Theo steps out of his room in blue jeans, a green T-shirt, and white sneakers with navy stripes. He goes and meets Leila at the front door, who's already waiting for him. When she hears footsteps, she turns around and stops at the sight.
Blue jeans and a forest green T-shirt? Can a coma make someone lose all sense of color combination?
Leila herself is wearing an elegant light blue and white knee-length dress, with white flat shoes. She's carrying a white tote bag on her shoulder.
"Sorry I'm late, Mother," says Theo – oblivious to Leila's shock – with little hesitation in saying 'mother.' He's still not used to calling a woman who is about the same age as him 'mother.'
"It's… it's okay, sweetheart," Leila stutters. She closes her eyes as if she wants to erase the image of blue and forest green.
She opens her eyes and clears her throat. "Are you comfortable? You're ready?"
Theo nods.
"Okay, let's go." Leila links her left arm with Theo's and steps out of the house.
Sam is already waiting. He's standing beside a black car, looking at his phone. When he hears the sound of a door opening, he looks up and freezes. Blue… and… forest green? Is that Thea?
He snaps out of his shock and immediately opens the back passenger's door. "Mrs. Montrose, Miss Montrose," he greets them.
Leila nods. "Sam. Thank you for accompanying us." She gently pushes Theo into the car.
"My pleasure, Madam."
Leila gets in, and Sam closes the door. He adjusts his beige suit and exhales before walking to the driver's side and getting in.
A few minutes later, an inconspicuous black car rolls out of Montrose Estate's front gate, blending smoothly into the morning traffic.
------------------------------
On the way to the city, Leila explains almost everything she sees to Theo. He nods every now and then and asks questions. He catches Sam glancing at him a few times from the rear-view mirror.
Hm, even though his behavior is similar to Arthur's, his glances don't feel like Arthur's. They feel more… inquisitive. Did Thea ever get involved with Sam? No. No way. Arthur wouldn't have allowed it. Maybe Sam had a crush on Thea.
He catches Sam glancing again. Maybe he still does.
Theo shakes his head slightly. I need to stop. I need to enjoy this trip. It's my first trip to the city!
He shifts his focus back to Leila, who is busy talking.
"You see that building there? The one with a helicopter on its roof? That's your hospital. It's the best hospital in Arvion. No, the best in Concordia!" Leila pauses and takes a deep breath.
"You know Arvion and Concordia, right?" she asks.
Without waiting for Theo's answer, she continues, "Arvion is the 2nd biggest city in Concordia Continent. It's our destination. Our home is located in Selene, a smaller and quieter city about thirty to forty minutes—depending on the traffic—from Arvion."
She smiles at Theo. "I talk too much, don't I?" She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Thea."
Theo smiles. "It's okay, Mother. I like listening to your explanation. It feels like a story rather than a geography lesson."
Leila laughs. "Okay, I got it. I'm going to zip my mouth now. You can enjoy the scenery."
Theo chuckles. "Okay." He turns his eyes to look outside the window.
He sees a building that catches his attention. He wants to ask Leila what building it is, but before he can, he feels a spark of magic coming from the building.
Magic? Heartstones or something else?
"Mother?" he calls.
"Hmm?" Leila turns to him.
Theo points to a skyscraper covered in black-tinted glass windows. Its shape reminds him of the tip of a spear.
Leila follows Theo's finger, and her whole face darkens. Theo is taken aback by this.
"That building… is Blackwood Enterprise's Headquarters," she says, her mouth half closed.
"You don't seem to like them," Theo notices.
"You're right. I don't," Leila confirms. She then turns to face the front, offering no further explanation.
Hmm, hearing the name, it should be Montrose Corporation's rival. And judging by her reaction, playing dirty is not beneath them.
After a few minutes of silence, Leila turns to Theo and speaks again. "Thea, promise me you won't get involved with the Blackwoods."
She looks very serious.
Theo smiles. "How can I get involved with them if I don't remember them?"
Leila presses her lips together. "You really don't remember them? Any of them?"
Theo sighs softly. "Mother, I have faces. Sometimes the faces are not complete. And I don't recognize any of them. Like when I first woke up. I didn't recognize you or Arthur. But I know your faces. Does that make sense?"
Leila gives a few small nods. "It does. You're absolutely sure?"
Theo nods. "Yes. I'm absolutely sure."
Leila nods again. "Okay. Okay. When you see someone you recognize but don't know their name, ask me. Don't go wondering on your own. Okay, Thea?" She looks worried.
Theo says firmly. "Yes, Mother. I'll ask you and won't go wondering on my own."
Leila's worry is easing slightly and pats Theo's hand. "Okay, good. Okay."
She leans back on the passenger's chair, frowning.
Theo turns his eyes to the scenery again. It looks like the Blackwoods had done something to the Montroses. Maybe Thea's accident was their work as well? I need to be careful.
They spend the rest of the journey lost in their own thoughts.