Page 19 of Deadline for Love

The line started ringing, and my heart pounded louder and harder with each ring. After it rang a few times, I was about to hang up, until I heard a signal at the other end and the beautiful baritone voice that greeted me in confusion,“Hello?”

It took me a moment to collect myself because I hadn’t expected him to answer, but when he asked again, my voice finally cracked.

“Hi, Nathan... It’s Bella.”

Another moment passed before I heard his voice again.“What a lovely surprise.”

My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach started filling with a tingling feeling… Oh, dear God, why was I acting like a little girl with a crush? Where was my voice and confidence?

“I’m sorry if I disturbed you—” I began.

“You’re not disturbing me. Not at all.”Then he asked,“Are you outside?”

“Yeah, I’ve just finished work, and I’m on my way home,” I explained, opening the passenger door without looking and throwing my bag in.

“Is it a habit of yours to work till this hour?”

“Not really... I just like to do the prep work to be organized for the next day.”

Then, I closed the door and walked over to the driver’s side, stopping in shock.

“Working late into the night isn’t healthy. But I’m no better—”

I heard Nathan speak but didn’t catch on because I found a letter above my car window. A letter decorated with Aster flowers.

Anxiously, I turned my head several times to look around, noticing that my tires had been slashed and three strands ofhair had been placed on my hood. Two blonde and one ginger colored.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, stunned.

“What’s going on?”

I didn’t answer Nathan but looked around again. My heart was racing beyond measure. I couldn’t see anyone; there was nowhere to hide because several buildings were next to each other on the street, and on the other side, buildings were all around us. Only alleyways were at the end of the road, but I couldn’t see that far.

Now, the atmosphere, which had just been beautiful, seemed eerie.

“Bella, are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, Nathan, I can’t talk right now.” I held my hand to my forehead and didn’t know what to do. My breathing felt so heavy.

“Where are you?”he asked, his tone worried.

“I’m in the car park outside my work.” My voice was almost gone; my throat was so tight.

“Are you with someone?”

I shook my head, forgetting for a moment that he couldn’t see me. “No, I’m alone; everyone left. Someone slashed my tires and left me a message.”

There was silence on the line for a moment.

“I’m on my way. I’ll be right there.”

I didn't know what to say, but I certainly wasn’t upset at the urgency in his voice.“Call the police, Bella. I’ll be there in a minute. Call me back if you finish the call before I arrive.”

All I heard was the phone call ending—I had to collect myself.

I looked around once more to ensure I was safe and then took a photo of my car before I shakily picked up the letter and opened it.

I noticed it was handled more neatly, and it smelled of flowers. No sender, but only my name was on it. This time, a longer rhyme was also written; it didn’t seem rushed.