10

KAYLER

After finishing a job with Frederick and the others, I took my car and drove to our new house. Maybe I had exaggerated a bit by moving, but I couldn't stand the idea of Carolina and that idiot Rafael seeing each other in and out of the university. That guy gives me a bad feeling, there's something strange about him. I know he's hiding something.

Maybe we moved because I was dying of jealousy that Carolina and he were close, but I also had other reasons. She wasn't safe there, surrounded by students. There's no privacy for us.

When I arrived home, Carolina's car wasn't there, which puzzled me. I stopped the car, leaving it running while I looked at the house. The living room light was on. Where could Carolina be? Did she go out? Where's the car? Thinking she might have put it in the garage, I got out of the car and headed to the house.

Inside, I heard silence.

"Carolina?" I called out, somewhat loudly. Nothing. "Love?" I looked around for her. But it was obvious she wasn't there; the luggage was still in place. I took out my phone and dialed her number. It rang, and rang, until the answering machine picked up:

"Hi, this is Carolina. I can't answer right now. Leave your message," followed by the beep. I hung up. I called again, the same, it rang and rang until the answering machine picked up. I hung up.

Maybe something happened to her. When your mate is in trouble or hurt, you feel something in your chest, like anguish. And that was starting to happen to me. I opened the "Find My iPhone" app to locate her. The app did its job, sending me to a place a bit far from here. I recognized that address; it was the one written on the paper that came as a threat.

I clenched my fists and ran a hand through my hair. I can't believe Carolina went there. Damn it. I need to find her. I left the house as quickly as I could, got in the car, and started driving.

After driving for more than half an hour, I was entering that notorious neighborhood. There were gangs on every corner, but one with a white car caught my attention. It was the car I gave to Carolina, and those gang members were showing it off. I parked nearby, got out, and grabbed the one flaunting the keys by the collar.

"Hey, man, what's your problem?" He squirmed, wanting me to let go.

"Where did you get the car?" I asked, giving him my most intimidating look. The others just watched.

"I found it, man," he smiled.

The others chorused "Yeah."

"Tell me where the hell you found this car," I repeated, more agitated.

"Alright, it was at the end of the street. It was abandoned, brother," he answered. I shoved him, taking the keys from him. I looked at the others: "Get out of here or you'll regret it," I spat, feeling my blood boil. The gang members noticed something else in my eyes, which scared them, so they just backed off and started running away from me.

I took out my phone and messaged Frederick, telling him to come get Carolina's car at this address. It was urgent. I felt more at ease when he replied that he would be here in a few minutes. I opened the door, left the keys inside, and left the door open. I got into my car and drove off quickly.

That idiot said the car was abandoned. Where are you, Carolina?
Where are you, love?

I drove slowly through the streets until I reached the end. I stopped abruptly when I saw a body lying on the pavement. The first thing I felt was fear because that was the outfit Carolina was wearing today, that was her black coat. That was her hair, that was my girl.

I got out of the car as fast as I could and ran to her. I knelt down, placing her head in my lap. She seemed to be unconscious.

"Carolina, hey, wake up," I patted her face. But she didn't respond. "Carolina, wake up, love," I insisted, the worry evident in my voice. She started to stir, scrunching her face a bit but not waking up. She was okay, which made me understand that she was fine. I got up, carrying her. I took her to the car and placed her in the passenger seat; I got in the driver's seat and started the car. Frederick would come for the car.

When I got home, I carried Carolina to the master bedroom, laying her on the bed. I took off her high heels and coat. I went for some cotton and alcohol to put near her nose. Then her eyes opened quickly. She seemed a bit confused, looking around the room warily. But then her gaze met mine, and her expression relaxed a bit.

"Kayler..." she murmured, smiling a little. "... You found me," she lifted her hands to give me a hug.

She looked somewhat scared.
But what happened to her?

"Carolina, are you okay? Does anything hurt? What happened to you?" I sat on the edge of the bed near her, caressing her hair. She hesitated, turned her face away, and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Hmmm, I... needed some notes from classes," she began to explain. "... So I contacted a classmate to lend me the notes, and I went to her house. But I got lost. I ended up in that place I didn't know where it was," she lied. I knew she was lying; she had gone to find that person sending her anonymous threats.

It hurt that she did that, but maybe she didn't want me to be mad at her. How could I? I relaxed a bit and took her hand.

"Cushita..." I kissed the top of her hand. "I was so worried. If anything happens to you, I die, you know that, right?"

She smiled.

"Cushita?" she raised an eyebrow, amused.

I chuckled a little.
It was a loving nickname. Couples have nicknames, right?

"Yes, that's what I'll call you from now on," I kissed her forehead. "Cushi. It's short for Cosita, but cuter." Since when was I this cheesy, oh right, since I met Carolina Lane. My mate. My everything.

She laughed.
"I like it," her eyes sparkled. "Cushito," she said, lifting herself a little to kiss me on the lips. I kissed her back. But I still couldn't get over the fact that she put herself in danger.

Her phone started ringing with a strange sound. I knew the tone she had set for her phone, I didn't know she had changed it. She tensed a little, pulling away from me. She picked up her phone and ended the call, placing it on the nightstand.

"Why didn't you answer?" I wanted to know, frowning.

"It's... Anne," she responded insecurely. I narrowed my eyes. "Today... we had a fight and I don't want to talk to her. Yet," she added, looking away. Not at me.

I sighed.
"Okay. I hope you two make up," I murmured. Carolina got up from the bed.

"I'm going to the bathroom," she announced. I nodded, sitting better on the bed. The window that looked outside was open, but there was no moon tonight. I heard the bathroom door open and close afterward.


Her phone started ringing again with the same sound.
He wanted to know who it was, he wanted to know if it was Anne. I approached the nightstand and frowned when I saw it said: Private number. I thought I had Anne's number saved. I picked up his phone and answered without thinking.

"Hello," I demanded in an authoritative voice.
Silence.
"Who are you?" I repeated.
There was a labored breathing, followed by more silence. Then the call ended. I left the phone on the table and sat down on the bed again.
It was obvious it wasn't Anne.
But why was Carolina lying to me? I couldn't understand her.