Take Me Away novel Chapter 62

"Why did you come back from abroad?" Spencer asked casually as they ate.

Celine paused to look at him before answering, "Because I missed you."

Her frankness made him feel as if there was a lump in his throat. "Then why didn't you return two years ago? You could've come home as soon as you graduated. But you didn't."

"I..." Celine looked defensive. She pouted her lips and groaned, "I just graduated. I didn't have anything, not even a job. But the situation's different now! Now that I have my own career, I can finally take my place beside you. This time, no one can separate us, Spencer..." She put her chopsticks down and reached out to take his hand in hers. "Do you blame me?"

Spencer felt the warmth of her hand on his. He found himself not pulling away, but he dared not meet her gaze. "I blame myself," he gently replied. He thought it was his fault that he couldn't protect the woman he loved.

"We'll be fine, won't we?" Celine pleaded. "We're still the same as before, right?"

'Still the same as before?' Her words rang in his head.

There was a long pause before Spencer pulled away. Coldly, he explained, "A lot of things have changed in the last six years, Celine. I'm afraid we can't go back to the way we were."

"But why?" Celine asked with tears brimming in her eyes. "Is it because of Fiona? Just because you married her?"

Spencer's brows furrowed as he felt his heart sinking. He only married Fiona for his grandpa's sake, but...

"Why won't you answer me?" The puzzled expression on his face frustrated Celine. "Or is it because... you've fallen in love with her? Do you actually want to spend the rest of your life with her? Is that what you really want? Will you divorce her?"

"Divorce?" Spencer repeated the word unconsciously. Since getting married, he had never entertained the thought of leaving his wife. Did that mean he really wanted to stay with Fiona?

He was deep in his thoughts when a phone rang and diverted his attention.

It came from Celine's bag.

"I have to take this," she excused. Celine sighed when she saw that it was Sophia calling. She hesitated for a second, but stood up and told Spencer, "It'll just take a second."

"No worries." Spencer nodded.

Celine quickly stepped out of the restaurant and answered, "Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Cheng." The caller sounded anxious. "This is Sophia! Something happened to Fiona!"

"What happened?" Celine asked in shock.

"We were hiking the mountain and she just disappeared. We've been looking for her but we can't find her. I think it's been three hours since we last saw her." Sophia was crying from the other end of the line. "Can you please tell Mr. Cheng? Please ask him to come as soon as possible. We've called the police!"

"Mr. Cheng?" Celine asked confused.

"Spencer!" Sophia almost shouted in desperation. "You're his sister, aren't you? Can you pass the message to him? Please tell him to come quickly!"

'Something happened to Fiona..." The words kept repeating in Celine's head.

Her grip on the phone tightened as she said flatly, "I'm not with Spencer right now, and I don't know where he is. I'm sorry, I don't know how to reach him."

"Don't know how to reach him?" Sophia cried in disbelief. "Surely, you must have his number. Can you send it to me so I can call him? Please..."

"It's the police you should be calling! Why are you bothering me?" Celine sounded enraged. "I have nothing more to say to you."

"Hello? Hello!" Sophia called out but there was no mistaking that the line went dead. "That bitch!" She dropped the call and anxiously paced back and forth.

"The search and rescue team has just arrived!" Ella shouted from a distance. Running to Sophia, she asked, "Were you able to get in touch with Fiona's family?"

"No..." But just then, a thought occurred to Sophia. "That's it!" She took out her phone again and dialed Ryan's number. "Ryan?" She cried.

"Sophia? What's wrong?" Ryan asked anxiously.

"Something happened to Fiona! Can you come here quickly? I..." Her voice faltered as she spoke. "I don't know what to do."

Hearing this, Ryan's heart froze. No wonder Fiona didn't answer his calls. "What happened?" he asked.

"We're on Maple Mountain and we can't find her..." Tears were streaming down her face.

"What do you mean? Where did she go?" Ryan jumped to his feet and reached for his things with trembling hands. "I'll be right there!"

"Thank you!" Sophia said as she wiped her tears off with the back of her hand.

Back in the restaurant, Celine took a deep breath as soon as she dropped the call. She sported an unnatural smile when she came inside.

Spencer looked up and asked, "Who was it?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just someone from work asking about a project." Celine shook her head and dismissed his question.

"Okay." Looking at his watch, Spencer realized that it was already three in the afternoon. "Are you done?"

"Yes."

"Then let's get out of here." He grabbed his hat and walked to the checkout counter.