Chapter 14: Site Visit…

The next day morning, she again left early with an excuse of work but her heart knows the reason. The entire night tormented her with those scenes. She was extremely uneasy and don’t understand the reason behind it. She doesn’t even remember when she went into slumber.

She reached the office and received the notification that they will be visiting the Hilltop Mountain to do a physical survey of the site. They all left around 10 am as it was a 2-hour drive from the main city. Mark, Nancy, and two other team members were there along with Reese.

They reached the site around 11:45 am. It was a prominent landform with beautiful scenery and a perfect location for a resort. The main challenge was the slope of the site that can easily cause a huge drift. Although the team was aware of this fact but seeing the slope they become a little concerned. Apart from that they also need to know about the shallow soils, rocky outcrops, groundwater seeps, and bedrock fractures. 

They thoroughly did the physical survey and collected all the required information in a detailed format. They even collected a few samples of rock and soil to get some tests done. It was already 5 o’clock in the evening and still, they were working. As it was a mountain area so darkness also proceeded earlier here.  

Mark said, “Let’s wrap for today as it is early late and dark here so it would not be safe to drive late.” 

Everyone nodded and started packing up. But suddenly a thunderous rain started. 

It was not at all safe to drive in this heavy rain in the mountain area, so they have to wait till the rain stops.

There were few guesthouses on this site and one of which is being already taken by Sean group for the team member who is working on the site. They all shifted to the guest house. It was already 7 in the evening and still, the rain has not stopped. Mobile signals were also not working due to rain so they were not able to inform their families. Reese was feeling a little uneasy as she knows mother Lee and grandma were worried about her. And this site visit was too sudden so she couldn’t get the chance to inform them earlier.

*****

At Lee’s

Mother Lee was very restless as Reese still not returned and her number was also not reachable.

She asked Aviva if she knows anything but she said she doesn’t know. In frustration, she scolded Aviva too.

She asked if she knows anybody in her office, Aviva shook her head and said it’s just a few days so I don’t know much and don’t have anybody’s number. She again got scolded, this time it was from Grandma. Mother Lee and grandma were never bothered about the business dealings so they were not aware that MUs is now Lee’s subsidiary. 

Aviva suddenly remembered the same and immediately told this to mother Lee. Without much wait, mother Lee called Armaan.

Armaan was about to leave the office and was stepping in his black Bentley when he received her mother’s call. He frowned little, as usually his mother doesn’t call in business hours or when he is outside until there is an emergency. He picked up the call.

“Hello, yes mom…Is everything is alright?” Armaan asked in a worried tone.

Mother Lee was already anxious and her voice was also sounding troubled, she said, “Armaan, Reese still not reached home.”

Hearing this Armaan squinted his eyes and said, “What?”

“Yes, child. Her number is also not reachable. Aviva also doesn’t have his colleagues or office number so we are not able to get any information. She just told me MU is now your subsidiary. Please son can you check with them. She is a good girl; she never behaved like this in past. I am really worried about her.” She asked him.

“Don’t worry mom, let me check. She’ll be safe.” He disconnected the call and asked Nolan to check the last GPS location of the Reese.

Although, he said this calmly but still his heart was unsettled.

Without delay, Nolan asked his people to get the information in just 5 mins. He immediately received the same; the last location was Hilltop Mountain around 5:30 pm. 

They all know, it was a high slope area and rains are very frequent over there. Nolan already got the people to get on work but Armaan was still a little apprehensive.

Nolan received the call from one of his subordinates that right now there is a thunderstorm and heavy rain happening over the mountain, which might turn into catastrophe any time. He also gets to know that the Reese team went there today for the physical site survey.

Once Armaan gets to know that, he immediately asked Nolan to drive to Hilltop Mountain and informed his mother that they knew where Reese is and leaving to get her. 

Nolan knew that it is not a wise decision as it is already very dark and it would not be safe but he also knows what Reese meant to Armaan. So he immediately drives to the direction.

*****

At Sean’s office…

Liam also came to know about the situation from his team that people are stuck at Hilltop Mountain due to heavy rain and thunderstorm. So without delay, he has also left for the site but little before Armaan.

Reese was feeling very nervous as she knows how everyone would be worried at home. Mark comforted all and tried to calm them down. It was already 9 pm and still, there are no traces that the rain will stop. 

They can only wait.