3. Eash!! Eash!!

Third-Person Point of View

The young Riley's parents entered the room after the doctor and nurses had left. Their eyes brimmed with tears as they lingered near the door, gazing at her with a mixture of hope and heartbreak. Gathering their courage, they finally approached.

Riley's mother reached her first, wrapping her in a trembling embrace before breaking into soft sobs. Riley's heart clenched as she could feel the depth of this woman's despair—more than a year of waiting for her daughter to awaken, only to face the cruel reality that she remembered nothing, not even them.

Guilt gnawed at Riley's core. This woman wasn't her mother, and the love she showered on her wasn't meant for Riley but for the soul that no longer inhabited this body. Yet, how could she tell them the truth? That their daughter's soul was gone, replaced by a stranger? What devastation would that revelation bring to these innocent, grieving parents?

"Don't worry, sweetheart," her father said gently, stepping closer and kissing her forehead. His voice was steady yet tinged with sorrow.

"You'll regain your memory in no time. We'll help you remember everything. The important thing is that you've woken up. That's what matters most."

He was a handsome man in his middle years, but the pressure of the past year was evident in the lines carved on his face. Despite his effort to exude positivity, Riley could sense the ache beneath his composed demeanour. The love and concern in his eyes spoke volumes; there was no doubt these two people adored their daughter with all their hearts.

"Yes, it's true! You're back with us!" her mother said, wiping her tears and smiling through her sadness. She hugged Riley again, and this time, her husband joined her. Together, they enveloped her in a warm, familial embrace—a moment filled with love and relief.

But for Riley, it was bittersweet. This wasn't her family. This wasn't her life. To them, she was their beloved daughter returned, but in reality, she was just a stranger occupying their daughter's body.

Still, as they spoke to her excitedly, sharing happy memories and showering her with kisses and affection, Riley found herself unable to resist their warmth. She had never experienced such unconditional love from parents of her own. For once, she decided to let herself indulge in it, even if only temporarily.

Until she could figure out how to return this body to its rightful owner, Riley resolved to let herself be spoiled. After all, she had endured in her own life, didn't she deserve at least this much?

******************************

Riley falls asleep after spending some time with young Riley's parents. As the doctors said, her body is still not ready to get busy as usual. 

She had a dreamless, peaceful sleep despite the chaos in her head until she felt the faint, electric brush of fingertips against her cheek. The touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if the person feared disturbing her peace.

A wave of warmth rushed through her, igniting an inexplicable connection. The rich smell of fresh mint mixed with citrus was like an invisible thread pulling her toward the source of this tender gesture. She had an overwhelming urge to open her eyes and see the person standing so close to her.

Yet, alongside the yearning, a shadow of unease crept into her chest. A nameless fear gripped her heart, whispering for her to retreat, to distance herself from this man's very presence. She couldn't understand why—she hadn't even seen him. Still, the instinct to flee was as strong as the pull to stay.

Caught between these opposing forces, Riley was torn between dreams and reality. Finally, making up her mind, she slowly opened her eyes to see the most captivating brown eyes she had ever seen. Firm yet tender, those eyes held an unspoken depth of emotion. They had such a spell within them that Riley couldn't even blink but stare at them.

"Riley..." the man said, his voice trembling.

"One year was too long, and the suffering was unbearable, but I didn't lose hope... Now, you are finally awake," he added, as the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice declared how delighted he was to see her awake.

Riley didn't say anything, but her eyes never left his deep brown eyes either. 

He gently caressed Riley's head and asked, "Are you hungry or thirsty? Can I get you something?"

Riley shook her head. Although thirsty, she didn't feel comfortable enough to request anything. 

"Then let's have some water for now. "He fetched a glass of water with a straw inside and moved it closer to Riley's mouth.

Riley still shook her head, refusing to drink. She couldn't understand the way she feels right now. She couldn't take her eyes away from him, but she didn't want to stay anywhere near him as well. It couldn't be because he was a complete stranger to her. She didn't feel this way with young Riley's parents. She could accept them with all her heart. But why can't she accept this otherwordly handsome man who seemed to dote on her? 

Maybe the man felt the uneasiness in her heart; as his handsome face got darker, he sighed.

"I know you can't remember anything about me. But can't you feel at least a slight connection to me because of our mate bond?" His voice was filled with evident sadness, but there was also a hint of desperate hope.

I feel a strong pull toward you, not just a slight connection. But the problem is, there is an equal pull away from you, too. Riley sighed inwardly.

"Mom and Dad said you were so happy with them even though you can't remember about them too..." He began to speak since Riley was still silent.

"I thought you would be happy to be with me too..." he sounded heartbroken, which didn't suit his mighty, mature appearance.

"I don't expect much right now... Just one smile... Just one touch... Just one time to hear you speak my name..."

Riley couldn't bear it anymore. She doesn't know the root cause of the turmoil in her heart. But she couldn't be that cruel to hurt a man who desperately hoped for his mate's recovery and did everything he could to make his mate heal. No matter what happened in the past, with young Riley and this man, can there be any chance this man would be a cruel a**hole just like her mates, who literally drove her to lose her body and wake up in a stranger's body?

"Leo..." Riley murmured.

"Babe..." Leo's eyes twinkled like stars in a dark sky.

"I am confused and exhausted. Please give me some time to process everything..." Riley said, looking into his eyes.

"Of course, babe... I get it. As I said, I don't have much expectation right now. You are finally with me, looking at me with your beautiful eyes. I can feel the familiar warmth of you. I can feel your scent, which I missed like crazy. I don't want to be too greedy." Leo smiled. It was a smile filled with relief.

Right then, his phone rang, and he took the phone out of his pocket. 

"I have to answer this, babe... This is one of my best buddies." Leo said apologetically and answered the call.

"News travels super fast, huh?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, she is awake... I am with her now..." he said, holding Riley's hand. 

"Of course... How can I not be happy? I am over the moon right now!" Leo smiled, looking at her.

Suddenly, Leo's face lost its light, and he spoke sadly."Yeah... I am sorry... I didn't think much. It's my fault. Anyway, I wish your Riley would also return to you, just like my Riley returned to me, Eash..."

Eash!! Eash!!

Riley's heart missed a beat, and she subconsciously grabbed the bedsheet with her free hand.

There can be many Eashs in this world. But how many Eashs would be there waiting for a Riley to return to him?