In a choked voice, Debbie asked, “Ivan, why are you always so nice to me?"

"Because I love Piggy so much. She is so adorable, I want her to have her dad's company. I did all of this for her, not for you!" Ivan joked.

“Thanks a million, Ivan," she said, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.

“No problem. I'll release the news that you are going to hold a concert in Alorith. The concert tickets will be available for booking soon..."

They discussed work for quite a while before hanging up.

What Ivan had done for her reminded Debbie of Curtis. She stared at her phone, Lost in thought.

‘Curtis is always so nice to me too!" Thinking of this, she sent Jared a text message.

"Send me Curtis' phone number. Thanks," she wrote.

Instead of replying to the message, Jared called her.

“Did you come back to Alorith? Ungrateful woman! Why didn't you contact me and Kasie as soon as you arrived? You must be a fake friend!"

Debbie giggled and explained patiently, "I just arrived. I want to find

Curtis because he's always nice to me. Compared to my own brother,

Curtis is more Like family to me. Oops! Got it wrong. He IS my family.

I need to treat him to dinner and thank him in person."

“Lately, Curtis has been a busy dad. Taking care of his child has changed him in many ways. ALL the same, I'll send you his number shortly. And hey! Why not hang out with us when you're available? You think of nothing but your man! There are still other men in the world!"

Jared teased with a laugh.

“Men like me," he added, gauging her response.

"Really? I better call Sasha and tell her that her boyfriend is thinking of another woman." Debbie decided to play along.

“Are you kidding me? Sasha would skin me alive! While you were away, she has changed a lot. She's no longer the soft girl you knew. Bossy and willful would describe her better. Anyway, I'm glad you're here.

Please talk to her, if you know what she means to me."

Amused, Debbie teased him all the more.

"You used to dislike Sasha. I suspect you must be reaping what you sowed. Karma, you may say, right?"

Scratching his head, Jared said softly, "Well then, forget about it.

But tell me, are you going to stay and work in the city? We'd cherish having you back, Debbie." He paused and waited for her response.

“Hopefully, I..." Debbie stammered.