The call was from Marc, asking when she would be coming by today. Cynthia glanced back at the man sleeping soundly on the large bed and whispered into the phone,
"Marc, I already told you I'm not going!"
Seeing how things were shaping up with Albert, she had a sinking feeling he intended to linger around her place. If that was the case, she'd have to reluctantly skip her visit to the orphanage. The last thing she wanted was for him to discover that side of her life.
Albert Wilson had been fast asleep, but the moment her phone rang, he woke up instantly. Turning over, he squinted toward the balcony where she stood. Wrapped in the soft morning light, her small silhouette had an inexplicable calming effect on him.
Then, he caught a fragment of her hushed conversation:
"Well... he's here now..."
The person on the other end of the line didn't press further, offering a few words of advice before hanging up. Watching her turn back inside, Albert quickly shut his eyes, feigning sleep.
