After coaxing the kids, Carla dialed Zayn's number, but his phone was still switched off.
She glanced at the date and confirmed that there were three days left until the day they were supposed to meet up.
Why isn't Zayn answering his phone? He hasn't been in touch for a while. What's going on?
After a brief hesitation, she called Benard.
Strangely, no one answered the phone.
She then called Brandy, but his phone was not turned on.
Panic surged in her heart. Both his most trusted assistants can't be reached. What the heck is going on?
A minute later, she tried dialing Naya's phone. Naya was her last hope.
If Naya's unreachable, too, I'll have to send someone to find out about Zayn's situation.
The dial tone rang for a long time. Just as Carla was about to hang up, the call was connected. "Ms. Wigston!" A familiar voice sounded over the line.
Naya was used to addressing her the same way she did back then.
"Naya, did something happen to Zayn?" Carla went straight to the point.
"No, " Naya replied with a chuckle. "What could happen to him?"
"Then why can't I get in touch with him?" Carla voiced her doubts. "He didn't even answer his phone."
"Wait a moment, please, " came Naya's reply.
She then handed the phone to someone else.
Carla was still confused when another familiar voice rang out. "Miss me?"
It's Zayn!
Stunned, she took a while to regain her senses. "Zayn? Is it you?"
"I'm still alive, " Zayn answered, chuckling. "I'm glad that I can still be alive to see you."
It sounded like he had just escaped death narrowly and was lamenting how fortunate he was.
"What do you mean?" Carla was puzzled.
"Three days later, I'll show up before you on time!" Zayn announced and promptly hung up the phone.
Carla stood stock still, confused by his words. Why does it sound like Zayn has been through a lot? Regardless, I'm glad he's still alive. Since he promised that he'd be here three days later, it means he's fine.
Taking a deep breath to recollect herself, she then went to look for the children, "Randy, Venus, I just talked to Daddy on the phone. He'll come over and look for us three days later."
"Really?" Both kids gathered around her excitedly. Randy stretched his hand out and requested, "Mommy, give me your phone. I want to talk to Daddy."
"He has already hung up." Carla clicked into the call log on her phone and explained, "Look, this is Naya's phone number. Daddy called me using her phone."
"Why didn't he use his own phone to call you?" Randy asked, sounding skeptical.
"Perhaps there's something wrong with his phone. Perhaps—"
Randy's phone suddenly rang, cutting Carla's explanation short. It was a video call from Josh that he promptly answered by calling his sibling's name. "Josh!"
"Randy, Venus, Mommy, Daddy's coming home tonight! I'm so happy!" Josh waved his hands around, evidently delighted. "Daddy told me he'll be bringing me to F Nation to reunite with you two days later!"
"Really? That's great!" Randy's lips curved into a huge grin at his brother's words. Finally, he was convinced that his father would be back soon.
"Yay! I'm so happy!" Venus hopped around excitedly. "Josh, bring Little Dori here too. We miss it so much!"
"Yes, I had that in mind too." Josh nodded profusely.
Behind him, Little Dori was flapping its wings, shrilling, "Venus, Venus! Randy! Josh! Mommy!"
The eagle Dori cooed as though reminding everyone not to forget about it.
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