The Missing Link

028. Hot Pursuit

The following morning arrived, sweeping away the lingering shadows of the night before. Raine reached the university early, with Zane trailing not far behind.

“Where did you sleep?” she asked as he approached the faculty room.

“The living room,” he replied curtly.

“How was it?” she pressed.

Zane frowned, letting out a weary sigh. “Your little experiment didn’t help. If anything, it made things worse. I had to sleep with one eye open.” He paused, running a hand through his hair. “Luckily, exhaustion did the trick in the end.”

The entire day passed in silence between Raine and Zane, the busyness of their schedules and an unspoken tension keeping them apart. It wasn’t until dismissal that the stillness broke.

“You’ve got a shift at the hospital tonight?” Andrea asked, catching up to Zane with hurried steps. Raine was already walking ahead, keeping her distance.

“Yes,” Zane replied, his tone weary. “Another shift until midnight.”

“Are you sure you can manage it? You mentioned earlier that your head hurt—that’s why you went to the clinic to... refresh yourself,” Andrea said, concern etched across her face.

“I have to,” Zane replied, his voice firm. “It’s for the family.”

Andrea frowned slightly. “You’d better be careful,” she warned. “Tonight might be the big night.”

Zane’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” he asked, but before Andrea could answer, a car screeched to a stop beside them as they reached the highway.

“Dia!” a man called out, rolling down the window.

“Right on time!” Andrea said with a smile, turning to Zane. “Zane, meet my fiancé, Harry dela Fuente.”

Zane’s heart stuttered at her words, the revelation catching him off guard.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Harry said warmly, his grin broad. He adjusted his glasses and gestured to the backseat. “Need a lift to the terminal? We’re heading that way.”

“Uhh…” Zane hesitated, glancing between the two.

“Oh, come on, Zane,” Andrea urged, taking his hand and pulling him gently toward the car. “It’s no trouble at all.” She opened the door, motioning for him to get in.

The black car rumbled to life, rolling smoothly down the road before pulling to a stop beside Raine.

“Hey there, Ms. Raine,” Harry greeted with a casual wave.

“Harry?” she asked, blinking in surprise.

“Hop in,” he offered.

Raine moved towards the backseat, only to notice Andrea and Zane already seated there. Without a word, she slid in beside Zane, and the car resumed its journey.

The road ahead stretched straight, leading both to Andrea’s home and the station where Zane and Raine would catch their ride. Yet, as they approached a junction with an option for a U-turn, the car unexpectedly began to veer.

“What’s going on?” Andrea asked, her brow lifting in curiosity.

“On second thought, I’ll take these two home first,” Harry replied casually, his hands steady on the wheel.

Andrea’s face lit up as she leaned forward, tapping his shoulder with enthusiasm. “A joy ride, then!” she exclaimed.

The car rolled on, silence settling over them save for the hum of the engine. Harry reached for a compact disc and slid it into the player, filling the air with a lively lofi track.