29. Chapter 29 Freddy
Chapter 29: Freddy
M s. Goodwin knelt beside Sabrina, her voice calm yet firm as she addressed her.
“Sabrina, I need you to slow down and take a deep breath,” Heather instructed, placing a reassuring hand on the distraught woman’s shoulder. “Can you do that for me?”
Sabrina nodded, her body trembling against Freddy’s as she struggled to regain her composure. Freddy tightened his embrace, murmuring words of comfort and support. “It’s going to be okay, Sabrina. We’ll figure this out together.”
Heather waited patiently until Sabrina’s breathing evened out before continuing. “Now, I need you to answer a few questions for me. Where did you get the bots, and how were you able to access their commands?”
Sabrina swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper as she responded. “I had access to everything because of my work at Taylor Industries. Freddy and I were testing the latest software updates, and I used my remote access to take control of the bots.”
Heather nodded, her brow furrowed as she processed the information. “And you said your intention was to protect Freddy and distract his captors, correct?”
“Yes,” Sabrina confirmed, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. “I never meant for anyone to get hurt, let alone killed. I just wanted to save Freddy.”
Freddy pressed a gentle kiss to Sabrina’s temple, his heart aching for the pain and guilt she was experiencing. “You did save me, Sabrina. You were so brave, and I’m so grateful for what you did.”
Heather sighed, her expression softening as she took in the couple’s distress. “Alright, let’s take this one step at a time. I have a ton more questions I need to ask, but I think Freddy should get checked out. He’s still bleeding, and we need to document the extent of what they did to him.”
Sabrina nodded along with Heather, so Freddy leaned over to check, “Are you okay with her for a bit? I promise I’ll come back over as soon as they let me.” Feeling her nod against his chest before sitting up and pulling from his embrace, Freddy was awed by his friend’s strength. He needed to talk to his dad, and it would be nice to at least bandage the cut on his eyebrow so it would stop dripping blood into his eye.
“I’m okay, Freddy. Really, you should let them take care of you before your eye swells shut.” Sabrina even managed to give him half of a smile.
“I won’t go far,” Freddy promised. “Dad, will you step over here with me for a second?” he asked, gesturing toward a spot a few feet away from Heather and Sabrina.
Freddy stepped away from Sabrina and Heather, his father following close behind. When they were out of earshot, Freddy turned to face Nathan, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration.
“Dad, what were you and Patrick planning to do to save me?” Freddy asked, his voice strained with emotion. “I mean, if Sabrina hadn’t shown up with the bots, what would have happened?”
Nathan looked at his son, his eyes filled with a depth of emotion that Freddy couldn’t quite decipher. Instead of answering the question directly, Nathan asked, “Do you love her, Freddy? Do you love Sabrina?”
Freddy blinked, taken aback by his father’s unexpected response. He had been expecting a straightforward answer about rescue plans or ransom negotiations, not an inquiry into his feelings for his coworker and friend.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Freddy asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. “I don’t understand why that matters right now.”
Nathan placed a hand on Freddy’s shoulder, his grip firm yet comforting. “It matters because love is a powerful thing, son. It can make people do incredible, brave things–like what Sabrina did for you today.”
Freddy shook his head, still grappling with his own emotions and the gravity of the situation. “I don’t know if I love her, Dad. I mean, I care about her a lot, and I’m grateful for what she did, but I don’t know if it’s love.” He felt the lie as it slipped past his lips. Sabrina was his one true love. He might not have much experience, and Freddy had certainly never fallen in love before, but that was the only word that felt right to describe his feelings for Sabrina. Still, it was scary. If he loved her, she could hurt him.
He glanced over at Sabrina, who was still talking with Heather, her face etched with worry and exhaustion. Freddy’s heart clenched at the sight, and he turned back to his father.
“Look, it doesn’t matter if I love her or not,” Freddy said, his voice firm. “What matters is that Sabrina saved me. She risked everything to get me out of there, and I don’t even know what’s going to happen to her now.” He would sort through feelings later. Right now, Freddy needed to protect her the way she’d protected him. She deserved that, even if she broke his heart later on.
Freddy watched his father’s face, searching for understanding. Nathan’s eyes softened as he squeezed Freddy’s shoulder.
“Son, it’s important to always support the ones we love, even when it means taking a big risk,” Nathan said, his voice low and earnest. “Sometimes, that’s what love is all about.”
Before Freddy could respond, Nathan winked at him and turned back towards the group. Freddy stood there, stunned, as his father strode over to where Heather and Sabrina were huddled together.
“Ms. Goodwin,” Nathan called out, his voice carrying a note of authority. “I need to inform you that I approved Sabrina’s use of our software to rescue Freddy.”
Freddy’s jaw dropped. He hadn’t expected his father to take such a bold step. He watched as Heather’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Nathan continued, “Also, Brian Renner from Dynamic Solutions should be arriving shortly. He’ll confirm that DS approved Sabrina using the bots to find Freddy.”
Freddy’s mind reeled. How had his father orchestrated all of this so quickly? And why was Brian Renner involved? He stepped closer to the group, straining to hear more of the conversation.
As he approached, Freddy caught Sabrina’s eye. She looked confused and hopeful, her gaze darting between Nathan and Heather. Freddy wished he could reassure her, but he was just as bewildered by this turn of events.