Chasing His Kickass Luna Back
Chapter 0353

Abby

The next few days feel like a blur. I can barely sleep, I can barely eat, and my mind is consumed with thoughts of nothing but my poor restaurant. My phone is ringing off the hook with a combination of calls from worried friends and nosey journalists; I choose to ignore the latter. And all the while, I feel like a tiger pacing in her cage.

The activity outside of my apartment has increased thanks to the press, and I can barely even leave the house. Yesterday, Chloe brought me some groceries, which she had to sneak through the back door.

I told her to go straight home after I paid her, because I feel like my apartment is a ticking time bomb. It doesn't feel safe here anymore. I feel like I'm on display, all because of something that I'm sure was sabotage.

In the midst of my restless pacing this afternoon, I decide to call Officer Martinez, the police officer I spoke to when I provided my statement. She seemed sympathetic to my struggles, and I figure that maybe she has some updates on the investigation.

I dial her number and wait, my heart pounding in my chest as the phone rings. After what feels like an eternity, she finally answers.

"Officer Martinez speaking.”

“Hey, it's Abby,” I say, my voice trembling slightly. “I was wondering if you've made any progress with the investigation.”

There's a brief pause on the other end, and I can hear the weariness in her voice when she replies. “I'm afraid not, Abby,” she says gently. “We've sent the surveillance tapes in for analysis, but it'll be a few days before we have any results.”

I let out a frustrated sigh, my impatience getting the better of me. “A few days? Officer Martinez, I understand that these things take time, but my restaurant could be shut down within that time frame.”

She sounds sympathetic, but her response is firm. “I know it's difficult, Abby," she replies, “but we have to be thorough in our investigation. Rushing things won't help anyone. I would advise you to just lay low and wait for me to call you back.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside of me. “Thank you, Officer Martinez. I know you're doing your best. I just... I can't help but feel helpless in all of this.”

“I know how you feel,” she says, her tone softening. “But just trust me. I'm doing the best I can.”

I nod, even though I know she can't see me. “I'm sorry. I'll be more patient.”

"Don’t worry, Abby,” she adds. “We'll get to the bottom of this. I believe you, even if no one else does.”

Her words are a soothing balm, and I let out a relieved sigh. It feels good knowing that other people are believing in me, even if my friends seem to think that I'm losing my mind.

“Thanks, officer,” I say with a slight smile. “I appreciate it.”

It feels like torture. Another day passes without hearing anything, and I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. I can’t even turn on the TV without seeing some news report about the horrific Alpha gathering.

But then, I'm sitting on my couch, trying to read a book although I'm not comprehending any of the words, when it happens

My phone rings.

Without a moment's hesitation, I throw my book down and practically leap across the room. “Hello?” I answer breathlessly without even checking the caller ID.

There's a pause, and then a man’s voice on the other end. “Is this Abby?”

“Yes,” I reply cautiously. “How can I help you?”

“Hello, Abby,” he says. “This is Mr. Harrison from the health department. I'm calling to let you know that the results from your food samples have come back from the lab.”

Finally. After almost a week of waiting, they've arrived. But instead of feeling excited, I just feel a sense of dread settle in my stomach

I swallow hard, my voice barely more than a whisper. “And?”

There's a heavy pause, and my mind races with a million different possibilities. Please, let it be okay. Let it be a mistake. But something tells me that that's not the case.

“The results,” he finally says, “showed a significant presence of Escherichia coli bacteria in one specific dish—your flatbread pizza.”

My heart sinks like a stone in my chest, and I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. “E. coli?” I repeat, my voice trembling. “But that's... that's impossible.”

I can almost hear the indifference in his voice as he responds. “I assure you, miss, the results are accurate. We don't make mistakes here.”

"But the flatbread pizza?” I protest, desperation creeping into my voice. “It was a vegetarian dish, and it's cooked at high temperatures. E. coli usually comes from meat, right?”

He doesn't sound sympathetic in the least. “While it's more commonly associated with meat, E. coli can still be present in vegetables or other ingredients,” he explains. “And cooking temperatures may not always eliminate it entirely.”

"But it just doesn't make sense,” I argue, my mind racing to find an explanation. “I use fresh ingredients, and the pizza oven reaches incredibly high temperatures. I've never had any issues before.”

The health department official remains unmoved. “Regardless, the test results are conclusive, miss. Due to the contamination found in your restaurant, we have no choice but to take immediate action.”

Dread washes over me, and I can barely find my voice. “What kind of action?”

“Your restaurant will need to remain closed while we conduct a more thorough investigation,” he replies. “We will need to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent further contamination.”

My world shatters at that moment. The restaurant I poured my heart and soul into, the place that was not just my livelihood but my dream—it's all slipping through my fingers.

"And then what?” I mutter. “What will happen after that?”

He's silent for a moment before he responds. “I can't say for sure until the full investigation is complete. But if the results are what we expect them to be... Your restaurant will be closed— permanently.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I struggle to hold them back. “This is devastating,” I whisper, my voice cracking.

The health department official's response, however, is devoid of sympathy. “We have to prioritize public safety.”

I can't hold back the tears any longer, and they spill down my cheeks as I clutch the phone. “But this is my life,” I choke out. “Everything I've built, everything I've worked for...”

“I'm sorry, miss,” he says, although his tone remains cold and detached. “But these are the necessary steps to ensure the safety of your customers and the community.”

Before I can answer, he hangs up. I slump onto the couch, my mind spinning with thoughts of what this closure will mean for my restaurant, my employees, and myself.

But as I sit there, lost in my pain, my thoughts return to the puzzling news—the presence of E. coli in my flatbread pizza

It doesn't make sense, and I can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. All I can hope for now is that those results from the tapes come back before the health department's investigation...

Otherwise, everything I've worked so hard to achieve will crumble in my hands.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.