Thinking of that, I could not help but laugh. "Estella, are you acquainted with Miss Rowane Zanes from the Department of Science and Technology?" I asked.
She paused. Then, she shook her head and replied, "No, not really. Why though, Mrs. Roberts?"
"Well, I was just asking," I said as I shook my head. "Never mindlt's getting late. I've got to go. I have an appointment elsewhere, bye!"
She seemed as though she wanted to say something. But since I was making a move, she hesitated. "Goodbye!" she said at last.
As I walked out of the office building, I saw Hendrix's message on my phone. It was an apology. I glanced at it and did not bother replying as I put the phone into the handbag.
It was not that I was angry. I merely thought it was not necessary to explain myself.
Naomi called. As I answered, I could hear her sighing. "Arianna, what are you doing?” she said. "I'm bored to death. Are you busy?"
I looked at my watch. It was two in the afternoon. It suddenly crossed my mind that Hendrix might not have had his lunch yet. He had been looking for Pedro earlier that morning. After that, he picked me up, and now, his work was piling up in his office. Hence, he had skipped his meal.
"Arianna, where are you?" Naomi said. "Why are you not talking? You alright?" Naomi’s voice roused me from my thoughts. "Yes I'm here," I said.
"Do you know where Sebastian's office is? It has been days since I arrived at Jarold City but I haven't been able to reach him. I've been trying to call him but to no avail. He hasn't been replying to my WhatsApp messages too. What's wrong with him though?" I could tell that Naomi was worried about Sebastian.
As I recollected my meeting with Sebastian this morning, I could not help but frown. "There are lots of places of interest in Jarold City," I said. "Spend some time exploring. I guess Sebastian must have been quite busy, and cannot entertain you."
Feeling annoyed, she let out a long sigh. "Huh! Well, I know he's been busy. But he can't be busy all day long, can he? No matter how busy he is, surely he has got time to read my text messages? It does not bother me if he never picks up my call. But at the very least, he should have replied to my messages after so many days!"
I had a mild headache. "I'm not sure where the Milton Group's head office is in Jarold City. Even if I do, I guess Sebastian won't be there."
Naomi was sighing with dejection. "I thought as much," she said. "I don't know what he's up to of late. I have a gut feeling that he has been deliberately trying to avoid seeing me. What wrong have I done though? Arianna, do you think he has fallen in love with another girl? And so..."
"Naomi, how deep is your love for him?" I was at a loss for words and did not know what to advise her. Sebastian was a womanizer and did not truly love her. Back then, I was not sure about his character. Hence, I kept mum over this. But now that I had seen his true colors, I felt obligated to tell Naomi. Otherwise, she would hate me later on if I let her continue falling into this trap...
After a moment of silence, Naomi said, "I don't know. But I want to be with him for the rest of my life. Arianna, I know I shouldn't keep revolving my life around him. But I cannot control myself. I've never been so deeply in love with a guy. You know what? I actually thought of heading over to the Milton family's home to look for him. I know it's such a disgrace on my part. But I just can't restrain myself!"
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