by Tia Siren
First off, the fact that he and I had been friendly at the strip club I worked at was disheartening. Liana had told me I never did anything but take orders and deliver drinks. But apparently, this man and I had been something like friends. He seemed comfortable enough with me to approach me and grab me out on the street. I didn’t like that one bit. Even if he was in a worse state now than before, he still seemed like the type of character that I would have usually tried to avoid.
But the main thing that stuck with me were his words of wisdom. He was right, too. When you had something worth holding on to, it was best not to let go. From what I could tell, my old life wasn't a desirable one, by any means. And the more I thought about it, the more I was inclined to think that maybe this bout of amnesia was one of the better things to happen to me.
Sure, I had no idea who I was. But did that matter? I knew now where I was going. I was going to be a writer. Seeing that customer only hammered home how terrible a life someone can have after a few bad mistakes are made, and I wasn't going to let my life be a cautionary tale for others.
On top of that, I had to count my blessings that I had Liam in my life now. He had a stable job and seemed to be crazy about me, especially for someone whom I had known for such a short time. But funnily enough, I was crazy about him, too. It felt like I had known him for ages, and to me, that was always a sign that I had found the right one. I mean, probably. I couldn’t remember finding the right one before. But somehow, even without a memory, I knew I was right.
With Liam by my side, supporting me, I was sure that I would never have to go back to that life that I had left behind. And more than that, I was sure that I would finally be able to achieve that life that I deserved. There wasn't much that love couldn't do.
CHAPTER 13
LIAM
My biggest fear was that he would jog Kate's memory. I had no idea how close he and Kate actually were, and thus, had to operate under the assumption that he knew enough about her to totally derail our relationship. I couldn’t let that happen. Not when things were going so well.
My second fear was that he and Kate were an item. There was no reason that they couldn't be, and every reason that they would be. If he remembered Kate and they were dating, there was no way that he would let her go without a fight. And if it came to that, well, I didn't know who would win.
All of these thoughts raged in my head as I made my way toward the hospital that morning, under the full knowledge that the man responsible for Kate's amnesia was awake and talking. He had awoken a few hours ago and had apparently been asking for Kate non-stop. Even if they weren't dating, he obviously knew her pretty well.
I had no idea what I was going to do.
The hospital was, as always, pure chaos when I arrived. And that was before I got to the ICU. The ICU was always the busiest, most kinetically charged portion of the hospital. Not only were there patients crashing left and right, with nurses and doctors streaming across the room to try and save them, but there were also the families of the victims. They were always on site and always in the way. They had little concern for the patients that they weren't there for and weren't afraid to get in one’s face if they thought they were being ignored.
So yes, the ICU was an intense, high-pressure room at the best of times. As I entered it, I felt that my blood was already up. The only calming factor was Clint, already there. He was standing toward the back of the room, watching the car crash victim with curiosity.
"Has he said anything?" I asked Clint as I walked up beside him.
"Yeah. The guy won't shut up actually. You'd think nearly dying in a car wreck would make you a little more humble."
"I mean, has he said anything of interest. And don't ask me what 'interest' means. You know what the fuck I'm talking about."
"Ah, no then," Clint confirmed. "Nothing of interest."
His name was Danny, and that was about all the useful information that any of the nursing staff could get out of him. He refused to give his last name, wouldn't even talk about his insurance, and was adamant that he was staying put until he had a chance to talk to Kate. In short, he was a handful.
"I told him she'd left the hospital, but we'd get her in as soon as possible," Clint was saying. "He seemed a little miffed that she had left the hospital without him. Despite the fact that he was unconscious and she had amnesia."
"And his injuries?"
"Healing nicely. Honestly, if he was so inclined, he could leave today. Well, if he gave us his insurance information. But as he's holding out, he won't be leaving anytime soon."
"Anything else?" I asked, keeping my eyes on him the whole time. I don't know why but I got the sense that I wasn't going to like Danny very much. Actually, I was sure of it. There was just something in his smile and his eyes that screamed distrustful.
"Nope. And if I said there was no need for you to talk to him, then I am sure that you will avoid him and go on your way–or not," Clint trailed off as I nodded, making my way toward Danny's bedside.
When Danny saw me, he let off a long audible groan. "Another one. Tell me, how many of you guys gonna keep comin' over here and tryin' get new things out of me? I told the last one, I ain't moving until I see Kate."
"And why do you want to see Kate so much?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I reached down and picked up the information card on the end of his bed. Clint was right. Danny could more or less leave the moment he paid for his treatment. Maybe that was why he wanted to stay?
"That's between me and her. You don't know when she's comin' in, do you?"
"We’ve called her. She said she will as soon as she gets the chance," I lied. "But you have to understand, she has amnesia so anything you might want from her isn't going to come easily. In fact, it's probably best if you tell me so I can—"
"Yeah, they were telling me about the amnesia," Danny cut in. "Is that legit then? She can't remember a thing?"
"Yep, not even her own name," I said as I looked down at him, trying to get a reading.
I wanted to know if his concern for Kate was based on a relationship the two had, or if he needed something directly from her. Something more personal.
