Chapter 15 — Beyond the Rose-tinted Glass

Beyond the rose-tinted glass is a world filled with all the imaginable pleasures of life and unending luck. A dark cloud looming above you is considered lucky for rain never befalls other places or when the sun sets on a perfectly beautiful day, it is a promise for a better tomorrow. It doesn’t matter who is wearing the rose-tinted glasses—whoever does is guaranteed to look at life in a spectrum others find hard to live by. Either too optimistic or downright unrealistic. I never believed in such a thing nor have ever seen a person who always looked through those rose-tinted glasses.

Perhaps I may have worn them once, but who’s to tell me so?

“W-where are you taking me? I have to be somewhere else.” I managed to sputter out after running off with the strange waitress. Her grip on my wrist never loosened and she seemed to have something rather important to say. Not to mention, how she expressed her fear of being seen by someone in Dixon Enterprises. Who was she hiding from? What did she need to tell me? And more alarmingly, how did she know I was working here?

A million thoughts raced across my mind as the woman pulled to a secluded café where there were hardly any customers. She let the words of protest die down on the back of my throat as she led me to a table then excused herself to buy us some warm drinks. Any normal person would have walked right out after told to sit there and wait. Maybe I should have sauntered out of the café like any other individual as well—yet here I was waiting for her to finish. I didn’t want to lie to myself and say I wasn’t curious about what she ought to tell. Upon seeing her approaching, my spine went stiff while I glanced away from her to appear nonchalant.

“I apologize in advance if the coffee isn’t to your liking, Miss McKenzie.” The woman set two cups of steaming coffee on the table then took the seat across mine. She had been sporting a sheepish grin the whole time as if she wasn’t meant to be around me. “But please drink, their coffee here is as good as those expensive ones around the block.”

“You apologize for the coffee’s quality, yet not for how you basically took me here against my wishes.” Turning to the waitress, I huffed softly. “There better be a good reason or else I shall report you to the nearest police station. I don’t even know your name.” She didn’t seem terrified when I threatened her for arrest but was shaking her head. By the looks of it, I judged what she had to tell me was more of a priority rather than her own dignity or freedom. With that in mind, curiosity grew even more.

“T-there’s no need for that, Miss McKenzie. And I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier. My name is Hattie, Hattie Johnson.” Smile faltering, she sighed. “I guess what they said was true… you losing your memories after the car incident.” She then perked up, grinning ear to ear in an instant. “But that doesn’t mean you’ll continue to forget about me, Miss McKenzie. After all, you might get your memories back and remember me.”

Hattie Johnson? Where have I heard that name before?

Trying hard to recall such a meeting between me and the woman, I came up with nothing unsurprisingly. I still haven’t recovered much of what occurred prior to the incident, leaving that timeline a blank slate in my head.

“Where did you hear that I lost my memories? Only a few people should’ve known about it.”

“There was a lot of speculation going on,” Hattie mumbled; hand wrapped around her cup of coffee. The thought of her waiting out in the cold just to see me caused my heart to waver at the stranger’s dedication. What could’ve transpired if I went with Cedric tonight? Will she continue to stand outside Dixon Enterprises until I did? Or come back the next day to try again? “Don’t underestimate people and their love for gossip, Miss McKenzie.”

Well, oh of course… There are plenty of blabbermouths at the hospital I was recuperating in before I was released. Any of the nurses could have started it.

“Now that you know I’ve lost my memory, I guess it’s clear to you why I didn’t recognize you when we met a few weeks ago.” Barely acknowledging the coffee she bought for me, I leaned back against my chair in pretend displeasure. “What’s the point in talking like this then? I’m a very busy woman and tomorrow, I have to get up early to work again. It’s the holidays, Miss Hattie. Surely you know how it is during this season. You do work at a restaurant, correct?”

She nodded softly. “Y-yes, I do know. But I just had to see you. I did request to take the day off—”

“And what if I left with my employer? What if I didn’t go to work today? Would you still be out there waiting out there under freezing temperatures?” Shaking my head at her reckless choices, I elicited another sigh. “Honestly, don’t ever do it again.”

Hattie’s melancholic aura brightened up at the statement I gave her which confused me. I expected her to be sad or even frustrated. I never imagined it would make her grin akin to receiving the biggest award in her whole life.

“You’ve never changed, Miss McKenzie.” She giggled then took a sip of her drink. “You’re still looking out for me despite not recognizing me. You truly are a good person and what you have done for me at the charity fair and numerous other times at the hotel, I am forever grateful.”

My tongue can’t form any words at her statement of gratitude. How can I give any response when I don’t remember doing anything remarkable for this person? I merely sat there in confusion, wondering why she regards me with high esteem.

