This is dedicated to my special someone. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2: The Day an Unknown Number Called Me

Biya's POV

The next day, I woke up extra early to go to the pastry shop for me to buy my breakfast. I was determined to pack my things at Paolo's house so I have to go there early before I get to work. I grabbed a pair of boots and wore leggings. I got my black hoodie up to cover myself from the cold and went to the neighboring shop.

"Buon giorno, Mister Ilario." I greeted pulling the top of my hoodie off my head as I entered his cozy pastry shop. A bell rang when I opened the door causing him to turn to look at his newly arrived customer. The aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee met me and I was in heaven.

"Ah! Biya! Right on time. Your favorite muffins were just finished baking. I am now cooling them off." The cheerful baker beamed at me.

"Have a good day, Signore!" He spoke to his customer as he handed him a paper bag full of delicious bread. Then he called his other employee to manage the counter as more people fell in line.

"Alonza! Please attend the other customers. Thank you!" He called for someone and a young woman wearing a hairnet, gloves and an apron went out of the two white doors behind him.

"Yes, sir." She replied to her boss before she went to her work.

"So, how are you? I heard the news about you and Chef Carini." I sighed at his question. I guess I can't avoid the topic any longer. I saw Mr. Ilario have a little frown at my reaction.

"That bad, eh? You had a rough relationship?" He asked softly at the side so people won't hear us.

"You can say that." I said giving him my payment for the bread I usually order.

"Well, you'll be okay. You always find the bright side of it, yes?" He said smiling at me. Another worker holding a tray came out of the white doors and went to where all kinds of bread were displayed in a glass cabinet. I saw that it was the bread that I was waiting for.

"Ah! There they are. Wait a minute. I'll go get your order." Mr. Ilario excused himself and grabbed a paper bag. He got his tongs and began putting muffins in the paper bag. While I waited, my phone beeped and I dug it from my hoodie's pocket.

From: Percyla Moretti- De Luca

Subject: You

How are you, sis? I saw the news and I feel horrible that I am not there for you. Are you okay?

"Ah, gosh! Even now that you should be having your honeymoon, you are worrying about me." I chuckled at her text but I was touched by her thoughtfulness.

To: Percyla Moretti- De Luca

Subject: Worry no more sis

Don't worry about me, sis. I'm fine. Just enjoy your honeymoon, Per. I am okay. I promise. I am so sorry for hiding something from you. I'll talk to you when you come home. :)

From: Percyla Moretti- De Luca

Subject: Okay

Okay then. I understand that you don't want to talk about a past that gave you a hard time. I'll see you soon, sis.

To: Percyla Moretti- De Luca

Subject: Enjoy your life there!

I'll be here. Thank you again, sis.

That was our last chat before Mr. Ilario came towards me and handed me the paper bag containing my order.

"Here it is, Biya." He said and he gave me my change.

"Thanks, Mr. Ilario." I sent him a smile before I said my goodbyes and went out of his shop. I put my hood back on and took a walk back to my apartment. As I continued to walk, I enjoyed the view of my Italian neighborhood. Some people were up early walking to their destination with a cup of drink in their hands, while some have their gazes at their phones as they walked. I sighed in displeasure at that. They just might learn their lesson not to have their eyes on their phones while walking if they get into an accident. I pray for them not to be in any danger. Some of the others that I treated when I was an intern were in an accident caused by phones. I saw some people jogging. I should do some exercise since I was in a medical field, I thought to myself. I silently went inside my apartment and had my breakfast of my favorite muffin with slices of fruit on top and a cup of coffee. When I finished, I quickly got into the shower and prepared for the day. After an hour, I got out of my apartment and was ready for the day. As I got into my car, I texted Mama Lorie.

To: Lorena Moretti

Subject: Home

I'm going there, Lorie. I have to start packing my things there. I'll see you later!

I pressed send then started my car and drove to the house I called home. Mom was waiting for me in the living room when I arrived. Paolo already was at work so it was only her in the house.

"Where are the others?" I asked as we went to my room.

"I sent them home. They should rest. Besides, it was only the two of us who are now living here." She said and I nodded. It was bittersweet that they were the ones that were left in this mansion. It massive and yet two people only lived in this place.

"I'll miss Percyla here. She brings life in the house." I started a conversation. Mom softly laughed then smiled.

"She brings life because of her passion in cakes and dancing." She said and I smiled.

"I remember the first time I was here and she grabbed me by the elbow. I thought something happened but she said she needed a dance partner."

"Yes. But it's okay. As long as you kids are happy, we are happy." She patted my head in affection after that. I started packing my clothes I needed as soon as we arrived in my room. Lorie helped me and after an hour my clothes were packed in a box.

"There. Your clothes are ready to be shipped in your apartment." She said putting my box in the corner.

"Thank you, mom. I'll bring the box home with me so I can pile them with my other clothes."

"Oh. Okay, then. Paolo is going to check your apartment maybe tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll go with him." After that, she and I had some refreshments while we rested. She prepared tea and I helped her get two slices of cake. As we relaxed, we chatted for a bit about our lives and everything else. I was glad she didn't bring my horrible and shameful past again. Just thinking about it made me want to hide from everyone forever. However, this was life. I have to face the harsh reality.

"Well, it's time for me to go to work. It's my last day there." I informed her as I saw what time it was.

"Why do you want to work, Biya? I told you this already and I am going to repeat it again. You don't have to work  and then have your shift for you to have money as you study. You have us. We can give you what you need. Just ask, Beatrice." She spoke my real name and I knew from that tone of hers that she was really serious about it. I sighed, my chest felt heavy because I knew that I can't. I have to work hard too.

