The Mysterious Nerd

Chapter - 17: In the Shadows of Silence

As I pulled up outside Alana's apartment, the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city. My mind was still racing from the conversation I had with Rohan earlier. The moment he mentioned that the phone number I provided was a burner phone from the UK, my heart sank. Alana, or rather Lilly Ethans, was tied to a past that I couldn't yet understand.

Was it possible that this quiet, charming woman, with her laughter that lit up the room, was hiding such a complicated history? I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion swirling in my thoughts. Alana didn't have even the slightest accent that hinted at her British roots. I had so many questions, but I was determined to respect her boundaries.

Once I was inside my apartment, I decided to talk to Nathan. He would have a better perspective. After all, he had been there for me through thick and thin, always ready with a dose of brotherly advice.

"Hey, Nate," I said as I found him lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone. "Can we talk?"

"Sure, what's up?" he asked, glancing up.

I took a seat across from him, hesitating for a moment before laying it all out. "It's about Alana. I found out some unsettling things. The number she's been receiving messages from... it's a burner phone from the UK. Rohan thinks she might have ties to that place."

Nathan's brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. "Okay, and you're worried because...?"

"Because she's hiding something, Nate. I can feel it. And I'm not sure if I should dig deeper or just let it go."

Nathan leaned back, crossing his arms. "Look, man, you really like this girl, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do. But this could change everything. I need to know what's going on with her."

"Right, but what if there's a reason she's keeping her past under wraps? Alana seems like a sensible girl. Maybe she has her reasons," he said thoughtfully.

I considered his words. "You think I should just drop it?"

"Not drop it, but tread carefully. If she wants to tell you, she will. Just be there for her, support her. You don't want to push her away," Nathan replied, his voice steady.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate your advice." I stood up to leave, but not before Nathan added with a teasing smirk, "And remember, it's my job as the older brother to remind you to keep it cool."

Rolling my eyes, I stepped out, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration. I wanted to protect Alana, but I also wanted her to trust me enough to share her truth when she was ready.

The next day at the office felt off. Alana didn't show up, and my stomach twisted with worry. I tried calling her several times, but each time it went straight to voicemail. Panic began to set in as I imagined the worst. What if she was sick? Or worse?

I decided to take half a day off to check on her. Grabbing a bouquet of flowers and her favorite cake from the local bakery, I hurried to her apartment. I had to see her, to make sure she was okay.

When I pressed the doorbell, I heard footsteps approaching. Emily opened the door, her expression shifting from casual curiosity to concern in an instant. "Noah! What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Emily. Is Alana around?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Her brow furrowed deeper. "What do you mean? She hasn't returned home since yesterday."

"What? But I dropped her off last night!" I felt my heart race as confusion settled in. How could she not be home?

Emily stepped back, allowing me to enter. "I thought you two were together, so I didn't call you."