“Hey, Miranda, remember our deal? No saying ‘thank you’ to me,” Jackson said with a playful smirk. Miranda laughed softly, covering her mouth. “Sorry, I forgot again.” Jackson rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. “You forget every time, and I always have to remind you.” “My bad,” Miranda replied with a grin. “Hmph.” As they exited the conference hall, Miranda couldn’t shake her worry about Amy’s ability to manage things on her own. Her uncle Bert had never been to the Europe before, and he didn’t speak Italian. If he got lost, it could be a major problem. Reluctantly, she asked Jackson to drive her to airport so she could personally meet her uncle and ensure his safe arrival. This was her second visit to the airport ; the first had been just a few days ago when she was rushing to attend an awards ceremony. She hadn’t had time to take in her surroundings, and it had taken her ages to find Amy at the international arrivals gate. Amy had just stepped out of a convenience store, holding two steaming cups of coffee. When she spotted Miranda, she waved enthusiastically. “Miranda, over here!” Hearing her voice, Miranda quickened her pace. Jackson followed closely behind her, cautioning in a low voice, “Watch your step.” “I’m fine, it’s much better now. Let’s just find my uncle.” Amy beamed at them. “Miranda, Jackson, do you want some coffee? This convenience store has amazing coffee for just three dollars a cup, and you can get free refills! I’ve already had thirteen cups!” Jackson blinked in disbelief. “Thirteen cups? You drank all that?” Amy grinned sheepishly. “I was a bit hungry, so I ended up drinking a lot. Jackson, do you want me to get you one?” Jackson shook his head. “No thanks. Caffeine makes me too wired. I won’t be able to sleep tonight.” Amy turned to Miranda. “How about you?” Miranda asked, “Did you find my uncle?”Amy nodded enthusiastically. “Yep, he’s right over there—wait, where did he go? He was just here!” Miranda followed Amy’s pointing finger and saw a suitcase and a handbag sitting on one of the lounge chairs in the waiting area. They were definitely her uncle’s; she recognized the bag she had bought him. But the seat next to the luggage was empty—her uncle had vanished. Amy looked guilty. “I just went to refill my coffee, it wasn’t even five minutes! How could he disappear…? Don’t worry, Miranda, I’ll go look for him.” Miranda tried to remain calm, but she was anxious. Her uncle was in a foreign country, completely unfamiliar with his surroundings, and Rome wasn’t exactly the safest place, especially at night. He didn’t speak the language and might run into trouble. Jackson placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Your foot needs rest. Amy, why don’t you help Miranda sit down while I talk to airport staff and get an announcement made?” A public announcement seemed like the fastest way to find him, so Miranda agreed. Jackson shot a look at Amy, who nodded, and then he hurried off to find the airport staff and inquire about making an announcement. He quickly located the information desk and headed towards the broadcast room. “Miranda, here, have some coffee to warm up. It’s late, and it’s getting chilly in here,” Amy said, handing her a steaming cup. Miranda took a sip, trying to focus on the rich, comforting flavor. The coffee was good, no doubt, but she couldn’t fully appreciate it with her mind racing. The airport was bustling with travelers from all over the world, speaking English, French, German, Italian, and other languages. But she couldn’t spot a single familiar face among them. Her uncle wouldn’t be able to ask for directions. The thought of him wandering around, lost and confused, made her heart race with anxiety. “Miranda, are you okay? You look pale.” Miranda shrugged. “Maybe I’m just tired.” “You need to rest more, Miranda.” “I know, but I’ve just started establishing myself in the architecture industry. I don’t have the luxury of taking time off.” Amy squeezed her hand gently. “You’ve achieved so much in just three years, winning the Pritzker Prize for Architecture. That’s something most people can only dream of. You’re pushing yourself too hard.”Three years? Yes, it had been three years since she stepped into the world of architecture. It had been three years since she shed her old identity as Emily Carter and became the enigmatic Miranda, a woman who could hold her own in any room. So much had happened in those three years. Her father, William, had passed away just last month. Her uncle, Bert, hadn’t told her right away because he knew she was working tirelessly on a project that could win her the Pritzker. It wasn’t until three days ago, during a transatlantic call, that Bert accidentally let it slip. That’s when she learned that yet another family member had left her. She immediately bought a plane ticket for Bert to join her in Rome, hoping the change of scenery would do him some good. He had spent so much time in the hospital with William, watching over him, and she knew how much it had weighed on him. Just then, a familiar voice speaking English caught her attention. “Thank you so much, I was completely lost. I couldn’t understand a word anyone was saying, and I got separated from my family. I really appreciate your help…” “It’s nothing. If you don’t mind me asking, are you here visiting family?” “Yes, I’m here to see…." The voice hesitated as if the speaker realized they were sharing too much with a stranger. "A friend, actually. We’ve known each other for years, practically like family." "I see." "Yes, thank you again, young man. Really, thank you." "No problem. I have a flight to catch, so I’ll be on my way. Take care." "Okay, okay, thank you, take care." Miranda’s heart leaped at the sound. It was Bert, unmistakably. She rushed towards the source of the voice, and as soon as she spotted him, she broke into a run, throwing her arms around him. "Uncle Bert!" Bert was taken aback, staring at the beautiful woman in front of him. She resembled Emily, but there was something different, something more refined. Yet the voice, that familiar voice, was undoubtedly his niece. "Emily?" "It’s me, Uncle Bert," Miranda said, her eyes welling up with tears. "Where did you go? I was so worried." Bert sighed, slightly embarrassed. "This airport is huge. I just went to the restroom, and when I came out, I couldn’t remember the way back!"Miranda laughed through her tears, hugging him tightly again. "I’m just glad you’re okay."