"It is okay, mom. You have given me enough. You gave me a home. A family. What can I need more? Besides, I want to be responsible too. You know Lorie, without all of you I won't be who I am today." That made her smile and she stood up from her seat, walked towards me and gave me a hug.

"That's a wonderful thing to hear, Biya. Okay then. If you want so much to earn money for yourself, you can do it. That's great actually. You are being independent." She said. Well, yes, I agree to what she had said. Independence. Such a big, strong word. I really wanted to be free. Especially from something I can't run away from. I hope that learning to be independent will help my fear disappear. A sigh left out of my lips before smiling.

"Yes, I am. Okay, I really have to go. I'll see you again." I said standing up from my seat. I grabbed my box and went to the parking lot. Lorie helped me put the box in my car.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll see you again, my dear." She hugged me one more time and I returned it with a tight embrace.

"God! I'll miss you, girls." She spoke when she retreated and I giggled.

'Yes, you will. Goodbye, Mom." I bade goodbye then went into my car. As I drove out of the parking lot, I saw in my side mirror Lorie watching me drive away. I drove directly to the hospital. Elda was waiting for me with a frown.

"Just because you are popular doesn't mean you should be late. It's your last day here and you're leaving an impression like that." Elda said as we walked towards our station. I laughed at her behavior.

"Relax, Elda. I wasn't late." She huffed playing with her pen.

"Yes. Five more minutes and you could have been."

"Sorry, early bird." I teased and she rolled her eyes but she can't stop the growing smile on her face.

"Apology accepted, tortoise." That made me laugh. We always had been naming each other and it seemed that it became a habit. As we worked, it was like yesterday. Even the patients were looking at me; some were surprised to see me, some judging me head to toe while others just stared at me. It felt creepy that I got that attention again. It made me comfortable with all the attention I was receiving.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The mysterious woman that everyone wanted to know about. Hmmm." One patient of ours that seemed to be a wealthy woman stopped when she passed our station. She was being released today. She had a man dressed in a usual bodyguard uniform; black suit and tie, black pants and white dress shirt following her. She was passing judgment on me. I sighed. Great.

"May I help you, Ma'am?" I asked and she just squinted her eyes on me before she spoke.

"I expected more from you. Oh well, some things just won't meet your standards, yes Ms. Kairis?" She derided. I just kept silent. I just have to endure one more day. Be strong. I just held my chin up not daring to go back down to this woman without any words getting out of my lips. Her mocking smile turned into a sneer before she continued walking towards the exit. I huffed a breath of annoyance at that. Even now that I left him, my relationship with him was making my blood boil. My phone vibrated on the table bringing me back from my thoughts. I grabbed my phone and saw that someone was calling me. It was an unknown number. It rang and rang but still I haven't answered it. I was hesitating whether to answer it or not. What if some reporter got my number and would start asking me questions I can't answer. But what if it's one of my friends? I was about to slide the answer button when it went off. A sigh of relief left my lips. I was about to put my phone back on the table when it rang again. After two rings, I finally answered it. I stayed quiet for a few seconds just detecting any sign of danger. I heard someone let out a deep breath from the other line.

"Hello?" It was my unusual greeting from me. I usually go with 'Hello. This is Beatrice Kairis. Can I help you?' I always spoke that greeting to any unknown number but not today. Now that my name was everywhere, a sense of hesitation and privacy consumed me and I wanted to know who the caller was before I even give my name.

"Is this Beatrice Kairis? I want to speak to her." That voice! His smoky voice that I knew too well made me want to just end the call. However, I didn't. I let the conversation continue. It made me weak, every part of me breaking down. I took controlled my breath and tried to calm down.

"This is she. What do you need? Who are you?" I asked and my voice came out very well when my insides were in a jumble. I knew who it was but I just wanted to confirm if it was really he. I slowly sank in my seat as I waited for his answer.

"It's me, Biya. It's Emil. We need to talk." My breath was caught as I heard him speak. My hands were shaking and tears fell. I can't take it anymore. Just hearing his voice was too much. I can't bear it.

"We don't have anything to talk about."

"Yes, we do. We need to talk about us. The press will know about what's between us, Beatrice. They will eventually know."

"I don't care. It's all in the past." I spat and my slowly healing heart had a big crack again.

"We have to talk about it, Biya."

"You want to protect your fame, yes? Well, I don't care about any of it, Emil."

"Just because we separated doesn't mean that something didn't happen between us." He growled. Ha! The nerve of this man to growl at me. An imitation of a laugh came out of me.

"Ha! Okay. Unfortunately, we can't undo the past." I replied at him. His growing anger at me won't do anything good.

"Damn it, Biya. We have to talk about all of this. We should protect ourselves from them. The judgment coming from other people will destroy you."

"Why do we need to? Are you becoming responsible of me? It's not going to happen again." I said wiping my tears that slowly fell but I kept my voice as stern as possible. In the most perfect timing, Elda had just finished her duty with a patient and she saw me crying. She mouthed if I was okay. I shook my head. She slowly went to my side and watched me with worry. I wiped a tear again.

"This is for the best for the both of us. I just can't leave you trapped by misjudgment while I go to my other way." I scoffed at that. I saw Elda gesture that she will take care of everything while I was talking to someone. I mouthed her a thank you.

"It seemed like you have no regard to what had happened between us." He spoke in a deep voice. It made the hair on my nape stand.

"What if I don't? Why do you need to, anyway? I guess, you want to protect me from the press right now because I was your-"

"Let's talk, Biya." He cut me off making me grunt.

"Fine. Text me where to meet and when. Let's talk, ex- fiancée." I ground my teeth saying that word then I threw my phone on the table in anger making a loud thudding sound.

Hi readers! How is this new chapter? I hope you like it. If you like it, you can vote for it. I also like to hear anything from you. Thank you very much!

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