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.

I speak to my brother, please?” I had

tell that the person on the other end was hesitating. Eventually, she agreed to my request and

brother’s voice on the other end of the line fueled

you really at the police station? What happened?” My questions

Mom and Dad know,

could ask more questions, the person who had

“Ms. Zanetti, please hurry.”

only agree to go over to

hung up and hopped off the bed, getting dressed and packing as fast

Louis did not want to worry my parents, and neither did I, so I didn’t approach

want to throw them into a tizzy

table, letting them

at the Jadeborough Institute of Science and Technology. To

flight to Jadeborough once I arrived

touched down two hours later and took a cab to the Jadeborough Institute of Science and

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

ask several locals before

sister,” I asked a young woman clad in police uniform at the

her mouse rapidly like

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

in the direction she

them open. Two policemen were sitting in the office. Confused about who

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

recognized his voice as the caller from

was dying to meet Louis, and I felt relieved that this policeman seemed friendlier than the others who had questioned me

a room and gestured for me to

Louis slumped in a chair.

lights were meant