Ryan and Layla both sat by the bedside. Ryan had just finished narrating everything about his past to Layla.

      "When I was a kid, my maternal great grandma told me something before she passed away. I always thought it was a stupid fairytale stuff, but I was wrong." He said to her.

     "What'd she tell you?" Layla wiped a tear off her eyes.

     "She was a Gypsy, according to her, she could foresee. She told me I'd meet someone, she'd be my past, present and future. She told me when I find her, I'd know that she was the one. When I lost my mom, I didn't believe in anything called love or true happiness because I thought they were only ephemeral. Then I met someone who was the exact replica of her, it was so strange that I wanted nothing to do with her because she was reminded me of my mom." He sighed... "But I fell in love in the end and then I lost her the first time, I thought I was gonna go crazy, maybe insane."

    He paused for a moment. "My great grandma's words dawned on me. My mom was my past, Sophie was my present but then I lost her. I thought, Mia was another person entirely, I thought she was the person my great grand referred to as my future. I was so wrong, my mom was never my past. All along it was Sophie, she is my past, my present and my future." He said, pouring his heart out to Layla. 

      "So after all these years you held on, you knew someday that she was gonna reappear in your life. How could you have so much faith?" Layla asked. 

     "Honestly, I don't know. Maybe my sixth sense told me Sophie was going to come back."

      "Why won't you tell her everything? You can't keep the truth forever." Layla said to him.

    To be frank, Layla was more understanding than he thought.

     "I will tell her everything, the truth. But... Not now." He turned to Layla. "Layla I'm sorry. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, I should have told you the truth a long time ago so that you won't be hurting so much."

      She looked at him. "I just want to know one thing, are you happy with her? Does she make you happy?" She asked him.

       "She makes me very happy. Nothing makes me happier than her with me." He said with a sparkle in his eyes.

    She gave a sad smile. "If you're happy then I'm happy. No matter how much it breaks my heart, I only want the best for you. Keep being happy okay?" She smiled amidst her teary eyes.

     "Come here." He hugged her, and she hugged him tighter. "Thank you, thank you so much Layla."

     "Thank you too, for the best two years of my life. I love you so very much." She cried on his shoulder.

     "I know. I know." He said to her.
✴✴✴✴

      Next morning....

    "Has anyone seen Mia or David?" Ryan asked the three others seated in the dinning room.

     "Not yet. Have you gone to their rooms?" Alex asked him.

      "I did. It was locked." Ryan said to him.

     "They might be at the cabana who knows." Natalie shrugged. "Pass me the chicken please." She told Layla.

     "Ryan come on, join us." Layla told him.

   He nodded, pulling out a seat beside Layla.

     "Chicken or beef?" Layla asked him.

     "You don't need to. I'll serve myself." He told her with a smile.

   Just then, Ms Marge entered the dinning room.

     "Good morning, would there be any other thing you need? David gave orders that I should be in-charge." She said with a smile.

      "Thank you but we don't need anything yet. And then um, speaking of David, where is he?" Layla asked her.

     "Oh, he already left." She said to Layla.

     "Left? Left to where?" Layla frowned, turning to Marge.

     "He... He didn't tell you?" Marge seemed confused.

      "Tell us what?" Alex asked, looking at Marge. 

      "David went back to America. He went along with Mia." Marge informed them.

    They all turned to Marge...

    "What!" Alex and Natalie said in unison.

       "They left really early in the morning. I thought he informed you about it." Marge said to them.

    "He didn't tell anyone he was leaving so soon." Natalie said.

    Layla glanced at Ryan who was still perplexed.

    "Why would they leave? It's so sudden." Natalie said to herself.

     "Ryan, what are you thinking now?" Layla asked, placing her hand over his.  "What do you wanna do?"

     He turned to her. "We need to go back. I have to talk to Mia." He said to her.

   She nodded, turning to Alex and Natalie. "Alex, Natalie, guys, we're going back to New York city."

     "We are?" Alex raised a brow.

    "Yes we are. Ryan and Mia have scores they need to settle." Layla said to them.

    Alex and Natalie glanced at themselves before turning back to look at Ryan and Layla.

     "Huh?" Natalie batted her lashes in confusion.

     "It's okay, I know." Layla nodded.

    "You know? You know what exactly?" Natalie asked to be sure.

    "About Mia and Ryan?" Layla smiled. "It's okay. Ryan already told me everything about their relationship."

    "He did?" Alex was surprised. He looked at Ryan for confirmation and Ryan nodded. "He did."

    "And I don't blame you guys for not saying anything. I understand." Layla assured them.

    "You do?" Natalie too was so surprised.

     "I do. Now come on, let's get ready to leave." Layla said to them.

   Natalie decided to talk to Layla alone after Ryan and Alex left for their rooms.

     "Listen Layla, I know you're someone who buckles in your true feelings but if you need someone to talk to, I'm gonna be here for you." Natalie said to her.

