Kiss Me Not

Gavin coughed as he complained, "Let me go!! You're choking me, you quack!" 

Everyone was shocked hearing that, including Brione, who asked, "Do you remember them now?"

"I think I've called this man a quack before," Gavin whispered.

Xander laughed and said, "Of course you have! We should hang out more as I'm sure you will definitely recall everything in no time!"

Brione laughed watching Gavin naturally talk and tease everyone like he used to. It was indeed a good idea to bring him to places and people that he used to hang out with.

Then another man in glasses introduced himself as Rui to Gavin.

"Ohh! You're that doctor who told my wife to kiss another man to check if she's completely healed from her kissing disorder. Another quack!" Gavin blatantly commented, making Brione stare at him with wide eyes before scolding him to behave.

Rui laughed and said, "Now that I heard you say that I'm sure it's definitely you bro!" Everyone was rejoicing his safe return and congratulated the couple when Brione announced that they already got married.

"I already briefed them about Gavin's situation," Keira whispered to Brione and Brione thanked the latter. Then Brione introduced Gavin to Yera, Xander's wife, and Cali who was Rui's wife. Everyone gathered at one table where they engaged in a fun conversation.

Cali stood up and said, "I will go and get us refreshments" but Xander stopped her and said, "Stay here, I will go."

Then he looked at Gavin and said, "Bro, come with me. Let's prepare something in Cali's kitchen."

Keira laughed and teased, "Hey, what are you up to huh? Why do you want time alone with Gavin?"

But Xander ignored her and pulled Gavin inside the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Gavin asked because he could feel that there was another reason Xander dragged him away from Brione.

"Did you find anything weird? I mean… Do you feel there is something out of the ordinary in your body?" Xander asked.

"Why? Is there anything important I should know about my past?" Gavin questioned.

"Yes, because you are the chosen Keeper/Guardian. You are tasked to continue writing about the Mirage. Brione doesn't know anything about it because it is very confidential and complicated. We are the only ones who know about this. People involved in the Mirage either ended up dead or had their memories about it wiped out.

We should meet more often from now on and I will help you recall things. This is a different case but I'm not sure if it is related to your accident. They are actually still looking at it. I may sound crazy now but I know you can sense that I am making sense…"

"Wait, why do only you and I know about it?" Gavin asked.

"Hmm, I know about it because I'm part of one of the clans of Mirage. And you… This is really complicated Gavin. Let's meet some other time and I will tell you everything in detail. I'm pretty sure you feel something different within your body but let's talk about it privately. I guess I can answer some of the questions you have."

Gavin, who listened to Xander attentively, felt that Xander was someone he could trust so he planned to meet and confide everything to him.

They prepared some snacks and refreshments and went back to join the others. As soon as Xander sat in his seat, Brione glared at him and scolded, "How could you sell Cooper group just like that?!"

Xander frowned and said, "I already have a lot of things on my plate so I decided to let go of that group since it's the least of my forte. Why? What happened?"

"The new CEO seems to have an ulterior motive," Gavin explained.

"Derek? I thought he was a nice man. My people checked his background and his credibility before I signed a contract with him." Xander explained.

"Maybe I'm just overreacting but since I don't trust the new management I decided to quit and terminate the contract." Brione informed Xander.

"Oh, I am sorry that it has come to this but how about I talk to him first? You might not know this but I made him sign a very special agreement before we wrapped up the transfer of ownership." Xander explained.

"What do you mean?" Gavin asked.

"He will sell me back the company if he tarnishes its reputation by any means," Xander explained.

"Let's discuss it some other time. Actually I was planning to get Brione a company of her own. Do you think there's a possibility of me getting Cooper Entertainment?" Gavin asked.

"Definitely! Let's discuss it as soon as you're available. Meanwhile, let's all catch up on the time we lost together. Tell us about your life as a prince." Xander asked curiously.

"It's so nice that he is back. I'm happy that you two are together now," Yera, Xander's wife, commented as she held Brione's hand and gently squeezed it.

"You deserve to be happy and I... actually we all hope that everything will go smoothly regardless of what you two have to face in the future. By the way, you and Gavin should visit mine and Rui's clinic once in a while. I can monitor Gavin's condition while he is in the country…" Yera offered.

"Oh yes, I will definitely make sure he visits. Thank you for offering," Brione said with a smile before her eyes darted back to Gavin.

"I remember him crying to me on the phone, begging me not to let Brione accept any project that involves kissing or love scenes. Man, you were quite a handful!" Xander teased, making Gavin blush in embarrassment.

"This is so unfair. How do I even know if what you're saying is true when I don't remember a single thing?" Gavin complained with a pout.

"I have the call records if you want," Xander chortled, making everyone laugh.

Brione watched the men tease each other like old times and she couldn't stop her eyes from welling up with tears because of the joy she felt. Her Gavin was indeed with her now and she will always be grateful for it.  She silently vowed to do everything to protect him and not lose him again.