ANASTASIA


    Oh my God! I knew I shouldn''t have left her for an event as ridiculous as this.


    "I''ming right now," I sputtered out to ra, my voice trembling with worry. Then I blindly turned around and I almost rammed into Aiden who was already by my side. "Is there a problem?" Aiden asked, just as the call abruptly ended.


    I grabbed my purse from the couch, fumbling with the sp in my haste. Then I walked back to the door and muttered something along the lines of, "I''d like to take my leave now." And then I dashed out of the door without a second nce back.


    My heart was in my throat as I repeatedly dialed ra''s number. Why did the call suddenly end?


    "Ana?" Rachel was suddenly before me and I almost knocked the tray in her hands down. The sses on it tinkled precariously,


    I looked up from my phone to her probing gaze that was intensely trained on my face. Her eyes were wide with concern, searching mine for answers.


    "Are you okay? Where are you running off to?" She rushed out and before I could manage to process and answer any of her questions.


    She took a step forward and whispered, "Did something happen back there?"


    "Rx, Rachel," I said impatiently, trying to keep my voice steady.


    "I''m fine. I just got an emergency call from home and I need to rush back.


    Her mouth formed an "O'' as she mouthed it.


    "I hope all is well? Do you need a ride back?"


    I


    Her offer was tempting, but I knew I couldn''t wait.


    "All is well, Rachel," I told her quickly as I stepped past her.


    "Thank you for your concern. See you."


    As I paced back and forth on the road, the cool night air doing little to calm my nerves, I seriously considered hopping on Rachel''s offer but I still kept trying to order a ride. To my dismay, none of the avable cars were nearby. It would take a freaking thirty minutes for the nearest car to arrive.


    "Godammit!" I almost angrily threw my phone on the floor. "Why isn''t there a taxi? It''s not even thatte." My voice echoed in the empty street.


    I looked down the road on my right then turned on my left and my heart further dropped; it was silent and there was no-taxi in sight. The streetlights cast long shadows.


    swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. I was already on the verge of tears. What if Amie just wanted to see me?


    After waiting restlessly for a few more minutes, each second feeling like an eternity, I concluded that I''d take up Rachel''s offer and ran back inside. My eyes darted around frantically, but she was nowhere in sight.


    1 could not waste valuable time Searching for her so I turned back around and decided to walk down the road with the hope that I would catch a taxi in sight.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    I kept trying ra''s line but she would not pick up. As I walked by the road, I hissed about ra not picking and grumbled about myck of ride to quickly reach the hospital.


    "If my car hadn''t developed a stupid fault, all this won''t be happening." I muttered under my Suddenly, I heard a horn behind me and I almost jumped with tion.


    breath.


    I turned around and started to vigorously g down the car. It was an expensive car and it was obvious it wasn''t any of the rides I might have ordered or a taxi. It was a private car. And right there, I firmly concluded that if I needed to get on my knees for whoever the driver was to help me till I atleast get a taxi, I would.


    Thankfully, the car stopped before me. When the window rolled down, my lips instantly turned down. The familiar face that greeted me was thest one I wanted to see right now. "Get in, I''ll take you." Aiden''s voice was calm.


    I should have known that he would follow me. His persistence was frustrating.


    "No please, I would hate to inconvenience you. I''m sure you''re not going my way." I tried to keep my voice steady.


    "I''m not going anywhere, Anastasia, I''m here for you."


    Can he stop saying my name? It kept bringing back unwanted memories that I have sessfully away for five years.


    ked


    "Why are you here then?" I crossed my hands over my chest while hoping a taxi would show up while I looked out for one. But the empty street mocked my hopes.


    He dropped his head back on his seat''s headrest as he sighed. "It''s clear you have an emergency. Would


    you


    rather wait here for the nonexistent taxi till it''s toote?"


    I felt a shiver run down my spine in fear. It would not be toote. It couldn''t be.