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In the crowded supermarket parking lot, Gabriella stood utterly stunned, unable to process the bewildering sight: a woman had a fierce, proprietorial grip on Jake's signature golden hair.
Jake, however, turned towards the woman, and a spark of recognition—or perhaps shock—widened his eyes. "Ms. Fiona... is that you?"
Fiona's gaze was a laser, scanning him from head to toe. "You..." she released his hair, and the accusation in her voice was palpable.
"You forget me?" Jake asked, his tone annoyingly casual as he smoothed his hair.
Fiona paused, thinking. "You're Xander's nephew, right?"
Jake simply smiled. Fiona's smile instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, hard expression. "Why are you misbehaving with my niece?" She raised a foot, poised to kick him.
"No, no, we were just talking," Jake swiftly interjected, flashing a cheeky wink at Gabriella.
"It didn't look like that," Fiona countered, then turned to Gabriella. "Is he telling the truth?"
"Are you... my Auntie, really?" Gabriella blurted out, her disbelief outweighing the awkward situation.
"Of course! Why are you asking me like that?" Fiona seemed slightly offended.
Gabriella hesitated. "But... you were slim in the photo. In real life..."
Fiona placed a hand on Gabriella's shoulder, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Are you expecting me to stay slim forever? Of course, I got a little fat; I was living abroad, after all." She then leaned in, whispering into Gabriella's ear with a hint of steel: "Don't humiliate me publicly. Come, let's go home."
Fiona led Gabriella away. Before she completely turned her back, she gave Jake one last, dismissive look. "Bye, Jake. And don't mess with her again." She made a clear 'I'm watching you' gesture.
Jake simply smirked in return.
As they walked, Gabriella asked, "How did you recognize me?"
Fiona smiled. "Of course! Your mother and I talk all the time on video calls. She's shown me your photo, too." Gabriella listened, a mix of curiosity and surprise on her face.
Fiona then narrowed her eyes slightly. "Aren't you a Black Belt in Karate? Why didn't you fight him off?"
"How did you know I'm a black belt? Wait, Mom told you, right?"
"No, I know because your mother always admired me as a fighter," Fiona confessed, a soft smile returning. "She always told me that her child, whether a daughter or son, had to be a 'Karate Kid.'"
Gabriella didn't reply, lost in thought.
Fiona's tone hardened again, a clear warning. "You keep your distance from him. Don't trust any man in Emilda Group."
Ladies' Time
Inside Gabriella's house, Fiona and Gabriella entered the living room. Maids immediately started helping with Fiona's luggage.
Frederick, about to leave for the office, paused, eyes wide with pleasant surprise. "What a surprise!" He called out for his wife.
Roselette came and rushed to hug Fiona.
Frederick, however, was still puzzled. "Did you know Fiona was coming?"
Roselette smiled cryptically. "Of course."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Frederick asked, rolling his eyes.
Roselette smirked. "You also don't tell me the secrets between you and your daughter. It's a simple matter, why are you questioning me?"
Frederick shook his head, then asked Fiona, "How's business abroad?"
"Good," Fiona smiled. "But I wanted a one-month holiday, so I came to enjoy and spend some time with my sister-in-law and my niece."
"What about me?" Frederick asked.
Fiona simply smiled and wagged a finger. "No, brother. You don't. It's ladies' time. No men allowed."
Frederick, Gabriella, and Roselette all smiled.
Distraction on the Court
At the basketball court of Brighton Wisdom School, Gabriella walked in. She wore a short skirt and a cute white top, her signature feathered hair flowing freely. The players, including Jake and others, were already mid-game.
Gabriella took a seat. Jake noticed her immediately; the stunning sight of her in the crowd made him pause for a second, then smile.
Gabriella didn't return the smile. She scanned the audience, looking for Lara. Finally, she spotted her sitting with Ronnie and waved. Lara stood up to move to Gabriella's side, but Ronnie quickly grabbed her hand. "Wait, the game is starting. Sit with me here."
