After reaching the convenience store, Rosalia observes her friend who is totally engrossed in the task of arranging packets of chips in a row. She notices her friend casting a covetous glance toward the chips, which causes her to stifle a laugh.
"Poor man!" She expresses her sympathy with a murmur but also decides to play a harmless prank on her friend.
Silently walking near him from behind, she emits an unusual sound in an attempt to startle him. But, instead of being startled, he turns to her and responds with a charming smile.
His name is Henry Anderson, Rosalia's best friend.
"Rosa! How come you're here?" Despite Henry's cheerful greeting, she remains calm showing no emotion.
In a few seconds, he realizes that she is upset due to her failed attempt to startle him. In an effort to lift her spirits, he pretends to be frightened, resembling a fawn being pursued by a leopard. His fake drama of vulnerability makes her smile, though it is short-lived.
"May I know what actually happened?" He asks, understanding that something is bothering her.
They have been friends for so many years that he can assume without much effort what's going on in her mind.
"Well, that man again." Letting out a deep breath, she utters.
Jacob has been disturbing her for many years, but she doesn't tell anyone about him.
Just a few days ago, she had to let Henry know about him after suddenly facing Jacob in front of him. She doesn't want her keen to get involved with the mafia because she thinks it'll make situation worse.
"Don't worry, I will beat him up next time," Henry says.
"Shut up! I have never seen a coward like you."
"No, Rosa! You can't say this! This word doesn't describe me."
"How can you forget the day you left me with that mafia? It was the biggest betrayal I have ever had!"
"I thought he was going to propose to you; that's why I had to leave the place because I didn't want to see you end up with another man rather than me." He pouts in a cute way, earning a scoff from her.
"You know he's following me everywhere, so it's very tough to meet you these days," she said, her voice trembling.
"But I miss you a lot, and I don't want to put you in danger. See what's happened to my life? I can't even spend time with you. He's threatening me now!" Tears welled up in her eyes, and Henry pulled her into his arms, gently patting her head.
"You never felt the need to tell me about this?" he murmured. "I'm your best friend, and you were dealing with that man alone!"
"I didn't want to involve my most precious gift with that monster," she whispered. "What if he does something to you? Where would I go then?"
His heart melted as he listened to her. "I'm glad you ran away that day. Forget my whining—I was only joking." His care, love, and little mischief meant more to her than anything else. He lifted her chin, holding her gaze. "You believe me, right?"
"More than I believe myself." She nodded, and he leaned his forehead against hers, savoring the quiet connection. Then, reluctantly, he let her go.
Together, Rosalia and Henry gathered their shopping items, placing them on the counter one by one. She paid the bill, and he raised an eyebrow, surprised. She tried to say goodbye, but he held her back.
"I'm going with you; no need to say goodbye just yet."
Her eyes widened. "Are you out of your mind? What if he finds us?"
"So what?" he replied, unfazed.
"No way," she insisted, shaking her head. "I can't let you face that monster. I'll be fine; don't worry about me."
"But Rosa—"
"No buts!" she interrupted, suddenly hugging him tightly. He returned the hug, holding her close, reluctant to let go. When they finally pulled apart, she hurried out of the shop.
As she disappeared, Henry's face darkened. His hand clenched tightly around the doorframe, his eyes hardening with resolve. "It's been a long time, Jacob Kyler," he muttered, memories flooding his mind. "You've crossed the line."
He hadn't wanted Jacob to recognize him the last time they crossed paths, but he hadn't known Jacob was threatening her. "Damn you, Jacob. She's my girl."
Meanwhile, at his opulent mansion, Jacob lounged with a glass of whiskey, conversing with the man he'd assigned to shadow Rosalia. "So, she went there?" he asked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
"Yes, boss," the man replied nervously, "but she wasn't alone…she was with a guy."
"What?" Jacob's hand tightened around his glass, his blood boiling. "I want him kneeling before me, now!"
But before Jacob could continue, a deep voice broke through the silence, startling him. "What's the rush?"
Jacob's eyes darted up, shock flashing across his face. "You…!"
"Yes, it's me."
Jacob tried to mask his unease, though he felt a familiar fear creeping in. Henry's gaze wandered over the room, lingering on the familiar details. The living room hadn't changed: the walls, the furniture, even the art of two boys on the pillows. Everything was the same, except the bond between them, now fractured beyond repair. Suppressing his emotions, he focused on Jacob, his eyes steely.
"Calm down, little boy," he taunted.
"Boss, he's the guy!" Jacob's man shouted. Henry glanced over, and with chilling precision, he shot him before Jacob could react. Henry slid his gun back into his pocket, barely phased, as if it were nothing more than a formality.
"That was for interfering in my personal life," Henry said, smirking.
"You…! How dare you?" Jacob's voice shook with anger, but Henry only motioned for him to stay quiet, aiming his gun squarely at him.
"Anger doesn't suit little boys," Henry sneered.
Furious, Jacob threw a punch, catching Henry off guard and knocking him down. Jacob bent over, staring him down. "What were you doing with my girl?" he demanded, his voice like ice.
"What a joke." Henry chuckled, unphased. "She's my future wife, so you'd better treat her like a queen."
Jacob's jaw clenched, and he let out a bitter laugh. "Really? Has she even told you she loves you?"
Henry hesitated, refusing to answer, which only fueled Jacob's arrogance. "That's what I thought," he sneered. "Pathetic."
"Your arrogance deserves punishment," Henry retorted, his voice low and dangerous.
Jacob, amused by the insult, waved him off dismissively. "Oh, and who's going to punish me? You?"
Henry's face hardened. "Don't test me."
Jacob laughed coldly, looking at him with disdain. "You've always been beneath me. Just a weak, pitiful creature. F**k off."
Henry clenched his fists, eyes blazing with fury. "You think you've won just because I walked away from all of this?" he hissed. "You're a loser who clings to my family because you have nothing else. You disgust me."
Jacob's face twisted with anger, but Henry's words struck a chord. They were the same words that had haunted them both since childhood, the same words that had driven them apart. The room was filled with ghosts, with memories Henry couldn't escape.
"If you try to take her from me," Henry whispered, his voice barely controlled, "you'll regret it until your dying breath."
Jacob laughed, mocking him. "You're threatening me over a girl? You're even weaker than I thought."
"You really want to test my patience, don't you?"
Jacob shrugged. "Go ahead, but remember—you always lose. You've always been a failure, clinging to what isn't yours. It's pathetic."
Henry's control snapped, and he punched Jacob, sending him to the ground. Leaning down, he warned, "This is my last warning. Stay away from her, or you'll face consequences you can't even imagine. This isn't a game."
With that, he stormed out, his mind churning. As he settled into his car, he looked back at the mansion one last time, feeling an unfamiliar ache in his chest. The sights that once felt like home were now a reminder of all he'd lost.
Inside, Jacob lay still on the floor, laughing hollowly. The bitter sound echoed in the empty room, the darkness inside him consuming everything in its path. He was drowning in rage, yet he could do nothing but laugh at his own misery. Memories of Rosalia flickered through his mind, a face that haunted him, a desire that ate away at him.
"History is repeating itself," he muttered, his voice a twisted snarl. "Just like before…another man wants you. But this time, it'll be different. This time, I'm going to make you both suffer."