Why not here?

A low, guttural growl slipped from Angel's lips as her face contorted into a frown, lines etching across her features, betraying her irritation.

Her eyes remained shut, still trapped in the remnants of sleep, until the jarring sound of a familiar ringtone pierced the quiet air.

The noise, though not loud, was insistent, relentless, and unwelcome.

It invaded her peaceful state, coaxing her from the deep slumber she had just returned to.

Her lashes fluttered in slow, deliberate motion, as if she were disturbed, but not fully ready to face the world just yet.

The ringing continued, a signal that had no place in her carefully constructed quietude.

She had just taken her meal and medicine—two hours had passed since—and yet, here it was, the sound of a call she hadn't been prepared for.

The interruption gnawed at her nerves, more so because she hadn't anticipated it.

She shifted slightly, still lying on her side, her gaze slowly sweeping the room in search of the origin of the noise, but the phone's location was hidden from her view.

Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing the tired, yet alert gleam in her eyes.

A small, resigned sigh escaped her lips as her hand, almost mechanically, reached for the phone resting on the bed table beside her.

Her movements were sluggish, like the last remnants of sleep were still holding her in place.

When she finally grasped the device, her fingers hesitated on the screen, her mind still foggy. 

With a slow, deliberate motion, she pressed the screen and saw the name on the display.

It was Arthur.

A frown settled deeper into her features as she realized there were multiple missed calls. Without another second of hesitation, she dialed him back, a swirl of emotions building in her chest—confusion, irritation, and curiosity.

It took what felt like an eternity, but when Arthur finally answered, his voice was charged with concern, almost tinged with something more—frustration, perhaps?

"Angel, are you okay? Did that bastard do anything to you?" His tone was filled with a mix of worry and an edge of anger.

Angel's frown deepened further. "What are you talking about?" she responded, her voice laced with confusion, the weight of his words not yet making sense to her.

"I heard you didn't show up at the office, and I thought... maybe you were with Tryson," Arthur explained, his voice softening, but it didn't hide the concern that tinged his words.

Angel's expression faltered for a brief moment, before a mocking chuckle escaped her lips. "Really? So now you know that I exist?" she said, her voice biting, laced with a sarcasm that left no room for misunderstanding.

"Angel, listen—" Arthur began, but she cut him off, her frustration bubbling over.

"No, you listen, Arthur. I'm so disappointed in you. I thought you actually cared. I thought you wanted to spend time with me yesterday, but instead, you left me alone with that disgusting food I never even asked for." Her words were harsh, a raw edge to her tone, but her frustration was palpable.

"I'm sorry, Angel," Arthur's voice softened. "I was worried about you. All I could think about was you. I decided to buy flowers for you... I even had them delivered to your office, but I found out you weren't there. So, is there something I'm missing? " His words were more measured now, though there was still a thread of concern running through them.

At that moment, Angel's voice faltered, a flash of uncertainty crossing her face.

She lowered her head and bit her lower lip gently, the phone still pressed to her ear, its vibrations a reminder of the tension building inside her. 

"Actually, I'm pretty weak right now," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "and I don't think I can make it to the office today."

"Do you want me to come over?" Arthur's voice was hesitant but eager, the genuine concern ringing through his words. "I don't mind."

 But then, her voice softened again, though it carried a quiet finality. "Hmm, maybe you shouldn't come... I'm not at the house right now."

Arthur's response was immediate, his confusion cutting through the air. "What do you mean? Where are you?"

Angel's words were careful as she spoke, trying to keep the situation under control. "Well, I could send you the address. You can have the flowers delivered there. You mentioned you bought them for me, didn't you?" she asked, her voice now almost neutral.

Arthur's concern deepened, but so did his frustration. "Angel, you're changing the subject. Are you at Tryson's house? Is that where you are?" His voice, though still concerned, held a subtle trace of disappointment now.

Angel didn't answer immediately.

The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

Arthur's exasperation grew with every passing second, until he couldn't hold it back anymore. "You are, aren't you?" he asked, his tone sharp, carrying a sting of hurt.

"Listen, Arthur," Angel began, but her words faltered. She wasn't sure how to explain herself—how to make him understand. "I was weak, and at that moment, Tryson was the only one around who could take care of me."

Arthur's voice grew desperate, pleading, but still tinged with anger. "I can take care of you, Angel. More than he ever could. Don't you understand that? I'm here, always. Don't let him manipulate you like this."

Angel's grip tightened on the phone, and with one last deep breath, she spoke softly but decisively. "Okay, I'm cutting the call now."

Before Arthur could respond, before he could utter another word, she ended the call, her finger pressing the screen with finality.

As the silence hung heavy in the room, Angel slumped back, her emotions a swirling mess inside her.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her face flushed, but she couldn't quite grasp the emotions that were running through her—confusion, anger, disappointment, and a strange sense of loss.

For a moment, she sat still, trying to regain her bearings, her fingers still gripping the phone. She took a deep breath and turned her gaze towards the door, as if the room itself could offer her an escape from her tangled thoughts. But then, just as she was about to calm herself, the phone rang again.

Her heart skipped a beat, but this time, the name on the screen made her pause.

It was Sophia.

A small, unexpected smile tugged at her lips as she answered, eager for the change of pace. "Hey," Angel said, her voice lifting in excitement.

Sophia's reply was swift, slicing through the warmth of Angel's welcome. "Why even bother with that greeting? We're not exactly best friends," she retorted, her voice edged with a sharpness that caught Angel off guard.

Angel's smile wavered, her brow knitting in perplexity. "What do you mean?" she inquired, her voice gentle yet laden with confusion.