Chapter 7 Unexpected Encounters

"Lara, please tell me this is a prank. Please say it. Please."

Sylvia was crying like a baby. She was hurt. She was devastated. She could not accept this. Jamie ignored her when she called him. And now this mysterious bouquet was fueling her anxiety.

"Sylvia, calm down. I'm sure this is a prank. Why don't you call Jamie and ask him about this."

"HE DID NOT WANT TO TALK TO ME. DON'T YOU GET IT.", Sylvia roared.

Sylvia put her hands on her face and cried loudly.

Lara hugged her to comfort her, "Listen, I know you're disturbed. But I'm with you and we'll get through this together. Don't worry."

Sylvia's phone rang at that moment. The screen flashed a private number. She looked at Lara quizzically yet scared. Lara picked up the call instantly and shouted, "You loser. Who do you think you are? You can't scare my friend with this shitty prank."

A laugh came from the other side of the call. The man then said seriously, "It's not in my nature to joke around people Ms. Cooper. I'm a man of my word. If I see your best friend with any other man again, I'll rip his skin off his body, and I won't forgive her too. Please pay my regards to her." The man didn't wait for a response and disconnected the call.

The man was so loud that Sylvia heard each and every word very clearly. She was shaking from fear.

Lara couldn't fathom what her ears had just heard. She gazed at Sylvia not knowing what to say.

Lara was about to say something when Sylvia interrupted her, "Lara, I need some time alone. Please switch off the light when you leave", she curled up on the bed in a tiny ball.

Lara realized that it was only right to give her some alone time and left doing as she was told.

Sylvia could not sleep that night at all. She was sobbing from the recent scenario. Her head was buzzing with fear and irritation. She pinched herself to ensure it was a dream, sigh! It was all happening for real. She gets up and runs her hands through her hair in exasperation.

She was unsettled the entire night changing sides from time to time on the bed.

At 7 in the morning, she finally got up from the bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up a bit.

When she got out of the room, Lara was waiting for her with breakfast on the table. "I knew you would be up early. Come have some breakfast."

"I'm not hungry. I don't feel like going to the university today. Can you give the documents to the professor on my behalf please?"

"You look miserable Sylvia. But I don't think it's wise for you to stay here alone. I'll stay with you. We can out for coffee, and get some fresh air."

"It's okay. I'll be fine. I'll take a cab back home and rest a bit there."

"Do you plan on talking to Jamie again?" Lara was worried about Sylvia's well-being. She looked pale; her eyes reddened from the constant crying. She did not want Sylvia to hurt herself. At least not today, when she was not fit to face the unforeseen consequences.

Sylvia broke into tears and covered her face with both her hands, "Everything is blurry. I don't know what have I done to deserve this. Deep down I'm hoping it's a dream and I wake up soon." She felt helpless.

Lara couldn't agree more. Sylvia was tired and it was only right to leave her alone. however, her mental condition did not seem stable and She couldn't see her doing anything childish that would have long-term implications.

Sylvia wanted to sleep. She closed her eyes and went into a deep slumber.

She woke up after 4 hours of deep sleep. Her face looked exhausted, her lips dry and flaky, and her cheeks so pale as if all the blood was drawn off her beautiful face.

Lara was nowhere to be found. She saw a note by the table that said, "I'm out shopping for groceries. BRB."

Sylvia took advantage and left asap.

She took a cab and directed the driver to drive toward the east bay area. Lara lived in San Leandro in a house owned by her parents. She loved the life there, regardless of how expensive it could get. The bay area was only 9 minutes away from her residence.

Sylvia paid the driver and got out of the cab. She sat by the sea to calm herself down a little. She began to think about her mom and how things had changed in her life soon after she left.

Pulling her phone out of her bag, she called Catherine. "Mom, how have you been?", her voice was low.

"Honey, I have been enjoying quite a lot with your grandma. She misses you. How are your studies treating you there?".

"I'm fine mom. I Just.. miss you", Sylvia felt an emotional wave wash over her while the sound of the waves from the sea somehow made a musical theme.

"Darling, are you okay? You sound low. What's the matter?"

"Mom, I need you. can you not.. ", Sylvia's words got stuck in her mouth when she saw 4 black SUVs parking beside her and 4-6 men walking towards her, all dressed in black suits.

She disconnected the call saying, "Mom, I'll call you back."