"Well, that's going to make it hard. But no matter, I'll talk to her nonetheless. See what I can get." His arms were still both broken as he tried to shuffle his way back into bed. "Say, you wouldn't have a cigarette, would you? And a light?"
"This is a hospital, and you can't smoke," I said disbelievingly. The more I spoke to Danny, the more my earlier suspicions were confirmed. There was no way I liked this guy. I just hoped that he and Kate weren't dating. But then again, even if they were, I was sure that I could take this guy out.
"Ah, shame. I thought you were one of the good ones."
"So, tell me. How exactly do you know Kate? Friend of yours?"
It may have been my imagination, but I was certain for a second that he threw me a suspicious glance before answering. "You might say that. But you might also say that we're dating. Yep, we are two in love amigos." He looked rather pleased with himself as he spoke.
"Really?" I asked, again trying to keep my voice calm and casual. In reality though, I was screaming on the inside. My worst fear had come to realization. The only possible saving grace here was that this guy was a bit of a deadbeat. If I could just keep Kate from him for a little while longer while I continued to work her than there was no way he would be a problem.
"Really, really. That's why I'm trying to see her. To make sure she's okay and what not."
"She's quite fine. I can assure you."
"Well, that's good. But still, I want to see it with my own eyes. I need to give her a big old kiss and tell her that I love her and everything is going to be okay. You understand, right?"
"I'll see what I can do," I said. I then put his chart back down, turned, and left the ICU.
I wasn't feeling too good as I walked from the room. The walls around me seemed to spin and shrink in on me, and my knees felt like they were giving out. I nee
ded to sit down. I almost fell into a side room, scurrying to the bed as I lay myself down on it.
He used the word love, clear as day. He loved her, and if he loved her, then there was every chance that she loved him, too. Or at least, she did until her amnesia kicked in. There was, therefore, no way that I could let the two meet up. Not until I figured out how to handle this situation. Kate didn’t know that he was awake yet, so all I had to do was not tell her.
I felt sick to my stomach with that thought. I was already lying to her. I wasn't sure that I could pile on more lies on top of that. But at the same time, I couldn't risk her meeting him and remembering everything. My plan wasn't finished yet. I still needed to ensure, unequivocally, that she was in love with me. The new me, too. Not the old me.
I had been thinking about it the previous night and today, but now I knew that I was going to have to pump a shot of adrenaline into this relationship. I was going to ask her out on a getaway weekend. And it would have to be this weekend. By the time we got back, we would be so madly in love that she wouldn't be able to leave me. Danny or no.
And as for Danny? Well, he could kick it in the ICU for the rest of the week and weekend, for all I cared. There was still something about him that I didn't like. And it wasn't that he was dating Kate. But something more. I got the sense that he just wasn't a good guy. He wasn't the kind of guy that I wanted Kate to be around, anyway.
All I was going to have to do was keep Kate away from the hospital until next week. That should be easy enough. There was no reason for her to come back. And then it hit me. Kate was already on her way to the hospital. We were meant to be meeting up for lunch. Any minute now actually. She was most likely walking through the halls already.
I leapt to my feet and darted from the room. I had to find Kate. I had to find her before she wandered into the ICU and saw Danny.
"Sandra," I yelled as I spotted Sandra strolling down the hall.
"Oh hey, Liam. I haven't seen you today. I was starting to get upset—”
"Hey, listen, I need you to do me a favor," I rushed as I grabbed her by both her arms. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Why, yeah, of course I can."
"You remember Kate Monroe? She was the amnesia patient from a few days ago? Brown hair green eyes."
"Of course," she said, looking confused. Her eyes fell to her arms, still being held by me.
"She's in the hospital right now. Only I don't know where. If you see her can you please, please keep her away from the ICU? Understand?"
"From the ICU? But that's where her man is? Or at least, I think it's her man. They came in together and—"
"I know," I cut in, trying not to get angry. "I can't explain. I just don't want her going in there and seeing him yet."
"Why?" Sandra asked, giving me a suspicious, knowing look. "I didn't even realize that you and Ms. Monroe were speaking to each other outside of the hospital. Is there a reason that she can't go into—"
"Sandra, please!" I all but shouted. As I did, I looked into her eyes, pleading with her.
"Okay, okay," she said, rolling her eyes at me. "I'll keep her out of there. You can run along and try to find her in peace now."
And I did just that, letting go of Sandra and darting down the hallway. I needed to find Kate and get her out of the hospital before she spotted Danny. If she did, well I didn't know what would be in store for us.
CHAPTER 14
KATE
I always hated the hospital. Or at least, I got the feeling that I had. It was a depressing and oppressing atmosphere for anyone that had to step through its doors. It began with the cold, isolating color that all hospitals featured: white. White walls, white floors, and white ceilings. It seemed to be a metaphor for the death found throughout the building.
And that was the second reason I hated hospitals. Death and decay hung around the place. They could be felt in every room and every hallway. It could be sensed in the way the people in the hospitals talked and acted. It seemed to latch onto them and suck the good feelings right from their souls.
