Lara laughed and left Stella to join Steve in his car. As she walked towards him, Steve got out of his car to open the front door for her. After she got in, he closed the door and started the engine, driving them towards Lara’s home. Throughout the drive, Steve couldn’t help stealing glances at Lara. She playfully hit his head when she noticed his continuous stares.
“If you keep staring at me while driving, you’re going to get us killed,” Lara teased.
Steve smiled and replied, “Have I ever told you that you’re the reason I enjoy coming to school now?”
“Stop pulling my leg. I bet you’ve said that to all the girls,” Lara retorted.
“Well, yes, I have. But never have I meant it as much as I do with you. Your beauty is breathtaking, and seeing you every day brings comfort to my soul,” Steve confessed sincerely.
As Lara read his thoughts, she couldn’t find any indication of him wanting to kiss her.
“Then why don’t you want to kiss me?” Lara asked, a tinge of desperation in her voice.
“I’m dying to kiss you, but I want it to be special, in a special moment,” Steve explained.
Lara saw the sincerity in his eyes and reluctantly decided to wait. Despite her eagerness to be kissed right away, she knew that sharing these moments with him before returning to her own world, with or without him, would be better. She had never believed she could fall in love, but here she was, deeply in love with a human.
As the ride came to an end, Steve opened the front door for Lara, and she stepped out of the car. Steve approached her gently, as if about to kiss her. Lara closed her eyes, eagerly anticipating his lips on hers. However, instead of a kiss, she was met with a warm embrace. Surprised, she opened her eyes to see Steve hugging her instead of kissing her. Disappointed, she looked at him.
“I told you I wouldn’t kiss you now. I want it to be special,” Steve chuckled. He walked back to his car and drove away.
Lara stood there, processing the unexpected turn of events. She remembered her father telling her that his curse was not a curse at all, but a blessing. And in that moment, she realized that Steve cared more about love than money. She realized he was not cursed, but blessed and humble. Lost in her thoughts, Lara eventually made her way inside the house.
Meanwhile, Lucy had been observing from the clouds, waiting for Lara. Seeing that Steve had brought her home and shown her great affection, Lucy decided that the best way to put an end to their madness was to bring Steve’s ex back into the picture. She believed this could only be achieved through magic. Satisfied with her plan and how Lara would react, Lucy vanished into thin air.
swiftly reached for her phone, which was connected to a Wi-Fi camera, allowing her to discreetly observe Lara’s actions. Her curiosity piqued, Jane watched as Lara began to undress, but her admiration for Lara’s attractive physique made it difficult to continue. She decided to switch off the Wi-Fi momentarily. After a few minutes, she reactivated the connection, eager to see what Lara was up to next.
To Jane’s astonishment, Lara sat on her bed with her eyes shut, seemingly motionless and silent. Confusion washed over Jane as she wondered why Lara remained so still. Determined to uncover the truth, she continued watching, hoping to hear or witness something out of the ordinary. Unbeknownst to Jane, Lucy, who possessed the ability to listen to the prayers of her faithful followers, was fully engaged in attending to their pleas. She had established a connection between the mortal realm and her ethereal existence, granting her the ability to communicate while the link remained active.
As Jane observed, weariness began to cloud her senses. Just as she was about to switch off the Wi-Fi, she heard Lara’s voice break the silence. Lara softly spoke words that resonated within Jane’s heart, “Be patient with your parents, they love you.” Confused by this unexpected statement, Jane wrestled with the urge to inquire further. Unable to resist, she decided to continue watching in the hopes of unraveling the mystery.
The more Jane observed, the less she could tolerate Lara’s prolonged silence. Yet, before she could disconnect, Lara made a subtle gesture with her hand, as if summoning something into existence. Captivated, Jane fixated her gaze on the screen, waiting in anticipation for any sign of change. Then, Lara spoke again, her voice carrying a weight of authority, “Take this gold and pay all that you owe.”
Jane’s unease grew, unable to fathom Lara’s peculiar behavior. She began to entertain the notion that Lara might be suffering from a mental ailment. However, this only deepened her bewilderment surrounding the reason why her father referred to Lara as “princess.” Overwhelmed by the situation, Jane made the difficult decision to switch off the Wi-Fi and take matters into her own hands.
She grabbed her phone and hastily composed a message to her mother, revealing her concerns about Lara’s recent actions and the existence of the CCTV camera. In her message, Jane mentioned her intention to check on her father but felt it necessary to inform her mother of the situation. With a sense of urgency, she pressed send, hoping her mother would understand and take appropriate action.
