Thinking of this, I wanted to turn around and go upstairs.

"Mrs. Hudson, can I have this afternoon off?" Kira asked in embarrassment. "Something came up in my home. I must go back. You can deduct my pay."

I stopped and turned around. Looking at her condescendingly, I asked with feigned concern, "What's the matter? Kira, I can give you a lift. I want to go out, anyway."

"I'm flattered, Mrs. Hudson. I can take a cab..." Kira declined.

"It's not easy to get a cab here. It's OK. Give me ten minutes. I'll come down after getting changed," I said gently.

Ten minutes later, I drove out of Maple Villa with Kira in my car. I faked ignorance and asked her address before going that way.

Along the way, I beat about the bush and winkled out a lot of things about Ruben and Emilia from Kira, except why they argued. Even Kira didn't know, so I figured it must be embarrassing.

Near our destination, I saw Ruben sitting on the flowerbed in the street. He looked dejected.

"Mrs. Hudson, thanks a lot. Would you like to go up and have a cup of coffee?" Kira said gratefully.

"You're welcome. Don't you have something to attend to? I won't bother you. Go home!" I smiled.

After saying a few more grateful words, Kira went up hurriedly. I swiftly turned my car around to find Ruben.

I was relieved to see that he was still there with a sad look on his face.

After straightening my clothes and rolling down the car window, I began, "Ruben, what are you doing here?"

"Sylvia?" Ruben was surprised to see me.

"It's hot here under the sun. Where are you going? Get in. I'll give you a lift!" I offered.

"Thanks, Sylvia. But I prefer to be alone." Ruben shook his head, looking tired. It seemed he had slept badly the night before.

I got out and dragged him toward the car. "You don't have to stay under the sun to solve your problem. Let's have a drink!"

Ruben didn't say no. He sat in the passenger seat quietly. Wherever I drove him, he didn't seem to care.

We came to Glitter Club 30 minutes later.

I got a private room. "Come on. If you're unhappy, sing!" I said loudly after giving Ruben the microphone.

Holding the microphone, he suddenly cried, tears streaming down his face.

Taken aback, I didn't know what to do. This was the first time a man had cried in front of me.

"Sylvia, Emilia wants to break up with me. What should I do?" Ruben sobbed.

Break up? I was stunned. When I knew about Emilia in my previous life, Frederic had chased her for a year, and she had broken up with Ruben.

But this was too soon!

"What happened? Tell me. I may be able to help," I said calmly.

"She and I went out for dinner yesterday. I accidentally saw a message on her phone. It was a flirtatious message from another man. I got mad and argued with her. I asked for the man's phone number, but she wouldn't give me and said since I didn't trust her, we should break up..." Ruben said sadly and ruefully, covering his eyes with his hands.

I asked calmly, "What did the message say?"

After a moment of silence, Ruben said, "It said, 'I want to see you. Give me a chance, OK?'"

Who would've thought that the proud Frederic could speak so humbly? This was the power of love. He would never do this for me even if I cast a spell on him.