Chapter 5 Heartstrings

"Alonzo darling are you home?" 

a voice of a sophisticated old woman echoing the whole house.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" 

Reid raised a question to her shocked mom.

"Honey, do I need permission to visit my only son?" 

her mom thought aloud.

"Who is this beautiful young lady you're with Alonzo? Who is it this time? 

She added quickly, staring closely at me.

"She's Becca one of my  employees" 

Reid's mother seems confused but she carries herself too well to show that. 

"Are you sure you're not the girlfriend?" 

she casually told me, her eyebrows went up and down.

"Certainly not ma'am" 

I politely responded, looking down, this is such an uncomfortable situation.

"Well then, nice to meet you" 

she said waving her goodbye to me. 

Reid looks at me apologetically. 

"Looks like you won Becca I can't drive you home" 

He sounded disappointed with the tone of voice he possessed.

"no big deal, I'll take my leave now thanks" 

I walked in the direction of the door and called a taxi. 

While on the backseat thinking all that happened back there it was a relief to distance myself from Reid, I can't figure him out, he was sarcastic in a minute and sweet at the same time. I wonder what's gotten into him.

I thanked the taxi driver for a safe ride, I walked to the front door of my house still thinking not realizing Sierra was there standing. 

"Becca!" 

Sierra hurried herself going my way, looking so worried.

"Hey, I'm fine Sierra, what brought you here?" 

I said, reassuring her. 

"I come rushing after I heard what happened, tell me you haven't slept well have you? that's why you keep passing out"

"nothing serious, promise" 

I replied, trying to bring my mouth to smile.

"There were a lot of rumours in the office that you and Reid are officially together. Is that true?"

"Oh please Sierra even you? of course not, I told you that's close to impossible" 

We both moved our way to enter my house.

I handed a glass of water to Sierra, to help her calm down. 

"Gio is back and he is looking for you" 

Gio, the only man I ever loved yet chose to hurt me, Sierra and him. We grew up together remembering how he made me happy when he confessed his love years ago, but after the accident, he just left without even saying goodbye, reminiscing is painful.

Trying to look okay I responded to Sierra's remarks, 

"Does he have the guts to look for me?"

Sierra looked dead serious and said.

"don't worry I didn't give him any information where to find you, I feel that I have to tell you that he is back" 

I know how concerned Sierra is for my welfare, and I'm grateful for her. I wished to never see Gio again, not in this lifetime.

"Bec you sure you'll be fine alone here? Do I sleep over?" 

Sierra casually asked, 

her face looked like an angel sent from above. I can't recall any event in my whole life without her as my support, she is just a kind soul.

"Yes I'm sure, don't worry I'll call you."

I said plainly with a smile.

Sierra left that instance. 

I was left alone again lost in thoughts.

My phone rings nonstop, I promptly picked it up and accepted the call.

"Hello?" 

a masculine voice greeted me on the other line.

"Are you home safely?"

the voice sounds too familiar but I have to ask who inhabits it.

"Who's this?" 

I said curiously, hoping it's not Reid on the other line.

"It's me, Reid" 

He is calling me in the middle of the night, and how did he get my number? 

"How did you get my number? 

I asked defensively, did he miss me? Oh, what on earth am I thinking right now.

"I have my ways Becca plus I'm your boss" 

right, how can I be more stupid? 

Why does he sound so eager to know about what's going on with me?

I closed imagining how his face looked now if he was standing in front of me. I ultimately stop myself from thinking about him.

"Why are you calling this late boss?" 

I made sure I sounded sarcastic on the last part of that reply.

"Just answer the question, Becca, I hate repeating myself"

he voices out frustrated.

I want to quit this nonsense conversation with him so I answered back.

"If I was not safe, how come you are talking to me right now?" 

"you and your smart mouth, next time when I asked you a direct question-answer me."

He sighed and cut the call shortly.

I was lying on my bed all night pondering on that phone call, his voice sounded so comforting and I recalled the last incidents we have from kissing to hugging unintentionally feels so right and in my heart, I'm happy yet afraid so I must guard my heart moving on.