A/N: Hello everyone! I had to update a bit early since I would be busy tomorrow. I might not find time to update.

 A photo of the lovely Jeffrey Dean Morgan for the portrayal of Gabe Heath. 

Until next weekend update! Enjoy!

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"When was the last time you actually went out of the house?" Luke emphatically asked. His voice rang clear from the speaker of my phone.

"It's only been four days since you've abandon me in this strange town," I evasively replied. "And I had been outside the house. I cleaned the car yesterday and took an errand to grab some new bed sheet and pillows... and don't comment on the last part. I know how it sounded."

I heard muffled chuckles on the other end of the phone. "Well, well. Look who's doing normal stuff, picking out bed sheet, pillows and washing cars."

"Also I forgot to ask. Why they hell are you so famous in this town? I thought moving in and pretending to be your relative would make me just another fly in the wall." I pressed, quickly changing the subject.

"Okay, I'm quite charming when I was young... Anyways, as I'd said before, it's a small town. My grandmother had lived there long and got acquainted with the locals. Mainly everyone who lives there had grew up together. And once the younger generation graduates, they moved to the city – like my family and me. Those who stayed had a good reason why."

"So in a nutshell, you were a rowdy child." I stated rather than guessed.

"Yes. I made a mess at one of the town festival, which was almost fifteen years ago. They weren't entertained when my friends and I wrecked an annual baking contest. No one got to taste the winning cake for that year." He let out a stifled laugh.

I laughed at the mental picture. "Now, how would anyone forget such a lasting impression?"

After our brief chat on my current situation, Luke and I talked about work. Since I was no longer in headquarters, I trusted him the task on shouldering some of my burden at the office. It wasn't my first call. I hadn't hired Luke for his reckless past. He had outgrown the trait by ten folds. As my secretary, he was obliged to help me out while I solved a few hiccup in my personal life. Actually, at the moment, it wasn't a small hiccup. If it were, I wouldn't fly across the country and moved in a small town, worrying about people recognizing me.

"So when would those cable men arrive to fix my Internet problem so I could start working again?" I asked after we've covered most of the transaction from when I was gone.

"As I've said, don't blame me when you start bitchin' about choosing to live there." He stated dryly. Not a hint of humor in his voice.

I quickly laugh it off before ending the conversation with a hasty 'call you later.' For the past three days since I'd moved in, it was the longest conversation I had with anyone human. The most I'd receive from when I got out for groceries where 'Hi' and 'Thank you'. By now, I was making an impression towards my neighbors as someone boring and probably a lazy bastard.

After the call, I put down my phone on the kitchen counter and headed towards the refrigerator to make breakfast. The chiller hummed in the background as cool air greeted me. I studied the almost empty food supply. From my last grocery run, I hadn't put it into account how many days of food I should buy. Back home, everything was well stock by the people who mend the apartment while I was at work.

With a discontented sigh, I closed the fridge. I picked up the car key and phone I left by the dining table. I took one of the jackets I had laying around by the couch before getting out of the house. The hairs on my arm stood at the autumn weather. Now I was up north, winter would be around earlier than I was used to.

On the drive towards downtown, it was inevitable to not passed by the bakeshop. And every time I did, my eyes wandered in that direction. After my mind cleared of her smiles and friendly gestures, I decided it was wise not to go back. For one, she knew Luke, which was the greatest link I had from who I was. And second, I couldn't seem to look away from her. Sure she was pretty, and slightly hot with her dark hair tied back, revealing her youthful feature. Plus those deep almond eyes that seemed to stare at you like she knew what you were thinking. And those lips twitching up into a smile, it made me wonder how soft they felt when I kissed her.

I heard a car honked behind me, kicking me out from my daydream. I looked up at the green traffic light in front of me. Quickly, I changed to first gear and hit the gas pedal, making my old truck coughed in protest. With my freehand, I rubbed my face in annoyance.

Relief washed over me when I got to Carol's diner without daydreaming again. Like the last time I was here, the spot by the door was empty again. It made me rethink whether it was reserved for someone, but then there were no signs saying otherwise. So I parked the truck in the same spot again before heading inside.

The diner had a handful of customers. I smiled at my company this morning while I took the same booth Luke and I once sat. The present customers with me were a couple, who sat across from me; two men by the counter, who sat in the high chairs, and a family of three – from my guess since one of them looked like he could pass as the couple's son. All in all it was a good company to keep.

"Hi, Kyle. I'm glad you've got to visit again. For breakfast I recon?" I looked up at the same woman who hugged Luke last time.

"Yes. I had nothing on my fridge to whip up something," I replied with a weak smile.

