Her Second Life

Chapter 3

The smell of spices drifted through the air as I walked downstairs after freshening up. My legs moved slowly—partly because I was tired and partly because I was scared I might accidentally trip and fall onto something worth a million dollars.

When I reached the dining room,I froze midstep.The table looked like a royal banquet. It was full of shiny silverware and crystal glasses and tall candles flickering softly and food… so much food.Roasted chicken glazed with honey,a bowl of seafood pasta,a tray of grilled vegetables, even fresh fruits that were sliced beautifully and even soups, breads, and desserts like pastries and creamy puddings.

My eyes lit up as my stomach growled loudly but just then a bright voice called out to me.

“Ariaaa!”

I looked up and saw a girl standing at the end of the table. She wore a pink dress and her long dark hair was curled softly at the ends.Her eyes sparkled under the chandelier light, and her lips stretched up into a perfect smile but the moment her eyes met mine,something cold flickered in her eyes but was replaced immediately with a smile.

“Oh my gosh, Aria!” she squealed. “You’re finally home! I was so worried,you scared me to death!” She said as she hugged me tightly like she wanted to squeeze the life out of me.

“Thanks…but who are you?” I asked as I forced a smile.

She pulled back and touched my cheek with dramatic affection.

“It’s me,Lina,your baby sis. You…. Don't remember me? The memory loss was that severe.” She said as she made a sad face.

“Don't worry, I'll be fine.” I said while patting her shoulder.

“Okay,sis but you look so pale! Poor sister,you must still be in shock.” She said as her voice dripped with sympathy.

She tilted her head and smiled sweetly.

“Come, sit beside me! I already told the maids to keep your favorite spot,you know I always look after you.”

“Look after me?”

“Yeah.” She said as she dragged out a seat for me and sat carefully, trying not to break any expensive-looking plate. Lina sat beside me, giggling and flipping her hair like the star of a teen drama series while Mrs. Bennett kept touching my hand randomly, as if checking whether I would disappear like smoke.

Mr. Bennett sat at the head of the table, giving me that protective father stare. You know the one that says:

If you faint, cry, die, or sneeze weirdly—I’m calling a doctor.

Just when I picked up my spoon, ready to attack the food like a soldier….

“Aria, darling,” my mother said gently. “Not yet.”

“…Why?” I asked as I froze mid-scoop.

“We’re waiting for your special guest,” she replied

“My special guest?”

Before she could explain, the front door opened and a tall man entered. When I saw his face,my heart dropped.He was breathtakingly handsome that I even noticed Lina straightened her clothes and hair as she sat upright.

He removed his gloves slowly while his eyes landed on me, and I swear my soul tried to crawl under the table.

“Wasn't he the man from the hospital?” I asked as I whispered in my mom's ear.

“Yeah.” she said as she turned to me. “Aria, sweetheart,this is Leon Harrington …your fiancé.”

My spoon dropped so loudly it became a sound effect.

“H-Huh? My what?” I stuttered. “Fiancé?? Since when?!”

Mr. Bennett cleared his throat while Mrs. Bennett smiled nervously and even the maid froze with a soup bowl mid-air.

“You don't remember him sis?” Lina asked as she looked up at me.

“No,I…don't, I'm supposed to?”I asked as I shrugged my shoulders.

“Ooh.” Lina exclaimed as she gave out a small smile.

Leon didn’t even blink as he sat down but just stared at me with those glacier eyes and then he said calmly:

“We’ve met before… remember?”

Remember? Absolutely not,my memory was rebooted like a cheap phone.

“No but nice to meet you.” I said bluntly.

I looked at everyone,took my spoon again and scooped food into my mouth while studying their confused expressions.

“…Can I get a user manual for my own life?” I whispered under my breath as I reached for a roll of bread, but Luna slapped my hand lightly.

“Ariaaa,” she whispered with a fake giggle, “not that one,that’s Leon’s favorite.”

“It’s… bread.” I said as I blinked at her.

“Yes,” she said dramatically, “but his bread.”

What did that even mean? Did the bread sign a contract with him?

Leon looked at both of us while lifting his eyebrow. “You can eat the bread.”

“Oh!” I grabbed it instantly. “Great. Thank you.”

The servant serving the food cleared her throat as she asked.“Would you like wine, Miss Aria?”

“Yeah.”

The maid poured a small amount into my glass while her eyes stared at me like who is this girl embarrassing herself in a rich people’s house.

“Shall we eat?” Leon said as he picked his fork elegantly.

“Yes,Let's eat.” Lina said as everyone started digging into the food elegantly.I took another huge bite of chicken and tried to shrink into my chair.

“So…” I whispered to him. “In the hospital… you didn’t mention you were my fiancé.”

He looked directly at me while shifting back slightly with a confused expression. “You didn’t remember your own name. I didn’t think adding ‘fiancé’ would help.”

“But,” he added, tilting his head slightly, “you stared at me like you were memorizing my face.”

“I—I stare at everyone like that!” I blurted. “It’s… my thing.”

“Ooh.” Leon exclaimed softly while nodding his head.

“Aria… darling… your father and I arranged the engagement a long time ago before the accident.” My mother said with a soft voice.

“So,I didn't choose him.”

My father added quickly, “You did and it wasn’t forced,it was agreed by both families.”

“I see. So I was engaged to a stranger who is not actually a stranger but feels like one because my brain decided to wipe him.”

Leon blinked slowly. “Correct.”

“…Great.”

“You’re calmer than I expected,” he said while staring at me.

“Oh, I’m panicking on the inside,” I replied cheerfully. “My soul is screaming.”

Leon leaned back in his chair and studied me with an unreadable expression as I ate my food like my whole life depended on it.

“Can I have more bread?.” I said while blinking at them.