Lara smiled and nodded, sitting back down.
Gabriella watched them, thinking to herself: Why isn't Ronnie playing basketball?
The game was intense, both teams—Jake's team in blue jerseys and the opposing team in red—playing a tie. Gabriella stared at Jake. He was focused, covered in sweat, and undeniably handsome while playing. She felt a blush creeping up and quickly turned her head.
During a break in the game, Jake came near the audience seats. He spotted Gabriella, pointed to the water bottle in her hand, and signaled he needed it. Gabriella handed it over. He took it, staring into her eyes as he drank. The girls in the audience gasped, envious that he was so close to her.
Gabriella avoided his gaze. "Why isn't your friend Ronnie playing?" she asked.
Jake smiled, leaning closer, and whispered in her ear, "He wants to spend time with his girlfriend." He then met her eyes and winked.
Gabriella blinked. She looked back at Lara and Ronnie's seats, but they were gone. She looked around, a feeling of unease settling in. No. Something strange is happening.
She looked at Jake. "Where are they?"
Jake looked around, then smiled. "Maybe they wanted some privacy."
Gabriella smirked and started to leave. Jake grabbed her hand. "Wait, watch my game. Where are you going?"
"Leave my hand," Gabriella said, her voice cold.
He didn't. Gabriella shoved his hand away, her experience telling her something was wrong, and walked out of the basketball court. Jake watched her retreating back.
The Panic
Standing at the entrance of Brighton Wisdom School, Gabriella's mind raced. They're planning something huge. They're distracting me.
"Where has Ronnie gone with Lara? Wait... Lara!" Her eyes widened. Maybe... they're planning something against Lara!
She rushed to the security room. "Did you see Ronnie?"
The security guard replied, "About fifteen minutes ago, he went out on his sports bike with a girl."
Gabriella's breathing became fast and shallow. She frantically tried to call Lara. The first call went unanswered. She tried again, but this time Lara's phone was switched off. Panic seized her.
Lara's House
At Lara's house, Ronnie snatched Lara's phone out of her hand. "Give me back my phone!" she protested. Ronnie held it high above her reach.
He leaned in close. "I don't want anyone to disturb us," he smiled. "Who called you before?"
"You switched off my phone before I could see who called me," Lara sighed.
Ronnie smiled, playfully touching her nose. "Understand me, baby, mm?"
"Fine," Lara conceded.
"My girlfriend isn't going to get me any coffee?" Ronnie asked.
Lara smiled. "Wait, I'll prepare some." She went into the kitchen.
"Bring some snacks too, baby," he called out. He took a deep breath and began to search the room frantically. He checked a dusty old box, muttering, "Eww, who lives in this small house?" He searched the tables, wardrobe, and bookshelves. He was sweating but found nothing.
Lara returned, handing him the coffee. He smiled awkwardly and took a sip.
"Why are you sweating?" Lara asked.
"A little hot," he smiled. "Where should we go next?"
Lara's eyes widened. "It's so fast!"
"Wait," Ronnie said, moving to the balcony. He texted Raina: Pendrive isn't here.
Raina's reply came instantly: Then bring her to my hotel.
Ronnie typed: Ok.
Lara sat on her bed and spotted her phone. She switched it on. It rang immediately—it was Gabriella. "Tell me, Gabby," Lara answered.
"Why did you switch off? I tried you several times!" Gabriella's frantic voice came through.
Ronnie called out to Lara. Lara put her phone down, unknowingly putting it on speaker.
"Next, we are going to the Royalty Hotel. Be ready," Ronnie instructed.
Lara smiled and nodded, then picked up the phone again. Gabriella, who had heard everything, screamed, "Lara! Lara!"
Ronnie snatched the phone back, ended the call, and switched it off.
"Ronnie! What are you doing? I was talking!" Lara hissed, now angry.
"It's already late. Be ready," he said.
"Don't do this again! Give me my phone!"
Ronnie smiled. "I will. Go get ready first."
"You go out of my room! I have to get ready!" Lara insisted.
