A Melody of You: Book Five

Cristina

Night shifts are awful. I'd do anything to avoid the graveyard hours, but I find myself working late at night the Friday going into Saturday morning. I got back home with a foggy mind from exhaustion and I wanted to take a long nap before I could get ready for my date with Andrew.

But it was 7:00 AM when my mind awakened from an amusing phone call. I was yawning as I made myself a small breakfast before getting into bed when I heard my phone vibrate. I must have a million calls from people. Night shifts keep me busier than ever.

I check my phone and see an unknown number. I let it ring until it calls again. I furrow my brows and wonder if this must be Leanne. I answer and before I can ask who it is, I hear giggles and a drowsy voice telling me, "Hey! Who do you think you are for not responding to my text messages and calls? What are you? The president?!"

There was loud laughter and I was wide awake at this phone call. "Leanne?"

"What?" she said with annoyance. "I did it! I drank three whole bottles on my own!"

I had a hand over my mouth with surprise. "Leanne, are you drunk? Are you alone? Where are you?!"

Worry started to make me look for Emma's contact until she drowsily said, "I'm with my greatest enemy."

"What?!" I hear someone say in the background. He then says something I cannot comprehend from how drunk he is, too.

Leanne then said, "I love you, Cristina. Don't forget."

"Oh, dear...You're going to have such an awful hangover the next day. Who's with you, Leanne?"

"Yujun. The cute and handsome and annoying Yujun! He acts so smart but he's such a child."

He bursts out laughing and says to her, "Child?! Says the person who couldn't hold back a dare! This is your fault!"

"What?!" I hear muffled sounds and a pained yelp.

I can't help but laugh as Leanne comes back and softly says, "Don't tell my mom, okay? We need to have soju soon, Cristina. Don't forget about me now that you have Mr. Chu. I loved you first!"

"Okay okay," I say in Korean. "Be careful, Leanne. I'm going to call your sister, okay? Don't drink anymore!"

"Is that a dare?"

"No. That's an order. Don't drive!"

"Cristina! Come here! I miss you!"

"I'm going to hang up now, okay? I miss you, too. Don't...don't do anything stupid."

I hung up at the sound of her drowsy giggles and I quickly called Emma. I hoped she wasn't in the same situation, but she sounded sober when I called. I could recognize the sound of Danny in the background as she said, "Are you kidding? Did she sound really bad?"

"She sounded as bad as the time we went to get drinks after we got accepted into our residency programs."

"Oh, that was awful. Okay. Thank you for letting me know, Cristina. I hope she doesn't call our mother by accident."

"Can you let me know when you are with her? I'm worried she might get lost or something."

"Don't worry. I have her location. But I'll text you when we get back to the hotel. Have a good rest of your day or night. I don't even know anymore."

I chuckled and warmly said, "Thanks, Emma. I'll be waiting to hear from you!"

I genuinely was worried for Leanne. She is unpredictable sometimes and it's worse when she is not in a familiar area. She can get lost easily and her heart loses control. But an hour later, I get a text from Emma and relief runs through my heart when I see the picture she sent me of a drunk Leanne laying on a large bed. I giggled at the view of Emma posing with a wide grin and a thumbs up with Leanne in the background. I was finally able to get my nap.