“No no Luke! Please don’t die, you can’t leave me. You promise we will always be together” Sydney weeps on her sleep then suddenly awakens by the sound of her phone ringing. She didn’t pick up, not in the slightest mood

to answer any calls. She had dreamed about her late fiance Luke Collins again, feeling the sudden coldness in their room she rolled to her right side and buried her face in Luke’s head pillow and cries till she has fallen back to sleep. Sydney woke up late, spacing out she took her phone and message Luke’s old number.

"Hey baby, how are you? It’s been a year now, but everything seems just like yesterday. Why did you leave me? You promise you won’t. I miss and love you so much!”

Sydney Travis 28 years old single, the youngest, and the only girl among her siblings. Her silver hair with dark roots that hang till her small waist matches her porcelain skin and deep-set crystal blue eyes, with perfectly shaped eyebrows and full lips that are naturally rose-pink. She stands at 5’8 ft. that accentuates her glass hour figure. Luke’s Family relocated to West Vancouver when he was 8 years old and they became inseparable since then. They went to the same school from Primary to Secondary and even took the same course of Business Administration: Legal Studies together at the University of British Columbia. Both are not interested in dating anyone, and officially in a committed relationship at the age of 18. Luke has his apartment at the age of 19 and Sydney moves in with him. They got jobs right away after graduating in college and were engaged at the age of 26 whilst got their own 2 storey house at Marine Drive, West Vancouver with financial assistance from their Families as early wedding gift for them. Sydney loves everything about Luke and so does he, chiefly her strong character however, if there’s one thing that breaks her is when she lost him. Apart from the stable work they established their joint businesses. They have Coffee shops and recently launch a Bar. As they’re common-law partners since they live together for 7 full of happiness and love years, both made a will for each other to inherit the properties and other assets if one dies.

Meanwhile, Patrick who was in a meeting felt his phone vibrates. He fishes it out from his pocket to check who message him without being noticed by the CEO. Seeing an anonymous number he didn’t bother to read the message as obviously it’s wrongly sent and just slides back the phone in his pocket. After the meeting, he went back to his office and starts to create the system the CEO required. Patrick Adams 31 years old single but in a relationship with his on and off cheater girlfriend Ella for 2 years, with messy ivy league hair that fits the frame of his face, turquoise eyes, straight nose, and small lips, fit and stands at 6’1. He attracts a lot of attention from women but is way too loyal to his double-dealer girlfriend. He’s been working in Oil and Gas Company for 10 years now, started as IT Manager and due to his extensive experience and proven quality performance was promoted after a year and a half as IT Director. His Family belongs to the Middle class and he is the eldest among 3 siblings. Suddenly his phone rings, Ella’s calling.

“Hi, I am going out tonight with my girlfriends. I forgot that its Cherrie’s birthday today and she had arranged a girl’s night out at the Cowgirls grill” Ella said on the other line giggling

“What? Have you forgotten that we are going out tonight? I made a reservation already for us” He replied calmly to her while working on the new system in his office.

“I know I’m sorry Patrick but she’s one of my best friends” She apologizes to Patrick

“And me what? I’m a nobody to you? Anyways, just enjoy Ella” He replied then hung up annoyed at her insensitivity.

Ella Wayton 34 years old, petite frame, stick-straight blunt lob hair that suits her stature, dark brown eyes, Nubian nose and heavy lower lips and skin as white as snow. She was caught cheating by Patrick who breakups with her on the spot but she begs him to the point that she threatened him that she’ll commit suicide if he left her. Ella works as a receptionist at a Law firm and is known as being flirty to her colleagues.

That afternoon, Patrick makes himself busy at work diverting his mind off Ella’s selfish behavior.

