Maria was so sleepy that she couldn't answer with words anymore.

“Also, I'll call Anthony and ask him to take care of you. I'm sure that's just fine with him."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Maria nodded again. Her eyes were only half open now.

After she tucked Maria in, Judy made sure that she hadn't overlooked anything. Then, she made her way to the assistant director's Lounge with Maria's notebook in her hand.

As she arrived, she saw Francis there, taking a nap as well. Currently, he and the assistant director were the ones sharing this room.

After giving Maria's notebook to Francis as she was told, Judy went back to Maria's Lounge.

She picked up Maria's phone, looked up a number in her contacts and dialed it.

"Hello?"

The man's voice that came through the phone was calm and magnetic, with a touch of tenderness in it.

But Judy guessed that Anthony's voice was so gentle only because he thought that Maria was the one calling him.

“Anthony, this is Judy," she said meekly.

“Hello, Judy."

Sure enough, Anthony's tone changed. It was still polite, but a lot more formal and distant.

“Is Maria sleeping?"

Before Judy could say anything, Anthony guessed what was going on. "Yes, do you have time to come here now?" Judy asked.

"I do," came the answer almost immediately.

Through the phone, Judy could faintly hear Anthony talking to someone next to him.

Words like "cancel" and “postpone” jumped out at her.

About ten seconds later, Anthony's clear voice could be heard again.

“Judy, I'll be there in twenty minutes at most. Please take care of Maria till then."