A Life Reclaimed

CHAPTER TWO

BRIELLA’S POV

“Here you go, easy now”. Layla said as she led me into my apartment.

I had been discharged that morning, and she wasted no time in coming to pick me up.

I enjoyed her company, she made me giggle and laugh a little, which eased my mind and released stress. She was a very wholesome person and I looked forward to being around her.

“Let me help you with that. "You're not supposed to carry heavy things Rel, you're recovering”. She said as she took the bags from my hands. I felt like a pampered child.

“Thank you, Layla”. I said smiling.

“Don't mention it”. She smiled back and went to drop the bags on the kitchen counter.

I sat on the couch and took time to admire the apartment.

It was a nice space that combined minimalist decor and modern art. It wasn't too much or too little either.

Aurelia has nice taste.

There were portraits of her, well, me, scattered on the walls. I stood up to get a closer look at them. I was astonished by her beauty.

At least I got reborn as a hottie.

I smiled and heard Layla’s voice behind me.

“That particular picture was taken when you walked on the runway for the first time”. She said as she walked towards me and stood beside me.

So I was a supermodel.

“The judges called you phenomenal. I really do hope you remember”. She said as she stared at the picture.

“I hope so too.”

“Well, enough of that,” she said as she walked into the kitchen. Let me get you something to eat. Just sit down okay. Oh, and the nurse the agency hired for you will be here with you on Monday. She said as she took out some groceries from the bags.

“Okay”. I said with a smile and sat down.

“There's an album on the table there. Look through it, it might jog your memory a little.”

I looked down at the table and saw a small album. I picked it up and opened it. It looked so cute. I flipped through the pages. There were pictures of Aurelia in pageants for kids. I guess she has always had a passion.

Flipping through the pages felt like reliving her memories.

I wish I could remember my own memories

I dropped the book and went to the kitchen to help Layla. We made small talk while cooking and it was a really fun experience.

“Oh, and Dylan called to say that he's stopping by in the evening”. She said as she took the plates to the counter.

I stared at her in confusion.

“Who's Dylan?”

“Oh that's right… amnesia. He's your boyfriend or ex. I don't know if you guys have gotten back together, but last I checked you guys weren't on speaking terms”.

“Boyfriend? Ex?”. I asked again.

“So, you guys started dating 3 months back as a publicity stunt. He's an actor. But I guess you developed feelings for each other. At least that was how you put it”. She said again.

Oh that made sense.

“How is he?”. I asked

“Well, he's an okay guy. Apart from his massive ego. I've always been prejudiced toward the idea of you two dating, but it's good for your publicity, and you seemed happy”. She replied,

“Did he know I was in the hospital?”

“Yes, he was aware”.

“And he didn't bother to visit?”. I said in disbelief.

I already didn't like him. But we were dating so there must be something I liked about him. Then again, he was Aurelia's type, not mine.

She sighed and held my hand.

“Just… talk to him. I trust that you'll make a good decision”. She gave me a faint smile and a hug.

“Now enough with all the Dylan talk. Your food’s ready”. She said as she handed me the plate and I finished everything almost immediately. Her cooking was so nice.

She stayed with me for a while longer and then left in the evening. Not long after, I heard the doorbell ring.

“I'm coming”. I thought it was Layla coming back to pick up something that she had probably forgotten. I opened the door and saw this handsome man holding a bouquet of flowers.

I was awestruck.

“You're not going to let me in?”. He said with a pleading face.

Wait, was this Dylan?

“D-dylan?”. I said

He nodded. “So you remember me. Layla mentioned something about some sort of amnesia, but I guess our love was too strong for it.”

Cheesy

“Come in”. I said and stepped aside and he went in. He dropped the flowers on the table and sat down all the while smiling at me. He was very handsome. He was about 6’3 with short curly brown hair and hazel brown eyes. A sharp jawline and perfectly aligned white teeth. I still kept in mind the fact that he didn't visit me while I was at the hospital.

“I know you're surprised to see me here. I came to apologize for everything”. He said while he stared at me intently.

Apologise?

I didn't know what he did, but I just went with it regardless.

“Go on”. I said as I sat beside him.

He held my hand in his. “I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. Look, I didn't mean for whatever happened between me and her to happen. It was just once. I don't know what she told you. But all that blame of me using you is not true. I love you and only you”

Oh, I get it now… he cheated.

“I'm not dumb, Dylan. I'm sure you wanted me to forget that too, right?”

His expression changed. “Ugh, why do you have to make things difficult? I'm literally giving you a chance to be with me again. You need it anyway, don't you? For your career. So stop being difficult”. He lashed out at me.

Who did this guy think he was anyway?

I stood up and stared down at him.

“Listen here, you don't get to come into my house and talk terribly to me. "You're an egotistical bastard who thinks he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants”. I spat out

“Seems like that accident made you more vocal. You used to be so quiet. Fine then, don't get back together with me. "There are plenty of other girls who'd die for this opportunity”. He said

I'm not “another girl”. I'm Aurelia Celeste”. I took the bouquet and shoved it in his hands. “Get out now!”. I said as I pointed at the door.

I saw the confusion and shock written all over his face. He left and I closed the door behind him.

Tsk

I sat down to calm myself.

“You really have bad taste in men, Aurelia” I said to myself, and took the TV remote to turn on the TV.

The news was on.

“And in today's news, billionaire Ambrose Frey mourns the loss of his late wife, Briella Frey. The news reporter said and Ambrose's face popped up on the screen along with a picture of me, the real me.

What

“He held a grand funeral for her and stated that she had gone on a trip and never returned. The search parties he sent out reported back saying the private jet she was on had crash-landed and there were no survivors.

I turned it off immediately.

It all started coming back to me. I didn't go on any trips. I didn't even like traveling. I was killed.

Argh! My head.

I held my head with my hands.

I was killed. I was killed by… Ambrose.