Bruno.
She licks her lips, visibly shaken, and then starts talking. Her voice is like a shock of cold water because it is exactly as I imagined it. It keeps on cracking which makes me impatient. For some reason, I want her to keep talking. I don't know why, I just know it's important to me that she does. I'm not paying attention to her though, I just look at her lips which move most hypnotically. Then my gaze slides upwards to her face. I gasp loudly and then lean back on my chair. This is because I've realized two shocking things. First, she's the most beautiful female on earth, possibly the whole universe. And second, and this one is the most important, I've fucking met this woman before. I know her. Closing my eyes, I try to remember where and when I met her but I'm unable to. This irks me because it's suddenly of the utmost importance that I place her.
I open my eyes in frustration and take another long look at her. She is simply gorgeous. Now that I think about it, she's what I look for in a woman these days. Dark eyes, check. Thick, lush lips, check. Sleek chestnut hair, check. Golden skin, check. Check. Check. Check. Christ, I think, the woman is a ten and should be the standard of female beauty. For a second, I doubt myself. This isn't the type of woman I'd meet and forget. She's too stunning for that. That's what I'm thinking until the reporter says her name. ''Well, thank you for your time, Miss Adelina. I hope you have a lovely rest of your day.'' The reporter says dismissively. Adelina nods and I follow her every movement as she walks away. I crave to see that flawless face as soon as it disappears from my view. I would have stood up and walked to the TV for one last glimpse of her if I was not feeling so numb. And tired. And confused. How could one woman affect me so much? Did I really know her? Head against the pillow, I close my eyes again and wreck my brains trying to place her. It's important that I solve this puzzle, I know it. It feels like my life depends on it. Her voice echoes around my head, her face is all I see and her name feels all too familiar for me. I know I won't sleep until I've figured it out.
I swallow hard before trying her name on my lips, I have this weird fear this is about to turn my life upside down. ''Adelina,'' I say in a whisper.
My precious Lina.
Wait, where in the world did that come from? Precious Lina? I don't remember ever calling anyone that but why does it feel familiar to me? Had I once called her that? Could we have possibly met before then?
My head starts spinning from all these thoughts. I also have a headache and my breathing is labored. Every part of my body feels weak. It's as if my body wants me to shut my brain off, forget this whole thing and fall asleep. I can't though, I saw her and I just can't let her go. Stubbornly, I shut my eyes tightly and search my memories for her. I see a dozen faces but not hers. I groan in despair, where are you, Adelina?
'My darling Lina'' I kept saying quietly. I say it again and again. It doesn't make sense but I do it anyway. It makes me question my sanity but I do it anyway. When nothing pops into my head, I open my eyes feeling a great sense of loss. I try to sit up to clear my head when I sit back down gasping. Memories flood my head and it's like a punch to the gut. The air is knocked from my lungs. I recognize her. I know her. I love her.
It's all so clear.
She's looking at me with her best fuck-you eyes. She's gazing up at me like I'm the most precious thing to her. She looks like she could faint when I tell her I love her and positively deathly when she asks me to marry her.
Oh fuck! I think, Is this real? Am I making this up? Is my imagination playing tricks on me? My answer is immediate this time.
Oh, She's real alright. I just forgot her, I realize.
I'm feeling dizzy and a little nauseous but I pull myself from the chair intending to go out and just find her. But before I even reach the door my body fails me and I collapse on the floor. The last thing I see before I pass out is Lina.