The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Monica shot Anastasia a suspicious look. "Ana, why are you always trying to set me up with Jason? Spill the beans. Is there some kind of plot? Did Jason bribe you or something?"

"Given your history with guys, I just don't want you to get hurt again. A cop like Jason seems like a safe bet to me. Who's gonna mess with you then?" Anastasia chuckled. "You're sharp when it comes to suspecting me, but with guys, you're an open book-no caution at all. Friendship over romance, huh?" "Come on," Monica looped her arm through Anastasia's, grinning. "You'll always be my number one. Guys just get whatever's left. Oh, and Jason invited me over for dinner the other night." "That's progress, isn't it?" Anastasia teased. "And here you were saying you're not into him."noveldrama

Monica sighed. "Ana, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. The dinner was actually cooked by his housemate, Alisa. And let me tell you, it was the most awkward meal I've ever had."

"His housemate doesn't like you?" Anastasia caught on quickly. "Jason's an only child. What housemate are you talking about?"

"That's the messed-up part," Monica said. "I didn't piece it together until I got home. Alisa... she's got a thing for Jason. She's the widow of his army buddy, Will, who died saving Jason. Now Jason's looking after Alisa and her daughter, like they're his own family." Anastasia understood. "Knowing Jason, he wouldn't just abandon Alisa and her kid."

"I'm not that into Jason to begin with, so I'm not going to step into that mess," Monica declared. "Alisa works at the grocery store and relies on Jason's support. He's her rock, her lifeline. Why would I go and snatch that away from her? Plus, if Jason were my guy and he's still financially supporting another woman, I definitely wouldn't be cool with that."

Monica was known for her sharp tongue but soft heart, always feeling for those less fortunate.

Knowing the situation, Anastasia didn't push further. "You'll find someone else. There's no shortage of good men out there."

It was getting late, so Anastasia didn't stick around. After some idle chatter, she left.

The weather was as fickle as ever-pouring one minute and clear the next.

When Anastasia stepped out, the rain started again, coming down in buckets, leaving the streets deserted.

Her car broke down halfway home, forcing her to pull over. She popped the hood in the pouring rain, quickly realizing she'd need a tow.

The wind howled like a pack of wolves, sending shivers down her spine.

Anastasia hurried back into her car, noticing she'd stopped by an alleyway.

There seemed to be someone in the alley, and she could hear crying, but was it just the wind? She wasn't about to check it out in the dead of night.

She reached for her phone, only to find she had no signal.

It wasn't a remote area; why would there be no signal here?

An eerie feeling crept up her spine as she considered the possibilities.

She tried restarting her phone, oblivious to the figure slowly approaching in the rearview mirror.

A man in a black raincoat emerged from the alley, his gaze fixed on Anastasia in the car, a wrench in his hand.

Just as he neared the vehicle, a black SUV pulled up alongside her car.

The man halted, catching sight of the person stepping out of the SUV-Herman. He adjusted his raincoat and disappeared back into the depths of the alley. Herman, umbrella in hand, approached Anastasia's car and knocked on the window.

Startled by the reflection in the window, Anastasia quickly rolled it down. "Herman, what are you doing out here?"

"I saw the storm and you hadn't come back. Couldn't reach you on your phone either, so I came looking," Herman said gravely. "Car trouble?"

"Yeah, broke down again," Anastasia replied with resignation. "It seems like no car lasts long in my hands."