Love Lasts Forever (Fifth Part of "Love in the Spotlight") MJ Fantasy

Chapter 10: Caring

Zoe's POV

"Where the hell have you been?! I've been calling you for days!" I shouted into the receiver.

"Woah, calm down... I was out of town visiting my mother. She hates cell phones..."

I scoffed. "Oh, she hates cell phones? Well, you know what I hate? Being ignored by someone who promised to be there for many any time I needed her!"

"I did not ignore you... Like I said before-"

"You know what Daphney, I don't even care. I'll figure it out." I snapped.

I've been calling this woman for almost a week now. Michael is regaining his memory quicker, and he's starting to remember some things about me that don't paint me in the best light. As of now, he's close to hating me, when just a few weeks ago he was telling me how perfect I was. Daphney knows what Michael is going through, and that's why I need her support.

"What did he remember?" She randomly asked.

I wrinkled my eyebrows. "What?"

She sighed. "I'm not stupid, Zoe. Tell me what he remembered."

I took a deep breath, trying to decide whether or not to confide in her or hang up the phone. "It's complicated." I responded.

"Okay, well, was it good or bad?"

"Both."

There was silence on her end for a few moments. "Zoe..." She muttered.

"Yes?"

"Please tell me you are not sleeping with him."

My eyes widened. How could she possibly know? Did I give it away? Is it that obvious?

"N-no... Definitely not..." I lied.

"You're lying." She responded. "Oh god... You really shouldn't have allowed him to get so emotionally invested in you at this point in his recovery. He's going to remember horrible things about you, Zoe. It's going to be like you're breaking his heart all over again. Even if it happened 20 years ago..."

I snorted. "Gee, thanks..."

She cleared her throat. "You need to talk to him and tell him that you two cannot be romantically involved during this time. It complicates everything."

"I tried to tell him, Daphney. Numerous times. He's stubborn."

"I doubt it's all his fault..."

I sighed. "Of course it's not all his fault, but it's not all mine either. Look, I can't help that I love the man, alright? As much as I hate it, I love him. And now I'm stuck in this house, sleeping across the hall from a man that I've been head over heels in love with for 30 years, when he can't even remember half of them."

I shook my head and closed my eyes, my frustration building with every second.

"How do you think I feel, Daphney? Taking care of him and petting him like he's a child? Watching what I say around him? Trying to be patient and pretend like this whole memory thing isn't a huge burden on my life?"

"Huge burden, huh?" I heard someone call from across the room.

My eyes shot open and I nearly lost my breath when I noticed Michael standing in the doorway.

My mouth hung open as I stared at him in shock. This is the definition of bad timing.

"Zoe?" Daphney called over the phone. "Was that Michael's voice I heard? Wait a minute, don't tell me he heard what you just said? Oh my god, apologize!"