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."

that long. "No need to wait till you clock out. Go now, and ask your boss for leave. I'll call them

"Alright, Ms. Hudson."

I hung up and immediately called Deborah's boss, who, out of respect for my past association

though my

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

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

Why aren't you picking up calls or responding

our own

cares about you. If you do something reckless,

no reply. My anxiety skyrocketed, but being so far

sitting there, lost

arrived. It seemed she had

warmly without any sign of

rooftop terrace upstairs. Mr. Wagner's place has a beautiful setup that

somewhat eased my

making me more anxious, and I couldn't solve anything