Beyond The Echoes Of You

Chapter 3

Mike was drenched by the rain, and Adams couldn't believe that it was him standing in front of him.

"Mike, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on the flight to London?" Adams questioned in surprise.

"Let me in first before the interrogation begins." Mike replied.

"Right, I'm sorry." Adams stepped aside to let him in.

When Alicia saw him, she also couldn't believe her eyes. "Mike! It really is you!" She hurriedly stood up and ran to hug him, not minding the fact that he was soaking wet. "Oh my God, I can't believe it's really you."

"Let him go Alicia, he's wet." Adams pulled her away from him.

"H...how are you here? I really can't believe this." Alicia asked, smiling brightly.

"It's a long story." Mike heaved a deep breath.

"I'm pretty sure we'll get to that, but first come get changed because I don't want you catching a cold." Adams said, then he walked upstairs while Mike trailed behind him.

"I'll be here waiting." Alicia yelled before returning to her seat.

Adams took Mike to his and Alicia's room, then he brought out some clothes from his closet and gave it to Mike.

"Thanks, man." Mike collected the clothes, then he went into the changing room to get changed.

"I'll be downstairs waiting." Adams said before leaving.

When Adams got downstairs, he sat down beside Alicia, and she immediately bombarded him with questions he didn't have answers to.

"Why is Mike back? And don't get me wrong because I'm thrilled to see him, it's just that I can't understand why he didn't go to London."

"I also don't know why he didn't leave, but I'm sure he'll tell us when he joins us.''

"Do you think something happened after we left?" Alicia asked worriedly.

Adams couldn't resist smiling. "You have nothing to worry about, Alicia. Mike is here to tell us what happened." He replied, and Alicia looked at Mike who just joined them.

After Mike was seated, he looked at the both of them for a while before speaking. "I saw May."

"What!?" Adams and Alicia blurted out in shock.

"I mean someone who looks like her." Mike hurriedly clarified.

"What do you mean, Mike?" Alicia asked, sitting up properly.

"She looks exactly like her." Mike muttered as he thought of the new May.

"Who are you talking about?" Alicia asked again.

Mike sighed deeply, then he explained everything to them. "I really don't know what came over me, but when I saw her... I just couldn't leave without meeting her again." He said. "Do you have any idea if May has any siblings or a relative that looks exactly like her? And when I say exactly like her, I mean exactly like her.... She's the exact replica of May, both her body physique and everything, the only difference is that this one has curly hair."

Alicia and Adams couldn't believe their ears, but they both understood perfectly how Mike must be feeling about this.

"I don't think so, May had no one because her parents died a long time ago, and she's the only child." Alicia replied.

"Then how is this possible? Not only does she look like her, but she also bears the same name as her."

"Really?" Alicia asked, her eyes wide with shock.

"Yes, her name is May."

"I also find this hard to believe myself." Adams said. "Could this be a mere coincidence?"

"I don't know, but I'm willing to find out more about this lady because something seems to be going on with her. When she bumped into me at the airport, she was in such a hurry, and she also looked so scared...like she was running away from something. There's something about her, and I need to know what it is, and why the hell does she look like my May." He ran his hand through his hair as he let out a frustrated sigh.

Alicia gave Adams a worried look, then she looked back at Mike. "Maybe you're overthinking this, Mike. You know people do have doppelgangers, and what if you meeting her is just a mere coincidence? I really don't think you need bother yourself with this. She may look like May, and also bear the same name as her, but you must know that she isn't our May. May is—"

"I know, Alicia." Mike calmly interrupted her. "I know she's gone and she's never coming back. There's no way she must have magically returned to earth because this isn't a fantasy book or a movie." He smiled sadly. "What was I even thinking? I didn't go to London because of this."

"It's okay, you don't have to beat yourself up." Alicia replied, her voice calm and soothing. "And I know it's not going to be easy, not for any of us at all, but we have to try to move on, most especially you, Mike. We really want you to be okay, to regain that spark that was once in your eyes, to try to be happy again because that's all we want for you.''

Mike looked at her and forced out a small smile. "I know... I know." He stood up from the chair. "I should leave now."

"Are you sure?" Alicia and Adams instantly stood up. "I think you should spend the night here, and do you think you'll still be going to London?"

"I don't know, Alicia. I guess I'll have to think about that."

Even though Alicia knew that it's probably because of the new May, she didn't bother saying anything as she wouldn't want to stress him out too much.

"It's okay, but are you sure you want to head back home? You don't have your car, and although the ran has stopped, it's still drizzling."

"It's fine, I'll just call a cab."

"I'll drop you off." Adams offered. "And there's no arguing about that." He added, as if knowing that's the next thing Mike planned on doing.

Mike could only roll his eyes at him. "Fine."

Alicia went to hug him once more. "Take care of yourself, Mike. Always remember that we're here for you, and we love you so so much. No matter what decision you make, we'll be here to support you all the way." She said before letting him go.

"Thank you, Alicia." Mike smiled.

Adams kissed Alicia before leaving with Mike.

As they reached Adams car, he assisted Mike in loading his luggage into the trunk before they headed inside.

Adams didn't immediately start the car. Instead, he turned to Mike, his eyes searching for any sign of what was troubling him. "Tell me what's still bothering you.'' He said gently. "I know you too well, Mike. You won't let this go easily, even though there's no need for you to concern yourself with the lady. She may look like May, but she isn't May."

"I know, Adams. But I still want to find out more about her." Mike replied.

"So you're not going to London." Adams stated.

"Not yet."

"I knew it!" He smacked the steering wheel. "I'd say you're wasting your time with this, but since you're my brother, and I don't want you getting into trouble... I'll help you with whatever you need. Just let me know."

Mike's face lit up with a bright smile. "And you still deny the fact that you love me," he teased. "And you used 'brother', not 'best friend'."

Adams chuckled, shaking his head. "You're like a brother, so you're my brother," he said with a smile. "Now, you'd better shut up before I change my mind." He turned on the car, a hint of a smile still on his lips.