Lucy embarked on a daring journey, utilizing her teleportation powers to return to the enigmatic dark realm. Her purpose was to delve deeper into Steve’s past, long before he crossed paths with Lara. Upon her arrival, she discovered Lillo dutifully assuming her role, ensuring the realm remained intact and impervious to impending chaos. In this domain of shadow and sorcery, every witch and wizard yearned to claim Lucy’s throne, driven by their insatiable thirst for power. Yet, they were no match for her indomitable strength.
Witnessing Lillo’s unwavering resolve in preserving the realm despite the constant threat of annihilation, Lucy couldn’t help but be awestruck. There she stood, face to face with Lillo, a formidable guardian in her own right.
A flicker of apprehension passed through Lillo’s eyes as she caught sight of Lucy standing before her. In that moment, she feared Lucy’s presence might signify her displeasure over Lillo’s occupancy of the coveted throne. The weight of responsibility and potential disappointment weighed heavily upon her.
However, Lucy, perceptive as ever, sensed Lillo’s unease and quickly reassured her, a warm smile gracing her lips. “Lillo,” she spoke softly, her voice filled with genuine appreciation, “your steadfast dedication in safeguarding this realm is truly remarkable. I am not here to cause you harm for sitting on my throne for you have already shared my bed with me. On the contrary, I am here to get something done and return to the very purpose why I have left this realm for you.
Lillo’s tense posture eased slightly, a glimmer of relief shining in her eyes. She had always admired Lucy’s unwavering commitment in their unspeakable love fair. Now, Lucy’s reassurance affirmed their unshakeable bond. For Lucy had come to the dark realm with a specific purpose in mind. The desire to uncover Steve’s enigmatic past burned within her, urging her to gather any scrap of information she could find. Her gaze fell upon a peculiar object—the Mirror of Mortal Reflection—rumored to reveal the secrets of one’s past, even their former lovers.
Driven by curiosity and the need to understand Steve’s true nature, Lucy set forth on a determined quest. She navigated the treacherous paths of the dark realm, venturing deep into its darkest corners until she arrived at the hidden chamber that held the ancient mirror.
As she delicately touched the surface of the mirror, ancient energies surged through her fingertips. A soft glow emanated from its depths, and the reflective glass transformed into a window into the past. Images began to materialize, revealing glimpses of Steve’s life before his fateful encounter with Lara
Lucy’s heart raced as the mirror unfolded Steve’s story, unveiling his former lovers, each with their own unique impact on his life. With bated breath, she absorbed every detail, piecing together the fragments of his past.
However, as the revelations unfolded, Lucy realized that her pursuit of knowledge was only the beginning. She understood that true understanding would require compassion and empathy, for behind every name etched in the mirror lay a human experience, intertwined with both joy and heartache.
Armed with newfound insight, Lucy emerged from the chamber, the weight of her discoveries etched upon her face. She returned to Lillo, now more resolved than ever to navigate the complexities of Steve’s past with Grace.
Meanwhile, in Lara's room, Max entered quietly while Lara continued to meditate with her eyes closed. Not wanting to disturb her, he turned to leave but was called back by Lara, who sensed his presence. "I'll be going out with Steve at 7 PM. I hope he'll kiss me, or maybe I'll take the initiative," Lara said. She opened her eyes and looked at Max, awaiting his response. "That means you'll be leaving us today," Max said as he sat down beside her. "Your people need you, especially the Lord of the universe. Now that you've found true love, you have to kiss him and return home." "What should I tell my wife and Jane, especially Collins?" Max wondered. "Tell them the truth," Lara replied. "That's not a good idea. They won't believe a word of it," Max objected. "They will when I come back to say a proper goodbye," Lara assured him. "I can't believe I'm already missing you," Max lamented. "Come here," Lara beckoned. Jane, who had just turned on the Wi-Fi on her phone, was shocked to see her father getting closer to Lara. As Lara hugged him tightly and kissed his lips, Jane realized that her father was having a secret affair. Without bothering to replay the video from the beginning, she immediately messaged her mother, Stella. Upon receiving a reply that Max was being kissed by Lara, Stella abruptly left her book club and returned home. An hour later, she stormed into the house, furious. Stella walked into Lara's room where she was reading and slapped her cheek. Lara, taken aback by Stella's sudden change in behavior, tried to speak but was silenced by another slap. Stella, refusing to let Lara explain, dragged her to the living room, angrily tearing her white top and revealing her breast. Lara, unable to clearly hear Stella's thoughts due to her mixed anger, shouted at Stella for the first time. She then turned her attention to Jane, who believed she was having an affair with her father. "What? An affair? With your father? I can't believe you