Mates 45


    Chapter 45


    FREDA WHITLOCK


    “Hello” I answered sheepishly as Lyra nudged me to put the phone on speaker, which I did. “Freda”


    came Cole’s worried voice.


    “Are you alright, where are you?” he asked worriedly. I went to the Cafe several times but you


    weren’t there”. He disclosed as he continued on.


    “It waster when I asked that I was told you’ve been absent for weeks. Is everything okay?”he


    asked again.


    “Where did you go? Everyone here is so worried about you”. He stated and I could feel his concern


    over the line. Gia just scoffed but I ignored her.


    “Yes Cole, I’m good” I stated with a sigh. My father was ill so I had to leave. I finished. “Are you


    sure?”came Cole’s worried voice again. “I’m fine”, Cole,” I assured him. “That’s really all there is to


    it”.


    Η


    ‘Sorry I couldn’t notify you earlier. It was an emergency and I haven’t had the time to call anyone”. I


    lied smoothly.” I knew I could have called him to tell him, but for some reason I didn’t want to”. I felt


    guilty for lying but had no choice.


    “Okay, do you need help with anything, can Ie visit you?” He asked with a little hope in his


    voice over the line and Lyra’s eyes widened and she smirked. I rolled my eyes at her action but


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    Clupter 45


    couldn’t help but smile, myself. Cole always found a way to amuse me. He was such a sweet guy.


    Stifling a chuckle, I replied. “Visit me? You can’t” I stated, still amused. “Why?” came his questioning


    volce. “Because you can’t and even if you decide to do so, it will take driving, for three. days


    straight”. I disclosed.


    I heard Cole’s sigh over the phone. “Is there no airport nearby?” He asked curiously. “There’s none,”


    I replied. “Well, I don’t mind. traveling by car,” he said.


    “No”, I objected a little too quickly. It’s dangerous I stated. “But you still traveled, so why can’t I?” He


    asked slowly. “Because I am familiar with the routes and I don’t want you putting yourself in danger


    because of me. I’d feel very guilty if anything. happened to you. I finished with a sigh.


    “Careful Lyra”, he said with a chuckle. “You’ll almost have me thinking that you care”, ” he added


    and I blushed. Lyra tickled me as she let out a softugh.


    I gave her a hard re as I disentangled myself from her yful assaults and went to the end of the


    room to chat with Cole more properly.


    So are youing back anytime soon?” He asked hopefully. “I can’t say,” I replied with a sigh. “I’ve


    been apart from my family for six years. They need my support and there’s a lot of catching up I


    have to do” I finished.


    “Hmm”, Cole stated. “Take all the time you need. Family is everything” he said as he gave a little


    sigh.


    “Thanks, Cole” I will. “Thank you for being a good friend,” I


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    stated. “I want to be more than just a good friend Freda”, he stated. And I gave a deep blush and I


    gasped as I looked at Lyra who’s smirk widened Gia growled in response. She was not going to let


    me rest after this. I gave no reply and thankfully Cole didn’t push obviously noting my difort.


    I and Cole chatted some more as he told me about work, some funny patients which Iughed


    deeply at. He told me some other random gossip and he asked about Cisco’s wellbeing to which I


    replied.


    After speaking for about an hour he finally ended the call with me promising to call him at least once


    a week to which I agreed. We ended the call and I turned around with a big smile on my face.


    It was difficult to be in the same ce with Cole and notugh heartily. He was a good guy. As I


    turned around, I was faced with a blushing Lyra.


    I walked over to her and sat down as she still gave me that look. resembling that of a mother that


    just saw her daughter falling in love for the first time. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    “I was the one who answered the call, but why does it feel like it was you who spoke to Cole?” I said


    with a chuckle. “Oh my days Lyra, you should see your face girl, you look like a red tomato”. I added


    as Iughed heartily.


    She seemed to havee out of whatever trance she was in as she looked at me with teary eyes.


    “In all of my lifetime, I haven’t seen you as happy as you were when you were speaking with Cole”.


    She stated tearfully.


    “No one has ever treated you with so much care and with such


    Chapter 45


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    tenderness, I couldn’t help myself from shedding a few tears. from over here,” she added as she


    dramatically dabbed her


    eyes.


    “This is the first time I’ve seen a man genuinely care about you and respect you”. He was obviously


    trying to make youugh. Lyra stated.


    “Yeah, you’re right”, I added. “No one has ever treated me with respect and care like Cole has. He


    has always been gentle and kind to me”. I finished with a smile.


    “Yeah. He’s so much better than that d**g and I’m sure he’s very nice to Cisco too, Lyra said.


    “Yes he is”, Cisco loves him. “When I first arrived in their city, he was among the first people to


    warm up to me. He respects me and honors me. I was so hurt by all I’d been through but with Cole I


    learnt to smile again”.


    “He was alwaysing to sit down with me to make meugh even when I didn’t want to open up


    to anyone, he made me see reason with having people who could support me” I added and Lyra’s


    gaze softened.


    “So why haven’t you decided to go out with him?” Lyra finally asked and I went still.