      "Thank you Alie." She managed to smile. "

     "How are you holding up? It must be really difficult. Layla you're my friend, I'm really sorry I didn't say anything earlier. I know you must think of me as a horrible friend. I'm so sorry." Natalie apologized wholeheartedly.

      "You know what they say, the heart wants what it wants. I wouldn't say I'm doing great after everything, hell I'd be depressed for probably three months!" She sighed. "But life goes on and I move on. I'm hurting deeply but seeing Ryan happy is what matters the most." She used a finger to get rid of the tear forming by the side of her eyes. "I'm such a baby." She tried laughing. "It's an unrequited love, loving him is enough for me." She sniffled.

     "Awww, it's okay to cry sweetheart." She hugged Layla. "You're so good and understanding that God's gonna give you your own amazing partner in two days." Natalie said, cheering Layla up.

     Layla laughed... "I'm in no rush, no rush." She said to Natalie.
...................................................................

     They all boarded the private plane back to New York city.

    "It's really quiet here." She said, glancing around Ryan's house. They had just arrived after almost eighteen hours on air, she was more exhausted. "And now that the girls left for England, it's gonna be really empty."  She said to him. Bee and Dony had gone back to England.

     "Layla, Mia isn't picking my calls. I should go over to her apartment and talk to her." Ryan said, looking a bit worried.

      "Over to her apartment? Ryan, it's only one in the morning. We just got here, you should rest for now because it's extremely dangerous to go outside." Layla told him.

     "What if something bad happened to her? What if she's not ok." He was concerned.

     "Ryan, relax." She touched his arm and sighed. "If it's any consolation, I texted David earlier and he said Mia was back at her apartment. He made sure she got home safe." She said, folding her arms over her chest.

      "Then why isn't she picking my calls?" He asked.

      "That I don't know. Get some rest okay? It'd be better you just leave when it's daybreak." Layla told him. "Let's avoid casualties."

    He nodded... "Okay fine." He heaved a sigh. "I'll be in the study."

      "Ryan." She frowned... "Is it because of me that you're staying away from the room? You don't need to do that, I'll just sleep in—"

     "What are you saying Layla? Of course it's not because of you." Ryan smiled... "You just go on and sleep okay?" He said to her.

    Layla nodded... "Alright then." She said, watching him leave.
✴✴✴

     "Thank you so much Andrew for helping me pack. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't here." She said hugging Andrew.

      "I gat your back Mimi. Hell I'm gonna miss you!" He said to her.

     "I'll miss you more." She smiled, pulling away. 

    "I'll leave you now to enjoy your beauty sleep, you must be worn out." He said leaving.

     "Exhausted!!"

     "Love you." He said, closing the door.

     "Love you too Andrew." She replied, blowing a kiss. 

     The next day, Karen had a van over to get Mia's bags and suitcases.

    "Careful with those, they are expensive and very fragile." Karen said to one of the workers carrying Mia's things.

      "Mama." Mia shook her head. "There's no need for all that." She said to Karen. Her mom was the only one excited about leaving that she couldn't even hide her excitement.

    "Mia honey, cheer up! We're finally going home, isn't that a good thing? We're going home! You're glum, you'll lose your glow." Karen grinned at her daughter. She was more than happy they were leaving. "Your godfather just called, he's as excited as I am that we're going back! Your friends are all waiting for you, Giacomina, Eloisa and—"

    "You told them? You told those bunch of fake ass bitches?" Mia frowned at her mom, clearly upset.

     "They are not fake, in fact, those are the kind of girls I want you to mingle with. They have style, charisma, they're from reputable families."

    "Can you stop it! Do not annoy me because you're beginning to irritate me. If I see those pumped Barbies near our house, I'll pop all their fake body parts. Urgh!" She glared at her mom, before walking to the car.

     "What on earth would I do with this girl." She said to herself.

     Mia sat in the car sulking beside her mother as the driver drove away.

      "I'm sorry." Karen said to Mia.

    "I'm sorry too mom." Mia turned to her. "I didn't mean to get upset at you." She apologized.

     "I know, but we'd be fine. You and me." Karen smiled.

     "And godfather Sam too." Mia said.

   "Ye-yes, him too." Karen nodded.

  Ryan walked down the stairs of his house.

     "I see you're leaving." Layla came out from a corridor.

     "Yeah." He nodded.

    "Have you had breakfast? Come, let's eat first." She smiled sweetly.

     "I had coffee." Ryan told her. "In case you need anything, Tara would attend to you. I have to go now." He said, opening the door. "I'll see you later." He finally said before leaving.

    Layla shook her head... "I'm here all by myself. Just when I give you your freedom, your only thought is to run to her. Oh Ryan." She said, walking down the corridor.
✴✴✴
   
     There was a knock on the door but Andrew ignored it. He was watching Netflix and didn't need anyone to bother him, he'd even put out a sign behind the door that read 'busy, come back later'.

