CHAPTER 36: THE STRANGER IN HER EYES

CHAPTER 36: THE STRANGER IN HER EYES

ENZO'S POV.

I wasn't sure why once I lashed at Diana for hurting Francesca and making us lose the child felt like a regret.

Was it the way she stared at me? With tears welled up in her eyes like she had been misjudged except that it was a different issue now.

She never denied it. It played too true to be a lie or even an accusation.

And that angered me. Francesca always found her ways out even when caught but Diana? She was always stuck. Stuck to find words or acts of defence and that… annoyed me as I stood.

I clicked my tongue against my teeth in frustration as my chest tightened in guilt. Was I feeling this way because I had killed her whole family?

I shouldn't. Theirs did to mine too; Aura for aura, Massacre for Massacre. Even though I still cherished our moment, some things needed to be done away from guilt and unmeasured feelings.

The tears trickled down her cheeks that I couldn't watch any longer. Staring at her just made my eyes burn, almost tearing.

I turned to Franco — “Feed her.“ I muttered in a command as I walked out of the place with my hands rested onto my pocket.

My face stayed grim. I was confused, unsure of how things were panning out.

But I hadn't gone too far when I heard it. Flattering sounds of plates to the floor, they shattered too. There she was, hurting herself. I could have turned back, but now it was so different.

Those times she pierced her skin with glasses — I thought she never deserved them but now with a child ought to be called mine, she ruined the child. Even though I had never wanted Francesa, I couldn't help but feel sorry and now, she wanted to play victim.

“Oh please, such a lame scheme.“ So I had muttered until later in the evening when a persistent knock came in against the door. My head rested on the chair as I stared at images, maps and every picture of the target that lay on the well furnished mahogany chair when I heard the knock.

I groaned slightly.

I wanted silence. I wanted away from every issue that lurked at shadows and doors but now I couldn't have one. I groaned in frustration and well — just lightly as I looked over.

It was Franco. His ears stood right and hair too, the beads of sweat that broke on his forehead sold him out as his chest heaved conveying urgency.

“What trouble is out there?“ I groaned in a thick voice as I stood up, somewhat anticipating it. Yes, I had to so I could face them head on.

“It's… Diana.“ He spat.

And what about her?

I wanted to ask but time doesn't permit questions as I let Franco drive me off to the hospital.

She had hurt herself and now that I stared at her motionless body even though she breathed, I couldn't help but fear whatever might come knocking.

I looked away from her face as I had been lost in the beauty they behold and so I stared into the hospital window watching patients with their family help them roll wheelchairs and even amidst the tension that seemed to rest on their faces, these ordinary people were lost in conversations.

My shoulders dropped. I remembered it all. Our childhood days, how I and Dianna fought, talked and even argued in high voices but now…

Tears started to glisten unto my eyes when I heard the sheet rustle.

I watched her as she rubbed her eyes with her palms, stirring awake only that she did with much effort and once those eyes snapped open, the strength she always held in them felt weak.

I could be overthinking. I was about to turn to Franco to ask him to get her water and maybe snack when I heard her..

“Where am I?“ She questioned inquisitively as her eyes darted the whole environment.

“Hospital.“ I responded curtly not giving it too much attention until her cracking voice tore through the already sophisticated smell of drugs in the hospital.

“Who… who are you?“ She asked, now with her eyes widened as if in confusion.

My gaze matched Franco's.

Same look. We were confused as we glanced at her repeatedly but it was the same energy.

She didn't recognize me.

The drive home was silent. The tension dragged in the air like a presence itself as she sat at the passenger seat, calmly with her usual defiant eyes softening into something else.

More confusing. And that… was uncomfortable.

Franco pulled over and I climbed down from where I had sat before walking over to the door and opening it, gesturing for her to get down.

I could have been surprised, but since the doctor noted the possibility of Loss of Memory, I raised an eyebrow.

She stayed back like a child scared of a kidnapper as she curled onto the back seat not wanting to drop down.

I hissed, frustrated. It was already too bad that she recognized no one, did it have to be this worse?

I stared at her. She could be. Now, I was a stranger to her and she could not possibly just warm up to me.

The realization of me being a stranger in her eyes hurt me and my heart clenched even more once her eyes spread wide with innocence.

I sighed, accepting the reality that formed itself before me as I leaned in to her and without words, I scooped her into my arms while I made way to the mansion.

“Put me down!“ Even against her persistent protest.

And Franco? He followed quietly, I locked contact with the guards whose confused eyes were on us but once they saw I caught them — they looked away.

I entered her room and threw her just gently to the bed that she bounced. I turned away making for the door when her voice caused me to stop in my tracks.

“Where am I?“ Diana asked in a soft voice, her face lacing with confusion. I could sense the surprise from anyone in the room as I sneakily watched their hands twitch and so I shut my eyes just in a second and spat.

“Everyone leave the room.“ I instructed with a thick voice as they all obliged, not with one remaining — even Franco.

Now, it was just me and her.

I stared at her for a while as if trying to search for something before I finally responded.

“Home. Yours, mine. Ours.“

The usual confused look remained when she questioned inquisitively —

“Am I your wife?“ She blurted, making me freeze for a moment.