Daphne took a long breath. It was as if a heavy burden had fallen on her shoulders.
No, it was not because Daphne had just gone through a full day of activities. In fact, Daphne had not had a single guest that day. She spent most of her time rxing.
However, the tiredness was clearly visible on Daphne’s face, which was beginning to sag. Her eyes looked extremely tired.
“Madam.”
Regina’s voice sounded concerned. Even as Daphne turned and their eyes met, the young girl’s concern was obvious.
“Madam, you look very tired today,” Regina continued. “Are you unwell, Madam? Shall I call the doctor?”
Daphne took a long breath. She allowed Regina to pull the nket over half of her body while she sat on the edge of the bed.
“No need,” Daphne whispered. “I’m fine. Just feeling a little uninspired.”
Regina could see it. Having cared for Daphne for several years, Regina knew that the elderly woman was usually full of energy. Always active and often engaged in various positive activities in her daily life. Quite unlike others her age who tended to spend their time sitting and rxing.
“In that case, you should rest earlier today, Madam.”
There was no reason for Daphne to refuse. Hopefully, sleep would alleviate the lethargy and difort that had gued her all day.
“It seems you’re right.”
But before Daphney down, one thing urred to her. She grabbed Regina’s hand, who was ready to help her lie down.
“What is it, madam?”
Daphne looked at Regina. The old woman’s eyes looked worried as she asked.
“Has Garrette home yet?”
“Not yet,” Regina replied, shaking her head. “When I came here… Mr. Garrett hadn’te home yet.”
Daphne’s anxious sigh escaped her lips. She nced at the door, as if hoping Garrett would appear there.
“Why hasn’t hee home yet, even though it’ste? It’s almost eleven.”
Regina reassured Daphne, gently stroking the old woman’s hand.
“I’m sure Mr. Garrett will be home soon, madam. And I think it’s best for you to rest now. Mr. Garrett wouldn’t want to see you tired tomorrow.”
Without saying a word, Daphne could only stare at Regina. The young girl continued to soothe Daphne until she finallyy down.
Regina tucked Daphne in, making sure the woman really closed her eyes before leaving the room.
*
Garrett and Amber parted ways as they left the restaurant. Amber decided to take a cab since it was gettingte. She did not want to prolong Garrett’s trip by having him drop her off first.
It waste at night, almost eleven o’clock. The reason was undoubtedly that Garrett’s dinner with Merten was not an ordinary one.
Like any work-rted dinner, the dinner with Merten involved serious discussions. So, it was understandable that Garrett took a long time to finish hisst event of the day.
At least there was one good thing about it. Garrett let Dariel drive for him. Garrett could not imagine driving himself when he felt so exhausted at the moment.
“Are you okay, sir?”
As the car pulled out of the restaurant’s gate, Dariel took the opportunity to ask Garrett about his condition. He nced through the rearview mirror and saw Garrett’s tired face.
“I’m fine,” Garrett replied, taking a deep breath. He sat back and loosened his tie. He also unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. “I’m just feeling more tired than usual.”
“I’ll drive faster, sir.”
Garrett remained silent. Caught between wanting to warn Dariel for safety’s sake and wanting to quickly enjoy a warm shower, he decided not to respond to Dariel’s words. Instead, he tried to stay awake for the ride home.
Despite the considerable distance from the restaurant, the streets they passed through were still quite busy. There were still several vehicles on the road. Though not congested, it was enough to hinder Dariel’s attempt to pick up speed.
The car moved at a steady pace. Not too slow and not too fast. The rotation of the vehicle’s four wheels-maintained a pace that wasfortable. Garrett was lulled by it. His eyes grew heavy. And he might have fallen asleep if Dariel had not suddenly turned the steering wheel.
Garrett jerked awake. He quickly grabbed something. His eyes snapped open, his heart pounding with surprise.
“What’s happening?”
Dariel tried to maneuver the car back into the rightne. Keeping his eyes on the road ahead, he replied, “Sorry, sir. But there was a motorcycle that suddenly passed us.”
At first, Garrett thought it was just a motorcycle. But when he heard the deafening roar outside, Garrett knew it was not just a motorcycle.
Garrett and Dariel saw it. A motorcycle overtaking their car, followed by several others. Not only that, but there was a car that pulled up right next to their car.
Garrett looked around. He could not count them all. There were too many. They nked them to the left and right. And there were some behind them as well.
But the car next to them was the most conspicuous. Because a few secondster, that car elerated. Precisely and wlessly, it stopped right in front of Garrett’s car.
*
No matter how hard Daphne tried, she could not sleep that night. She gave up. She got out of bed and sat down.
Daphne reached for her cell phone on the nightstand. She was restless. She wanted to call Regina for one reason. To ask about Garrett. If he hade home or not.
But before Daphne could dial Regina’s number, there was a knock on her bedroom door. Surprised to find someone visiting her room at this hour, Daphne could only furrow her brow.
Yocelyn entered in a hurry. She quickly approached Daphne, ignoring the oddity of why Daphne was still awake at that hour. Instead, she spoke immediately.
“Madam.”
Daphne could see that something was wrong with Yocelyn’s face. She looked panicked. And for some reason, Daphne could feel her heart beating irregrly.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
“What’s wrong?”
Yocelyn swallowed hard. Her hands were shaking as she sped them together. “Mr. Garrett.”
A feeling of unease washed over Daphne. Her body was shaking. Along with her voice.
“What happened to Garrett?”
And Yocelyn’s answer made Daphne scream hysterically.
*