I gave the old man a half smile. I turned to Greta. Her eyes were shining now as she taught others about writing. It looked like she was now happy in the little world she created inside the four corners of her room. But it wasn’t Greta’s real world.
She still had a father waiting for her in the real world.
“I sincerely wish her healing, uncle. I wish all of us… a complete healing.”

(Jeremiah)
“THIS is a nice place. The food is superb, too.”
“I’m glad you liked it,” I told Katie. She was Arlo’s fiancée. Arlo was my executive assistant and a friend rolled into one.
Three years ago, Katie and I dated each other first. When my mother eventually grew tired of playing a matchmaker to me and Alison, she introduced Katie to me. She was also a surgeon.
Katie was the only woman whom I dated for a long time. But after seven months, we both decided to call it quits. A few months after that, I heard she started seeing Arlo. And I was genuinely happy for the both of them. Arlo was a good guy. Katie was quite a catch, too.
Tonight, they just informed me that they were getting married. And since Arlo felt like I contributed a lot to their relationship, he decided to treat me to dinner tonight.
“This is Sir Jeremiah’s favorite restaurant,” Arlo explained.
“Actually, this is one of Alison’s favorite places. She likes French cuisine,” I said after sipping on my wine. “We come here from time to time.”
Katie laughed. “Do you remember when we were still dating? You also took me to some of Alison’s favorite places. You like only the things that she likes. If something doesn’t involve her, you wouldn’t want it anymore. Just like this place. If Alison didn’t happen to like this place, for sure, you would never be here.” She clicked her tongue. “It was always about her.”
My forehead creased. “Really? I didn’t notice.”
“That was the simplest way to make Sir Rem happy, love,” Arlo said while shaking his head. “Under normal circumstances, I’d be jealous, you know, if not for the clear spark in your eyes for me.” He chuckled. “Do you remember that was also our topic when we accidentally met in a bar? You were brokenhearted and whining about Sir Rem constantly thinking about Miss Alison.
“But that’s the kind of man he is. Only topics related to Miss Alison can make him talk. Let’s just accept that. Ask him about other things and he wouldn’t care, well except if its business related. But ask about his best friend and he wouldn’t stop bragging. Each time there’s good news in the company, he would treat his employees. And in the middle of the conversation, we’d find out that that resto was Miss Alison’s favorite. He’s doing that without being aware of it.”
Arlo turned to me. “Why couldn’t you just court Miss Alison, Sir? It’s obvious how you can’t live without her.”
I just smiled and asked about their wedding plans instead to deviate the topic.
After dinner, we bid goodbye and I headed to my car. But I couldn’t drive right away. I leaned against the back rest and closed my eyes. Just like before, Alison’s lovely face immediately popped in my head. I opened my eyes and sighed when I remembered Arlo’s question.
“Did you really think it never occurred to me?” I whispered after some time. “I would have courted her… had I known that I stand even the slightest chance. But I know her so well. Ever since, I never had the chance in her heart.”

(Alison)
After checking the inventory, I started sorting out the files on my table. I was about to leave when my eyes accidentally landed onto the shelf in one corner of the office which Jeremiah’s mother prepared for me.
Ever since managing aunt Ingrid’s coffee shop, I haven’t had the time to take a look at the books there. I was that busy. I stepped closer to the shelf and when I noticed the scrapbook which Jeremiah gave me before. I put it there so I could open it once I’m free.
The book beside the scrapbook was big and thick. The cover was red. According to Jasper, an old woman gave it to him as her way of thanking him for returning her wallet. And because he knew that I love books, he ended up giving it to me but I hadn’t opened it yet.
The title was ‘The Truth About Arameth’. It was just a fiction book, but it reminded me of Alexandros and his lies. There was a possibility that Arameth was not really the name of his kingdom. I was not sure about anything related to him anymore. As for the book, I would have forgotten about it if I didn’t see it tonight.
My brows furrowed after a while. I was sure that Jasper put the book in the drawer in my room. I would have known because he kept mentioning it to me, he kept asking whether it was interesting or not since there was no information written on the cover of the book.
How come that it was suddenly in my office? Jasper wouldn’t have brought that here since he was never the type to meddle with my personal belongings.
I shook my head. What am I thinking? Of course, it has to be Jasper… or Nana Marcia unless the book suddenly grew feet and came here on its own to remind me that I hadn’t read it yet.
I laughed at the thought and held the book for a while. But after a few minutes, I ended up grabbing the scrapbook. My mind was too tired to read… but not too tired to reminisce.
I sat on my swivel chair. All the employees had left that’s why I have some time to spare. Only me and the guard outside were left in the shop.