Perhapsduetotheeffectsofthealcohol,Mnie’snightwasrestless.Shestruggledtowakeupduetonightmares.Whenshefinallymanagedtopryherheavylidsopenohersenses,itwasalreadydaytime.


    Shesatup,clutchingthenketforabitbeforecheckingherphone.Itwasalreadypastteninthemorning.ThereseemedtobenourgentmattersinPrimeCitythatawaitedher.


    Mniegotupandfreshenedherself.Shehadcopsedontothebedthenightbefore,andthesmellofalcoholstilllingeredonher.


    Aftergettingherselftogether,herphone,whichshehadleftonthebedsidetable,suddenlyrangjustassheexitedthebathroom.ItwasacallfromWalden,themanagerofthebranchoffice.


    “MissSmith,whenwillyoubingover?”


    Mniewaspuzzled.“Istheresomethingelse?”All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    “Yes,there’sanotherdocumentthatneedstobeorganized.Mr.Scottlefttotendtosomeurgentmatters,soIwastoldto contactyou,MissSmith.”


    Mniewasstunned whensheheardthat.Eugenehadgoneback?


    Thecallended,andshehesitatedforamomentbeforecallingEugene.Hedidnotanswer.


    ShethengotherselfreadyandwenttothebranchofficetohandlethematterWaldenhadmentionedtoher.Aftereverythingwassorted,sheaskedWalden,“WhendidMr.Scottleave?”


    Themanrubbedhischinashereplied,“Thismorning.WhenIcalledhim,hewasalreadyattheairport.”


    Waldenthen askedback,“Hedidn’tmentionanythingtoyou?”


    Mnieloweredhergazeandremainedsilent.Eugenedidnotmentionanythingabouthimleavingtodayeventhoughtheyweretogethestnight.


    Afterleavingthebranchoffice,Mniecheckedherphoneagain but stillfoundthatshehadnotgottenaresponse fromEugene.Afteramomentofcontemtion,sheopenedanappandbookedicketforherself.


    Bythetimeshefinishedpackingandarrivedattheairport,itwasalreadytheafternoon.Justaftergoingthroughsecurity,Xandercalled.Mniethenrememberedthatshehadnotinformedhimaboutherdeparture.


    SheansweredthecalittleawkwardlyandheardXandersay,“There’sanexhibitiontoday.Ifyouhavetime,youcaeandcheckitout.It’s quiteinteresting.”


    Suitcaseinhand,Mnieapologized,“I’msorry,Xander. Ihaveurgentmatterstoattendtoandamcurrentlyattheairport.”


    TherewasapauseonXander’sendbeforeheslowlysaid,“Imusthavedisturbedyou.”


    Feelingguilty,Mniereplied,“Allowme totreatyoutodinnerwhenyoebacktoJepton.”


    Chapter119


    2/2


    StephendidmentionthatXanderwasalsofromJeptonandthatheoftentraveledwithhisstudio.


    HearthCitywasanindcity,withtwocitiesinbetweenitandJepton.WhenMniearrived,itwasalreadydinnertime.Sheggeddownataxiandwentlookingforahotel.ThsttimeshecametoHearthCitywasforaconference.


    DnhadnevertakenMnietoherhomeeversinceshegotmarriedeventhoughMniewasjustovertenyearsoldatthattime.Aftershegrewup,Dnwouldalwaystakethehigh-speedtraintoJeptontolookforherinstead.


    Thus,MniehadnoideawhereDn’shomewas.ShecalledDnafterdinner,whoansweredveryquicklybutsoundedawkward,“Mel?Whyareyoucallingagain?”


    Mnietightenedhergriponthephone andtookadeep breathbeforeasking,“Whereareyou?”