Chapter 122 Stranger
Chapter 122 Stranger
Third Person
“You know what, young man? This is no place to have this conversation. Let’s go inside.” Majorie said as she snatched the pail away from Sparkle. Sparkle was still disoriented as they went back inside the house.
They went and made themselves comfortable in the living room while Majorie dashed to the bedroom to get her husband. While she was away, Sparkle stole a glance at James only to find him already looking at her. She quickly looked away to hide her discomfort.
“Is this where you’ve been since you went missing?” James tried to talk to her, but she only shrugged and muttered, “I guess.”
“Sparkle, do you not remember me at all?” James asked in a serious tone, but before Sparkle could answer, Peter and Majorie sprinted into the living room like someone was after their lives. James shot right out of his seat to greet the old couple.
“It’s alright, sit down and let’s talk,” Peter said as they all sat down. “Did you say you know this young lady?”
“Yes, and I’ve been in these bushes searching miles and miles, days and days for her.”
“Young lady, does his face ring a bell?” Peter asked Sparkle, who had been staring at James, before she paused to shake her head.
“I don’t know him at all.”
“Sparkle, it’s me, James.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know who you are. I don't even know my own name. I’m so sorry, but I can’t keep it together.”
Majorie and Peter stared pitifully at James, but it was all an act on his part; he knew exactly what he was doing, and that sadness in his eyes was the starting point.
“Mister, are you the father of the baby?” Majorie asked. James nodded slowly, “We planned to be married as soon as our baby was born.”
Sparkle sat up and stared at him even harder as if that would help her remember who James was. When staring didn’t help, she let out a sigh and looked away.
“I’m sorry, sir, I simply can’t recall.”
“I don’t know what breaks my heart more, whether it’s you calling me ‘sir’ or you completely forgetting me.” James tried to sound as pitiful as ever.
“Have some grace and patience; she suffered a traumatic head injury that has caused this reaction from her, but this is temporary. I can assure you that her memories will come back.” Peter tried to make James feel better, if only he knew that wasn’t what James wanted.
Hearing about the possible return of Sparkle’s memories brought him to the edge of his seat. What everyone in the room interpreted as eagerness and hopefulness in James's demeanor was just anxiety. It was his wish that Sparkle would forget her past forever.
“How long will this take?” He asked,
“I can’t give a specific date, but her injuries weren’t serious enough to cause permanent memory loss,” Peter assured him.
“You should take her back into the city and get her some medical care. On this side of town, we don’t have access to advanced medical facilities,” Majorie advised.
Within James, he was leaping for joy that they were giving him permission to take Sparkle away. The moment they were out of the countryside, he would find a way to take her far away from Dalton.
“That sounds great, but I don’t want to leave this place with a stranger. I don’t feel comfortable going with this guy.” Sparkle protested.
The couple thought about it for a second and agreed with Sparkle; they couldn’t hand her over to just any man without vetting him first. What if he was telling lies? What if he was the one who hurt her? Why didn’t they think of that?
“This guy? Sparkle, that statement is very hurtful.” James nagged.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to go with someone I don’t know. It doesn’t sit well with me.” Sparkle argued.
“Okay, young man, you can actually dispel her doubts and fears by showing us some pictures of you two together?” Peter demanded.
“Yes, that was the first thing we should have asked for when you came here,” Majorie agreed.
James became jittery, but he was also determined not to give up the act, so he put on a bold front and went ahead with his half-baked lies, hoping it would work.
“I wish I could. I lost my phone while I was lost in the woods, but luckily I still have my spare phone, which has a few pictures on it.” He brought out his spare phone, whose battery was almost dead, and started to swipe. He got up and walked to the couple and showed them pictures of him and Sparkle on a beach date; there was another one of Sparkle and him at his home. This picture was taken a day before she found out he was a wolf and left him for good. Though they brought bad memories, they were his ticket to getting Sparkle in his custody.
The old folk scrolled through the pictures, nodding their heads slowly.
“So tell me, young man. How did your Sparkle end up here? Injured and with no memories? Did you attack her?” Majorie asked when she had had enough of the pictures.
James pressed his lips together, trying to conjure a meaningful story in 3 seconds. He walked to where Sparkle was seated on a small sofa and sat beside her. She slowly shifted away from why James looked disappointed and hurt.
“We attended a ceremony in the Roux estate. On our way back, we got caught up in a conflict that had erupted out of nowhere. Our car veered off the road, and we landed in the woods. We had to keep running for our lives because we thought we were being pursued; that’s where we lost each other.”
The couple observed him for any suspicious behavior, but James seemed pretty relaxed and laidback. If he was lying, it was very hard to tell due to his composure; even Sparkle thought he was telling the truth.
“That’s a relief. I read in the newspapers about the conflict that started 5 days ago in that district. Do you think it’s safe to go back there? The Roux family is always putting everyone in that district in danger with their silly fights.” Peter ranted.
“I plan on going to Crepe Town to wait for things to quiet down, then we can return home,” James replied.
“Then I can drive you two back to that side of town. My truck would appreciate that drive.” Mr. Walter said, getting up and rushing to get his keys.
Sparkle had wanted to protest, but she thought about it and felt she was being a burden on the old couple. Maybe she should leave and deal with James on her own.
James got up and stretched out his hand to her. Again, this time she took it, but not without great hesitancy because something didn’t feel right; she had a feeling that this man wasn’t telling the truth, but until she figured out what was going on, she would have to polish her acting skills and play along.