A Bed of His Making

Silas Hudson, the local tycoon of Sangrilas, found me that year when I had lost my memory. And for the next seven years, he had kept me and been pampering me.

Everyone said I was his greatest weakness that no one could touch.

And they said he was about to marry me.

Not long ago, he was spotted abroad, ordering a custom diamond-studded gown.

Until the day I drank half a glass of drugged wine and felt weak.

His voice went into my ears, "When the time comes, send Sandy Ramos to Charlie Schultz's bed. I don't believe he could resist her.

Make sure put enough dosage to his drink. I've trained Sandy myself. He doesn't know how lucky he is."

Someone whispered to him, "You're really willing to give Sandy to him? She's been with you for so long."

"To make Kaitlin Ellis see that Charlie isn't the upstanding man she thinks he is, I'm ok to sacrifice Sandy."

I suddenly remembered why he kept me all those years ago.

...

As soon as I drank the wine, I felt dizzy.

Silas called my name softly for several times, but I couldn't even make a single sound.

My eyelids were heavy. My limbs weak. And it felt like there was fire beneath my skin. But my mind remained clear. Clear enough to hear all his words, which washed over me like a cold shower.

It had been a long time since I heard Kaitlin's name.

Many years ago, we had only briefly met for a few times. Her face was always impassive.

No matter how much Silas smiled and tried to please her, she merely lifted her eyelids and ignored him.

The last time we met, she insisted on leaving the country despite anyone's opposition.

I sat in the car, watching Silas humbly persuade her.

"My dear Kaitlin, you can do whatever you want here. I'll always back you up. Why do you have to go abroad with him?"

Kaitlin was in her early twenties. She was carrying an easel when talking to Silas. Impatience spread across her beautiful face.

"Wherever Charlie goes, I'll go with him. It's none of your business."

She suddenly looked up and glanced at me, and poked his shoulder with a faint, mocking smile. Then she whispered something to Silas that he lowered his head helplessly.

Later, I guessed what she had instructed Silas. "She paints very well. You know what I mean, Silas..."

From then on, the second floor of the Hudson family mansion became off-limits to everyone but me.

Outsiders speculated that it was the luxurious hideaway Silas had prepared for me, filled with exquisite carvings and treasures.

They were right about one thing that there was indeed a huge bed on the second floor.

Silas often held me by the waist and indulged in his desires and the sight of my eyes moistening before I succumbed to delusion.

On the other side on the second floor was a vast studio.

When Silas went to work at the Hudson Group, I would spend my whole day painting in here.

Those chaotic brushstrokes and the vibrant colors intertwined on the canvas.

Later, those pictures became famous internationally under Kaitlin's name.

They said she was a rare Impressionist genius that her paintings were her exploration of vitality and the cosmic.

But beneath those chaotic brushstrokes, I had planted fragments of my scattered memories.

The relentless fire, the collapsing courtyard, and the despair words. "Our family... will stay together, forever and ever."

...

Fragments of memories flashed through my mind and I heard a boy was speaking urgently that he seemed to be advising the doctor about my natural drug resistance to certain medications.

Silas approached me again and touched my arm with his hand. His movements made me feel like an ice sweeping across my skin.

I couldn't help but lean closer to him. I tried to open my mouth but couldn't make a sound.

His breath was warm against my face, yet it gradually chilled my heart.

"Didn't Kaitlin say Charlie is a decent man? That he wouldn't touch her until the wedding day? I want her to see that all men are the same."

"Wait until she sees Charlie doing those vile things to Sandy, ha. I don't believe she'll still want to marry him." The person beside him agreed repeatedly, "She will definitely see you're the best for her."

I recognized the voice as Wilbur Powell, Silas's personal assistant.

Silas' hand touched my cheek again. It was cold. Then he called my name several times, "Sandy, Sandy."

As I didn't respond him, he said with a hint of anger in his voice, "How much did you give her? I said we're just testing the drug. Why isn't she waking up?"

Wilbur quickly explained, "I really only gave her a little. She might wake up in a few more minutes."

Then he lowered his voice, "Don't worry, I'll make sure the dosage is right, so she won't remember anything when she wakes."

I finally understood the whole story.

Silas planned to drug me and send me to that Charlie's bed without letting me know.

