“Valerie Garcia? Damian Garcia’ granddaughter?” Lily asked, visibly surprised.
“Do you know her?” Leo asked.
Lily shook her head. “There are many people with the last name Garcia, but it’s a prominent family name.”
“Lily, we won’t take up much of your time. We just wanted to share this information with you. Think about it carefully. Whatever decision you make, let us know, and we’ll help you,” said Arlo’s friends as they stood to leave.
After they left, Lily felt uneasy. She realized that Arlo’s distant demeanor might not have been intentional but a result of his amnesia. Opening her office window for fresh air, she reflected on their conversation.
“All this time, Arlo didn’t forget me willingly. He just doesn’t remember me because of his amnesia,” Lily whispered to herself. A small smile crept onto her lips.
But she quickly became lost in thought, trying to figure out how she could get closer to Arlo. She knew she needed to act quickly before Arlo and Valerie’s wedding, as it would be even harder to approach him afterward.
“Lily,” her mother called out, startling her.
—
Meanwhile, Arlo saw his two friends leaving Davis Company. He wondered what they were doing there. Just as he was about to get into his car to avoid being seen, Leo noticed him.
“Arlo, what are you doing here?” Leo asked.
“Ahh…” Arlo hesitated, his mouth slightly open, unsure of what to say.
“What are you doing here, Arlo?” Gilbert repeated.
“I just happened to pass by. Davis Company feels familiar to me,” Arlo said.
Leo and Gilbert exchanged glances.
“Oh, really? We thought it was something else,” Leo remarked.
“Do you have anything planned right now? If not, don’t you want to learn more about Lily ?” Gilbert asked.
“Yes,” Arlo admitted.
Leo suggested they go to a hidden house where they could talk freely and answer all of Arlo’s questions. Gilbert called their other friends, including Charles, who had to leave a meeting with the board of directors to join them.
Once they reached the hidden house, Arlo immediately went inside with them. He had many questions but didn’t know how to start. Leo, noticing Arlo’s unease, handed him a glass of water to help him calm down.
Leo’s phone started ringing non-stop as soon as their other friends arrived. He ignored the calls and showed Arlo that his father was on the line.
“Who is Lily in my life?” Arlo asked.
““LILY ““
It was Friday morning, and my mom and the twins were leaving for our house, Davis Mansion. I told the twins I would follow them before Christmas because I still had important matters to attend to at the company. Thankfully, they understood. They were with my mom and dad, so I knew they would be in good hands.
“Are you sure about what you’re going to do?” my mom asked me with concern.
“Yes, Ma. Don’t worry; I can handle this. I’ve already managed to hide my true identity from him in the past. Besides, Arlo’s friends and Philip will help me,” I assured her.
“I trust you, dear. If your father and I hadn’t learned about Arlo’s situation and the twins’ sake, we wouldn’t have agreed to this. If that insufferable Ella says anything to you, let me know right away because I’ll shut her up myself. Instead of helping her son recover, it seems like she’s brainwashing him,” my mom said, gripping my hand tightly as though she was ready to confront Ma’am Ella at any moment.
I told my mom everything that had happened between Ma’am Ella, me, and Arlo over the past few days. After much convincing, both my parents finally agreed to support me. They, too, were being questioned by the twins about their father, and they didn’t want their grandchildren to grow up not knowing him.
“Be good, you two, and don’t forget what I told you,” I said to my twins.
“Yes, Mommy,” they replied obediently.
“ Grayson, take care of your sister because you’re the older brother.”
“Mommy, Gabriella is so dramatic. Nanny will take care of her,” Grayson quipped.
I just shook my head. I knew Grayson was just saying that; he was very protective of his sister. I knelt down, called them closer, hugged them, and kissed them one by one.
After a few moments, my dad called out to my mom and the twins to board our private jet. I held back my tears, not wanting my kids to see me cry.
“It’s just for a few days,” I whispered to myself. I felt like I was suffocating as my twins waved goodbye to me.
Once their plane took off, I left as well. When I was in my car, I called my sister Olivia and asked her to come to my apartment after work since I wasn’t going to the office today.
