No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Jeez, I'm done for."

That text from Deborah just sat there staring at me for what felt like forever before I finally decided to call her. But no one answered.

Stubbornly, I tried her number again, still nothing. So, I decided to reach out to her office instead.

"Is Deborah around?" I blurted out as soon as the call connected.

"She's on leave," came the unexpected response, halting my breath momentarily. Before I could even ask, the voice on the other end inquired, "Is this Ms. Hudson?"

Surprised that they recognized my voice, I confirmed, "Yes, it's me. Why did Deborah take time off, and for how long?"

"She took personal leave, I think for three days. She's supposed to be back at work tomorrow. Ms. Hudson, you might want to try her cell," they said, still courteous despite knowing I was no longer their boss' fiancée. Worried sick about Deborah, I pressed on, "I can't reach her by phone. Do you have any other way to contact her?"

"No!"

The blunt response sent shivers down my spine. Something was clearly off with Deborah, and here I was, miles away, unable to check on her personally.

In desperation, I asked the person on the line, "It's urgent. I can't get through to her by any means. Could you perhaps visit her place and check on her?" "...Okay, I'll head there after work."

I couldn't wait that long. "No need to wait till you clock out. Go now, and ask your boss for leave. I'll call them right away."

"Alright, Ms. Hudson."

After they agreed, I hung up and immediately called Deborah's boss, who, out of respect for my past association with the Wagner family, agreed without hesitation.

Even though my engagement to

Conrad Wagner had fallen through, the ties had with the Wagner family meant that their employees still treated me with a certain level of deference.

With the calls out of the way, I turned back to Deborah's distressing message and began typing out a flurry of texts.

"What's going on? Why aren't you picking up calls or responding to messages?"

"You once said nothing matters in life except our own selves. What's making you feel like giving up now?"

"Deb, don't do anything stupid. Think about your parents and everyone who cares about you. If you do something reckless, I swear I'll never talk to you again." "Deborah, please respond."

Despite my barrage of messages, there was no reply. My anxiety skyrocketed, but being so far away, I felt utterly helpless and could only wait in agonizing suspense.

I was just sitting there, lost in my

worries, when the housekeeper arrived. It seemed she had been briefed by Dustin about my

presence, as she greeted me warmly without any sign of surprise and even prepared some fruit for me.

"Ms. Felicia, you might want to visit the rooftop terrace upstairs. Mr. Wagner's place has a beautiful setup that I think you'd really enjoy," the housekeeper suggested.

Her arrival somewhat eased my tense mood.

I didn't refuse. Sitting idly was only making me more anxious, and I couldn't solve anything that way.

Reaching the rooftop, I was greetedCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

by a sight of luxury - a swimming

Pet

pool, a bar a bookshelf with an electronie screen that could block out the sun during the day or be

opened at night to view the stars.

I had to admit, Dustin knew how to enjoy life.

Among all these, what caught my eye was a large lounge chair, identical to the one I loved at the Wagner family's place.

What a coincidence, I thought. Or did Dustin also favor that style and went out of his way to get one just like it?