Love the Second Time Around

Chapter 54 Two Possibilities

I binge-watched dramas till the wee hours of dawn at home since I had nothing better to do. Consequently, I never got up before ten in the morning.

Fumbling for the offensive device on my bedside table, it took a while for me to crack my eyes open and look at the caller ID.

Louis Zanetti, you little asshole! Why are you calling me at such an ungodly hour?

Accepting the call, I immediately bellowed into the receiver, “Dude, what’s wrong with you? Why are you calling me in the middle of the night? If you can’t fall asleep, don’t drag others down with you!”

There was silence on the other end of the call. It lasted for so long that I had to check my phone to see if the line was still connected.

I raged at his seemingly senseless prank.

“Louis Zanetti, you-”

“Hello ma’am, am I speaking to Liliana Zanetti?”

My brain screeched to a halt at the voice that greeted me. Pulling my phone away from my ear, I confirmed that the number was indeed Louis’, despite the stranger who had just spoken to me.

The stranger continued asking about my identity. Confused, I inquired, “This is Liliana Zanetti speaking. Who are you, and where is my brother?”

I got an explanation immediately. “Ms. Zanetti, your brother’s run into some trouble. Could you make your way down to the station? I’m referring to the police station, by the way. It’s the one near your brother’s school.”

My sleepiness was gone once I heard about the police station. I sat up in a rush.

Having been detained in one myself not too long ago, I knew firsthand how devastating it felt.

How did Louis get himself stuck in the police station? He’s been a straight-A student since young, and his track record is squeaky-clean.

Another thought invaded my mind; I wondered if he had fallen for a scam. They’re getting more common these days, after all.

please?” I had

other end was hesitating. Eventually, she agreed to my request and put me on hold. A moment later, someone spoke

voice on the other end

the police station? What happened?” My questions tumbled

let Mom and Dad know, please.” His request

who had

“Ms. Zanetti, please hurry.”

no other choice, I could only

bed, getting dressed and

in the morning. Louis did not want to worry my parents, and neither did I, so I didn’t approach them with the

did not want to throw them into a tizzy before we

setting off, I left a note on the coffee table, letting them know that I would be gone on urgent

Jadeborough Institute of Science and Technology. To get

arrived at the airport.

a cab to the Jadeborough

my brother’s university, so I had no idea where the

several locals before I

I asked a young woman clad in police

her mouse rapidly like she was checking the station

she said, “Yes, he came in yesterday, right? You can

her politely and walked in

Two policemen were sitting in the office. Confused about who I was supposed to talk to, I repeated my question to

me and said, “Ms. Zanetti, we’ve been expecting you for a

voice as the

please. Sorry for the trouble.” I was dying to meet Louis, and I felt relieved that this policeman seemed friendlier than the others who had questioned

me to a room and gestured for me

I saw Louis slumped in a chair. The lights in the room

knew the lights were