5

I got into Chance's apartment to see the two looking at me with grim expressions.

"What?" I asked as if nothing happened. I wore sports clothes, so I look like I went for a run. This way, they won't be suspicious of my actions.

"Where the hell have you been? I almost called a search party for you!" Kevin said, not masking his anger.

"Chill! I just went for a run! I can't just stay inside. I'm not a prisoner." I replied and pushed my way up to my room.

"Next time, tell us where you're going. At least someone could have accompanied you." Chance said while trying to keep up with me.

"And what? Expect you guys to drop everything for me? Chance, your café is in the heart of town, it's one of the busiest. You can't even sit down one minute because there's always a customer. And even if you do sit down, you are busy with inventory, stocks, and finances. And you, Kevin, you work in the police station. You're the captain, and your responsibilities are twice as much as the workload of everyone in the station. Do I expect that both of you will drop everything?" I looked at both of them, my words were harsh, but I wanted to make a point. They were shocked at my words, of course. Who wouldn't be? I just used their jobs against them.

"I'm not a damsel in distress, guys!" I sighed and went inside my room. I can hear them backing away from my door. I might have hurt their feelings, but I'm mad as well.

|

|

I looked at the app Andrew installed on my phone. It's obviously encrypted because my phone started to close all my other apps.

[[ENTER PASSWORD:_]]

0817.

It opened a series of files that I saw in the apartment. If I can work something out, then maybe it can trigger my memories. But first, I have to study MY profile. I opened my profile, and a lot of things popped into the screen. Not just a page but a whole lot of things. I got so excited I almost squealed.

*BUZZZ*

[I can chat with you safely here.]

Andrew sends a message through the app.

"Thanks for this," I replied.

[I should be the one thanking you. Even if you lost your memories, you still have that Zamira vibe. :)]

"Oh, I'm sure the other me is more fun," I responded.

[I hope you get your memories back. I miss working with my partner.]

"I hope I can get them back too," I replied.

[You better rest. By the way, to close the app, press the down volume three times. It will refresh the phone.]

"Thanks. Night, Drew." I responded. Did I just call him Drew? I smiled to myself. Oh, Zamira...Mira...what am I doing?

After a shower, I went ahead and opened the app once more. I should get to know myself more. I started reading my file. I don't know, but I felt dumbstruck. Is this really me? A lot of the things in my profile screams a powerful, dominant woman. So why did I do something stupid and get mugged?

I stared at my screen...what made me impulsive that day?

[Sleep. I can almost hear your mind.]

Andrew messaged me through the app. I almost giggled like a teenager.

"I'm just reviewing the cases. You are the one who needs sleep. Stop surveilling the apartment." I shoot him a reply.

[How did you know?]

"Instinct. Get some rest, Drew. I think I'm safe here." I responded.

[Fine. Just because you told me to.]

I smiled and went back to reading. I was so deep into reading that I haven't noticed the time. I yawned and stretched. It's already 5am.

Wow. I should really get back my memories. I think my old me is somewhere in my head waiting. I told myself and opened my window. It was still dark; the cool breeze was relaxing.

I looked around the street and saw how quiet and peaceful the place is. What made me stumble in this case anyway? I was so lost in thought, I didn't notice the loud knocks on my bedroom door.

*KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK*

"MARI! OPEN THE DOOR, PLEASE!" I snapped back into reality when the knocking got louder.

I reluctantly opened the door, still comprehending what was happening.

"WE HAVE TO MOVE, NOW!" Kevin and Chance are in front of my door, looking at me like they just saw a murder.

"What's happening? Where are we going?" I asked, but they were already packing my stuff as quickly as possible.

"Move now. Talk later." Kevin's voice was stern. I found myself quiet.

We got into Kevin's car, and he started driving into a different part of town. Almost at the outskirts?

"Mari."

"Mari."

"MARI!"

I was lost in my thoughts that I wasn't paying attention.

"Sorry, what?" I asked and looked at them both from the back of the car.

"I said when you went for a run, did you notice anyone follow you?" Kevin asked while still driving.

"Nope. It wasn't crowded. So I'd definitely see someone if I am being followed. What's this about?" I asked. I remembered I lied that I went for a run.

Chance handed me a paper with my face printed on it. It's a stolen shot of me sitting in the cafe. A red cross mark was painted over it. I was surprised, but I managed to snap a photo and send it to the app.

"Whoever this guy is, wants to hurt you," Kevin spoke, and I studied the paper once more. This photo looks different; I just can't tell why.

"More like taunting," I responded and gave the paper back to them.

"Taunting?! Mari, this was delivered straight into the apartment. This person knows where you are!" Chance said and looked at me.

"We're not risking it. I'll ask some officers to watch over you at all times, 24/7. That's final!" Kevin said dismissively. His hand is holding the steering wheel so tight he might even break them off.

I didn't argue and just looked out the window. There's no point arguing with these guys. It will only make things worse.

We arrived in an apartment that's almost within the city limits. If I'm correct, Andrew's apartment is not far from here.

"So... I have to stay here?" I asked. Kevin and Chance looked at each other.

"We're all staying here." Chance replied.

"We?" I asked. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes. You, Kevin, and me. Any questions?" Chance asked while crossing his arms as if waiting for me to put up a fight. I shrugged and looked around the apartment. It's big enough for the three of us.

"Let me show you your room." Kevin grabbed me by the arm and almost dragged me across the hallway. We reached my room, and he placed my bag on the bed.