Meanwhile, the depress Sydney was lost in thought she opens the chest where she kept their photos and started crying again. The pain in her heart is still unbearable until this very moment. “Why didn’t you let me just die with my Man? Why do I have to survive that fucking accident alone? Why do you have to take him only? You’re so unfair… so UNFAIR!”  She cried shouting throwing vases on the floor. “You let our path crossed, you allow us to be happy, but then you took him away from me. We’re going to be married within days…but you took him! YOU’RE UNFAIR!” she again shouted then suddenly she saw a glimpse of herself in the mirror, staring at herself for quite some time without second thought grabs another vase and throw it straight in the mirror. The shattered glasses hit her foot, she’ didn’t even feel anything. At that moment her front door opens exposing her Parents. Seeing the place a total mess her Mom slowly walks to her avoiding the glasses on the floor. Since the death of Luke, Sydney was in a total mess, she refuses to live with her parents no matter how much they tried to talk to her, and she doesn’t want anyone accompanying her in the house. She doesn’t speak to anyone and just wanted to be alone that makes her entire Family worried. In the end, her family takes turns to visit her daily.

“Sweetie, please stop! Look at Mommy please, we are here for you. Let’s get you clean up, you're hurt, and your foot’s bleeding.” Myles Travis, her Mom calmly speaks to her like she’s talking to a baby with tears in her eyes feeling the pain her only daughter was going through.

While David Travis her Dad took the vacuum from the storeroom and went back in the living room to clean the mess. He squats down to pick up the photos then put it back in the chest when suddenly his wife appears and sat on the couch.

“How is she doing, honey?” He asked sitting next to his sad wife.

“She’s not very well, it’s understandable for her not handling his death very well. Whoever in her shoes might be in the same state, I just wish she would let us help her.” She cries on her husband's arms, feeling that she's losing their only daughter.

The loving and caring Parents went to check on Sydney who was sleeping soundly in her bed tightly embracing Luke’s photo. The scene hurts them like their heart is being pierced by a thousand knives. They lightly shut the door and went into the kitchen to prepare food for them.

At 12:30 pm, Myles went to check on Sydney again who was awake this time but just lying in bed eyes open, still hugging Luke’s photo in her chest who obviously just cried.

“Sweetie, Daddy cooks something delicious for you. Let’s go and have lunch, please” Her Mom pleadingly talks to her daughter who seems not to hear anything.

“Sweetie, please have something to eat. Luke will not be very happy seeing you like this” Her Mom said to her hoping that her words will work on her.

Upon hearing Luke’s name Sydney looks up at her Mom, got up from her bed, and went into the dining room to have lunch with her Parents. David let her have soup first then fill her plate with grilled chicken, fried rice, and stir fry vegetables. Sydney ate quite a quantity of food but didn’t finish all; she quietly got up from her seat and went back to her room.

“At least she ate something honey,” David said “It’s slow progress but we won’t stop until we get the old version of our daughter,” he said patting his Wife’s hands who just smile at him.

“I am just happy to see that she ate a bit more today, tomorrow we shall ask Sebastian to cook her favorite food” She happily said to her husband.

“Honey, you don’t have to remind the boys always. They know what to do” David replied

“Honey, she is our miracle baby. Have you forgotten that Doctor says that I will never have another baby after Stephen but then I got her. Then, she was delivered prematurely, we almost lost her, she’s so tiny but fought for her dear life. It is so hard for me to see my only girl like this, I don’t want to think negatively, but I’m so scared that one day she’ll take her own life. I feel I’m losing her slowly.” Myles replied to her husband, heavy tears runs to her

cheeks.

“No Honey, it won’t happen. We won’t let it.” He consoles his Wife.

Meanwhile, Sydney sat at the edge of the bed and stares at the large Prenup portrait of her and Luke. She felt the urge of sending another message to her late fiancee's number, and so she did.

 “Hi Baby! I miss you so much! I just had lunch with my Parents, Dad cooked. God I miss us having lunch together. I wish we’re together now. I wish I didn’t survive that effing accident”

At that time, Patrick was having his lunch and watching a video when he saw another message from the anonymous number. This time, he reads to see why the same number sends him messages. Upon reading, he felt sadness with the sender’s message. ‘I’m probably using a recycled number, one need not be smart to get it’ he thought to himself. Patrick then decided that he won’t reply to any of the messages and just let it be. ‘Maybe this is the sender’s way of releasing pain’ he said quietly to himself.

