Forget Me Not, My Darling

Sigh

"Where to, sir?"

"Family manor."

The man sighed heavily as he got comfortable at the back of the car. He rested his head on his hand and started kneading his forehead, trying to relieve the building headache.

SIGH

He let out yet another sigh, clearly signifying that he was heavily frustrated. The driver took a look at him from the rearview mirror. The driver was about to say something but was met with the man's cold gaze through the mirror making him shut his mouth. All the thoughts that he was about to say vanished with just one look from the man. The driver then fixed his composure and put his focus on the road.

After an hour and a half, they finally arrived at a massive metal gate with the words "VIVAT FAMILIA FRANCO" (it means long live family Franco) on the arc on top of the gate. The gate slowly opened and a man in a security uniform came to check on them. After confirming that the car, driver, and passenger were cleared and allowed to enter, the gate was opened wider, allowing the car to pass through. The whole process looked like a security check on an inmate when entering the prison.

The car continued for a couple more minutes and finally stopped in front of a mansion.

The mansion was so big. The mansion's walls were mostly covered with glass, where you can't identify where is the window from the door. One can't see the building's entirety with just a single glance. It has not one, not two, but several fountains at the front. Roses cover the majority of the garden. The bushes were trimmed perfectly into organic shapes, some even looked like animals.

The man stepped out of the car, fixed his tie, and re-adjusted his cuffs. He looked at the building in front of him and gave out another sigh. He looks hesitant and does not look too happy to be there at all.

Taking a deep breath, he took long strides and entered the building.

"Ah, Lian, you are finally home," a man with white hair, sitting on a single-seater sofa in front of the fireplace said.

"Yes, Grandfather," Lian answered, his head slightly bowed down in respect for his elderly grandfather.

Lian then took a seat on another single-seater sofa in front of his grandfather. Other members of the family sat on a long sofa on either side of their grandfather's sofa. Thus making it seem like the sofa was reserved especially for Lian.

Dhalian Heil de Franco, Lian, is the current director of CJ Holdings, Inc., an international company that focuses primarily on exporting wines in Europe. He is turning 33 this year and is still a bachelor. He was once engaged, but his fiance was assassinated by an unknown assailant when he was 25. This incident made an impact on his life, making him swear on himself not to get married at all, especially when he can't protect those he needed to protect.

After the family dinner, Lian wanted to get out of the mansion quickly. He does not feel good with all the pressure of marriage coming from both of his parents, including his grandfather. He does not want to get married. He despises the mere thought of an arranged marriage. He did not like the thought of marrying someone just because he was told to. Because despite his cold temperament and cold appearance, he still believed in the concept of marrying for love, just like his parents or his grandparents. He grew up repeatedly hearing the love stories of his family and he wanted to experience his own love story too.

Another sigh came out. He then proceeded to enter the car and instructed the driver to take him to the airport. He still has work to do and a flight to catch. His secretary just called a couple of hours ago reminding him of his schedule. He needed to go to the Philippines for a routine check on their progress and to personally inspect if everything was still up to his standards. He's got quite the standard, see? But it seems understandable with just his appearance at all.

Tired from all the day's hustle and bustle, Lian closed his eyes for a bit to rest them and unknowingly fell asleep.

"Sir, Sir Lian," the voice of the driver woke Lian from his sleep from the voice of his driver. Disgruntled by the sudden disturbance during his sleep, he glared at the driver. Poor mister driver.

"Sir, we have arrived at the airport. M.r Cord, your secretary, is already waiting for you outside, sir." the driver reminded Lian.

Lian looked around, sure enough, Cord was waiting for him right outside the car. He wanted to stretch his long limbs but was unable since the car is so small for his stature.

SIGH

The driver wanted to laugh very badly. He never saw his boss this frustrated. Before he was given any chance to comment, Lian had already gone out of the car.

My head hurts.

My shoulder hurts.

My eyes are heavy.

I wanted to lie in bed and just sleep without having worries or caring about the world. I don't like this one bit.

"Good evening sir," Cord greeted Lian the moment he stepped out of the car. Lian looked at him and Cord took it as a signal to report what was currently going on.

"The director of the Philippines is asking for assistance since this is the third time that cargo has vanished without a trace in eight months. It was said that they had conducted an initial report but it seems that nothing suspicious came up, making the situation more suspicious. A theory states that there is a conspiracy between the higher-ups. That is why, no matter how hard their investigation team tries, they still can't uncover a single clue as to where the cargo went." Cord reported with his eyes focused on the iPad he was holding and following Lian without missing a single step at all.

SIGH

The sigh made Cord make a sudden stop, almost tripping on his feet. He was astounded. Lian sighed, his boss just sighed. The perfect image of his boss in his mind slowly crumbled and was slowly replaced by a haggard-looking boss, with a potbelly, dark circles in his eyes, and unkempt hair. Cord's eyelids twitched, he could not imagine himself standing next to such a disgustingly-looking boss.

'Please tell me that that was just a mistake,' Cord told himself in hopes of finding comfort from his words. But he was proven wrong when his boss, Lian, sighed once again when they were boarding the plane.

Cord's life flashed before his eyes. Overworked with dark bags under his eyes. A receding hairline.

'Noooo, not my precious hair!' he thought.

His social life is in crumbles. 'I still have not found myself a partner yet.'

Everybody tries to avoid him, and him being in prison because of ugliness.

"Sir, we will be closing the gate in three minutes," the flight attendant's voice took him out of his daydream. He hurriedly followed after Lian and boarded the plane.

