Chapter 10 - Press Conference

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~Infinity Jade Tower~

~Press Conference Day~

John and Catherine were now preparing to go down to the 13th floor because the journalist and TV reporters were already down there waiting for Catherine's presence.

Catherine was wearing an elegant long sleeve white ruffle blouse over a classy black pants suit. While John was wearing casual attire. Catherine wore the sunglass over her eyes and hold hands with John as they exited the flat entering the elevator down to the 13th-floor conference hall.

The elevator opened on the 13th floor.

Romeo was already waiting for them at the entrance.

They walked towards the conference hall.

When they enter the conference hall, the reporters and journalists were ready with their notes, pen, and cameras.

Romeo went to the center and began talking facing the microphone.

"Good afternoon everyone! Mrs. Catherine Roxas is already here with us, so let's start the question and answer session. I have to remind everyone to stick to the questions that were approved by us, if you mentioned other question then we have the right to ignore them. As you can see, Catherine is a busy mom of two babies, so she needs to hurry up to return to her children. Okay, let's start!" Romeo said.

The video was now rolling.

Reporter #1: Ma'am Catherine, do you know the people who kidnap you?"

Catherine: No, they were wearing a mask all the time, so I wasn't able to see their faces behind the mask.

Reporter #1: But you can hear their voices?

Catherine: Yes. If I will hear them talking again I can easily identify them.

Reporter #2: Ma'am, I'm sorry to ask you this, did they hurt you physically?

Catherine: No. But on the first day of my captivity, there's a lot of traveling going on, I'm blindfolded and both my feet were bound by a rope. But when we arrive at the house where they held me captive, I was no longer tied by the rope, I can move freely from that moment onward.

Reporter #2: Ma'am, were you able to eat properly? Like three meals a day?

Catherine: Yes. I was given food for my meals.

Reporter #3: Ma'am Catherine, what could be the possible reason why the kidnappers abducted you? Is it for ransom? Did your husband pay a big ransom so that your kidnappers release you from captivity?

Catherine: No. There was no ransom demand, therefore my husband did not pay anyone and no one contacted him for ransom money.

Reporter #3: During your captivity, you did not attempt to escape?

Catherine: I plan to escape at first, but I'm pregnant with my second child and I'm scared to escape they might harm me and my baby so I did not pursue the plan besides the guys who guarded me were armed with weapons, I'm afraid they will shoot me.

Reporter #4: Did you give birth to your second child while in captivity?

Catherine: Yes.

Reporter #4: Are you the one who gives birth to your child?

Catherine: No, I'm not alone, the kidnappers provided me a midwife to help me give birth to my child safely.

Reporter #5: Is it true that your baby was left in the church and your husband see the baby there?

Catherine: Yes, that's true.

Reporter #5: So, it's the kidnappers who send your baby home?

Catherine: Yes sort of.

Reporter #6: Did the kidnapper set you free or you were able to escape on your own?

Catherine: They set me free.

Reporter #6: Did you know the name of the place where they hide you or taken you captive for almost 11 months?

Catherine: No. I dunno where that place is. The gate is tall and the wall was high. I can't see anything outside.

Reporter #7: Did you expect to get released from your captivity?

Catherine: No. I already expected the worst.

Reporter #7: Do you have any idea who is the mastermind of your kidnapping?

Catherine: No. I have no idea.

Reporter #8: What is your plan, will you pursue the kidnapper?

Catherine: If there is a chance I will. But I have no evidence. It would be impossible to catch them, they leave no evidence behind.

Reporter #8: If you can see the house again that you were held captive, would you be able to identify it?

Catherine: Yes. I would.

Reporter #9: If kidnap for ransom is not the motive of your kidnapping? Then what do you think is the reason behind it?

Catherine: I dunno...I wish I know.

Reporter #9: Are you currently experiencing nightmares during sleep due to trauma?

Catherine: Nightmares none, but I am afraid to go outside, our house is my refuge right now, I'm afraid to even take one step outside from this building. I'm afraid I will be abducted again.

Reporter #10: Are you attending counseling to get over your trauma?

Catherine: My husband suggested it. I will think about it.

Reporter #10: Any advice to all women out there?

Catherine: Be always alert, trust no one and if you boarded a taxi especially during night time, text the taxi number to your family members so that they will know who to track just in case you will never be able to come home.

The cameras were flashing for a few minutes after Catherine finished answering all the questions that were thrown to her by the reporters and journalists, the press people were satisfied.

Romeo announced the end of the news conference. "Thanks for coming guys and hopefully all your questions were answered."

The media people packed their tools and cameras and start leaving the conference room one by one after extending thank you to Catherine and John.

When the press people were already gone, Romeo returns to his office while the couple exited the room and went back upstairs to their children.