Chapter Four

Saying that I was so shocked is the one thing that completely described me when I heard Evie say she doesn't remember me. It was fun at first but when I realized that she was deadly serious I couldn't do anything but stand there and look at her like she was some sort of an alien.

On the other hand, though, what am I supposed to do, or say?

After we called for the doctor we had to exit the room and Lora called her parents. They came as soon as they heard. The moment they stepped foot in the hospital we could hear George yelling at nurses demanding to see his daughter. After calming them down, we sat with them waiting for the doctor.

We didn't talk much though, we just sat in silence. You could hear a pin drop.

The doctor stepped out of the room and took George and Ellen to his office.

The thoughts in my mind were driving me crazy. I could not think straight. I had to think of the deal that would be obviously delayed or maybe even canceled, but I also thought of Evie. She must feel so alone and terrified.

~~~

A hand on my shoulder took me away from my thoughts. I turned around and saw her father. I looked around, but no one else was there. George must have noticed that my eyes were scanning the space around us and informed me that his wife was with Evie, who was now sleeping, and our friends, Lora and Jordan, have gone to grab some coffee, so it was just me and him.

"Alexander, we need to talk about Evie. It is very important," he said and we sat down at the plastic chairs of the hospital.

"Look, George, I completely understand if you want to cancel the arrangement with the whole amnesia thing. We can find another way to combine our business. Evie's health should come first." I said before he could say something, but he simply shook his head.

"On the contrary, Alexander, I believe that this is our opportunity. Evie didn't accept the wedding before, but the doctor said that the traumas on her head need a lot of time to heal," he said.

"I don't understand George, what are you talking about?" I asked trying to seem oblivious to his ridiculous offer.

"I am simply suggesting to take advantage of my daughter's accident. If we can persuade Evie that she wanted to marry you and we do not mention the arrangement, we both benefit. I know you'll treat her right Alexander." he said. I couldn't believe my ears. What kind of a father is he?

"How can you even say such things?!" I asked in disbelief "She is your daughter, not some toy you can give away. And what happens when she wakes up one day and realizes that her life is a big fat lie, huh?!" I was beyond mad at the moment.

"Look, Alexander, I know my child and I know what's best for her. Evie has already been through so much in her life and I wouldn't want to be the cause of further pain. That's why I think we should go through with this deal. If you don't want that I understand, but just know, I am not as heartless as you think" he said and looked down.

"What do you mean she was in pain?"I asked curiously.

"Last year Evie had a terrible accident. She had a boyfriend, Leon, they were very in love. He proposed to her and of course, she said yes. A month later, they were part of an accident, my daughter was driving. A truck hit their car and when the ambulance came, we all thought they were both dead. Fortunately, Evie was perfectly fine, nothing more than some minor injuries but Leon... he was in the surgery for endless hours and Evie wouldn't leave his side for a second. About four days later they informed us that, Leon didn't make it. Evie had a very bad break down. She was unconscious for almost 48 hours. When she woke up, they ran some tests and it turns out she was pregnant, but the baby died, due to the stress and the fact that she didn't take care of herself." when George finished I was looking at him not being able to believe what he just said.

"She shut herself out, she stopped talking to us, she was listening to sad songs and the only thing she did was studying for school. And that's when she didn't mourn for Leon and their child. Alexander, I am not as a bad father as you may think I am. It took me a lot of courage to talk to Evie about the deal. But the moment I saw how much you care for her and how you took care of her during the past hours I was certain I was doing the right thing for her," he finished and looked at me.

"I just did the humane thing to do. Why don't we leave her to choose on her own? Why do we have to force her?" I asked a bit angry.

"Because if I know another thing about my daughter is that she is quite obstinate. She won't agree, because I was the one who proposed this," he said.

"So, Alexander, do we have a deal?" he said.

I had to think about it. I mean...

There were so many risks and that would be very unethical, but...

"Deal," I said and we shook our hands.

"Who is going to tell her?" I asked George.

"My wife is on it at the moment," he said smiling.

"How did you know I would agree?"

"I am not blind nor naive Alexander. If she was just a business deal for you then... let's just say that right now you would probably at your apartment waiting for my call, to assure you that she is alive," he said. I knew that there was some truth in his words.

Suddenly the door of her room opened.

"George... She wants to see Alexander." her mother said stepping out, with tears in her eyes.

"Is she okay, Mrs. Harrison?" I asked her mother.

"Yeah, she is fine. Just, Alexander, please try to be tender and sweet with her. She's been through a lot and she deserves so much better. She thinks that you are mad or something because she doesn't remember you. Please relieve her. I beg of you as her mother," she said and I felt so bad for what I was about to do. She was about to continue when her husband gave her a look. I walked towards her door.

I opened the door and I was shocked by the scene before me. Evie was on the floor trying to rip all the tubes out of her. Again.

"We have to stop meeting like this..." I said and ran to her. She looked up at me but continued what she was doing.

I kneeled beside her and held her in my embrace. She tried to push me away but she was unsuccessful. I lifted her and we laid together in the bed.

"I'm sorry..." she said through her sobs.

"Shhh. Don't worry, love, everything is just fine. How are you doing?" I said and I felt her breaths even.

"I'm okay, I guess. Just- Can we-?" she was afraid to ask.

"What is it, love? Just tell me what you want me to do and consider it done," I said as calm as I could. I just wanted her to calm down. My heart ached every time she cried.

"Can we go? I don't want to be here..." she said and hugged me more tightly.

"Of course, love," I said and when I was about to get up, she held me back.

"What is it?" I asked when I saw the terror in her eyes. 

"Please, don't go. Tell my dad to make any needed arrangements, just don't go. I don't want to be alone in here." she said and her eyes got teary again.

"Whatever you want, love," I said and took out my phone to text George.

"I'm just texting your dad, love. Don't worry we'll be out of here in no time." I informed her.

I hugged her again and we laid on the bed.

I was so feeling guilty at the moment.

What am I going to do...