Waiting Games And Danger
1054 Words
It was exactly 5:00 p.m. when Alex's car rolled smoothly into the parking lot —earlier than he usually returned.
But today wasn't a usual day.
The car hadn't even come to a complete stop when the back doors flew open.
"I'm going to be the first to meet her!" Ella shrieked excitedly as she jumped out, already rushing toward the house like a child chasing a prize.
"Hey! Not fair!" Anabel yelled, quickly following after her. "I said I was going first!"
"Careful!" Tessa called after them, walking more cautiously beside Alex, one hand instinctively resting on her belly. "If any of you fall now, I'm not helping you up!"
Alex said nothing. He simply watched them with a faint, unreadable expression before stepping out of the car himself.
Inside the house, Mrs. Margaret had just stepped out of the kitchen when the girls burst in like a storm.
"Good evening, Aunty!" Anabel and Ella greeted in unison, their voices bright with anticipation.
"Evening, my dears," she replied warmly, smiling as she walked over to Alex to take his suit and briefcase. "You all seem very excited today."
"Where is she?" Ella asked immediately, looking around like she expected Becca to magically appear.
"Is Rossa upstairs?" Anabel added eagerly.
Alex's voice cut in, calm but direct. "Is she upstairs?"
Mrs. Margaret paused slightly.
"She hasn't returned yet," she said carefully. "She left early this morning for an interview, and I haven't seen her since."
The excitement in the room dipped—just slightly.
Alex's gaze shifted to his wristwatch.
5:25 p.m.
"What time did she leave?"
"Past 8 a.m., son."
Tessa frowned, folding her arms lightly. "Alex, you two just got married and your already letting her work? Even if you're not going on a honeymoon, you should at least let her rest before letting her jumb straight to work."
"I didn't know about the interview, Tess," he replied evenly, then turned back to Mrs. Margaret. "Did she take the car?"
"No. She said she couldn't drive and didn't want to damage it since it was a gift."
"So she took a cab?" His tone sharpened just a little. "What happened to Steven?"
"Maybe she didn't want to disturb him," Tessa said, shrugging.
"She said she didn't want to inconvenience anyone," Mrs. Margaret confirmed.
Alex exhaled quietly.
That sounded like her.
Anabel sighed, clearly disappointed. "I really wanted to meet her today…"
"I've prepared dinner," Mrs. Margaret added gently. "Maybe she'll be back while or after we're done eating, if you don't mind waiting."
"We'll wait!" Ella said instantly, dropping onto the sofa.
Anabel nodded. "Of course."
Alex glanced at Tessa.
"I'll wait too," she said, already making herself comfortable.
Alex gave a small nod.
"Once it's 7, you're all leaving," he said firmly before picking up his things and heading upstairs.
---
They had finished eating and all sat in the sitting room still waiting for Becca's arrival.
Time passed.
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
"She's still not back?" Anabel asked, checking the time again.
Mrs. Margaret shook her head.
Tessa leaned back, watching Alex from across the room. He had come back downstairs after freshening up, now seated quietly, scrolling through his phone—but she knew him well enough.
He wasn't reading anything.
He was waiting.
"Alex…" Tessa called softly. "You could at least call her."
Alex didn't look up.
"I don't have her number."
That shut the room up for a second.
"You're married and you don't have your wife's number?" Ella blinked.
Alex finally looked up, his expression calm but slightly annoyed. "We didn't exactly have time for introductions."
Tessa exchanged a look with Anabel.
This marriage was going to be… interesting.
---
Meanwhile…
At Lá Cuisine Restaurant, Becca was laughing.
Actually laughing.
For the first time that day, she felt light.
Free.
Simone had insisted on celebrating her new job, and somehow, in the middle of the laughter, food, and teasing, Becca had completely lost track of time.
"Wait," Simone leaned forward suddenly. "You mean you and Alex haven't even f****d yet?"
Becca nearly choked. "Sim, please…"
"No, I'm serious!" Simone continued. "You're married now, Becca. You can't just act like nothing has changed."
Becca looked away, her cheeks warming.
"It's not like that. We barely know each other."
"Exactly!" Simone pointed. "Which means you should start knowing each other."
Becca shook her head, flustered.
Simone smirked. "You're blushing."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"Sim!"
Simone burst into laughter.
Before Becca could respond again—
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She ignored it.
It rang again.
And again.
"That's the third time," Simone said. "Answer it."
"I don't like answering unknown numbers Sim, besides if it was someone really important it wouldn't be an unknown number" Becca said watching the call die down
"But what if it's Alex?"
Becca froze.
"…why would Alex be calling me—"
Her eyes widened.
"Oh my God. Sim—what time is it?"
Simone checked.
"9:12 p.m."
Everything inside Becca dropped.
"What?!" She shot up instantly. "I'm dead. I'm actually dead!"
She grabbed her bag in a panic, her heart already racing.
"Sim, I need to go—now!"
"Relax, I'll drive you," Simone said, standing quickly.
---
Inside the car—
Becca couldn't sit still.
Her fingers fidgeted with her bag, her eyes glued to the road ahead.
"Sim… what if he's already home?"
"Then you'll explain," Simone said calmly.
"Explain what?! That I went out celebrating and forgot I just got married yesterday?!"
Simone glanced at her. "Okay… when you say it like that, it sounds bad."
"It is bad!"
Becca groaned, leaning back.
Why did she lose track of time?
Why didn't she check her phone earlier?
Why didn't she just go home straight after the interview?
Her thoughts spiraled faster with every second.
"Relax," Simone said again. "You're overthinking it."
But Becca knew better.
Something told her—
This wasn't just about being late.
This was about walking into a house full of expectations…
A husband she barely knew…
And a reality she was still trying to catch up with.
The car sped through the night.
And with every passing minute—
Becca's calm slipped further away.
Because deep down…
She knew.
She wasn't just late.
She was walking straight into something she wasn't ready for.
- Writer
