𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

32

Relief washed over me the moment I heard Jade’s voice on the other end of the line. She remembers me now. The words felt surreal, filling me with a warmth I hadn't felt in days. My heart raced, and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face.

"I’ll come to visit you soon," I promised her eagerly. "As soon as Otousan feels better."

There was a pause, and I could almost see her smiling on the other end. “I’d love that, Akira. I’ve missed you.”

“You made me so worried. Thank God you’re okay now. We have so much to talk about,” I added, my voice barely hiding the flood of emotions I felt.

Not long after, I received a message from Ezekiel. He told me about the miracle that brought Jade’s memories back—that somehow, when she bit Xavier, it triggered her memories to return. I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity and irony of it all.

Ezekiel even joked about it, saying, "Maybe you should bite me, too, Akira. Who knows? Maybe my powers will vanish along with the bite." I shook my head, smiling. Only Ezekiel could turn such a chaotic situation into a joke.

But deep down, his lighthearted message was another reminder of how grateful I was that Jade was safe, back to her old self again. And soon, once everything settled, I'd finally get to see her and hear her side of the story.

🤍🤍

A few weeks later, I finally had the chance to visit Jade. I’d been longing to see her, to catch up on everything, and to simply reassure myself that she was really okay. But instead of meeting at her old house with Xavier, she was staying at Luiz Morganthe's mansion—Xavier’s father and Ezekiel’s uncle. They had decided to move to the mansion, seeking refuge and a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos that had unfolded in their lives.

As I was escorted into a cozy sitting room, I saw Jade waiting for me, her familiar smile making everything feel like old times. The warmth of her presence, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, it all brought back a flood of memories, reminding me of the countless hours we had spent together, sharing secrets, dreams, and anxieties.

The moment she saw me, she practically launched herself into my arms. I hugged her tightly, feeling the weight of the past few weeks melt away. The anxieties that had been gnawing at me, the fear that had clouded my thoughts, all seemed to dissipate in the embrace of my best friend.

“Oh, Akira! It feels like forever,” Jade said, pulling back but still holding onto my hands. Her face lit up with a smile, and I could see the happiness in her eyes. It was a relief to see her genuinely okay after everything that had happened. The kidnapping, the trauma, the uncertainty—it had all taken a toll on her, but she was resilient, her spirit unbroken.

“I missed you so much, Jade. I was so worried,” I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. We sat down, and she filled me in on her recovery, her memories coming back, and how Xavier had been by her side every step of the way. His unwavering support, his constant presence, had been a source of strength for her during those dark days.

"Xavier and Ezekiel are busy at the company and hotel, so we’ll have plenty of time to catch up," Jade said with a grin, settling into the plush sofa across from me.

Just as I thought we were settling into an easy conversation, she gave me a strange look, her eyes narrowing slightly. She leaned in closer, her gaze fixed on my neck.

"What's wrong?" I asked, laughing at her sudden scrutiny. I touched my neck, wondering if I’d spilled something.

"Just checking for those black dots on your neck,” she said thoughtfully.