The CEO's Painted Skin

Rico instructed the cook to prepare a delicious meal for Catherine and the rest of them.

The cook prepared Garlic Butter Steak, Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken, Shrimp, and Scallops in Garlic gravy and Honey Garlic Pork Chop for dinner.

Rico went to the living room and discuss with his men on what is the best way to return Catherine to her husband safely without exposing their identity as the kidnapper.

"Let's drugged her, put her to sleep then leave her in a public park where no one is around to see us, there will be lots of people who will see and help her the next morning," the burly man suggested.

The guy with mustache shook his head. "And what if somebody comes into the park and assault or violate that girl while she was unconscious? What's the purpose of setting her free and then ended up violated later with a random stranger. Madam will kill us for sure if something bad happens to that girl!"

Rico was sighing, they are in dilemma indeed, although he was feeling relieved that Catherine will finally go home, then he can return to Madam's side as her driver and bodyguard which was always been his job ever since. He was against Catherine's kidnapping but he was just a mere employee, though he was puzzled about why Madam instructed her men to abduct the woman in the first place, they have no idea that she was pregnant during that time, they only know later. But Madam never told him what was the purpose of Catherine's kidnapping and it was not his place to ask for the reason why, either.

"If we leave Catherine in a public place, the moment she will see other people she would scream for help and we will be caught by the police in no time. The only way to return her safely without dragging us into trouble is to put her to sleep and leave her in a safe place somewhere and alert her husband to her whereabouts so that he can take her home. What do you think guys?" the guy with the mustache spoke again.

"There's a little problem with that plan, where is that safe place? Is it Inside a car, under the table, inside a room, or in a house? Where shall we bring her that is safe for us as well?" asked the burly man.

Rico was listening silently to his comrades' discussion.

He was thinking of something else...

He rose to his feet and starts pacing the floor back and forth, his mind was preoccupied trying to find the perfect solution to their current dilemma.

AHA!

A perfect solution pops up in his mind.

He was able to think of a seemingly perfect solution. but he knows very well that not all plan goes perfectly well, there's always room for error.

He was getting tired of pacing back and forth, Rico sat down on the sofa and calmed his restless mind.

Two hours later, the food was ready.

The cook arranged the foods in the tray for Catherine's meal.

Rico brought the food tray into the basement where Catherine was held captive.

He put the food tray inside the food box.

A moment later, the food tray was already gone taken away by Catherine.

Rico went back to the living room.

He and his companion went to the dining room, the cook was already setting the table. The four of them start eating their sumptuous meal.

Thirty minutes later.

Rico went down to the basement to get the food tray. When he opened the food box, the empty dishes were already piled neatly on the tray, however, he noticed that the fork and spoon were both missing, Catherine must have taken the missing utensils to use it as a possible weapon, she must be thinking of escaping if she sees an opportunity.

This is not good. He knocked on the wall of the food box wanting to talk to her.

The door of the food box opened.

"Catherine return the fork and the spoon!" he ordered her.

"Why should I?" she answered haughtily. "You can come inside and get it yourself," she said.

"What are you going to do with the fork and spoon?" he asked.

"I will use it to defend myself, I will stab anyone who enters the door!" Catherine exclaimed.

Rico chuckled. "Thanks for informing us! No one will enter the door for sure, we are afraid that you will stab us. But, you might as well return the utensils now, don't worry by midnight I will set you free, I will send you home myself. Okay?"

"You're a liar!" she said. "Why would you set me free?" she said unbelievingly.

"Because the mastermind no longer wants to do anything with you. We are instructed to set you free by midnight and return you to your husband's side safely," Rico explained.

"I don't believe you! You just want me to return the fork and the spoon!" she shouted at him again.

Well, it doesn't matter if you won't give me back the spoon and fork, I can always get it back anytime. But let's talk first, I want you to know that we are serious in setting you free. How to convince you then?" he asked.

Catherine became silent while contemplating if the leader was telling the truth or not. They will set her free tonight at midnight is too good to be true, she had a hard time believing it.

"Catherine, let me ask you a question. Did I ever hurt you physically during the time of your captivity?" Rico asked.

"No," Catherine answered. Although she was being held captive, she was never hurt or violated physically by those people who abducted her.

"See-? It's not our intention to hurt you, were just following orders. During your captivity with Dana, you can roam freely in that house, you were not bound by rope. We never dare hurt even an inch of your skin and you know it," he continues.

Catherine went silent again. Everything he said was true, she murmured to herself.

"Tell me, where is my baby and where is Dana?" she demanded.

"Dana returned your newborn daughter safely to your husband the next day she vanished from the house," Rico said.

Catherine's heart was beating faster after hearing his statement. She doesn't know if she will believe him or not, but just the mere mention of her husband and her infant daughter living together in one roof sent her crying nonstop.

Rico heard Catherine sobbing loudly, he allowed her to cry as long as she wants.