"Oh! Don't be shy and come by anytime, dear. Anyone related to the Bailey's is family," she cooed lovely as she placed a cup in front of me. It was then I noticed she was holding a pot filled with coffee. "Have a glass while you wait for your food. What would you like this morning? We could whipped you up anything you like," she asked after filling my cup.

"Could I have some scrambled eggs and ham with some toast, please?" I asked rather than stated.

"Sure. No problem. I'll be back with those in a few minutes," she nodded and smiled.

"Ah... Could I ask for some sugar for the coffee?"

"Got it. Be back with those in a second."

After Carol came back with a canister filled with sugar, she also brought me a glass of water. She didn't idle and asked any questions like how she bombarded Luke from last time. Once she served my meal, she told me to enjoy the food and headed back to attend the other customer whose about to check out. I watched the short exchange while I chew.

The exchange was the same as how Lenna and everyone in the bakeshop addressed each other. They greeted each other like family during holiday. Once I was done, I lingered in my booth and watched people passed by the diner. Since it was located around on Central Avenue, there were more to see here than wooden houses and huge front lawns. On my drive here, I noticed boutiques, convenience stores, and even a small department store – which I've already gotten acquainted since I bought my bed sheets and pillows there. For a small town, they had more or less the same thing I could find in metropolitan areas.

I felt my phone vibrated in my pocket, pulling me out of my morning daze. As I was about to answer the message, it was then I realize the situation I was in. For once, I'd finally stopped thinking about work altogether and enjoyed the moment.

A smile was plastered on my face when I read the caller I.D. flashing on my phone's screen. Without hesitation, I clicked the answer button and placed it on my ear.

"You couldn't believe what I'm doing right now. Which is an odd question since I was not doing anything? Could you imagine that?" I smugly informed.

"Do you want a round of applause for it?" Luke asked in mock humor though I knew he was smiling.

"Don't be a poor sport. I would give you a paid vacation after all this mess in done."

"I would take you up on that offer."

I laughed at the gravity of his voice. "So I presumed you didn't call me again for another round of chat?"

"Right. I talked to the lawyer and emailed you the papers. Also the Siren came by here a few minutes ago... she looked like hell." I heard him hissed on the other side of the phone.

"Good. I would get right on it and read those through," I replied. The enthusiasm on my voice was gone.

"Is this a great time to call her a Siren?" he asked bluntly, his voice didn't have an ounce of playfulness in it.

"Sure. But from your tone, you are holding back on me. What did she do?" I asked my eyebrow creased in worry.

"Don't worry. She was all bark and I wouldn't even flinch if that Siren yelled at me. It was nice seeing her get escorted out by security though," he stated although his voice was strained.

"She's coming back there, is she?" I inquired, understanding the situation.

"She doesn't know I'm hiding you away, so I'm good for now. Oh! And your Aunt called. Do I tell her or...?"

"No. I'd be the one to tell them."

"Okay. Got it."

"Thanks, Luke."

"It's my job. But anytime, Boss."

After the call, I paid for my meal and exchanged an awkward goodbye with Ms. Carol. Before heading out, I asked her if I could have my car park by the diner while I walked towards the market. She gave me her approval, which I replied with another round of thank you. It was a good walking distance.

The farmer's fresh market wasn't difficult to find. It was located a few blocks from the diner. I could easily locate it from the loud chatter of people, who was calling in customers, and the busy cars passing the road. On my last food run, I'd gone to a family owned store. The market was only available on Tuesday from the sign I saw the last time I was out.

Once I reached the main entrance, I stood by and watched in awe at the new environment. There were vendors lining up in stall outside selling different kind of goods from vegetables to poultry and fish. Some even sold other thing than food.

With a deep breath, I walked on towards the stalls, studying the barely presentable display placed on a convertible table. After passing by three stalls of foods I didn't need, I reached a stall that sold a variety of bread and jams. Remembering the toaster I brought with me that was lying around the kitchen, I headed towards it to buy a few for my breakfast or dinner later.

Approaching the stall, the vendor, who was a woman around her late fifties, greeted me with a warm smile. I greeted back out of courtesy and asked for one of each kind of bread she sold. For a moment, she was stunned before a shy smile placed on her slightly wrinkled face.

"Are you having a party this afternoon?" the lady asked after she handed the change of the money I gave her.

"No. Not really," I replied, not sure why she asked.

"I see. Well, would you like to buy some jams to go along with it? It would make the bread tastier," she offer, gesturing her hand on a few bottle lined up on the front right side of her table.

I studied and picked one up, reading the label. It was a homemade strawberry jam. With a smile, I gave the lady the bottle I held and handed her another cash for its payment.

"Thank you, dear. I hope you'll enjoy them," she beamed as I got the bag with strawberry jam in it.

