Diane's POV
What… just happened? I asked myself as my so-called husband strode out of the room with his assistant trailing behind him.
Just a moment ago, I had no idea I had a husband whom I don't even remember a thing about, not even his name. Now the same husband is threatening me to sign divorce papers.
What was our marriage life like? Did we used to love each other? How many years have we been married? Did we have kids? Why did he want to divorce me? Did I do something wrong? Shouldn't he be glad that his wife had just woken up?
God! I'm so confused!
As these questions ran through my mind, Emily, seeing the state I was in, sat by the edge of the bed and held my hand.
"It's gonna be okay, Mrs Fox." Her words were comforting. "You'll get through this. You've gone through a lot more than this before. You're strong, brave, and faithful. You don't have to deal with this divorce matter right now, you just have to focus on your recovery, okay?"
I nodded. And then I hugged her.
I was happy I had her by my side. God, I don't know what I would've done without her!
"Okay, I'll go meet the doctor and sign the agreement form. I'll make sure you'll be getting discharged today." She said as we unembraced. "Stay put okay?"
I nodded.
And then she left.
I was left by myself, left to think of the life I couldn't remember. Why? Why did I have to forget?
It felt so frustrating that everyone knew how I had lived my life… everyone except me. Trying to remember felt like trying to grasp a handful of sand - the harder I squeezed, the more it slipped away.
So frustrating!
After some time I concluded that the more I tried to think, the more my headache intensified. I heaved a deep sigh and lay back on the bed.
I can't believe I'm an actress. A celebrity. I had fans and well-wishers. What type of celebrity was I? Was I a lovable one? Or a controversial one? How many years have I been an actress?
After some minutes of solitude, left with my frustrating thoughts, Emily came back.
"We're free to leave." She announced.
Then she began packing up. And then she handed me some clothes. "Get changed."
I got out of the ghastly hospital gown and put on the white crop top and knee-cut, baggy, frayed jeans she'd handed me. Then she gave me a baseball cap and a mask to put on.
After we were done, we headed out.
We took the elevator down to the lobby.
"My car is parked this way," Emily was saying, pointing at the other exit. "If we go out through the front exit…"
The next thing I knew, I was blinded by a sudden flurry of flashlights, their lights piercing my eyes like daggers.
They came out of nowhere. Shoving their cameras to my face, throwing questions at me.
"How are you feeling Diane Fox?"
"Is it true that you're diagnosed with amnesia?"
"How do you feel after your year of absence in the film industry?"
"Are the rumors that you had a one-night stand with your husband's rival true?"
"Are you aware that your husband and his ex-wife are back together?"
"Will you be agreeing to polyamory?"
"Will Mr Fox be divorcing you?"
"Are you and Luke Parker a thing?"
"When will you be working on a new project?"
"Will you be making your comeback to the big screen?"
It all felt so… so… overwhelming!
Emily and I tried to shove our way through but our efforts were fruitless.
And then I heard this screeching sound inside my head, making my head throb again. I closed my eyes as I winced in excruciating pain. I couldn't hear anything anymore.
I felt weak. And powerless.
And then I felt myself falling, but a man's hand grasped my shoulder at the last second, pulling me back and steadying me.
I turned to look at the knight in shining armor who had just saved me. He was… well… he was stunning. His mesmerizing hazel eyes stared deep into my soul with concern as he asked me, "Are you okay?"
Like a baby, I nodded slowly. I don't know why but I felt… kinda safe around him.
"Out of the way!" He hollered to the journalists who slowly backed away at the sound of his voice.
Then he guided me outside, with Emily trailing behind us.
With his hands still on my shoulder, he led me to a black car and then opened the back door and sat me in.
"You came!" Emily beamed thankfully at the guy.
I had the opportunity to take a good look at him. He was tall and lean, with brown, messy crew-cut hair that only made him more handsome than he already was. He had on a tank top and cargo shorts, and I couldn't help but notice his exposed smooth brown arm, his biceps flexing. I could imagine the six-pack abs hidden under that top.
Damn! I know I shouldn't be saying this considering my situation… but he's so… so smexy!
The guy smiled back at Emily, playfully rustling her hair. "Anything for my little sister."
Little sister? This specimen of a guy is Emily's big brother?
"Mrs Fox, this is my big brother, Ethan." Emily introduction. "Ethan, this is Mrs Fox."
"Hello." The guy turned his attention to me.
"Hello," I replied, feeling my face blush a little under his gaze.
"I'm Ethan, I've been a huge fan since 'Hopeless Romantic'"
"What's that?" I asked.
"Huh?" He tilted his head inquiringly at me. "It's your…"
"Oh, Ethan. She has amnesia." Emily chided in. "She doesn't remember anything before her incident."
"Oh!" Concern materialized in his eyes. "I'm so sorry about your condition. It must suck not to remember anything about your life when everyone else does. I can't even imagine to think how that feels."
"It's okay," I said. But I was far from okay. "I'm sure I'll remember as time goes by."
"Come on, let's get out of here before these journalists come again," Emily said and got in beside me.
Ethan got in, behind the steering wheel, and started the car.
"So, where are we going?" I asked Emily. "To my house?"
"Actually, I don't think that's a good idea," Emily said. "Because your husband doesn't want to live with you anymore, and he's back with his ex-wife now."
"Oh, don't I have a family of my own?" I asked. "A brother? A sister? My parents?"
"I'm afraid not," Emily said sympathetically. "You're an orphan, Mrs Fox. I've been trying to hide it from you but I don't think I can anymore. You were raised in the orphan."
The revelation was too much of a shock that I didn't know how to even feel.
"Well… okay." I tried to sound fine but my voice betrayed me. "Where do I stay then?"
"You can stay at your penthouse but I'm pretty sure the reporters are lurking around there," Emily told me. "And besides… it hasn't even been cleaned since you moved in with your husband."
I tried to look strong. God knows I tried not to cry. I have no memory of who I am. My husband wants to kick me out of his life. And I had no family. And all this celebrity stuff seems pretty overwhelming.
"You know you can cry if you want to, Mrs Fox," Emily said. "I'm here for you."
I didn't need any more go-ahead orders. I burst out crying and buried my head in Emily's bosom.
"You're gonna be okay." She consoled me as she patted my back. "You're gonna be okay."
I hope I will.