Chapter 13 Overthinking And Anxiety

The conversation between her parents made Rachael feel very emotional. Her heart ached for them and she partly blamed herself for making them feel this way. Only if she hadn't taken a wrong decision, things would have been so different.

She knew her parents did not blame her for what happened but Rachael knew it was partly her fault too.

She was so blinded by love that she disregarded everyone's feelings. She didn't care about anyone but Oliver. And that ignorance was the reason behind everything that had happened.

She had already hurt her family once, she had no intention of doing it again.

Wiping her tears, she walked away without making any sound.

...

[NEXT DAY]

Staring at the message she had received from Andrew an hour ago, Rachael groaned in frustration.

When he sent her grandma Collins diet chart, she wanted to call him immediately to discuss something important but ended up overthinking. She was trying so hard to find the right words that she could no longer think of any appropriate words. It seemed like all the good words just fell out of her head.

Knocking her forehead, she cursed herself. "Think Rach—think."

After fifteen minutes of intense thinking, she finally called him. But her overthinking and anxiety jumped right back when he did not receive the call.

Burying her face in the pillow, she groaned. "Ahh—I shouldn't have called him." Only if there was an option to uncall people if they don't receive your call.

But contrary to her overthinking that he had ignored her call, he called her back.

Rachael jumped right back when she saw the caller ID.

"Okay….okay—" She took a deep breath. "Calm yourself." After repeating the deep breathing exercise a couple of times, she answered his call.

"Hey, you called?"

"Yes, were you busy?" She asked.

"No, I am actually driving—"

"Oh, I'll call you later then—" She felt a little relieved. At least he wasn't ignoring her as she had thought.

"It's alright. Is something wrong with the diet chart?" He inquired.

"No, the chart is fine. Where are you now?" The more she talked, the more anxious she felt.

"I am on my way to the office." He could sense the anxiety and nervousness in her voice, which made him wonder if something was wrong. "Rachael, is everything okay?"

"No—I mean yes—maybe no." She slapped her forehead. What the hell was she saying?

"What?"

"Can we meet?" Instead of beating round the bush and making herself sound more dumb, she decided to straightaway jump to the main point of the phonecall

"I have a few very important meetings today. Is evening okay?" He asked.

"No—I mean, it's kinda important so—" She would definitely either chicken out or kill herself from all the overthinking and anxiety if she had to wait till the evening.

"Alright, there is still time for the meeting. Where are you?"

"I'll come to you." Since she was the one who wanted to talk to him, she should be the one to find him and not the other way round. "Where are you?"

"I am fifteen minutes away from my office. Do you wanna meet there?"

"Sure, I'll be there as soon as possible." She jumped out of her bed while she was still on the call with him.

"Take your time, just call me when you get there. Do you want me to send someone to fetch you?"

"That's alright, I can drive." Grabbing a random dress from the closet, she hung up the call. "I'll see you soon."

After hanging up the call, she rushed to the washroom for a quick shower. She didn't wish to keep him waiting.

….

After getting ready, Rachael rushed down without wasting any time.

When Reeta saw her, she called her for breakfast. "I was about to call you, breakfast is ready."

"I don't have time to eat mom. I am in a hurry." She grabbed a random car key from the rack. "I'll see you guys later."

"Woohoo hurry-pants, where are you going this early?" George inquired.

"You shouldn't leave home without eating honey, come and eat," Michael insisted.

​ "I am seriously getting very late. Andrew has an important meeting later so—"

Cutting her off, Michael excitedly exclaimed, "You are meeting Andrew? Why didn't you tell me that earlier? Off you go sweetheart. You shouldn't keep him waiting." He then grabbed a toast and rushed towards her. "Here, eat this on the way."

Taking the toast, she kissed him on the cheek before rushing out.

"Drive safe," Michael reminded her.

"Okay dad, love you," she yelled back.

Grinning in excitement, Michael beamed. "Did you see that Reeta? I told you she has a thing for Andrew."

"What thing? She is just going to meet him." George frowned. "And why does she have to meet him so early?"

"That is something between them, maybe they have some important private business. We have no right to interfere and no one will question Rachael about it. Is that clear?" When George nodded, he stated, "Whatever that is going on between Rachael and Andrew doesn't concern you, me or your mother. Just like what you do in your private time doesn't concern your mom, Rachael or me."

"But dad—"

"No ifs and buts young man, finish your food and go to work."

…..