Brian and Nick only had a few days off, so they called everyone they possibly could that might know where Alisha could be. They didn't have any luck. Things were kind of strained between Nick and VJ, but they knew they had to work together to find their loved one. Then just when VJ thought things couldn't get any worse they did.

VJ was walking around the mall, waiting for Brian to show up. It was the last day he was going to be in town and they wanted to distract themselves from the present situation for at least a couple hours. Just as VJ was about to walk into Foot Locker, a pair of hands covered her eyes.

"Guess who?" said a familiar voice.

VJ turned around. "Brandon Wilkins! You scared me!"

"I didn't mean to," Brandon smiled. "Okay, I did."

VJ threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug.

"It's so good to see you," VJ said. "Man, you look as good as you ever did."

"Victoria Johnson, you look just as beautiful as the last time I saw you." Brandon stepped back and looked her up and down. "Damn, girl, it has to be a sin to look that good."

VJ laughed. "Yeah right. So, what's been goin' on with you?"

"Not much. I just started my own modeling agency a couple years ago. It's been doing pretty good. It'd be doing better if we had you signed."

"Shut up. I'm not that pretty. But thanks for the compliment. Tell me more about what's happened to you."

The two of them went to the food court and sat at a table talking. All thoughts of Brian left VJ's mind as she listened to Brandon talk.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Oh, man, I hope Angel isn't mad I'm late, Brian thought as he walked quickly to the food court. He was walking as fast as he could without attracting too much attention.

When he got to the food court, he saw VJ talking to some dark-haired guy. Her back was turned to him so she didn't see him. They stood up, like they were saying goodbye. Then, the guy leaned down and kissed VJ. Brian stopped dead in his tracks. He felt like someone had punched him in the stomach, knocking all the wind out of him. When he didn't see VJ push him away, Brian turned around and walked the other way.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Well, I better go," VJ said, looking at her watch. "I'm supposed to meet somebody here."

"Okay," said Brandon. "It was good seeing you again, VJ. I missed you when I left."

"I missed you, too, Brandon," VJ smiled. Then she got out of her seat.

Brandon stood up as well. They said goodbye, but before VJ could turn around, Brandon leaned down and kissed her. At first, VJ stood there in shock. Then she pushed Brandon away.

"Brandon, you know I have a boyfriend," VJ said, sort angrily.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but you were standing there and I just had to do it," he said, looking discreetly over her shoulder at some guy staring at them in shock. Then the guy turned around and left.

"It's okay," VJ sighed. "It's just that I love Brian. I don't anything to ruin this relationship."

"He's very lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have him. He's a great person."

"Well, as you said, you have to meet somebody, so I better let you go," Brandon said, giving her a hug.

"All right. Hopefully, I'll see you before you leave." VJ hugged him back. Then she left a few minutes later.

VJ was about to call Brian when she looked outside just in time to see his rental car speed by. She ran outside and yelled for him to stop, but he kept on going. I wonder what that was all about, she thought as she ran to her car. VJ drove to her house as fast as she could. Right when she turned the corner to her street, Brian passed by her, with Nick in the passenger seat. He didn't even look in her direction when he drove by. What is going on here? VJ got to her apartment and saw all Brian's stuff was gone, as well as Nick's. He didn't leave a note or any sort of explanation for his leaving so suddenly. VJ sat down on her couch, worried.