“Can you please come and meet me?” she asks in a low voice.

My mind immediately goes on guard. “Absolutely not! I’m out for dinner and it’s late. Call me tomorrow and we will talk.”

“But I need you Damien. I need to talk to someone now and I have no one. I’m so lonely. So al...alone,” she slurs.

“Are you drunk?”

There is silence from her end.

“Celia, I don’t have time for this right now.”

I know I’m being rude but the last thing I need is to converse with her while she is inebriated.

From the corner of my eyes, I see Gabe and Aaliya trade another look. Celia’s voice drones in my ear. “What do you think will happen if I slash my wrists? I’ve heard there is a lot of blood.”

“What the hell?” I yell.

I turn to Gabe and Aaliya as I stand up. “Sorry, I need to take this.”

Mike follows me to the empty terrace, waiting just at the door.

“Celia, are you there?”

“I need the m...memories to stop Damien. His memories, the horror David put me through,” she says, her voice forlorn. “Maybe I need to end it, end myself to make it all go away. Goodbye D...Damien!”

The hair on my arm rises. “I’m coming, Celia. You hear me. It will take me fifteen minutes. Promise me you won’t do anything until I get there.”

When there is only silence at her end, I yell. “Celia! Promise me that you will wait for me to come.”

“I promise,” she whispers, hanging up.

Fucking hell! I turn to Mike. “Call for the car. We need to go to Celia’s place now!”

I don’t wait for his response. I head back inside to the table and pick up my jacket. “I have to go,” I tell both Gabe and Aaliya. “Apologies, but I have to be someplace else.”

A wounded expression crosses Aaliya’s face, but I have no time to ponder on that. Just as I rush out of the restaurant, Gabe calls my name, hurrying towards me.

“What happened?” he asks me, worry lining his forehead.

“It’s Celia.” I sigh. “She’s drunk and needs me right now.”

The car arrives and Mike opens the door for me. Gabe holds my shoulder, halting me before I get in.

“Don’t go Damien. Whatever she’s saying to get you to her is all a lie. I know her. She’s...”

“Gabe. I know what I’m doing.” I shrug off his hold and enter the car.