Chapter 22

Ron Pov.
-You promised. Amanda's mom yells at me and I hang my head more ashamed than I've ever been.
As soon as I finished talking to Max, I decided to also call Amanda's mom to let her know that I failed to keep my promise.
She was so scared by what I told her that she took the first plane out of Bogota and left her boyfriend there.
-Gabriella, I...
She slaps me across the face with tears in her eyes and shaking with nerves, and I don't blame her at all.
-Don't make excuses, Stallion. You promised me that nothing would happen to my daughter and you made me trust you so much that I left my daughter's life in your hands. Do you know why I did that?
I shake my head unable to say another word.
-I did it because I knew how much you love her. There was no need for you to tell me how you felt about my daughter because I could read in your eyes all your feelings for her. Do you know what I'm reading in your eyes right now? Incapacity. You just proved to me how incapable you are of caring for anyone.
I don't say a word because everything she says is true. I let my pride as a man keep me from keeping an eye on Amanda.
-Answer me a question honestly. What are you going to do now? She continues in the same tone, and I look up from the ground, looking straight into her eyes.
-I'll find Amanda, even if it's the last thing I do.
Gabriella seems satisfied with the answer I gave her and tries to calm down as much as possible.
-Can I trust that you will find it? she finally asks me.
- I will find her. I'm sure of this.
She tries to stay strong by not letting the tears that threaten to leave her eyes fall, then grabs her bag and leaves the apartment without another word.
-Can we help you with something? Ask Max who I forgot was here.
I turn to face him and see the two of them holding hands. They are beautiful together. I never stopped to think about it, but... Will Amanda and I look as good together as Karla looks with Max?
-You can't help me with anything. I messed it up, I have to solve the situation.
-Don't be so hard on yourself, Ron. You had no way of knowing... Karla says worried for me, but I just nod my head.
-If I wasn't so focused on the fact that Amanda doesn't want to admit her feelings for me, then none of this would have happened. She was here with me, if I... It doesn't matter now.
Max walks up to me and places his palm on my shoulder in comfort.
-You can count on us for anything. We're staying with you until you find Amanda. He says, trying to take the burden off my shoulders.
- That's right. Amanda's part of the family, Ron. Karla adds and I simply nod my head silently thanking them for being such good friends.
I leave the apartment, leaving Karla and Max alone. In case of anything, they will be here and keep me posted if anything happens. I, on the other hand...I have to ask for help from the last person I wanted to turn to. Tyson Clark. Amanda's father. I know how badly Tyson treated Amanda and her mother, but I hope that in his black soul he still has a shred of parental love for his daughter.
I start the car and drive to New York. I have a nineteen hour drive ahead of me, but I'm trying to drive at the speed limit. What I miss now would be to be stopped by the police for speeding and to waste time explaining things to them.
Besides, it wouldn't bode well for me to choose not to wait for them and decide to look for her on my own.
My phone rings and I put it on speaker without checking the caller.
-Hello?
"-Hello again, Stallion." The voice of the bastard who has Amanda is heard and God only knows what he's putting her through.
-What do you want?
"-I don't think you should be talking to me in this tone."
- I want to talk to Amanda.
I know I'm not in a position to ask for things, but I want to hear his voice. I want to make sure she's okay.
“-Well…Amanda is busy at the moment, I could tell. But if you want to know how it feels... The word would be 'excellent'. I'm doing my best so that when you see her again, you will suffer the most."
I tighten the steering wheel of the car, ready to break it, then pull to the right. I can't drive until I calm down.
-Listen to me, you bastard...I will find you eventually, and then you will be begging me to kill you, because I will enjoy every second of it.
The man laughs hysterically again and I narrow my eyes as I feel fear creeping into my bones again.
"-Oh Stallion...I can't wait to see you. And Amanda can't wait to see you, but guess what?! Until you find me, I will enjoy Amanda in every possible way."
I want to yell at him not to touch her, but the call is interrupted, and I hit the steering wheel of the car repeatedly trying to release my nerves.
Images of a defeated and hurt Amanda cloud my mind and no matter what I try to imagine, I can't.
Amanda is hurt in God only knows how because of my stupid actions.
I need to find her as soon as possible. Every second she spends away from me means more wounds on her body.
I can't even think about it. Just thinking about it makes me sick.
I take several deep breaths and when I'm at least able to drive, I start the car again and continue on my way.