom's family," Mrs.Andrew said.

There was no response.

"Liya opens up" Mrs. Andrew knocked again.

No response.

"Liya?" Mrs. Andrew tried opening the door but it was locked.

She hit the door severely, trying to open it with her strength, but she couldn't.

She called Liya's number, but her phone was switched off, and she panicked.

She went downstairs, excused her husband from the gathering, and told him.

Andrew couldn't believe what she was saying, "We saw her this morning, she ate breakfast with us"

"yes, but she isn't responding, her door is locked and her phone is switched off"

"Maybe she is sleeping," Andrew said as he made his way to Liya's room.

"Liya dear" Andrew called out as he knocked on her door.

There was no response.

He knocked again, this time harder still the same result.

"don't bang too hard, The Sebastians will hear"

"Call Sarah for me"Andrew shouted at his wife.

Mrs. Andrew went to look for Sarah.

Sarah is Liya's maid, she is close to Liya than her mum.

"Sarah, Sarah" Mrs. Andrew called out searching for her.

"Ma'am?" Sarah answered from the laundry room.

Mrs. Andrew grabbed her "Where is Liya?" She asked pulling her dress.

Sarah was surprised at her mistress reaction.

"I said where is my daughter?" Mrs. Andrew asked again.

"I have no idea, she was in her room, I left her there to weed the garden" Sarah answered.

"I don't believe that, you better tell me where Liya is or you lose your head, did you conspire with her to humiliate me and my family."

"No ma"

"She was in her room"

"Get me the spare keys to her room, now!" Mrs. Andrew yelled.

Sarah ran to get the spare key.

She got the key and took it to Liya's parents.

Andrew opened the door, Lo and behold Liya wasn't in her room.

Her room was locked from the inside, she wasn't in her room and her phone was on her bed.

"Look, the window," Mrs Andrew said pointing to the window which was opened and there was a curtain tied to it.

It dawned on them that Liya had run away.

Mrs.Andrew panicked, Madelyn will kill her.

Andrew was angry, he couldn't Liya would humiliate him in front of his in-laws.

"Did she run away?" Mrs.Andrew asked shaking visibly.

"Are you blind?" Andrew shouted at his wife.

"omg! We are gone. What do we tell Madelyn and her son" Mrs Andrew fell to the ground.

"And you, shouldn't you be watching her, where were you?" Andrew roared at Sarah.

"I'm sorry, I left to weed the garden and do the laundry" Sarah apologized on her knees.

"That's a lie, I'm sure you planned it with her" Mrs.Andrew called out.

"No ma, I will never do that, I left her in the room she was talking to Ryan on her phone before I left."

"You say what?" Andrew asked.

"She was with Ryan on the phone"

"That bastard" He cursed.

Andrew phoned Ryan's line but it was switched off.

"That fool!" He clenches his fist.

"If I sew him amma kill him, how dare him?"

"So you are suggesting Ryan ran away with Liya?" Mrs.Andrew asked.

"What do we do? we already signed the papers, and Jude had wired the money into our accounts, this is a disaster!"

"Have you called Octavia?" Sarah asked. "She is Liya's best friend, she might know about it"

"you just shut up, you should be watching her yet you left to tend to nonsense, I'm sure you plotted this with her"

"Dear, Call Octavia, "Andrew said to his wife.

Mrs Andrew contacted Octavia who she picked.

"Thank goodness," She said.

"Hello ma"

"Hi, Octavia, do you know of your friend's whereabouts?"

"Liya? No, I thought she is meeting Jude today."

"Yes, Jude is here but Audrey isn't, she disappeared."

"That's not good, did you try calling her?"

"We did, her phone is in her room."

"Oh, my God. What do we do? Let me dress up, I will try looking at some places she might be, starting with Ryan's house."

"Please do, thank you," Mrs Andrew said.

"Don't mention it ma"

"Okay, we will be expecting your call," She said and hang up.

