Chapter Twenty Four: The Essentials of Remembering

You had the sweetest smile I will never forget, even when I grow up. I wrote a journal from the day I met you when you played with me with your true and humble character. Thank you for all the things you helped me get through my difficulties as one pathetic outsider. I wrote every detail for you to remember every day of our days together playing on our favorite spot. Never forget me when I leave. I promise I will return to find you. Please don’t cry if you heard I left this town. My new family will take care of me from now on. I will send you letters to get in touch with you the moment I step foot on the doorstep of my new parents. Goodbye Cara. See you again when we grow old.

“I have a favor to ask you for the last time we are cousins. Please give this to Cara after I leave. It will be your conscience if you will be a bad boy again.”

It was the first and last favor his cousin Vince asked him before he went to his new family, which gave him the reason to retaliate against him.

He’s not a bad guy. But truthfully, he did a horrible thing for his cousin’s and Cara’s own good. He lied to them, not giving the journal Vince gave him for Cara. And to add up, he writes letters for Cara, characterizing himself as Vince.

He kept his journal of Vince as he read it a million times while growing up, as he could memorize all of it. Those memories of his cousin with Cara in their childhood had become his own memory.

He was a bad guy living with his cousin’s memories, or maybe because he retaliated against his cousin for stealing his playmate. But when the time he heard the thing about Cara’s amnesia, he realized he did the right thing for both of them. He just did it for her own good. Thinking the reason he came up with, is the thing he reminds himself constantly not to give up on his ego to make up for his conscience.

He read again the goodbye letter of Vince to Cara. He wondered, what if Vince also wrote letters to Cara telling her about the journal he gave him? But if he does, she will remember him for sure. Knowing Vince, he would probably tell her about their childhood memories. He was certain that Vince had already forgotten everything about Cara when he moved in with his new parents.

The fact that Cara still doesn’t remember her childhood memories was proof that his cousin had not contacted her yet. The odd thing he wants to know is what happened to him, all those past few years with no news from him. Or maybe he really cut off his connection with them, including Cara. That he followed his mother’s last words to him.

“Yes, I need news about him. Start with getting the information about his past, the time when his parents adopted him until this current time.” He just wants to make sure if Vince is far-off from Cara’s radar.

Hiring an investigator to locate him is the sure thing he thought to prevent him from getting near her again.

“Hey, sweetie! Who is he?” her mother snooped as she suddenly went out of their lanai.

“Well, Mom. I needed him for my upcoming thesis. He is a researcher.” Even if he is an honest son to her, she need not know about his personal scheme.

“Oh really. By the way, sweetheart, have you already caught up with Cara? I heard; you will have an acquaintance party next week. Maybe you can grab her as your date.” Her mom is a little of a matchmaker, huh?

“I’m getting there, Mom. Don’t worry. I’ll visit her later after her class.” He assured her while already thinking of a plan on how to ask her.

…….

“Then we’re set. Oh, I forgot. About the thing that happened in the library. Aren’t you going to ask me about it?” There he goes. She just actually forgot about it. But thinking about it again made her face redden in shame.

Why does he need to talk about it? He should forget it. What happened there was nothing special. It’s just an ignition to a small fire that should not be switched on. She just thought it was.

“What happened in the library?” She feigned as if she forgot it already, but she obviously did not forget it because what happened there is unforgettable. But she conveys his mind still, for him to forget it.

“Do you want me to tell you about it or do you want me to redo it so you can remember it?” This guy is teasing her again. She can picture her face is like a ripe tomato heading to burst out soon if they continued this awkward conversation.

He chuckled as he noticed her awkward eyes are being restless. “Fine, I will repeat the thing at the party. You will remember it for sure. Be ready, my sweet.” He muttered, showing her teasing but tempting smile, then he turned his back away.

“How dare you, Vince Aldred Garcia!” However, she actually remembers it. He kissed him. Oh, no, but the truth is, they kissed! As far as she remembers it, they shared the thing. She’s reflecting it in her mind again to recover from the shame she got a while ago.  

“Hey what are you doing there, wall posing with your face that even Da Vinci cannot paint it? What happened to you with that dream guy of yours?” Jean suddenly showed up in front of her, catching her like a woman acting crazy bitch posing like an idiot in the lobby wall.

“Hey! Hush! He would be my date at the party just for benefits.” She straightened as she went back to her senses to answer her friend.

“Really? You’re now friends with benefits, huh??” Her friend’s mind is really far from her, thinking about it like that. As if she is horny. “Hey, you’re the one horny grasping the thought of your friend.” She scolded her mind.

“No, we’re not!” She snapped after processing the words of her friend.

“But we actually did something, irresponsible.” She mumbled as she finally admitted to Jean that there was something between her and Vince.

Processing again the last words of Vince a while ago, she’s thinking of a solution to escape from him in the middle of the event.

“Hey, Cinderella? What are you thinking?” Her friend awakes her mind.

"Cinderella?" Right! She will be his Cinderella at the party. Leaving him in the middle of the night is the one she thinks is a solution to avoid him at the party!