CHAPTER TWO : AN UNEVENTFUL SUMMER!

VANESSA'S POV

Summer had begun, and with it came the familiar warmth that wrapped around me like a soft blanket. The days stretched longer, filled with the sound of laughter from kids playing outside and the sweet scent of blooming flowers wafting through the air. The sun hung high, casting a golden glow over everything, but it felt different this year. Instead of joy, I felt a lingering heaviness in my heart, a reminder of what once was. I just hope it passes by me quietly... without shaking my world up again.

"Good morning," I said to Mom as I poured myself some cereal.

"Good afternoon," she replied, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony.

"Are you planning to spend the entire summer just rotting away in bed?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm also planning to binge on my favorite shows and find other fun things to do indoors," I replied, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I felt. She shook her head, a mix of concern and amusement on her face.

"Well, I guess this is where these come in," she said, placing an envelope on the table.

"What's this?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"A ticket to Qingzhen," she replied.

"Qingzhen!" I exclaimed, my heart racing. "Isn't that where Grandma stays?" I asked, untapping the envelope and peeking inside.

"Your granny wants to sell the house," she said, her tone serious. "And she needs my help doing so. Selling a house isn't as simple as just a few days, so we shall be spending the summer with her in Qingzhen..."Take this as an opportunity to put yourself back together," she added, her voice steady but gentle.

"I know…" she continued, but I cut her off.

"I'll go," I replied, surprising even myself with the conviction in my voice.

"Really?" Her expression was a mix of disbelief and hope.

"Yes, you're right. This place is suffocating me. Maybe going to Qingzhen will help me regain my breath," I admitted, and I could see her smile bloom with relief.

"Right," she said, nodding.

"But there's only one ticket," I pointed out, frowning.

"Well, that's because I'll only be coming a week after you arrive," she explained.

"Why?" I questioned, my curiosity growing.

"I have some things to wrap up," she replied, but I could sense the weight behind her words.

"By 'things,' are you talking about your divorce with Dad?" I asked, and she nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"That and some work," she added, and I nodded in understanding.

"So you will be leaving tomorrow," she said, and I glared up at her in disbelief.

"Tomorrow!" I exclaimed, feeling the panic rise.

"Yes, the ticket is for the first flight in the morning tomorrow," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact.

"Isn't that soon? I haven't packed yet…" I protested.

"What does packing require? Just get some clothes, shoes, and your electronic accessories. If you forget anything, I can bring it to you in a week," she reassured me.

"Why do I feel like you're trying to get me away as soon as you can?" I questioned, a mix of concern and curiosity bubbling up inside me..."I'm not," I replied, but she continued, "Have you seen yourself for the past couple of weeks? It's like Xiyan has cast a dark cloud over you. Your summer plans are rotting away while you binge on some series… whatever happened to going on cruises like you used to?" She paused, realizing she had touched on a plan I made with Mark.

"Sorry," she said, and I nodded, feeling a mixture of emotions.

"No, it's okay… I'll go and pack up," I said, standing up to leave.

"Van, sweetie… I didn't mean to—" she started, but I chuckled softly.

"It's okay, Mom. We can talk about him," I replied, trying to ease the tension.

"I'll go and pack up," I reiterated, feeling the urgency of the situation.

"Right! The ticket," I suddenly remembered, turning back to grab it from the counter before heading to my room.

My initial plans for the summer—the cruise with Mark and his parents—had been so exciting, a special invitation that I had looked forward to for so long. But that was beside the point now. I had to focus on packing for my trip to Qingzhen tomorrow. I mean, I love Qingzhen; who am I kidding? The last time I went there was when I was 10 years old. Granny always comes to visit us here in Xiyan.

Anyway, Mom was right. I needed a change in environment, and Qingzhen would be my escape. With that thought in mind, I quickly packed my things, anticipation building for the journey ahead.

*

*

As I settled into my seat on the flight, excitement and worry bubbled within me, knowing that soon I'd be in Qingzhen. The landing was smooth, but it was that unforgettable cold breeze that greeted me, cutting through the summer heat, that truly signaled my arrival. I hailed a cab through an app, my anticipation growing as I waited in the lobby for the driver to call. Scrolling through my phone, I was momentarily distracted by a commotion nearby.

Suddenly, I spotted two men sprinting past—one in hot pursuit of the other. "Catch him!" shouted the man behind, his voice laced with urgency. The crowd seemed frozen, unsure of how to react. Then I heard the word "thief," and without a second thought, I extended my leg just as the fleeing man approached. He stumbled over it, and in an instant, a young man caught up, tackling the thief to the ground. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through me as I watched the scene unfold.

