I compiled two chapters in one to compensate for the long wait. Here's a long ass chapter. Enjoy! 😘
-------------
The salty wind of the afternoon blew in front of the beach as I hugged my knees while sitting on the sand. Lennox sat beside me without uttering any words while he let me be at peace but deep inside, my mind is in deep chaos.
"What happened after?" I mumbled, words slipping out of my mouth.
I felt him look at me with those brown orbs that has always been calming— at least for me.
"I was... rushed at the hospital." he shortly said.
My heart broke for unknown reasons. I can imagine him lying in a stretcher while the ambulance took him to the nearest hospital— I was there probably, shocked and was unable to speak.
"What was I like?... I mean, that summer?" I can't help but ask. There's this hole inside that tells me that something is still missing.
Unlike what my parents anticipated, I was able to talk now after knowing the complete truth but still... questions after questions are sprouting like weeds.
"You were... very active, I must say." he started and as I looked at him, I noticed that he's looking at the sea. "I remember you going to that house just so you can enjoy the beach."
"But I bet my parents wouldn't even allow me to take a step outside of the mansion." I butted in and he smiled, a half hearted one.
"They were. They were very strict but... I somehow managed to appease their worries when we were together. They trusted me." he shrugged his shoulders before looking at me. "I'm sorry if you had a shock remembering everything. I-I just couldn't stand it anymore. I'm your friend and even though you can't remember that summer, you are still my friend now."
I bit my lip as I nod my head. That's true. Nothing has changed. I just regained my long lost memories but maybe it's just normal that everything is still vague at this moment. Maybe it's normal to still have questions inside me.
But maybe I should also stop asking for now. I was not alone when the incident happened. I was with Nox and I bet it's been too traumatizing for him too as it was, or is, for me.
I don't know how long we stayed in front of the beach. I didn't feel the scorching heat from the sun nor the sun burn that I can get from sitting there.
All I know is in the middle of my dilemma, my phone rang and it displayed Mom's number. She must be searching for me now.
I took a deep breath as I answered her call. Nox never looked at me after he talked for a while. He looks torn but I understand because he's the one who got shot in my place. I was also curious about the scar that the bullet left but it would be too insensitive for me to ask.
"Mom," I started as I answered her call.
"Where are you? I heard you're with Lennox." there she goes again.
"Yes, I-I'm with him." I looked down at the sand on my feet. "Mom... can we talk when I get home?" that's the first thing that came to mind when I thought of my parents. "I just... have to say something."
I heard her deep sigh before she answered, "Sure thing Eero. Be careful on your way home. Are your bodyguards around?"
"Probably." I mumbled and I can imagine her nodding.
"I see. I have another call. I'll wait for you." she shortly said before ending the call.
I bitterly smiled as I realized that nothing much have changed as years went by. I am still that same person who was chained like a prisoner but also heavily guarded like a precious gem. I guess I can understand where all of this protection is for but what I will never understand is the fact that my parents are doing these things not just for me but for themselves as well.
