Chapter 45
FREDA WHITLOCK
“Hello” I answered sheepishly as Lyra nudged me to put the phone on speaker, which I did. “Freda” came Cole’s worried voice.
“Are you alright, where are you?” he asked worriedly. I went to the Cafe several times but you weren’t there”. He disclosed as he continued on.
“It was later when I asked that I was told you’ve been absent for weeks. Is everything okay?”he asked again.
“Where did you go? Everyone here is so worried about you”. He stated and I could feel his concern over the line. Gia just scoffed but I ignored her.
“Yes Cole, I’m good” I stated with a sigh. My father was ill so I had to leave. I finished. “Are you sure?”came Cole’s worried voice again. “I’m fine”, Cole,” I assured him. “That’s really all there is to it”.
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‘Sorry I couldn’t notify you earlier. It was an emergency and I haven’t had the time to call anyone”. I lied smoothly.” I knew I could have called him to tell him, but for some reason I didn’t want to”. I felt guilty for lying but had no choice.
“Okay, do you need help with anything, can I come visit you?” He asked with a little hope in his voice over the line and Lyra’s eyes widened and she smirked. I rolled my eyes at her action but
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couldn’t help but smile, myself. Cole always found a way to amuse me. He was such a sweet guy.
Stifling a chuckle, I replied. “Visit me? You can’t” I stated, still amused. “Why?” came his questioning volce. “Because you can’t and even if you decide to do so, it will take driving, for three. days straight”. I disclosed.
I heard Cole’s sigh over the phone. “Is there no airport nearby?” He asked curiously. “There’s none,” I replied. “Well, I don’t mind. traveling by car,” he said.
“No”, I objected a little too quickly. It’s dangerous I stated. “But you still traveled, so why can’t I?” He asked slowly. “Because I am familiar with the routes and I don’t want you putting yourself in danger because of me. I’d feel very guilty if anything. happened to you. I finished with a sigh.
“Careful Lyra”, he said with a chuckle. “You’ll almost have me thinking that you care”, ” he added and I blushed. Lyra tickled me as she let out a soft laugh.
I gave her a hard glare as I disentangled myself from her playful assaults and went to the end of the room to chat with Cole more properly.
So are you coming back anytime soon?” He asked hopefully. “I can’t say,” I replied with a sigh. “I’ve been apart from my family for six years. They need my support and there’s a lot of catching up I have to do” I finished.
“Hmm”, Cole stated. “Take all the time you need. Family is everything” he said as he gave a little sigh.
“Thanks, Cole” I will. “Thank you for being a good friend,” I
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stated. “I want to be more than just a good friend Freda”, he stated. And I gave a deep blush and I gasped as I looked at Lyra who’s smirk widened Gia growled in response. She was not going to let me rest after this. I gave no reply and thankfully Cole didn’t push obviously noting my discomfort.
I and Cole chatted some more as he told me about work, some funny patients which I laughed deeply at. He told me some other random gossip and he asked about Cisco’s wellbeing to which I replied.
After speaking for about an hour he finally ended the call with me promising to call him at least once a week to which I agreed. We ended the call and I turned around with a big smile on my face.
It was difficult to be in the same place with Cole and not laugh heartily. He was a good guy. As I turned around, I was faced with a blushing Lyra.
I walked over to her and sat down as she still gave me that look. resembling that of a mother that just saw her daughter falling in love for the first time.
“I was the one who answered the call, but why does it feel like it was you who spoke to Cole?” I said with a chuckle. “Oh my days Lyra, you should see your face girl, you look like a red tomato”. I added as I laughed heartily.
She seemed to have come out of whatever trance she was in as she looked at me with teary eyes. “In all of my lifetime, I haven’t seen you as happy as you were when you were speaking with Cole”. She stated tearfully.
“No one has ever treated you with so much care and with such
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tenderness, I couldn’t help myself from shedding a few tears. from over here,” she added as she dramatically dabbed her
eyes.
“This is the first time I’ve seen a man genuinely care about you and respect you”. He was obviously trying to make you laugh. Lyra stated.
“Yeah, you’re right”, I added. “No one has ever treated me with respect and care like Cole has. He has always been gentle and kind to me”. I finished with a smile.
“Yeah. He’s so much better than that d**g and I’m sure he’s very nice to Cisco too, Lyra said.
“Yes he is”, Cisco loves him. “When I first arrived in their city, he was among the first people to warm up to me. He respects me and honors me. I was so hurt by all I’d been through but with Cole I learnt to smile again”.
“He was always coming to sit down with me to make me laugh even when I didn’t want to open up to anyone, he made me see reason with having people who could support me” I added and Lyra’s gaze softened.
“So why haven’t you decided to go out with him?” Lyra finally asked and I went still.