Why was he calling? Was everything all right?

I couldn’t sleep until a while ago. Thoughts of him didn’t let me. Everything that happened at the party. His past, his mom’s room, Tess and Caleb. So many things were nagging my mind.

I even thought of calling him when I heard he left without informing anyone. But I decided against it. What would I say? I couldn’t show how concerned I was for him.

And right now, I was in the same dilemma.

Should I call back? Maybe he’ll call back if it’s necessary?

My thumb hovered over the dial option, my insides urging me to tap on it. But I threw my phone in its previous place. I couldn’t just call him like that. I had to remember I wanted to keep my distance. Maybe he just wanted to irritate me again?

Biting my lip, I rested my head on the pillow. But my eyes set on the phone, heart waiting. Receiving the call won’t go against my decision, right?

I continued to wait, but the phone didn’t ring again. Even after an hour, he didn’t call. And eventually, darkness slowly pulled me back into a dreamless sleep.

Tapping my feet on the floor, I tried to locate any faults in the new designs we got for next season’s fashion. But all I could think was about him.

When I woke up this morning, I immediately checked my phone. There were five missed calls from him. I couldn’t hold myself back and called him. Again and again. But his phone was unreachable.

Since then, concern was rattling in my mind like a hurricane. The thought of if he was okay ate at me. Even in my office, I sat with the same catalogue in my hand for half an hour.

He didn’t come to the office today.

“Will you stop doing that? It’s disturbing,” Liza said, glancing up from her files.

We had to finish some work together on the upcoming project, so she decided to work from my office today with me.

“What?”

She pointed her eyes to my still tapping foot.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was thinking of something,” I apologized, halting the dancing of my leg.

Placing the pen down, she placed her elbows on the desk, giving me her full attention. Her brown orbs watched me. “What is it? I’ve been seeing you lost all morning.”

“Nothing. Just some stuff,” I lied. How could I ask her about him?

She must have some information. Oh yeah, right. The meeting.

“When is the meeting again? Is everyone prepared for it?”

“It’s after lunch. And yes, everything is done,” she said. “Are you sure there’s no issue?”