Chapter 22: Just Listen for Once
Bright exhaled through his nose, staring at his phone screen.
The dozens of missed calls and unread messages mocked him.
He could already imagine Emily's fury.
But for some reason… she hadn't called again.
That was almost more concerning.
With a deep sigh, he finally gave in and typed:
"Em, what's up? 😊"
It was pathetic. But a start.
She's probably asleep, he reasoned. It's 3 AM, after all.
He tossed his phone onto the bed and went back to scrolling through random articles.
Thirty minutes later—his phone rang.
Bright glanced at the screen.
The caller ID read "Bossy Lady."
He smirked. He had saved Emily's number like that after she nearly bullied him to death when he started working for her.
And honestly? He liked it too much to change it.
His smirk faded when he picked up the call.
Silence.
Bright froze.
Where were the yells? The insults? The sarcastic remarks?
Emily was always loud.
Instead, the silence stretched, heavy and unnatural.
His stomach twisted with guilt.
"Are you okay?"
Her voice was quiet. Steady. But off.
And suddenly, Bright felt like the biggest asshole in the world.
This girl—who acted all cold and aloof—was actually soft as hell on the inside.
And he made her worry.
He swallowed, trying not to sound as guilty as he felt.
"Sorr—ehh, h-hello, Em. Don't worry, I'm fine. I promise."
There was a pause.
Then—
"Please come over. I need your help."
Before he could respond—she hung up.
Bright blinked at his phone.
Shit.
She was definitely stressed.
His mind raced. He knew Emily wasn't in the city, but she had never told him exactly where she was.
Just as he was about to text her—a new message popped up.
A location pin.
Bright clicked it.
An hour away.
He didn't waste another second.
Bright had left his car near the portal the last time he saw it.
Why? He had no idea.
Maybe it was a backup plan. Maybe it was pure stupidity.
Either way, he found it untouched.
He hadn't even locked it—because at the time, his only priority had been surviving.
As a run away ride.
The only problem?
His keys were still in the dungeon.
Bright sighed, resting his forehead against the car door.
"…Of course."
Still—this wasn't a problem.
Emily had taught him some tricks before.
With a bit of effort and a lot of cursing, he managed to start the car.
"Emily's gonna kill me, but at least I'll be alive for her to do it."
And with that, he drove off.
It was nearly 7 AM when Bright arrived.
The mansion was moderate-sized but intimidating as hell.
As soon as his car approached the gate, it opened automatically.
Bright raised an eyebrow.
She must've told them I was coming.
Still, this was his first time seeing her home.
Emily had mentioned it before. He had heard bits and pieces about her family, their dynamics.
But standing here? Actually facing it?
That was different.
Scratch that—he had never even left his city before.
This was a first.
And, honestly? He wasn't sure how he felt about it.
Bright parked the car but didn't get out immediately.
Instead, he rested his forehead against the steering wheel, thinking.
How was he supposed to explain all of this?
The portals.
The monsters.
The fact that in less than 48 hours, the world would be in chaos.
How could he convince Emily to take this seriously?
Emily stood by her window, watching.
She saw his car enter, saw him park, saw him not move.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Of course he was hesitating.
Of course he was making her wait even longer.
But—
She wasn't angry anymore.
Not really.
Bright was an idiot.
But he was her idiot.
And after a day and some of silence, he was finally here.
She was out of her room before she even realized it.
Phone? Forgotten.
All she knew was that she needed to see him.
But the moment she reached the hallway, she stopped.
Took a breath.
Straightened her back.
She still had an image to keep.
Both for her family and for herself.
What if Bright thought she was annoying?
What if he was already sick of her?
Emily bit the inside of her cheek.
No.
She wasn't going to be that girl.
She inhaled, exhaled, and forced herself to walk normally.
He was probably just being lazy.
Or playing a bad joke on her.
Or maybe… he actually lost his phone and just found it.
Haa… stupid Bright.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
But she quickly smoothed it out.
By the time she reached the front door, her expression was unreadable again.
Like nothing had happened.
She stepped outside, her gaze locked on the stupid car that had basically become Bright's at this point.
And then, without another thought—
She walked straight toward him.