Shards of Memory [English - Under Revision]

Chapter 21: Enchanted

Skylane

"Sky. We're here. Wake up."

That voice again. Warm, familiar, and just too gentle for my heart.

"Come on, Sky," he coaxed. "We've arrived."

Something brushed my forehead—soft, a kiss—and I blinked awake, rubbing my eyes clumsily. My neck ached; I must have been curled up in the same spot for more than an hour.

"Glad you woke up," Blaise said, smiling at me like he'd been waiting all day just for this moment.

My stomach did somersaults.

"Good afternoon, Sky," he whispered, then kissed my forehead again. My eyes fluttered shut at the touch. I couldn't help it—I smiled. God, what a way to wake up.

"Sorry," I muttered shyly. "Was I hard to wake? I can be... impossible sometimes."

"Yeah," he admitted, lips twitching, "but I guess I'll get used to it." His hand ruffled my hair like I was a little kid.

"Why? You planning on barging into my house every morning to wake me up?" I teased, rolling my eyes.

"Why not?" he shot back smoothly.

I smacked his arm, horrified. "Don't you dare. I'll lock my door. No way are you seeing my morning face."

He chuckled low in his chest. "We'll see."

Before I could fire back, he slipped out of the car. When I reached for the door handle, the door swung open—by him.

"Don't," he said softly. "Let me."

The way he looked at me made it feel less like a simple gesture and more like a vow. I nodded mutely, letting him help me out, his hand steady beneath mine. He slung my bag over his shoulder without asking.

Butterflies. Everywhere.

And yes, the women in line at the entrance noticed him too. How could they not? He wore just a black V-neck, khaki shorts, white sneakers, but he owned it. His hair was slicked back, forehead exposed. Not the messy, bad-boy hair from the hospital days. This was polished Blaise—the boy-next-door, except dangerously hotter. Even the small black cross earring dangling from his left ear, which I'd usually cringe at on someone else, only added to his appeal.

I stopped staring when he pulled two tickets from his pocket and handed them to the booth attendant.

And then my eyes widened as the truth sank in.

"No way," I gasped. "You brought me to Enchanted Kingdom!?"

He chuckled at my expression. "Glad you like it."

"Like it? I love it!" I squealed before throwing my arms around him in a hug so tight he stiffened. A moment later, his arms circled back, steady and warm. "Thank you, Blaise. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

His smirk softened into something gentler. "Come on, before you burst." He pinched my nose, making me yelp. "Cute."

Heat shot to my face. He caught my left hand in his and pulled me forward through the gates.

"Why here?" I asked, curious.

He glanced sideways, smiling like it was obvious. "Because you deserve to laugh today. And because you'd just be bored stuck in that mansion."

My chest tightened. He didn't know it, but he'd just given me exactly what I'd needed.

We walked toward the carousel, its gold and blue roof glittering under the sun. Suddenly, a flash of memory sliced through my mind: a small voice, high and sweet.