8

Days after the incident, Kevin decided to move me back to his house. Chance stayed over some days, and I felt that the place is...suffocating. I still meet Andrew in the library, and our progress is as slow as on Kevin's end.

"We're getting nowhere." I sighed in frustration. Whoever killed Alexandra is the reason behind why I lost my memory. And she paid the price for telling someone. Ugh.

"Don't feel bad. Wanna go for a walk?" Andrew offered. I looked at him... startled. He wants to walk? Like walk in the park or walk around the library?

"W-walk?" I asked. He looked at me and smiled brightly.

"It's okay. C'mon." He offered his hand, and I took it. We used the side door of the library and headed straight into the forest near the library. We followed a trail and went up a clearing.

"Wow~" I whispered as I looked at the place full of fresh flowers. The cool breeze made the plants dance around gracefully.

"Do you like it?" Andrew asked. I nodded and bent down to touch the flowers.

"How'd you know this place?" I curiously asked. I don't even know this place exists!

"You sent a photo to me through the app when you first got here. I was still mad at you for taking this case, but you still sent updates," Andrew said and showed me a photo I supposedly sent. It was archived, so I didn't see it when I opened the app before.

"I didn't know," I replied sheepishly.

"That's fine," he replied and tousled my hair. "You always liked hydrangeas. You always have those in your office." He shared and looked far, like remembering someone from the past.

"Really?" I said and gave it a thought. "Now that I think about it, I always placed fresh hydrangeas in Chance's cafe every week."

"Old habits die hard?" Andrew let out a chuckle and smiled. It was my first time to hear him laugh and smile so innocently... even just for a while. It suits him.

"You should laugh and smile more. It brings out a different side of you." I blurted out. Did I just say that out loud? I turned my head away from him due to embarrassment. What am I saying?

"You should do the same. I kinda miss the old you." He said.

"Like the Zamira before me getting messed up here?" I asked while pointing my head.

"No. I mean the Zamira even before that. I met you three years before you joined the force. And you were... let's say... like this before." He said while twirling a flower he plucked.

"So, I was different then?" I asked curiously. "What changed?"

"It's a story for another day. We should head back. Your boyfriend might be waiting for you." he said as he looked at his watch.

"He's not my boyfriend," I replied. Although, thinking about him already makes my heart flutter.

"Whatever, Zamira. I know you." He said and gave me a playful smirk.

"Oh, shut up!" I replied and punched him on the arm. He laughed at my reaction, and I laughed as well.

|

Andrew left me near the library as he went to the busy market. I turned the corner and bought some hydrangeas in the flower shop.

"What are those for?" Kevin asked when I almost bumped into him on the street going to the station.

"Hmmm? I buy flowers all the time and put them in the café. Do you want me to put some in your apartment too?" I asked.

"That's not what I meant." he shyly said and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Huh?" I looked at him with a big question mark on my face.

"I should have bought you flowers," he muttered under his breath. His voice was so small I almost missed it.

"When was the last time you dated?" I asked teasingly. A tinge of pink flushed on his cheeks.

"Dunno," he replied and looked away, still flustered with my straightforwardness.

I chuckled and wrapped my arm around his arm. He was a bit surprised, but he seemed to like it.

"We better pick up Chance. I have to put this in the café, too," I said. He nodded and looked away.

It was just a ten-minute walk. We got there to see Chance clearing some broken glass.

"Uhm, what happened?" I asked while placing the flowers on top of the counter. Kevin looked around and saw some customers are rattled. He went in their direction to ask what happened.

"Just a small fight with a kid." Chance casually replied.

"Kid? Who?" I asked curiously.

"Alexandra's brother. He's just frustrated about all of the things happening. Let him be." Chance replied. Somehow I felt bad for the kid. He just lost his sister at my expense.

"Do you need help?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Nah. I'm almost done. Night shift is here, so we can go after I finish this." he casually replied and disappeared at the back of the café.

"I wonder what pissed off Alexandra's brother?" I muttered to myself.

"He was drunk. According to the guys over there, he stumbled into the café demanding to see you. When he didn't see you, he just lashed out." Kevin explained when he got to my side.

A sudden feeling of dread washed over me. What if... Jason, Alexandra's brother, blames me for Alexandra's death. I looked around and saw some people looking at me.

"Let's go." Chance ran up to us and almost pushed me out of the café.

I didn't feel like eating dinner, so I went straight to my room. I opened the app, and a message immediately popped.

[I have a surprise tomorrow. I hope you like it.]

"What?" I asked.

[You'll have to wait until tomorrow to know.]

I didn't reply and just closed the app.

I have to confront Jason at some point. If Alexandra told her something before she passed away, he might know something that could help me. I sharply breathed as I turned to get some sleep.

*BUZZ*BUZZ*BUZZ*

[ANONYMOUS NUMBER]

An unknown number suddenly called me. I hesitated to answer, but what if it's... important? I reluctantly answered the call.

"H-hello?" I asked.

[See me tomorrow in the alleyway at 8pm.]

"Who's thi-" I didn't even finish my sentence and the call already ended. I wonder who that is?

I shook my head and tried to get some sleep. I twist and turn, but I couldn't sleep at all. I decided to head to the kitchen to get some water.

When I reached the landing, I saw Kevin hunched over some case files. He's still working even at this hour.

"You should sleep. You have work tomorrow." I said softly. He looked up, startled by my presence.

"I'm fine. I'm just studying some cases," Kevin tiredly replied.

"It won't do you any good if you are tired. It'll just mess with your head," I said and slowly pulled the case files away from him. He stifled a yawn.

"Fine. You'll be with me tomorrow, right?" Kevin asked. I nodded.

"Yes, Captain. I'm yours tomorrow." I casually replied.

"I hope you are mine... every day." he softly said and rubbed the back of his neck, flustered.

I almost choked with the water hearing this. "Mmhmm. Definitely messed with the head. Go to sleep, Kev," I said while patting his shoulder. His face showed slight disappointment but hid it with a forced smile.

"G'night," he said as I went back to my room, trying to hide my pink cheeks.