Chapter 5 Where are they

apter Five

Alejandro sat in his car, head resting on the steering wheel.

His thoughts weren't on work. Not on the meetings he skipped. Not even on the pile of documents waiting for his signature.

Only her.

Ava.

He had promised not to look for her. She had begged him with tearful eyes to let her go.

But even now, three days later, her voice haunted him. Her face lingered in his mind like a song he couldn't forget.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" he muttered, letting out a frustrated sigh.

He ruffled his hair and sat back, gripping the steering wheel. He hadn't planned to see her again.

But deep inside, he wanted to.

Meanwhile, Ava sat at home, staring at her phone for the hundredth time.

Three days.

Three days since she had last heard from Evan. No texts. No calls. No update. Nothing.

She told herself he was just busy maybe dealing with his mother's surgery. Maybe tired. Maybe overwhelmed.

Still... something didn't feel right.

The Next Morning

Unable to ignore the feeling any longer, Ava got dressed and headed to the hospital.

She walked up to the receptionist, her heart pounding.

"Good morning," she said. "I'm here to check on Mrs. Jones... Evan Jones' mother."

The receptionist clicked around on her computer, then looked up politely.

"She was discharged three days ago. Mr. Evan said he was taking her abroad for treatment."

Ava froze. "Oh... okay. Thank you."

She walked out slowly, her thoughts racing.

Why didn't he tell me? Why hasn't he answered? Why didn't he say goodbye?

Back at Home

When Ava got home, Rosie was the only one there.

"I went to the hospital," Ava said quietly. "They said Evan took his mom abroad three days ago."

Rosie's eyes widened. "He didn't tell you?"

Ava shook her head. "His phone isn't going through either. I've been trying."

Rosie immediately pulled out her phone and dialed his number.

Switched off.

"Let's go to his house," she said firmly.

Evan's Apartment

They knocked.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

Rosie tried calling one more time.

Still off.

The silence around them felt heavy. Ava's chest tightened with each passing second.

"This isn't normal," Rosie said.

They stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. What to think.

Then they turned and walked home.

Back at the House

They dropped onto the couch, exhausted. Their minds raced as they sat in silence, trying to process what was happening.

Ava leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, her face pale with confusion and pain.

Then suddenly, she blurted out-her voice sharp, like it had just hit her:

"Where the hell is Jorla?"

Rosie's head snapped toward her.

Silence.

A chill moved through the room.