025 The Meeting

Lana

“I don't think it's a good idea for you to meet him especially since he might be one of the one who led to your kidnapping,” Beatrice tried to talk me out of going to meet Cole.

I waited for Jenna this morning after I was done with my shift and asked her to help get through to Cole so I could talk to him, I tried calling him using my phone, but it always went to voice mail.

I told him to meet with me this afternoon, and he readily agreed, which was weird, because why wouldn't he take my call?

I didn't tell him why I wanted to see him or anything concerning my kidnapping just to be on a safer side.

“I have to meet with him myself to know what's going on,” I said, and Beatrice pressed her lips together.

“Why don't you let Karl handle it?” She asked, and I paused.

I definitely can't let Karl handle things because this is way deeper than my kidnapping. It's about my mother.

I could still remember the disappointment on Karl's face when I demanded to come back home immediately it was dawn.

Beatrice wanted me to stay there for a while because our apartment wasn't safe, but I didn't want to stay in Karl's house.

That is far too dangerous for me, I may not be able to survive it.

“I already told him to stay away from me, but he still came to help me. If I keep troubling him, what would that say about my pride?” I turned to Beatrice.

“I don't see him complaining,” Beatrice retorted.

“Weren't you the one against me getting involved with him? What's with the change of heart now?” I asked.

“I am no love expert, but I know he cares for you, and isn't that what matters? He had given so much attention Ethan didn't give you in 4 years,” Beatrice replied.

My chest tightened at her words because it's true, I'm just scared, scared of falling in love again and getting hurt, and I need to protect my heart.

“What's with you and Ryan? You both came to see me in Karl's place at 2 a.m., together,” I changed the topic.

“Nothing,” Beatrice bit her lips. Liar.

“And here you are lecturing me,” I rolled my eyes at her. “I'm leaving,” I said to her and walked towards the door.

“I would have loved to go with you but I have a test I need to get ready for that's why I wanted you to cancel but since you're being so stubborn, be careful,” Beatrice said and I hummed in response.

Immediately I opened the door and I saw Karl climbing up the stairs.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, shutting the door behind me.

“You didn't possibly think I would let you go meet him all on your own, love,” Karl said, and I sighed.

“How do you know I would meet with him?” I asked.

I didn't tell Karl anything about my meeting with Cole, I only told him to let me handle things on my own before I left his house this morning.

“I think you already know the answer to that question,” Karl replied casually, and I grind my teeth together.

Beatrice. I am going to skin her alive.

I walked past Karl, and he followed behind me. “Aren't you mad at me? Shouldn't you be mad at me?” I questioned as we headed out of the building.

“Because of what you said to me in Roman's office?” He asked, and I nodded.

My words should have hitted a nerve, right?

We got to his car that was parked just in front of the building, and I turned to look at him.

“I understand you, and trust me, I am in no position to be angry at you,” Karl leaned forward, his face inches away from mine. “Getting angry would only push you away, love and trust me, I won't let that happen,”

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I stared at him.

A tingling sensation exploded in my body, and I could feel butterflies building in my stomach.

“You really should stop saying things like that.” I turned away from him, and I felt him smirk behind me as I opened the car door.

Heat rushed to my face as I sat properly, but I tapped on my cheeks with my palm softly.

Those butter should better die and decompose.

Karl took his seat at the driver's side and turned on the car engine. “Where are you meeting him?” he asked.

“Coffe shop downtown,” I say, and karl nodded.

_

I told Karl to park a few meters away from the coffee shop, but he refused, I told him it's safe since this area is sort of crowded, and he finally did what I asked.

“Wait in the car,” I tell him and quickly came down before he gets the chance to protest again.

I walked toward the coffee shop and walked in. My eyes scanned the tiny shope, and I saw Cole sitting at the far end.

“Hi,” I say to him, and he looks genuinely happy to see me.

His expression made me more sure he couldn't have orchestrated my kidnapping.

“Have a seat” he tells me, and I sit down opposite him.

“Sorry for calling you out like this” I say.

“you don't have to apologize, I was happy when you told me to meet with you” He smiled at me.

“Did you message me yesterday?” I asked, and he blinked.

“was I supposed to?” he asked instead.

“I got a message from you telling me you were outside my house, but when I got out, I couldn’t find you,” I said.

“Really? I didn’t message you,” Cole replied and bit the inner walls of my mouth. "My schedule was packed yesterday, I didn't get back home until 11 p.m." Cole added.

He doesn't look like he is lying, but then again, I can't tell. “You can check my phone if you don’t believe me,” Cole said, and I shook my head repeatedly.

“no, it's fine, I thought it was something urgent so I wanted to know what you were going to talk to me about, I tried calling you, but it always went voice mail,” I explained.

"That's why you asked to see me?" Cole asked, and I nodded.

“yeah… sorry for wasting your time”

“No problem. I think it's software issues from your phone. Why didn't your boyfriend get you a new phone?” he asked, and I was about to question that statement when I remembered I let him believe Karl was my boyfriend to keep him away.

“I haven't told him yet, I had no idea it was software issues,” I lied. “I would leave now” I said and stood up.

“since we are already here, why don't we order something,” Cole offered.

“I've already taken much of your time, and I have something I need to take care of,” I smiled at him. “bye,” I waved and walked out of the coffee shop.

Something doesn't add up, I am sure it's Cole’s number. He was the one who texted me, or did I see it wrong?

I turned towards Cole, I stared at him through the glass wall of the coffee shop, and I caught him smiling to himself.

I wonder what was funny to him?

It sent chills down my spine.