I perched on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone screen and watching my mother's name flash as it continued to ring. With a nervous swallow, I cleared my throat before finally mustering the courage to tap the answer button and accept her call.
"Hey Mom! I was just about to call you," I said, trying to sound calm and collected as I answered her call. But it seemed Mom was more agitated than I had anticipated because she didn't even listen to me before launching into a tirade. "How can you be so irresponsible, disappearing without informing me, young lady?" Her tone was sharp with anger. "You didn't even take your car or bodyguard with you. Where are you, Bella?"
"Mom, please, calm down. I'm okay, and I..." Once again, she interrupted me before I could finish my sentence. "Calm down?
