"Where are you, Adrian?!" Sam's voice thundered through the cellphone, sharp and demanding, making Adrian wince and instinctively close his eyes as if that could soften the impact.
The morning sunlight filtered weakly through the villa's curtains, casting long stripes of light across the messy bed he'd barely slept in. His phone vibrated in his palm with each furious syllable from Sam.
"I am in Country Y, Sam, and I am fine. Don't worry," Adrian replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his free hand. His voice was steady, but there was a faint weariness underneath, the kind that came from too many problems piling up at once.
The man on the other end scoffed audibly. "What do you mean that you are already in Country Y? I checked your apartment countless times and you're not there! Where are you, Adrian?!" Sam's tone grew more exasperated with each word, a mix of frustration and genuine concern.
