When Alody was carrying the cart, her focus was on arranging the bright oranges on the shelves. The scent of citrus filled the air, bringing a refreshing energy to the small store. Just as she was about to place the last bag of oranges, Gregor appeared, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"Don't you know that the girl in the wheelchair is so hot?!" he exclaimed, his admiration palpable.
Alody paused, raising an eyebrow. "I think she isn't single anymore. I know her... She's the one who offered me this job since I wanted to experience working here in Germany."
"What? Seriously, you already know her?" Gregor's expression shifted from admiration to surprise.
"Yes, and besides, she's dating someone. You don't need to disturb her. She's a single mother and doesn't have time to flirt."
"Come on! I didn't realize it until now, but she's definitely hot! Like, really hot!" Gregor insisted, eyes sparkling with infatuation.
"Maybe I know she is. She's definitely prettier than me... Is that so?" Alody replied, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"What are you talking about? I'm not comparing you to her!" Gregor defended himself, looking slightly flustered.
Alody shrugged. "I just wonder why guys like you are so drawn to attractive girls but never really seem serious about relationships. It's like back home in the Philippines, where most Millennials are just... like that."
"Really?" Gregor asked, intrigued.
"I'm not generalizing, but it's true. People change partners easily, and it seems to be a trend," she explained, her voice steady.
"You have a good point, but here, it's different. People care less about appearances. If they love someone, that's what matters," he countered, his tone thoughtful.
"By the way, have you had a girlfriend before?" Alody asked, shifting the topic.
"No, not yet. I'm still single," Gregor admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.
"Can I ask why?" Alody inquired, genuinely curious.
"I want to enjoy being single. I don't want to be seen as someone who flirts around," Gregor replied, looking straight into her eyes.
"Oh, I think that's fair... and it's great to know you're single," she said, a teasing smile creeping onto her face.
"Why? Are you in love with me?" he joked, laughter dancing in his voice.
"Sus Maryosep! Heck no! I've never been in love with you. I'm NBSB," she shot back, her laughter bubbling over.
"What's NBSB mean?" Gregor asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"No boyfriend since birth," Alody explained with a grin.
"Wow, really? I wonder if someone has ever courted you," he mused, genuinely intrigued.
"Not really. Just guys who like to mess with me. They pretend to court me, but I know they're not serious. They start immature, but some eventually grow up," Alody replied, a hint of disappointment in her tone.
"I think that's tough. Anyway, I just want to enjoy working now," she added, turning back to the cart, ready to continue her task.
"Me too," Gregor agreed, his voice fading as he helped her with the oranges, the conversation leaving a lingering warmth between them.
Florentin sat in his office, surrounded by the sterile hum of fluorescent lights and the monotony of paperwork. He glanced at the clock, noting the slow passage of time. A sense of boredom washed over him as he realized he missed the easy banter he shared with Fabienne. With a flicker of hope, he opened his messaging app, his fingers dancing over the screen as he typed, "Fabienne??"
Seen: 9:20
He watched the screen as the three little dots indicated she was typing. His heart raced with anticipation, a mix of excitement and the familiar pang of longing.
"What?" she replied.
"How are you?" he typed back, feeling a small smile creep across his face.
"Fine," she answered tersely.
"Really? Are you not going to tell me what you did in Zurich??"
"Nothing usual..."
"So, why are you online today?"
"Just checking news, why?"
"I just miss you very much, that's all... but don't you miss me??"
"I don't know."
His heart sank slightly, but he pressed on. "Oh please, I know that you miss me too, but you must be bored there too, right??"
Silence hung heavily in the air. Fabienne's lack of response fanned the flames of his irritation. Just as he began to stew in his frustration, Henrik burst into the office, eyes wide with urgency.
"Are you going to tell me something important?" Florentin asked, his tone clipped.
"I was supposed to maybe not talk about this, but how could I just go and tell Jasmin about what I wanted to say? I mean, something important... very important," Henrik stammered, glancing nervously around the room.
Florentin raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Um, well, I don't know..."
"But you told me you know what I can do for Jasmin!"
