Out of courtesy, she replied to him with a cute emoji. Tom did not send any more messages, and she did not disturb him. Just that one audio message was enough to provide her with emotional value, supporting her to face each day with the most optimistic mindset. His action already showed that he cared for her. Perhaps Tom had a slow-to-warm-up personality, or maybe he had more concerns and thoughts; Agnes learned to wait in this relationship.
Around noon, after having lunch with her colleagues, Agnes went upstairs when her phone beeped with a news notification. An explosion had occurred in a laboratory in the area where Tom lived! The entire building was destroyed, casualties were unknown, and the situation looked grim.
The girl stared at the video on her phone screen showing flames shooting up and thick smoke billowing, her heart trembled violently, and her body turned cold. Because she often searched for everything about this city, big data precisely pushed this news to her.
Holding her phone, Agnes’s body trembled, and she fell into extreme panic. She dialed Tom’s number with shaking fingers- “Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable.”
Agnes started to feel helpless! Fear and sadness enveloped her. Using the last bit of rationality she had, she quickly booked herself a plane ticket and then went to the CEO’s office.
“Are you going abroad?” Ivan sat in his office chair, looking at her puzzledly. “What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?”
Agnes didn’t want to say anything. Her face was pale, unable to hide her anxiety and worry. Tears welled up in her eyes; she seemed out of sorts.
Although Ivan didn’t know what happened, she was Summer’s sister. “Is there anything I can help you with?” Ivan was a kind person; he looked at her warmly out of goodwill. “Just let me know.”
“Please grant me some time off.” Agnes’s voice trembled as she spoke to him. “I don’t know how long it will take, but… I must go immediately; I’m very worried about him.”
Him? Who?
Regarding the matters of a young girl’s heart, Ivan, being an older man, naturally didn’t ask for details. It was obvious she didn’t want to say it. He nodded, “Alright, go ahead. Stay safe and inform your family about your trip so they won’t worry.”
“Okay, thank you, Mr. Marsh!” Agnes bowed deeply to him, filled with gratitude before turning and quickly leaving.
Agnes booked the earliest flight available. She didn’t pack anything; she grabbed her bag from the office and headed straight to the airport! She even forgot to bring her phone charger.
She was very young and inexperienced; she had never traveled abroad alone before. The last time she went abroad was with a teacher who acted as their translator, providing a sense of security. But now, despite the language barrier, she went alone without hesitation for Tom.
Her anxiety and worry occupied her entire mind; she disregarded her own safety! On the way to the airport, she kept dialing his number repeatedly but could never get through…
Soon, she saw extremely tragic reports in the news-photos of thick smoke billowing out were released one after another; ambulances sped by with sirens blaring; explosions were heard frequently; countless firefighters were on the scene…
Agnes sat in the waiting lounge at the airport; her whole body felt numb; even breathing became difficult as if there wasn’t enough oxygen around.
Tears fell onto her phone screen.
“Tom, I wish you all the best with all my remaining luck; you must be okay.” Agnes couldn’t bear to think about how she would live if something happened to him.
She loved him so much that even if they weren’t together, she wished him health and happiness for the rest of his life.
If something happened to him, she wouldn’t have the courage to go on living either.