Chapter 5

Jeremy is kissing Serin, tenderly.

Serin closed her eyes. Her tears keep rushing. He kissed her more, deeply passionate.

He is drowning in misery but suddenly found solace in Serin's existence.

Same with her, she feels consoled. His gentle kiss is as lovely as the starlit night.

"Sir???? Can you hear me???" Serin's hand is grabbing Jeremy by his arms, shaking him. 

Serin broke the discomforting silence between them. 

Jeremy's emotional and fixed intent look at her struck Serin with uneasiness. He is facing her intimately close. She stepped backward, feeling extremely uncomfortable. 

"W..What h..happened?" Jeremy is sinking in spirits.

"I saw you stumble, Sir Jerem--"

"And??" He cut her in, giving Serin an anxious glance.

"When I tried to help you get up, you did not move even an inch. Instead, you stared at me for so long. The look on your face could tell that you saw something unusual because you looked totally surprised." Serin explained.

"T..That's all??"

"I tried to convince you to see a doctor because I am sure you're feeling unwell. You were shivering earlier. I kept calling you. Then, you turned your back and faced me. I think I made you a..angry. I.. I am s..sorry for t..that, sir."

Serin lowered her head. After they clashed, Serin made a promise to understand Jeremy. His best friends told her that Jeremy has been going through a lot that is why he is always irritable.

"After that? W..What did I do?" Jeremy is trying to appear calm but Serin is sure he is feeling anxious.

His best friends are right. Jeremy must be having rough times based on how he has been acting. Serin thought while looking at him. 

"You were just staring at me, almost in tears." Serin's voice cracked.

Jeremy released a weary sigh, distressed. 

She could not understand why Jeremy's disturbed sight is greatly worrying her. Fear and resentment she used to feel towards Jeremy suddenly turned to compassion.

Serin spoke again. "I thought you would say something important, so I just let you take your time until.." Serin stopped, hesitating. 

Jeremy gave her a more intent look. "Until w..what???"

"Until your eyes gave in. You were crying in silence. You looked really sad. I felt the need to stop you, so I held you by your arms for you to come back to your senses. And thankfully, you heard me."

Serin stepped a little closer to him. "Sir Jeremy, I don't think you are okay. You need to--"

"The three of us really exist in this world. The universe is generous." A staggering voice said.

The old man, whom Jeremy just ran into, suddenly appeared right next to them.

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The old man is dressed raggedly. White hair extending down his shoulders. Wrinkled face. Worn-out sandals. Long wooden cane in his hand.

Looking at the old man, Serin feels an absurd consoling presence in him.

Jeremy, who is still attacked by his incredulous vision through Serin's eyes and the reappearance of the old man, gets a lot more nervously strained.

"Young man, you were meant to meet her.." He looked at Serin.

A sudden pause. Limping, he did not hesitate to confront Jeremy face to face. 

The old man continued. "You can't escape your fate.. Heron Arth.."

Jeremy could not react anymore. What he has been encountering is shockingly insane.

After saying those words, he turned his back and quietly left them. 

Jeremy's eyes are fixated on the old man who is walking slowly in the middle of the park.

'Heron Arth.. How did he know that name?' Jeremy thought to himself.

Jeremy is totally lost.

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"Nice to see you again." Gail showed up beside Serin.

It is Friday night, Gail's 19th birthday party at their mansion in Horizon Town.

Serin looks perfectly beautiful. Her long black dress is showing off her snowy skin and desirably captivating body figure. Her long curly hair is tied, hanging down at her back. The light make-up on her face complements her innocent beauty. No dazzling jewelry but her enchanting charm is blinding.

Gail, who is scanning Serin in the big mirror in front of them, feels really upset and envious because Serin defeats her beauty.

Serin decided to accept Gail's invitation the night she witnessed Jeremy's sickened state at the park. Because he has been going through a lot, she does not want to burden him anymore. So, dragging her heavy feet and heart, she showed up at Gail's party. 

"I'm glad you came." Gail spoke again, smiling at Serin but it is scrutinizing. 

Serin just flashed a pretty smile, no words came out from her. 

Because Gail's presence is giving off an uncomfortable feeling, she excused herself and went outside the powder room.

Gail followed her to the garden where the guests are partying.

