Chapter 5 To be or not to be

Over the next few days, the distance began to blur.

Clara found herself learning the small details of his life all over again - how he liked his coffee black but with a spoon of honey, how he read in silence for hours, how he hated noise but loved the sound of rain.

Adrian, in turn, grew fascinated by her - the calm confidence she carried, the way she smiled only when she forgot to guard herself. He noticed she never talked about family, that she flinched slightly whenever someone mentioned the word love.

He wanted to ask. But every time he tried, the look in her eyes stopped him.

One afternoon, while sorting medication at the counter, Clara overheard Adrian in the study with his father.

Richard's voice was firm. "Your board is concerned, Adrian. Until your doctors confirm full cognitive recovery, I'll continue overseeing Cole Industries."

"I didn't ask for that," Adrian said evenly.

"You're not fit to lead right now."

"I'm not fit," Adrian repeated, "or you're not ready to let go?"

"Watch it, son!"

There was a pause - then the sharp sound of a chair scraping. Clara froze. "Argh!" Adrian yelled in pain as he held on to his desk which aided his fall.

What is it son?!" Richard asked alarmed, immediately running to his son's side like they weren't arguing a few minutes ago.

Clara stood there watching , waiting to be called. She wanted to help but she wasn't going to lose herself by being consumed by this world.

"Clara!" Richard yelled and she came in almost immediately.

"Something's wrong, get him water! Something " he yelled. A powerful man in despair, now that's something you don't see everyday.

"Sir, I need you to relax. Adrian how are you feeling?" Clara asked calmly. "I felt like... it felt like we've had this argument before", he said panting.

"Well Mr. Richard have you?" Clara asked. "What? " the older man asked confused.

"Had an argument like this before I mean"

"Oh... um... yes" the older man answered and looked away as if he was ashamed.

"Ok, that's good, but Mr. Richard I think you should take it easy with him. As much as his triggers are causing him to remember it is still dangerous " Clara stated and the older man nodded.

"I'll get your medications and some water, do you need anything else?" She asked and Adrian shook his head no. "What about you Mr. Cole?" She asked politely but he shook his head no. He was too shaken up.

"I didn't mean to destabilize you, but you've made some mistakes that cost us, it'll be dangerous to work in your current state. That's all I'm saying.

"Get some rest or something. We'll talk about this later" he said and excused himself.

He met Clara on his way out. " Ms. Hayes, thank you for being here. Is there something we can do to speed up his recovery? This is not only about the company. Adrian always thought I was strict, but he's my son and I want the best for him. I really need my son back. Please help him" he cried. "I'm doing my very best Sir" Clara said with a heavy heart. He nodded and left.

When she entered, Adrian was looking on his laptop.

"Are you all right?" she asked quietly.

He gave a hollow laugh. "I don't know. You mean apart from the fact that everyone seems to think they know what's best for me?

Clara hesitated. Don't be consumed . She warned herself, but did the very opposite.

"Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

He looked up, eyes meeting hers. "You really believe that?"

She nodded slowly. "They knew the old you, they just want you back. They miss you."

"What if I don't want the old me back?" He asked looking intensely at her.

"Why do you keep saying that?" He just shrugged.

"That's entirely up to you. I guess sometimes forgetting is mercy" she said . It was her who looked at him intently this time.

And when I was asking if you were alright? I meant after the whole memory jolt thing" she said making him chuckle.

"You called me Adrian" he said with a faint smile on his face. "You were over in your head, I'm sure you heard me wrong" she said biting her lips to hide her smile.

"So you're saying I'm crazy?" He said with mock seriousness.

"That's not what I meant Mr. Cole" she teased.

"Thanks for being here" he said as he took her hand in his suddenly. She gasped in shock, she didn't pull away, she didn't speak for a while. "I'm just doing my job" she said and finally pulled her hand away. "Mr. Cole " she added and walked away.

That night, Clara couldn't sleep. She lay awake in the guest room, listening to the faint sounds of the city. Her mind replayed his voice, his questions, the way he'd grabbed her hand , looked at her- like he was trying to read a story she didn't want him to find.

She turned over, burying her face in the pillow. She'd promised herself she wouldn't get drawn in. This was a job. A contract. Nothing more.

But deep down, she knew the truth - she was already tangled again.

In the room next door, Adrian sat awake too, sketching something absentmindedly on a notepad. Circles, lines, words that didn't make sense - until, without thinking, he wrote her name at the center.

Clara.

He stared at it for a long time, his chest tightening. He didn't know who he used to be. But he knew one thing for certain - this woman, this stranger who claimed not to know him, was somehow the only piece of his life that felt real.

And he couldn't shake the feeling that remembering her might break him - or save him.