"Oh, sorry, I was just kidding. Go back to work!!"
Henrik's irritation was palpable, but Florentin couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Later, as Henrik made his way home, he picked up the phone, dialing Jasmin's number.
"Hello? Are you there in Zurich?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"Yes..."
"Good that you're there. I missed you so much, and I hope you're safe."
"Henrik, just don't bother to call me if you're just concerned about me. Besides, I am safe and not very clumsy enough like you."
"Sorry if I'm that much concerned. I just remember the old times when you disguised as Janina. I felt bad when I found out Janina's dead, and too bad that my son Tobias won't ever see her again."
"I know you have a good point, but today I don't want to be dramatic or emotional... and you're much more emotional than me. I don't understand."
"Great! I also wanted to confess something very important."
"Go on, tell me..."
"Jasmin, I was like... so totally very attracted to you, so much..."
"WTF?! Why? What do you mean you're attracted to me?"
"I was saying that you're very beautiful to me, and I admit that since then, when we were together, I was happy. I admit that I'm in love with you..."
beep
"What?! Hello?? Jasmin!"
Jasmin had hung up, her heart racing. The unexpected confession left her feeling strange, her thoughts drifting to Martin instead. She couldn't deny the smile that crept onto her face as she thought of him, yet she pushed those feelings away, grappling with the reality of her situation.
In her mind, thoughts of love blurred with a more pressing concern as she found herself in David's room, hatching a plan. With a printer whirring in the background, she printed fake money, her focus sharp and determined.
"What are you doing?" Martin's voice broke through her concentration.
"Just you see, I'm printing papers," she replied, dismissively.
"It's great to see you but I would like to tell you something important..."
"Not now! I'm busy, and don't even bother if you're not going to tell me something important."
"I just wanted to dedicate something to you..."
"Delicate?"
"I said dedicate!"
"Sorry, but I'm too busy now and trying to protect David. They want his money, and it's easy to deal with them."
"Are you sure you can handle them?"
"Martin, I'm not a disabled woman! I can do this myself."
Before he could respond, she turned away, but not before he grabbed her arm, pulling her closer. Their faces were inches apart, and he almost kissed her, but she instinctively stepped back, avoiding the moment.
He sighed, his patience unwavering despite the rejection. Little did she know, tonight he planned to propose, hoping to win her heart through steady persistence, even as her thoughts spiraled into darker territories. The tension between them hung in the air, thick and unresolved, like the quiet before a storm.
The mansion was a grand structure, its old walls steeped in history and secrets. Inside, David and Fred found a peculiar sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty that loomed outside. The two friends were relaxing in a lavishly furnished room, their laughter echoing softly against the ornate decor. Fabienne, stationed at the entrance, kept a vigilant watch, her demeanor calm but her eyes sharp.
"I'm just making sure Fabienne isn't getting bored," Fred said, glancing over at her. "Looks like she's got her hands full, though."
David smiled wryly. "That's because you asked her to stand guard. She doesn't seem bored at all."
Fred chuckled. "At least Sophia is safe here."
David's expression turned serious. "We can't afford to be overconfident. With Jasmin around, our safety isn't guaranteed. And besides, I hired someone else to help."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "Wait, did you hire someone new?"
"Yes," David replied, his voice steady. "It's important that Fabienne and Jasmin get some rest. We don't have enough bodyguards, and that makes me uneasy."
"Who did you hire?" Fred inquired, curiosity piqued.
"An athletic guy. They say he's the youngest bodyguard out there, trained in martial arts and taekwondo."
Fred's skepticism was evident. "Oh, really? What's his name?"
"Christoph Rudev."
The name rang a bell for Fred, and he nodded. "The student from Wuppertal?"
"Exactly," David confirmed, his tone confident. "He's the one I meant."
Fred frowned. "I don't know if he's enough to protect us."
"Why not? I trust Florentin with this. He owns the bodyguard company, and they're reputable."
"I can back that up," Fred agreed reluctantly. "But I still feel good about Sophia being safe here. We just need to stay vigilant against those bad people out there."
