「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(235) Doppelgänger

Charles' POV

"Charles?" An American female called and I automatically responded, finding the source to be a lost-looking employee holding up a to-go cup.

I raised my hand, readily enlightening her, and decisively strutted towards the young barista, albeit constantly turning my back to check on Lynn as I hung up. Slotting the cell back into my pocket, I hastily snagged over my purchase and mouthed a brief thanks to the teenage girl before weaving my way through the crowded area, eventually arriving the exit.

"Lynn!" I shouted, briskly advancing in her direction.

For once since she left me hanging on the line, she reacted, darting her eyes towards me but her feet remained stagnant on the ground, as if they had been cemented into the concrete, with both her arms still hanging limply by her side. Her unprecedented response promptly elicited the couple before her to turn towards me and I finally had a view of their indeed familiar faces I imagined to be the cause of her extreme distress.

Quickly approaching Lynn, her deep and erratic breaths became progressively obvious but her watery eyes were the ones that cruelly wrenched my heart. She stared pleadingly at me, nothing but sheer desperation and absolute helplessness beaming through the glistening hazel, and yet, her body was a stubbornly rigid shell that wretchedly restricted her ability to seek the refuge she direly yearned.

"Lynn," I whispered gently as I came up next to her, carefully removing the small phone from her loose grasp.

At my touch, a tinge of relief reflected itself in the beauty of her eyes but still, she could barely move. Naturally, I fitted my body against the curves of hers and guided her healthy hand to the back of me as I tucked her mobile into my back pocket. Lynn leaned her head tired onto my shoulder, gluing her eyes blankly at the logo of my top, as she clutched dearly onto my waist, perhaps with all the strength she could actually conjure, while I gingerly stroked her back.

"Oh my god, he looks just like you! Like a real life doppelgänger!" Amelia exclaimed excitedly but clearly, she was the only one positively interested in our highly similar features as James and I stared at her, appalled.

"Amy!" James chided sternly and instantly, her exhilarated expression transformed into a sheepish one.

"I'm sorry. You are?" James probed, looking towards me amiably.

"Oh, I'm her husband. What happened?" I investigated, distractedly glancing between him and Lynn who now hung her gaze low.

"I may have accidentally bumped into her," James revealed in a remorseful tone.

"Is she alright? She hasn't spoken since," Amelia informed worriedly and I quickly scanned Lynn but she had no obvious anomalies apart from her crippled wrist that was twitching involuntarily.

"She's just a little unwell. She'll be fine," I assured, peering up at them kindly as I secured my arm tightly around Lynn's trembling frame and took her shaking hand into mine.

"I'm terribly sorry," James apologized sincerely but I flashed him a empathetic smile and subtly shook my head in acknowledgement.

"I believe this is hers," Amelia noted politely, handing me the little shopping carrier Lynn adamantly refused to let me help with prior.

"Thank you," I murmured, courteously taking over the bag with whatever fingers I could free from my drink.

"We should go," James suggested, tugging on Amy's arm.