His Forgotten Obsession

Chapter 5

SIX MONTHS LATER

Liana's POV

A lot has happened in the past six months.

It was about this time that I awoke in a hospital bed with no memory or recollection of my name.

But now, everyone knows me as Liana, the girlfriend of the one and only Matteo Arden, son of the Arden dynasty. A successful businessman, a leader, and the most eligible bachelor.

I couldn't remember who I once was.

But I have a name and an existence now.

Matteo had taken care of that, and I was infinitely grateful for it.

The media had pegged me with so many things, as they all assumed that I just suddenly popped out of nowhere or that I most likely hailed from a background of poverty.

I learned how to dress the part of a billionaire's girlfriend, talk the talk, and smile at strangers. My photos were also posted on some society blogs. My name was discussed by everyone and everyone, most of whom it was ladies in envy, wishing they could be me and putting on forced smiles when they spotted me to pretend they were friends with me.

And throughout, I stayed with Matteo.

I knew the smell of his aftershave, the shape his brows take when he's concentrating on the way his fingers tie and untie themselves in knots when he is attempting to be steady. I had become aware of such signs and been dutiful in ways that no one else could. It was the best way in which I could repay him for the life that he had provided for me.

I realized that I was falling in love with him then, because I was getting excited around him and not getting excited around him made me nervous. In contrast to when we first moved in together, when it was awkward between us, we are talking more together now.

I did not ask too many questions.

But I learned to know what to say at each given time.

And then he came back home from work, with a smile on his face and told us that we would be having a party at home.

By this time, I had already attended so many high society parties, and it came as a surprise that I had to organize something like that.

I sat down to work with Stanley, and also hired an event planner to make everything run smoothly.

"You need to make sure you invite everyone," Matteo insisted.

Sometimes, I wasn't really sure why certain of these parties were being published, but I never ventured to say anything because he always seemed to have a clue. Maybe because I, myself, didn't have a clue.

I issued invitations to all of Matteo's friends and acquaintances.

The penthouse had never looked more beautiful that evening. I looked down from above the stairs at all the work that was accomplished.

There were about fifty people above, and they filled out the room. There were some of Matteo's board members, some celebrities, some politicians, some investors, people I grew up watching on the TV who were in our living room, clinking glasses together.

They had a live smooth jazz band playing in the corner. Every one of the staff, led by Stanley, was all dressed in black from head to toe, giving out champagne and some food I hadn't even heard the name of.

And in the center of the room, Matteo was talking to Henry. His close friend and CFO of his firm. They were both laughing at something.

I decided to go in the black figure-hugging dress that was adorned with glitter that had been arranged for me by Matteo.

As I went down the stairs, I could see how silent the audience was. Matteo's eyes were shining with lovely eyes, as he made his way to stand at the foot of the stairs to wait for me. His hand rested lightly on the small of my back as he smiled.

"You look absolutely beautiful."

I blushed. "Thank you."

He raised his glass in a toast. "Tonight."

I clicked mine against his. "Cheers."

But I couldn't help but catch on to how restless Matteo was. To the world, he seemed great, but I knew all about him, so much so that I could sense when things were off.

"Are you okay?" I whispered.

He looked down at me and smiled, sort of. "I'm fine."

"Liar." I growled at myself.

He didn't respond until dessert.

The band slowed down, and I looked at Stanley, wondering what was happening. But he smiled at me with a tiny smile, as the wait staff brought out the chocolate soufflés in rose form.

The conversation began to die down.

My head blanked out thinking what was happening.

The light in the room went out.

Then Matteo walked up to the mini stage that we had erected.

He took the microphone from the leader of the violinists.

The room became quiet.

I had already seen so many dramas, and I knew I didn't feel like I didn't know what was going to happen. My heart skipped a beat.

"Thank you everyone for being here," he began. This evening is special. Not only because I'm with some of my favorite people, but because I wanted to share something special."

He looked at me then.

I was like we were the only two in the room. And I knew, then.

He spoke to the audience. "Six months ago, someone came into my life and changed everything."

I put my palm over my mouth.

"She was once a stranger… but now, she's the one person I trust and happy to do anything for. She's beautiful, smart, and patient enough to understand me."

'Awwns' echoed through the room.

I barely even heard it.

Matteo walked toward me, taking his time. My heart pounded louder in my ears with each step. The band began to play a soft band version of ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars.

Then. he knelt.

He brought out a black velvet ring box from his pocket and popped it open. A diamond ring was sitting on it.

I gasped.

"Liana…" he announced, over the din so that everyone in the room could hear. "Will you marry me?"

I had tears in my eyes, happy and lightheaded at once. I covered my mouth again and nodded.

"Yes," I breathed.

Then a little louder. "Yes! I will marry you."

The whole crowd clapped and cheered.

My hands trembled as he slid the ring onto my finger.

The ring was my size.

Of course, it was.

He stood up to embrace me, or to kiss me, Hollywood style but.

The doors burst open. It was a deafening boom which drowned out the music and the applause at the same time.

I turned around.

Everyone turned around.

There was a woman whom I did not recognize standing at the door.

She was barefoot and she was disheveled. Her white hospital-style dress she was wearing looked like a patient's gown, and her face was pale… ill. Her hair was black, and her eyes were wide.

She looked directly at me. I must have clearly seen what looked like a smirk before she glanced around.

I couldn't breathe all of a sudden.

What the heck?

She looked like me.

But only she resembled a broken version.

Matteo stepped back from me, slowly. He seemed as if he just caught sight of a ghost.

And then I recalled the evening that he had been drinking and spoke one of his secrets, "You look so much like someone I knew."

No. It couldn't be.

He walked to her as if something was pulling him by an invisible string.

His voice shook. "Vivica?"

The woman looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "Matteo…"

Her knees gave way and she collapsed.

Matteo ran to her, actually colliding with one of the tables on the way and champagne glasses flying off it to land on the floor. It shattered at my feet, the liquid seeping into my legs.

I didn't move.

Still stunned.

I watched him drop next to her and smooth her face. He never did that to me.

I realize that I did not have the kind of relationship that was hot-burning like I saw in films and was only purely a contract, but I had lost sight of that and had started to believe that what we had hashed out was real.

Well, I guess not.

The way he looked at this woman was with so much passion that I had not seen him employ me.

Everyone was standing there watching the whole thing happen, but no one was brave enough to move.

And I just stood th

ere.

Alone, staring at the ring now heavy on my finger.

Matteo held her in his arms, "Vivica! Wake up!" he yelled, then with a splintering sound, "Get someone to call 911!”