TPCF 91

CHAPTER 91……………………….

Finian’s face looked bitter as he spoke those words. Without saying much in reply, Anita clinked her glass against his and drank the liquid inside. Neither of them was brave enough to bring up and discuss what had happened in the past.

After chatting idly with her for a while, Finian soon went off to mingle with other people. Just as Anita began to feel a headache coming on, she went back inside the villa, intending to lie down and get some rest. As she staggered down the hall, she spotted a telephone sitting in the parlor.

What’s he doing right now?

Anita hesitated for a long time in front of the phone. Maybe it was the alcohol, but before she knew it, her hand had picked up the receiver on its own. By the time the dial turned and the ringing tone came through, Anita finally came to her senses.

She remembered how, as a child, she’d once looked through the telephone directory that sat beneath the parlor phone. Out of boredom, she’d found the Rutger family’s number. She’d memorized it instantly but never once had the courage to call.

She thought she’d forgotten it by now—but apparently, it had still been tucked away somewhere in her memory.

The clock’s hour hand was pointing toward twelve. Calling someone at midnight—what a rude thing to do. Just as Anita lifted the receiver from her ear to hang up—

—“Yes?”

A detached voice came through the line. Recognizing the voice, Anita froze.

“I’m sorry to bother you so late. I must have dialed the wrong number.”

She spoke as formally as she could. After all, it wasn’t a number he’d recognize.

—“Anita?”

Startled as if she’d been burned, Anita dropped the receiver. The corded handset dangled beneath the table.

—“You didn’t take the train home, did you? No, that’s not the point. Where are you?”

Curious about what he was saying, Anita cautiously picked up the receiver and held it to her ear again.

—“I know you’re listening. Could you at least answer me?”

Rutger’s impatient voice came through.

—“By the way, Mrs. Rodel was looking for you earlier. Hold on, I’ll—”

“Wait!”

—“About time.”

She heard Rutger click his tongue.

—“So, where are you?”

Click.

Anita hung up. It was an instinctive move—she hadn’t decided what to say. For a while, the phone remained silent. Flustered, she wondered if she should call him back, but then gave up on the idea and turned to leave.

The phone rang.

Rrrring.

Anita hesitated, her hand hovering over the receiver before pulling back. Answering would probably do no good.

Rutger didn’t look the type, but he was the kind who nagged a lot.

She wanted to talk to him—but she didn’t want to hear the scolding. After a long pause, Anita finally picked up the receiver. She could always tune him out. Rutger was far away anyway.

“What are you doing?”

Anita spoke first, before he could. There was only silence for a while. As the silence dragged on, her fingers fidgeted with the telephone cord.

“I was thinking about what you might be doing.”

Startled, Anita tugged the cord so hard it nearly came loose. She quickly shoved it back into place.

“Is something wrong? I hear a lot of noise in the background….”

“Oh? It’s nothing. It’s just a little noisy outside.”

Instead of the cord, Anita started playing with a strand of her hair. Should she ask him what he meant by that? Not that he’d give her a straight answer anyway.

“Hey, that thing you said about thinking of me earlier—what did you mean by that?”

“You didn’t arrive when you were supposed to. You think I wouldn’t worry? The least you could do is call if you have any decency.”

Ah. So that’s what he meant.

Anita twirled the end of her hair around her finger. She’d misunderstood for nothing.

“Sorry….”

“If you’re sorry, then tell me where you are.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“Well, because I…”

She didn’t want him to know where she was. If Rutger ended up telling her father, she’d be dragged back home for sure. This was the first time Anita had gone somewhere this far without permission, and she had no intention of being caught.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll come straight to your house—”

“Okay, fine. I’ll tell you.”

“…”

“Lilliana’s villa. Satisfied?”

“Where’s that?”

Anita inwardly smirked. She’d heard that Rutger was invited to Lilliana’s villa too, but apparently he didn’t know exactly where it was.

“Hmm. I don’t really know either.”

“…”

“I think I saw the sea on the way here?”

“The sea? Are you all right?”

“Ah.”

She brushed her hair back.

Judging from his past behavior, she’d expected him to tell her not to be dramatic or accuse her of exaggerating. But hearing genuine concern in his voice still felt strange to her.

She had only meant to tease him with vague answers and keep her location secret, but—

Anita bit her lip.

“Yeah. I think so.”