SHORT STORIES COMPILATION

A Second Chance at Love Part 2

'Where am I? Why does this place feel so familiar?'

“Hannah,” a voice calls.

I turn toward the sound, my eyes widening in shock. I see a man—Charlie—kneeling in front of me, holding my hand. But what’s even stranger is that I also see myself, standing there, smiling at him.

“Hannah,” he says again, his voice filled with emotion.

“What is it, Charlie?” my past self replies sweetly.

“Hannah, please be my girlfriend. I’ve loved you ever since we met, and I’ll keep loving you for the rest of my life.”

“Yes, Charlie, I will be your girlfriend!” I say happily.

'Is this my missing memory?'

Before I can process it, the scene shifts. This time, I see myself talking to a girl—Charice.

“Hannah, break up with Charlie. He’s just using you,” Charice says firmly.

“I don’t understand what you mean, Charice. You know I love Charlie, and he loves me too. I even heard him talking to his friends about planning to propose to me,” I say, confused.

“I’m just worried about you, girl. It’s you who won’t listen, not me,” Charice says before walking away.

The scene changes again. Now, I see myself sitting in a restaurant with Charlie.

“Hannah, we’ve been together for so long, and I can’t see my life without you. Hannah, will you marry me?” he asks, holding out a ring.

“Yes, Charlie, I will marry you. But promise me that I’ll be the only one you love,” I say, smiling.

The memory shifts once more, and this time, I am no longer just an observer—I feel everything. My body is moving on its own, but something in my mind screams for me to stop. I’m standing outside a locked door, holding a suitcase.

'Why do I feel so hesitant to go inside?'

I fish out a key and unlock the door. The moment it opens, my heart clenches. The place is a mess—empty wine glasses on the table, women’s clothing scattered on the floor. My stomach drops.

I step forward, heart pounding, and push open the bedroom door.

There, in my bed, is Charlie. And beside him—Charice.

Tears sting my eyes as I choke out, “How dare the two of you?”

They both turn, eyes wide with shock. Charlie scrambles up, pushing Charice aside as he rushes toward me.

“Hannah, this isn’t what it looks like! Charice seduced me. I’m sorry, baby,” he pleads desperately.

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “No, Charlie. This isn’t a mistake—it’s a choice. You chose to cheat on me. Cheating is never an accident; it’s a decision. And I refuse to be with someone like you. We are over.”

The scene shifts again.

Now, I’m driving. Tears blur my vision, my chest tight with pain.

“It hurts… it hurts so much…” I whisper to myself.

The road ahead is a blur, and before I can react, I hear the screeching of tires—then, a crash. Pain explodes through my body. My head throbs.

'Is this how I die? Because of a cheating bastard?' before I know it I passed out.

---

Hannah woke to the feeling of a warm hand holding hers. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw Jim sitting beside her in a hospital room, his face filled with worry.

“Hannah? Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Do you need water?” he asked, his voice gentle yet urgent.

She nodded weakly. Her throat felt dry, making it hard to speak. Jim carefully helped her drink, wiping away the water that spilled onto her lips.

“Wait, let me call the doctor,” he said, pressing a button beside the bed.

When the doctor arrived, he checked on her and asked a few questions, but Hannah chose not to mention that she had recovered her memories.

A few days later, she was discharged. Jim insisted that she stay at his house so he could take care of her, and she didn’t argue. She didn’t have the energy to. When her aunt and uncle called, saying they were coming home early, she convinced them to continue their vacation—she didn’t want to disturb them.

Now, she sat in Jim’s living room, flipping through TV channels, trying to distract herself. Jim had been sticking close to her lately, and she let him—he was worried, and honestly, she didn’t mind the company.

But then, her fingers froze as she landed on a news channel.

On the screen, Charlie stood beside another woman.

They were getting married.

Before she could react, Jim swiftly snatched the remote and turned off the TV.

She looked at him, searching for an answer, but he avoided her gaze.

So, she was right. He had known who Charlie was all along.

And if he knew Charlie… then maybe, just maybe, he knew about her too. And yet, he had never said a word.

Jim sat beside her, his hand nervously gripping hers.

"Jim, I need to ask you something," she said, her voice firm but gentle.

He turned to her, his expression guarded. "What is it?"

"Did you already know about me? My past?" she asked, searching his eyes for honesty.

Jim sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes," he admitted. "I found out about a month ago. But I was scared… scared that if you knew the truth, you'd leave me."

Tears welled up in Hannah’s eyes. "You should have told me, Jim. I deserved to know."

"I know," he whispered. "I was selfish. But I love you, Hannah. I was afraid of losing you."

She held his face in her hands, wiping away a stray tear. "I'm not leaving, Jim. I love you too. But from now on, no more secrets."

His lips curled into a soft smile. "No more secrets."

....

