A War Deration


    Seeing Ste’s name shing on my phone sent a shiver down my spine. I answered, my patience


    wearing thin, “Ste, if you’re not going to say something useful, spare me. I don’t have the patience for


    you right now. Whether or not you tell me about As, I’ll find out eventually!”


    Ste’s tone dripped with sarcasm as she enjoyed the spectacle. “Looks like you’re genuinely worried,


    Chlo. Such a fiery temper!”


    “It seems like you have too much free time!” Before ending the call, I knew showing indifference was


    the best way to deal with her.


    Predictably, my phone rang again, and I reluctantly picked up after three rings. “Don’t test my patience!”


    Ste couldn’t resist taunting me further, “Haha, Chlo! I just want to tell you he’s fine! Really! But I’m


    afraid you won’t be seeing him for a while. What a pity! I didn’t want you to worry too much, so I thought


    I’d give


    you a heads–up!”


    With that, she hung up, and I clenched my fists. The battle was on. It was better to face her openly than


    let


    her scheme in the shadows.


    “Was it Ste?” Ryan asked as we waited at a traffic light, casting a concerned nce in my direction.


    “It


    seems As should be fine. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so bold.”


    “I can’t pretend anymore,” I admitted, forcing a half–smile.


    “It is standard procedure for them to suppress such news,” Ryan reassured me. “Any disruption,


    especially involving life and death, can cause major upheaval in a conglomerate. Grayson will find a


    way, so you just


    need to wait for updates. Getting anxious won’t change anything.”


    “I just want to know if he’s safe,” I said, my eyes fixed on the bustling crowd outside, feeling helpless.


    “Try to rx. Don’t let this consume you. They are out in the open, and they know your anxiety won’t


    change anything. He’ll be fine, and with his status, they won’t give up easily,” Ryanforted me with


    a


    gentle tone.


    Ryan joined me for dinner at home before leaving. Late at night, in the silence, Iy in bed, reminiscing


    about moments with As. Every word he had spoken seemed to hold a deeper significance.


    Suddenly, I sat up. Could it be…? The more I thought about it, the more peculiar it seemed.


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    As’s itinerary was usually a well–guarded secret, even from me. Yet this time, everyone seemed to


    know about his trip to Jitador. It was as if he had intentionally made it public.


    The more I pondered, the less I could sleep.


    Even when I managed to fall asleep, nightmares haunted me. As trapped in a car, covered in blood,


    calling my name in anguish. I woke up trembling.


    I was physically and mentally exhausted, so I forced myself to get out of bed and freshen up.


    Downstairs, Ava hadn’t gone to school yet, and my mom was concerned about me.


    “Did you have a rough night? Maybe you should have breakfast and rest before heading to work. You


    can’t go in like this.”


    “How about I take Ava?” I watched Ava y, mustering a smile for my mom. “There’s still so much to


    do today, so I can’t sleep!”


    “Let me do it. It’s still early. Get some more rest. You look terrible!”


    My mother was already dressed and resolute about not letting me take Ava. She served me some eggs


    for breakfast.


    After my mom left with Ava, I tried calling As but couldn’t get through. He had previously told me that


    I could email him if I couldn’t reach him by phone.


    1 hurried back upstairs, took out myptop, and sent As a short email. I really hoped he would reply.


    However, this email seemed to vanish into thin air. I tried every possible way to contact everyone


    around him, but no one gave me the information I was looking for.


    I lived in this state of uncertainty for three long days, and even Grayson was at a loss this time. On the


    fourth day, I received a strangely unfamiliar call.