The nightlife in Rome pales in comparison to what Miranda was used to back home. Most of the surroundings were engulfed in darkness, with only a few 24-hour establishments, their entrances desolate and void of activity.“It's nothing like Las Vegas,” Derek remarked. “Rome was once a grand city in ancient times, but now it’s mostly a tourist destination.”Miranda chuckled softly. “Rome has its own charm. It doesn't need to be compared to other cities. Las Vegas has its vibrancy, but Rome is rich in culture and history.”Derek smiled, pleased with her response. “Yes, Rome’s culture is renowned worldwide. America too, of course.”Miranda raised an eyebrow. “Do you like American movies?”“Yes, I love American arts films. Brigitte, Jet Wilson, and oh, my favorite, Robert Downey.”Miranda was surprised. “You know more than I do.”Derek laughed, his English tinged with an Italian accent, though still fluent. “Miranda, I must admit, I’ve deceived you.”“Oh?”“I recognize you. You attended the
Jackson had been waiting outside the hotel, pacing nervously. When he finally saw Emily returning, he quickly walked over, draping a warm coat over her shoulders. His face was etched with concern as he frowned. "Why did you come back so late? I’ve been worried sick."Emily, now known as Miranda, let him guide her inside, though Jackson held her a little too tightly for her liking. She politely freed herself from his embrace, her tone composed. “I’m fine, really. I wasn’t cold. Have Bert and Amy come back yet?”Sensing her subtle rejection, Jackson’s hand dropped limply to his side, his expression tinged with a hint of disappointment."They’ve been back for a while. They were both worried about you and asked me to let them know the moment you returned."Miranda nodded, knowing her Uncle Bert had just arrived. Having him face such an unexpected situation on his first day surely unsettled him."I’ll go straight to see him then. What room is he staying in?" she asked."Room 1805. I’m in 1
The entire night was filled with surreal and fragmented dreams—none of them forming a coherent story.In one of the dreams, Miranda cradled a chubby, smiling baby in her arms. Behind her stood a tall, gentle man, softly encircling her waist, quietly reminding her to watch her step. But when she turned to look at him, he vanished. All that remained was an endless field of wild grass, stretching as far as her eyes could see. No trace of the man, no one to turn to.The baby in her arms disappeared too. Her once-full embrace was now empty, and she found herself running across the desolate field, desperately calling out—though she didn’t know what name to shout. Her child hadn’t been born yet, and she hadn’t even had the chance to name him.When she awoke, the light outside was still dim. A glance at her phone showed it was already 7:30 PM Rome time. She had slept through the entire day, nearly twelve hours. Yet, it felt as though she had only napped for thirty minutes, likely due to the v
With Miranda’s assistance, the check-in process at the hotel went smoothly and efficiently. In just over ten minutes, all sixty guests had their rooms assigned, and the older men and women were being guided by hotel staff to their rooms.Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief after the last group was taken care of.One of the girls at the front desk handed Miranda a glass of water. “Thank you, Miss. If you hadn’t been here, we would’ve been in serious trouble today.”Miranda took a sip and smiled. “It’s nothing.”“These older folks, traveling without a guide, can barely communicate with us. We had no idea what they were asking for. Why didn’t their guide stay with them? This is going to be a challenge.”“Exactly,” another receptionist chimed in. “Miss, we can’t keep bothering you like this. Could you help us reach out to their guide?”Miranda nodded. It was time to contact the tour guide.A group of elderly tourists stranded in a foreign country without proper assistance was a dis
The man standing at the hotel reception desk was undeniably striking.His sharp features, complemented by an aloof aura, created a sense of distance, almost as if he radiated an unapproachable energy. Though he wasn’t dressed in formal attire, his beige cashmere sweater paired with a deep navy shirt and corduroy trousers exuded elegance. A sleek sports watch adorned his wrist, and his shoes were the latest running sneakers from a well-known brand.Clearly, he was someone who valued an active lifestyle.Miranda couldn't help but notice him. Her gaze lingered a moment too long, drawing the man’s attention. He turned his head and locked eyes with her. For a second, it felt as though he wasn’t just looking at her but through her, as if searching for someone else in her gaze.Realizing the intensity of the exchange, Miranda quickly averted her eyes. What was she doing staring at a stranger like that?The tour guide beside her interrupted her thoughts. "Hey, gorgeous, thanks again for today
The receptionist sighed, realizing there was no easy way out of the situation. Reluctantly, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll try to contact her for you.”“Thank you,” the man responded, his voice cold and distant, devoid of any warmth.Nearby, the tour guide stood by, still hoping to secure this man as a potential client. When he overheard the man request a room change, he seized the opportunity to try again. “Hey there, you’re Leslie, right?”The man raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”“I heard you mention it earlier when we were at the station. You know, Leslie Cheung, the famous actor, also had that name. I was such a huge fan of his back in the day.”Leslie didn’t reply, his focus solely on the receptionist as she handled the room change.But the tour guide wasn’t about to give up. “You know, Leslie Cheung starred in that movie A Chinese Ghost Story with Joey Wong. She was so stunning! Later, Liu Yifei also played that role. Both of them nailed it. Speaking of beautiful women, did you
Miranda hung up the phone, feeling a strange sense of unease.Who would be so insistent on remembering a room number, especially 2307? Life had a funny way of throwing coincidences at her.Just as she was lost in thought, there was a knock at the door.“Who is it?” she called out, her voice cautious. She wasn’t about to take any chances in a foreign country.A familiar voice answered from the other side, laced with playful exasperation. “It’s me, Jackson. Your incredibly handsome, unbeatable best friend.”Miranda couldn’t help but laugh. She walked to the door and opened it.Jackson poked his head in, glancing around theatrically, even taking an exaggerated sniff of the air.“What are you looking for, Mr. Detective?” she asked, amused by his antics.“Just making sure you’re not hiding any other guys in here,” Jackson quipped as he plopped down on her couch. “Man, I’m exhausted.”“What have you been up to?” Miranda asked, raising an eyebrow.“I was out getting Chinese food,” he replied
Miranda had known Jackson for years and understood his temperament all too well.There was no way she was going to avoid this conversation today.So, she stayed silent, conceding the inevitable.Jackson’s frustration was boiling over. "Three years ago, you were in surgery, pregnant and unconscious. The doctors needed a signature, and I signed for you. I told myself that once you woke up, I’d make sure you married me. Vincent didn’t ask, did he? He never asked about you in these three years. You know that, don’t you? While you were recovering, he inherited his family fortune, acquired the Reed empire, and expanded his own business. He’s been thriving—no sign of despair, no regret at all."Miranda opened her mouth to respond, but Jackson raised a hand, silencing her."I’ve seen him, Miranda," Jackson continued, voice intense. "I’ve seen him with another woman. She looks just like you, and you can’t tell me that’s a coincidence. Vincent’s type is clear—whether it's you or someone else, i