Silas also lowered his voice. "Once everything is settled, book a ticket for Sandy to go abroad. After I marry Kaitlin, bring her back."

The drug was wearing off.

Yet I kept my eyes tightly shut, enduring the pain in my heart. My hands were slightly curled and my fingertips had already broken the skin of my palm that blood was seeping out.

I recalled what Silas said before I drank the wine, as he gently kissed my hair. "Sandy, sometimes I really want to keep you by my side forever."

It turned out, forever could be a short time.

The night sky gradually draped over the horizon as I pretended to wake up slowly.

Silas lay beside me, one hand resting loosely around my waist.

Seeing my eyes open, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The corners of his eyes lifted, painted with a hint of a smile. "How is it that your tolerance for alcohol is dwindling? You already fell asleep with less than half a glass."

A wave of sadness washed over me, but I managed to muster a faint smile. "Tell me about it. My head still feels foggy."

His brow furrowed. And his hand moved to my forehead, then to my temples, giving me a gentle massage.

"Feel any better? Should I call a doctor?"

With his recent words echoed in my ears, I couldn't help but shrink away from his touch. "Yeah... Much better."

As his fingers fell away, there was momentarily confusion in his eyes. Then he suddenly got up. As he got up, there appeared a huge empty space beside me. And my heart felt just as hollow.

He buttoned his shirt while walking out. "Just sleep. I have some things about the art museum to handle. I don't trust anyone else to take care of it."

I remained silent, listening quietly to the sound of him closing the door and going downstairs.

Since about half a month ago when Kaitlin conspicuously return to the country, Silas had seemed unsettled.

The media was widely advertising her first public art exhibition since she had returned, touting its unique style. They also frequently gossiped about her impending wedding with Charlie from Pekinston that they even had booked the venue ahead of time.

The exhibition was held at the Whitney Art Museum, the biggest one, in the city center, which had been under construction for years and was completed only six months ago.

No one knew who the financial backer of the museum was, though some guessed it was Silas.

They said he spent a fortune just for Kaitlin, given how he had publicly purchased her artworks for multiple times.

I had become used to his eager preparations for the art exhibit.

I once thought it was out of nostalgia. But now I understood that Kaitlin was the old flame burning in his heart that he had never wanted to damped.

The opening day of the exhibition, which was also the day Kaitlin would publicly announce her engagement, was just a few days away.

Since the day they tested their drugs on me, I had been on edge.

Several times, I had opened the door to go downstairs only to retreat under the watchful eyes of the guards at the entrance.

After seven years in Sangrilas, I still felt like I didn't belong here. I didn't even know where to go if I left this house.

I didn't know when Silas planned to send me away, but I wanted to say goodbye to him before then... to tell him I wasn't reluctant.

He continued to act as he always did that he would occasionally bring me exquisite gifts and was still enthusiastic about having sex with me after a drink.

But I could no longer muster any enthusiasm with him that I kept evading his kisses in a flustered panic.

He then became a bit irritable. His face darkened.

"Sandy, what's wrong with you lately? You have never rejected me like this."

I looked slightly up at him and I saw his shirt and his trousers... I assumed he dressed like this inspired by Charlie.

He could no longer pretend to be confident and unruly in front of Kaitlin that all he cared about what she liked.

Suppressing the ache in my heart, I spoke softly, "I want to go outside and take a walk."

He misunderstood me, brushing me off, "Wait until the exhibition is over. I'll have someone send you abroad for a vacation."

"I don't want to wait... Silas, I want to go now."

"No." He refused decisively. Then he nervously touched his nose.

"You know how important Kaitlin's exhibition is. I can't miss it... Sandy, we'll go later."

He wouldn't let me go.

I closed my eyes, allowing my fingertips to dig into my palms, reopening the healing wounds again. "What if I say we break up? Would you let me go then?"

Silas paused surprisingly, then burst into laughter. "You're breaking up with me? Sandy, you're not even my girlfriend. You're just..."

He halted.

What was I? Just some random person he had taken home years ago, like a stray pet. If he had to give me a title, considering how he spoiled me, it could be a canary.

I dared not open my eyes, even my voice trembled as I spoke. "Have you ever thought about marrying me?"

