Chapter 1
"Where am I?" I asked myself. I looked around for any clues about my location and noticed two people sitting beneath a large tree.
"I love you" said the man with a smile on his lips to the girl beside him. The girl looked at him with love in her eyes and replied with her sweet voice,
"I love you too, love" then she kissed the man on his cheek. Both of them seemed happy and deeply in love the way they gazed at each other. I was about to approach them when someone called my name.
"Reign"
I turned around to see who was calling me and found a man standing in the darkness, smiling at me.
"Who are you?" I curiously asked. Instead of answering me, he turned his back and started walking away.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
He didn't stop. It was as if he couldn't hear my words and continued to walk away. I tried to run after him, but my feet felt heavy, as though something massive weighed them down. I watched as he slowly disappeared into the darkness.
"Don't leave me!" I exclaimed, but he had already vanished. He was gone, leaving me alone in the middle of nowhere. It was dark, and I didn't want to be here.
"Reign" a different voice called my name, filled with anger. I looked toward the voice, and someone appeared in front of me.
"Who are you?" He didn't say a word. Instead, he just gave me a smirk that sent shivers down my spine. He motioned his hand, pointing a gun at me.
'Just where did he get that gun?' I wondered.
"I will kill you, Reign" he declared, and I froze in fear.
"Don't—please don't kill me" I pleaded, my voice trembling with fear. But he just laughed, a sinister laugh that sent chills down my spine.
"Goodbye, Reign" and then he pulled the trigger.
"No!" I woke up from the nightmare.
"Reign, you're dreaming" I looked at the guy and sighed with relief.
"I bet that's your dream again" I laid back on the bed, placing my right hand on my forehead, and closed my eyes.
"Yeah" I replied to his statement.
"Seriously, what's going on in your dream and it's as if you're being hunted?"
He's right. I'm not sure how many times I've dreamt about it, and I don't know why I keep having this recurring dream.
"Anyway, get up" he said, changing the topic.
"Huh?" I asked in surprise.
"What 'huh'? You have work, and you're going to be late" he scolded me. Oh yeah, I have a part-time job.
"What time is it now?" I asked.
"Come on, Reign, you're going to be late, and you still have the leisure to ask about the time? Look" he showed me the time on his phone. It's 07:34 a.m.
"Damn! You should've told me earlier!" I jumped out of bed and grabbed a towel.
"Hey, that's exactly the reason why I'm in your room!" he said, but I didn't hear the rest of his words as I rushed into the bathroom to bathe.
"s**t! I'm screwed" I cursed silently. Damn that gay! He should've told me earlier.
He's Ian Monterro, and yes, he's gay. He's not only my friend but also one of the people who helped me when I had nowhere to go. He took me under his wing and helped me find a job. He's a bit eccentric at times and quite flirtatious.
My name is Reign—just Reign. I can't remember where I came from, my family, my past, or even who I am. I woke up one day without my memory, except for the name 'Reign', which is why they decided to call me that.
After taking a bath, I quickly changed into my work clothes and made sure everything was in order. Then, I left my room to head to work. As I was leaving, I saw Ian in the dining area.
"Why don't you have breakfast first?" he suggested as soon as he saw me.
"No thanks, I'm running late" I replied without much thought.
"Alright, take care" I didn't bother responding and just headed out.
I left the house and walked to work since it was within walking distance.
I arrived at the coffee shop where I worked just in time. I headed straight to our staff locker room to get ready.
"Reign, you're almost late again" my manager scolded me.
"Sorry, ma'am" I apologized.
"Tsk, just hurry up and get ready" she replied, then left.
"Reign, I don't know what you're always busy with that makes you late all the time, especially since you live nearby" a woman remarked, and I turned to her with a smile.
"Good morning, Joe" I greeted her.
She's also my friend and she's like a sister to me. She always reminds me about things. Her name is Joe Salazar.
"Good morning. Hurry up, or you'll get in trouble" she advised.
She's probably around my age, but I'm not sure. As I said, I can't remember much about my past.
I left the locker room and started my work.
It's been over a year since the accident. They say they found me covered in blood inside a car, with gunshot wounds to my abdomen and arm. I was in a coma for several months and almost died due to the severity of my injuries. Thanks to the people who saved me, I'm still alive.
The doctor said I had amnesia, which erased my memories. They said there's a small chance I might get them back, and now that more than a year has passed, that chance is slim.
Well, I'm fine with it. I don't really care about the past as long as I have my friends.
Or so I thought...
I FINISHED my work quickly, and now I'm in the staff locker room, getting ready to go home. My shift is over. It's already afternoon, so there aren't many people in the shop.
I've only been working here for three months, and Joe is the only one I've become close to.
"Oh, are you going home?" I turned to Joe, who had just entered the locker room.
I just nodded at her. I started taking off my uniform and changed into a plain black t-shirt. I also grabbed the things I needed to take home, including my work uniform to be washed when I get home. I put them in my backpack and closed my locker.
"Let's hang out for a while. I saw a newly opened restaurant around the corner" she said.
She also started changing her clothes, as her shift was over too.
"Hmm... is it your treat?" I jokingly asked.
I leaned against the locker door near her locker, watching her organize her stuff.
She laughed at what I said and shook her head, as if expecting me to say that.
"Fine, it's on me" she said, still smiling.
My smile widened at her response, and I wrapped my arms around her right hand when she finished organizing.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's gooo!" I said with a wide smile.
"You're always active when it comes to free stuff" she laughed.
We walked out of the locker room and said goodbye to our coworkers.
I am happy and content with whatever life I have now. I don't think too much about my situation anymore. Maybe there's a reason why I lost my memory. There's probably nothing wrong with just focusing on my present life.
Sign...
I want a sign that will make me want to forget my unknown past.
A sign for me to move forward
