My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 125: Where Is Arata?

(Karsten)

I presented the quarterly report to the board of directors. But there was this uneasy feeling in my heart. I couldn’t place what it was—something nagged at the back of my head.

"I am going to present our KPIs for this quarter. Our revenue grew by 13 per cent, year-over-year. There has been a 21 per cent increase in online sales, which has been a huge boon, and I am looking to focus on digital expansion," I continued to explain different ups and downs, challenges and NPS data with them.

"How is the customer retention data?" Azbial questioned, making notes with his gold pen.

I revealed the data along with strategies to improve it.

Mostly they seemed impressed with how the company was operating. I had to yet share the details of the Winter Gala when the meeting was interrupted by Masdja.

Opening the door she entered with worries lining her face. Her eyes found me, and without hesitation, she blurted out.

"You sent someone to call Arata? Right?"

The ground seemed to have slipped from underneath my feet.

"No, where is she?" I grilled her, not even meaning to raise my voice.

The shock had her eyes largening as her hand flew to her mouth.

Larry had left his seat and made his way to hold Masdja, she was slightly trembling. The others watched in deep concern.

"A server in a uniform came to fetch her about half an hour ago. I thought the meeting had been delayed, but I just confirmed with someone else and they told me you have been in the meeting for the last 45 minutes. That concerned me, and I began searching for her, unable to find her; I then came here," Masdja revealed, her body uncontrollably shaking.

Fuck! Fuck! This was not happening.

Every limb in my body seemed to have gone numb from the shock. My hands fisted and nails pierced the calloused skin of my hand.

All I could think about was that someone had taken Arata. Someone took my Blue Rose and I couldn’t protect her like I promised.

"Description. I need the description of the man and in which direction he went," I demanded, moving closer to a fully shaken Masdja. Turning to Azbial I grimly ordered.

"And I need a phone. Call security. I swear if something happened to my girlfriend, I will hold you responsible." The old man moved quickly for his age. This was his residence, and if anything was to happen to my girl, I was going to hold him accountable.

Masdja was talking frantically but she was clear in the description. We rushed out of the conference room.

Every step seemed heavy and lasted an eternity. Arata’s smiling face wouldn’t leave my brain.

Horrible thoughts emerged, consuming my heart like a thick dense fog, suffocating me with each stride I took.

"We will find her. I have called the security, and they have shut the place down." Azbial joined me as he quickly dialled on his phone again.

"Close all the exits. Tell your security team to work with my men and check the footage of all cameras to see if anyone has left the premises in the last hour," I dictated and gave an annoyed grunt, hoping that we weren’t too late.

Four of us had arrived at the ground floor, inside the hall where I had left Arata. There were several elevators there. She pointed to the centre one. Larry still held her in concern.

"This is the elevator he used."

"Where does it go?" I demanded, turning towards Azbial while trying to keep myself together.

My self-control had withered and it wasn’t working. I was losing control.

Azbial looked slightly confused and, at the same time, perplexed.

"This one goes to the basement and can only be used by the ones who know its code. We have codes for security purposes, but they can be overridden by my handprint." Azbial stepped ahead and placed his hand on the glass sensor.

–Malfunctioned–

–Malfunctioned–

The red light beeped telling us that the elevator was either stuck or broken.

"It’s stuck, we will need to reboot the system." Azbial dialled another number and began to give instructions to restart the system so we could open the elevator.

A crowd was forming, but I didn’t care; I needed to get to the basement. She could still be inside.

"Where are the basement stairs?" I snapped, grabbing Azbial’s shoulder.

He pointed in the direction and I began to sprint. She wasn’t very fond of elevators. I had assumed she was claustrophobic and this could turn into a nightmare if she was still trapped inside it.

As fast as my legs could carry, I headed for the stairs. Taking two at a time. Teleportation had never seemed so tempting as it appeared in this instant.

Two of the security guards came rushing towards me as I burst out of the basement door.

"Elevator?" I thundered and they pointed in the opposite direction.

My legs wouldn’t stop running, as my boots crunched against the hard surface. The damn tie seemed like a noose around my neck, not letting me breathe properly.

And then I realised I couldn’t breathe because of her. She was fast becoming the very oxygen I needed to survive.

The system must have been rebooted, for when we reached there, the elevator door was opening, and the sight that met my eyes had my heart jumping right into my mouth.

On the far end of the elevator lay a man in the server uniform with his hand dangling at an odd angle and his legs spread out with blood sprinkled around him.

But it was the woman who lay right next to the elevator door that had my insides screaming in frustration and rage.

Her dress was torn open, and her flamed-hued hair scattered like lost ribbons on the floor.

Her eyes were half closed, her lips slowly moved as she murmured.

"Ka..rsten!"

My heart lurched, tugging me to her. It seemed like she had fought and fought well to keep them restricted to the elevator, but seeing her condition turned my blood to ice.

I was going to kill this fucker.

Rapidly, taking off my coat, I rushed inside the elevator and covered her.

"Arata, I got you. You are safe," I murmured as I picked her up, and she completely fainted in my arms. I tugged her close to my body in an attempt to keep her safe, which I had failed.

Turning to the guards, I furiously ordered.

"Capture him and lock him up. No calling the police. I will question him personally."