"Absolutely," David replied. Then, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "By the way, don't you think Fabienne is pretty?"
Fred blinked, caught off guard. "Why do you say that?"
"It's just that she's cute. I can't help but feel drawn to her."
David smirked. "But she's a single mom. Isn't that a turn-off?"
"No, it's fine. I'll deal with it. But I do find her a bit strange."
"Strange? How so?"
"She seems emotionless. It's unusual for a girl not to react, especially when I try to treat her nicely."
"Maybe she just doesn't have feelings for you," David suggested. "It sounds like you're trying to force something that isn't there."
"Come on, David. I'm not being judgmental," Fred retorted, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "I'm just saying she's the weirdest girl I've ever met. Maybe she has something going on mentally."
David laughed, shaking his head. "You really think she has a mental illness? You're kidding me, right?"
"Am I that judgmental?" Fred shot back, defensive.
Just then, Fabienne stepped closer, her presence commanding their attention. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," she said, her voice even and calm.
The air grew thick with tension as David and Fred exchanged awkward glances, caught off guard by her sudden arrival. There was something unsettling about how emotionless she appeared, as if she were a statue brought to life.
Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Leonie was on her way, finally arriving at the address she had been searching for. But as she navigated the streets, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. Irritation flickered across her face.
"What do you want, Albert?" she snapped.
"Apologies, Leonie, but I've just had a conversation that could solve your problem."
"Who?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Jasmin," he replied.
"Ah, I know her. Jasmin Hoppe, right?"
"Exactly!"
"Good. So, she's the one who wants to protect David, huh?"
"That's right," Albert confirmed. "She mentioned a deal—200 million Euros and weapons."
"Really? How did you manage to talk to Jasmin?" Leonie pressed.
"I met her at an abandoned hideout. She took out a few men, and I thought it wise to hire her."
"Sure, why not? But I want to ensure Jasmin follows through. She's the key to this deal."
"She said we need to give her some time. She'll get back to us in 24 hours," Albert assured her. "She's serious about this."
"I just want to make sure she delivers. If she fails, I will not hesitate to raid David's house and kill him. His whole family will pay for this if she doesn't come through."
beep
After that, Sidel and her friends entered the strange hideout that Marvin had found on the GPS. They were on a mission to rescue their friend Sarah, who had gone missing. The air was thick with tension, and the dim lighting cast eerie shadows on the walls as they navigated through the labyrinthine structure.
"Now that we've been walking for two hours, what are we going to do next?" Anja asked, her voice tinged with frustration. The uncertainty of their situation was weighing heavily on her.
"Just be patient. I think we're almost there," Martel reassured her, trying to maintain a sense of optimism despite their circumstances.
"I mean, it's great that we're rescuing Sarah, but I've never done anything this dangerous before," Anja admitted, her anxiety bubbling to the surface.
"Me either," Martel replied, his voice softening as he glanced at the door ahead.
As they approached Room 23, where they believed Sarah was being held, the air turned electric with anticipation. They pushed the door open, and to their relief, there was Sarah, her head covered with a sack. Sidel hurriedly removed it, revealing her friend's frightened but hopeful face.
"Oh, thank you, guys! I'm so relieved you came to rescue me!" Sarah exclaimed, tears of joy brimming in her eyes.
"I knew you weren't dead or toast, but why did they kidnap you?" Sidel asked, her concern flooding back.
"I was taken by some strange guys. They wanted me to come with them, or else they would kill me or my family. I had no choice," Sarah explained, her voice trembling.
"We need to get out of here," Martel said, his determination rising. "But we have to find a weapon to defend ourselves against those guys."
Just then, Jannis appeared at the doorway, his presence sending chills down their spines. "Hey, what are you all doing here?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
"And you?! Why did you try to kill my friend? Who are you?" Sidel demanded, stepping protectively in front of Sarah.
"Why do you care? She wasn't going anywhere. I offered her a job—modeling," Jannis said nonchalantly.
"Modeling? You mean teen pornography!" Sarah shot back, her voice filled with indignation.
"What?! How could you do this to an innocent girl?" Martel exclaimed, disappointment etched on his face.
