His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 78

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 78**

Mallory was absolutely incensed by Kara’s comments, her fury erupting like a volcano in the private room. The atmosphere crackled with tension as she unleashed a torrent of frustration that seemed to stretch on endlessly, her voice echoing off the walls.

The classmates, caught off guard by the intensity of her outburst, exchanged anxious glances, unsure of how to intervene. They felt utterly powerless, while the staff hovered at the door, hesitant to step in, their apprehension stemming from the weight of Mallory’s family name. The Gross family was a force to be reckoned with, and no one wanted to risk their ire.

The manager of Snowy House, a middle-aged man with a weary expression, finally mustered the courage to knock on the door. “Kara,” he called gently, “Could you please step in for a moment?”

Given that the Gross family had shares in the restaurant, and it was Kara who had inadvertently set Mallory off, it was clear they needed her to mediate the situation.

Kara, without a moment’s hesitation, glanced at Marina, offering her a quick nod of reassurance before rising to her feet.

Marina, sensing the gravity of the situation, stood up as well. “I’ll go with you,” she offered, her voice laced with concern.

But Kara, with a gentle yet firm hand on Marina’s shoulder, guided her back into her seat. “You really shouldn’t. If you go in there, she’ll just redirect her anger at you. My brother is currently collaborating with the Milner family, and Mallory is just a distant relative by marriage. The Milners wouldn’t lift a finger for her. She can’t touch me,” Kara explained, her tone steady.

She paused, her expression hardening. “If she weren’t causing such a scene and disturbing the guests, I wouldn’t even bother with her. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Marina nodded, watching Kara stride confidently towards the door with the manager, her heart pounding with worry.

Minutes turned into a half-hour, and the food lay untouched, growing cold on the table. Still, there was no sign of Kara’s return. Marina’s eyes darted to Kara’s phone and bag, which remained conspicuously on the table, a silent reminder of her absence.

An unsettling feeling crept into Marina’s mind, and she decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She snatched up Kara’s belongings and stepped out into the hallway, determined to find her friend.

As she rounded a corner, Kara’s phone began to ring, its tone cutting through the silence like a knife. Just as she reached for it, a shoulder bumped into hers, sending the phone tumbling to the floor.

She quickly bent down to retrieve it, but before she could grasp it, a figure swooped in and snatched it up.

Marina looked up, her brow furrowing slightly. The guy looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.

“Marina?” he said, a spark of recognition lighting up his features.

She nodded politely, a small smile gracing her lips. “Hi,” she replied, her voice soft.

Seeing the uncertainty flicker in her eyes, he took a step closer, introducing himself. “It’s me, Jake. Remember?”

Recognition dawned on Marina, and she felt the pieces fall into place. Jake had been a lanky boy back in school, but now he had filled out, sporting a belly that caught her off guard.

Jake stepped closer, a grin spreading across his face as he handed her the phone. “Remember now?” he asked, his tone teasing.

Marina nodded, a hint of nostalgia creeping in. “Yeah, it’s been a while.”

She accepted her phone back, her gratitude tinged with unease. “Thank you.”

Jake’s smile lingered, but there was something unsettling about it that made Marina instinctively step back, creating distance between them.

“Yeah, it’s been forever, Marina. After you left Vrufield, we completely lost touch. Isn’t it wild running into you here? Must be fate, right? Mind if I get your number?” he asked, leaning in slightly.

Marina pressed her lips together, searching for the right words. “I’ve been keeping up with the class group on Facebook, just haven’t really said much. You’re in the same group, aren’t you?” she deflected, hoping to steer the conversation away from personal details.

Jake wouldn’t let it go. “Seriously, who even uses that anymore? Marina, are you trying to dodge giving me your real number?” he pressed, an edge of frustration creeping into his voice.

Marina frowned, sidestepping his attempt to close the gap. “Why would I?” she countered, feeling the creepiness radiating from him, sending a shiver down her spine.

As she tried to retreat, she found herself cornered against the wall, trapped. Jake’s gaze roamed over her, lingering uncomfortably on her delicate features. His smile morphed into something predatory.

“Ten years, and you’re still just as stunning as you were back in school, Marina,” he said, his tone dripping with insincerity.

Annoyance flared in Marina’s eyes. She knew that retreating would only embolden him, so she lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze with unwavering strength. “I have something to take care of, so I’ll have to cut this short,” she asserted.

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