Chapter 4 I GUESS FATE CAUSED US TO MEET THEN AND MEET AGAIN NOW.

(Seraphina Parker)

Elian was coming to my place today as planned.

As I tidied up my apartment, clearing the mess April had made between last night and this morning, my heart kept racing. I couldn't wait to meet Elian again.

I had dropped April at school earlier than usual to give myself enough time to organize both the house and my thoughts. But despite my efforts to stay composed, my mind kept circling back to the same question.

How is it possible that he doesn't remember that night?

The night that had changed my life forever.

Sighing, I walked to the living room window, pushing it open to let in some fresh air. The scent of morning dew and blooming flowers from the large vases I kept by the window helped calm me.

I took a quick shower and then sat down for a late breakfast of oats with sliced bananas. As I ate, I scrolled through my work schedule again to ensure I hadn't overlooked anything. I was free until much later today. That gave me more than enough time with Elian.

Still, my nerves wouldn't settle.

Just as I was about to take another bite of my breakfast, a soft knock echoed through the apartment.

I frowned. Why hadn't he used the doorbell?

The only person who ever knocked was little Richard, my next-door neighbor's son, who always came over to play with April's toys. But it couldn't be him. He would be at school now.

The knock came again, firmer this time.

I quickly wiped my mouth with a napkin and walked to the door, peeking through the peephole.

There he was.

Elian Montrose.

His sharp frame perfectly embodied in another suit, just like before. My breath caught as I took in the bouquet of red roses in his hands.

I opened the door, startled when he lifted the flowers toward me.

"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady," he said, his voice smooth and warm, it had created this tingling effect in my heart. "Good morning, Phina. I was determined not to be late today. Please, accept my gift."

I blinked, momentarily stunned.

"Thank you, Elian. Good morning. I wasn't expecting the flowers. Oh my God... but I love them," I stuttered as smoothly as possible.

I took the bouquet from him, bringing it closer to my nose and inhaling the fresh, floral scent.

That was so thoughtful of him. I thought to myself, relaxing a bit.

"I'm glad you like them," he replied, rubbing his hands together with a satisfied smile.

That damn smile.

"Come on in," I said, stepping aside.

As he walked in, his eyes swept over my living space. "Nice place," he commented, settling onto the couch, the same one I'm always curled up on after a long day.

I set the flowers on the center table before turning to him. "Do you always wear suits?"

His brows lifted. "That was random."

"It's just... you wore one on our date, and now again. Not that I mind, but do you ever dress casually?"

For the first time and now, the second time, we had unprofessional meetings and he always dressed in a suit to meet up.

I didn't mind his choice of clothes. I'm just stunned by how he looked so good in them.

He chuckled. "Would you like to see me in something else? I can make that happen, even now." He said, slowly, carefully spelling out each word.

I scoffed, shifting in my seat. "You're impossible."

"You started it." He replied, smiling lightly and sitting farther into the chair.

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore how much influence his mere presence made on my entire existence.

"Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"No, thank you. If I eat anything else, I might explode." He patted his stomach in a way that made me laugh.

Then, my expression turned serious. I wasn't going to waste any more time.

"Let's talk about the other day."

He straightened slightly.

"Seven years ago, you saved me on a cold night. We had... a moment. But when I woke up the next morning, you were gone. You left behind a doctor and breakfast, but no note. Nothing. And now, you tell me you don't remember?"

Elian leaned forward, loosening his tie slightly, his brows drawing together.

He was silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "You're right. I just... don't remember."

I frowned. "So how do you say I'm right when you don't even recall?"

He exhaled, rubbing his temple.

"My doctor said I had a memory lapse due to an accident. I struggled to recall people I met, situations I had been in... It was frustrating. I thought I had recovered fully, but clearly, I haven't."

I froze.

An accident? That explained everything. Why he never looked for me, why he hadn't recognized me at our blind date.

My chest ached. He had been in a terrible accident, and I had never known.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."

"Don't be. It's okay."

He stood up and walked toward me. My breath hitched as he lowered himself onto the couch beside me.

"If anything," he murmured, "I'm grateful you brought it up. How could I have forgotten you? What we had... sounds like it was special."

His hand reached for mine, his thumb gently stroking my skin.

I swallowed hard.

He was so close. The scent of his cologne wrapped around me, bringing back every memory I had fought to suppress.

"Are you okay?" he asked, searching my face. "I mean, I don't remember the details, but I want to. How did I save you that night? And why... why haven't you forgotten me all this time?"

My throat tightened.

"It's a long, unpleasant story."

Elian squeezed my hand. "I want to hear it. I want to understand."

I took a shaky breath.

"That night, I was in a terrible situation. You pulled me out of it, quite literally. You stayed with me until I was safe. And then... you were gone."

Tears burned my eyes. "I never got to thank you properly. I don't think I ever will."

A single tear escaped, and I sniffled, searching with my eyes for my inhaler but before I could excuse myself for it, Elian caught my other hand. It was unexpected and had me turning to face him directly, our knees touching and our faces inches away from each other.

"It's okay," he murmured. "I guess fate caused us to meet then... and meet again now."

Letting go of my hand, he reached up and wiped my tear away.

I stared at him, my heart pounding.

"You really never forgot about that stranger who saved you?" he asked.

I swallowed, giving him the only truth I knew.

"Meeting you again made me the happiest I've been in the past seven years."

His gaze softened, and for a moment, we just sat there, staring at each other in silence.

Then, slowly, a smile spread across his lips. "Well then, Seraphina... I guess I have seven years' worth of memories to make up for."

And just like that, the walls around my heart began to crumble.