“What… I did for you is probably not that great—”

“It is! Miss McKenzie, it is!” She stood up from her seat due to excitement, almost toppling her drink over on the table at her sudden movement. My eyes went wide at the display as she began rambling about how I was wrong. “You’re one of the kindest people I know. For years, the Grand Mari Hotel has been holding the charity fair annually. Every time you were there, you were always talking to me. They were wrong when they said you were cold and prude. They didn’t understand you before, Miss McKenzie. But how can they when they let their minds wander instead of getting to know you! How you stood up for me when nobody else did speak volumes of your pure heart. Which is why…” She trailed off, sitting down once again with a faraway expression.

“Which is why… what?” I echoed softly, taken aback at her spirited speech until she quieted down. “Miss Hattie? What were you supposed to say? And the Grand Mari Hotel? You used to work there?”

If what she said is true, then that means we met at the Grand Mari Hotel all those years ago. According to Cedric, that’s where most of the Richardson’s parties are held. If that’s where the charity fair is being held, then…

Covering her face, she sighed. “Why can’t they see you deserve the best this world has to offer? After you got into that accident, nothing has been the same. The Grand Mari Hotel was turned over to new owners and every old staff who was deemed irreplaceable stayed while others, including I, were fired. Nothing made sense since your parents loved the Grand Mari Hotel… Why would they allow someone else to run the place instead of you?”

“M-me?”

Why on earth would I run such a fancy hotel? My parents didn’t own a hotel…

Hattie nodded in confirmation. “Your parents bought the hotel, Miss McKenzie. They even held a party for everyone present in the building. I was quite happy since that would mean I could be working for you soon. Then, I heard you fell in love with him, and I let that happen to you of all things… Which is why I must warn you ahead of time! I was too late back then, but this time I will set things right. I’m only doing this for your own safety since it might happen again!” The woman cried out in unknown desperation, tears blurring her eyes. She looked like she could break out in tears any minute. “I didn’t want to believe what my own ears heard that day… But I was sure Cedric Dixon is the person responsible. Whatever they said about you losing your memories after the car crash, it doesn’t mean you’re stupid enough to fall for his tricks again—”

Cedric?

“Hold on, what is this about Cedric being the person responsible?” At the mention of my superior and lover, I couldn’t help but be unnerved. Everything else did not make sense, including how my parents owned a hotel. Here was a woman I didn’t recognize, celebrating me, fearing for my life, and mentioning Cedric’s name. I was frightened by what I was about to hear, albeit skeptical about it. “Hattie, why are you saying Cedric—Mr. Dixon is responsible? And for what exactly?”

Cedric’s name caused her to quiver on her seat, eyes wider than saucers like a terrified dear caught between headlights. “Mr. Dixon… He’s the one—the one who killed your parents. The person is responsible for the car accident. He sabotaged everything for you and your whole family to die!”

Lies.

Lies.

Lies!

“W-what? Are you hearing yourself?” After hearing the audacious accusation, I laughed at how impossible it seemed. “He can’t be the culprit; besides it was ruled out as an accident by the investigators. He… he can’t be accused when it was purely coincidental.” The entire time I relayed my doubts, Hattie continued to shake her head multiple times to deny them, face red as she hysterically expressed how I was wrong.

She’s lying.

“No! It’s true. I heard Mr. Dixon talking to someone over the phone during your twenty-sixth birthday party. It was held a few weeks prior to the accident! He was saying he wanted something done and fast. How he wanted you gone, out of the picture. He wanted to eliminate the McKenzies, including you even when you loved him! Miss McKenzie, please listen to me—”

Lies! This bitch is speaking lies!

“Cedric isn’t the type of person to do that, Hattie. I’m sorry if you lost your job at the Grand Mari Hotel, but I don’t remember my parents owning it nor do I have rights to run it.” A thought popped into my head, causing me to pause on my words then stare directly into her eyes. Never trust a stranger they say, especially those who claim to know you. “Wait, are you doing this just to make me see you in a good light? Is this what it’s all about? You think I run that hotel and somehow give you back the job you lost once I come to my ‘senses’? I don’t own that hotel, neither did my parents. Were you going to make a fool out of me? I’m sorry, but it’s not mine and I can’t help you with your problem. I’ll pretend you never badmouthed Cedric. Good evening, Miss Johnson.” Standing up, I trudged away from the table and towards the exit. Ignoring the waitress screaming at me to come back.

It’s all a mistake.

Cedric will never hurt me.

Cedric loves me.

He loves me.

He won’t kill me.

“Miss McKenzie! Please believe me! Let’s meet again, okay?! I’ll bring proof—I swear to god I will bring proof!”

***

Electric. The ice-cold cup pressed against my cheek was like electricity shooting through my face when I gasped at the sudden contact, followed by Cedric’s amused chuckle. I glanced up from where I was staring into space, regarding him with a weak narrowed stare. “That wasn’t funny. What if I knocked it over and spilled it all over the laptop?”

“Then I’ll buy you a new one.” He cheekily replied, taking the straw and sipping his iced americano. “What’s wrong? You seemed out of it these past few days. Did something happen without me knowing?”

