ine stood by the airport exit, repeatedly trying to reach Jacob on her phone, but to no avail.


    Frustrated, she muttered, “Where on earth is Jacob? I can’t believe he hasn’t answered my calls.”


    ire chimed in, “Mom, are you absolutely sure you told him what time to be here?”


    ine, clearly irritated, replied, “Of course I did! He promised me over the phone. Who knows why he’ste and ignoring my calls? It’s so unreliable.”


    ire quickly took out her own phone to call Jacob, but, as ine had said, there was no answer.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    With a worried look, she said, “Dad must have had some sort of ident… It’s still early; why can’t we reach him?”<fnc388> This update is avable on F?nd-Novel</fnc388>


    Charlie tried to reassure her, “ine, don’t jump to conclusions. Your dad is fine. If anything, he might just be napping. Let’s head home and check on him first!”


    “Exactly!” ire agreed enthusiastically. “Let’s go home. If Dad’s not there, we can search for him. If we still can’t find him, we’ll call the police!”


    ine interjected, unhappy, “Go home? How can we go home? Your dad was supposed to drive us!”


    ire instinctively suggested, “Let’s just take a taxi back.”


    “A taxi?!” ine eximed dramatically. “Your mother and I are well-known figures! In New York and at Bedford Hills Correctional Institution, we’re practically celebrities. I’ve flown back in private jets! It’s one thing not to ride in a Rolls-Royce, but I can’t believe I’m expected to take a taxi. What will people think?”


    ire sighed, “Mom, what does it matter right now? It’s more important that we find Dad!” Before ine could respond, ire waved for a taxi.


    As Charlie and ire climbed into the cab, ine frowned and said, “ire, at least call a luxury car service or something. This Jetta is so shabby!”


    ire, exasperated, shot back, “If you want a luxury car, then stay here. Charlie and I are going back!” With that, she opened the door and sat inside.


    Seeing her daughter’s determination, ine reluctantly gave in and took the passenger seat, sulking.


    Once in the car, ine wrinkled her nose andined to the driver, “Excuse me, why does your taxi smell so bad?”


    The driver replied nonchntly, “Is it the smell of smoke?”


    “Yes!” ine snapped, “It’s all smoke! Can’t you smell it? What’s wrong with your nose?”


    The driver shrugged, “I smoked while parked. I didn’t smoke while you were getting in. The rules say we can’t smoke in front of passengers.”


    ine retorted angrily, “You should know that a taxi is your ce of service. It needs to be clean and fresh! Is that too much to ask?”


    The driver, slightly irritated, responded, “This isn’t my personal space; it belongs to the taxipany. I just drive. If you have a problem, take it up with them.”


    As he spoke, the driver mumbled under his breath, “It’s just a cigarette. Why make such a big deal about it?”


    ine rolled her eyes, muttering, “Unbelievable.”


    The driver continued, “You’ll smell smoke at home, and you’ll smell it outside. What’s the difference?”