CAN'T CONTINUE

Jack was lost in thoughts until his phone buzzed again, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Mariam’s name on the screen. But this time, it wasn’t a text. It was a call.

For a moment, Jack considered letting it go to voicemail, considered avoiding the conversation he knew was coming. But he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t keep running away from her. They need to sort things out or everyone goes their various ways. Taking a deep breath, he swiped up to answer the call, bringing the phone to his ear.

“Hello?” he said, his voice trembling slightly.

“Jack?” Mariam’s voice was calm, “Can we talk?”

Jack closed his eyes, “Yeah, Mariam. We need to talk.”

“I’m outside your office,” she said. “Can I come up?”

"Again?".. he said inaudibly.

"I didn't ask you to meet me in my office, Mariam?"...

"I know but you didn't reply to any of my messages, so what would you have me do? Stay idle and wait?"..

Jack’s heart raced. She was here already, at his office. There was no more avoiding it.

“Of course