Exclusive Call
1571 Words
As Anne reached for her phone, she was surprised by the caller, it was Lauren. She hesitated to pick up, unsure of what to expect. She hadn’t expected to hear from her, especially after everything that had happened.
Taking a deep breath, Anne answered, her voice cautious. “Hello?”
Anne’s voice caught in her throat. “Lauren, where are you?”
“I’m still away,” Lauren admitted. “I just needed to hear your voice.”
Anne's emotions swirled, longing and sadness mingling. “Why now?”
“Can’t say much now, I'm doing fine. Don't stress yourself about me, okay?” Lauren replied, avoiding her questions.
They talk for about thirty minutes, updating each other on their life’s. Yet, Lauren refused to reveal her location to Anne.
Anne's mood was poisoned by the call, her lingering resentment from Lauren’s departure were still fresh. Beneath her frustration, she was glad Lauren had called and felt some sense of relief.
Anne dropped the phone and turned to Juliand, who had been observing from across the room. His expression revealed nothing, but his actions spoke volumes. He had buttoned his shirt and was now standing by the door, ready to leave.
“Leaving already?” Anne asked, trying to hide her disappointment.
Juliand nodded, “I shouldn't have stayed this long.”
Anne sensed a sudden distance between them, as if Lauren's call had shattered the intimacy they shared. Her eyes were fixated on Juliand's retreating figure, feeling a pang of disappointment. She had grown comfortable with his presence.
“Wait,” Anne called out, her voice barely above a whisper.
Juliand paused, his hand on the doorknob. “Yes?”
Anne hesitated, unsure of what to say. “Thank you...for staying.”
Juliand's expression softened, and for a moment, Anne thought he might return. But he nodded and left. The silence that followed felt oppressive. Anne's thoughts drifted back to Lauren's call.
Meanwhile Juliand was pleased to witness her call with Lauren. He saw it as a sign of her return. He boarded a taxi and headed home.
Juliand stood outside for some time and was fortunate to see a taxi. He stepped into the taxi with a subtle smile on his face, witnessing Anne's call with Lauren had been enlightening. He saw it as a sign of Lauren's return.
As the taxi pulled away, Juliand's thoughts turned inward. His presence had served its purpose, now, it was time to step back.
“The address, sir?” the taxi driver asked.
Juliand provided the address, lost in thought. His mind wandered back to Lauren, and the sinister schemes he had waiting for her.
The following day, Miley had returned from her futile search for Lauren and called Anne, informing her about her failure.
Miley's weary voice echoed through the phone. “Hey Anne, I'm back. My search in the countryside was a dead end. I've got nothing.”
Anne's expression changed from curiosity to surprise. Lauren's call yesterday flashed in her mind. Perhaps she was the only one Lauren had contacted.
Miley continued, “I'm starting to think I'll never find her. I've tried every lead, every contact...nothing.”
Anne hesitated, torn between revealing Lauren's call and keeping Miley's trust. She opted for silence, unsure why Lauren had chosen to reach out to her alone.
“Yeah, I understand,” Anne said, choosing neutral words. “Maybe we should regroup and rethink our strategy.”
Miley's frustration seeped through the line. “I don't know, Anne. I'm running out of options.”
Anne's guilt gnawed at her conscience. Was she right to keep Lauren's secret?
Miley insisted on catching up with Anne later, she was tired from her search and needed to rest.
Anne hung up and wondered why she got an exclusive call from Lauren. Seeking answers, she decided to visit Mr. Clarkson at Major's Corps, under the guise of confirming whether he had received a call. But she had ulterior motives, to see Juliand.
She got dressed and drove to Major’s Corps, navigating through the city’s traffic. Her thoughts drifted to her Juliand, their encounter was still fresh in her mind.
Upon arriving, Anne asked for Mr. Clarkson at the reception.
“Mr. Clarkson is in a meeting,” the receptionist answered.
Anne spotted Juliand in the lobby, his eyes locking onto hers as he smiled. They exchanged brief pleasantries before he suggested grabbing coffee.
As they walked to the nearby cafe, Anne couldn't help but notice the relaxed atmosphere between them. Their last encounter, punctuated by Lauren's call, seemed to have dissipated.
