Love at First Night: The Billionaire's First Love-Chapter 60: What is happening?

>Mallory

"Jackpot!" she replied.

Her voice came through the phone thick and unclear, like her mouth was full of water. Every word dragged behind the other, slurred and messy. I pulled the phone a little farther from my ear, staring at the screen as if it could explain what was going on.

Why did she get drunk this much?

Mara could drink. Everyone knew that. She always bragged about it, always laughed it off. Her alcohol tolerance was through the roof. She was usually the one carrying others home, not the one asking for help.

Something felt wrong.

"Hey," I said, straightening my back. "Be honest with me. Do you have a problem?"

My grip tightened around the phone, my fingers pressing hard against the case. I stayed still, listening. The line was quiet, only her uneven breathing coming through.

Mara was the type to keep everything to herself. She smiled easily, joked easily, and acted like nothing bothered her. But I knew better. People like that broke quietly. I know she’s more fragile than she appeared to be.

She didn’t answer.

"Tell me," I added when the silence stretched too long. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. "I’ve been busy, yeah, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care."

I swallowed, glancing down the hallway. I should have checked on her earlier. I should have gone to her company when she didn’t answer my texts.

"I don’t know," she finally said. "I need a ride. I’m drunk."

She skipped my question completely.

So, there was a problem.

"Are you really that dense?" she suddenly blurted out.

My brows pulled together. I frowned at the wall in front of me like she was standing there.

"What do you mean?" I asked slowly.

"Never mind," she sighed. I could hear something clinking in the background, maybe a glass being set down. "I’m hanging up."

"Don’t you dare," I said quickly, my voice sharp. "Pin me your address so I know where you are."

I lifted my free hand and pinched the bridge of my nose, pressing my eyes shut for a second.

"Okiee..." she replied, dragging the word out.

Before I could say anything else, the call ended. The screen went dark with a soft beep. I stared at it, my jaw tight.

A second later, my phone buzzed.

A notification popped up.

Her address.

I opened it and stared at the location. My chest felt heavy. I let out a slow breath and closed my eyes again.

Then I looked toward the bedroom door.

The light from inside was dim, the door slightly open. I could see the soft rise and fall of my son’s chest as he slept. His small body was curled under the blanket, peaceful and unaware.

My heel tapped against the floor, over and over.

I was worried. Deeply worried.

But I couldn’t leave him alone. Not while he was sleeping.

I stood there for a few seconds, frozen, before turning away. I moved down the hallway, phone still in my hand. I scrolled through my contacts while walking back and forth, my finger tapping nervously against the screen.

Mara.

Venz.

Dr. Vale.

That was it. My circle is painfully small.

"Tch," I clicked my tongue.

Why didn’t I take Kaizer’s phone number? I squeezed my eyes shut, annoyed at myself. If I had it, I could’ve called him to pick up his sister. This wouldn’t be so hard.

I stopped pacing and leaned against the wall.

My head tipped back slightly as I stared at the ceiling.

Was there really nothing I could do?

I couldn’t trust just anyone with my son. Not at this hour. Not while I was gone.

I lowered my head and looked at my phone again.

"...I have no choice," I muttered to myself. My thumb hovered over the screen. "I’ll just call him and hope for the best."

I took a deep breath.

Then I tapped the call button.

It took a few rings before he picked up. I stared at the screen while it rang, my thumb hovering near the edge of the phone. Each ring made my chest tighten a little more. Knowing his schedule, he was probably in the middle of something important.

"Yes, wife?" Venz answered when the call finally connected.

I straightened my posture as soon as I heard his voice. "Do you happen to know someone I can trust with Mara?" I asked, keeping my tone low.

There was a pause on the other end. I imagined him stopping whatever he was doing, and I could hear the rustling of documents halt. I waited, standing still in the hallway, my back pressed lightly against the wall.

"Is her secretary okay?" he said after a moment. "Her brother is out of town, so she’s your best bet."

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.

"Is there any problem?" he added, his voice more focused now.

I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening around the phone. "That’s what I want to know," I replied honestly. My gaze drifted toward the floor as I spoke. "Anyway, can you message me her number?"

"Sure," he answered.

Relief settled in my chest, but it didn’t last long. Guilt followed right after. I shifted my stance, rubbing my thumb against the side of my phone.

"I’m sorry," I said, my voice softer now. "I know you’re probably busy. I didn’t mean to disturb you like this."

"No worries," he replied easily. "I’ll be done in the next thirty minutes anyway."

I exhaled, my shoulders relaxing just a bit.

"Thank you," I said.

Then the call ended.

A moment later, my phone vibrated.

I lifted it right away. A new message from Venz appeared on the screen. I opened it and saw the number and name he sent. I didn’t hesitate. My thumb moved quickly as I copied it and dialed.

The ringing started.

Once.

Twice.

I stayed still, my eyes fixed on the screen. My free hand clenched into a loose fist, then relaxed, then clenched again. The seconds stretched longer than they should have.

Three rings.

Four.

I shifted my weight, anxiously waiting for the call to go through.

"Hello?" a woman’s voice finally answered.

"Yes—hello," I said quickly, straightening up. "Is this Ms. Monique? Mara’s secretary?"

There was no answer right away.

I pulled the phone closer to my ear, frowning slightly. I was about to repeat myself when the line clicked softly.

"Yes," the woman said. "Who is this?"

"Oh, good," I said, relief slipping into my voice. "I’m her best friend. Can you please check up on her? She looks like she drank a lot. I’ll send you her location."

As I spoke, my fingers were already moving. I opened the map on my phone, ready to share the address. I took a step away from the bedroom door, careful not to make noise.

"Best friend?" she repeated.

Her tone suddenly changed. It was sharper now.

I stopped moving.

"Well," she continued, "I’m sorry, Ms. Eve. I’m not on duty right now, and that’s outside my responsibilities."

My fingers froze above the screen.

Ms. Eve?

I stared at the phone, my brows pulling together. My grip tightened without me noticing.

How does she know my name?

"But—" I started, my voice cutting in too fast.

"I’m hanging up," she said calmly.

I looked at the dark screen of my phone, confused.

What the heck is happening?