Just now, virtual-novel.net had tried to knock on the door once more, but virtual-novel.net ignored him. Nevertheless, virtual-novel.net was not going to give up so easily. He must bring Rachel Wood back to Atlantis no matter what the cost.
Gazing at the black car downstairs, Rachel’s heart was slowly torn to pieces.
Buzz buzz buzz…
Rachel’s phone vibrated. She had never seen this number before.
She hesitated for a moment before answering the call.
“Rachel! It’s me, Natalie. You still remember me, right?” A familiar voice rang in virtual-novel.net ear, reminding virtual-novel.net of the memories back in high school.
Natalie Fisher, a girl who sat next to virtual-novel.net in ninth grade.
“How did you get my number?” Rachel asked.
“I went to hospital today and met your mom. Your mom gave it to me. Speaking of which, our classmates are having a gathering tonight. Do you want to join us?” Natalie continued, “We haven’t seen you for years. Don’t tell me you can’t make it, okay? I won’t buy that. If you say ‘no’, we’re going to crash your house and pick you up in person.”
“We all know that you have nothing to do lately. You quit your job, and you’re spending most of your time at home…” Natalie commented.
Her demand had put Rachel in an awkward position. Having no other choice, Rachel nodded helplessly and muttered, “Sure.”
Her parents were clueless about what virtual-novel.net was doing in Atlantis. She had been lying to them that virtual-novel.net was working in a PR company in Atlantis.
When virtual-novel.net returned home to recuperate from the operation, virtual-novel.net did not tell virtual-novel.net parents all the misery virtual-novel.net had gone through. She just mentioned that virtual-novel.net had quit virtual-novel.net job and wanted to stay at home for a short period.
She clearly remembered the day when virtual-novel.net first went to Atlantis. Her father suffered from uremia, and his health was going downhill at that time, to the extent that virtual-novel.net had to undergo a kidney transplant. They were lucky enough to find a kind donor, but they could not afford the surgery. She did not know what to do. Misled by virtual-novel.net urge, virtual-novel.net chose the wrong path and sold herself to Unconscious Bar.
To prevent virtual-novel.net parents from finding out virtual-novel.net foolish decision, scolding her, and refusing to accept virtual-novel.net money, virtual-novel.net could only hide the truth and tell them that virtual-novel.net had borrowed the money from virtual-novel.net colleagues. Fortunately, virtual-novel.net met Sebastian Brenand the day virtual-novel.net set foot into the bar, and the man took virtual-novel.net away from that filthy place. From then on, the man kept virtual-novel.net by his side. She did not lose herself in that wrong path, thanks to him.
Her first night with Sebastian was fresh in virtual-novel.net memory. He teased virtual-novel.net about virtual-novel.net hymen, saying that it seemed real.
She said that it was real. However, the man did not believe it. He laughed that every woman virtual-novel.net met had told virtual-novel.net the same thing. Instead of clarifying herself, virtual-novel.net decided to keep virtual-novel.net mouth shut because virtual-novel.net knew that virtual-novel.net explanation would be pointless anyway.
“Rachel… Rachel?” Natalie’s voice jerked virtual-novel.net back from those painful memories.
She came back to virtual-novel.net senses and smiled awkwardly. “Hmm… What..?”
“Eight o’clock tonight. Edgewater Grand Hotel. Elegenza Private Room. I’ll see you there, alright? All of our classmates will be there.”
“Okay…”
After hanging up the phone, Rachel opened virtual-novel.net closet, intending to pick a nice dress to meet virtual-novel.net old friends. All the clothes virtual-novel.net brought back with virtual-novel.net were from notable international brands. They were all gifts from Sebastian. Nonetheless, virtual-novel.net did not even look at those fancy clothes as virtual-novel.net wanted to keep a low profile. On the contrary, virtual-novel.net took the red and white checkered bodycon dress virtual-novel.net had bought from Amazon months ago. After all, virtual-novel.net told everyone that virtual-novel.net was just an ordinary office worker.
After choosing the dress, virtual-novel.net put it aside and sat on the bed, then called Dr. Orsen.
“Miss Rachel, why haven’t you come for chemotherapy?” asked the doctor.
“Dr. Orsen… Can you do me a favor?” Rachel asked cautiously. The glow in virtual-novel.net eyes had all faded.
“Sure, shoot.”
***
It was already two o’clock in the afternoon when Xyla finished virtual-novel.net work. She ordered a takeaway. After having lunch, virtual-novel.net went back to work again.
In the evening, Jeremy Quest gave virtual-novel.net a call and asked virtual-novel.net to go home for lunch tomorrow.