Chapter 12: Chapter 12

You don't have to have known someone for years before you find them trustworthy. Trust is measured by actions, not by words.

- Grace Chanbee

[Amber's POV]

The house seemed really weird. Justin had been so distant from me since the day before when he had disclosed that it was in fact my supposed father that had caused his hatred for wealthy people.

I didn't know what to do. How could I live with a bunch of people I didn't know but were actually my family members? And why did I feel safe in Justin's home when he wasn't even family?

Even Justin's grandmother I had seen as the kindest woman on earth had been avoiding me and had just been going about her business quietly without talking to me or giving me her usual warm smile.

I felt like an outsider and I guessed that was how they wanted me to feel so that I probably wouldn't feel bad about leaving them and will go to my own home happy that I was away from their cold treatment towards me, but if that was really their intention, they were not succeeding in the littlest bit.

I may have lost my memory but I still retained my common sense and them pretending to be unhappy about my presence just so I could go back home all smiles showed me how good of a people they were and how my happiness was their only concern.

I knew that if Justin had had his way, he'd have eloped with me and we'd have gone somewhere really far where no one could ever find us to start our lives over again.

I had been tossing and turning all night till I cried myself to sleep.

I should have known that all these was too good to be true. I really liked Justin a lot and just when he had started warming up to me and letting me know his true feelings, my parents had decided to find me all of a sudden.

Where had they been all these weeks? Was it now they suddenly remembered they had a daughter who was missing? Why did I have to fall head over heels in love with Justin first before they came out of the blue?

To me, I felt it'd have been much better if they had just remained forgotten without a trace whatsoever of them. I was content with being with Justin and his grandmother who couldn't even look me in the eye anymore. I didn't ask anyone to come and find me, I never did!

I wore faded skinny blue jeans with a black hoodie which originally belonged to Justin and matched the outfit with a pair of worn out brown sandals and took nothing with me even though Justin had asked me to pack my stuff.

They had given me accommodation, food, clothes and love. I hadn't come to their house with so much as a penny and I was grateful for how nice they had been to me, so why was I to take the so-called stuff that weren't mine in the first place when they didn't even have much?

The only thing I had taken was the bracelet Justin had given me the other day, the same one that belonged to his late mother and my hoodie perfectly covered it up because I didn't wanna seem like I was hanging onto it even though the truth was that it gave me a sense of reassurance that Justin and I will be together someday.

Justin's grandmother had left the house early in the morning and Sally was the only one who still stayed around me, looking really pitiful with sad eyes like she noticed the tensed mood everyone was in.

She sat on the bed watching me stare at myself in the broken mirror as I combed my long hair. When I was satisfied with how my hair looked just right touching my back, I turned around and smiled at her.

I then patted her back as she wagged her tail.

"I'll miss you too," I said and gave her a light peck on her nose then walked out slowly out of the room, afraid of facing reality.

I saw Justin sitting on the only couch in the house with his head buried in his hands.

He wore a simple pair of joggers and a sweatshirt with big slippers. His hair even appeared messy and he looked pretty much in a bad state.

Sighing, I went back inside and took the same comb I had used on my hair and sat on the table, he however, remained oblivious of my presence.

I started combing his hair and he jolted, sitting up with a start.

"What are you doing?" He asked in a hoarse tone.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm saving you from looking bushy," I said with a smile.

He managed a faint smile and I felt my heart flutter a bit as I was nervous since it was the first time we had spoken since yesterday when he had informed me of who my father was and how he intended on sending me out of his house today.

"You shouldn't worry about me or how I look, I'm not stepping out of the van anyway. I'll drop you off and you have to say exactly what I've instructed you to say," He said.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I know."

He heaved a deep sigh and stood up but I pulled his hand back causing him to sit back down.

"What is wrong?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I don't wanna go," She said.

"But why? It's your family you're going to be with and not a bunch of strangers," Justin said.

I blinked back tears, trying to be strong. "Why then do I feel like they're going to be strangers?"

He smiled. "You don't have to be nervous. I know you don't remember anything but by just being with your family and being in a familiar environment, I'm sure you'll get your memory back," He said.