Months passed in the blink of an eye, and Hannah's relationship with Jim remained as strong as ever. They were now at one of his vacation houses, celebrating their first anniversary as a couple.

As they walked along the beach, hand in hand, they talked intimately.

"We’re going home tomorrow, right?" Hannah asked, glancing up at Jim. It was already their fourth day there.

Jim smiled softly. "Are you sad that we’re leaving?"

"Rather than being sad, I’ll miss this place," Hannah replied, her voice gentle, "because it holds the memories of us."

Jim’s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "Is that so? Then could you please close your eyes for me?"

Hannah, curious, obeyed. Moments later, she felt Jim lift her in a bridal carry.

"Where are we going?" she asked nervously.

"Almost there," Jim answered quietly. She leaned into his chest, her ear pressed against his heart, listening to it beat loudly in her ears. He stopped and gently set her down.

"Open your eyes, baby."

When she did, her breath caught in her throat. Before her was a path lined with roses on either side, candles lighting the way. She looked around, but Jim was nowhere to be seen.

Confused but intrigued, she continued walking until she reached the end of the path. She froze in surprise when she saw Auntie and Uncle standing there, both holding bouquets of roses. They approached her, offering the flowers with smiles.

"I'm happy to meet you, Ija," Auntie Maxine said, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I wish for your happiness," Uncle added, as they both enveloped her in a warm embrace.

Auntie and Uncle guided her to the center of the path, then stepped aside.

Hannah glanced around, still unable to spot Jim. Her heart raced as a familiar song began to play softly in the distance.

♪ A hundred and five is the number that comes to my head

When I think of all the years I want to be with you

Wake up every morning with you in my bed

That's precisely what I plan to do ♪

She looked around, trying to locate the source of the music. Her gaze drifted to Jim’s parents, who only smiled and pointed to her left.

♪ And you know one of these days, when I get my money right

Buy you everything and show you all the finer things in life

Will forever be enough, so there ain't no need to rush

But one day, I won't be able to ask you loud enough ♪

Suddenly, Jim emerged, walking toward her while singing the lyrics to the song. His eyes were locked on hers, filled with tenderness.

♪ I'll say, will you marry me?

I swear that I will mean it

I'll say, will you marry me?

Singing, uh-oh-oh, uh-oh-oh

Uh-oh-oh, oh-yeah ♪

Hannah felt her emotions overwhelm her. She couldn’t contain the tears as she gazed at Jim, overcome with love for him.

♪ How many girls in the world can make me feel like this?

Baby, I don't ever plan to find out

The more I look, the more I find the reasons why

You're the love of my life

You know one of these days, when I get my money right

Buy you everything and show you all the finer things in life

Will forever be enough, so there ain't no need to rush

But one day, I won't be able to ask you loud enough ♪

Jim took her hands in his and began to sway, moving slowly as they danced to the music. Hannah couldn’t help but laugh softly when she noticed his nervousness—it was so endearing.

♪ I'll say, will you marry me?

I swear that I will mean it

I'll say, will you marry me?

And if I lost everything

In my heart, it means nothing

'Cause I have you, girl, I have you

To get right down on bended knee

Nothing else would ever be better, better

The day when I

I'll say, will you marry me? ♪

He stopped singing and knelt before her, pulling a ring from his pocket. It sparkled in the soft glow of the candles, the diamond shining brightly.

"My baby, Hannah," Jim began, his voice thick with emotion, "from the moment I met you, my world became brighter. Your kindness, your laughter, and the way you see the good in everything have made every day with you a blessing. You are my best friend, my greatest love, and the person I want to walk beside for the rest of my life. Through every challenge, every joy, and every quiet moment in between, you have been my home. I never want a day to go by without reminding you how much you mean to me. So today, with all my heart, I ask you—will you marry me, baby?"

Hannah’s heart swelled as she looked at him. She held his hand and smiled sweetly, her voice filled with warmth. "Yes, baby, I want to stay with you forever. I will marry you."

Jim’s face lit up with relief and joy as he slid the ring onto her finger. He kissed her passionately, pouring all his love into the moment.

"Thank you, baby," he whispered, holding her tightly.

"Should I say ‘you’re welcome’?" Hannah teased, laughing softly.

Jim pinched her cheek playfully, and his parents came forward, enveloping both of them in hugs.

"I’m so happy to know you’ll be my daughter-in-law, Hannah. From now on, call me Momma or Mommy," Aunt—now Momma—Maxine said, her voice filled with warmth.

"And call me Papa or Daddy, too," Uncle added, smiling.

Hannah felt incredibly lucky to have them in her life. They were the reason she had met Jim, and in their love, she felt as if her biological parents were still with her.

"I’m happy," she said, looking at Jim’s parents with gratitude.

"I will protect that happiness, baby," Jim said, his voice tender.

"Forever?" Hannah asked softly, her heart full.

"Forever," Jim answered, his eyes filled with certainty.

The End.