With my eyes wide open, I attempted to conceal my shock and cleared my throat. “Oh, did they leave a message?” I asked her stoically.
I paused momentarily, my mind racing with thoughts of who could be calling me. My heart pounded in my chest as I approached the front desk, trying to keep my composure.
The receptionist handed me a note. “He said his name is Alex, and it’s urgent. He left a contact number.”
“Alex? I didn’t know anyone by that name.” Anxiety consumed me. I thanked the receptionist and quickly made my way to my room. Slamming the door shut behind me, I took a deep breath before dialing the number on the piece of paper that the receptionist had handed me. And I worked up the courage to return the call.
After a few rings, a voice answered, “Katya, it’s Alex. I’ve been trying
