Chapter 95 - I Lover Her More Than Anyone Else

Benjamin

"How much did you give her?" I spoke in a calm but deliberate voice. 

"T-T-Two hundred dollars." He stammered. "Wow." I said shaking my head with pouted lips. "You really ripped her off didn't ya." I said staring him down. 

"W-w-what do you mean." He went on stammering. "You know what the watch is worth." I told him. "There are only a few made." I said holding his gaze.

"I will call the cops." He said. "Go right ahead." I told him. "I think they will be very interested in what you bought today. Although the watch is hers, I bet she could not hand you the paper work, could she?" I said in a threatening voice. 

"It was hers." He said in shock. "Yes, she is my wife and his been kidnapped. But you my friend are in deep trouble." I said while taking out my phone and showing him the paperwork online. 

He mumbled something uncomprehensive, "Y-you can have it back." He said. "Just don't call the cops." He said.

I took the bangle and shook my head. "I need your camera footage from outside your shop. I told him. I need to know where she went." I said. 

"She did not go out front." A woman said coming out from the back. "She wanted to go out from behind here." She said.

"Show me." I ordered.

Saphira and I were escorted by a few guards. We followed the woman back into their storage room.

"She went out of this door." She said to me as she opened it.

I walked outside. I was standing in a parking lot. Across the street I saw a bus stop. Where does that bus lead to?" I asked. This must have been the first thing she saw.

"Canada eventually." The woman shrugged. "Just a little off the border though." She added. "Write down the last bus stop for me." I ordered her.

"I don't know what it is." The woman panicked. "Then look it up." I said remaining calm. 

A little while later she handed me a piece of paper. I took Saphira's arm and thanked the woman. 

"The video footage has been checked and we have confirmed she took the bus." One of my guards said.

"Thank you." I said. 

"Prepare a helicopter." I told my guards. We needed to catch up with her. We walked towards our driver and got in the car. 

"Where would she have gone?" Saphira asked me. I shook my head. "I honestly don't know." I sighed. "I just hope she is safe.." I said, emotion colored my voice.

Saphira

We were taken to a heli platform nearby and Benjamin strapped me in. I wanted to hold him. Be in his arms and know that he was mine. I could never have that again. Here I was on a mission to find his wife. 

His wife. 

He was so close, I could almost touch him. so I did. I reached out my hand stroke my fingers across his stubble beard. 

"I miss you." I blurted out. 

Benjamin seemed caught of guard. He lingered above me for a moment, processing what I just said and then kissed my forehead. 

He didn't speak. 

It did not take that long to get to a little town across the border. We landed in a field. "If it is not restricted, please let the helicopter stay here for a little longer." Benjamin said to one of his guards. 

"Yes." The man said. We were driven to the last bus stop. "Who said she waited to get out that long?" I said a little less kindly then I meant it to come out. 

"We don't." Benjamin said. "We need footage." He shrugged. I looked around. There were several shops and there was a gas station, which had a good view on this side of the street. "I think we should ask the gas station for the images." I said. 

"Smart thinking." He smiled at me.  The gas station was open, but there were no customers to be found. A very young guy with a jeans type of jacket on sat behind the counter. 

"Good day folks." He said as we approached him. 

"Is there any way we can get the footage of yesterday." Benjamin asked. "From that camera." Benjamin added as he pointed towards the front of the building.

"This is not something we usually do. Also with privacy and everything." The guy stated. "My was has been kidnapped." Benjamin said hoarse.

"I think you should better let is up to the police then. They can come ask for the images." He shrugged. 

Benjamin took out his phone and showed it to the cashier. It were images of Jasmine. They circulated all around the internet. 

"Oh…" The man said. "How much can I pay you for the images?" I asked him. "Name your price." Benjamin said in an irritated tone. "I don't have much time here." Benjamin pressed.

"No. No sir. You d-don't have to pay anything." He stammered. 

"You can come in to the back." The guys said while he opened the door. We went into a messy little office. There were several screens on the wall. 

"I want to see the images from… I don't know the time that bus there." Benjamin said while waving his hand. "Arrives between three and four in the afternoon." 

I had a hard time watching Ben keeping up a good show. I could see that he felt lost. 

"There!" Benjamin shouted. 

He made me jump a little. We watched Jasmine walk up and down and look at the other bus signs which showed time of departure. Then suddenly a bus approached and Jasmine hurried to the right stop.

She got in again. I sighed. I was done chasing her. ""

"And where does that bus lead." I said not even hiding my irritation any more. 

"I think…" The guy started to say. "Come." He gestured us to follow him.  We went out of the office and he took us out of the station. 

"I think it goes to Regina." The guy said out of breath. "But let's confirm that first." He said walking in high speed. "I am not supposed to leave the shop." He said looking behind him. 

"Oh, I am so sorry." Benjamin apologized. "I did not mean to get you in any trouble. Please go back." He said. 

"It's okay." The guy said when we reached the stop. "Regina it is…" Benjamin said almost pulling his hair out. 

Benjamin

We had taken the heli to Regina. It was a little city. Still a city it was. I was unsure of how to find her here. I could not go to the cops, because I was sure they were listened to. 

"Footage again right." Saphira said heavy hearted when we stood before the last bus stop. "Yep." I simply said. I scratched my nose and looked around. 

"I am really hungry." Saphira said. "I think I might pass out pretty soon." She said shivering a little. 

There was a little diner there across the street. It seemed a little western style. "Let's get you a little to eat then." I said trying my hardest to smile at her.

There was nothing to smile about. Taking her into that diner meant losing time. Time that I could spend by finding my wife.

I wrapped my arm around her, to steady her and took her inside the diner. It was very crowded. 

Kids were playing in a little kids corner. The bar was crowded with people and almost all tables were taken. A woman with a cowboy hat stood behind the counted, pouring drinks. I did not see much of her face, because the hat was so big on her.

We sat down at one of the few empty tables. 

They had all kinds of hamburgers, looking at the menu. "I don't think I can offer you a very nutritious meal here." I shrugged. 

"I would love a hamburger." Saph smiled. "I could eat a whole cow." She said while making hand gestures. For a moment she made me laugh as well. 

Another woman in a checkered blouse and cowboy hat came to take our order. I just let Saph order something and I only asked for a glass of water. 

I was not in a mood to eat right now.

I placed my hands before my eyes, while my elbow rested on the table. I did not think I could take another day without her. 

"You really love her, don't you?" Saphira suddenly said. I peeked at her from between my fingers. 

"Yes." I breathed. 

"I love her more than anything in this world." I vowed.

"Also more than any other person?" Saph squeaked.

I swallowed. I did not mean to hurt her. 

I placed my hands on the table and looked at her. 

"Yes." I said, looking into her eyes. She needed to know the truth.. I would never love anyone, like I loved my wife.