"You can talk!" Erica gasped.

She rushed over to him, eyes wide with disbelief and something close to relief.

Austin gave a small nod. "I was just too weak to say anything, angry at you for saving me, and angry at God for taking the most important people in my life."

Erica stood frozen, her lips slightly parted. She stared at him, trying to unpack what he just said. The most important people? There was pain in his voice, but also guilt. She didn't know what to say to that.

She opened her mouth, then wrinkled her nose and stepped back slightly. "Your mouth... it smells. You need to use that."

She pointed toward the tiny bathroom in the left corner of the room.

"Lucky for you, I have a new toothbrush. It's like I knew you were coming, use it, and maybe, bathe while you're at it."

Austin offered a small, almost invisible smile and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

She watched him disappear into the bathroom. A second later, she heard the sound of running water. Her hands went to her cheeks as she whispered to herself, "Erica, behave!"

She began pacing. "Damn! How can one man be this handsome? And his voice..." She stopped walking. "I can’t believe he almost wasted all this fine creation. God, you sent him to my doorstep looking like a magazine cover."

Minutes later, he stepped out, wearing only a towel around his waist. Water still dripped from his dark hair, a few drops trailing down his chest. The light caught the curve of his shoulders, his strong arms relaxed but defined. Erica’s jaw dropped.

She stood like a statue, staring. Her thoughts scrambled, her lips were just opening and closing, then Austin raised one brow at her, slowly lifting both hands like, What?

Realizing what she was doing, Erica blinked fast and stammered, "I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…uh…you just…"

Embarrassed, she turned quickly and opened her wardrobe, avoiding eye contact.

She pulled out a clean, folded shirt and pants. "You can wear this. It was for a customer, but the guy’s been owing me for months. Might as well use it."

Austin took the clothes with both hands and examined them, his fingers brushing over the stitching.

"You made this?"

She gave a short nod without looking at him. "Yeah."

Then she almost ran out of the room, leaving him to change.

Outside, Erica leaned against the wall of the building and let out a long, shaky breath. Her heart was pounding.

She slapped her forehead lightly. "You are not about to lose your virginity to a stranger," she whispered.

Then she closed her eyes and groaned. "But I don’t mind... as long as it’s with this demi-god."

She looked up at the sky, arms crossed tightly.

"Oh, universe, save me from exchanging fluids with this beautiful being you sent to me. Just one man: fine face, chiseled arms, succulent and pink lips..."

She shook her head and muttered, "Stop it, Erica. Stop it right now."

******************

A sleek black car was parked in an almost abandoned lot behind a closed café. Inside the vehicle, Edwin sat at the wheel, cap pulled low, dark sunglasses hiding most of his face. His fingers drummed the steering wheel. He looked uncomfortable and tense.

Ann, sitting beside him, was visibly boiling with rage.

"What do you mean you don’t know where our son is?" she snapped, voice sharp enough to cut glass.

Edwin clenched his jaw. "Ann, he just lost his mum and his fiancée. He’s…"

"Foster mother," she hissed, interrupting. "Let’s not rewrite the truth now. I’m his mother. I carried him for nine months. I gave birth to him. I trusted you to raise him and protect him."

She slammed her hand against the dashboard, her rings clinking with the force. Her breath came out fast. Her eyes were glossy but angry.

"You let this happen, Edwin. And now you’re sitting here like a lost puppy. I gave him to you because I had no choice, but you swore to keep him safe."

She leaned closer. "Find him. I don’t care how. You have twenty-four hours. That’s all."

Without waiting for a reply, she pushed open the door, stepped out, and slammed it behind her. In seconds, she went inside her car and drove off.

*************

Later that day, Edwin returned to his house and shut the door with a grunt. The weight of Ann’s words was still heavy on his chest, and he hated seeing her sad.

He went straight to the bedroom.

Becky stood in the middle of the room in red lace lingerie, her arms raised slightly, one hip pushed out, trying to strike a seductive pose.

"Surprise," she purred.

He gave her one long look and sighed. "Leave this stunt to younger women. You’re forty-nine. Don’t let your body and face deceive you."

Her mood switched instantly. She grabbed the bedsheet and flung it at him.

"Screw you! You’ve always wanted this body. Don’t act brand new."

Her chest rose and fell with anger, but after a moment, she straightened herself, brushed her hair behind her ear, and softened her tone.

"Why are you dressed like that? Trying to avoid attention again?"

She walked closer.

"Anyway, we need to talk. I think we should get Austin out of the way. Don’t forget, he’s the CEO. He’s young, but he’s smart, influential, and strong. We can’t afford him sniffing around. We’ve waited years to get to this point. If we let him slip through our fingers, everything we planned dies."

Edwin didn’t speak for a while. Then he turned to her slowly.

His voice was ice.

"If you dare as much as touch a strand of his hair, I will forget whatever this thing is between us. I will find you. I will end it."

Becky stared, stunned.

"Leave him out of your plans. I said I’ll handle it. Lay low for now."

He peeled off his shirt and walked into the bathroom. This time, when Becky followed, he didn’t stop her. The fire in his body had already burned too long to be ignored, and the visible bulge didn’t help.

************************

Back in the quiet village. She was still lying on the same mat inside a warm wooden house. Her body ached, and her throat burned. But she coughed again, and this time, her eyes opened slowly.

Andrew rushed to her side, crouching quickly.

"Here, drink slowly."

He helped her sit up with gentle hands, bringing a small cup of water to her lips.

She drank like she had been walking in the desert.

When she was done, she looked around. The strange wall, the mat, the fire, the unfamiliar faces. Her breathing became shallow.

Andrew gave a half-smile. "I’m glad you’re finally awake. I used strong herbs. You’re lucky. That was the last one I had in the house. It’s rare to get."

He sat beside her, brushing his hands on his knees.

"But never mind all that. What’s your name? What happened to you?"

She blinked slowly.

She stared at him, then closed her eyes like she was searching her mind for something.

"Name... Do I have any? I can’t remember any."