Antonio stood there confused. He knew the guest must have given the waitress some cash for her to defend her and talk about her this sweetly. He shrugged and made his way to the VIP section, hoping to clear his mind and potentially resolve the disquiet he felt over Hinata’s absence. Suddenly, a voice in his head wondered if this guest is in any way related to Hinata's disappearance. As he approached the top floor, his steps were brisk. He reached the VIP area and saw Courtney seated with her posture elegant and composed. She is indeed as beautiful as the waitress described.
“Miss Courtney,” Antonio greeted her as he walked in. “I’m Diego. How can I assist you to…” Before he could finish she sprung up from her seat and hugged him tightly shedding tears of joy. “It's like a dream, you are really alive Antonio”. Antonio was about to push her at the sudden breach of personal space but hearing that name, he knew she knew him from the past so he let her. After she had cried enough, she pulled back and glanced at him from head to toe before bursting into loud laughter. “So it was true …you are a waiter! A fucking waiter”. Antonio was confused and also offended.
“Sorry ma'am what's so funny?” That made Courtney laugh even more. “Ma'am? Did you just call me ma'am?” She snapped and burst into laughter holding her tummy. “Oh my goodness I had to take a picture of this”. She dried her teary eyes from laughing too much. Antonio was getting impatient. “I am sorry ma'am, but I don't allow pic…” She was already taking selfies with him. He clenched his fists helplessly allowing her to capture him. “I will keep it when you recover your memories, so I can tease you with it”. She said so casually smiling at the pictures. Antonio tried to remain professional and let that go. “So how may I help you, ma'am?”
Courtney looked up. “Oh I apologize for not introducing myself first. I am Courtney Montero. Your favorite cousin”. She blew him a kiss. Antonio was surprised. “My cousin?” “Yes…” She stopped scrolling on her phone to show him a certain picture. “This is us with Grandma. She was poisoned by Damon… Grandma was like both mother and father to us, you loved her more than your life. You two had a sweet strong bond.”
“I am sorry? I am at work at the moment,can we leave the Montero's for next time.” Antonio spoke out with disinterest for the family reunion story. Courtney was surprised then her brow furrowed. “Angela was right, you don't want to be tagged a Montero anymore. You really don't remember Grandma Antonio? She will be so disappointed right now. How could you be so weak? What happened to you Antonio…!”
“Maybe you don't know ma'am this man here has Amnesia and I don't care about how strong I was. I hate my past”. “Because the media only shows you your bad side”. Courtney said sadly. She showed him videos of him with his grandma. “You had a good side too, Antonio Montero was my favorite cousin too, allow me to prove to you that you can be the best version of Antonio Montero without changing who you really are”.
Antonio’s expression hardened slightly. “I’ve made it clear that I want nothing to do with my past life or the Monteros. I’ve found happiness without them, and I intend to move forward.” Before Courtney could respond, Antonio’s phone rang, cutting through the tension in the room. He glanced at the screen, his face momentarily shifting to one of worry as he saw Hinata’s name. “Excuse me,” he said to Courtney and stepped away to take the call.
Courtney watched him impatiently, her anxiety rising as she realized the phone call might delay or even derail her plans. She stood silently, her mind racing as she prepared for the next steps in convincing Antonio to reconnect with Angela and face the emotional fallout of his past.
“Hello… Hina..”
“Diego!” Hinata's voice cried loudly, cutting him off. Antonio's heart raced faster hearing the pain in her voice. “Hinata? Where are you? What’s going on?”
Hinata’s voice came through the phone, choked with tears and fear. “Diego, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. I never meant for any of this to happen… Please don’t hate me Diego, .” She cried loudly.
Courtney's attention was drawn to the phone conversation she listened attentively. Panic surged through Antonio. “Hinata, please I can't hate you, but tell me where you are, baby. Please.”
“They asked me to tell you to come and get me from Lord Damon!” She cried and winced in pain.
“Lord Damon?” Antonio repeated his hand wiped over his face restless. Courtney's eyes widened at the name. “Damon? Does he know that Antonio is alive? How…?! This is bad… Antonio is no longer safe”. She murmured to herself.
“They said you know who he is, you have 2 days to come”. She cried loudly and he could hear spanking sounds. Antonio's heart raced. “Where … What…but I don't know who that is! Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Talk to me, Hinata!” Antonio snapped in frustration. The phone went off.
“Hinata? Hinata!” Antonio cursed angrily, confused about the next thing to do.
“Antonio! I know Damon”. Courtney announced… Antonio looked at her slowly.