He always seems to know when something is bothering me, huh…

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

“It can’t be nothing when you look like you’ve lost the whole country.”

I made a face. “Lost the whole country? Now that is impossible…” Cedric sat on the sofa across me with a long groan. His iced americano on the coffee table, glistening under the afternoon light streaming through the glass windows. Its perspiration flooding below the plastic cup, the ice dancing slowly as it melted into the drink. Contrary to belief, the ringing phone stopped around lunchtime and hasn’t rung since. The holidays were almost here and everyone who wanted Cedric at their respective parties was turned down. Gifts for the festive day and an apology for his lack of absence were already wrapped in the other room with the help of Lawrence. At the realization of the fast-approaching holiday, I gasped then turned to Cedric. “I haven’t told you my answer yet…”

He grinned. “Yes, I was growing impatient, but I know how to wait when it comes to you.” Crossing his leg, he gestured at me. “Well then, what’s your reply? Will you come with me to Italy?”

I haven’t forgotten about my encounter with Hattie Johnson and what she said. She accused Cedric of killing my parents and attempted to take my life along with them—an accusation that didn’t make any sense for numerous reasons. One, Cedric is my boyfriend. Two, there was no reason for anyone to murder my parents who lived humble lives as much as they can. And three, it was ruled out as an accident by the investigators. No other proof pointing to foul play was brought to light even with the ongoing investigations done out of formality. There is also the matter with the Grand Mari Hotel.

My parents never bought that hotel. No papers stating so are in my house and no articles published connected to the matter. So how can Hattie say my parents got a hold of such a huge property in the city? Did she mistake me for another Reese McKenzie? There are plenty of other women who has the same name as me.

“Um, before I answer that… I hope you can answer mine first.” I need to know from Cedric. He knows me best and maybe my parents too. Perhaps he can answer that part since I recall having hazy memories of being at that hotel. “Will you?”

“As long as I can answer it, why not?”

Chuckling, I played with a pen as I formed my thoughts. “Well, you mentioned the Grand Mari Hotel last time… And coincidentally, I got a few bits of my memories back each day and I recall being at that hotel. It wasn’t clear what I was doing there or—”

Cedric attacking my lips was unexpected, especially since I was still talking. Astonished at the force brought by the man, my hands began pushing him away, yet it merely excited him. Moaning at the taste of him and his tongue, I let out a tiny sob and managed to push his face away. This calmed him down, heaving deep breaths as he pulled away.

“C-Cedric, what’s the matter? Why did you—”

“I apologize…” he mumbled, wiping his mouth with the palm of his hand. A ghost of a grin on his lips. “I guess excitement got to my head, overjoyed that you remember something.” His explanation made me giggled a bit, shaking my head at his childish action. This made his face flush red, crossing arms across his chest as he looked away, abashed. “What? Can’t I be happy for you?”

“It’s all right, as long as you don’t spook me like that next time.” I laughed, fixing the stray strands of hair that escaped my ponytail caused by the intense action. Afterward, I cleared my throat and continued with my question. “Anyway, as I was saying… I regained a tiny piece of my memory at the Grand Mari Hotel. I merely recognized my mother, but not everyone else. And um, pertaining to my question… I was wondering who the owners of the hotel are.”

“The owner of the Grand Mari…” Hand under his chin, Cedric leaned against the sofa. Appearing to be deep in thought, then snapped his fingers. “Oh, how could I forget. The Barkleys own it. Why did you ask?”

“Just curious. And one more thing, did my parents ever own anything as extravagant as the Barkleys you mentioned?”

Cedric shook his head with no hesitation. “No, your parents didn’t seem to own any major establishment here in Auburn. If they had, I would’ve partnered with them immediately when we started dating.”

See? My parents didn’t own it. It’s just impossible… Hattie Johnson was lying. Cedric doesn’t want to kill me. If he did, he would have as soon as we met. But he didn’t and this just proves that what Hattie claimed to have heard or seen was all fabricated.

“I see.”

“What’s wrong, Reese?” Cedric approached me steadily and once he was right beside me, wrapped his arms around my waist. “Are you having doubts? Perhaps it’s the stress, huh? Maybe a long vacation could fix that.”

“Nothing, just curious as usual. You know how hard it is to remember stuff. How exhausting it is to discern what is true and not.” Hugging myself, I beamed a smile at him. “And since that’s out of the way… About your request to go to Italy this Christmas, I’ll come with you.”

Cedric grinned.

“Pack your bags, darling. We’re leaving tomorrow evening.”

And the day ended without a bang or any major event that may have caused me distress. But as soon as I thought that the storm was over, a note left on my front door from Hattie Johnson greeted me the moment I got home. Saying it wasn’t entirely finished.

Miss McKenzie, meet me tomorrow at the same café. I have documents for you to see. – From HJ