The Bound Between Us

Chapter 5

When Anastasia got back home, Salma was already in snoozeville, so Anastasia tiptoed around, not wanting to wake her up. That night, Anastasia had a nasty case of insomnia. She couldn’t catch a wink of sleep until the crack of dawn

Despite hitting the sack super late, her body clock was as reliable as an alarm clock, always waking her up at 7 am sharp. She got up early, whipped up breakfast for her mom, and hit the road because she had to drop her car off at the repair shop. She needed it for her stall in the evening.

After dropping off the car, Anastasia remembered she needed to stock up goods from the market, but with her car in the shop, she had to call her bestie for a ride.

Once the call was done, Anastasia hung out on the side of the road, waiting. About half an hour later, a flashy red BMW pulled up next to Anastasia. It was her bestie Monica waving at her, “Anastasia, hop in.”

Anastasia hopped in, buckled up, and Monica, knowing where Anastasia had to go, drove straight to the market.

In the car, Monica went, Your old bucket of bolts needed replacing ages ago. Why are you still fixing it? Listen to me, get a new one.”

Anastasia laughed and replied, “A new car needs a wad of cash” She added, “No biggie, it’ll still do after a little fix–up.”

They’d been besties since high school, a friendship that had been going strong for more than a decade.

life. Over the years, Anastasia had relied on Monica quite a bit and

a stall at the Night Market. You used to be the top dog in our class. If it

staying single forever? It’s been years, haven’t you moved

but they quickly

her head and replied, “Monica, I appreciate you looking out for me, but it’s fine.

continued, “If you’ve moved on, why haven’t you got a boyfriend? I heard from your mom that she’s introduced you to quite

Anastasia had to gently cut her

did you just say? You’re married? You don’t even have a boyfriend. Who did you marry? Is it one of those guys your mom found for

she said, “Yes, I’m married. Not to a random guy, but to a man my mother found

me?” Monica slammed on the brakes and pulled over. This was big news, and she needed all

nearby drink shop, looking like she was ready to interrogate her. “Spill the beans, and don’t keep anything from

Herman. He works for Elysian Technologies. He’s a local, 30

Anastasia speaking with such certainty and detail, Monica had no choice but to believe her. “Herman?” Monica felt like she’d heard that

one, with no contact with people in high society. They weren’t in the same circle as Herman, who was the CEO of Elysian Technologies, and kept a low profile, never giving interviews or

familiar but didn’t