"Where's the lady's purse?" the young man panted, clearly exhausted from the chase. The pinned thief shook his head defiantly, insisting he had nothing. But my eyes were sharp, and I spotted the bulge in his side pocket. I scoffed, bending down to retrieve it. "Is this it?" I asked, holding up the purse, while the young man looked up at me, his hair falling into his eyes, a mix of surprise and relief on his face..."Let me take a look..." he said, pulling the purse from my grasp. Just then, an elderly lady approached, her face a mix of disturbance and fear. "Madam, is this it?" he asked, his voice steady yet urgent. "Yes... yes, that's it," she replied anxiously, her eyes darting between us.

"Why were you lying about it then?" he shot at the thief, smacking him lightly behind the head, a mix of frustration and disbelief in his tone. It wasn't long before the guards arrived, quickly taking control of the situation. "Hold him tightly... make sure he doesn't escape," he instructed, his voice firm as the guards led the thief away. Turning back to the old lady, he softened. "You must have gotten scared... I am really sorry you had to go through all that."

"No, I'm glad you were there to help," she responded, relief washing over her as she clutched the purse tightly. Applause erupted around us, and I felt a warmth in my chest at the heartwarming scene, but my moment of reflection was cut short by the chiming of my phone. It was a message from the cab driver, letting me know he had arrived. I quickly grabbed my luggage and turned to leave when suddenly, a voice called out, "Excuse me!"

I turned to see the young man rushing towards me, still breathless from the chaos. "Hey!" he said, catching his breath, his eyes bright with gratitude. "I still haven't thanked you for your help earlier." I nodded, a smile creeping onto my face. "It's okay..." I replied,"No, I can't take all the praise," he insisted, his eyes earnest. "The granny we helped out wants to treat me to lunch. I think it would only be fair if she treated the both of us since you played an important role in making sure he didn't get away." I nodded, appreciating his sentiment.

"I'm sorry, but I have somewhere urgent to be," I replied, feeling a twinge of regret. "You can have lunch with her on my behalf; you did most of the work." I glanced at him one last time, knowing I needed to go. "I should get going," I added, quickly turning to leave.

As I climbed into the taxi, my heart was still racing from the whirlwind of events. "Where to, Ms?" the driver asked, breaking my thoughts. I fumbled with my phone, checking the address before reading it out to him. Leaning back in my seat, I let out a sigh. This definitely had not started out as the uneventful summer I had envisioned.

*

*

It wasn't long before we arrived at Granny's residence. The taxi pulled over, and I quickly stepped out, grateful as the driver helped me with my luggage. After scanning his code to pay, I nodded my thanks and turned to make my way to the gate. I rang the bell, and after a moment, I was let in and directed to the entrance. I rang the bell again, and the door swung open to reveal a young lady around my age, her face lighting up with a huge smile.

"You finally made it!" she exclaimed, and I stared at her, a mix of confusion and excitement swirling within me. "It's me... Van Van... Amy!" she said, and I took a moment to look her over. The Amy I remembered from years ago was chubby, but the girl standing in front of me was... different.

"I know, we last met ten years ago, so it's normal you forgot about me," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. "No, that's not it. I remember you," I replied quickly, trying to salvage the moment. "You do? I'm so glad!" she said, pulling me in for a hug. Everything about our reunion felt like one surprise after another.

"Are you going to let her come in?" a familiar voice called from inside. I peeked through the door and saw Granny. "Grandma!" I called out, rushing to envelop her in a warm embrace. "Ahhh, I missed the smell of your perfume," I said, holding her even tighter, feeling the comfort of home wash over me..."Come on, let me take a closer look at you," Granny said, pulling back from our embrace as she scanned me from head to toe. "Ahh, you've become so thin! Doesn't Sarah feed you?" she questioned, pinching my cheeks playfully. "Granny, I've been eating enough," I replied, gently pulling her hands away.

"This place looks different," I remarked, my eyes wandering around the familiar yet changed surroundings. "Of course it does. Your mom last brought you here when you were ten," she said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "Well, I'm glad you're here now and will be staying longer this time," she added, just as Amy walked in, fidgeting with my luggage.

"Let me help you," I said, rushing over to her. "No, it's okay. I can manage," she replied, though it was clear she was struggling. "Just let her help you, and show her to her room," Granny chimed in, her tone leaving no room for argument. I remembered that Amy was my cousin—her dad was my mom's brother, if I recalled correctly.

"You should go and freshen up. Let's catch up afterward," Granny suggested. I rushed to her one last time for a hug before heading upstairs with Amy. As we reached my room, the door swung open to reveal a carefully decorated bedroom, filled with warmth and memories waiting to be made..."Granny spent the entire day in here, trying to make everything perfect for when you arrived," Amy said as I stepped into the room and took in the surroundings. "It's beautiful," I replied, genuinely impressed. "Well, I helped too," she said, managing to coax a chuckle out of me. "Thank you," I said, appreciating her effort.