Over steaming cups, Juliand asked, “What brings you to Major's Corps today?”
Anne hesitated, unsure how to answer. “To be honest, I came to see you.”
Juliand's expression turned curious. Wondering why she’d want to see him.
Anne's cheeks flushed, “ I wanted to talk to you about last night.”
“I'm sorry you didn't get to receive your reward due the interruption.” Anne said while grabbing her coffee.
“I'm sorry you didn't get to receive your reward due to the interruption,” Anne said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Juliand chuckled. “No worries, Anne. It was just a moment.”
“Still, I feel like I owe you,” Anne persisted.
Juliand's smile softened. “Consider it a one time thing. I didn't expect anything in return, and I don't plan on repeating it.”
Anne's eyes met his, searching for reassurance.
“It's really okay, Anne,” Juliand emphasized. “Let's just move forward.”
The walk back to the office was quiet and fast paced. Anne regretted her attempts to reconnect with Juliand, sensing his withdrawal. Meanwhile, Juliand was eager to end their fling, with Lauren's impending return weighing on his mind. His carefully laid out plan shouldn’t be compromised by a fleeting distraction.
The receptionist's cheerful voice broke the awkward silence between them.
“Miss Anne, I didn't realize you were still around.”
“Mr. Clarkson has finished his meeting and just left.”
Anne nodded, her expression neutral. “That’s okay, I'll catch up with him later.”
She turned to Juliand unsure to bid him farewell, he gave a weak smile before turning to leave. Anne gaze lingered at his retreating figure, watching him walk away. His steps were confident and purposeful, his stride fluid and effortless. The ease with which he disappeared into the distance only heightened Anne's sense of unease.
Anne snapped out of her trance, abruptly breaking free from the spell that held her captive. With a newfound sense of urgency, she hastened out of the building, her heels clicking against the pavement. She hopped into her car at the parking lot and sped off into the city.
Juliand breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied that he had removed himself from the entanglement with Anne. While he genuinely enjoyed her company, he couldn't afford distractions. Besides, he was still yet to get into Mr. Clarkson's inner circle. To achieve this he had to intensify his focus on work and recalibrate his strategy to impress Mr. Clarkson.
Anne had been in a meeting with a client of hers, a potential investor. She had to give him the required attention to ease the deal. She was exhausted from her meeting with him and decided to head home.
On her drive home, her phone buzzed. Mr. Clarkson's name flashed on the screen. Anne's thoughts shifted to their usual business.
“Anne, where are you?” Mr. Clarkson's voice was firm but friendly.
“I'm on my way home, just finished with a client of mine.” Anne replied.
“Good. I need to see you. Meet me at our regular spot at 9.”
“Okay, I'll be there,” she said, hanging up to focus on her road.
Anne's head swirled with thoughts. What's with the sudden meeting?
“Gosh, I really wanted to rest when I got home.” Anne lamented, filled with frustration from tiredness.
As she pulled into her driveway, Anne's fatigue intensified. The sudden meeting with Mr. Clarkson now loomed over her.
She dragged her famished body through the door, dropping her bag on the couch.
“Just a few hours of rest,” she pleaded to herself while heading towards her bedroom.
She was immersed in the comfort of her mattress and almost stood up Mr. Clarkson. But she woke up to the sound of shattering glass. Someone had broken into her house.
Anne's heart racing, she sprang out of bed, disoriented. The shattering glass echoed through her room. She rushed to the source, her senses on high alert.
In the darkness, she made out a figure rummaging through her living room. Fear gripped her.
“Who's there?” Anne demanded, trying to hide the tremble in her voice.
The intruder dashed at her but she swerved to avoid his attack. Then the intruder vanished into the night, leaving behind a trail of shattered glass and overturned furniture.
Breathless, Anne called the police, her mind reeling. Was this a random break-in or something more sinister?
As she waited for the authorities to arrive, Anne's thoughts turned to Mr. Clarkson's meeting. “I should probably call and inform him that I won't be making it tonight.”
The sound of sirens outside broke the silence, and Anne felt a mix of relief and unease.
- Writer