Inside the plane were leather-clad, recliner seats with cushioned headrests and oversized, padded armrests. The seats were arranged allowing extra space for other activities inside the plane. A bar was fastened on one side of the wall that is filled with fine wines. going further to the left is a door leading to the comfort room. The comfort room is equipped with a toilet, a bidet, a washbasin, and a hidden vanity. Just beside the comfort room is a private room designed for long flights. It has a bed, a mini wardrobe, another door leading to a built-in shower, and a tv set.

Cord found Lian seated in one of the recliner seats. He automatically made his way to the seat opposite Lian. Before Cord could get comfortable Lian threw him a question that made him all uncomfortable.

"When will you get married?" Lian asked nonchalantly.

"What?" The cord was exasperated. He did not even have a girlfriend how was he supposed to get married. Being the overthinker Cord was, his mind spun creating a lot of scenarios in his head.

'This is it, Lian is finally losing it. Is he gay?'

'Wait, if he is gay and is asking me when will I get married. Does Lian like me? He wants to marry?'

'But I like women, not men, but if it is him then, I guess I may give it a thought. He's got a beautiful body, is rich, drop-dead gorgeous, and is surely good in bed. Should I say yes if he proposes?'

"I have no intention of marrying you, i***t. So stop with that face of yours." Lian broke Cord's fantasy.

"Huh, what?" Cordquickly fixed his composure and looked at Lian with a confused face. "If not, then why did you ask in the first place."

SIGH

"Stop. Stop with that sighing already. You have been sighing a lot since a while ago. Can you at least tell me what is going on?" Cord pressed Lian.

Lian looked at Cord, hopeless and tired.

"Grandpa wanted me to get married. He said that I have to get married this year for him to transfer his shares to me and to acknowledge me as the next president of CJ Holdings." Lian informed Cord in a low voice.

Cord stared at him for a long time before finally being able to let out a sound,

"Well, if that is the case then. I will prepare the profiles of the daughters of other conglomerate heads." Cord said while getting up from his seat, about to make a call.

"No need," Lian's voice stopped Cord in his tracks. Cord Looked back at Lian suspiciously and went back to his seat."

"Why not?" Lian asked.

"I will take care of it on my own. I can at least do this thing on my own." Lian said then sighed.

"You sighed, again. If you are tired go to sleep. I will ask the attendee to wake you up when we reached our destination." Cord told a tired-looking Lian.

"Alright, if anything comes up, wake me up." Lian agreed with Cord's idea, got up from his seat, and went towards the bedroom.

When Lian is no longer in sight, Cord muttered to himself,

"Marriage. Can you even marry in that state? You have been scarred and no one knows if your scar already healed."

Cord shook his head and looked out of the plane's window.

It was a windy but peaceful day. The singing of the birds can be heard amidst the rustling of the leaves. Children's laughter can be heard from the nearby play park.

"Lian!" a beautiful girl in a white blouse, pink pencil skirt, and beige coat, holding a French-style beret over her head came running over.

Lian smiled at the girl and opened his arms for a hug. Upon seeing Lian in outstretched arms, the girl gleefully threw herself at Lian. Lian caught the girl in an embrace and spun her around, making her burst into laughter.

"Lian, enough. You are making me dizzy." the girl said while still in the embrace of Lian. Lian slowed down and gently landed the girl on the ground. He kissed the girl in the forehead, earning another round of laughter from the girl.

"Are you that happy?" Lian asked her.

"Uhuh," she answered enthusiastically. She wrapped her hands around Lian's arms as they went for a stroll.

They were both enjoying the breeze while they walked. Talking with each other and laughing at both of their jokes. When they saw an ice cream truck, the girl hurriedly ran over and asked for a cone. Lian shook her head as he watched the girl get excited over a simple treat. She looks just like a kid, getting excited about everything they see, jumping on every opportunity to have fun. He did not follow immediately but stayed back to admire the girl's childlike beauty and charm. The girl waved him over as she lifted the ice cream cone in her hand.

Lian smiled at her and waved back. But the events went so fast that, Lian had no time to react at all.

The smiling girl in front of him suddenly collapsed, a pool of blood slowly seeped out under her body. Lian's eyes widened in surprise, then fear took over. He momentarily froze in place then adrenaline kicked in. He ran over to the Girl's body. She was already limp and soaked with her blood. Lian started to panic, he shouted for help and cradled the girl's body in his arms. Embracing her tightly in hopes of transferring heat to the girl's body.

"Annie, wake up please," Lian begged the girl in his embrace.

"Please, open your eyes. Don't die on me, Annie. We still have to get married so please hang on." Lian pleaded and comforted the girl. He brushed away the fallen hair on Annie's cheeks and kissed her forehead tenderly. Tears started to fall from his eyes.

"Help, please. Someone, please call the ambulance." Lian shouted to the crowd that had started to gather around him.

"Annie, hang on there. You will be fine. No one is going to hurt you anymore. I am right here for you. Please, my dear Annie, do not leave me like this." Lian cried while cradling the limp body of the girl. Annie's body heat slowly faded, signifying her pending doom.

Lian felt the difference. Fear and panic washed over him as he tightened his embrace on the girl.

"No, no, no, this can't be happening. Annie looks at me. You can not die. Annie no."

"ANNIE!"

Lian suddenly woke up, covered in a cold sweat. He looked at his surrounding, he is still on the plane. He sat up and wiped his face with his hands.

'Again the same dream. It has been years.' he criticized himself. He got up and took a shower.