"So tell me, what's this about?" Ryan asked, seated on his swivel chair.

    Natalie sat directly facing Ryan, across the table. While Alex preferred standing.

    "Honestly man, we're only just concerned about you. That's the only reason we have to talk to you." Alex said.

    "Okay?" Ryan frowned. "What is it?"

    "Look, I know about Mia. Sophie's look alike. I know that you're trying to win her over because she has this resemblance to Sophie. Alex told me everything. It must be really hard for you but you must know that she's not Sophie. Mia and Sophie are two different people. It must have been hard to be around someone who'd remind of everything pain you went through before." Natalie said to him calmly.

      "We are your friends," she continued. "And we care about you, so whatever you're planning please stop. You're only going to hurt yourself because of what you're trying to force yourself to believe. We're here for you, Alex and I. And even Layla. We would never want to see you struggling with something, when we could always help."

     "Did you hear that? Layla. Man, I understand the conflict you must be feeling but you also need to know that Layla is stuck in between. Can you at least think about her feelings before you do anything?" Alex said to him. 

Ryan leaned against the chair and sighed. "I've listened to you."

    Natalie smiled... "See that wasn't so hard." She looked at Alex.

     "But I'm following my heart." Ryan said to them.

   Natalie groaned, looking back at Ryan.. "Didn't you listen to anything we just said?"

     "I just told you I did. Okay look guys, I appreciate your concern I really do but it's my life. I have a lot of respect for Layla, and it scares the shit out of me that I'm only gonna disappoint her in the end. You both know Layla and I are just together because you wanted me to try something new. I agreed because I wanted a distraction and she turned out perfect, no strings attached. The issue is, now that Soph's back, I can't help but want her back together with me." Ryan said his mind.

    "Oh dear. Ryan, not this please. Mia's not Sophie. They may look the same but they act differently. From what I've heard, Mia is —"

    "Circumstances made her change alright! She changed because every person in this goddamn world changes! It's my fault that she was in an accident, that she lost her memories, that she's taking up another identity, that she doesn't remember me, and that she'll hate me if she eventually remembers." Ryan snapped at Natalie.

     "Didn't she say she's from Italy? Stop forcing yourself to believe what you want." Natalie said to him. "We've been through this already!"

    "She is Sophie and I can prove it to you." Ryan stood up. "If you really wanna help me, you'll help me get her back." Ryan said angrily.

    Ryan is about to walk out but Alex stopped him by placing his hand over Ryan's shoulder. "Hey hey hey, calm down. Like we said we're only concerned."

     "So you don't believe me either? Out of everyone, I didn't expect you to doubt because you were her best friend and you should know her more." Ryan shook his head, he was disappointed. Ryan walked out of the study.

    "I knew this was gonna end up badly." Alex sighed.

    "You don't think he's gonna kidnap Mia and force her to marry him do you?" Natalie frowned.

    "What?! What are you talking about? Ryan isn't capable of doing that to anyone."

    "I'm just saying. I think Ryan's obsessed with Mia, he's no longer thinking clearly." Natalie shook her head. 

     "I know what I have to do. I need to talk to Mia." Alex said to her.
✴✴✴✴✴✴

     Mia, Andrew and Danny strolled down the street.

     "So when are you leaving?" Danny asked Mia.

    "Nextweek Saturday and absolutely nothing can change my mom's mind." Mia answered.

     "So, how about you and Ryan?" Andrew asked. Immediately, Danny elbowed him in his stomach. "What? I'm just asking."

    "I haven't spoken to him in two days so I guess he's finally moving on." Mia said to him.

     "And David?" Danny asked.

   "David is moving to Italy with me." Mia said to them.

    "If you're not careful, you're gonna marry him." Danny told her.

      Just then, a car pulls over.

  "Who is that?" Andrew asked, trying to see who had suddenly pulled over.
  
   Alex got out of the car, walking over to the three friends.

    "Holy..." Danny's eyes widened.

   "Hey." Alex greeted all of them with an infectious smile.

      "Someone fucking pinch me." Danny left her mouth open.

     "Hey." Mia frowned but smile. "What are you doing here?" She asked him.

    "I was hoping we could talk." Alex said to her.

      "Su–sure." Mia nodded.

     "I mean privately." He said to her.

   "Okay." Mia looked at her friends. "Guys I'll follow."

    "You sure?" Andrew eyed Alex.

    "Yeah yeah." Mia nodded at him.