"And who says I want my memory back?" I retorted.

"Listen, Amber, you have to know that family is everything. You may be unhappy about leaving now but when you get back home, you won't regret it at all, I promise," He consoled.

I swallowed. "Sure?"

He nodded. "Absolutely."

"So we'll never see again?" I asked.

He stared at me and didn't say a word at first then sighed, cupping my face in his palms.

"We may see again, it's not in my capacity to know that. Fate works in unusual ways, babe," He said.

"You know, when I think of all the time that I've spent with you, it doesn't even feel like much time has passed... It all feels so... It feels like... I can't explain it," I said, not finding the right words.

"It feels like yesterday," He said with a genuine smile this time around.

"Exactly! So why waste time on remembering old memories and your past when the ones you've even managed to make don't seem too long ago? Why waste time on old memories when you can create new ones?" I asked, sounding really desperate.

"What's your point exactly?" Justin asked.

"My point is... Is... I don't care about who I used to be. All that matters is who I am now and I feel happy every time I'm with you. I don't even wanna remember anything, I just wanna be with you and create new memories with you," I told him, holding his shoulders and staring right into his eyes.

Justin heaved a sigh and arose, pushing me away from him gently.

"You know that being with me isn't possible because aside from the fact that you're indeed from a rich and influential family, your father caused me pain. I don't think it'll ever be possible for me to smile with you like I used to knowing fully well that you're the daughter of the same person who made me an orphan," Justin said, turning his back on me.

I stood as well, staring at his back. At least, I didn't have to look up at him now. My neck always ached from struggling to look at his face when he spoke to me; the perks of being short.

"Exactly the point I've been trying to make. Why are you so focused on the past? Forget about it and let's start new lives together," I argued.

He turned around to face me squarely this time around.

"That's easy for you to say. You can't even remember anything at all, I've not lost my memories, sweetie. They're still intact, so how can I just forget about them like they never existed?" He yelled.

I swallowed and nodded my head slowly.

I scoffed. "Fine then, I'll leave without regrets," I said and walked out of the house.

I heard him mutter some inaudible words and this time around, he didn't apologise for using my amnesia against me in an argument.

*********

[Author's POV]

Gilbert was in his car with his driver, his personal assistant and a bodyguard and they were on their way to Arroyo Grande police department as he had been called by Detective Shawn to go there.

He was in a pleasant mood as Detective Shawn had informed him that the exact location of his daughter had finally been traced.

It was relieving because it was the day before that the news of Daisy seeing Amber had reached their ears and in just a few hours, due to the location Daisy had given them, the detectives finally knew where his only child was.

He had been called upon to identify her with his own eyes and check if the person she was staying with was the plausible culprit and even though his wife had kept on pleading with him to come along, he had refused and asked her to make sure Amber's room was in perfect condition and her favourite meal was served.

He had mixed feelings about everything as it seemed too good to be true. Apart from that, he had this bugging instinct that maybe lookalikes were real and it was probably his daughter's lookalike that was with a boy no one knew in Arroyo Grande.

He knew Amber wasn't really settled with the posh life of the wealthy home she had been born into and would have opted for a normal background if she had a choice and so, had the ability to fake an accident and disappear on purpose.

Even though he thought that was possible, he also knew his wife, Eunice, was right in saying Amber wasn't a self-centered person and couldn't do something to hurt both of them intentionally.

He was certain there was a misunderstanding somewhere and although he couldn't place his fingers on what it was, he hoped in all sincerity that everything turned out just fine.

Like he had guessed, his opponent in the gubernatorial elections had pointed out that he was an irresponsible father and that out of selfish reasons, he had hidden the disappearance of his biological child for a whole month.

The criticisms he got from friends, foes and the public as a whole made him have a rethink on his behaviour. He had been foolish in hiding Amber's disappearance and at this rate, his party could likely drop him out of the race but then, it was worth it if he could find Amber as soon as possible.

He spotted an old blue van whose colour was gradually fading away manoeuvre to the parking space he had seen his driver trying to park their G-wagon.

He hated people taking what he was going for and therefore wound down his window at the backseat to see the driver and offer him an amount of money to leave the parking space for him.

