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.

to my brother, please?” I had to figure

she agreed to my request and put me on hold. A moment later, someone spoke into

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

at the police station?

Mom and Dad know, please.” His request

person who had spoken to me earlier had come back

“Ms. Zanetti, please hurry.”

only agree

and hopped off the bed, getting dressed and packing as fast as I

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

not want to throw them into

off, I left a note on the coffee table, letting them know that

and Technology. To

the earliest flight to Jadeborough once I arrived at the airport.

touched down two hours later and took a cab to the

first time visiting Jadeborough and my brother’s university, so I had

several locals before I managed to locate the

I asked a young woman clad in

her mouse rapidly like she

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

her politely and walked in the direction

were sitting in the office. Confused about

I finished my question. He approached me and said, “Ms. Zanetti, we’ve

his voice as the caller

Sorry for the trouble.” I was dying to meet Louis, and I felt relieved

me to a room and gestured for

opened the door, I saw Louis slumped in a chair. The lights in the room were painfully

knew the lights were meant to keep him