Arletta Jessica McDowell POV
"Then how can you go there if you have not found a good psychiatrist yet?" Ben asked with his usual flat stare.
"I will look for information in newspapers, magazines, or anywhere else until I find it. I need a psychiatrist as soon as possible, especially since Dad is acting up again at breakfast." I answered Ben's question, but the feeling of annoyance with Dad still lingered in my head.
"I understand. Tell me if you need anything."
Thank God he had stopped asking weird questions. I became relieved but did not lose my guard. I did not let my brother ask about the topic of pregnancy outside marriage. Besides, it was a sensitive subject here, and I was afraid that I would let Ben in on the truth.
"Okay. I will do it."
There was no harm in saying that to reassure my brother. Ben would have felt strange if he knew his sister did not respond to his words as usual. We did not speak to each other, but I glanced at Dex. My good boy was silent, but he was looking at me with a funny look.
"I have to go now. Take care, Sissy."
I turned to the sofa where Ben was sitting. He had risen to his feet and was walking towards the door. I smiled with relief because the conversation had stopped, and he was not suspicious at all. "Thanks, Bro."
Ben nodded in response. He reached the door, opened it, and walked out of the room. Now, it was just Dex and me. I still vividly remember all the conversations with my only brother.
"I feel bad for Sammy because he got a negative judgment from Ben," I murmured while stroking the head of my favourite puppy.
"But, if Ben did not think like that, then things could get serious for me. Ben must have been sent by Mom to ask what made me behave strangely yesterday and of course, all our conversations were reported to her."
Somehow, I even felt that something was missing, but I could not find what it was, so now I tried to remember. "Ah, I forgot my cell phone!"
Without waiting any longer, I quickly stood up from the sofa. "That was bad. Did I charge my phone last night? I can't remember at all."
I reached near the bed and started to grope the area where I had been last night, but there was nothing there. No. It could not happen, but I did not want to give up! I wish I could find a cell phone because that thing is crucial in life.
"Where is my cell phone? Oh, no! I hope I did not lose it. Damn! Why did I forget such an important thing, anyway?"
I almost cried because I could not find my cell phone. All the important phone numbers, including the restaurant where I worked, were there. What should I do? I could not find it, so panic set in. The two phobias that appeared at night actually made me careless because I ignored other things, including my favourite gadgets.
I kept trying to search all sides of the bed but could not find it. Where else to look? I stopped looking and then glanced around. "I am sure the cell phone is not missing, I just forgot where I put it. I hope to find it soon."
For some unknown reason, I felt like all roads were closed. I did not want to be defeated by the situation, so I tried to stay calm by inhaling through my nose and exhaling from my mouth for one to two minutes. Suddenly, I had an idea, which brought back the hope of finding a cell phone.
"Yes! I know what to do."
I started walking towards the desk that was used for studying. When I got there, I picked up a bag that I had brought with me when I went to Dad's office and opened it. I was very relieved because the thing I had been looking for was there.
"Great!"
I checked my phone, and the battery showed fifty per cent. So many messages appeared on the screen, two of which were from Gwen and Sammy. My boyfriend even called, but I did not answer because I did not know.
"Sam must be angry, but I do not care."
I quickly tapped the screen and started concentrating on it. I typed the message for a minute, and after I finished, I reread it as soon as possible to minimize typing errors, aka typos. Once it felt okay, I sent the message to the destination number.
I did not know why my heart beat faster. Damn! If only the electricity in the elevator had been working properly yesterday, then I would have been safe, and even able to do my usual activities. Fate was strange; hopefully, I would never experience the same bad event as in Dad's office again!
"I have to stay strong, so Mom and Ben don't get suspicious. You can do it, Lizzy." I tried to encourage myself because that was all I could do at this point. There was no point in lamenting because the unfortunate incident had happened.
I heard the sound of the device. It was Professor Grommer and Professor Gathroz. I opened the messages with great anxiety. Thank God they were able to accept my excuses and allow me to skip the lecture.
My index finger accidentally pressed the 'back' option, bringing me back to the main menu. I remembered my usual part-time job, so I quickly checked my work schedule. I tapped my forehead, realizing that I still had to work as normal today.
"Now to contact Mr. Meier."
Yeah. Jonathan Meier was the manager of the restaurant where I worked. He was always firm and friendly. Hopefully, when I asked for permission to be absent, he would understand the situation and would not object to my absence.
I searched for the restaurant's name that was already stored in my phone's memory. After finding it, I immediately pressed a green phone-shaped icon and waited for a dial tone. If I am not mistaken, the restaurant opened at nine in the morning, but the employees on the morning shift had to be on standby since seven to prepare everything, including cleaning the place.
I was relieved when I heard the dial tone from the other side and was already preparing to speak to the manager. Someone was picking up the phone, so I was looking forward to starting the conversation first.
Me: "Hello."
Ah, I almost forgot. Maybe I should have asked the old staff at the restaurant. Could I ask Mr. Meier for permission directly, or should I go to the server captain? I was afraid if I went directly to him, the captain would take offence.
Someone: "Hello, this is Aloya speaking. Granola Pasta and Pizza. May I help you?"
I had never heard of a name like Aloya's before, and I noticed that. Was she the new kid there? Yeah, she probably was.
Me: "Hello. This is Arletta. Can I talk to-"
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