"You left this." Gail is talking about Serin's black clutch bag that she left in the powder room. 

As Serin turned her back, Gail handed her the small bag.

"Thanks." Serin said, smiling without a soul. 

"The night is still long. Have a blast!" Gail threw her a sharp smile and then left her.

Serin continued her steps to the table where the three guys are. 

Loud party music. Disco lights. Serin feels unusually awkward. Though she lost her memory, she got a strong feeling that she has never been at parties like this.

Gail's guests are partying crazily wild. Dancing, drinking, laughing. They are obviously party owls. 

Serin's high heels add discomfort to what she is feeling. The disco lights are obstructing her from walking properly. 

But then, one guy suddenly knocked against her.

"I'm sorry, miss."

Serin could have stumbled if the guy was not quick to get a hold of her arms. But he swiftly put his arm around her shoulders, trying to flirt with her. 

Serin flinched but the arm around her stopped her from fleeing.

Serin feels extremely angry. She hit him on his waist using her left elbow. Then, she stepped back to avoid the guy. 

But Serin, who is not used to wearing high heels, lost balance and fell on her back.

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"Pervert!!"

Serin's slap and her anger-filled scream at the guy blasted. Gail's guests gathered around them one by one. 

"What's that?" Chris noticed an unusual sight of people gathering around from a distance.

Jeremy quickly rose up and hurried to the direction where Chris pointed at. Behind him are his two best friends, also rushing.

The guy gave Serin a nervous laugh. "Stop making such a fuss, cheap girl."

A strong punch landed on his face. Everyone got flustered, open-mouthed.

Jeremy is already standing before the guy. His fist is still clenched from hitting him. 

Ken hurried to get in between and faced Jeremy to stop him from hitting the guy once again.

"Watch your tongue." Jeremy uttered in a calm voice, eyes flaring. 

"What happened???" Chris worriedly approached Serin.

She is on the verge of tears. Her lips feel glued out of fear, anger and shock.

"How dare you ruin my party????" Gail appeared.

Totally infuriated, she raised her hand to slap Serin's face but a hand stopped her.

Chris' tight grip on her wrist can tell that he feels disappointed towards Gail. "It's not her fault." 

"Chris??? Have you lost your mind? It is my party!!! She is ruining it!!!!" Gail can no longer keep her cool.

"Gail, you can't just blame someone because you want to." Ken said with a firm voice.

Gail faced Ken this time. "Why are you defending her? You don't even know her! I am your friend, not that pathetic girl!!"

"She won't cause a scene just to get attention. She is not like you." Jeremy butt in.

Gail's eyes widened. She could not believe she heard it from Jeremy. She walked to where he is standing and grabbed him by the arm. "I am not stupid, Jeremy. I know the truth. She is not your girlfriend."

Jeremy ignored her and turned his back.

Facing Serin, he reached for her hand. "Let's go."

Gail let out an insulting smile. She is already celebrating a winning moment at the back of her mind.

She blocked the two from making any steps and spoke in a loud voice. "Guys, you know what? This girl is a gold digger!"

"Serin!!" Chris tried to stop her. 

Ken faced Gail and held her by her shoulders. "You are crossing the line!"

But no one could stop her.

Gail continued. "She is not Jeremy's girlfriend but a housemaid." 

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Insulting laughs followed.

Chris and Ken could not believe that Gail has been making a scene at her own party.

"If you're done, get out of our way." Jeremy said, still composed but his anger is already burning him inside. 

Before Jeremy could make his first step, Serin let go of his hand from Jeremy's.

She glared at Gail. "I pity you. You grew up having everything you've wanted and needed but there is something you will never have. Manners."

"Hey, dirty wench! Stop acting innocent. You tried to seduce me, didn't you?" The guy, whom Serin clashed with earlier, spoke. He is smiling like an idiot.

Serin closed her eyes, trying to lengthen her fuse.

"Speak ill of her again, I will sue you for harassing her." Chris warned the guy.

Gail hissed. "I think I have the right to sue that gold digger."

Everyone got clueless.

Gail turned her back and walked to where Serin was standing a while ago. She crossed her arms and moved her eyes pointing something on the ground. "Why is that precious thing there??" 

Serin stuff, along with her opened black clutch bag, is cluttered on the neatly trimmed lawn.

With her things is Gail's gold necklace!