They didn't talk about Meredith Jones, but Miguel's words were enough for Lara to put her mind at ease.He told her not to believe the news. That meant it wasn't true.Later that evening, Tasya called to thank her. The problem had been resolved, and the threats from their investors about pulling out were gone."I owe you, Lara," Tasya said, still sniffling. "What will I ever do without you? What if you weren't my friend, and I got into this mess? Where would I end up if my parents disowned me?""That's what you get for trusting so easily," Chester interjected. He was with them on the video call, and he didn't hide his disappointment with their friend."Chester!" Lara shot him a glare. "Don't blame her anymore!""He's right, though," Tasya said. "I'm sorry for dragging you into my mess, Lara.""It's okay. Everything's fine now. Just be careful next time, alright? You might get into trouble yourself next time.""Listen to Lara, Tasya. And try to be less gullible with guys. Next time, in

They went to a different bar. Although it was the same typical noisy, dark, and smoky, there were the second and third floors. They stayed on the second floor where Chester was said to be."Let's stay here to avoid the noise," Tasya said. "We can only afford membership up to the second floor. The third floor is super VIP. I need to date a billionaire first before I can afford it," she joked before they stopped in front of a closed door. Their guide knocked before it was opened for them, and the guide bid them farewell."Princesses are taking forever," Chester complained immediately, holding a menu of food and drinks."Traffic," Tasya replied.It was quiet there, and honestly, it didn't feel like a bar. It was cozy, clean, and fragrant. No smell of smoke."So, why do we have an urgent meeting again? I had to send my companion home just to come here," he asked, lifting his gaze. Concern immediately flashed in his eyes as they fell on her injured arm. "What happened to your arm, Lara?" I

"This is not the way home," she couldn't help but speak when she noticed that the road they were taking was not leading to their house. "I badly wanted to rest. Please just take me home!"Miguel didn't respond. Instead, he seemed to grip the steering wheel tighter.Lara was frustrated and on the verge of tears. She was tired of all the drama that day."Where are we going?" she asked after a few moments of silence, the route they were taking unfamiliar to her. It seemed like they were leaving the city."Just shut up and quit asking, Lara!" he replied, his patience running out."Why? Don't I have the right to know where you're taking me? I am tired of obeying your orders, Miguel!" she said, her voice full of resentment."Obeying my orders? When have you ever followed? Since this day started, all you've done is argue and insist on what you want!" he replied angrily. "You never listened to me!""Because I don't want to anymore! Stop treating me like I don't have my own life! Can't I decid

"Why would you be?" she asked. She didn't believe it. Why would he be jealous? Did he have feelings for her? No, he didn't, right?Then it wasn't jealousy he was feeling. It must have just been his ego being bruised by her closeness with Chester.The pain in her eyes deepened when Miguel avoided her gaze. She knew it."Stop being rude to Chester and I'll let you and your friend do your thing. I just hope that you'll get a good night's rest whenever you remember my sister," she walked away after that.He didn't follow her. Lara's heart shattered even more. For a moment, she thought there was hope for them. Had he answered her and not looked away, she shouldn't be feeling hurt now.Miguel was not sure of his feelings. He loved Lena. He was protective of Meredith. And he claimed he was jealous of Chester's closeness to her. Yet, he couldn't confirm when asked. He couldn't give her a reason why.Was it just a whim? That was just absurd!Lara suddenly realized she was crying as she walked

"What are you doing?" Lara asked, her smile impossible to suppress as she watched her apron-clad husband in the kitchen."I'm cooking, can't you see?" He raised his brows playfully.It had only been their third day there, but Lara felt like she was getting used to this playful side of him. He was sweet and caring.Sometimes, she wondered if he was becoming the man he used to be before he lost Lena. Lara could still remember how she adored him back then.But it was a different kind of love. She loved him because Lena loved him. Because she thought he was going to be her brother-in-law."You can cook?" she approached him, curious about what he was preparing for their lunch. "Stew?""Uh-huh," he answered, adjusting the temperature to low. "This will be done in a minute. Are you already hungry?"She shook her head. "Not really. I didn't know that you could cook—""Don't be fooled," Mabel interrupted, carrying freshly washed chili peppers. "I just asked him to look after it," she teased."