Twice Rejected
Chapter 53

Niyol’s POV

It was already dark and they had not been able to track down the people who took Koko along with them. Koko had disappeared too. I didn’t even know how she was doing.

“Let’s go back to the palace, Niyol. Let’s go and see if anything can be traced. The investigators are working hard.” Laci said, trying to prop me up.

“I don’t want to go there. It reminds me of Koko.” I responded, feeling downcast.

“That’s more of the reason you have to go. Let’s look for her everywhere. The places she usually frequents. I am sure there must be a clue somewhere. Let’s just go. You also need to eat something. You haven’t eaten anything since morning.”

“I don’t have an appetite, Laci,” I responded, trying to lie down again.

“Do you want to die before Koko comes back? Do you think she would be happy seeing you so broken?”

“She left me… what does she expect me to do? I’m missing her like crazy! The one month I was away, her thoughts kept me sane and now she just left.”

“She didn’t leave, Niyole. She was forced out by people and you have to find out who they are. Starving yourself and lying down here won’t solve any problem.”

“Laci, I am afraid. I don’t want to see her dead body. I really can’t take it.”

“We won’t Niyol. She would come back for us. Remember her promise to you? She kept it even when everyone was against her. She stood her ground to wait for you even when she was mocked every day. Don’t tell me you have given up on her!”

“Laci, I don’t want to. But I am hurting so much!”

“I understand Niyol, but we need to find the culprit soon and bring Koko back.”

I nodded and she led me out of the office. Somehow, I just didn’t know what to do.

When we got to the palace, I followed her to my chambers and she ordered food so I could eat. I had never seen her this worried nor have I ever been this broken even when Erika died.

It seemed I had fallen in love with Koko naturally. It wasn’t just because we were mates, but it was love. I felt genuine love towards her innocence. Towards everything that reminded me of her.

I grew to love her in the midst of her suffering and we learned to lean on each other, even at all times. The love I couldn’t give to Erika, I was ready to give her a triple.

To me Erika was a friend turned mate. Our friendship led to us loving each other and understanding each other. But Koko wasn’t about friendship. There was this connection I had with Koko that always pulled at my heartstrings.

I hated to part with her and when she was near, my heart just couldn’t stop being gleeful. My joy knows no bounds, as long as I was with her.

She wasn’t just my mate, but I could gladly say that ‘she is my soulmate.’ And I don’t know how I was going to live without her in my life.

I didn’t want to be a monster.

“I will be in the living room. Please, wash up before the food arrives.” Laci said to me.

Before I could answer her, I felt a sharp pain clawing to my heart and it felt as if it was being pulled out. I was in pain and it didn’t end there. I felt sudden pain all over my body.

My thoughts and visions were clouded with just one person and name.

Koko. She was hurting! Those bastards were hurting her!

“Arrrrrrggg! Arrrrrrggg!” I screamed in agony, making my heart clamped together.

Laci rushed up to hold me tightly, her voice laden with fear. “What’s the matter? Where are you hurting?”

“I.. am hurting all over. It’s coming straight to the heart. Koko… Koko is hurting! Damm it! I will kill each and every one of them, I swear!”

I closed my eyes tightly, so I could control my emotions. This wasn’t the time to be weak. I needed to bring her back from wherever she was.

“I need to bring her back! She is still alive, but going through pains. Those bastards!”

Slowly I was able to control the pains. I opened my eyes and the only thing in it was vengeance. I wasn’t going to sit back and watch her being tortured!

But first things first… I was going to pay my mother a visit.

As I was thinking of going to see my mother, there was a light knock on my door and my Butler came inside.

“Your majesty, the Queen mother is here to see you,” he said.

“Just right on time.” I murmured to myself. Laci and I exchanged glances before I dismissed the Butler. “I will be with her shortly.”

I wasn’t going to allow her into my chamber. This time around, I will not take it lightly with anyone involved in this kidnapping. I would make sure to fix each and every one of them.

As soon as I got to the living room, my mother rushed to hold me with tears in her eyes. I really didn’t want to believe that she was involved in the kidnapping, but all fingers were pointing to her.

“Son, I didn’t do it. I swear… I… I only threatened her. I just told her….”

“Can you hear yourself, mother! You threatened my mate! Your son’s second chance to love!”

“Son, please! Just listen to me! I did not do anything to her, I swear!”

Laci was looking at her. I could feel something odd about her gaze on our mother.

“I thought you would be rejoicing now that Koko has ‘disappeared’, according to your wishes. Why are you here begging?” Laci asked, her face devoid of any emotions for her.

“Laci, beg your brother for me. I really didn’t do it. It… it was just a mere threat! I didn’t do anything.”

I turned to look at her tear stricken face. “Did you remember what I told you in the car the other day? Did you remember? I warned you before I left.”

“Son, I am wrong. I know that I am wrong! Please! Maybe… maybe she just left. Maybe she just wanted to go… I will find her… I will send…”.

“Do you really think that crying over spilled milk will bring it back? It seems I was too lenient with you and Aunt Maria. I really was too soft!”

“I am still your mother! Why don’t you believe me? I didn’t do anything to her!”

Looking at her incredulously, I said. “Believe you? Are you kidding me? I should believe a woman who caused the death of my first mate? And now I am frantically searching for my second chance mate!”

“Do you take pride in seeing me suffer? Do you love it when they leave me alone?”

“I didn’t do it!” She continued saying.

I wanted to believe her, but I just couldn’t. Just then someone came in. “Henry…”

“Your majesty, I came immediately I heard the news,” he said bowing. “May I ask if there are any progress?”

“My men are still working on getting her. Hopefully, we might see her. Henry, thank you for all the help you rendered to Koko during my absence.” I told him.

“It’s nothing, her majesty was a sweet soul. I gained a lot from accompanying her and it’s the least I can do for you as a friend.” Henry said.

Then he turned to my mother. “Why are you denying it? The last time I was here, you said you were going to make her disappear in three days. Are you now denying it because Niyol is here?”

Even Henry knew about my mother’s grudge too. How much had they maltreated my mate while I was away?

“Don’t accuse me, falsely young man! I am still the Queen mother. Why are you all disrespecting me?”

“No one is being disrespectful, Queen Mother. I am just saying that I saw everything you did to Koko.” Henry replied

“There are several people that witnessed your encounter with her and yet you keep denying it. What do you stand to gain?” I asked, clearly frustrated.

It even looked like she wasn’t feeling sorry at all for her actions.

“Do you think she would feel sorry? Deep inside, she is still jubilating on finally getting rid of Koko!” Laci said.

“Stop talking to me like that, Laci!”

I closed my eyes before opening them. I was trying to calm the emotions clouding in my heart. I couldn’t stand my mother’s denial anymore.

So I turned to her, “Leave. I need to have some time alone, please. Just leave.”

I was trying to control myself from making a decision that might affect her. I wanted to give her some time. I also wanted to believe that she wasn’t the one that did all these.

Staring at me with her eyes filled with tears, she stood still for a while before turning to leave.

I felt my heart breaking and the pains I had to endure were becoming too much to bear.

All I needed now was to find Koko.