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I had to get out of the office I couldn’t risk anyone seeing me like this

Not now

GABE

After lunch the following Tuesday, I’d just wrapped a conference call with a group of investors It had been a long few days since the last tihly enjoyed the last encounter As a result, I had every reason to suspect she’d co

And speaking of that, I’d ive ress in the lab, as well as the presentation As much as I would like to for her visit to be more than business, there wasn’t any time for it today In fact, there was scarcely tiet done, and done as soon as possible, since there was precious little ti up from the call, I pressed the intercom button

“Holly, is Fiona out there?”

After a brief pause, she replied “No, Gabe, she isn’t”

I scowled as I leaned forward inin the direction of the phone I continued, “She’s not? Where in the hell is she? I told you to get her up here”

Holly didn’t hesitate as she responded “Oh, I tried Believe one”

“Gone? Where did she go?”

“Apparently she wasn’t feeling well and went home”

I reached up and wiped th of my face “Are you serious?”

“Mmm, h until you got off your conference call, and I was going to let you know Um, would you like me to try and reach her?”

I couldn’t believe it “Yes, right away”

“O-Okay,” Holly began “I’ll take care of it”

“Good Thanks Holly… If you get a hold of Fiona, put her through to me”

“All right Anything else or…”

As Holly spoke, I couldn’t help but think about how bizarre this behavior was for Fiona She wasn’t the type to leave work When she had her fainting episode before, she hadn’t left then, so what the hell was the difference this time?

I couldn’t explain it, but I had this gnawing feeling she still wasn’t fucking getting how critical the situation ith the Link Protocol Apparently, I hadn’t h in ht I stood froh my hair

“You knohat, Holly?”

“Yes?”

“Forget the call Getover there myself”

Holly hesitated for aIt’s not a…”

“Yes,” I replied, cutting her off “I’m one hundred percent sure I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes Give Tomas the address to Fiona’s place”

“Okay, Gabe I will Right away”

“Thanks, sweetheart”

Fifteen minutes later, I was nearly halfway to Fiona’s when I decided to call her Slidingthe smooth silk interior I reached inside the pocket, wrapped ers around the hard plastic and pulled it out Seconds later, the line connected and rang a couple of ti out theat the blurred landscape as it passed by, I disconnected the call without leaving a ust