Back at Bernard’s house, the tension was rising. Victoria paced the living room angrily.
"Bernard, what is wrong with you? Maria isn’t home and it’s already past 7 p.m. You don’t even look worried!"
Bernard barely looked up from his laptop. "Why should I be? I’ve called her, she didn’t answer. She’s not a child. I’m sure she’ll come back."
His mother stared at him in disbelief. "Did you hear that, Gilbert?" she asked her husband, who had remained quiet.
Beta Gilbert sighed. "I just want Maria home safely. If she’s not back within the hour, I’ll contact the authorities."
"She told the driver not to pick her up from school today," Bernard added casually. "Said she had something to handle."
"And only the driver knew? No one else?" Victoria’s voice rose again as she shot a questioning glare at Bernard, her frustration boiling..