 That night, Patrick calls Ella but she didn’t answer, he didn't bother to call again as he trusts her.

“Who is calling you Ella?” Bryan asked while nuzzling her neck and slowly unzipping her clothes

“Don’t ask, you know who” She replied giggling while unzipping his trousers.

At Sydney’s house, as she’s not touching her dinner David tries to feed her and this time she ate while her loving Dad keeps on putting food in her mouth. Myles all smiles seeing her daughter’s eating. After everyone had their dinner, Myles took Sydney in her room and let her relax in bed while she prepares the tub for her. In the bathroom, Myles lets Sydney dip in the bathtub with warm water. Sydney just remains motionless so Myles scrubs her back then shampoo her hair when suddenly…

“Mom?” Sydney calls without looking at her.

“Yes, baby? Mommy’s here?” Myles was so happy to hear Sydney calls on her, she rarely talks to anyone from the time Luke’s burial.

At that moment, David knocks lightly at the door but when he didn’t get a reply he opens the door a little bit and calls for his Wife. “Honey? You guys okay there?” He asked

“Yes, we are good. She calls me and that’s it” Myles reply back

The couple tucked Sydney in bed “Flora will stay with you for tonight, tomorrow morning your Brother Sebastian will come.” David said to her

“Dad? Will you and Mom stay for a while till I fall asleep?” She asked her Dad

“Of course baby” David replied with a smile on his lips

The couple stays for a while with Sydney, they left only when they’re convinced that she’s soundly sleeping. Her Parents kiss her forehead and slowly walk out her room shutting the door very gently. Flora was their long time helper, occasionally she stays with Sydney to look after her.

Around 10 pm Sydney suddenly woke up, she got up from the bed and walks to her French balcony, stares at the stars in the sky and tears ran down her cheeks. She went back to her bed and took her phone and message Luke.

“Goodnight baby, you’re always on my mind. I love you so much! I’ll see you in my dreams.”

At that moment, Patrick hears his phone and saw the message. “Okay Stranger, goodnight too” he replied in his mind. Ella didn’t call back and he found out from her parents that she’s not going home that night. He didn’t mind thinking that she’s just enjoying her time with her friends.

“Are you going home tonight Ella?” Bryan asked while lying next to Ella in his bed both *****.

“No, why? You said stay here for the night, right? ” She replied to Bryan who was rubbing her thigh this time.

“I did say that but I just need assurance that you’ll sleep here with me tonight. I miss you so much, Ella. So, that means another round?” He naughtily replied to her, not waiting for Ella to say something he positioned himself in between her legs and slides easily inside her. In and out till they both reach climax and release inside her.

“Fuck Bryan, why did you *** inside me? What if you got me pregnant?” She hissed at him but then realizes that even if Bryan won’t like to take responsibility if she gets pregnant surely Patrick will. She has him wrap on her pinkies. Smirking at herself.

“So what, I will *** inside you anytime I want to bitch!” Bryan replied in a hoarse voice and initiating another round. Ella’s feeling sore but doesn’t care as she loves Bryan more than Patrick but she just doesn’t want to give Patrick up …not yet.

Months passed, Sydney feels there’s a strong magnetic force to continue sending messages to Luke’s number. And so she did, it makes her feels connected to her late-fiancee whilst she felt better.

Meanwhile, the detachment between Patrick and Ella grows, until one night she suddenly came over to spend the night with him. Ella initiated sex but was just declined; Patrick’s no longer interested at all with her. Next morning, while he’s in the shower, Ella heard his phone beeps. As it was password protected and notification setting was set differently, so she can’t see the content on the screen.

“You have a message,” Ella informed Patrick as soon he came out from the bathroom.

Ignoring her remarks, he saw the time in his wall clock. “Oh must be the stranger”, he thought silently. Weird to admit but he was looking forward every day to receive a message from the stranger. Ella saw his reaction and starts to argue with him then, later on, walks out, he didn’t run after her. Unlike before he always chases her for every minor argument. Instead, he reads the message.

