Echoes of Serenity

Forgotten Bonds

The machines started beeping at a faster rhythm and I realized it was because I was having a mini panic attack.

“Hurry! Get help” I heard mom say to the nurse.

“Serenity.” a familiar voice called causing my heart to pound violently against my ribs.

I looked up to see Christian Lockwood walking to me in graceful strides and it was like the world came to a staggering halt momentarily. His entire 6'4 body was clad in black pants and a dark grey hoodie, his bright blonde hair was ruffled up as though he just got out of bed.

His eyes were the unique green of the forest covered in mist the morning after a rainstorm. Those eyes searched my face with an expression I couldn't decipher.

Without warning he cupped my face and tilted my chin up as though he was inspecting my face. And then he hugged me, his aura and the size of him was nearly overwhelming.

“you have no idea how much I've missed you.“ he said into my hair. “I was so worried, are you okay?“ he asked, I could recognize the mild British accent in his voice anywhere.

“get the f**k away from me, Christian.“ I said through my teeth. I was utterly repulsed by the fact that his body was touching mine and I did not even try to hide it.

“what?“ he asked in a voice that was filled with confusion.

He let go of me and took a step back as though to study me. He must have seen the hatred in my eyes because in an instant he turned to the nurse.

“what the f**k happened to my wife?“ he demanded and I physically cringed at what he called me.

“she was in an accident-”

“I know that! Why does she not remember me?“

“she is showing signs of mild amnesia and you should probably give her some time to recover” the nurse explained.

Christian turned to look at me, his gaze softened as he saw me. It made me think about how pathetic and helpless I probably looked.

It was dangerous to appear as weak to the enemy.

“I would like to spend some time alone with my wife.“ Christian said and my eyes snapped up to meet his.

“don't call me that” I fired. He ignored me.

The nurse simply nodded at his request and left. My mother gave me a light kiss on the forehead and left, but not before giving Christian a warning glance. When did they become so close? I felt betrayed at how my mother could leave me alone with this man.

The door was shut with a light thud, indicating that I was now alone with my greatest enemy.

I felt like a mouse that had been cornered without a means of escaping.

Christian stood in the shadows, his hands were in his pockets, I could not see his face but I knew he was glaring at me, I could feel it. I could also feel his menacing aura that seemed to engulf the whole room in darkness. He seemed like a completely different person from when he first entered the room, now he seemed more like the Christian I was familiar with. My body was now fully in fight or flight mode.

“aren't you going to say something?“ he asked me suddenly. His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

I narrowed my eyes at him in defiance. “I don't know if this is some sort of prank for your sick entertainment, but I want nothing to do with it.“

“there is no prank, love” he said calmly and I cringed at the word of endearment. “we are really married and we were once in love.“

“in love? me? With you?“ I asked and scoffed out a sarcastic laugh. “you are a narcissistic, privileged boy that is incapable of giving any love, you have no love in your stone cold heart to give out.“ I spat.

“I would rather die than marry you, Christian. You disgust me, every bit of you. “ I added without sugarcoating my hatred for him.

“I know what you're doing” he said and I eyed him in confusion as he stepped out of the shadows, his utterly handsome, chiseled features were striking and almost otherworldly in their precision. My breath caught in my throat. This man was more handsome than I was willing to admit to myself.

“you're trying to get on my nerves.“ he added. “but there is nothing in this life that you can say or do to me that would make me angry with you”

“I waited for weeks to see you awake again, it seemed like an eternity of torture. I would come here and talk to you for hours on end It is a pain I will never let you experience.“ He assured and I scoffed at him.

“you're good at this aren't you?“ I asked him. “you should probably start acting, you have the skill and looks for it after all, you would become a star in no time.“ I said and this elicited a chuckle from him, causing my anger to rise.

“did you just admit I'm good looking?“ he asked with a small smile playing at the corner of his perfectly shaped lips. I gritted my teeth in frustration.

He moved across the room and took a seat on the bed beside me, I instinctively moved to the far edge of the bed, as far away from him as possible which was not very far. I could still smell the intoxicating scent of his perfume that rang a familiar bell in my head. I decided to ignore it.

“You're going to be okay, my love.“ he said and I gritted my teeth in frustration. “you'll get back your memories and things will be just as perfect as they used to be.”

“if getting my memories back means I will be married to you then I don't want them back. This is perfection, this is how my life is supposed to be.“ I said to him. The flash of hurt in his eyes did not go unnoticed.

I couldn't bring myself to care that he was hurt. A deep part of me wondered if he was actually telling the truth and I was actually married to him. I did not let myself dwell on that thought for long.

In one swift motion, I pulled the diamond ring from my finger and handed it to him. His gaze dropped to my hand.

“have it, I want nothing that belongs to you.“ I said.

He stared at the ring in my outstretched arm for a long moment and without a word, he grabbed it from my hand with an exasperated sigh. His fingers brushed mine in the process and I felt the electricity buzzing in that spot. I ignored it.

“I will be back tomorrow.“ he stated as he rose from the bed, and it was as if I could finally breath again.

“I'd rater you don't come back” I said to him.

“who knows, perhaps by then your memories of us would be back and you would be pleading and begging me to hold you” He said with a smile as though the thought of it made him happy.

“you bloody delusional motherfucker. I would never do that, not even in your wildest dreams.“ I fired at him.

“already done that.“ he said and my mouth hung open in disbelief. “but don't worry, it's nothing to be ashamed of, I have done the same for you.“

The fact that he was probably saying the truth irked me to my bones and I wanted nothing more than to rip that smile off his face.

“you should probably shut your mouth, Siren, you'll drool if you don't.“ he said as he placed the ring in the left pocket of his hoodie. I did not realize my mouth had been hanging open at his words and did he just call me Siren?

“go f**k yourself Christian.“ I said to him.

“I would, happily if you insist.“ he said calmly and I gasped at the vile suggestion of his words. He let out a laugh at my facial expression. It was a sound that one could easily get addicted to hearing.

“I will be back tomorrow.“ he repeated and left the room but not before giving me a look that set fire to my skin.