GoodReadEverett was sick? In the photo, Everett lay on a hospital cot, eyes closed, and his face a tad pale.
It was clear as day that Kevin had snapped and sent it on the sly.
Predictably, a few more messages followed.
[Ms. Sanchez, | snagged this shot of Mr. Lopez secretly. He doesn't know, so let's keep it on the down-low, okay?] [He'd be ticked off.] [Mr. Lopez has been under the weather for days now, really out of sorts. Could you play dumb but drop him a line to check in on him?] Dorothy's fingers hesitated over her keyboard before typing back: [If | pretend | don't know he's sick, then suddenly start fussing over him, he'll smell a rat.] Everett was too sharp; such simple tricks wouldn't fool him.
[No worries. Give Mr. Lopez a ring, and you'll hear in his voice that he's not well!] [Call him in about two hours; he should be awake by then. Mr. Lopez just fell asleep not long ago after pulling yet another all- nighter. Nobody can handle that kind of grind!] Dorothy frowned, picturing Everett in work mode, driven as if his life depended on it.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt[Alright, got it. Thanks, Kevin, for having his back.] [Don’t mention it. Just doing my bit.] After signing off with Kevin, Dorothy found herself inexplicably scrolling back to the top of the chat, clicking on Everett's photo, and studying it intently.
Her fingertip gently traced his cheek on the screen, over his furrowed brow, and lingered on his closed eyelids.
Even from the long shot Kevin had taken, Everett's thick lashes were clear, his features sharp, and his usually plump lips now pale, adding a sickly but striking beauty.
Everett was too outstanding. So outstanding that Dorothy often felt their years together were a dream.
How could such a blazing sun have fallen into her lap? It felt stolen, making her anxious and incredulous.
Her work at the Bureau of Industry and Commerce wasn't going smoothly. The staff there were stalling with all sorts of excuses, reluctant to provide the detailed information she needed.
After much persistence, she got a peek, but with strict conditions—no photocopies, no taking documents away, just a quick look.
As the two-hour mark approached, Dorothy had to let it go.
“Okay then, | won't hassle you any longer. I'm heading out.” Grabbing her bag, Dorothy hurried out of the Bureau and hailed a cab. As soon as she settled in, she dialed Everett's number.
It rang a few times before he cut the call.
Immediately after, a WhatsApp notification popped up on Dorothy’s phone.
It was from Everett.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm[What's up?] It was only at this moment that Dorothy realized that this was the first time she had called him since they parted ways.
[I have something to ask you. Can you talk?] She had to cobble together an excuse.
But Everett wasn't biting.
[I'm busy.] Busy? Kevin had just told her Everett was in the hospital getting an IV shot, not at the office.
Not wanting to interfere with his actual work, Dorothy screenshotted the conversation and sent it to Kevin through the company's backend.
In no time, Kevin replied: [Mr. Lopez is pulling your leg. He ain’t busy. We just left the hospital.] Exiting the app, Dorothy tried Everett's number again.
He cut the call once more.
[I'm busy. If you need something, WhatsApp me.] Dorothy's brow furrowed. [But I'd rather call. Typing on WhatsApp is such a hassle.] [Then send me a voice message on WhatsApp. | can listen to that.]
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