Chapter 4

We didn't talk after that because Zach went to his study after he showered, and I immediately fell asleep due to my medications.

As usual the next day, he’s already gone. I’m not too upset this time, perhaps I took what he said yesterday as him telling me about his affairs, which are small but already relevant to me.

Still, part of me wants to know what makes Zach so busy to the point that he seems to have an accident. Is there some problem in his company?

I worry all day until his secretary comes in while I'm arranging books in Zach's study. She slightly bow at me before she proceeds and did what she’s come for.

I knew who she is, at some point she is also one of the lists I suspected as Zach’s mistress because of his sudden coldness and distance. She has a temperament and a figure that make one’s desire to heat up, which was one of the most important reasons I suspected her.

But since I have amnesia, I can’t act as if I know her and that I don’t like her very much. I also ignore her and go about my business, as she appears to be unconcerned about my presence. She's always been like this, all high and mighty and not acting like a secretary at all. More like the house's owner, barging in whenever she pleases.

Her phone rang a few moments later, and she answered it in front of me. She appears to be unconcerned about my presence or even whether I am listening. So I eavesdrop on the conversation, and strangely, I discover that I have a talent for it.

"Yeah, I got it... why does he even leave this here? Yeah, you have a point. Hmm... I'll come right away with the data. We need to grab the deal before those Rizzo's rats." she spoke with the phone for a bit before leaving the room, she doesn't even give me a glance or clean up the desk.

I snickered and rolled my eyes where she left, “She’s always rude. And her words are not classy at all—Rizzo’s rats? What even is that?” I mumbled in annoyance before I approached the desk and decided to clean it again.

As I do so, my movements stop and I notice a card. It's an invitation with a black background and blood ink. I read, “The Hiroshi Domain,” nothing else. I furrow my brows and pick it up to read the back. There is only a place and a time there, nothing else.

For some reason, it feels familiar, my brow furrowed as I tried to recall Hiroshi... Hiroshi... yes! I recall hearing Zach talking on the phone before my car accident and hearing this name mentioned. I remember it because it happened only a few hours later when I crashed my own car.

Whatever, this seems important. And it's tonight, and I want to know what this is, or perhaps fill in the blanks in my memory of the few hours before I woke up in the car. That’s the only thing I can’t seem to remember, and even though I have a logical reason, I still want to confirm.

I read it again and decided to attend this party.

-

-

So that's how I end up only seeing myself in the bar that I impulsively walk into. I actually don’t have many expectations and even prepare myself to be turned away at the entrance, however, i have yet to show the invitation when they let me in.

It's strange, but I still came in; who cares what their reason was? Perhaps, they aren’t that strict. The atmosphere is also unexpected, as there is no wild dancing or loud music. It doesn't even appear to be a party, with the calm and even somewhat gloomy atmosphere as if something is about to happen.

The air is suffocating with tension. What the hell have I gotten myself into? Is Zach even here? I only came here to find out because I'm worried and curious.

The light is dim, there aren't many people on the supposed dance floor, and they appear wary of each other based on their distance. I went to the bar counter, but there was no one there, not even a bartender, and it appeared to be a vacated area.

I sat on a high chair and looked around; my spot was filled with silence. Somehow, I’m not as uncomfortable as I thought I would be with this atmosphere.

They seemed to be waiting for something I didn’t know, and as I thought I’ll be a loner in my area, someone approached me. Our eyes locked, and he stood just right in front of me, staring intently at me with those intimidating green eyes.

My heart skips a beat as the man seems strangely familiar, despite the fact that it's my first time seeing him. His eyes, even more so, send shivers down my spine, as if I should've recognized him.

For a few moments, we just stare at each other, the dim light illuminating the outline of his handsome face. His emerald eyes glisten with emotions to convey that I don't understand.

"So, you're really here," he said, breaking the silence between us. My brow furrowed at this; why is he acting as if we know each other? When he notices my reaction, a gentle smile appears on his lips and he leans slightly closer to me. "I heard you have amnesia. You're lying, don't you?" he asks, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

My lips parted, and I couldn't respond immediately. A moment later, I raise my head and look him in the eyes, locking in with his. My eyes widen, and surprise fills my expression.

Why does he seem so familiar to me? Even that voice... Especially that voice. His playful smirk remained on his lips.

I swallowed and couldn’t help asking the one I’m most curious about. "Do we know each other?" I asked, my brow furrowed even more as I watched him. However, no matter how hard I try, I can't recall ever meeting him before.

He chuckles, his eyes flashing with even more amusement. “Yes, we know each other,” he answers as he nods his head.

"No, we don't. We've never met before," I blurted out, confused because I was certain we hadn't.

And that is such a bad move because what I said elicited playful laughter from him. He appears to be pleased with something. He sat right next to me, our bodies almost touching.

"How are you so sure? You have amnesia, right?" he teases.

I froze once more and almost covered my lips as a result. I was so stunned by this response that I nearly covered my lips with my hand. What the hell? I really let down my guard on that one.

With my silence, the man laughs again, this time deep and alluring in my ears. With how close we'd gotten, my ears were heating up as his breath touched my ears.

And, despite the fact that this is our first meeting, I notice that I seem at ease speaking with him. It is probably because of the sense of familiarity he gave off that my interest is piqued.

I gradually calm down; after all, he is a stranger to me, so even he knows I'm just pretending to have amnesia; it's not his business to tell. He also didn't appear to be a nosy person.

"Stop teasing me," I paused and leaned against the counter, our situation not bothering me in the least. He interrupted me before I could finish what I was saying.

“I’m not teasing you,” he said, he sounded serious too. However, as I look at him, his expression does not appear serious, and he has a somewhat relaxed expression.

"Then why, is my acting that easily seen through?" I wondered and inquired. Zach is also unconvinced; he's still cold, which is a far cry from the scene I imagine my act would create.

"Now... you're admitting it?" he teased again, his hands playing with the glass he had brought earlier but was now empty. 

I roll my eyes at him and look to the front, where the lifeless atmosphere suggests that everyone is waiting for something.

"You already got me, so why should I pretend?" I sarcastically respond, returning my gaze to him. My gaze met his instantly, and it appears he never took his gaze away from me.

He puts his hand on the counter and leans against it, exposing a small portion of his chest due to his long-cut suit. I look at it subconsciously before averting my gaze, what was that? I'm not being unfaithful; he's just hot.

"That's hardly an evidence,"

"I know, but... I just don't want to pretend to strangers, not like you really know me," I respond, fiddling with my fingers. As I’m not looking at his face, so I can’t see his expression. I'm only bowing my head.

Looking at his face, I had the uneasy feeling that I was being unfaithful with how affected I am by his expressions. I only now realize how hard my heart had pounded earlier.

“I’m not a stranger, I already said that we know each other earlier, right?”

At this, I return my gaze to him again. "I said I didn't know you," I said again, wondering why he was bringing up the subject again. He didn't respond for a few moments, instead staring at me as if observing me. My brows arched at him; I don't understand him.

He was too playful earlier, and now he's completely silent.

"You don't know, didn't mean we never met before, right?" he drops his elbow from the counter and puts his hand in his pocket, his expression easing.