     Whoever was outside kept on knocking and knocking, annoying Andrew.

     "What the hell!" He said, swinging the door open he met Ryan. "Can't you read the sign?" He said in an irritated tone, pointing at the sign on the door.

    Ryan glanced around the living room, looking for a sign that Mia was inside. "I'm sorry. I just want to talk to Mia."

   "Hey hey," he said, snapping his fingers at Ryan's face. "My eyes are up here."

   Ryan looked at him... "Where's Mia?" He asked Andrew.

    "Mia? Who?" Andrew faked a thinking face, placing his hand on the doorframe.

      "Andrew cut the bullshit. Mia! Mia! Mia!" Ryan called aloud.

   "Hey, hey!! Lower your voice. You can't just come to my home and be a nuisance. Just leave." Andrew said to him.

     "I know you don't like me, but I'm not leaving until I talk to Mia. I just want to talk to her, that's all." Ryan pleaded.

     "Why? What makes you think she's here?"

     "Mia! Mia! Mia!" Ryan yelled out her name.

      "Ryan shut up! Mia isn't here, she isn't here, okay?" Andrew snapped at him.

     "Then where is she?" Ryan looked at him.

     Andrew sighed, rolling his eyes. "Mia isn't here, she's gone."

     "Gone? Gone where? You mean to Van's Event? Or... Did she go somewhere with David? Tell me." He frowned, growing impatient.

     "You still don't get it do you?" Andrew scoffed. "Mimi's gone, as in gone. Let me break it down for you. Mimi doesn't stay here anymore because she's on her way to the airport, she's going back to Italy. Do you understand now?"

     What Andrew said finally dawned on Ryan. "What?"

     "You heard me." Andrew said to him. "You missed them by ten minutes." He shrugged his shoulders.

    She was what?! She was leaving!!! He just couldn't believe it. How could she just leave without telling him?! How could she?! He was here to patch things up and she was walking out, just like that? How could she be so unfair and insensitive! He was in great turmoil that he couldn't think straight.

    "Hey you. Ryan!" He brought Ryan back to his senses.

     "Why didn't you say something earlier?!" He dashed out, down the stairs. Literally flying over the steps.

      "Where are you going!" Andrew yelled out at him.

     "Stopping her!" He yelled back. 

    Andrew smiled. "Well, good luck with that." He said to himself.

   Ryan needed to catch up with her and stop her from leaving by all means. He couldn't lose her again, he didn't think he'd survive it again. He drove recklessly, apologizing to people or cars whom he almost collides with. He kept screaming at people to move away as he kept speeding. Now, he got to the heart of New York city where the traffic was really dire.

     "Dammit!" He cussed, obviously frustrated. He was stuck in the terrible traffic with no possible way of getting to the airport. He remembered that Andrew said he had only missed them by ten minutes, so it was possible they too were stuck in traffic. He lowered down the window of his car.

     "Hey, excuse me." He called the attention of an ice cream cart owner who was selling by the pavement beside him.

     "Yeah?" It was a taxi driver.

   "Can you tell me if the traffic goes all the way down?" He asked the man.

     "Oh yes. It's been almost twenty minutes. It seems like an eight wheeler truck had an accident so they're trying to clear out the room." He said to Ryan.

     "Is that so?" Ryan nodded. It was possible Mia hadn't gotten to the airport, she was also stuck in traffic. "Alright, thank you." Ryan thank the man, pulling up his window. "God please let her be here." He got out of his car, glancing around. Damn, plenty cars than he could ever think of counting. He didn't know how to search for her but he couldn't give up either.

       "Think Ryan, think." Ryan thought for awhile, looking for any idea. That's when he looked at the ice cream cart and saw a megaphone. He finally had a brilliant idea and so he walked up to the ice cream seller. "Sir, I need a favour. Please can I borrow your megaphone?" Ryan asked in the nicest way possible. "It's really urgent." Ryan said to him.

      The seller frowned at Ryan's request.

      "Please." Ryan begged. Ryan quickly dug his hand in his pant pocket, taking out his wallet and handing the seller a hundred dollar note. "The woman I love is gonna leave if I don't do this." Ryan said.

     "You can have it!" The seller was more than happy. "I should be the one thanking you, for this." He flashed the note.

     "It's nothing." Ryan smiled.

     "Now go get that girl." The seller smiled at Ryan.

   Ryan nodded before leaving. "Testing. Testing." The megaphone amplified his voice. "I'm looking for Mia, Mia Bernadette Simpsons." He said through the megaphone.

     People peeped out of their car windows to see what was going on.

    "Mia! Mia!" He kept on walking, calling, searching and waiting for her. "Mia! Mia if you're here please come out! Mia! Mia I'm begging you, don't go! Mia I love you so much, losing you would be my greatest mistake. Mia please, if you're here, I need you to show yourself. Don't leave me, I'm begging you!"

    By this time, he'd gained hundreds of audience who were staring at him.