Chapter 24

My fingers trembled as I tapped and swiped the screen.

“Where the fuck is she?!” Colton was surprised at my sudden outburst. I ignored the fact that people in the lobby could hear me.

“Kura?” Quinn’s voice pulled me out of the raging lava that was consuming me.

“Quinn? Is it you?” Colton came closer to listen to our conversation. His face was full of concentration and worry.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Thank fucking fuck. “I lost my phone, probably misplaced it. I’m with Jacob right now. I was accompanying him in choosing a house. He wanted to buy one here. The houses we’ve seen were amazing, Kur, you should’ve seen it-”

“Quinn, are you crazy?!” I cut her off despite the excitement in her voice. “Tyler is batshit crazy looking for you. I had to return here and look for you!”

“I know. I’m so sorry.” She said with regret. “I wanted to call him but I couldn’t see my phone anywhere. I kept calling his number with Jacob’s phone but he couldn’t be reached. Thankfully, I was able to reach you.” I frowned at her confession.

It was weird and I have an inkling feeling why and how it happened.

“Where are you right now?” I asked instead of entertaining the doubts I have in mind. As long as she’s alright right now, I will let this pass but I won’t be so careless next time. And I hope there won’t be a next time.

“I’m on my way back. Could you tell Tyler that I’m fine and I was just meeting an old friend and I lost my phone?”

“Okay, I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”

As soon as I put the phone down, Colton bombarded me with questions.

“She’s with Jacob.” We looked at each other knowingly. “She’s on her way here.” He nodded in understanding.

“You should wait in your office and calm down.” He suggested.

I exhaled heavily as I brushed my platinum blonde hair back with my fingers. I was pacing back and forth in front of him. “I’ll wait for her here.”

Colton took a seat on one of the sofas.

“You should sit down for now. If she’s indeed on her way, then she’s fine. That Jacob guy is surely not an idiot. He’s not gonna harm the Andersons’ princess.” He said, reassuring me.

I stopped at his statement. He’s right, much more that she’s going to be missus Evans soon. I sat down beside him and followed Quinn’s request to inform Tyler where she had been the whole day.

I sent the text after reviewing the message if I didn’t miss out any details. Right on time, Quinn popped out of nowhere with a grin on her face. I immediately stood and met her with a hug.

She chuckled. “Wow, did you miss me that much?” She wrapped her arms around me either way.

“I can’t even scold you since you did try contacting us.”

She shrugged with a smirk. “I am a responsible woman.” Her eyes travelled behind me. “Colton, how are you? Haven’t seen you for a while.”

She walked towards Colton and gave each other a hug.

“All’s well. She’s worried for you. I had to join the fun.” He shrugged with a small smile.

Though he was joking, the both of us know the weight of what had happened today. We do hope that it was nothing but a false alarm; that Quinn’s reason might be suspicious and weird, it was simply just that. We were wrong about him.

We sure hope so.

“Anyways…” She exhaled. “I have some explaining to do with my fiance. Can I borrow your phone for a moment, Kur?.”

I nodded and gave it to her with no second thoughts. Thinking that their call would take a while, Colton and I both sat down back at the sofa while she distanced herself to a quieter spot.

“You okay?” He asked as he placed his arm around my shoulder, comforting me.

“I am hoping that I’m wrong and this is nothing but a stupid farfetched hunch.”

“I agree. I mean it was three years ago. A lot has changed. And if you’re still worried, I’m here. I could stay here with you.”

I shook my head. “No, Colton, don’t. You have a shop to run. Your employees are going to worry if you’re not there.” I gave him a soft smile.

He grinned. “I knew you’d say that. Just call me if you need my help. Got that? Call me.” He insisted while shaking my shoulder.

I chuckled. “Alright, alright. Let’s have dinner together before you go back.”

He shrugged. “That’s even better.” He then kissed my temple.

---

Colton dropped me home before going back. The six of us had dinner together, making Quinn pay the food as a punishment for making us worry.

Her fiance supported the idea. Tyler had to be the one who was worried the most even though Colton and I knew that it was me who was actually the one who was almost gone hysterical because of the things that had crossed my mind ever since Jacob came back in the picture.

I don’t know if the two of them fought about it but he was pretty calm and still very affectionate with Quinn. He knew she was with her ex so I salute Tyler for being so composed about it and didn’t go ballistic especially around our circle.

What’s got me even more suspicious was the fact that her phone was actually left in her office, turned off. Everyone just laughed it off because she was being clumsy but I didn’t believe that. The three of us are always detailed and meticulous so it made me doubt that something as trivial as that happened to her.

“Have you decided to tell them?” Colton asked.

We were waiting for a cab for him just outside my apartment. I didn’t want to go in yet unless I saw him get on a ride.

I nodded. “I’m going to tell them tomorrow. I don’t think it was the right time during dinner. What happened this afternoon was still pretty fresh. Tyler might be calm but we don’t know for sure what’s in his mind.”

He nodded back. “You’re right. A word of advice, don’t drag this any further. Let’s avoid regretting as much as possible.”

I smiled. “Thank you for today, Colton. You’re just the best.” I punched his arm playfully. “I don’t know what came into my mind why I left my best friend.”

He grinned while opening his arms wide for an embrace. “Come here.” I eagerly accepted his hug. His familiar scent filled my nostrils. I scooched closer to him, missing his warmth.

“I’m glad you’re back.” He muttered before kissing my head.

He let me go when we heard a cab parking near us.

“Good night, Rose.” He said, rubbing my head affectionately.

“Take care.” I blew a kiss and wink before he got inside the car. He was smiling while winking back.

I watched the cab disappear in the distance before going inside my apartment. I jumped back in fright when I whirled around.

“I hope you are not seeing that man.”