Chapter 64: Something's Wrong.

Steven worked diligently in the Brain Unit alongside his engineers, absorbed in a new project he had designed. The rhythmic sound of welding filled the air when Shane strolled in, hands shoved deep in his pockets and whistling a cheerful tune.

"What brilliant invention are you crafting today, Mr. Inventor?" Shane asked, walking over to Steven.

"Watch and behold the wonder I'm creating," Steven replied, donning his safety helmet as he resumed welding.

"Looking good!" Shane praised, nodding to the results of Steven's handiwork.

"So, how did your chat with Dua go yesterday?" Shane inquired casually, taking a seat nearby.

"I apologized to her," Steven said simply, focusing on his work.

"Just like that? No sharp words before the calm?" Shane raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

“Do you want your mouth soldered?” Steven threatened playfully, brandishing his soldering iron.

"You wouldn't dare," Shane chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"Seriously, stop stirring trouble between you two. Enjoy her company; Dua is a wonderful person. Don’t let her slip away," Shane advised, his tone sincere.

"Yeah, I realize that... It’s just that…" Steven's voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping in.

"Just what?" Shane probed, leaning in.

"A man can’t be in love with two women, can he?" Steven’s question hung heavy in the air.

"So you're still holding onto feelings for Crystal?" Shane asked, a hint of empathy in his tone.

"You know I’ll never stop loving her," Steven replied, a flicker of pain clouding his expression.

Shane sighed deeply. "And you think you're in love with Dua too?"

"I think so... The feelings I have for her are somewhat similar to what I feel for Crystal," Steven admitted, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Maybe it’s because they have identical looks?" Shane suggested, understanding the complexity of Steven's emotions yet wanting him to come to terms with them himself.

"I don't think so. Diane looks like Crystal too, but I can’t stand her," Steven countered vehemently.

"True, but so did you initially with Dua," Shane reminded him.

"That was until I discovered that she isn't Diane, and began to understand her," Steven replied thoughtfully, furrowing his brow.

"But why am I beginning to like her, though?" He paused, looking confused. "She looks like Crystal, but her character is totally different from Crystal’s. Am I actually drawn to her? Did my taste in women change?"

Shane chuckled, giving Steven an assuring pat on the shoulder. "Take it slowly, and you’ll figure it out soon, little brother."

"And what about you? What’s your deal with Denise?" Steven asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

"What are you talking about?" Shane feigned ignorance, trying to suppress a grin.

"I’m not that knuckleheaded. So don't even try to deny it," Steven said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

"Fine!" Shane admitted, throwing his hands up in mock defeat. "I haven’t figured it out yet," he sighed.

"You do know she’s a teenager, right?" Steven reminded him, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

"Which is exactly why I’m treading lightly," Shane said, his tone serious.

"Such a tragic tale! Your heart finally chooses someone after an eternity, but alas, it’s a teenager," Steven said dramatically, making a sad face that earned him a glare from Shane.

"Dua is a teenager too," Shane shot back.

"Dua is nineteen! She’s an adult," Steven pointed out, a grin spreading across his face.

"Denise will be an adult soon," Shane argued defensively.

"It doesn’t change the fact that she’s still under eighteen," Steven countered, smirking.

"She’s seventeen!" Shane insisted firmly.

"It’s the same thing," Steven replied with a mischievous grin, raising his fists in mock defiance as Shane threatened to punch him.

"You’re enjoying this way too much," Shane said, rolling his eyes as he chuckled.

At that moment, Steven's phone rang, the screen lighting up with Dua's name. "Speak of the devil!" he exclaimed, his grin widening.

"Dua’s not a devil," Shane chuckled. "The real devil might be giving away his title to someone else," he nodded toward Steven.

"I’ll admit, but she can definitely be devilish when she goes nuts." Steven replied.

Shane chuckled, shaking his head at Steven's words.

"I'm listening," he said as he answered the call.

"We need to talk," Dua's voice came through the line, urgent and serious.

"What's the matter?" Steven asked, feigning indifference but feeling a knot of concern tighten in his stomach.

"Diane's father is planning something really dangerous. Plus I need your help with a math assignment," she replied, her tone a mix of anxiety and frustration.

"Math homework again?" He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk evident on his lips even though she wasn't seeing him. "Where were you when the professor was going through all that?"

"I was there! I promise! I paid attention, but the numbers just refuse to make sense!" Dua's voice dipped, sulking with an undeniable charm.

"Why? Are you really that dumb?" Steven teased.

"You know I’m not dumb. We just don’t get along—math and me, that is," she sighed dramatically, and he could almost picture her rolling her eyes. “Please…”

"Alright, fine," he conceded, exhaling a long breath. "But this is the last time."

Her voice brightened instantly. "I’ll be home soon to meet you."

"Uh, actually, I’m at the company," he corrected her, his tone shifting to one of responsibility.

"The company?" Dua sounded incredulous. "Steven, you just got back from your trip! You should be resting, not working!"

"You know I can't sleep, even when I want to. So, why waste time doing nothing?" he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Do you have a bed in your office?" Dua's question caught him off guard.

"What?" he asked, momentarily speechless.

"We'll need that because I'm definitely going to help you fall asleep when I arrive," she declared, her voice filled with confidence.

"Fine, do whatever you want," Steven replied, and the line fell silent.

"Dua? Are you still there?" He asked but what followed was silence.

"Dua?" he pressed again, but there was still no response. Then, suddenly the line fell dead.

A deep unease settled in his stomach as he dialed her number again, but every ring only reinforced his anxiety—the call went straight to voicemail. He tried again and again, watching the screen as it flashed “switched off” with each attempt.

"Something's wrong," he concluded. Panic settling on him as he replayed their last conversation in his head, searching for clues that might explain her sudden absence.