would think so little of me," Lara exclaimed. Stella was surprised by how quickly Lara's expression changed, as if she had no idea she was involved in an affair. She was equally taken aback by Lara raising her voice, something she had never done before. Jane, still pondering how she was able to hear her thoughts, tapped her mother gently, informing her that she had just responded to her thoughts. Collins, who had been speechless all along, couldn't believe that Lara would do such a thing. He had thought he had a chance with her. For the first time, Lara heard Collins' thoughts as he finally spoke in his mind. Lara turned to him and replied, "You'll never have a chance with me. I'm leaving. “Collins stood up from the couch in shock, staring into her eyes as tears streamed down her face.” How did you know what I just said in my mind?" Collins asked. Anger boiled within Lara as she heard Jane's thoughts about the spy camera in her room. She had mistakenly believed that her parents were watching her, like gods, instead of realizing it was a camera. Lara, still furious, listened as they silently wondered who she really was, asking the question in their minds. This only fueled her anger further. "You want to know who I am? You want to know why your father is close to me? I'll show you," she retorted, annoyed. Suddenly, she levitated into the air, her eyes glowing white and her necklace shining brightly. Stella, Collins, and Jane became afraid as they heard Lara speak with a thundering voice. "I am Lara, the goddess of Sky City and its people. I am the healer of the broken and the bringer of the dead back to life. I am the one who brought Max back to you. "Startled by the thundering voice, Max rushed into the living room, begging Lara not to harm his family, unaware that they had accused her of having an affair with him based on a mere kiss. While pleading with Lara, she spoke up. "Ask your wife why she accused me of having an affair with you. Ask your daughter why she didn't watch the video from the camera she planted in my room from the beginning. And Stella, for slapping me and exposing my breast to your son, maybe I should take back your leg," Lara said, shocking Max as he saw his family terrified by her display of godly power. "Why did you think so little of me, Stella? And you, Jane, why do you jump to conclusions so easily?" Max questioned. Stella and Jane knelt down, apologizing to Lara. Hearing their apologies, Lara descended from the air, her eyes returning to normal. As they looked at her torn shirt, they were astonished to see her magically wearing a new dress. Lara, without saying whether she forgave them or not, walked out of the house. A few seconds after she left, Stella turned to Max. "So you knew who she was all this time?" Stella asked. "Since the night I woke up from a coma, she revealed herself to me in order to save me, in case I became her subject. That's why I've been playing the part of a caring subject, knowing she is far from home," Max explained. "Will she ever forgive us?" Jane inquired. Max sat down, confused himself, as Lara hadn't explicitly stated whether she forgave them or not. Instead, she had simply walked away from them.
Stella stood anxiously outside, waiting for Lara’s return. However, hours passed by, and Lara was nowhere to be seen. Stella knew better than to venture out in search of her; Lara was capable of taking care of herself. Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Max approached her with a sorrowful expression.
“It’s already 7 PM, and she won’t be coming back,” Max uttered, his voice filled with resignation.
Jane overheard her father’s words about Lara’s absence and joined them, seeking answers. “What do you mean she won’t be coming back, father?” Jane inquired, her voice tinged with concern.
“Come with me, you two,” Max requested. Stella and Jane obediently followed him into the living room. Once there, Max gently took Collins’ phone from his hands and examined the screen. He let out a laugh upon seeing that his son was still capturing pictures of Lara.
“Now, listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you and understand why Lara won’t return,” Max began. He proceeded to share with them all the information Lara had revealed to him earlier. This time, it was easier for Stella and Jane to believe, considering that Lara had already shown them her non-human nature in a moment of anger. After hearing the full story, Jane felt a wave of sadness wash over her. Lara had been planning to leave without informing her. Collins, on the other hand, realized that his hopes of ever being with Lara were shattered. Meanwhile, Stella grew increasingly worried and raised an important question.
“If Lara is a goddess, then who is this lady I don’t seem to recall admitting to the school?” Stella pondered aloud.
“Mom, don’t you remember admitting Joan? She’s the new girl in Lara’s class,” Jane reminded her.
“Yes, that’s the name. However, none of the staff seems to know who she is,” Stella confessed, her confusion evident.
Max quickly jumped to a conclusion upon hearing this. “It’s possible that another goddess has entered the school for a specific reason,” he proposed, connecting the dots. In unison, they all uttered a name that held the key to this mystery. “Clara,” they whispered, finally understanding the purpose of Joan’s visit.