Chapter 20
Catherine finished the morning classes and went directly to her office. Sat down at her desk began thinking who might call her yesterday. It is not Jackie. Totally not Jackie. Her phone number is different and she said she was going to keep it. Therefore, it is not her. Then, who it was? She had a few friends in California but they never talked on the phone. They would usually email each other. Maybe this is one of the fellow professors at Stanford. She did not talk to them after moving to New York. Probably, they think she is still looking for a job and that is the reason they are calling. Of course! Who else it can be. It is one the fellow professors. That is it. No need to get excited. It is not...
Knock on the door interrupted Catherine's thinking.
-Come in.
Alexandra adored her with her beautiful smile.
-How are you?
Catherine was caught off guard. She realized that it has been a longer pause. She forced herself to smile and abruptly said she is OK.
-Are you coming?
-For what?
Catherine was lost. She couldn't control it. Neither she understood what Alexandra was saying nor could she answer her.
-Department staff is going to lunch. We were going to join them. I am going because you were going.
Catherine's face was blank.
-Please tell me something.
It danged Catherine at that moment.
-I'm sorry. I forgot about it.
-Please tell me you are going.
Alexandra looked with a begging face.
-I'm sorry. I am not hungry and I have many things to do.
Catherine turned her face to the laptop.
-What happened?
Catherine turned again to Alexandra. Now she looked worried.
-I am sorry. I don't feel well. I want to finish everything as early as I can and leave.
It was Alexandra's turn to be silent.
-Do you need help?
-For what?
-Do you need my help for your work or maybe taking you home?
Catherine looked at her. Alexandra was nice. She never stopped being nice to her.
-Thank you but no need.
-OK. See you later.
She was going to close the door but she went inside again.
-You know, now I am stuck with a bunch of boring staff members. Whose fault is that?
She smiled and Catherine felt terrible. She did not have an argument against it.
-I'm really sorry. I'd force myself but I'm really not in a mood.
-No.. No.. We will find another way for you to apologize.
Alexandra grinned and left, shutting the door behind.
Catherine looked at her phone screen.
It is not her. It cannot be her.
She touched the number to dial it. Then her heart almost stopped as if to hear clearly, who is going to answer. A man answered and Catherine felt immediately relaxed.
-Hello?!
-Umm… Hi.
-Can I help you?
-Sorry, I... I had a missed phone call from this number.
-Have you ever talked with this number before?
-No. That is the reason I redialed. I wanted to know who this is.
-Sorry. Apparently, there has been a mistake. If it were important, I would call you once more.
-Yes. Probably. Thanks.
-Have a nice day.
Catherine felt a relief. She thought whether she should join the department staff after all. At the same time, she felt exhausted. Therefore, she wanted to go home. She had no other classes and office stuff could be delayed to some other time.
Catherine was careful in order not to see anyone familiar. She wanted immediately to go home. She managed to go to her parking spot without problems. Once she made herself comfortable in the car, her phone rang. When she looked at the phone screen, she saw the familiar number starting with 213. She answered with a surprise.
-Hi.
-Hi again. I am sorry to bother you. You were indeed contacted by the owner of this number yesterday.
-Aren't you the owner?
-No, no. It is not me. I am her personal assistant. Just a minute.
-Wait…
Before Catherine could say anything, the caller passed the phone to another person.
-Catherine…
And Catherine heard. Heard loud and clear the voice she desired to hear for so long.