    "Hold on! Alex can I take a selfie with you?" Danny grinned sheeply.

    "Of course you can!" Alex nodded.

   Danny pulled out her phone, taking a picture of herself and Alex. "Thank you! I'm your number one fan I swear!"

   "We'll see you later." Andrew said to Mia, pulling Danny along, away with him.

     "Shall we?" Alex gestured for her to get in. Mia hesitated for a while, looking at him with uncertainty. "Relax, we're only gonna talk." Alex smiled.

   He convinced Mia to go along with him but he could sense that she was nervous.

      "What do you wanna talk about?" She asked him, staring at the dashboard while he drove. She had just broken the silence that had surrounded them.

     "You..." Alex nodded.

    "Me? What about me?" Mia turned to him.

   "And Ryan." He completed.

   "Me and Ryan? Why? Ryan and I barely know each other." She said to him.

    Alex chuckled... "It's okay. I already know what's going on between you two."

    Mia frowned again. "What do you mean by that?"

    Alex slowed down, pulling over to the roadside. "Mia, it's best you don't see Ryan. You should stay away from him. Ryan is going through a rough time because he thinks you're someone from his past. He's obsessed with you."

    Mia sighed... "Is this why we're here? Is this what you wanted to talk about? There is no use for this talk because you should be telling him this not me." Mia said before exiting from the car.

     "No no no, wait!" Alex rushed out to stop her from leaving. "No please. Forgive me if it came out the wrong way," He held her arm. "Mia listen to me. Do you love him?"

   Mia raised her brow... "What?"

    "Do you love Ryan?" He asked again.

       She got away from his grip. "That's none of your business."

     "You do love him." Alex threw his hand backwards. "Just great." He said to himself and Mia heard him. Alex looked at Mia. "Does he know? Does he know you love him?"

     "Alex what's wrong with you? Stop assuming things." Mia shook her head.

    "Has he told you about his past?"

   "Okay this conversation is over." Mia stepped back.

     "He thinks you look like—"

   "His mom. I know I know... I know. Listen, you don't have to worry. Just tell him not to bother me anymore. I'm sorry if I caused any trouble between you guys, it was never my intention. It's all my fault." Mia said to him. 

    "I'm sorry too." He apologized. "Do you wear contacts?" He suddenly asked.

     "Cont... Something like that. I had an eye surgery that's why. Why the question?"

    "I think you just lost one of them." He pointed to her left eye.

    "Are you kidding?" She blinked quickly, her eye felt different.

    "No, for real. Brown and gray eyes." He told her.

    "Shit." Mia pulled her hair back, trying to check if she could find it on the ground. "I'm so stupid."

    "It's kinda getting dark, I don't think you'd find it now." Alex said helping her out.

    "It's fine. I have spare at my apartment."

    "Okay." He nodded. "Let me take you home." He offered.

   "I'll be fine on my own, don't worry." Mia said already walking away.

     Alex watched her for a while but decided to run after her.

     "What is it again?" She rolled her eyes.

     "Is that what he told you? That you look like his mom?" Alex asked, walking along with her.

     "Can we drop the topic?" Mia frowned. He was really beginning to annoy her.

    "I just wanna know." Alex said.

   "Yes. Alex please, leave me. I've heard enough for one day." Mia said to him.

     "One more question. Tell me about the accident, the accident in Italy." He said to her.

   Mia froze, turning to him. "W-what accident are you talking about?"

    "You told Ryan that you were in an accident."

    "Stop. That's none of your business and I can't believe he'd tell you that! You tell your friend to—" a painful sharp pain hit her head and she groaned, massaging her temples.

    "Are you alright?" Alex frowned.

    Mia hissed, the pain was unbearable. "Ah." Soon, flashes of images and memories filled her head.

      "By the way, I'm Alex.... Don't think I'll forget that name easily..."
   
  "Adonis? So what do I look like?"
 
"... You look like a handsome Greek god. Maybe Apollo or second Adonis." This time it was her voice she heard.

  "You're like my baby, anything for you....... I'm Alex Sean Midwest.... I'm the cutest guy in the world."

    Again Mia heard her voice. She was talking to Alex. "You know I love you right?

      "I know. I love you too."

     "Hello pretty tiger.... Is that how much you missed me? Yet you didn't call..."

     Her head was spinning with images of her and Alex flooding her thoughts.

    "Are you okay?" He noticed her distressed look. "Mia? Is... Is something wrong?" He asked, looking concerned.

