The Sweetest Temptation

"What do you mean she is missing?!" Damien bellowed, making Rhys flinched slightly. He could hear the anger radiating from his voice.

"I went to buy her sanitary pads and when I came back she was nowhere to be found." He explained calmly, raking his fingers through his hair while pulling on the roots. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Find her! Call Xavier, pull out the security cameras, look for any clues. I’m coming over."

"No. You’re still recovering Damien. I will find her, don’t worry. I will call Xavier then we will know what to do."

"But I can’t just sit—"

"The doctor said you’re not fit to drive and you don’t want our location to leak, do you? We can’t risk anything. I will update you when we finally get any leads about where she might be. Don’t stress yourself too much. Your body can’t handle the stress."

Damien sighed, "Please...find her."

"I will." Rhys said and hung up the phone.

He didn’t even know where to start looking for her. He paced back and forth in the middle of the burger restaurant, his hands running through his hair in frustration.

He felt a knot form in his stomach as he thought about all the worst-case scenarios. He had a bad feeling in his gut and he just wanted to find her and make sure she was okay.

Rhys was starting to feel anxious and stressed. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

He approached the counter again, his voice trembling as he asked the manager if they had any leads. The manager shook his head and told Rhys they were still looking, but they hadn’t found anything yet.

Rhys ran his hand through his hair, feeling overwhelmed. He had never been one for drama, but now he felt like he was in the middle of a nightmare. Where could Beatrix be?

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He couldn’t lose it now. He had to think logically and figure out what to do next. He decided to call Xavier.

As he dialed the number, Rhys couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to Beatrix. He hoped he was wrong, but his mind was consumed with worry and stress, making it impossible to think of anything else.

Xavier, it’s Rhys," he said, his voice tight with worry. "Beatrix is missing."

"What do you mean she’s missing?" Xavier asked, his voice sharp.

"We went to a cafe to grab a bite, and she went to the bathroom. I went to grab something at the supermarket, when I came back, but she’s nowhere to be found," Rhys explained, his voice breaking.

"Have you called Damien?" Xavier asked.

"Yes, I have. Also the manager of the restaurant had called the police. They’re checking the security footage for any clues, but so far, they haven’t found anything," Rhys said, feeling hopeless.

"I’m on my way," Xavier said, his voice firm. "Just hang in there, Rhys. We’ll find her."

Rhys nodded, even though Xavier couldn’t see him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

"Rhys, I have to ask," Xavier said, his voice hesitating. "Did anything strange happen before she went missing?"

Rhys thought for a moment, and then he remembered. "I went to buy her some sanitary pads. She said she needed them, so I stepped out to get them. When I came back, she was gone."

"Fuck!," Xavier cursed." I’ll be there soon."

Rhys hung up the phone, feeling a little better knowing that Xavier was on his way. He just hoped they would find Beatrix soon and that she was okay.

As Rhys waited for Xavier to arrive, he tried to keep his mind from wandering to dark places. He knew that the police that the restaurant had called were doing their best to find her, but he felt helpless waiting for them.

When Xavier arrived, he rushed over to Rhys, his face etched with concern. "What have the police found?" he asked.

Rhys shook his head. "Nothing yet. They’re still checking the security footage and talking to the staff."

Xavier nodded, his gaze shifting to the cafe. "I’m going to go talk to them," he said, determination in his voice. "We’re not leaving until we find her."

Rhys watched as Xavier approached the police, his mind racing with thoughts and worries. He had never felt so helpless and stressed in his life. He just wanted Beatrix to be okay, and he hoped they would find her soon.

As the minutes ticked by, Rhys felt his anxiety and stress growing. He knew he had to try to keep it together, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to focus on positive thoughts.

Suddenly, he heard his phone ringing in his pockets. He removed it and looked at the unfamiliar number before he picked up

"Hello?"

********

Beatrix was doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach in the stall of the bathroom

of the café. She didn’t think her cramps would be this bad, but now finds herself unable to leave the washroom. Sweat beading on her forehead, she tried to breathe through the cramps that were wracking her body.

Groaning in frustration, she leaned against the wall for support and tries to will the pain away. The sound of the café buzz filled her ears, and she felt a wave of misery wash over her.

All she wanted was to curl up in bed and wait for the cramps to pass, but she knows she has to gather her things and brave the outside world. Beatrix took a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she pushes herself away from the wall and heads back to her table. She needed to sit down even though Rhys had told her to wait for him.

Beatrix barely makes it a few steps out of the washroom before her legs give way beneath her. She crumpled to the floor, unconscious and in the grip of intense pain.

******

Beatrix groggily opens her eyes, confused and disoriented. She was in a small, sterile room with a white ceiling and beige walls. Sunlight streams in from a single window, casting a warm glow on the empty bed next to hers.

She tried to sit up but was immediately overcome by a wave of dizziness, forcing her back down onto the pillow. It took a moment for her to remember what happened - the cramps, the fainting.

Panic began to set in as she realized she was in an unfamiliar place. She looked around, searching for some clues as to where she was, but everything was unfamiliar. Suddenly, a door opens, and a woman walks in, a kind smile on her face. "You’re awake!" the woman exclaimed

"How are you feeling?" Beatrix tried to speak but found her voice hoarse and barely above a whisper.

The woman nodded understandingly, reaching for a cup of water and helping her take a sip.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Beatrix asked once she took a sip of the water.

"I’m Sandra, young miss told me to look over you. She had found you on the bathroom floor unconscious."

Beatrix frowned. She had no idea who the young miss the woman was talking about. Also she was supposed to wait for Rhys.

God he was probably worried about her. Damien...she couldn’t imagine what they must be going through right now.

"Who is your young miss? " Beatrix asked, curiously. It was weird to hear someone call anyone young miss.

"I’m sorry but I can’t disclose that. Is there anything that you would want? I’m to assist you if you need anything."

Beatrix furrowed her brows. She didn’t know if they would allow her to use mobile phone but she really needed to call Rhys.

He must probably going crazy with guilt right now.

"Yes, can I get a mobile phone? My family must probably be worried about me." She whispered her voice barely a whisper in the room.

The woman frowned she was probably contemplating if she should give the phone to Beatrix.

"Let me call my young miss to find out first." She said.

Beatrix nodded, "Alright. Thank you."

The woman nodded, "I will be right back."

Beatrix sighed and laid down on the bed as she waited for the woman. Hopefully she would allow her to call Rhys if not anything else.

Seconds passed until the woman came back with a phone in her hand.

"My young miss said I should allow you to call your family members. She would be coming back soon."

Beatrix took the phone and thanked her.

"What do you want to eat?" The woman asked her a soft smile on her face.

"Anything. I’m not a picky eater. Thank you."

"Okay. I changed you in case you’re wondering where your clothes are. They were soiled."

Beatrix nodded, "Okay thank you so much for everything."

"Welcome." With that the woman left her alone.

Beatrix dialed the familiar number and held her breath as she waited for the line to connect.

"Hello?"

"Rhys..."