A few weeks had passed since the unfortunate event that happened to Alexandre. According to the doctors, his head injury resulted to a retrograde amnesia. The doctors weren't certain about when he would regain his memories. Ellise was too heartbroken to stay in the Loides mansion, knowing that the love of her life had forgotten all about her and the memories they'd shared together. Moreover, Dre had seemed to suffer an intense pain each time he saw her, and whenever he tried to remember who she really was, it would worsen his condition. This made the doctor to advise Ellise to see Dre less often and stay away for a while. But, she couldn't stay away for too long, she had to see him again.
Taking a deep breath, Ellise pressed the door bell of the main entrance of Dre's house. Cecilia opened the door and embraced her
"My dear, it's been two months since we saw each other. I don't need to ask you how you have been, you look depressed" she said and Ellise sighed.
"Dre is yet to regain his memories of me. It isn't supposed to take this long" she cried. "Come on in, let's talk" Cece said.
"Is he home?"
"Of course. He had a fever last night and has been complaining since last night about how big of a headache he has. We are all worried about him" she said.
Ellise sighed and followed her into the wide passage way. She blinked back tears when her gaze fell on the door to Dre's room.
She sighed softly, tucking her hair behind her ears.
"The meds he took last night knocked him out. He's very much asleep right now"
"Can I at least see him?" Ellise asked. Cece gave her a smile and opened the door to Dre's room. The room was mostly dark with the only source of light being the bedlamp on his nightstand. The white duvet was wrapped around his body though it didn't cover his bare chest. He was lying on his bed, a band aid situated just above his left eye with his long hair sprawled across the white pillow. He looked so pale and even with his eyes closed, Ellise could see the bags under his eyes.
Her intimidating alpha, her mafia boss whose presence has always filled the whole place was now looking so small and frail, like a child. Her fingers traced his beautiful features.
He stirred, sweat forming on his temples. He was starting to tremble and struggle in his sleep. Ellise held his hand, stroking his hair gently. "Sh.... love, it's just a dream, you're okay" she cooed, still stroking his hair gently. She felt like she would hurt him if she didn't handle him with care. His struggle and trembling ceased and he began to relax.
"We should go now, the doctor will soon be here to check up on him" Cece said and Ellise nodded.
She stood up and pressed a kiss to his head. "I love you, baby, I want you to remember that" she whispered and left the room with Cecilia.
Just as they got to Cece's room, Ellise turned back to look towards Dre's room one more time. Her anger flared when she saw Lacey going into Dre's bedroom.
She made to go in to confront her, but Cece stopped her.
"No, Please don't" she said.
"What? Why is that bitch here?"
"Dre thinks she's his fiancee"
"What? How?"
"She sneaked into the hospital and convinced him that she's his fiancee" she said and Ellise's hope shattered.
"Does it mean it's over for me?" She croaked.
"No, dear. We just have to hope for him to regain his memories soon enough" she said.
...
Dre awoke with his head pounding hard. Lacey poured him a glass of water and gave it to him. Since his hand was still quite shaky from the previous night's fever, the glass slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. He stared at the broken glass in embarrassment. He really hated being so weak.
"It's fine darling, I'll get you another one" she said, heading towards the door.
"No, you don't have to, I'm not thirsty" he lied.
She raised a brow at him, shrugged and grabbed the trash can to get rid of the broken glass. Her phone rang and she picked the call.
"Hey, Val" she said.
Dre frowned.
Who the hell is Val?
"Oh, of course. No, he won't. I know where the papers are. I just need to find the keys. Fine. I'll see you later"
The line went dead.
"What papers?" Dre asked.
"Honey, before the accident we had a huge contract with another company. They are presently asking for some important paperwork before everything commences" she said, stroking his hair.
"So, where are the papers?" Dre asked.
"In your third wardrobe. Do you know where the key is?" She asked. He stared at her, puzzled. He might've lost his memory, but he was not stupid. 'What the hell is she hiding?' he thought
"I really don't remember where it is" he said.
"You don't? Alex, it's important. I'll just have to find it. Get some more rest, darling"
With that she was gone, leaving him confused.
Everything really confused him a lot these days. Drowsiness and exhaustion caught up with him and he slept off again. This time, it was short lived. He woke up with a start, panting hard with sweat soaking his skin. Rushing into the bathroom, his stomach churned and he heaved into the toilet bowl. The flashbacks of the dream he had earlier, replayed itself in his mind and he felt even more sick.
He'd dreamt of being tortured and pushed off a building by his lookalike whose name was Valentino. It had felt so real. He wondered if it was something that has actually happened.
Breathing heavily, he splashed cold water on his face. With his stomach still churning, he rinsed his mouth with a mouth wash and got rid of the mess. He hissed in pain when the blade on the sink made a nasty cut on his palm. He gritted his teeth teeth, staring at the blood flowing out of the wound. Images flashed in his mind's eye, pain flaring up in his head. It was so intense, he fell to his knees. The pain grew, bringing along with it, forgotten memories. He curled up in a fetal position, gasping for breath.
He remembered Ellise, the one who had captured his heart. He remembered her smile and her laughter. He remembered being tortured by Valentino.
Dre cried out in pain, desperately needing the pain to cease but it worsened.
He remembered Ellise crying and begging for him to stay with her.
Alexandre didn't know how long he lay on the floor, but he felt crushed. He felt drained and could barely move. Angry tears filled his eyes when he thought about what Lacey had tried to do, earlier. She'd tried to take advantage of his amnesia.
Karma was going to get her soon. He was going to make sure he dealt with her the way she should be dealt with.
He thought about Ellise, wondering how she'd been faring ever since he lost his memory.
Pushing himself to a sitting position, he dragged himself to his feet and washed off the blood from the cut on his hand. There was a new determination slowly filling him. He wrapped up his hand with a gauze before making his hair into a ponytail. He stared at his beaten down reflection on the mirror, his jaw clenched.
Valentino had made a terrible mistake. He hoped to never encounter him again, because he knew that the next time they meet, the tables would be turned.
Dre went back to his room, got dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans, brown boots and leather jacket. Dre grabbed his car keys and the small box which he was sure would soon put a smile to Ellise's face.