“Good Morning Baby, today I’m going to visit the Coffee shops then off to Ace Bar later. I need to check our Business; it’s been over a year since the last time I visit. I can feel you’re smiling there at me, those dimples I’m longing to touch and kissed. I know, trying not to cry here but it’s so hard baby but I’m trying my best to put my life together as you like. I love you so much Luke, nothing has changed.”

“So, you’re a woman and your Man is Luke” Patrick thought. Though his relationship with Ella’s on rocky ground, he still thought of transferring Luke’s recycled number on his spare phone and planned to leave it at home to avoid any arguments with her. Thinking of the possibility that their relationship will somehow get better but after today’s fight, Patrick had it as a last straw. He changed his mind and takes the spare phone with him.

“Sydney, have your breakfast first and I’ll drive you wherever you need to go” Sebastian her eldest brother said. He worries about his Sister’s safety so he messages his Family about her plan of driving. The fatal tragedy traumatized them as they almost lost her, so extra care was given to her. They don’t even want her to drive anymore, a moment later 2 car parks outside and went inside her house.

“I can drive, don’t worry please,” She said casting them a rare smile.

“That’s a creepy smile, Baby Sis,” Stephen said which makes everyone laugh.

In the end, they allow her after a long debate and negotiation. They know Sydney’s stubbornness but her Parents instructed Sebastian to discreetly follow Sydney since today is his schedule to look after her.

Sydney slides inside the driver seat of her Volvo XC40 and waves at her Family as she drives away.

“Sebastian never let her out of your sight, please,” Myles said to her eldest son

“Mom, I’m as much worried as you guys are,” Sebastian replied to his Mom

“Honey, everything’s going to be fine. Remember, we all have set out location shared” David calms his Wife. After the accident, all the possible ways to get connected not only with Sydney has been instigated in their Family.

“Bro, it’s safe for you to follow her now… enough distance. Go and drive safely too” Stephen advise his brother while looking at his phone monitoring Sydney’s movements.

While waiting for the traffic signal to turn green, she sends another message to Luke’s number.

“Luke baby, my Family almost didn’t allow me to drive alone. I’m perfectly fine there’s nothing to worry. But I admit, I’m kind of worried somehow as this is the first time I’m driving again after our car crashed over a year ago. Baby, I’ll see you later. Always remember I love you so much!”

Meanwhile, Patrick put his spare phone on the car phone holder mounted on his dashboard and threw the other one on the passenger seat. While waiting for the traffic signal to turn green he receives another message from the stranger. It made him smile; he normally gets 3 messages in a day.

“Oh ****! She and Luke were in a car accident last year! Please keep her safe” he thought silently.

For the past months, her daily messages became part of his life. Patrick thought of dropping by at the Ace Bar just to see the woman behind the text messages however he had no idea what time is ‘later’, whilst  felt it’s a form of stalking. In the end he let the idea be an idea only. For no reason, he threw a glance at the Woman who was on the driver seat of Volvo XC40 on his right side; Sydney gave him a sharp side glance and quickly steps on the gas as soon the traffic signal turns green.

Sydney arrives at her first destination, the LS Café nook. Fishing out her phone, she sends a message to Luke quickly.

“I’m here at LS Café, will see how the business doing baby. I love you”

Meanwhile, Patrick reached the Company grounds and was parking his Black Maserati Levanti. Staring at his spare phone with the hope of receiving another message from the anonymous however to his disappointment his other phone rings, Ella was calling. Not so long; he got what he hoped for, a message from the anonymous. Patrick quickly, unhooks his phone from the holder and reads the message while completely ignoring the other phone that keeps on ringing. Sydney’s message put a smile at Patrick’s face, he felt relieve knowing that she reached her first

destination safely whilst thankful enough to receive a message from her.

“She’s an entrepreneur, she’s probably a coffee lover” He thought to himself while walking in the lobby of the building.