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.

she was living the good life. Over the years,

running a stall at the Night Market. You used to be the top dog in our class. If it wasn’t for

was about to speak carelessly, she quickly glanced at Anastasia’s reaction and laughed to change the topic. “You’re still young, and you’re turning down guys I introduce to you. Are you planning on staying single forever? It’s been years, haven’t

feelings; old memories instantly flooded her mind, but they quickly faded into a blur. Seemed like time really did make you

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

“If you’ve moved on, why haven’t you got a boyfriend? I heard from your mom

a roll, and Anastasia had to gently cut her

a halt and looked at Anastasia in surprise. “What 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 you

then she said, “Yes, I’m married. Not to a random guy, but to a man my mother found for me on a dating site. We’re legally

on the brakes and pulled over. This was big news,

like she was ready to interrogate her. “Spill the beans, and don’t keep anything from me. Tell me what’s going

said, “His name is Herman. He works for Elysian Technologies. He’s a local, 30 this year, an orphan…” She gave a brief rundown of what

had no choice but to believe her. “Herman?” Monica felt like

in the same circle as Herman, who was the CEO of Elysian Technologies, and kept a low profile, never

was familiar but didn’t give