However, it was too late as the driver of the van successfully parked his van there and then, someone stepped out of the passenger seat.

Gilbert was already annoyed that he had been cheated out of the parking space and was going to turn back to the newspaper he had been engrossed with when the stature of the person he had seen alighting from the vehicle flashed in his mind.

He looked out of the window again and saw the person's stature matched perfectly well with that of his daughter, Amber.

Gilbert watched as the girl with long blonde hair like that of Amber's turned around and wiped a tear that had dropped, obviously not wanting the driver of the van to see her tears.

Gilbert dropped the newspaper and opened the door of his car then alighted from it without any hesitation, eager to see who it was that reminded him so much of his only child.

The girl who had come down from the van fiddled with a beaded bracelet on her wrist then as she looked up, Gilbert couldn't help but open his mouth agape, an act which was reflexive.

Was he seeing her for real or was he so desperate to get Amber back that he was beginning to see things?

He couldn't believe his eyes as his brain registered the fact that the girl who had just alighted from the van with the same stature as Amber was in fact Amber.

However, something happened that puzzled him. Although the girl stared intently at him for a moment, she just gave him a sad smile and turned around, walking towards the police station.

Gilbert was chilled to the bones that his very own child had practically snubbed him, then it suddenly clicked on remembering Daisy's words that she had also acted like she didn't know she and Richard when they had both seen her.

Could it really be that there was something called lookalikes in reality? He had always thought it only took place in fictional movies like the ones his wife watched.

From the corner of his eye, he saw a gun pointed from the eastward direction at the girl who looked exactly like his daughter.

He stood, transfixed, gathering ideas on what to do. His brain had taken in so many details of the various happenings in the past one month that it failed to think of a plan to stop whoever it was that was trying to murder the innocent girl.

Before he could say Jack Robinson, a tall guy alighted from the van and pushed his daughter's lookalike down, collapsing on top of her on the floor thereby saving her life as the gun was fired into thin air.

Detective Shawn came outside with other police officers as they heard the sound of the gunshot and looked surprised upon seeing Gilbert standing there with an agitated expression.

"What happened?" Detective Shawn asked.

"Someone tried to shoot her, he went that way," Gilbert said and pointed his hand towards the direction he had seen the person who tried to kill Amber.

At his beckon, Detective Shawn's men went towards the direction where Gilbert had pointed at in an attempt to find the killer.

Meanwhile, Justin helped Amber up and drew her into his arms, stroking her hair as she trembled in fear.

"I'm scared," She said.

"I know. It's only a matter of time, you'll be fine," He told her.

"Excuse me?" Gilbert requested, tapping Justin on his arm.

Justin let Amber out of his embrace and turned around to see the person who had tapped him on his arm.

Gilbert flinched upon seeing Justin's face. It was a face he knew too well although in a much more older version.

Justin, on the other hand, ran his fingers through his hair and although he wasn't really stunned upon seeing the man who had so wickedly thrown his dad in prison many years ago, he was really scared for his life because he didn't want to be misunderstood.

"You're Drew's son, aren't you?" Gilbert asked, finally able to say something.

"Apparently. I look like my dad, don't I?" Justin retorted sarcastically.

"You two know each other?" Detective Shawn asked.

"Yeah, we do. Amber, come here," Justin said, holding Amber's hand.

"Isn't she your daughter?" Detective Shawn asked in a confused state.

"Amber, this is your dad," Justin said.

"Why does he look so mean?" Amber asked in a low tone.

"Because he's mean," Justin responded.

"I won't stand for this, what sort of trickery is this? How can my own daughter not know who I am?" Gilbert asked, enraged.

Justin gave a small smile. "She lost her memory... All of it," He explained.

"How's that even possible?" Gilbert asked, emitting fury in his words.

"And why have you been keeping her with you instead of taking her to the police station?" Detective Shawn asked.

"I don't trust this boy, detective. His father did something terrible to me in the past, I won't be surprised if he has chosen that same path," Gilbert said.

"Hey, watch it," Justin said, defensively.

"I'm sure he's the one who kidnapped my daughter," Gilbert said in a very aggressive tone.

