A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

The secretary walked out of the door alone. As soon as she left, Emily's gaze turned to the files on the table, her mind blank. Despite Estelle's mistakes in the past, she had been working diligently and twice as hard ever since she had come back to the company. Why hadn't she shown up today?

Emily had no idea about what had happened. But she knew that she didn't have time to think too much, so she just returned to work for the meantime. Buried in some paperwork and things to do in the office, she didn't think about Estelle again until lunch time. Back in the day, Estelle had been very fond of Emily, so she had always accompanied her at work. But with Estelle absent, Emily felt uncomfortable walking through the halls of the building. It was not the same as when she was with Estelle. She felt like her heart had dropped to the ground and she was unable to pick it up. Not today. Not without Estelle.

In the middle of her lunch, Emily stopped eating as an idea came to her. She wasn't sure what she would get out of it but she just wanted to do something. So, Emily took out her cell phone and decided to call Estelle. She did it several times, hearing nothing but the dial tone and the operator saying that the number could not be reached. Defeated, she sighed. It did not make her feel any better.

She stared at the phone screen, her thoughts still on Estelle. 'Could she be in trouble?' she wondered. As if a light suddenly turned on in her mind, she instantly thought of something. Ethan. She fumbled through her phone and dialed Ethan's number. She had to try him. He must know something.

With her mind racing and her heart beating fast, she waited for him to answer.

She drew a breath as soon as he picked up. “Ethan, thank God! Do you know where Estelle is? What happened to her? Why didn't she come to work today? I'm worried about her,“ Emily said, going straight to the point directly. There was no reason to sugarcoat anything. She needed information and she hoped that Ethan could help her.

“Wait. Who— Emily?“ Ethan asked, as he recognized Emily's voice a little late. “Yes, it's me. Do you know where Estelle is?“ Emily asked, her voice not faltering this time. She needed answers.

Suddenly remembering something, Ethan muttered a light curse and said, “Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to ask for leave for Estelle.“ Ethan sighed and kept apologizing.

While Emily was a little relieved that Ethan knew where Estelle was, she was still worried. “What happened to her?“ she asked.

Ethan realized that he had to tell Emily the truth so that she would no longer worry. Emily deserved to know the truth since Estelle was her friend too. “She's... She's in the hospital,“ he said.

Although Emily knew that something must have happened to her friend, it was still uncomfortable to hear that she was hurt. “What?! She's injured? Why didn't you protect her?“ Emily wanted to scream at Ethan for not taking care of Estelle better. He knuckles almost turned white and her face was a little red because of anger. But she realized that she had nothing to say to him anymore, so before Ethan could make excuses, she hung up the phone.

lost her appetite and didn't finish her food. Emily went

milk to bring with her too. She had asked Ethan

slowly, careful not to make any noise in case Estelle was sleeping. But as she opened it, she saw Estelle lying weakly on the bed, looking out the

in surprise, perhaps sensing her presence.

Emily's indifference towards her. She felt like Emily was always trying to distance herself

eyes.“ Estelle was surprised. She tried to get out of bed, but because she was still weak and full of medications the hospital was giving her, she couldn't even move a

door. Taking a step towards the table, she put the things she bought on it, found a chair, and sat beside Estelle's

her eyes watching her

she looked around and asked, “Are you alone? Is there no one taking care of you?“ Her brows furrowed in confusion. Surely Ethan should have been here to take care of Estelle. But why was there no one

head and blushed. “Ethan is here with me, but he has something to deal with today. He

see.“ Emily nodded to show her understanding and looked at Estelle. “Are you okay? I heard from Ethan that you were injured, so I came to see

and unconsciously moved her eyes to her left arm. It had already been two or three

remembered what Ethan had said during their phone

her of everything. “I heard about your situation from Ethan. I called him earlier since I was worried about you. But hey, don't worry. There are so many good doctors in our country. You

at Emily, Estelle felt lighter, like something heavy had been lifted off her chest. She was relieved. For a few minutes, she forgot to

gaze, Emily felt a bit strange. She thought that there was something dirty on her face so she touched her cheeks, trying to get it

a bit of helplessness and loneliness. Slowly, Estelle said, “Emily, I know. I'm sorry for what

of thought, Emily shook her head. “The past is the past. Let bygones be bygones,“ she said, interrupting Estelle before she could finish her words. “I know that you were forced to do something in the past. And I know that you didn't mean to do it,“ she added.

to live in the present, and the moment right in front of us is the