    Suddenly the images stopped and that's when she noticed that she's been panting.

     "Mia?" Alex called her again.

    Mia batted her lashes as she looked at him. She was confused, perplexed, befuddled... Something was clearly not right.

     "You... You... You..." Mia placed her hand over her forehead.

     "Is something wrong? Mia what's going on?" Alex furrowed his brows. He too was confused.

    "Adonis? You said Adonis!" Mia exclaimed but she knew she wasn't  making any sense.

    "What?"

    "No no no no. This can't be happening." She ruffled her hair.

     "Tell me what's going on. Why are you acting this way?" Alex was getting worried.

     "You. I don't know... Have... Have we met before? I keep seeing images and it's freaking me out. Please tell me I'm not going crazy." She was scared and confused at the same time.

       "Mia I — I don't understand what you're saying."

     "Neither do I." She did a bit of breathing exercise. "Alex. I need you to answer me okay?" She held his arm. "Look at me, do you... Do you know me from before? Do you?" She asked staring into his eyes.

      He raised his brow. "What's this about?"

    "I need to know what's happening to me." Mia stepped back. "I... I... I have to go." She took quick steps backwards before taking to her heels.

     "Mia! Mia! Mia wait! Mi..." Alex called her back but Mia kept on running.

      This wasn't the first time she was having flashes of images and conversations in her head. It started with Ryan and now Alex? Something was wrong! Ever since she listened to Ryan and stopped taking those pills, she's been seeing things either in dreams or daydreams.
...................................................................

    Karen stepped out of Mia's apartment and as soon as she left the building, she met Ryan on her way.

      "What do you think you're doing here?" Karen asked him.

     Ryan stepped back, taking off his shades. "Good evening ma'am."

    "Wasn't I specific enough or are you just deaf? I thought I told you to stay away from Mia what on earth are you doing here?" Karen asked him.

     "I wanna talk to her. We both owe her the truth." He said calmly.

    "Truth? You wanna tell her about her real identity? That her mom has been lying to her? That her name isn't Mia but Sophie?" Karen scoffed. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

     "I can't believe you could do this to your own daughter. Didn't you think of what will happen when she finds out that you've only been lying to her."

    "Oh please, spare me that bullshit! If you're looking for someone to blame, it's you. You have yourself to blame. I couldn't watch my daughter destroy her life for some boy. You left her! You caused her accident!! You wanted her dead! But I saved her, I saved her because any mother would have done the same. You deceived her into loving you the first time and now you're trying to do the same? Don't you feel sorry for her at all? Okay fine, tell her." Karen rolled her eyes.

   "You wanna tell her the truth? Tell her. Just tell her and be prepared, because she's gonna despise you. Once she finds out who you are, Sophie's gonna hate you and you know why? She's gonna blame you for her accident, she's not gonna trust you because you deceived her and you... You killed her unborn baby." Karen sneered at him.

    Ryan felt bile up his throat but he swallowed down. In a way, Karen was right. If he told Mia the truth, Mia won't forgive him and worse, she might drive him further away.

   Karen smirked looking at Ryan's confused state. "Which is it? You have more to lose than I do. Mia would eventually see why I hid the truth from her but she would never forgive the person who almost ruined her entire life."

   Just then Mia's taxi drives into the parking spot..

   Mia's surprised to see her mom and Ryan. "What's Ryan doing here?" She said while getting out.

     "What's it gonna be Ryan?" Karen narrowed her eyes at him.

      "Mama? Ryan?" Mia said walking up to them.

     Ryan glanced at Karen before turning his back to leave. Now he is directly facing Mia.

   Mia walked up to him. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

     Ryan managed to have a smile on. "I'm leaving anyway. Goodnight." He said to her before walking towards his car.

     "Mama? What did he want? What'd you say to him?" Curious Mia asked.

     "Nothing my dear, I just told him to stay away from you since he has a girlfriend." Karen shrugged.

   Mia sighed... She watched Ryan drive off even though she thought something was off, but that was the least of her concern.

     "Is something wrong my dear?"

  "Mom." She sighed again and again. "Mom, I have a feeling that my memories might be coming back."

    "Really? H-how do you know?" Karen frowned.

     "It's complicated. I have weird combinations of imagines of Ryan and there's another guy... Alex. I don't know what's happening." Mia complained.

    "It's okay. Come, come. Let's go inside first." Karen said to her.