Justin scoffed. "You better watch it, old man, or else..."

"Or else what?" Gilbert cut in.

Amber held Justin's arm, telling him to calm down as she eyed her father with contempt.

"You've poisoned my daughter's mind against me, haven't you?" Gilbert thundered.

"Listen! I found her half-dead and highly battered, her head was even cracked open. My grandmother and my late father's friend nursed her back to health but she was unable to remember anything. I didn't even know she was you daughter," Justin explained.

"You liar!" Gilbert spat.

"Are you sure of what you're telling me?" Detective Shawn asked.

"I'm certain. I helped her out and after seeing the news just yesterday, I brought her to the police station so they could locate you guys and take her back home," Justin further explained.

Detective Shawn took Gilbert seven feet away from where Justin and Amber stood.

"His story seems to add up," Detective Shawn whispered to him.

However, Gilbert wasn't convinced. "I don't trust that boy one bit. He was six years old when he told me he'll have his revenge for sending his dad who was my business partner back then to prison," He said in a harsh tone.

"Are you saying this was a plan to get revenge on you?"

"Exactly."

Detective Shawn looked doubtful but gave in to Gilbert's wishes at the end.

He strode over to where Justin and Amber were and gave him a pitiful smile.

"Justin..."

"Al-Hassan," Justin completed.

"Yes. I'm afraid I'll have to take you to the detention centre in Los Angeles for a comprehensive interrogation," He said.

Justin scoffed and stared at Gilbert. "You couldn't stop at my dad, you won't rest till his entire lineage is wiped out, will you?" He mocked.

Gilbert had on a tough expression without looking sorry or pitiful.

"When you have a warrant, I'll follow you even to the moon," Justin said, staring at the detective.

The detective nodded, understanding him. "Fine then. I'll get your warrant issued today and will come for you tomorrow. Not to worry, I already have your address," He said.

"Whatever," Justin said and turned around to go back to his van.

Amber suddenly grabbed onto his arm and he turned around, his heart melting as he saw the confused state she was in.

"You've got your family now, let me go," He said.

She shook her head, declining his statement. "I'm never letting you go. These people want to interrogate you, I have to be there with you to support you. I have a bad feeling that they won't let me see you again if I go with them," She said.

Justin shrugged. "Your family knows what's best for you," He said, calmly removing her hand from his arm.

Gilbert held his daughter's shoulders with teary eyes, finally relieved that she was with him, safe and sound.

Amber flinched upon his hold, causing him to jerk back in surprise.

Tears slid down her face as she eyed him fiercely.

"I don't know who you are but if you're really my father, I feel terrible. What did I ever do to have a pathetic loser like you as a father?" Amber yelled.

"Amber!" Gilbert hollered.

"What are you gonna do? Send me to jail the same way you're planning to send him to jail as well? He saved my life, he gave me love, he treated me so well. And you, you're trying to take my life from me," Amber screamed, at the top of her lungs.

"Can't you see? He has brainwashed you!" Gilbert stated, removing a strand of hair from her face.

"Don't you dare touch me! I may not have my memory but I do know a good person when I see one," Amber stated.

Her words impressed Justin a lot and he smiled genuinely, accepting his fate. All he had wanted was to drop Amber off and start living his life the way he used to in the past, but things had fallen out of place, but he still smiled in the midst of all the disaster, just like his late father had done.

He opened the van and got into the driver seat, turned the key in the ignition, prepared to zoom off.

His plan was to call Aiden and tell him to check on his grandmother when he wasn't around. There was no way he was escaping prison now, definitely no way since rich people were involved.

He was all set to go when Amber stood in front of his van with her arms stretched sideways, asking him to either take her with him or kill her there and then.

"Gosh! This girl is freaking crazy," He muttered to himself.

The detective and her father tried to stop her from committing a grave mistake but she stood her ground, daring Justin to end her life.

Gilbert sent him a threatening glance and Detective Shawn just looked like he was confused as to what to do as usual.

Justin knew he was in a dilemma and he was already in so much trouble that he didn't want any more.

Amber never joked with her words unlike he who was mostly a coward.

It was a do or die affair now.