Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Chapter 4
One week later
She blinked slowly, looking around. A week had passed since she left the hospital, yet everything still felt strange like she was living someone else’s life.
The bed, the clothes, the warm meals, even the way Ariana called her name it all still felt new.
She sat up slowly, resting her back against the headboard.
Her legs still felt a little weak sometimes, but she was improving. The doctors had said it would take time for her body to regain strength after lying down for a year.
Her reflection in the mirror by the closet caught her eye. She stared for a moment.
It was strange seeing a face you didn’t remember. She touched her cheek lightly, studying herself.
“I’m… really here,” she whispered
The woman staring back at her didn’t look like a stranger anymore. Her skin had gained color, her body had started to feel lighter, and her smile came easier these days.
But sometimes, she still looked too long in that mirror searching for something she couldn’t explain.
The door opened gently. Ariana came in holding a tray. She was smiling as always.
“You’re awake,” Ariana said softly. “Good morning, dear.”
“Good morning,” Celine replied, managing a small smile.
Ariana placed the tray on the bedside table. There was tea, toast, and some fruit. “You should eat first. I made you something light.”
“Thank you,” Celine said.
Ariana sat beside her for a moment, watching her. “You look stronger today.”
Celine nodded. “A little, I guess. I’m still trying to learn how to walk properly without feeling dizzy.”
“That’s progress,” Ariana said. “You’re doing well.”
They sat quietly for a while. Celine sipped her tea and looked around the room.
“It feels like I forgot the world,” she said finally, looking down at her cup.
Ariana smiled. “That’s okay. You’ll remember the world in your own time. For now, you just have to live it.”
That made Celine smile faintly. Ariana always knew the right thing to say.
“Let’s go out today,” Ariana said suddenly.
Celine looked at her. “Out?”
“Yes,” Ariana replied. “You need fresh air. And clothes. You can’t keep wearing my old things.”
Celine laughed quietly. “You’re right.”
“Good,” Ariana said, standing up. “Let’s get ready. We’ll get you new clothes and everything else you need. You can wait by the car while I get my keys.”
Celine nodded.
When Ariana left, Celine went to the mirror again. She brushed her fingers through her hair and smiled slightly. For someone who didn’t even remember her own name a week ago, she looked calm.
The drive to the shopping mall was quiet at first. Ariana played a soft song on the radio. The road stretched ahead, and Celine watched the passing streets through the window.
“Do you like it here in Monterey?” Ariana asked.
“It’s peaceful,” Celine said. “I don’t know where I lived before, but this feels nice.”
Ariana smiled. “That’s all that matters.”
After a while, she added, “We’ll also get you a phone and a new sim card today.”
Celine turned to her. “That’s too much, Ariana. You’ve done a lot already.”
Ariana shook her head. “I don’t see it that way. You’re like family now.”
Celine smiled faintly. “Still, I feel like I owe you a lot.”
Ariana smiled back but didn’t respond. Some things didn’t need an answer.
\---
At the mall, they walked through different stores. Ariana helped her pick simple but elegant clothes comfortable dresses, jeans, shoes that actually fit.
Celine looked through a mirror in one of the stores and laughed. “I look… normal again.”
Ariana smiled. “You look beautiful.”
They continued shopping for a while, talking and laughing like they had known each other for years.
Even a simple necklace that Celine didn’t want but Ariana said “every young woman should have something that makes her feel pretty.”
\----
When they walked outside, something caught Celine’s attention. It was a large poster pasted near the parking lot.
She stopped walking for a moment, reading the words slowly as if she was trying to understand them.
“Responsible workers needed at Castellan Enterprise.”
Ariana followed her gaze. “That’s one of the biggest companies in the U.S. They handle a lot real estate, tech, finance you name it.”
Celine looked at the poster again
Celine nodded, reading the lines carefully. “So they’re hiring?”
“Yes,” Ariana said. “They always are. But they usually want experienced workers.”
Celine looked at the poster one more time before they got into the car.
\---
Inside the car, as Ariana started the engine, Celine spoke. “Can I work there?”
Ariana looked surprised. “At Castellan Enterprise?”
“Yes,” Celine said. “I want to work. I need something to do. I don’t want to be a burden on you. You’ve done too much already.”
Ariana smiled gently but shook her head. “You don’t have to worry, Celine. I got you.”
“No, Ariana,” Celine insisted, her tone calm but firm. “At least I should have something doing. I’m slowly adapting to the world. I need a life. It’s been a week already.”
Ariana glanced at her for a moment before turning back to the road. There was something determined in the young woman’s eyes something she hadn’t seen before.
Ariana thought for a moment before replying. “You don’t have any education papers. You don’t even know where you studied before. How will you apply?”
Celine looked down at her hands. “I’ll find a way. Maybe they’ll have small positions. Office assistant, cleaner, anything.
I’ll learn “I’ll try,” she said quietly.
“There has to be an opportunity out there for me.”
Ariana sighed quietly. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
Celine nodded. “Yes.”
Ariana finally smiled. “Fine. You can try. But promise me something.”
Celine looked at her. “What?”
“Don’t tell anyone about your memory loss,” Ariana said firmly. “Not there, not anywhere. Just say you’re new in town and you’re trying to start a new life.
People are quick to judge. They don’t have to know everything.”
Celine nodded slowly. “I understand.”
“Good,” Ariana said. “You’re smart, Celine. You’ll do fine.”
Celine smiled. “I hope
\---
Later that evening, when they got home, Celine unpacked her shopping bags carefully. New clothes, new shoes, a new phone it felt strange owning all these things.
For someone who had no past, it almost felt like she was borrowing a future.
After dinner, she sat by the balcony, scrolling through her phone for the first time. The screen glowed softly in her hands. She didn’t know how to use most of it, but she was learning.
Ariana walked in with two mugs of tea and handed one to her. “Big day,” she said, smiling.
Celine nodded. “Yeah.”
“You did well today. I’m proud of you.”
Celine smiled softly. “You make it easier.”
They sat quietly for a while. The city lights blinked from afar, and the sound of waves rolled in from the distance.
you sure about this? Working, I mean?”
“Yes,” Celine said firmly. “I don’t know who I was before, but I know I don’t want to just sit and do nothing. Maybe work will help me find myself again.”
Ariana nodded. “Then I’ll support you.”
Celine looked out the window again.
“Castellan Enterprise,” she repeated under her breath, as if trying to remember where she’d heard it before. But nothing came.