Chapter 28

SYBIL cupped his cheek and met his gaze. She saw fear in his eyes.
“I don’t know if I should tell you this or not… but there’s danger, Sybil.” He heaved a sigh.
She helped him to sit up.
“I know…” She pressed her lips firmly. “But we still didn’t know who did this to you and why.”
What could be the culprit’s intent? She wanted to know the secrets behind their forgotten memories more than ever. Sybil wanted to find out if she or Ace was in danger.
“Listen…” He held her hands firmly. “I don’t think the package was intended for either of us.”
Her forehead creased after hearing what he had said.
“W-what…? How?”
“The culprit went straight to the storage room, Sybil. And before I fully lost consciousness, I saw him pick up the package.”
“He got the package. Do you mean… the package’s missing?” Ace nodded his head in response. “No… this is ridiculous. Wait, this isn’t just a mistaken identity or wrong address.” Her eyes widened.
“What is it?” He looked at her intently.
“Could it be for Sonja?”
“I told you before that the package could be hers, didn’t I? Did she mention anything else when you told her about the package when it arrived?”
“She thought it was meant for one of us.” Sybil didn’t want to think ill about Sonja. She had known her for a year and could tell she was a kind person with a big heart. “Do you think Sonja’s in trouble? That there’s someone out there who hates her and…”
“We never know,” Ace said in a low tone. “I’ve only known her for a short time.”
“I-I don’t think Sonja’s doing something unpleasant.” She let out a sigh.
“Then why would she live somewhere far and secluded?” he countered. “Why would she suddenly leave—”
“Ace…” Sybil gnashed her teeth. “Sonja left because her mother’s sick, and she had to take care of her. Perhaps the package arriving when she had already left was just a coincidence?”
She would choose to give Sonja the benefit of the doubt and wait until she could hear her side of the story if there were anything she needed to explain. Sonja didn’t do anything bad to her after all.
She rose from her seat afterward.
“I will go settle your bill so we can go home.”
Sybil grabbed her phone and purse from the bedside table and headed out of the room. But she didn’t go to the billing yet and looked for a silent place to make a call. She tried calling Sonja. The other line rang, but no one answered. She tried calling again and again until the other line was out of reach.
What’s happening? Why won’t she answer my calls?
She couldn’t help but wonder.
“Oh, I hope nothing’s wrong.”
Sybil pocketed her phone and finally went to the billing to settle the bill. It would be better to go home now and lay out their plan. It would be best to be prepared than nothing. She didn’t want another incident like that to happen.

SHE didn’t know how the news of what happened to Ace last night spread like wildfire in their community. Everyone who knew them was gathered in front of the cabin when they came home from the hospital. Then she saw Raine behind the crowd when she finally got off the car.
She rushed to her immediately and stood by her side as she opened the door while everyone was interviewing Ace.
“Why did you tell the neighborhood about the incident?” she asked in a low tone. Sybil pushed the door open and went in.
Raine followed her without invitation.
“Well, I’m worried about you and Ace. Don’t you think it would be better if everyone around you here knows about it? It could help you two be safe,” Raine countered.
Sybil halted from going to the kitchen and turned in her direction. She then propped her hands on her waist and sighed.
“You know who must know the incident? The police, Raine. But instead of reporting it to the police, you told the whole neighborhood. Now, what would they think about us? Ace and I—”
“Come on.” Raine went to her side and gave her a light tap on the shoulder. “We are on big family in this neighborhood, aren’t we? They’re just worried about you and your boyfriend.”
“W-wait, what?” Sybil’s eyes grew wider. “Who said Ace’s my boyfriend?”
Ace and Sybil might have this special relationship, but they haven’t told anyone about it yet.
“I-isn’t he?” Raine’s brows furrowed. “Everyone in this neighborhood knows you two are together since he came here.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. Yeah, right… that was what everyone would think since no one knew the incident and how Ace got there. Only a few people who knew about it chose to keep their mouths shut.
Sybil heaved a deep sigh afterward and shook her head.
“You know what… since you’re here and the one responsible for this crowd in front of our cabin, you must help me make some hot chocolate for everyone to drink.”
“Sure.” Raine wrapped an arm around her shoulders and ushered her to the kitchen.

THE visitors didn’t stay long. After an hour, they left one by one, leaving Sybil and Ace all by themselves again. She was washing the dishes when Ace appeared in the kitchen.
“Are you hungry?” She gave him a side-way glance. “I don’t think I can still cook lunch, so I told Raine to buy us food. She will be here soon, don’t worry.”
He nodded his head and smiled.
“You must be tired.” Ace tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ear. “And you also lack decent sleep.”
“I’m fine.” She pulled the towel from the rack and dried her hands.
“Anyway…” He sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter. “Mr. Peterson suggested we shouldn’t stay here for a while until we still haven’t figured out what this is all about.”
“Are you suggesting we leave this place?” she asked with a deep knot on her forehead.
“Yeah. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson offered us a room at their farmhouse.” He cocked his head to the side. “It would also be convenient for me since I work there.” Ace snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. He even pressed their foreheads and kissed the tip of her nose afterward. “Please say yes, Sybil. I don’t want to go to work and leave you here alone after what happened….”
“Make me say yes then,” she muttered, challenging him.
To her surprise, he lifted her and deposited her above the kitchen counter. It made her squeal, but she gladly took him into her arms when he started kissing her on the lips.
Sybil moaned in protest when he suddenly ended the kiss. Grinning, she grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him for a kiss again. However, Ace cut it short again. This time, she groaned out of frustration.
“What’s your answer, Sybil?” Ace asked with a smile that teased the hell out of her.
“Yes. Let’s take their offer.”
“Great.”
He was about to kiss her again when they heard Raine’s voice roaring inside the house. Sybil could only shut her eyes tightly and got off the kitchen counter.
“Well, we have to eat first,” Ace whispered to her ear.
“Yeah, right.”
“Hi, love birds!” Raine greeted with a grin and put the plastic bags above the table. “Here’s your lunch. Eat well!” She turned around immediately and headed out of the kitchen as though nothing had happened.
“Aren’t we supposed to ask her to join us?” Ace asked afterward.
“She’s in a hurry anyway.”
Sybil pulled a chair and started taking their meal out.