After coaxing the kids, Charlotte dialed Zachary’s number, but his phone was still switched off.
She glanced at the date and confirmed that there were three days left until the day they were supposed to meet up.
Why isn’t Zachary answering his phone? He hasn’t been in touch for a while. What’s going on?
After a brief hesitation, she called Ben.
Strangely, no one answered the phone.
She then called Bruce, but his phone was not turned on.
Panic surged in her heart. Both his most trusted assistants can’t be reached. What the heck is going on?
A minute later, she tried dialing Raina’s phone. Raina was her last hope.
If Raina’s unreachable, too, I’ll have to send someone to find out about Zachary’s situation.
The dial tone rang for a long time. Just as Charlotte was about to hang up, the call was connected. “Ms. Windt!” A familiar voice sounded over the line.
Raina was used to addressing her the same way she did back then.
“Raina, did something happen to Zachary?” Charlotte went straight to the point.
“No,” Raina replied with a chuckle. “What could happen to him?”
“Then why can’t I get in touch with him?” Charlotte voiced her doubts. “He didn’t even answer his phone.”
“Wait a moment, please,” came Raina’s reply.
She then handed the phone to someone else.
Charlotte was still confused when another familiar voice rang out. “Miss me?”
It’s Zachary!
Stunned, she took a while to regain her senses. “Zachary? Is it you?”
“I’m still alive,” Zachary answered, chuckling. “I’m glad that I can still be alive to see you.”
It sounded like he had just escaped death narrowly and was lamenting how fortunate he was.
“What do you mean?” Charlotte was puzzled.
“Three days later, I’ll show up before you on time!” Zachary announced and promptly hung up the phone.
Charlotte stood stock still, confused by his words. Why does it sound like Zachary has been through a lot? Regardless, I’m glad he’s still alive. Since he promised that he’d be here three days later, it means he’s fine.
Taking a deep breath to recollect herself, she then went to look for the children, “Robbie, Ellie, I just talked to Daddy on the phone. He’ll come over and look for us three days later.”
“Really?” Both kids gathered around her excitedly. Robbie stretched his hand out and requested, “Mommy, give me your phone. I want to talk to Daddy.”
“He has already hung up.” Charlotte clicked into the call log on her phone and explained, “Look, this is Raina’s phone number. Daddy called me using her phone.”
“Why didn’t he use his own phone to call you?” Robbie asked, sounding skeptical.
“Perhaps there’s something wrong with his phone. Perhaps—”
Robbie’s phone suddenly rang, cutting Charlotte’s explanation short. It was a video call from Jamie that he promptly answered by calling his sibling’s name. “Jamie!”
“Robbie, Ellie, Mommy, Daddy’s coming home tonight! I’m so happy!” Jamie waved his hands around, evidently delighted. “Daddy told me he’ll be bringing me to F Nation to reunite with you two days later!”
“Really? That’s great!” Robbie’s lips curved into a huge grin at his brother’s words. Finally, he was convinced that his father would be back soon.
“Yay! I’m so happy!” Ellie hopped around excitedly. “Jamie, bring Little Fifi here too. We miss it so much!”
“Yes, I had that in mind too.” Jamie nodded profusely.
Behind him, Little Fifi was flapping its wings, shrilling, “Ellie, Ellie! Robbie! Jamie! Mommy!”
The eagle Fifi cooed as though reminding everyone not to forget about it.
