CHAPTER 5

LANCELOTTE'S POV

The vehicle chasing us finally came to a halt. By then, I had completely lost my appetite for the meal Mr. Asero and I had previously discussed.

We were halfway down the road when Mr. Asero suddenly slammed on the brakes.

"I think I hit someone. Wait, let me check," the old man said anxiously.

I massaged my temples before stepping out of the vehicle to see what had happened.

"Is she dead?"

"No, but we need to take her to the hospital. She lost consciousness."

I furrowed my brows. Somehow, the woman's face looked familiar to me.

"Move to the front seat for now, Mr. Smith."

The young man didn't say a word and simply followed the old man's instructions.

After the woman was rushed to the emergency room, I asked Mr. Asero to stay behind and make sure she was safe.

I went home ahead of him. At that moment, I was in the library, organizing the papers I had recently been studying. They contained documents and several findings concerning the woman I had ordered someone to investigate—Jacob's ex-girlfriend.

I carefully straightened the framed photograph of Jacob and me. It was the last picture he had taken with me. The anger in my heart resurfaced, causing me to clench my fists.

"I will find her, Jacob. And when I do, I'll make sure even her soul suffers."

I uttered those words while staring intently at the photograph in my hands.

The door opened, revealing Merliza. She was smiling as she carried a tray of food.

"Iza, do you need something?"

"I brought you something to eat. I know you haven't eaten yet, so go ahead. I cooked this myself."

I glanced at the young woman standing before me. She was undeniably beautiful, and I couldn't deny that everything she wore suited her perfectly. She possessed the kind of qualities most men would find irresistible—except me.

I wasn't oblivious to the unusual attention Iza had been giving me. However attractive she might be, she could never capture my heart. That's why, whenever possible, I made sure to treat her like a younger sister so she wouldn't develop deeper feelings for me.

"Just leave it there. I'll eat later."

"Forget later, okay? Eat first before you get back to work, Lance."

I eventually gave in. It seemed she was only a moment away from feeding me herself. I immediately started eating the food Merliza had brought. I had grown accustomed to calling her Iza. She was far too close to me, which often made me uncomfortable.

"Thanks, Iza."

"You're welcome, Lance. I'd do anything for you."

"Iza..."

"Like a brother, Lance. You remind me of my late brother, Kuya Jacob. He was the one who had your heart, and that's why I'm this close to you."

Merliza smiled at me, but her smile quickly faded when her eyes landed on the framed photograph. The moment she saw it, I noticed the longing in her eyes.

"So you still have Kuya's picture."

"I'm sorry. I was actually about to put it away."

My voice softened as I immediately picked up the photograph of Jacob and me and placed it inside the drawer.

I could feel Iza's anger and grief over losing her brother.

"I'm okay. Just tell me when you're done. I... I have something to do. I'll leave you alone now."

Merliza's voice cracked before she walked away.

I felt sorry for her. I knew she was still hurting over her brother's death. That was why I felt responsible for looking after her and taking care of her like a younger sister.

I let out a sigh of relief. It was clear that Iza genuinely regarded me as a brother, and I was thankful for that.