Plopping down into the driver's seat, Ashley frowned as her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Fishing it out of her pocket, she glanced at the screen, her brow arching in confusion.

"Yo, Nyx," Ashley greeted, bringing the phone to her ear.

"Ash, where are you?" Nyx's familiar voice crackled through the line. It had been a couple of weeks since Ashley was discharged from the hospital, and she had just finished her cognitive therapy for her amnesia.

Ashley chuckled lightly. "I'm outside the hospital. Just wrapped up my therapy. What's up?"

Nyx let out a heavy sigh. "Well, can you do me a favor?"

Ashley tilted her head, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Please don't tell me you need me to cover for you with Vera, because that's a hard no, Nyx," she teased with a laugh.

Nyx groaned dramatically, her frustration evident. "Not that, idiot!" she hissed. "I need you to pick up Mia. I was supposed to get her after her management meeting, but something came up. If you're free, can you swing by and grab her instead?"

Ashley froze. Pick up Mia? The name hit her like a stray bullet, stirring an unfamiliar unease in her chest. "I... uh..." She hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. "I mean, would she even be okay with that? We're not exactly close, you know." She forced a nervous chuckle.

"Oh, she'll be fine," Nyx said, dismissing Ashley's concern with a laugh. "She'll probably be grateful you saved her from having to wait. So, you'll pick her up? After that, just head over to Anne and Tonnie's resto-bar. You know where it is, right?"

Ashley narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What's this? Some kind of gathering?" she asked, shaking her head.

"You could say that." Nyx clicked her tongue in mock impatience. "Anyway, Mia's at her management building. You know where it is, don't you?"

Ashley nodded absentmindedly, her mind already conjuring an image of the place. "Yeah, I know where Mia's management—" She stopped mid-sentence, blinking in confusion. "Wait. How the hell do I know where that is?"

Nyx only laughed, the sound infuriatingly cryptic. "Great! If you know where it is, then go ahead and fetch your little superstar," she said before hanging up abruptly.

"Wait—" Ashley started, but the call cut off before she could finish. She stared at the screen, scoffing. "'My little superstar'? What the hell is she on about?" she muttered, shaking her head.

Letting out a long sigh, Ashley tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and started the engine. Maneuvering out of the hospital parking lot, she headed toward the address that had inexplicably planted itself in her mind.

Why the hell do I know where it's located? The question lingered, gnawing at her as she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Her brow furrowed as an unsettling thought crept in. Could it be...? Was I somehow familiar with Mia before the accident?

The possibility sent a strange chill through her, but she pushed the thought aside as she focused on the road ahead.



Standing outside her management building, Mia took out her phone, ready to call Nyx, when her manager, Maya, gave her a light nudge. Glancing at Maya, she noticed her pointing at something with her lips.

Curious, Mia followed Maya's gaze and leaned forward, her eyes widening in disbelief. What the heck?! she thought, spotting Ashley casually leaning against her car just outside the building. Her heart skipped a beat, and she gulped, looking back at Maya.

"Ashley's here. That's a surprise," Maya said, raising an eyebrow. "Did she regain her memories?"

Mia shook her head, her expression souring as her phone buzzed with a message from Nyx. She glanced at the screen and groaned, smacking her forehead. "Of course," she muttered. "It's this idiot's doing." She held up her phone, shaking it slightly.

Maya chuckled and gave Mia a soft push. "Go on, take your detective back," she teased, laughing.

Rolling her eyes but smiling faintly, Mia waved goodbye to Maya and walked toward Ashley. Her steps slowed as she approached, her emotions swirling. Finally, she stopped in front of Ashley and met her gaze.

"Hi," Ashley greeted, standing upright, her hands slipping into her pockets. "Sorry, Nyx asked me to—"

"Nyx asked you to pick me up. Yeah, great," Mia cut in with a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. She wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around Ashley, to feel the familiarity of her embrace like she used to after long days of work. But how could she, when Ashley didn't even recognize her?

Ashley tilted her head, studying Mia's face. "Did Nyx tell me where to pick you up?" she echoed, chuckling. "No, actually. It's weird, though." She glanced at the building and then back at Mia. "I know this is my first time here, but somehow... I just knew where it was. I can't explain it." She shrugged.

Mia froze, her breath catching as she looked at Ashley. Slowly, she raised her hand to cup Ashley's cheek, a bittersweet smile forming on her lips. "How have you been?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. She hadn't visited Ashley since her discharge—not with Vika staying at her house.

Ashley swallowed hard, visibly uncomfortable but trying to keep her composure. "I... I'm fine, I guess?" She let out a nervous chuckle, clearing her throat. "I've been going to therapy for the amnesia."

Mia nodded, her hands still on Ashley's cheeks. Ashley's brows knitted in confusion as she reached up to hold Mia's hands. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

Mia's smile faltered, and she hitched a quiet breath at the touch. "You still can't remember me?" she murmured. She started to pull her hands away, but Ashley held them firmly, refusing to let go.

"Mia," Ashley said softly, leaning closer. "Can you—"

Her words were abruptly cut off by the sound of excited shrieks from Mia's fans gathered outside.

Mia gasped, startled, her face flushing in embarrassment. "Oh, gosh," she mumbled, glancing around nervously. "Oh, God!" she groaned, realizing Ashley was still holding her hands.

"What's going on?" Ashley asked, bewildered, her grip on Mia's hands unyielding. "Why are they cheering our names?"

Mia gulped, glancing away. "Ash, just... let's go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Mia," Ashley pressed, her confusion growing. "Do I... do I know you from before the accident?"

Mia stiffened, her heart pounding loudly despite the deafening cheers from her fans. She turned back to Ashley, her eyes shimmering. "Why do you want to know?" she asked, her voice strained with emotion.

Ashley hesitated, her lips parting as if to answer, but no words came out. "I... Just... can you tell me?" she finally managed, her tone laced with desperation.

Mia bit her lower lip, exhaling shakily. Pulling her hands from Ashley's, she placed one over Ashley's chest. "Haven't I told you to try remembering something about me?" she asked, her voice breaking. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to keep her composure. "Ashley... do you know how much it hurts that you don't remember what I mean to you? I know it's not your fault, but it still hurts."

"Mia..." Ashley's voice was barely audible.

"Ash," Mia interrupted, her tone firm yet vulnerable. "You're breaking my heart." She inhaled sharply, leaning forward to brush her lips against Ashley's in a soft, fleeting kiss.

Ashley's eyes widened as Mia pulled back, giving her a faint, bittersweet smile. "Let's just go, please," Mia mumbled, her voice trembling as she opened the passenger door on her own and climbed in.

Ashley stood frozen, her heart racing as her fingers brushed her lips. What... she thought, the kiss stirring something deep within her. Why am I feeling this way?