"Thank you too." I said with a stiff wave, holding he bag of bread and jam in one hand.

As I turned away from her, I swayed backwards as I felt a light collision on my leg. When I looked down, I saw a little boy rubbing his face in discomfort.

"Hey there little guy. Are you okay?" I asked, quickly kneeling down as he continued to cover his face with both of his hands.

The little boy looked at me while I placed a hand on his shoulder, giving me a good look on his chubby face. He had a light brown hair that fall just above his eyebrow, covering a bit of his dark brown eyes. His eyes was scrutinizing as he regarded me. To reply my question, he gave me a small nod, bobbing his tiny head.

I smiled at him in apology and ruffled his hair before standing up. "I'm glad you're okay."

After I was up, the little boy continued walking on the direction of the bread stall I came, finally speaking aloud. "Nan! Can I have some bread please?" his high-pitched voice made me turned and watched the exchange.

The lady who sold me the bread lovingly looked down at the boy before picking one of the bread and got out of her booth.

"Here, my dear. And where is your mother?" the lady asked as she gave him the bread and picked him up when he reached up his hands towards her.

The little boy quickly took a bite on the bread, disregarding the lady's question. Before she flustered on finding the boy's mother, a familiar voice called behind me, taking my attention away from the little guy. Running towards my direction with a casual shirt and jeans, her hair tied in a ponytail, Lenna looked even more beautiful from the last time I saw her.

"Gavin. Don't run off like that!" she scolded. Her attention was completely towards the boy, ignoring my presence completely. It was a good impression on how I epically failed on getting a girl's attention.

"Don't worry, Lenna. He hadn't done anything... well, he did bumped into one of my lovely customer," the lady defended on the boy's behalf and nodded in my direction, finally making her noticed me.

Lenna's eyes fluttered in surprise before giving me a weak smile in greeting. "Kyle, hi. I'm sorry about what Gavin did," she said, looking apologetic.

"No worries. The little guy only knocked me off with his unbelievable force. I didn't know he had super strength or something," I replied, looking towards Gavin who gazed at me in fear. But after saying those words, I got a cheeky grin from him, giving my heart a slight jostle.

I winked secretly at the little guy as Lenna got him from the lady's arms, thanking her. She then noticed the bread he was holding and rustled on her pocket to pay for it.

"Don't worry, Lenna. It was from the pile on the free sample," the lady stated, pushing the hand back while Lenna held out the money.

"Oh, okay. And I'm sorry for the trouble, Mrs. Lois. Thank you again." She shyly put the money back on her pocket while balancing Gavin on her hip.

The hand she used to hold on Gavin shook a little. Out of reflex, I placed a hand on the boy's back to settle him. From the sudden close distance, Lenna looked up at me in surprise.

"Ah... Uhm... thank you," Lenna said after placing both hands to hold her son.

"No problem," I said and stepped back. "Do you need...?" I was about to ask but trailed off when Gavin scrummed underneath his mother's hold.

Lenna turned away from me and put down Gavin who quickly ran away from her. She was about to scold him but closed her mouth once she recognized someone behind me. Out of curiosity, I turned and found an old man with minimal grey hair and a stubble . He wore a leather jacket, denim pants and a white under shirt. For an old man, he had some sense of style. Yet there was nothing I could pinpoint how he was related to Lenna.

"Gabe, are you picking up something for the boys tonight?" Lenna asked as she walked towards him.

Looking at their exchange, I cued it was time to head back. But then Lenna knowingly looked back at me. "Oh! Thank you again, Kyle," she said with a stiff wave, automatically making my hand raised and mirrored her actions.

My eyes hastily darted at her ring finger, finding no accessory there. And for no reason, my chest felt lighter. The old man who she called Gabe glanced in my direction with curiosity. He regarded me for a moment before he patted Gavin's check to get his attention. When Lenna reached them, the man balanced Gavin on his hip to give her a quick hug. With that as my last image, I turned away from the three and started walking back to my car.

Each stride seemed heavy and dragging. I noted the two bags I held, but the weight wasn't physical. Once I was a block away from the market, half way back already, I stopped and glanced back at the direction I'd gone. There was a feeling of gut wretched jealousy on what I'd witness. Not with Lenna and the man, it was the relationship between the three. Even though everyday I saw families walking by, the moment when I watched their exchange, I'd never felt so jealous to want something of such extent in my life.

I knew the sentiment was fleeting like any other instance. Times such as these weren't strange to me. I'd lost both my parents at an accident when I was nine. And I've always thought I would have something close to it with her. Slowly the image shattered in my head. She cheated and betrayed me, and everything was back into a dream state again.