Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Rochelle rushed back to the room and picked up her cell phone to call Samantha.

The next second, she heard a phone ringing on the other side of the bedside table.

Rochelle looked at it in disbelief.

Samantha did not even bring her phone along with her...

Had it not been for the high security of her apartment and the unlikelihood that someone would break into the house, she would have thought that someone had kidnapped Samantha quietly.

Samantha had been acting uncharacteristically when she neither cried nor made trouble the day before. Rochelle was worried that Samantha might be doing something stupid after suffering a complete mental breakdown.

Rochelle had only herself to blame for not paying attention.

She would not be able to forgive herself if something happened to Samantha.

Rochelle changed her clothes quickly and grabbed the car keys as she rushed out.

After getting in the car, she put on a Bluetooth earpiece and made some phone calls while driving along the road to find Samantha.

…

Inside the CEO's office at the Barker Group, Timothy was listening to Ronald's report on his itinerary that day when the phone rang suddenly. He glanced at it and saw that it was Rochelle. After tapping his fingertips on the table, he picked up the phone and answered, "Hello."

Ronald immediately knew to stop talking.

Rochelle's cold voice was heard asking, "Did Sammy come to see you, Timothy?"

"No," Timothy answered insipidly.

Rochelle listened to his answer and immediately exploded in anger. "Oh, so you think you can say 'no' and be done with it? Sammy's gone, and she did not even bring her cell phone with her. Can't you at least show the least bit of concern?"

Her voice became sterner as she spoke. "I'm warning you, Timothy. If something happens to Sammy, I'll fight you to the death!"

She then ended the call unhesitatingly.

One could only expect scumbags like that to have a conscience when pigs could fly.

It only made Rochelle even angrier!

Ronald listened and could not resist secretly cheering for her. She was indeed a hero among women who did not hesitate to call people out.

At the same time, Ronald was worried too.

Samantha was sad and weary when leaving the hospital a day ago. Could something have happened when she suddenly disappeared the next day?

He was just thinking about that when he saw his boss place the phone down.

"Continue," Timothy said.

Ronald's first instinct was to reply, 'I'll get someone to find her now,' but before he could say that, he realized that Timothy had asked him to 'continue' instead of asking him to find her.

He had a shocked expression.

In the past, Timothy would have stood up and gone to look for Samantha by himself, so why did he act as if he did not hear anything?

Ronald subconsciously looked at Timothy's face. There was no change in Timothy's expression and it remained cold and indifferent, without any trace of worry or concern.

"What's wrong?"

The man spoke once more in a cold and suspicious tone.

Ronald shivered all over and quickly came to his senses. "I'll continue the report..."

He was supposed to turn around and leave after finishing his report, but after hesitating for a moment, he bit the bullet and asked weakly, "Mr. Barker, are we really...not going to look for her?"

She had just cheated death, lost her child, and wanted a divorce after quarreling with her husband. It was easy for her not to get over it since it was both physically and mentally traumatizing.

Upon hearing that, Timothy looked up and glanced toward him, asking, "Do you have too much time on your hands?"

Ronald was so frightened by Timothy's stare that cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He did not dare to say anything more and turned around stiffly as he walked out quickly.

…

Samantha did not feel like going anywhere.

She did not sleep throughout the night, but forced herself to sleep for the sake of her child, and because she did not want Rochelle to worry.

As soon as the sun came up, her eyes opened and she could not sleep anymore.

Her chest felt heavy, as if a stone was bearing down on her, and she was unable to breathe.

She got up, changed her clothes, then decided to go out and get some air.

She initially wanted to take a walk within the residential area, but as she continued walking, she unknowingly walked out of the residential area and started wandering aimlessly along the road.

The apartment was located in heart of the bustling city center, so there were already many pedestrians on the sidewalk even though it was still early.

Everyone seemed to be in a hurry as they rushed to their destinations without stopping for too long at any one place.

All of a sudden, she felt envious of those people.

They were living an ordinary, average life.

She wanted an ordinary life too, with a small warm home, a man she loved, and two children. She, along with the man she loved, could then work hard to raise their children.

Perhaps there might be the occasional quarrel, the odd financial problem here and there, or the periodic exasperation at the fuss that her kids made.

However, those were all burdens that she would be happy to shoulder as long as she was with a loved one.

It was unfortunate that God seemed to be playing a practical joke on her again and again.

Perhaps God was warning her time and time again that there was no longer a future with Timothy since she did not get married to him back then, that it was her who failed to see it and insisted on being with a man who was not hers.

Samantha shook her head and laughed.

Tears welled up in her eyes again.

She continued to walk for hours on end, and when she finally stopped, she realized that she had unknowingly arrived at a restaurant entrance.

It was the place where she used to go on dates with Timothy.

It was only ten in the morning and the restaurant was not operating yet.

She stood at the door for a few minutes before lifting her feet, preparing to leave.

A voice suddenly rang in her ear. "Mrs. Barker?"

She halted her footsteps and looked up to see that it was the restaurant manager. He was an old acquaintance of hers and Timothy.

"Ah, it really is you." The manager came over. "I was wondering who it was that was standing at the door. It looked like you so I tried calling your name."

He smiled and said, "Why are you here so early? The restaurant hasn't opened for business yet."

After a pause, he added, "But I can let you in if you want, Mrs. Barker."

Samantha hesitated before finally nodding. "Could you please. Thanks."

The manager opened the door and led Samantha to her regular seat. He then brought her a glass of warm water.

Samantha said, "You can go ahead and do your thing. Don't mind me."

"Alright. Just let me know if you need anything."

After the manager excused himself, Samantha looked up and glanced at the seat opposite her. Timothy's figure seemed to be sitting there, smiling softly at her.

After staring for a few seconds, she looked at the white piano on the round stage in the center of the restaurant. Timothy seemed to be sitting there, with his slender and beautiful fingers flitting over the keys to produce a pleasant tone.

She could somehow hear music in her ears.

It was her favorite song 'How Do You Love Me'.

Samantha could not resist closing her eyes to listen.

The sound of footsteps appeared suddenly in her ears. The chair opposite her was pulled back and someone took a seat.

Samantha's heart trembled violently.

Timothy was the only one who knew about that restaurant. Did he come looking for her?