5. The Forgotten Fiance

“You’re back.” A deep voice came from behind. She waited for him to continue but he didn’t speak again. She felt him standing beside her. He was standing six feet and two inches towering above her. She was already 5’5” with 3” inch stilettos but she felt small compared to him. He had wide shoulders which was above normal for a guy like him. She couldn’t see his face because of the darkness in the garden.

“Hmmm… do I know you?” She answered curiously. She didn’t like that she’s talking to a stranger but something about him interested her.

“Yeah, we met a long time ago. I’m William Lee, call me Liam.” He’s still looking away, as if he was in deep thought. “ I hope you stay here, for good.” Finally, he looked at her. She was stunned to see his face. In front of her was the most handsome guy she’s ever laid her eyes on. He had perfect eyebrows and very beautiful and expressive eyes. He had a perfect nose which was proportioned with the rest of his facial features. He also had kissable lips, and she was lost in thought for a minute.

William studied her reaction. First she was surprised. For a minute, he saw admiration in her eyes but it was gone as soon as she blinked, as if she was thinking where they met. She frowned as if to say something but he beat her to it, “Did you perhaps forget about me? Me, this handsome face? Jacyn, you’re impossible!” As he purposely flashed her his boyish and playful smile.

‘How cute!’ Jacyn thought to herself. How come a big person like him can act like a little lost puppy. It made her want to adopt him as a pet. But hey, there’s no way she could forget a handsome guy like him. “I don’t remember you, I’m sorry.”

“What? Sorry? That was it? All these years, I’ve been waiting for you to return and all I got is a sorry? Jacyn, you make my heart hurt.” He pouted, he acted so friendly towards her. Did she really forget about him? Do they really know each other?

Liam never thought that she had forgotten about him. Eleven years ago was a really long time but it’s not enough to forget somebody who was important to you. Was he not important to her? Or she probably had amnesia? No way, she remembered her grandparents. She knew them, how come she only forgot about him?

“Or maybe you really forgot about me. I’m sorry to disturb you.” He was sad and hurt. It was evident in his eyes. He went away disappointedly. It’s not like him to retreat, but it came to him as a surprise that she didn’t know him.

She’s in deep thought as she looked at his retreating back. Did she know someone like him? She searched her head and all her memories, but she really couldn’t remember. Her head started throbbing in pain. She took a deep breath and took a pain reliever from her small bag. This was something she had to undergo since the accident. She really never had a peaceful life since her parents were gone. The nightmares she had to go through since that day.

“Grandfather.” William addressed Jacyn’s grandfather.

“William, you made it. Have you met her?” Grandfather Hou Lou looked at him adoringly. He had known this child since he was young. William’s father and his son were best friends in their college years. Even their wives were best friends. He watched this child turn from a stubborn and a playful child to the serious and successful man he was right now. Even though he came from an affluent family, he didn’t just rely on them. He made his own name in the business industry enough for the Lee’s head of the family to entrust all their wealth upon his shoulders.

“Yes, grandfather. But she didn’t even remember me.” He sadly informed the old master, recalling how Jacyn’s face reacted regarding unknowing him. He long waited for this day, for her to come back, unfortunately, she didn’t even remember him. Did the accident cause her to suffer memory loss? This made him wonder what she had gone through all these years.

“I’m sorry, hijo. I didn’t expect her to forget you. The doctor said she was fine. She remembered us so we didn’t think she had forgotten some of her memories.” Grandfather Hou Lou was also at loss.

“It’s fine, grandfather. I’ll make her remember me.” He smiled at him reassuringly. He had to plan something so he’ll not lose his little Jacyn again. “Never again, Jacyn - - never again.” He whispered.

Jacyn went back to the party and saw the guy she met in the garden, talking with her grandfather. They looked familiar with each other, it’s as if they were a real family. She was observing them while slowly walking towards them. Her grandfather seemed at ease talking to that stranger, though they looked like they were having some serious talk.

As she went near them, she hesitated to come close. But before she could turn away, her grandmother already noticed and called her.

“Jacyn, come here. We’ve been looking for you, where have you been?”

“Grandmother, I just went out to get some fresh air,' she replied with a faint smile. She understood how protective they could be. She’s been away for so long that they were afraid to be apart from her again. She also didn’t want to part with them. She missed them badly. If only she had a choice back then, she would not choose to go away. She would choose to stay and fight with them whoever that person who wanted her dead.

“Come child, I want you to meet someone.” Her grandfather called her.

He looked so serious that she felt something wasn’t right. She, suddenly, was nervous. But she still went to him, it’s just a meet and greet anyway with that handsome man. ‘Oh, cut that. He’s handsome alright, but I’m also pretty, right?’ With that, she got her confidence back.

“Jacyn, hija, I want you to meet William Lee, he is your - - - - -”, he paused - watching her reaction.

“My what?” She asked when her grandfather stopped talking. She looked at him curiously, then looked at her grandmother. She looked back at her nervously. Why was she nervous, too?

“--- your fiance.” Grandfather Hou Lou continued.

“My fiance… wha-what? Fiance?” She exclaimed. She couldn’t believe what she just heard.

‘Oh hello, grandfather, you beat me up with it.’ William thought as he smirked to the shocked young lady.