4. On the TV

Third-Person Point of View

Eash...

Once, Riley's heart would beat faster with joy and excitement at the mere mention of this name. But now, just hearing it gave her a headache.

Riley felt there was a high probability the Eash who had just spoken with Leo was the same Eash she once knew. Otherwise, how could another Eash be waiting for his mate Riley to return? The coincidence was too incredible!

It seemed Eash was a friend of Leo's; why else would Leo call him immediately after Riley woke from her coma? Riley sighed inwardly. What hadn't she done to stay away from Eash and his brother? She had left everything dear to her heart and fled to a remote mountainside, leaving no trail behind. Then she'd tragically had an accident and ended up in a stranger's body. She'd done everything possible, the most courageous things anyone could do, to avoid meeting them.

Now she'd lost everything, even her own body... Yet, would she still have to encounter them in this life, too? How cruel could fate be? She didn't want to see them at all! With all her heart, she wished she'd never have to face them again.

"I'm sorry, babe... I had to take that call. My friend's in some trouble," Leo said, slipping his phone back into his trouser pocket. He noticed Riley was still staring blankly at the wall, lost in thought.

"Babe..." Leo spoke softly, gently caressing her cheek.

Startled by the sudden touch, Riley instinctively turned her face away. Pain flashed in Leo's eyes, but he quickly forced a smile.

"What's wrong?" he asked kindly.

"Nothing..." Riley replied.

"You were lost in thought," Leo observed.

"I was just wondering why I can't remember anything," Riley lied.

"I can't claim to understand how you feel. Only someone who's completely lost their memory could comprehend your pain," Leo sighed, holding her hand. "But babe... I promise your memories will return soon..."

No! Leo, you're wrong... I won't regain memories because there are none to recover! I'm not your mate... I'm so sorry I have to deceive you... Riley sighed inwardly.

"Even if you don't remember anything, don't worry. Just know your parents, and I love you more than anything. You're our whole world - nothing is more precious than you... Let's build a new life together," Leo said, gazing into her eyes.

Tears instantly welled in Riley's eyes. Nothing is more precious than you... Those are such beautiful words... Riley had no doubt Leo meant them with all his heart. This young Riley was truly blessed - with loving parents and a mate who cherished her above all else. Riley couldn't help feeling envious again and again...

"Please don't cry, my love..." Leo looked deeply concerned as he gently wiped her tears with his fingers. "I waited so long for you to open your eyes. I promised myself that when you woke up, I'd give you all the happiness and protect you so you'd never face anything painful again... Please don't cry. Don't worry about what you can't remember..." Though he asked Riley not to cry, tears filled his eyes as he caressed her hand.

That night, Leo stayed with Riley, holding her hand until she fell asleep. When Riley woke in the middle of the night, she found Leo still gripping her hand, having fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position - sitting on a chair with his head resting on her bed. She wanted to wake him but was too exhausted and soon drifted back to sleep.

Leo left for work the following day, and young Riley's parents came to stay with her. Riley understood this had been their routine throughout her coma, her parents keeping watch during the day, Leo taking the night shift, never leaving her alone.

Riley felt more at ease with the parents than with Leo. All morning, she smiled and listened to their stories about young Riley. The TV played unnoticed until something caught Riley's attention, making her freeze, eyes wide.

There on screen were Eash and Ezra, as handsome as she remembered, though a year's absence had left them looking more mature. Their faces bore unmistakable traces of exhaustion and frustration.

Noticing Riley's interest, Ashley turned up the volume.

On TV, Eash and Ezra wore professional suits, distant from the casual looks Riley remembered. They stood surrounded by people, facing a crowd of journalists thrusting microphones and firing questions.

"It's been over a year now. Any progress in your search?" a journalist asked.

"Unfortunately, no..." Eash replied, his expression revealing how painful the admission was. "But we're still searching..." He attempted a smile.

"You've searched everywhere this past year. Don't you think there's a chance she's... no longer with us?" another journalist asked.

"What?" Eash snarled, his face instantly flushing with rage. "What the fuck did you just say? Who the hell do you think you are to ask that?!"

Eash lunged at the journalist in a flash, grabbing him by the collar. "Are you her fucking mate? Do you know what happened to her better than us?!" he screamed. A year had passed, but you're still the same hotheaded idiot, Eash... Still unable to control your temper, Riley thought bitterly.

"She's alive!!! She's out there somewhere!!! We know it! We fucking feel it!!!" Eash continued shouting as Ezra and several bodyguards rushed to pull him away.

Even after being restrained, Eash kept yelling: "No one... No one in this world gets to say she's gone! She's there... She's there... It's just a matter of time..." As always, he showed no restraint, his emotions overwhelming him in full public view.

"I apologize for my brother's behaviour," Ezra interjected calmly; despite the chaos, as Riley remembered, he was always able to mask his feelings and handle situations rationally. "But I hope you'll all understand our situation. As her mates, we feel she's alive - we just haven't located her yet. So I trust no one will make such heartless comments again."

Ezra then smiled at the crowd and added, "We are also grateful to all of you for your support. We hope you will continue to help us find our mate soon!!"