After Dean gave Claire some clothes to change into, they both sat in the locker room with Liam, who had deliberately closed the cafe.
"So... who are you?" Liam asked Claire.
"Um, my name's Claire Anderson. I'm Dean's friend... for now," Claire said, a bit hesitant.
"That's right, Uncle, sorry about this," Dean added.
"Hmm, okay, I get it. Let me introduce myself. My name's Liam Wilson. Dean's my nephew; his dad is my older brother," Liam said, offering his hand to Claire.
"Oh, okay, Uncle, nice to meet you," Claire said, shaking Liam's hand.
"How did you get in here? I didn't see anyone come into the cafe," Liam asked.
"Um, she came in with me, Uncle. But secretly, haha," Dean replied.
"Hmm, I see. Alright, I won't ask any more questions. But you two really are just friends, right? You live above this cafe, Dean. She's not planning to stay with you, is she?" Liam asked.
"Um... no, Uncle. (He looked at Claire) Right, Claire?" Dean asked Claire.
"Um... yeah," Claire replied, sounding a little disappointed.
"Why the long face?" Dean asked her.
"It's nothing, hehe," Claire answered.
"Alright, I'm heading home now. Aunt Laura is already home from the office and waiting," Liam said, standing up.
"Oh, is the cafe closed, Uncle?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, it's been quiet all evening, but if you want to open it, go ahead," Liam said.
"Alright, Uncle, I think I'll just chill upstairs too," Dean replied.
"Okay, if anything comes up, talk to me," Liam said with a smile, taking off his apron and bow tie.
"Will do, Uncle!" Dean replied, giving a thumbs-up.
"If you need a motorbike, it's in the garage. The keys are at the counter, the usual spot," Liam said, glancing at Claire and smiling.
"Okay, Uncle, thanks. Oh, Mom says hi to Uncle Liam," Dean replied.
"Oh, okay, tell her I said hi back," Liam said, smiling.
Liam unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, making his muscular physique more visible. Then he said goodbye to Dean and Claire, leaving the locker room. A moment later, "Ch-cling!" the cafe door jingled. Claire immediately turned to Dean.
"Uncle Liam doesn't live here?" Claire asked.
"No, he used to live here with his wife, Aunt Laura, and their three kids: Lucas, Lily, and Lorna," Dean replied.
"Oh... where does he live now?" Claire asked.
"He has his own house. He's not what he seems. He's actually my dad's adopted younger brother, and he's... a billionaire. His real name is Liam Vargas," Dean said.
"Oh, really? But the name you mentioned, I actually heard it when I was still alive as Jenna," Claire asked, surprised.
"Yep, that's why I'm allowed to live here and help him manage his cafe," Dean explained.
"Hmm, but he still works at the cafe even though he's a billionaire?" Claire asked.
"Because this cafe was inherited from his grandma, and he doesn't like showing off his wealth. That's just how he is, and please keep it a secret... Anyway, come on, I'll take you to the hospital on the motorbike," Dean said, standing up and taking off his apron.
Suddenly, Claire grabbed Dean's hand, making him turn to look at her. She was staring at him with a pleading look.
"Um... can I stay here for a bit? I'm all alone at the hospital. Dad and Mom already went home. You know, I was alone in that unfinished building for so long when I was a ghost," Claire said.
"But if you disappear from the hospital, it'll cause a huge commotion, right?" Dean replied.
"Uh... yeah, I guess. Can you just stay with me at the hospital, you don't have to work, right?" Claire asked.
"Oh my goodness, I was just thinking about relaxing upstairs... well, fine. I get it. I know how lonely it feels to be alone (referring to his time in prison), but first let's go upstairs. I want to change, shower, and eat," Dean replied.
"Oh, okay!" Claire replied, suddenly cheerful and smiling widely.
After that, Dean took Claire up the stairs to the third floor, where Dean lived. Once they arrived, Claire was a bit impressed because the third floor of the cafe really looked like a comfortable apartment, with a full kitchen that had a stove, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, a large bedroom, a bathroom with bathtub, and a living room with a comfy couch. In the right corner of the room, there was a partition with fitness equipment like a bench press and a treadmill.
"Wow... you live here all alone?" Claire asked.
"Yep, all alone," Dean replied.
"Where are your mom and sister?" Claire asked.
"In another state, at my childhood home," Dean replied.
"Hmm... I see," Claire replied, thinking.
"Okay, I'm going to shower first. Just sit on the sofa or if you want to drink and eat, please take it yourself from the refrigerator," Dean said, grabbing his towel and putting his smartphone on the table in the kitchen hallway.
"Alright," Claire replied, sitting down and looking around Dean's place.
"Click!" Dean went into the bathroom. Claire stood up and looked at Dean's photo shelf. She saw a picture of a young Dean with his dad, mom, and Angel in a park. All their faces looked cheerful and made Claire smile.
Suddenly, "Drrrrt... drrrt," Dean's smartphone, which was on the kitchen hallway table, vibrated. Claire immediately went over to Dean's smartphone and read the name on the screen.
It was Angel video-calling Dean. Claire looked at the bathroom and heard the shower running inside. She immediately picked up the smartphone and "click!" answered it.
Angel's face immediately appeared on the screen, and the background showed that Angel was in her own room. Angel's face showed three expressions in two seconds when she saw Claire's smiling face on screen: first surprise, then confusion, and finally anger.
"Why are you answering my brother's phone? Are you at my brother's house?!" Angel shrieked.
"Um... I just wanted to let you know that Dean is in the shower," Claire replied.
Angel seemed to examine Claire's clothes and got even angrier when she saw Claire had changed.
"Are you... living with my brother? What's your relationship with him?!" Angel yelled.
"Um... friend... but I'm a bit confused myself, hahaha," Claire said, rubbing the back of her head and giving a stiff smile.
"What?! You're his girlfriend, aren't you... right... admit it!" Angel shouted even louder.
"Sorry, but why do you care so much about Dean's life?" Claire asked seriously.
"He's my brother! He's mine! If you want to date him, you have to get past me first!" Angel screamed, answering Claire's question.
"Hmm," suddenly Claire's face changed to someone who wanted to play a prank. She flipped her long hair back and looked at Angel on the smartphone screen, smirking. "Actually, I'm your brother's future wife. I'll tell him you called after he finishes showering. Bye... bye!" Claire said with a smile.
"Huh... what did you just say?!"
Before Angel could finish speaking, Claire had already hung up. "Phew," Claire sighed and took Dean's smartphone to the coffee table in front of the couch where she was sitting. The smartphone kept vibrating, and Angel's name kept appearing on the screen. Claire smiled, looking at it.
"This... this playful side of me... it's clearly not my original personality... this mischievousness is Claire's personality, definitely... and it feels fun, hehe," Claire (who was actually Jenna inside) thought to herself.