Do I know you?

Helios’ POV

5 years later.

I arrive at the airport and walking towards my car.

That was the longest business meeting I had to attend. It was really tiring.

“Sir, your car is ready and also Ms. Madeline wanted to come so she is also in the car.”

I raise my eyebrow “who do you think you are to decide who gets to come and pick me up? Did I tell you to show up here with her?”

After what she did to me years ago, I could never forgive her. But because of her family had a big history with mine, I had to.

The night Mallory died, my mom also hated me for it. She always liked Mallory, and now I realized why, she was good to everybody.

“Get me another car and let her wait, don’t tell her anything until I reach home. And after you send her back home and tell her I don’t want to see her”

The driver nodded and went away. I waited for my car to arrive and left with it.

45minutes later, I was home. I sighed. It never felt like home after she died.

I sent a text to the driver and after a few minutes I got a call from Madeline.

“What?” I asked in annoyance.

“I was so excited to see you but the driver said you went home already.” She says using her pity voice I once believed over my own wife.

Everytime I hear her voice, everything bad I did to Mallory came back.

“And?”

“I’m your fiancé, Helios.”

“Yeah, as if you make everyone forget that. I am fully aware and I hope you are aware that I don’t want to be married to you. Your parents just keep dragging my name with yours because of what your brother did for me.”

I say and ended the call. I owe their family a lot but my mother said that I have a choice to continue or not continue what our family started.

Since, her brother saved my life and died because of it, I always repay them for it. But they used that to ruin a beautiful life I could and should have right now.

I enter the house and immediately the maids started to welcome me.

“Where is mom?” I asked.

“She’s at the garden resting sir.” One answered.

“Did you cook already?” I ask bringing my stuff down.

They said yes. And suddenly my mother came.

“I will go out and buy groceries myself.” She says, not even bothering to welcome me back.

I know she loves me but she could just never forget what happened before.

I sighed and nod. “I’ll go with you.”

She didn’t said no, so that’s a good sign.

———

At the grocery store.

As I walk down different aisle of this grocery store, all I could think of was Mallory.

I sigh and thought ‘Did I love her just a little bit?’ i am really not sure.

Why am I in a grocery store? Yeah, because I volunteered to be here today. I watch as my mother pushed the cart.

I never understood why, she always insisted on buying for the house when we could just make the maids go and get them.

As if reading my mind. “We always liked doing this.”

“We? With who? Dad?” I asked.

She shakes her head “when your dad was Alive, he hated it. I was talking about Mallory.”

The mere mention of her name gave me tingles, regret, and many emotions I can’t name. But can’t pin point what emotion I am feeling.

“This was always our bonding together. Get groceries for you and her. She cooked you food that you always didn’t eat. she always did a good job.”

Yeah, I remember she always sends me food at work that I always didn’t eat.

I always give it to my secretary, Julio. Which he always loved.

He always said that it was good that he wanted to get the recipe from my wife.

I sighed. If only I saw everything clear like crystal.

When Mallory died, everyone mourned. A lot of people liked her but when it comes to Madeline, they never fail to use respectful but offensive words.

I didn’t even know it was possible.

“I get it mom. You’re still mad because of what happened to her.” I say as I look at vegetables in-front of us.

“I was never mad. I was just disappointed. But not at you, but rather at myself. I failed as a mother to guide you for your marriage.”

“Mom, stop it. You raised me so good. I just made bad choices and blinded by the debt I always think I should repay.”

“I get that our family had a long and good history with Madeline’s but you never should’ve treated your wife that way.”

“I know mom. I know. If only I have a second chance to fix it. I would have.” I sighed.

“You can’t now, can you? You just have to admit your mistakes, be sorry and change. Although it won’t bring her back, it would be good for you to let her go this way.” Mom says smiling.

Then suddenly something caught my nose. That smell, I recognize it somewhere.

“Do you smell that mom?”

Confused she asked “what smell? All I could smell are these oranges.” She says picking one up.

I shake my head. “No, that scent….”

I turn my head around and there I saw standing and smiling, Mallory.

I immediately went to check if my eyes is right.

“Mallory?” I called and touched her arms, she turned around. She smiled.

“Hi, do I know you?” She asks.

“Is it really you?” I ask.

“I’m sorry, you must’ve mistaken me with someone else.” She says.

“No. You’re Mallory. Mallory Bastien.”

“I heard that name before. But we have the same family name.” She says shocked.

“Mallory come on.”

“I’m sorry, I just came back from Japan. I had an accident before. Amnesia.” She says and my whole world stopped.

My prayers were answered. I get to have a second chance with her.

“Hey Mal, is this the Ice Cream you’ve been craving for?” I hear a voice and I turned around shocked.

“B-Ben?”

“Helios.” He says frozen in his spot.

“Yes! Thank you! Uhm, Ben. Do you know him? He knows me, is he a friend of ours? I told him about my amnesia.”

Ben looks at her and smiled “Yes! He’s not a friend. He’s more like a business partner before.”

“Ben? What is going on?”

No. Ben told me she died.

“Uhm, we have to go..” she says.

“Kinsley. Helios Kinsley.” I say.

“Mr. Kinsley, it was nice seeing you… I guess.” She says and turned to Ben. “Let’s hurry up, so I still have time to bake something you want.”

Ben nods and they walked away. While I was left standing and whispered to myself. ‘No, fucking way.’