"Oops, fine," he said, and left.
The Rooftop Showdown
At the Royalty Hotel, Ronnie and Lara were sitting at a table in a beautifully romantic and fine-dining restaurant, a single rose in a glass bottle between them. Ronnie ordered their dishes: steak, noodles, and dessert.
"So beautiful," Lara murmured.
"Do you like it?" Ronnie smiled.
Lara nodded. "When did we start liking each other?"
Ronnie froze, scrambling for an answer. "It's been two years since we started dating," he said, forcing an awkward smile.
Lara smiled back. "No... I actually don't remember it either, because of my accident, that's why I asked. But I know, I do remember your face. Believe me, you're someone close to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't believe you when you said you were my lover."
Ronnie offered an awkward smile as the dishes arrived. They started to eat.
Then Ronnie's phone rang. "Give me a minute," he said.
"Talk here," Lara suggested.
"No, it's an important call. I'll be right back," he insisted. He walked a little distance away, then disappeared. He spoke into the phone. "I brought her here. I leave the rest to you." He smiled playfully.
Lara was sitting alone, looking around, when a hand touched her shoulder. She panicked and spun around to see Raina.
Raina smiled and took a seat. "Are you here with friends?"
"No, I came with Ronnie," Lara said.
Raina nodded. "Why are you here?" Lara asked.
"It's my hotel. I usually come here," Raina said.
Lara offered an awkward smile. "Oh."
"Come with me, I'll show you something you'll like," Raina said, grabbing Lara's hand. Lara hesitated. "But Ronnie…"
"He will come. You come with me first," Raina said, leading her away.
Raina took Lara to the Rooftop of the hotel. The sun was setting, filling the sky with hues of red and orange. "Wow," Lara gasped, moving to the edge of the roof.
Raina followed her. "Do you like it?"
"Yes, it's so beautiful to see the sunset view from here," Lara said.
"Do you remember that pendrive?" Raina asked suddenly.
Lara froze. "What?"
"Ah, I forgot. I have to recall it for you. You and I were doing a project, and we finalized everything in a pendrive. That's what I'm asking—is it with you?"
Lara looked confused. "Actually, I don't remember it, or a pendrive."
"It's fine," Raina said, her smile disappearing for a moment. "But search your house. If you find it, tell me first."
Lara nodded. Raina thought, Is she really faking her memory loss? Should I check?
As Lara was enjoying the sunset, Raina moved slightly behind her, about to push her—
"Lara!" a voice shouted.
Raina and Lara turned. Raina was stunned. Lara smiled. It was Gabriella, breathing heavily, her face red with sweat.
Gabriella walked up to them. "Gabriella, you're here?" Lara asked.
Raina smirked. "Hi, Gabriella."
Gabriella smirked back. "What are you two doing here?"
Lara quickly interjected, "To see the sunset," and smiled.
Gabriella smiled back. "Then shall we go, Lara?"
Raina gave Gabriella a cold stare.
"Wait, Ronnie," Lara said. "He hasn't come back yet."
"He won't come. Come with me," Gabriella said coldly, grabbing Lara's hand.
"Yes, he won't come. You can go, Lara," Raina chimed in.
Suddenly, Lara got a message. It was from Ronnie: I have an emergency work, so I'm going there. I already paid the bill, Lara. Don't be upset, baby.
Lara looked at both of them, her confusion turning to suspicion. "Wait. How did you guys know Ronnie wouldn't come? He just told me that now."
"He's always like that, my intuition," Raina smiled.
"Me too. Come on," Gabriella said.
Gabriella and Lara left. Raina remained on the rooftop. Another person joined her: Ronnie.
He smiled. "Were you planning to push her from here?"
Raina smiled coyly. "Do you think I'm a fool? How can I do that? If I push her from here, I'll get in trouble because it's my family's hotel. I just wanted to shock her, to get the truth from her."
"Are you still not believing her that she lost her memories?" Ronnie asked.
"No."Raina said
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