Chereads / A Perfect Stranger's Secret / Chapter 12 - Birthday

Chapter 12 - Birthday

As Darien went to work early the next morning, he left a note on Juliette's bed table.

"Thank you for staying with me last night. I'm sorry for always showing my weaker side to you. You are very comforting when I needed someone the most. Thank you." Juliette smiled as she read the note. "He can be cute sometimes." She thought.

As Juliette woke up and got ready for the day, she went to Darien's room out of curiosity. The walls were filled with Clara's photos. She thought, "She looks like me, yet she suffered so much." As Juliette looked at each photos, strange images started to appear in her head. Dizziness and blurriness started to appear. What were those images? Why did it come now? Juliette was feeling breathless. As she took some deep breaths, it helped her a bit.

Juliette called her doctor while she is still okay.

"Hello? Dr. Brian. This is Juliette. Do you still remember me?" Juliette asked.

"Yes. Of course I do. What's the matter?" Dr. Brian replied.

"I saw some photos and then weird images started to appear in my head. Then I get breathless and dizziness. Is this panic attack?" She asked.

"Yes. Very likely. Since you lost 8 years of memories, it might be slowly coming back to you. Since you were in a coma for a month, things could've gotten worse. Memories will come when it comes. It's a good start. It will be good if you can recover some of your old memories." Dr. Brian told her.

"So, that means I know Darien from 8 years ago? What was my relationship to him?" She thought.

"Thank you, Dr. Brian. Also, thank you for letting me into Cambridge." Juliette said.

"You deserve better, Juliette. Especially after such horrible thing that happened to you... in the past."

"Something horrible? Why can't I remember?" Juliette said.

"It's suppressed inside your head. That means you didn't want to remember. Take your time." Dr. Brian told her.

"I understand. Thanks!!" Juliette hung up and saw a notebook on the ground.

As she flipped through it, she saw a date.

"Darien's birthday is today?"

When she flipped through some more pages, she saw a note saying wishes.

"Clara's wishes: To live together with you and Timothy, to go to the beach and watch the sunset together."

"These were her wishes? Since today is his birthday, why don't I make her wishes come true?" Juliette was proud of herself for thinking of that idea.

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"Mommy! What are you doing?" Juliette smiled at Timothy.

"Today is your dad's birthday. Do you want to do something special for him?" Timothy nodded.

"i want to go to a beach... it's too hot today." Timothy said.

"How about we wait for daddy to come back and we can go together?" Juliette said.

"Yeahh!" Timothy jumped up and down.

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"Sir, this is the report you wanted." James said.

"Thanks, you may leave. Thanks for your hard work today." Jame bowed and left.

"Sir, Miss Juliette and Timothy came to visit." James said.

"Let them in."

As Juliette entered the office, Darien was looking through reports. He's hardworking indeed.

"Daddy! We came to see you! Happy Birthday!" Timothy hugged Darien.

Darien hugged Timothy tightly.

"Why did you come here?Why didn't you wait for me at home?" Darien said.

"Timothy wanted to go to the beach today and I thought it would be a great idea if you came along." Juliette told him

"Since it's your birthday, you should take a break once in a while." Juliette smiled.

"Okay." Darien smiled.

"Daddy! You finally yes. It's the first time." Timothy said.

"I'll get ready soon." Darien said.

"We'll wait. Take your time." Juliette smiled.

She looked at Darien for a long time. He is really amazing. Being a single parent isn't easy. Juluette admired him. Juliette's face went red... what was she thinking? She shook it off.

"Mommy. Your face is red. You were looking at Daddy." Juliette nervously laughed.

"I'll go wait outside and wait for you." Juliette quickly went out. Why was she hiding? Does she like him?

Darien smiled.

"Timothy. Let's go." As Darien got ready, Timothy got his backpack and went outside to meet with Juliette.

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The beach weather was perfect, the sound of the waves make you so peaceful. So this is what Clara wanted. Juliette looked at the horizen and thought about her past memories. What really happened to her? Why can't she remember?

"Mommy! Look, I found a huge seashell! Can I keep it?" Juliette smiled and said yes.

Darien looked at the distant horizon. His world seems to be so far away from them. He's longing for Clara, Juliette thought. Even though Juliette's past memories might be related to Clara, no one can replace her in Darien's heart.

"Darien, the sunset looks amazing." Darien suddenly saw Clara again.

"This was your wish, Clara." Darien cried.

"Certainly is. Darien... no matter what happens, even if I don't remember you... I will always be with you. Right by your side." Clara disappeared like a vapour.

"Don't leave..." Darien tried to reach Clara but she disappeared.

"Darien, I know I cannot replace Clara. But, today is your birthday." Juliette didn't know why she was so drawn to Darien.

"Can I give you a hug?" Darien nodded.

"Darien, it's me, Clara. I love you. I will always be by your side." Darien looked at Juliette.

"Are you... Clara?"