Weekend Visit

32: Weekend Visit

Lara kept smiling as Noah's last words repeated like a broken record inside her head.

"I don't think I can bear it if something bad happens to you..."

She couldn't help to giggle at herself. What a total swoon, that guy. He knew how to melt her with words and it was the sweetest, most touching words she had ever heard in her life. Like ever!

Noah just jumped himself to the top spot of her favourite people. Just saying those unforgettable words that she'll treasure her whole life.

The elevator doors opened and Lara totally drifted off there. She didn't realize she was already in the apartment building. Noah drove her home as he promised and he told her to text him when she's inside.

Lara stepped out of the elevator and fished for her keys. There weren't many items inside her pouch when sudenly Her neighbour's apartment door opened and her Betty's casually friendly face came out, smiling.

"Hey, Lara! Late night?"

"Y-Yeah."

Does she have super senses or what? It's already late, and she's still wide awake. Why is that?

Anyway, where the hell are her keys? Lara continued to rummage her purse.

"Oh, by the way, there was a man waiting outside your door. I think it was hours ago, he already left." Betty said, and that made Lara blink in surprise. A visitor? That's odd.

"Really." Lara's mind worked. Was she expecting someone today? Was it Chance, perhaps? "Um. Can you tell me what he looked like? Did you see his face?"

"Yeah, I actually did." Betty smiled. "He was quite tall. Blond hair and blue eyes, very charming." She said with a dreamy face. "He looked pale, though. I fitst thought maybe he was anemic. Then I thought maybe he's just Caucasian." She laughed.

Lara laughed with her. But awkwardly, since she recognizes the person she was describing. It was Cedric. He promised he'll come to see her this weekend, and she forgot.

Shit.

"Oh right!" Betty snapped her fingers. "Before you go in, since you weren't here, I actually received a package in your place. You see, that man brought something for you. Wait, lemme just get it."

"Okay."

Betty disappeared for a bit, then she appeared again, taking out a heavy-looking box in her arms. "Here yah go."

Lara accepted the box. It was quite heavy and Betty was able to carry it with ease. "Thanks, Betty. You're a lifesaver."

"No problem!"

Betty went back inside her apartment, Lara held the box in one hand and continued searching for her keys.

"Aha!"

When she got inside, Lara immediately put aside the box and checked her phone.

"What?"

It's actually dead.

No wonder she didn't know Cedric came over. He always calls her when he visits.

Lara went to her room looking for a charger. She found it in the drawers so immediately plugged it in an outlet beside her bedside table and charged her phone. When the screen came on, she immediately check her notifications.

34 unread messages and 10 missed calls.

It was all from her friend, Cedric.

"Shit." How can she forget he was coming over? She's so forgetful sometimes.

Lara immediately dialled his number to apologize. She thought he wasn't going to answer. But after 5 rings, he did.

"Cedric, speaking."

"Hey, it's me."

The business tone in Cedric's voice immediately changed into a jolly one. "Oh hey, pumpkin! You're back."

"Yeah, I'm sorry for not answering your calls. My phone was dead, I didn't know you came over."

"It's okay. I was planning to surprise you when I went to your apartment. You weren't there. Your neighbour told me your went out."

"Yeah." Lara lay down on her bed and sighed. "I'm really sorry for forgetting you were coming. I got preoccupied..."

"It's fine, I understand. In fact, I'm glad that you were enjoying yourself. Did you have fun?"

"Did I have fun..." Everything that happened that night flashed inside her mind like an array of memories on fast forward. "Yeah, I think did. I had fun." She smiled. "Good. Anyway, I'm glad your safe."

"Me too. By the way, where are you staying tonight? Is it the same hotel?" Lara racked her mind. "What was the name of the hotel again? Har... Harley's Hotel?"

Cedric chuckled. "It's Harlan. Harlan's Hotel, pumpkin, and no, I'm not sleeping in a hotel tonight. I'm on my way back to Velhellah."

That immediately made her sat up from the bed in an instant. "What?" Back to Velhellah? "But you justgot here. Why are you going back?"

"I'm sorry, pumpkin."

Lara sighed. "I thought your were going to stay for another day? What's the rush?" She can hear Cedric's sigh as well. He didn't like going back too, he came to visit Lara but he barely even saw her face.

"It's my work. Your father called me to go back as soon as possible."

Lara worried. This is weird. She knew Cedric is her father's closest subordinate. If he's calling him over for an emergency, then it must be huge.

"Did something happen?"

There was silence on the other line for a while. She knew Cedric was thinking what to tell her next.

He was hiding something...

"I'm sure it's nothing serious. I'm sorry, pumpkin. I'll make it up to you next time."

Lara bit her lip, an uneasy sensation spreading in her stomach. It's something she always feels when something was wrong.

Something big happened, she knows it. But she didn't probe into it deeper by asking more questions since she knew Cedric will only cover his excuse with more lies to keep her in the dark about this.

"Okay. Take care of yourself."

"I will. By the way, did you receive the package?"

Lara glanced at the box lying on the couch from the living room. "Yeah, I did. Betty handed it to me the moment I came back."

"Good. It's full of blood cakes as you requested. I'm pretty sure you'll love it."

Lara smiled. "Thanks, Ced. You're the best."

Cedric chuckled. "I know. I'm the only best friend you have."

Lara scoffed. Suddenly remembering she had Rachel and Chance now. "Well, you're not the only one anymore."

Cedric laughed out loud. "Why you sneaky little traitor. I'll get back at you for this."

Lara giggled. "Oh, you're welcome to exact you revenge. I'll be waiting."

Lara lay down on her bed again, trying to relax. She missed talking to her best friend in person. He was the only thing that made her life in Velhellah a little bit bearable.

"When are you going to visit me again?" She asked. She does not know how bad the situation is in Velhellah. Cedric didn't tell her anything, so she did some estimations in her head. If the problem is not that serious like he claimed to be. Then Cedric will be able to visit her in... 2-3 months, tops.

But that's just a rough guess though.

There was silence on the other line again. Obviously, Cedric was thinking. "I'll visit you again as soon as-"

Suddenly, there was an explosion.

BOOM!

It was coming from her phone!

Lara's heartbeat instantly picked up as she sat up. "Ced? Hello? Ced?" There was no response. There was only static noise. Nothing more.

What is happening?

"Cedric? Cedric, if you're there please answer me."

Toot Toot Toot.

The call ended.

She lost connection.