"I'll let you take a shower and settle in," she added, turning to leave. I let out a sigh, allowing my eyes to wander around the room, soaking it all in before sinking into the cozy sofa. Just then, my phone rang—it was Mom.

"Hey, Mom," I said, leaning back comfortably. "Hey! I thought you were supposed to call me immediately after you arrived. It's been two hours," she said, a hint of concern in her voice. I chuckled softly, "Sorry, it slipped my mind. I've just arrived at Granny's house."

"Well, I'll let you have your rest then," she replied. "Okay," I said, still smiling. "I'll call you Granny then," she added before hanging up. I closed my eyes, pondering her words, a sense of warmth enveloping me as I settled into this new chapter. "What was that?" I questioned softly, shaking my head with a smile.

*

*

After my refreshing shower, a sudden wave of panic washed over me as I glanced down at my wrist. My heart raced. "Where is it?" I muttered, my fingers instinctively reaching for the charm bracelet that usually adorned my wrist. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as I searched frantically through my purse, tossing aside lip gloss and loose change. "Did I leave it somewhere?" I wondered aloud, my mind racing back to the last moments I remembered wearing it.

As I rifled through my belongings, a sinking feeling settled in. "Or perhaps did I leave it at the..." I trailed off, the realization hitting me like a freight train. "Airport!" I exclaimed, a deep sigh escaping my lips. The thought of losing it made my heart ache.

*

*

JASON'S POV

I glanced at the bracelet I had picked up at the airport earlier, and it took me back to that moment when I first met her. "What's that?" Ed asked, his curiosity piqued as he reached for the bracelet. "Ohhhh, does it belong to your girlfriend?" he teased, and I couldn't help but scoff.

"Seriously? I've spent the last eight months in a therapeutic rehab facility. Where would I have found the time to get a girlfriend?" I shot back, a hint of frustration in my voice. Ed just shrugged, undeterred. "Still, you could have bonded with someone there. I've seen that happen in movies," he replied, a smirk on his face.

I sat up, shaking my head. "Rule number one of being a patient at rehab: don't fall in love with another patient. At first, I thought it was ridiculous—how could they expect us to ignore romantic feelings? But the more time I spent there, the clearer it became. It gets messy, really messy." Ed nodded, understanding dawning on him. "I guess that makes sense. So, whose bracelet is it?" he asked, shifting back to the topic at hand.

"I picked it up," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. "Picked it? And are you planning to return it to its owner?" he pressed, and I scoffed again. "Yes, if I knew how to get it back to her. Now stop with the interrogation! Your dad is rubbing off on you," I said, rolling my eyes at the thought of his detective instincts kicking in..."Yeah, he really is. Nothing feels quite right anymore. I find myself questioning everything, and I guess that's why Amy and I break up at least three times a month since we started dating. And it's only been three months," Ed admitted with a chuckle, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

"Wait, you and Amy are dating now?" I asked, surprised to realize how much I had missed while I was away. "Yeah, we bonded over my loss of a friend," he said, pointing at me with a smirk. "Glad I could help," I replied, my sarcasm dripping.

"How did you even know I was back?" I questioned, puzzled. "Your dad told me the moment you got home. We're only a few blocks apart, so I rushed over," he explained. "You can't tell anyone else that I'm back," I said firmly. "Why not?" he pressed. "Just... I want some time to myself," I replied, the weight of my feelings pressing down on me. "I don't think I'm ready to be out there."

"Well, I don't think that's going to be possible," he said, showing me his phone screen. "If you really wanted to keep a low profile, you should have thought twice." He held up a video of my airport chase, and I felt a rush of frustration. "I guess your dad rubbed off on you too," I muttered, knowing my own father's police instincts were hard to shake.

"Ahhh," I sighed, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "Don't worry, though," Ed said with a reassuring grin. "Most people have already forgotten what happened eight months ago." I shot him a glare, knowing that wasn't entirely true..."I don't care if they've forgotten or not... I just can't shake this feeling of not wanting to be out there anymore.

Being locked up in this rehab center has created this safety bubble around me, and even though they keep insisting I'm ready to face the world, I'm still not so sure. What if something triggers me and I... Well, I guess what's happened has happened. I'll just be the one doing the avoiding," I muttered, leaning back in my seat and letting out a heavy sigh.

"An uneventful summer?" I scoffed to myself, realizing it was going to be anything but that. The thought of stepping back into the chaos felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, the ground beneath me uncertain. I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me out there, and the anxiety twisted in my stomach like a tight knot.

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