"What did she say?" Andrew asked impatiently.

"She will look at Ryan's house and some places she might be"

"mmm"

A servant entered "Ma, Sir the guests are calling for you"

"shit!" He cursed.

"What do we tell them?"His wife asked.

"Let's go downstairs first, and act normal," Andrew said leaving.

"You, what are you doing here? follow us. Since you couldn't keep her, you take the blame"Mrs Andrew said pulling Sarah along.

Sarah bowed and follow Mrs.Andrew downstairs.

Downstairs, Madelyn was visibly angry "You left for a long period, keeping us waiting," She said.

"Oh we are sorry Madelyn," Mrs.Andrew said trying to embrace her but Madelyn pushed her.

"Where is she? Where is your daughter?" Madelyn asked.

There was no response.

Mrs.Andrew stayed behind her husband shaking.

"Mr.Andrew where is my son's wife?" Madelyn asked.

"She... She was in her room... Room"Andrew stammered.

"Then bring her out?" Madelyn shouted.

Madelyn read Andrew's body language and suspected something must have gone wrong.

No way, there is no way this was going wrong, this was her plan in getting Jude into her hands.

She has to get rid of Maya using Liya, she invested a lot in this and nothing is going off.

Madelyn skimmed through her hair "I will ask you again, where is Liya?".

"We don't know she was in her room but we can't find her," Mrs.Andrew said.

Madelyn laughed "Hahaha" She couldn't believe her ears.

"You can't find your daughter? Are you stupid?" She screamed.

"Andrew, you couldn't even put your house in order, are you a man? Shm"

Mrs.Andrew wasn't pleased with the way Madelyn talked to her husband, her husband is far older than her.

"You people are scam, you made us sign the papers, and wired the money but you refuse to produce our wife, I think I will get the police involved."

"No, please don't, she probably went out to get something."Andrew pleaded.

"Shut up! Are you kidding me? Went to get something when her groom is around?" Madelyn shouted.

"Please, don't scream at my husband, have some respect," Mrs.Andrew said.

"Respect my foot, you filthy tramps, aren't you her mother, why isn't she here? Omg! What type of household am I marrying into? a dishonest one?" Madelyn asked rhetorically.

"You should have stayed with her," Mrs. Andrew said to Sarah.

"And who is this?" Madelyn asked looking at Sarah.

Jude was getting impatience, he wants his bride.

"Where is Liya, bring me my wife!" He yelled for the first time.

He was mad at the embarrassment the Andrews family caused him and his mum.

He knew something was off about the family.

"She is Liya's personal maid," Mrs.Andrew said.

Madelyn slapped Sarah hard on her face "Why weren't doing your job?" She shouted.

Everyone was shocked by the slap.

Sarah fell to the ground holding her cheeks "I'm sorry ma" She pleaded.

Madelyn took a deep breath trying to control her anger.

"Andrew you better do the needful or I do it myself and if I do it, there will be blood," She said, hissed, and left.

Jude stood up "Andrew bring me my wife or you will be a guest in the police station for fraud." He said and left.

Mrs. Andrew was angry with the way Jude addresses her husband "That spoilt brat, how dare him?"

Meanwhile, In the car, Madelyn was fuming seriously, while Jude was happy.

He was glad things didn't go as his mum planned.

"How dare them? Do I look like a play to them?" Madelyn fumed.

"Is it the way I laughed with them, what give them the audacity to trick me? a whole Madelyn! Ahh!" She screamed.

Jude burst out into laughter.

Madelyn turned to her son "You think it's funny? you are laughing huh?"

Jude couldn't help but laugh more.

"Sorry Mum but you are more pretty when you are angry."

Madelyn rolled her eyes.

"especially when you move your nose upward, it's so funny," Jude said laughing.

"just shut up, shut up or I will..." She faced the driver "And you why aren't you driving? Why are we still here? You want to lose your job?" She yelled.