"Thanks, you didn't have to pull me, though," I said and moved towards the window. Gosh, I didn't realize I'm so tired. I hope Kevin gets the message that I want to be alone. I heard him close the door, but I didn't move. I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to relax.

When all of a sudden, I was pulled into a tight embrace.

"Woah! Kevin! What are you-" I stopped as I felt his hug tighten. I can't even tell if it's my heart or his that was beating fast.

"Please let me protect you. I can't lose someone again." His voice was soft, with a hint of pain. He hugged me tighter, so tight it was almost drowning.

"Kevin. I--" I could only say his name.

"Please--" his voice was pleading. I could even feel him shaking. Maybe something from his past made him so protective?

I returned his hug. He buried his face on my shoulder. "Do I have a choice?" I asked him.

"No," he firmly said and planted a soft kiss on my neck. I felt a shiver down my spine, and my insides are flopping.

"Okay, Captain Evans. If that's the case, can you grant me my wish from before? If I remember, I didn't use it yet." I replied. He quickly loosed his hug and looked at me.

"What's your wish?" he asked nervously.

"I'll allow you to protect me, but can we ditch the bodyguard thing?" I asked. "Look, not because you're the chief, that doesn't mean you could just use them at your disposal. Especially for me." I added and placed one of my hands on his shoulder. "I'll be fine," I assured him.

"Stubborn." he placed his forehead to mine. I gently pushed him away to give us some space.

"Well. If we are all staying in one house, you better get used to it because I can be as stubborn as hell." I said and started to unpack my stuff.

"Mari. I'm serious. I've lost people close to me, and I don't think I can handle losing you too." he said and helped me fix my things.

So he considers me a friend? That's good to hear. I felt my insides somersault with that thought.

"Kevin, I'll be here. You won't lose me. 'Kay? So don't worry much about me. You're already stressed in the office. Don't add me to that pile." I told him.

"You're my priority now. In a short period, I realized how different you are. Not because you have amnesia, but because you make me feel...different. Somehow I feel like I can be me for a while. I can drop the act of being a stoic, cold-hearted captain and just be me." Kevin said, almost like whispering. I almost didn't catch his words.

"I wonder, will you be able to say that to me when I get my memories back?" I asked him curiously. I remembered reading my file, and I can be like...no...more heartless and cold-hearted than he is.

"Of course. Zamira or Mari. Whoever you are, I will still consider you as someone special." he said and smiled.

It feels good to know that I made a friend.

|

Later that night, I was able to convince them that I don't need a guard. They resorted to installing a CCTV camera around the area to monitor whoever is around.

"Are you sure you don't want to have a guard around?" Kevin asked. He was sitting beside me at the dining table while Chance is in front of me.

"Yes, I'm sure. Besides, I'll be mostly staying either in the café, library or park. So I don't need uniforms tailing me all the time." I said and looked at Kevin. A flash of his embrace crosses my mind. Don't tell me I'm developing feelings for this guy. Ugh.

*DING*

My phone rang. By now, the two are already used to my anonymous friend, who's Andrew. There's no way I'm telling them who he is, not yet, at least.

[He's closer than you think!]

"What the hell is that nonsense?" Chance said and read the message out loud.

"Maybe he was surprised when we moved places. So now he's trying to catch your attention." Kevin said.

Nope, not really. Andrew might have found something. But why warn me when this way. He could have messaged me in the app. Hmmm.

"Where's the threat paper?" I asked. Chance gave it to me, and I started looking at it closely. I pulled out a copy of the photos Andrew sent and put them side by side. "I knew there's something wrong with this photo!"

"What? Where?" Chance looked and studied the photos.

Kevin looked at the photos and then at me. And shook his head.

"Okay, look at the three photos. They're all taken from a distance, from inconspicuous places. Close enough to see our faces but far enough not to catch our attention. This recent photo, however, is close. Judging by the clothes I was wearing, it's Orange day, so that's Thursday. Whoever was there that day took this one."

Both men were focused, looking at me.

"You sure you didn't get your memories back?" Chance asked. Kevin was scanning the photo.

"Hmmm? What do you mean?" I asked.

"Nothing, you just seem a bit...different today, like a detective or something." Chance shrugged.

"I haven't slept a wink. Maybe it's just my head acting up." I replied and absentmindedly rubbed my eyes.

"I'll get my guys to have a look at this. Good eye, Mari! Meanwhile, you should take a rest." Kevin complimented and tousled my hair.

I went back to my room and checked my phone.

[No one was near the area when the photo was placed.]

"What do you mean?" I asked Andrew.

[I didn't leave last night. I was there when you and your guys ran out of the apartment.]

"So you mean to say, whoever planted the photo is in the area. Is there a blind spot that he could have slipped into?" I asked him.

[It's possible. But you have to be careful. One of your boys might be involved in these.]

"I hope not. I consider these two as friends, and I can't imagine being betrayed right now." I replied.

[If it makes you feel better. I went around town and tried asking around for missing people.]

"And?"

[You were right. It seems your guy is targeting homeless people to cover his tracks. The recent missing person I found was about a month ago. It was about the time you were attacked.]

"You looked at shelters?" I asked him, piecing together the information he found.

[Yes, luckily, they keep track of the people who go there. And the numbers...were decreasing]

I sighed and looked out the window.

"He's laying low. I wonder why." I responded.

[Maybe because he's keeping an eye on you?]

"He better stay away from me."

[Just be careful. I'll keep an eye on you and your housemates. Keep an eye on them too.]