"Um, Martel, I'm not a child. I'm a teen," Sarah corrected, trying to assert her own agency in the situation.
"Fine, whatever! And you, the one who kidnapped Sarah! You think you can harass my friend, but you'll never get away with it!" Martel shouted, trying to sound tough.
With a warrior's spirit, Martel attempted to lift the double grenade launcher. But as soon as she hoisted it, she lost her grip and fell to the ground with a thud, the weapon crashing beside her.
Sidel was quick to react. She grabbed a handgun and aimed it at Jannis, her heart pounding in her chest. "I will kill you!" she warned, her finger hovering over the trigger.
"Wow! Go Tomb Raider!" Anja cheered, her voice laced with excitement, trying to bolster Sidel's confidence.
Sidel pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. She tried again and again, panic rising as she realized the gun was unloaded. Jannis laughed at her failed attempts, and frustration bubbled over in Sidel. In a fit of rage, she hurled the gun at him, landing a painful blow to his groin.
"Let's just leave. This is so stressful! I thought we could have our moment here, but this is ridiculous!" Sidel exclaimed, exasperated.
"Take it easy, Sidel," Martel said, trying to soothe her friend's anger.
They decided to escape through the window. Anja, with a determined look in her eyes, grabbed a chair and swung it at the glass, shattering it with a loud crash. "Let's go!" she shouted, leading the way as they scrambled through the opening.
As they climbed out, the adrenaline surged through them. They were battered, bruised, and exhausted, but they had each other—and they were finally free.
In the meantime, Jasmin was heading to the hardware store, determined to buy a piece of wood that measured 35 centimeters long. The problem? It was far too long to fit in her shopping cart. With a sigh, she decided to carry it on her own, balancing the awkwardly long plywood against her right shoulder. Just as she was getting used to the weight, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
It was Martin.
"Hey, what do you want, Martin?" she answered, adjusting her grip on the plywood.
"Jasmin! I was just trying to remind you... You've been so busy lately, and I hope you won't forget the surprise I have planned for you."
"Really? There's a surprise!" Excitement bubbled up inside her, causing her to jump slightly. But in her moment of enthusiasm, she didn't notice an old man stepping into her path. The plywood swung out, hitting him right on the chin. He stumbled back, knocking over a shelf filled with paint cans.
"What is that sound?" Martin asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"What sound??" Jasmin replied, glancing around as the paint cans clattered to the ground.
"I don't know where you are, but I just heard a strange noise. It sounded like paint."
"Don't worry! It's raining buckets of paint over here."
"Huh?"
"Come on, ignore it, Martin! I'm not that excited. I just feel a little thrill and then... boom, back to my usual mood."
"I don't care if you're in your usual mood. Just be careful, okay? I know you're busy with your job, but I hope you'll have time for me tonight."
"Okay, I'll make time... just enjoy your photography job."
"Yes, I already did."
Jasmin felt her right arm getting tired from the awkward position. As she shifted the plywood again, a woman was walking by, and Jasmin accidentally jabbed her with the edge of the wood.
"Do you mind?!" the woman snapped, glaring at Jasmin.
"Do I mind what? Mind??" Jasmin shot back, confused.
"Ugh..." The woman huffed and stormed away, leaving Jasmin even more bewildered. She returned to her phone call, trying to shake off the encounter.
"Martin, I must be so busy! I'm stuck with this plywood problem that won't fit in the cart or even a garbage bag. Please, don't bother me about finding time for you—I will make it work."
"Really? Oh, thank you, Jasmin! So... okay, see you tonight."
beep
She shoved her phone back into her jacket pocket, still grappling with the way the plywood was digging into her shoulder. She moved aside and pushed the wood again, but this time, she accidentally hit a guy right in the groin.
"Ugh!" she groaned, exasperated. "Why is this taking so long?"
Determined not to let the wood defeat her, she awkwardly placed it in her cart, despite it sticking out awkwardly. There was still more to buy: a drill, nails, a hand saw, gloves, and an array of paint in blue, black, dark red, brown, and light brown.
