Chapter 45
She sat pressed against the right-side door, her arm tight against the frame, even though she knew it wouldn’t help because the doors were locked.
Valeria didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but the road outside was wide and empty, with only the occasional passing car. They were still in the northern outskirts, flanked by nothing but factories and dimly lit streets. It was quiet and remote.
Her chest tightened as she tried to act like nothing was wrong. “It’s only half past eight. It’s not that late.”
“How could your man let such a pretty lady work? If you were my wife, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.” The driver licked his lips as his eyes dropped to the curve of her pale neck.
Valeria met his stare in the mirror. His face looked plain, almost harmless, but his eyes were anything but. Her pulse jumped.
She slipped one hand into her bag, her fingers wrapping around the pepper spray. With the other, she pulled out her phone.
Glancing out the window at the dark, empty road, she tried calling Joshua. At the very least, she wanted to let him know where she was. She had just left his factory, after all.
But Joshua didn’t answer, probably still tied up with work.
Panic edged in. All she could think about were those horrifying news stories about young women assaulted and killed by drivers. Her fingers trembled.
She was unlucky. After a moment of hesitation, cold sweat began to form on her forehead.
She wanted to call the police, but the driver hadn’t actually done anything yet. He had merely struck up a conversation with her. She didn’t have evidence to report him, and worse, it might
provoke him.
She didn’t know many men. Most of the design team were women. She opened WhatsApp and shared her live location with Taylor, quickly explaining the situation.
Taylor responded almost immediately, telling her not to panic and that she would get her boyfriend to pick Valeria up. That steadied her slightly.
When she looked up again, the driver was staring straight at her through the mirror, the same greasy look on his face, Her fingers lingered, tapping a name in her call log after hesitating.
But the person didn’t answer. It was Sebastian’s number.
She had saved his number as “Dr. Grant”. Valeria thought she was losing her mind. Why would
she call him?
After three rings, when it still didn’t connect, she quickly hung up.
Her phone still had 57% battery left. That gave her some comfort.
The driver let out a low chuckle. “Are you calling your husband? He must be really busy, ignoring his own wife like that.”
She noticed the car was slowing down. Around them, there was nothing but darkness. It was the outskirts, so there were very few cameras around as well.
She bit her lip, and her body turned cold from the car slowing down.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a call from Sebastian.
She picked up instantly, and her voice shook. “Hello…”
She had him on speakerphone. It wasn’t loud enough to seem obvious but just enough for the driver to hear.
She silently prayed he wouldn’t expose her.
Sebastian’s calm voice came through. “Yes? I’m driving.”
Valeria’s voice trembled, her hand slick with sweat. “Hey, hubby.”
There was a long pause. It was just two seconds, but to her, they felt like forever. Her weak and panicked grip on the phone tightened.
Her voice broke as she tried again. “Hubby, are you still not home?”
What followed was another pause. Then his low voice came through. “I’m almost home.”
Relief rushed through her. “I just left the textile factory out on the Greenwood Industrial Zone. I’ve been working late. According to the map, I’m still about 40 minutes from home.
“Can you come pick me up? We can grab something to eat at the ravioli shop by our building. I haven’t eaten all day.”
“I just left the hospital. I was driving and missed your call. Don’t be mad,” Sebastian said.
“It’s fine. Drive safe,” Valeria said.
“Alright. I’ll wait for you at the entrance.” His voice was low, almost playful at the end. It cut through her panic like cool air on a fever.
When the call ended, Valeria looked down and realized her palm was soaked. Her fingers were still trembling. She didn’t look at the driver again.
