One Last Hope

Chapter 37

⭐“Someday you will look back on all the progress you made and be so glad you didn’t give up when you felt like that was your only option.”⭐
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When I open my eyes, it takes me a while to remember the last thing that happened last night. I spent so long talking with Sarah.

I must have dozed off on her couch. I look at my watch.

Oh no! Not again!

I jump up and look for my shoes. I'm still so sleepy. If I speed up a little, I'll be able to get back to the house in time to take care of Lorie.

Sarah: "What the hell are you doing?"

That sleepy voice came from the huge bed.

Nora: "I've got to get out of here! I've already had a couple of scheduling problems and Nicolae wasn't too pleased about it!"

Sarah: "Oh... Well, good luck with that."

I say a quick goodbye to Sarah, who's lying back in bed, and I fly out of her apartment building. I need to get back home as soon as I can.

As I walk into the lobby, I run into Nicolae. He's pacing up and down. Oh shit! He doesn't seem to be in a very good mood...

As soon as he sees me, he rushes toward me.

Nicolae: "Nora! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you! Your bed was still made!"

Nora: “I'm sorry. I didn't realize what time it was and I didn't think I'd be sleeping over at Sarah's before I went.“

Nicolae: "Next time, at least tell one of us!"

Nora: "I told Peter I was going out!"

Nicolae: "Going out doesn't mean not coming home!"

I'm so annoyed by his old fuddy-duddy attitude. I put my jacket and my bag down before I go into the dining room.

I take a croissant and turn around to see the disgruntled Nicolae has followed me.

Nora: "I was at Sarah's and we were chatting and I fell asleep. I didn't plan it!"

Nicolae: "You weren't supposed to go out last night. It wasn't one of your days off, as far as I know."

Nora: "I didn't have anything to do! Lorie was in bed and I was bored, so I called Sarah... Oh, come on! I can do whatever I want at the end of the day!"

Nicolae: "You're forgetting you're an employee here..."

Nora: "Yes, employee, not slave! I'm here to take care of Lorie."

He sighs at my insolence.

Nicolae: "Exactly! And I had to take care of her this morning because you weren't here!"

I frown. He's right. I finish my croissant, sulking.

Nicolae: "Make sure it doesn't happen again."

Nora: "I didn't mean to do it, I assure you, I didn't want to cause any trouble..."

Nicolae: "For your own sake, this had better not happen again!"

Nora: "I don't believe this! It's all you ever talk about! It's all Sarah ever talks about too!"

That immediately gets his attention. I bite my lip and curse myself for talking too fast.

Nicolae: "Why would Sarah think you're in danger?"