There was nothing enjoyable about the hospital. I hated it here, and thus, I was not happy about the fact that I was meeting Liam in one. If it wasn't for the fact that it was Liam, I would have waited outside in the parking garage. I would have called and demanded that he come outside to meet me as there was no way that I was going inside.
But it was Liam, and I felt the odd urge to please him. Even if it meant braving one of the places I hated the most.
But more frustrating than that, now that I was in the hospital, I was having the hardest time finding him. When I entered the building, I headed straight for reception, asking him to be called. But they couldn't get through to him and suggested that I might do better to walk around. I'd most likely bump into him that way. With a little reservation, I opted to do just that, wishing immediately that I hadn't.
Ten minutes in and I was all but ready to turn around and leave. He could come and find me. But then I spotted Sandra, the nurse. Sandra had helped look after me the few days that I was in the hospital, and she had always seemed really nice. Especially considering how some of the other nurses acted.
"Sandra, hey!" I called out to her as I hurried down the hallway.
Hearing her name, she stopped and turned, beaming when she spotted me. "Kate, how are you?" She powered toward me, pulling me into a hug. I was surprised by this but found it oddly welcoming. It did much to distract me from my current location.
"I'm okay. Just looking for Dr. Morgan. Liam. You haven't seen him, have you?"
"No, not at all today I'm afraid," she responded, biting her lip.
It was odd, but in that moment, I suddenly noticed how attractive Sandra was. She had beautiful red hair and the most stunning white porcelain skin. She also had a body in stark contrast to mine, curvy in all the right places. It was stupid, but for a moment, I actually felt a slight stab of jealousy at the thought that she got to spend all day with Liam.
"That's fine," I said, pushing those silly thoughts away. "But if you do see him can you let him know that—"
"Hey. Now that you are here, though, I've got something to show you. Well, not show you, but, well, he's been asking for you all morning."
"Who?" I asked, having no idea what the hell she was talking about.
"Danny. Your friend."
"My what now?" I asked again, getting a little miffed that she was being so coy. I did have amnesia after all.
"Oh my god!" she screamed, slapping me on the arm. "I'm so sorry. I completely forgot that you wouldn't remember. Danny was the man driving the car that you crashed in. He's awake, and he's been asking for you."
"Oh," I didn’t know what else to say. I was caught between both excitement and nervousness. On the one hand, there was a chance that this guy could tell me more about myself and what I was doing with him in the car. On the other hand, though, that might not be the information that I wanted to hear.
But before I had a chance to object, Sandra took me by the hand and led me toward the ICU. In the end, I decided that it was actually a good thing. I was going to have to face him eventually. It might as well be now.
He looked about the same as when I had seen him the first time. Although he had fewer bandages on, his skin was still swollen and purple. Both his arms were also broken, as was one of his legs. But his eyes popped open with excitement when he saw me coming, and he even smiled, despite the difficulty it looked like it was causing him.
"Hey, sweet cheeks," he said as I walked to his bedside. "You look good. Well, better than me, anyway."
"Hey," I said nervously. The moment that I was by his side, Sandra left the two of us alone. It was an act that I was grateful for. I had no idea how this conversation was going to play out, and I really didn't need the audience.
"That's all you have for me? No, how are you? Or how you feeling?" He joked. As he did though, he began coughing violently. It clearly hurt.
"I don't know what else to say,” I answ
ered. “I don't even know who you are."
"Ah yeah, the amnesia," he said. "That's a big one. Well here, let me help you out. My name is Danny Diamond, and the two of us are dating. How's that sound?"
"Dating?" Honestly, that sounded awful. When he told me his name, I internally prayed that he was just an Uber driver giving me a lift. His name seemed to speak volumes about the kind of guy that he was. But now that he confirmed that we were dating, I felt sick.
"How did you get so lucky?" he joked again. “I know, right?” His words resulted in another fit of coughing.
"Dating?" I managed, trying not to let the disappointment come through in my voice. "How long have we been—"
"Well, we're not dating, per se. Just lovers. Regular, run of the mill lovers. Oh, and you work for me, too."
"I do? Doing what?"
"Jesus, that memory really has gone to shit. You're one of my waitresses at the club. But recently, you came to me, asking for more lucrative opportunities. I run a little escort business on the side. You wanted to be a part of that. You called it, trading up."
That sick feeling in my stomach was only getting worse. With every word he spoke, I felt my stomach dropping out from under me. Not only was I sleeping with this man, but I was looking to get more money from him by working as an escort? It was disgusting. I was basically a whore. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. How could this have been me? How could this have been my old life? Even with my memories gone, I felt sure that I would never do something like that. But I couldn’t deny what this man was telling me, could I?
"And I asked you to do that?” I asked, again trying to keep the bile from coming off my tongue.
"Are you kidding? You practically begged me. You got down on your knees and everything. I was taking you to your first job when we got into that accident. And we were discussing some other business ventures. But listen. I do feel I should say sorry for what happened. It wasn't my intention. If it makes you feel any better though, I'm pissing into a tube right now. So, I think I got the short end of the stick."