After Faking Amnesia, I Knew She Cheated

Chapter 5

Aside from the day I first woke up, Shay never came to see me again.

Five days later, the doctor said I was fine and could be discharged.

Under the envious gaze of the young nurse, I accepted a huge bouquet of carnations.

Shay had ordered them and had them sent over by same-day delivery.

'Fine. I guess she still has a conscience. Should I give her one more chance?'

I sat on a bench in the hospital hallway and called Shay.

"Shay, I'm getting discharged today. Can you come keep me company?"

On the other end of the line, there was none of the excitement I had imagined.

Shay first let out an awkward "Oh," then said in a very unnatural tone, "Finn, I'm really busy right now. Should I try asking for time off?"

Fine.

She did not even say congratulations.

Had we really become this distant?

With a bitter smile, I hung up.

*****

I hailed a cab by the roadside, gave the driver the address, and fell asleep almost immediately.

In my dream, I returned to the time when I had just started working.

Back then, I was just an unknown junior tour guide.

I had not even met my own supervisor in person.

I had joined the company six months earlier than Shay. Every day, aside from memorizing all kinds of materials, I was exhausted from networking dinners.

One night, I got very drunk.

By the time the dinner ended, it was already late at night. Since I was out in the suburbs, I could not get a cab at all.

I really could not walk anymore.

Before I completely lost consciousness, I sent Shay my location.

When I woke up again, I found her sitting right beside me.

There was a thick down jacket draped over me.

She, on the other hand, was wearing bunny pajamas, and she only had one sock on.

When she saw me wake up, she choked up and started hitting me.

"Finn, if you can't drink, then don't force yourself. Do you have any idea how worried I was?

"You're so heavy. I barely dragged you a few steps before I fell.

"My butt hurts so much!

"You have to compensate me. Take me out for late-night food!"

I laughed and laughed until tears started falling.

Then I pulled Shay into my arms and promised that someday, I would give her a warm home.

She rested her head on my shoulder.

And nodded hard.

Look at that.

So we really had loved each other once.

How had we suddenly become strangers?

*****

I got up and left the hospital.

Passing a trash can, I tossed the carnations in without a second thought.

They smelled sweet. But they weren't blooming for me anymore.