“His name is what?!” I shrieked, jumping on my bed.

“Finlay Reed. He was a young ten-year-old boy and looked Scottish. Don’t you remember him?”

“I... don’t.” I sat tongue-tied.

“He came to check up on you at the hospital too, and then you became friends with him.” She finally stopped crying and I could hear the happiness in her voice. “He called you Phoenix.”

“A what?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Phoenix. He said you were reborn since you almost died and also you were red and reminded him of it. He was into mythical creatures.”

That’s why he called me Phoenix on the first night I met him.

Means... He remembered me!

“You’re saying I became friends with him, so why I don’t remember?”

“You were only six, and you played with him and his mother for only a few days.”

Now that made sense why she looked familiar, too.

“Do you know his mother?”

“Aurora Reed.” She whispered. “I didn’t know her well, only that she was sick and was admitted to the same hospital you were in.”

“Then what happened?” I asked, even though had a feeling.

“The poor woman died a few weeks later and the last I know of Finlay, he moved to Scotland again with his father and that’s all. But to this day, I still think of him in my prayers and hope he is healthy and happy.”

I gulped at that and said nothing related to his accident. Finlay saved my life when I was a kid. I never believed in these things, but maybe meeting him again was fate.

And wait... He moved with his father to Scotland.

Why the f**k he isn’t a Cockburn?

Another mystery to this case.

“Amber... Hello, are you listening?”

“Mom, there is one more thing.” I slumped on my bed and stared at his picture.

“What?”

“I think I pushed away a guy I like.”

“You think or you did?” I paused at that, then sighed.

“I did.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know...” I mumbled, fingering my thumb over his picture. "Because I'm stupid."

“I know you are a career-oriented person Amber and you did everything to make a life for yourself. Now, look where it got you.” I glanced around my room. “Are you where you wanted to be?”

“Almost there.”

“But are you happy?” I bit my lip as tears build in my eyes. “I’m not saying to leave your career or your passion, my darling, but don’t get so engrossed in it and forget to be happy.”

“What do I do now?”

“Did he make you happy?”

“Very...” Bobbing my head, I blink my tears to get rid of the tears.

“Then go get him.”

“I think that’s not possible considering he left the country,”

“So what?”

“So what?” I repeated. “Uh... Mom, He is in Scotland, and after what I said to him I don’t know if he even wants anything to do with me.”

“You won’t know unless you try.”

“You don’t mind if I go to Scotland.”

I had to win a war with her to come to New York City from Pennsylvania and she doesn’t mind me going to Scotland?

“I don’t because I need grandchildren.” I rolled my eyes at that.

“I’ll talk to you later, Mom, and tell Dad I said hi.”

“Alright take care of yourself.”

“You too, and thank you so much, Mom!”

“Anytime. And give my regards to Finlay, too.” My jaw dropped at that, but before I could say anything, she hung up and I stared at the phone.

How did she guess I was talking about him?!

Shaking my head, I took a deep breath and dialed my uncle’s number.

“What happened now?” He asked.

“Nothing.” I huffed.

“Then why are you not at work?” He said in a flat tone.

“Because I’m going to Scotland.”

“You what?!”

“I need a day off today because I need to book a ticket and pack my stuff and I’ll hopefully be back... I don’t know how long it’ll take.”

“Are you going there for Reed?”

“Yes, I am,” I replied honestly.

“Amber, you just got out of his case and now you’re following the guy to another country. I know I told you to look for a story, but you can find something else-“

“It’s not about the story, uncle.” I sighed. “It’s never been about the story. This is more than that.”

“What are you talking about-"

“I’ll let you know the details later. For now, I need your help?”

“What kind of help?” He asked suspiciously.

“Monetary,” I said sheepishly.

“Amber...” He growled.

“Please, Uncle. I promise I’ll pay you back!”

“I know you will.” He scoffed.

“This is a life and death situation, Uncle.” The line went silent. Then he sighed.

“Fine. I’ll transfer some money to your account.”

“Thank you so much!”

“What about your mother-“

“She knows.”

“She does?!” He shrieked. “And she allowed you?”

“I’m a grown woman now.”

“Don’t get me started on how stupid you still are-“

“Thank you so much for the help, Uncle Hudson. Lots of love. Bye!”

• • • • •

Sitting on the plane, I tapped my foot and thought about what I was doing. A lot of questions ran into my head and I wasn’t sure whether what I was doing was a good idea or not. I mean, I didn’t even know if Finlay was in Scotland. I only read in an article that souls are near their bodies, so I just assumed he’ll be there.

I wasn’t sure if he wanted to talk to me after what I did, but I knew I had to take a chance. He saved my life twice, now it’s my turn.

After hours of painful flight, I reached Edinburgh around seven in the evening. It was easy for me to find Finlay’s address. I mean, his family lives in a castle in Edinburgh literally named ‘Cockburn’s Castle’ and they ran a whiskey business in Edinburgh.

I hailed a taxi and asked him to drop me off the Cockburn Castle. The guy eyed me curiously but drove me towards it. It was my first time in Scotland and I wanted to visit every place, but I had other things in mind that needed to be done first.

“Ye ken kid. Thiz castle ainnae a touris’ place.” The driver said, stopping in front of the giant fence gate.

It took me a minute to realize what he was saying.

“I know.” Beaming, I paid him. “I’m here to meet someone.”

I got out of the cab and took a deep breath as I stared at the metal fence gate with a C carved on both gates. Clasping the cold metal, I pushed the gate and got inside. The sunshine was still illuminating the sky, making it easy for me to walk.

Am I at the right place?

And there was no guard at the gate. Aren’t these people afraid to get robbed or something?

The chilly breeze blew, making me shiver, and I pulled a black leather jacket close to my body. I followed the path covered with trees and couldn’t see anything but the forest.

Maybe the driver dropped me at the wrong place-

I cut my thoughts off, and my breathing almost ceased when the castle came into view. My grip on my bag tightened and ran towards the castle.

F**k. It’s gorgeous!

“Wow...” I whispered as I observed the cream-painted brick walls of the castle. It was like a Disney Castle.

My steps slowed down when I saw a figure sitting in the window with his feet dangling. A huge grin took over my face when I recognized him.

“Fin...” I laughed in disbelief and ran towards him. “Fin!”

He’s here!

He turned his head towards me, and his eyes widened. “Amber?” He got up and stepped closer to the edge.

“Fin, step back. You’ll get hurt.” I panicked, and he chuckled.

“I’m a ghost, or have you forgotten?” He smirked and groaned.

“Right.”

“What... What are you doing here?” He frowned.

“I’ll tell you, but first come down.”

He nodded and vanished inside the window. I looked around to see him and darted my gaze down when he popped out of the brick wall and stood in front of me. We both stared at each other and I opened my mouth without pondering and said.

“I missed you.”

• • • • •

A/N

I missed you all too 🥺

Sorry, it took me a long time to update but things can get hectic unexpectedly.
Anyways now I feel like I'm back into writing so hopefully, there will be a lot of updates! 💃