My Miss Independent

CHAPTER 9

"Nas! Wake up! It's already 3:00 a.m.!" Joy woke me up in the middle of a good and scary dream. 

I dreamt of him again. Fritz. Tomorrow I will finally see him in person. The guy that I have been dreaming of since childhood. I am nervous and scared, but I am also looking forward to it at the same time. Is he really the guy from my dream? Until now, his face in my dreams is still covered with a cloud-like form. But I cannot deny that his voice and the way he speaks really belong to Fritz.

Well, there's only one way to find out. Tomorrow, I will finally be in Australia, where he lives. Let's see what happens. But at the moment, I have to get up and prepare to make sure it happens. "Sh*t, I'm late!"

We have to leave at 3:30 a.m. to make sure we are at the airport at 5:00 a.m. My flight is at 7:00 a.m.

I quickly took a bath and prepared to leave. My Dad is driving me to the airport. My son, Marc, Joy, and Mom decided to come with us. 

It is my first time traveling abroad. My first plane ride and my first time leaving my son for a long time. I have mixed emotions. I am sad, happy, nervous, and excited at the same time. 

I am grateful for the opportunity, but I will also miss my son, family, and friends. I have to be positive.

After all, this is for me and my son and an excellent opportunity for our team at work. Getting this process means the expansion of our team. I have to be strong for them. Thank God for technology! It is easier to communicate now than before.

I’m grateful to my Dad, who drives fast, we arrived at the airport just in time. We said our goodbyes, and they also gave me their never-ending tips and advice. I may be thirty-two, but my parents still treat me as their baby. I hugged them, Marc and Joy, one last time and turned my back teary-eyed. 

We departed on time. I was amazed and scared as it was my first time flying on an airplane. I wanted to sleep, but I couldn't. While waiting, I decided to check my messages while still allowed. I received a text message from an unknown number.

"Hi Anastasia, this is Fritz. Let me know once you're in Syd."  I read the message ten times. I am feeling more nervous now that I am about to meet him. I just replied, "Okay" as I do not know what else to say.

After getting used to the plane, I finally was able to sleep. I slept all throughout the flight and only woke up to eat. I can't stop thinking about meeting Fritz. Is he really Mr. Dreamboy from the Hill? I can't wait to find out.

We arrived at Sydney airport just in time. After getting my luggage, I started looking for the driver assigned to pick me up. When I could not see him, I bought a sim card to call him. I tried calling the driver but to no avail.

I decided to message Ken. "Hey, pare, the driver did not arrive. I will wait for maybe another hour or two before taking a cab. I reckon it will be easier to take a cab here, but it will be expensive, yeah?" 

After twenty minutes, Ken called. "Hey, pare, where are you?" he sounded worried.

"Hey! I'm still at the airport. The driver didn't arrive. But no worries, I'm hungry anyway. I'll eat first and try to contact the driver again, and if still, I can't get hold of him, I'll book a taxi." I assured him.

"I'm sorry, pare, Kate and I are at my in-laws at the moment. We are a bit far from the airport. I can call Fritz to pick you up. Taxi fare is a bit expensive at the airport." Ken apologetically said.

"No, no, pare. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. You don't need to bother Fritz. I can handle this." I quickly told him. 

I can't meet Fritz now. I am not ready yet. It's better just to meet him at work, somewhere comfortable.

"Pare, he won't bite. And besides, he's your guardian and I told you to message him too, right?" Ken scolded me lightly.

"I'm sorry, Ken. I forgot to message him. I promise I will text him later once I'm in my apartment. But don't bother him anymore now. I will try to ask our admin team to reimburse the taxi fare since the driver didn't arrive." I replied, embarrassed. 

I shouldn't be acting this way. Again, our partnership should not be affected by my feelings. "Get your act together, Nas!" I scolded myself.

"Okay, okay, pare. But please update me. Message me once you're in your apartment, okay? And please, message Fritz, too." Ken responded.

I decided to eat first before booking a taxi. I thought of staying for another hour or two to explore the airport.

After eating, I roamed around and visited some of the stores. Upon checking the time, I saw that it's just 5:30 p.m. I decided to stay for another hour and get coffee. I don't feel like going to the apartment yet.

While having coffee, I heard my phone ring, and when I looked at the caller, I saw that it was Fritz. I felt cold suddenly. 

"Hello," I picked up my phone, shaking.

"Hey, Nas! Where are you right now?" he asked.

"Hi, I am still at the airport," I answered him briefly.

"Where exactly? he asked sternly.

"What's up with him?" I thought. I can't believe he is Mr. Dreamboy from the hill. I just can't stand cold and aloof people. I'm sure they have their reasons, but I don't know. I just can't stand it.

"I'm at the airport having coffee. I didn't feel like going to the apartment yet, so I decided to stay here for another hour. I'm sorry I forgot to message you right away. I thought I'd just text you once I'm in the apartment." I apologized.

"Okay, stay there," he hung up immediately.

What is wrong with this person? He called to ask where I am then he just hung up on me, telling me to stay where I am. "Yeah, sure, I will really stay where I am! I don't need anyone to monitor me!" He is now getting on my nerve. You know, maybe he is not Mr. Dreamboy from the hill. People can have similar voices, right?

"Ugh," it's my first day here, and he is already irritating me. Can't he just wait to annoy me at work tomorrow?

I forgot about the phone call and focused on observing the people around me. I like watching people. I have always been interested in people's behavior and why they act in a certain way.

While watching a sweet elderly couple who looked like they just got back from their honeymoon, a tall, dark, handsome guy blocked my view. He was staring intently at me. He looked familiar. My eyes widened. Fritz!