Chapter 14
Meanwhile, back at the house.
Estrella, having just wrapped up her shift, walked through the door to find Marie practically bouncing with excitement. “Ms. Estrella,” she gushed, “Mr. Jason called earlier. He said he’ll be coming home later tonight.”
Marie was well aware that it was a roundabout way for him to let Estrella know he was coming without having to call her directly.
Handing her bag over to Marie, Estrella smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll head upstairs and freshen up a bit.”
After pampering herself with a long shower and slipping into her newly purchased
pajamas, she waited and waited. Yet, Jason was nowhere to be seen. As the clock ticked
close to eleven and Jason still hadn’t arrived, Estrella lost all interest in working. In frustration, she tossed the case files on her desk, picked up her phone, and dialed Drew. “Drew, what’s going on with Jason? Wasn’t he supposed to come home?”
Calling Drew was a last resort for Estrella because ever since ‘that incident, Jason had stopped taking her calls. Any communication had to go through Drew, which was a bitter pill for Estrella to swallow.
On the other end, Drew spoke with measured words. “Ms. Estrella, he is tied up with some matters.”
After a brief pause, he continued, “He probably won’t make it back tonight. You might as well not wait up.”
When Drew confirmed Jason wouldn’t be returning, Estrella ended the call abruptly. It was one thing not to come home, but another not to even notify her. Giving hope and then dousing it with a bucket of cold water-what was he playing at?
With a huff, she tossed the phone onto the desk and ran her fingers through her long, dark hair, feeling a burning frustration within.
seemed to be slipping away. Time was also slipping by. What felt like a year not
called Bryce. “Bryce, you’re back, right? Can you
minutes,” came the reply from the
unequivocally on
came back with news that made Estrella’s expression
15:21
had thought
the hospital
over at Serene, who was yet to come around. Checking his watch, he
Estrella
“Mm.”
I’ll stay with Ms. Serene.”
to adjust, her pale face reddened around the eyes,
choked out a
even sterner
with a hint of sternness, said, “Ms. Serene, you’ve been so careless.
I didn’t mean to trouble you. I just couldn’t see a way out for my
tears, she promised, “I won’t
the timely discovery by
spoke softly, “Your life won’t be so difficult
burdens of life were undeniable, but with a decent salary from Nelson International and her connection to Jason,
Serene to grasp his arm, looking up at him with hope. “Jason,
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