On the other end of the line, just when the ringing seemed like it would never end, Estrella finally picked up, her voice a mix of grogginess and frustration. “Bro, what’s up now? I finally get to catch some sleep and you’re causing trouble?”
She had just managed to get Isaac to sleep and was beyond exasperated when Jason’s call came through.
With a sigh, Estrella finished her sentence, and Jason immediately asked, concerned, “Mom said something about a close call with a car when you were picking up Isaac from school today.”
Still squinting through her lingering sleepiness, Estrella replied lazily, “Yeah, some driver wasn’t paying attention and nearly ran the stop sign. But it’s fine, your boy is alright too.”
Estrella's sleepiness was far from gone as she reassured Jason that Isaac was unharmed. He pressed on, “And what about you? Are you okay? Any injuries?”
As Jason’s words filled the air, Estrella’s mind wandered back to the day he escorted her home, insisting she place her trust in him.
After a thoughtful pause, Estrella responded nonchalantly, “I’m fine too.”
Relieved that both were unharmed, Jason finally relaxed.
He then spent a good while reminding Estrella to be cautious at all times and to reach out to him immediately should anything arise. Estrella agreed, and only then did they end the call.
After hanging up, Jason leaned against the window, drained.
The news of Estrella’s near miss had nearly scared him senseless. It wasn’t until he heard her voice, confirming her safety, that he could breathe easy again.
In bed, Kristin observed Jason’s weary figure against the window and recalled his earlier anxiety and fear, heightening her own alertness.
This wasn’t like her son. He seemed genuinely concerned about something.
After watching Jason in silence for a while, Kristin cautiously inquired, “Jason, what’s wrong?”
Snapped back to reality by his mother’s voice, Jason straightened up and offered a reassuring smile, “Mom, it’s nothing. Just worried about Estrella and Isaac.”
Approaching Kristin, he adjusted her blanket, saying, “You should rest, Mom.”
Sensing Jason’s emotional turmoil, Kristin didn’t press further but advised, “Alright, you too should get some rest.”
After making sure Kristin was settled, Jason turned off the light and headed to the adjacent study.
The study was brightly lit, its decor a mix of black, white, and gray. Shelves lined the walls, filled with classics from all eras and regions.
Standing tall by the window, Jason, with one hand in his pajama pocket and the other holding his phone, dialed Drew’s number.
Drew picked up promptly, “Boss.”
On the line, Jason inquired, “Why wasn’t I informed about Estrella’s incident today?”
Drew replied, “Boss, Ms. Estrella and Isaac have always been vigilant. The driver’s been detained tonight, just finished questioning. He was distracted by his phone and didn’t see the pedestrian crossing. It’s unrelated to Keith, was about to report to you.”

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