Rozze ran out of the parking lot, her breath uneven.
She stopped suddenly and looked back.
Nothing.
The silence felt louder than footsteps.
She exhaled, fingers shaking as she searched inside her purse.
Just then— FLASH!
A car's headlights blinded her.
Rozze gasped and instinctively crouched down, covering her face.
The car stopped right in front of her.
The door opened.
Saim stepped out.
Rozze felt a hand gently tap her shoulder.
She opened her eyes slowly—first blurred, then clear.
Saim.
Her shoulders relaxed without her permission.
"Boss…" she whispered, standing up.
Saim looked at her carefully.
"Why were you running like that?"
Rozze shook her head. "It's nothing."
She turned to leave.
Saim suddenly caught her wrist from behind.
"Miss Miren."
Rozze froze. She glanced down at his hand on hers—then looked up, silently asking him to let go.
Saim withdrew his hand and slipped both hands into his pockets.
"It's late. I'll drop you."
She didn't answer. She just got into the car.
As Saim drove, he pulled out a key from his pocket and handed it to her.
"This was lying in the parking area. Is it yours?"
Rozze glanced at it. "Hmm."
"I've seen this keychain with you before," Saim said casually.
"So I thought—"
Rozze muttered under her breath, I didn't ask you to think.
"What?" Saim asked.
"Nothing."
The car stopped.
"You wait here," Saim said. "I'll be back."
As he left, Rozze stared at the dashboard.
That day in the parking lot… I felt the same thing, she thought.
Someone watching me. Again today.
Is someone following me? A stalker?
The door opened.
Saim returned with a juice bottle and handed it to her.
"Drink."
Rozze hesitated, confused.
Why does he care so much? she thought.
Saim smirked slightly.
"Your throat must be dry. You were running like your life depended on it."
The smile was soft—but his eyes felt like they were playing a different game.
A Few Days Later – Hospital
Rozze sat beside Ayaan.
"What happened to your hand?" Ryan asked.
"Forget that," she said quickly. "Where are you and Ina going all dressed up?"
Ryan walked in, wearing casual clothes.
"Day off. So we're going out."
"Without me?" Rozze frowned.
"You never have time for us," Ryan teased.
"Mama, come with us!" Ayaan and Ina said together.
"Next time," Rozze smiled. "I'm getting late for office."
"Where's your car?" Ryan asked. "I didn't see it last night."
"Garage. Again."
"Then we'll drop you," Ryan said.
Inside the car, Ryan was driving.
"Ina, give me the cookie packet from the bag," he said.
Ina passed it to Rozze.
"These are homemade?" Rozze asked.
Ryan smiled. "Yeah. After a long time."
Rozze laughed.
"Then they'll definitely be amazing. Your cooking has always been chef's kiss."
Ryan chuckled. "That's too much praise."
Rozze slipped the cookies into her purse.
Company – Meeting Hall
Glass walls. City view.
Saim stood at the front.
"Today is confirmation day," he said calmly.
A slide appeared:
Family Engagement Event – Final Checklist
Everything was approved.
Saim looked at Rozze and Jiya.
"IT won't have much technical work today. The show will be live."
He paused.
"You'll handle invitations and forms. Convince as many families as possible."
He leaned forward slightly.
"More competition means better promotion."
"And the winner," Saim added, "might even get an audition as our brand's child model."
Someone asked, "Is that the prize?"
Saim smiled and glanced at Jack.
"The prize… you'll find out there."
The Park – Event Location
Ryan stood between Ayaan and Ina.
"This place is huge!" Ina said.
"And there are indoor games too!" Ayaan added.
Ryan pointed at a tree.
"You're forgetting the best part. Nature. Picnic under that tree."
He smiled softly.
"When your mom and I were in college, this place was empty. But that tree was always there."
The car moved in silence.
Jiya was driving, eyes fixed on the road. Rozze sat beside her, equally quiet, while two employees occupied the back seat. Outside, a line of vans and cars followed one another toward the venue.
In another car, Jack drove calmly, Saim seated beside him, focused on his tablet.
"You know," Jack said after a pause, "you're my boss while we're working… and my friend once work is done. But I still don't understand one thing."
Saim didn't look up. "What's that?"
"Even after being the boss, you always sit beside me instead of the back seat."
Saim scrolled on his screen, his voice steady.
"I can sit here as your friend. But never forget— you are not my driver."
Jack glanced at him, smiled faintly, and looked back at the road.
(This man is strange…) he thought.
Cars began to arrive at the parking area. Doors opened, people stepped out, vans halted as drivers rushed to unload equipment.
Saim stepped forward, commanding attention.
"Alright everyone, let's begin. The setup is ready. Only stage seating remains. Costumes and makeup need to be moved to the makeup room."
He turned sharply, already assigning roles.
"Miss Riva, Miss Sophie, Mr. Kian — take your teams and handle costumes and makeup. You have van access, so no mistakes."
They nodded and moved
"Mr. Noah, manage the forms inside the van and handle entry invitations.
Mr. Kai, your team handles video, photography, and music. You know your job."
Kai raised a hand in confirmation.
Saim's gaze shifted.
"And the most important part — Miss Miren and Miss Jiya."
Rozze straightened instinctively.
"You'll handle invitations, form filling, and assist other teams if needed. You'll have support staff joining you shortly. Start immediately."