After gathering everything she needed, Jasmin decided it was time for a ride on her motorcycle. She revved the engine, excitement coursing through her as she headed back to David's mansion. This time, however, she had a clear destination in mind: the garage.
With the wind in her hair and the thrill of the day still buzzing in her veins, Jasmin couldn't wait to see what the evening would bring.
At night, the warm glow of Judith's dining room enveloped the four of them as they gathered around the table, sharing a meal that felt like more than just food. The aroma of carrot soup wafted through the air, a comforting backdrop to the conversation that flowed easily between them.
Judith's father, Mr. Hertel, savored a spoonful of his soup before speaking. "I was supposed to trust you both, and I am so happy that you decided to work at my grocery store." His tone was filled with pride, his eyes glimmering as he took in the scene.
Walter, with his ever-confident demeanor, responded, "Yes, I know. Nowadays, it's hard to find a company, so I just decided to work with Judith. It seems like a good idea, especially since I know a bit about marketing."
Lena, cutting into her steak, chimed in with excitement. "That's interesting to know! I've decided to build another branch of the grocery store, and with that, we can invest more money."
Walter smiled back at Lena. "I think that's a good idea. Besides, I just wanted to work with Judith. It reminds me of our time at Heinen Realty."
Judith, feeling the warmth of the moment, added, "Anyway, Dad, I think you made this dinner very special."
Mr. Hertel chuckled, his laughter resonating through the room. "That reminds me of when I was like that with your mother, Lena."
Lena rolled her eyes playfully. "Aww, I know! Walter, you're very lucky to have met my sister after all."
As the conversation continued, Lena's curiosity peaked. "Oh, and besides, I want to know you better, Walter."
Walter leaned back in his chair, ready to share. "Well, you see, I was adopted by my athletic father, Erwan Hoppe, who is famously a member of club RSG Aachen 01."
Lena's eyes widened. "Oh, that athletic guy is your father?!"
"Yes," Walter replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Wow! I can't believe you became the son of that guy! You must be lucky!"
"Actually, I am," he nodded, a smile gracing his lips.
"But do you have any siblings?" Lena asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"I have one sister, her name is Jasmin. She's my twin. We both escaped from our real parents, who were abusive to us."
Judith's heart sank at the revelation. "Your sister's name is Jasmin, right?"
"Yes. Anyway, have you heard that name before?"
Lena's brow furrowed. "I just saw it on the news, but I don't know much about her."
Walter hesitated, the weight of his sister's story heavy on his heart. "Sorry about that. You see, she has a mental illness. She wasn't well, and she kept escaping from the mental hospital. She suffers from schizophrenia."
Lena gasped. "What?! Schizophrenia? Is that the disorder that makes you psycho?"
Walter shook his head gently. "No, no. It means she doesn't understand what's real. For her, it's right to do things we know are wrong. She can talk to people that others can't hear or see."
"Oh, I see. That must be tough for you to understand, but it's good that you care for her," Lena said, her voice softening.
"Thank you, Mr. Hertel," Walter replied sincerely. "I know you would accept us, and I'm very glad to be here."
"You too, Walter. I'm happy you're making my daughter so happy," Mr. Hertel affirmed, his smile warm.
As Judith and Walter held hands, a wave of jealousy washed over Lena, though she tried to mask it with a forkful of steak.
"I will make sure to make her very happy," Walter promised, his gaze steady on Judith.
"That's good to hear, Walter. My daughter deserves to be happy," Mr. Hertel said, pride evident in his voice.
"You see, Dad, Walter is sweet to me. I don't treat him as a stranger anymore. I think I love him so much," Judith confessed, her eyes sparkling as she squeezed Walter's hand.
"Oh, Judith, I'm so happy for you," her father responded, a touch of emotion in his voice. "I know we could never find a guy who loves you forever, who will choose only you."
"Come on, Dad, you're making me emotional now!" Judith laughed, her cheeks flushing with warmth.
Their laughter echoed around the table, and even Lena joined in, though she couldn't help but steal secret glances at Walter, her heart conflicted. The night continued, filled with laughter and stories, each moment weaving them closer together.