He chuckled as if he'd heard a joke, "Don't say things like that, Sandy."

He reminded me that the Hudson family was powerful and influential in Sangrilas's elite circles, that his family held sway over both government and business sectors, that they wouldn't allow him to marry someone with an unknown background.

My grip tightened until my knuckles turned white. "What about Kaitlin? She's just an ordinary person, too."

Kaitlin was just the daughter of a maid of the Hudson family, whom had been financially supported by the Hudson family to finish her school and go abroad. Then she became a renowned painter thanks to my artwork.

Silas froze. Then his gaze quickly darkening. "How dare you compare yourself to her?"

Seeing my face turn ashen, he noticed he had been rude to me and softened his tone. "Alright. You pushed me to speak harshly to you. Sandy, rest assured. Even if I marry Kaitlin in the future, I won't abandon you."

He lightly tightened his lips. His attractive almond-shaped eyes flashing a mischievous glint. "When the time comes, whether you want to study abroad or have a legitimate identity, I can make it happen for you."

Sandy was just a name he casually gave me.

From the day he found me ragged by the river, all the memories I had was about him.

Silas initially tried to heal me, but the doctor shook his head after trying everything. "Highly unlikely. She must have suffered extreme trauma. Recovery can only come with time."

Or perhaps never.

At that time, Silas seemed nonchalant, wrapping his arm around me with a healing smile. "It doesn't matter if you never recover. From now on, your name is Sandy. And I'll look after you for the rest of your life." He always promised easily, like a lifetime was as long as a day.

Perhaps because of our unpleasant argue on that day, Silas took me along the next time he went out.

The car drove across the river to an amusement park, lit up though not yet open.

I looked at Silas in surprise, and he looked smug. "When have I ever failed to deliver on my promises?"

My only friends in Sangrilas, Yasmine Lee and Wendy Stewart were already there, standing in a distance.

They were nurses at a private hospital who had taken care of me for a year after Silas found me.

I had extensive burns on my back, requiring several major skin grafts with old skin wounds.

Whenever the pain was unbearable, Silas was always comforting me by my side. "Alright, Sandy. Be good. Once you get through this, I'll build the biggest amusement park for you."

An amusement park just for me.

I drew a vast amusement park with only one girl riding a carousel on the first painting I created when I was just with him. It was also the only realistic painting I drew and was still hanging on the second floor of the mansion since it didn't fit Kaitlin's style.

I stared blankly at the amusement park in front of me. It was vast and filled with the air of freedom. But I was not free.

Yasmine and Wendy accompanied me as I played through the facilities, occasionally glancing at Silas in the distance.

He was sending messages with a smile on his face leaning against his sports car.

Yasmine looked at me enviously, "Sandy, you're so lucky. Silas treats you so well."

Gripping the handrail gloomily, I forced a smile.

Wendy seemed to see through me. When we were away from Yasmine, she leaned closer to me and lowered her voice, "Wilbur said Silas wants to arrange for someone to sleep with Charlie. Do you know about this?"

I felt my face flushed crimson as if I'd been stripped naked.

Wendy, understanding everything, looked at me with pity. "Is it really you? He's certainly doing so?

Sandy, it's not worth it. You haven't known he had Wilbur decorate the site of the exhibition as a wedding chapel. He's waiting for Kaitlin to change her mind and marry him without hesitation. What do you think you mean to him?"

...

As we left the amusement park, Silas leaned over to fasten my seatbelt. "What's wrong? Didn't have fun? You seem distracted."

I forced a smile, clenching the access card in my hand. "Just a bit tired."

Silas tugged his lips slightly, avoiding my gaze, "Sandy, this place is going to be torn down soon."

I looked at him in shock.

"Kaitlin really likes this place. I'm going to build her a new art museum here." He pointed toward the Ferris wheel, "I'll build a garden over there and fill it with a sea of yellow roses."

Memories crashed violently in my mind, piecing together bit by bit.

My face turned pale. I bit my lip and looked toward the other side.

Before Kaitlin returned, I had wanted to tell Silas that my long-lost memories seemed to be resurfacing.

Those memories of an amusement park, a sea of yellow roses, and burning buildings were slowly becoming clear in my mind.

I wasn't an orphan with an unknown background.