"Yes, sir," they replied together.
Inside the venue, laughter echoed as Ryan played games with Ayaan and Ina. Outside, Rozze and Jiya stood with forms and invitations in hand.
Jiya exhaled, tired.
"I already drove for hours, and now we get the hardest job."
Rozze nodded quietly.Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.
"I heard that both of you are the most hardworking in your department."
They turned, startled, forcing polite smiles as Saim stood there.
"You were given this task because not only I, but others believe you can handle it. You can convince people."
He paused, watching their reactions.
"I also heard you've done this kind of work before— even when it wasn't your responsibility. And you did it well. I have expectations from you. Stand up to them."
He clenched his fist lightly and lifted it.
"Fight."
Rozze and Jiya exchanged confused looks.
"…Fight?" Jiya whispered awkwardly.
As Saim walked away, Jiya leaned closer.
"Personality change. Again."
Rozze sighed. "Yeah."
"Alright," Rozze said, regaining focus. "You cover the inside area. I'll handle the outer side."
They split up.
Outside, Ryan led Ayaan and Ina out of the gaming station.
"Let's get some snacks," he said. "You both stay here. I'll get the picnic basket and mat from the car."
A little distance away, Rozze continued her work— until her eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Ryan…?
She walked toward him instinctively.
Ryan looked up, surprised.
"Rozze? What are you doing here?"
"Our company is hosting a small modeling event for promotion," she explained softly. "That's why I'm here. I didn't know you'd come here to relax."
Ryan looked around slowly.
"Do you remember this place?"
"How could I forget?" Rozze smiled.
Her gaze drifted past him to a large tree.
"Ryan… that tree. It used to be so small."
He nodded. "Hmm."
"Maybe that's why I came to this city," he said quietly. "To refresh old memories."
Rozze smiled faintly.
"Or maybe fate wanted our work to bring us here too."
Before Ryan could respond, Ayaan and Ina called out to Rozze. She turned toward them— and her foot caught in the picnic mat.
She lost balance.
A hand grabbed her wrist just in time.
From afar, Saim noticed.
(What is Miss Miren doing…? And who is that man?)
He took a step forward, but Jack called out to him, pulling him away.
Ryan steadied Rozze, holding her hand for a second longer than necessary. Ayaan and Ina rushed closer.
"I should go," Rozze said quickly. "I still have work."She paused, then handed Ryan an invitation.
"You're here anyway… Ayaan and Ina can participate too."
Ryan read it. "With parents?"
Rozze hesitated.
"I'm busy… so—"
"I'm here," Ryan said simply. "I'm their dad."
She looked at him, surprised.
"And it says only one parent is enough," he added.
Rozze smiled.
"Then fill the form. I'll write their costume sizes. Submit it at the van."
Meanwhile, Alex moved around filming the event.
"Boss!" he called out.
Saim stood with an ice cream in hand.
"Everything's fine here. Go cover others."
Alex introduced the camera and music team, visited the makeup hall, annoyed Riva unintentionally, and ran off laughing.
Elsewhere, Saim walked through the garden, finishing his ice cream.
He stopped suddenly.
"Why does this place feel so familiar… as if I've been here before?"
A pipe burst overhead, splashing water all over him.
"Damn—!"
Soaked, he rushed out. Jack stared at him, laughing.
"Was there a private rain just for you?"
"Stop laughing," Saim snapped. "Get a towel from the car."
As Jack handed it over, he asked, "Should we go home? Your clothes are soaked."
"No. Just bring medicine and a mask. There's work to do."
"I'm the judge here," Saim added firmly.Later, Rozze and Jiya reached the van, exhausted.
"At least the forms are done," Rozze said.
"And we skipped lunch," Jiya groaned.
"Let's eat at the canteen. My purse has cookies."
Inside the café, Rozze froze.
Jack and Saim were already seated.
She whispered, "That's the boss, right?"
"Yes," Jiya muttered.
But Saim noticed them. He lowered his mask.
"Miss Miren, Miss Jiya. Come join us."
"I cooked myself," he added. "You're lucky."
They tried to refuse. He insisted.
Reluctantly, they sat.
Rozze tasted the soup— and froze.
"This tastes… exactly like—"
"Like whose?" Jiya whispered.
"Faish's," Rozze said quietly.
Saim watched her. "How is it?"
"It's delicious," she smiled politely. "It reminds me of someone close."
"Can I have the recipe?"
"No," Saim replied calmly. "It's a secret. I got it from somewhere too."
Rozze drifted into memory— a college afternoon, Faish smiling.
"I'll never give this recipe," he had said.
Jiya snapped her back. "Rozze?"
She shook her head.
Rozze placed cookies on the table.
"Try these."
Saim took one bite.
And froze.
The taste hit him like a wound.
Tears filled his eyes.
"What happened?" Rozze asked softly
He wiped his face quickly. "Nothing."
Then he stood up and walked out.
Jack followed.
Outside, Jack asked, "Why did you leave like that?"
"I don't know," Saim said, restless. "That cookie… I've eaten it before. Whenever I remember these things, I feel suffocated. Those memories still haunt me."
Behind them, Rozze stood frozen.
"What… memories?" she asked, stunned.
===============================
Some people don't remember love by names.
They remember it by taste, by places, by feelings that refuse to die.