TEN

Eden blinked slowly and began to carefully observe the room where she lay. The young woman looked so frustrated when she finally recognized the room well and took a deep breath. Whereas before she had never thought of returning to this place again. But in fact fate seemed to be playing a trick on her because now she was lying again with an IV in the same room as what happened a few weeks ago.

“Welcome back my beautiful little sister. Ahh yeah... it seems a little inappropriate to be a sister, you are more worthy to be my niece or even my daughter. I'm sorry this old one Ed." Sian babbles funny with a funny face.

The man seemed to want to lighten the atmosphere a little which he thought would be strange after Eden woke up because this was the first time he had met Eden after the woman woke up from a coma.

Hearing Sian's long chatter, Eden immediately turned her head towards the source of the voice while frowning confusedly at someone who a few seconds ago greeted her. Squinting her eyes, Eden tried to remember the face of the stranger who was still staring at her with a witty look through the doorway. But unfortunately she couldn't find the slightest clue about the foreign man's identity in her small head so she finally chose to give up and gave the man an incomprehensible look.

“Well, you don't have to force yourself to remember me if you can't. Let me introduce myself. I’m Sian, Aciel's best friend and employee, but actually we are more than that because I treat Aciel as my own brother."

Hearing the man introduce himself in a relaxed style that seemed familiar, Eden immediately compared the man's character to Aciel's cold nature. The two of them clearly had a stark difference in attitude. That was Eden's first impression on Sian.

"Oh hi, my name is Eden Morel."

"No no! You're not Eden Morel anymore, you're Eden Lutherford.” said Sian which made Eden a little angry with him. Now she would withdraw her positive assessment of the man.

"Well fine, it's up to you."

Eden finally chose silence while looking at the ceiling of her room in confusion. After realizing Eden chose to remember what happened to her the last few hours until she had to end up in the same room that was used to lock her up a few weeks ago. Then suddenly piece by piece happened when she was eating at a restaurant with Anthony, then Aciel came to pick her up, and ended with a terrible hail of bullets starting to make Eden realize that she was here because of something terrible that just happened to her. Then she remembered the last incident before falling unconscious next to Aciel's cold body after the man used his back to fend off the hot lead that was about to be aimed at her. Yes, the man saved her from death and told her that she had kept her promise by giving her life and loyalty.

“Aciel… is he alright?”

Eden asked in a choked voice that was so strange. Her throat was now so sore because since she woke up she had not drunk a drop of water to quench her thirst. In addition, the feeling of fear that suddenly crept into her heart made it difficult for her throat to vibrate until in the end only a choking-like sound escaped her lips to ask Sian.

“Do you expect Aciel to die?”

Sian's question with a sarcasm tone made her flinch a little. Even though at first she really wanted Aciel to die, in the end he felt so sad when he thought of the man dying. His heart ached at the thought of Aciel getting shot for protecting her. And the reason she asked Sian was solely to soothe her rumbling heart, not to hear such cruel accusations.

“No, I wish otherwise. I don't want Aciel to die." squeked Eden with a super big ego that still surrounds her heart.

However, Sian was able to hear the seriousness of every Eden's words, so he was able to breathe a sigh of relief afterwards because at least the inner bond that existed between Eden and his best friend was not completely lost when Eden experienced amnesia. Maybe Eden just needs to be given a little stimulation to get her memory back to how it used to be.

“Then what will you do if Aciel is still alive? You want to run away from him again?” asked Sian flatly. The man then decided to walk a little closer to Eden and took a seat on the wooden chair beside Eden's bed.

"I don't know, I don't even dare to imagine my future. Why does everyone seem to be forcing me to accept Aciel? I can't remember anything though. The last thing I remember was when Aciel dragged me out of the club after he beat Anthony down. Actually I'm quite confused with my life right now, I don't know who to trust. I thought Anthony would help me out of all this confusing stuff, but in fact he baited me into Aciel's enemies who really wanted Aciel's death. I really don't know what to do now. Aciel shouldn't have had to save me and let me die when Anthony pointed a gun. I don't want to live with all the confusion that makes me feel suffocated and threatened every second."

Eden looks frustrated as she ruffles her hair angrily. Meanwhile, Sian looked very concerned to see Brexton's daughter, who was not much different from Aciel's condition, frustrated. They were both equally frustrated with their complicated problems. And as a friend, he felt quite useless now that he had no experience whatsoever with household matters.

"Do you also remember when you miscarried?" asked Sian trying to provoke Eden's other memories. When Aciel first told him about Eden's condition, which had lost her memory, Sian was very intrigued to meet Eden in person and ask the woman about the extent of her current memory. Unfortunately, before he could actually meet Eden, the woman had already fled with the man she thought was her lover.

“That miscarriage… I remember. I remember being pregnant before, and.. geez!” Eden shouted suddenly which managed to surprise Sian, even the man almost panicked because he was afraid that something bad would suddenly happen to Eden.

"Is anything happen? Why? Don't scare me Ed! Aciel is still lying helplessly in his room, don't make me even more scared with your screams," said Sian annoyed.

“Sorry, I just suddenly remembered that the guy who pushed me back then… wasn't that you, Sian? You're that guy, aren't you?"

"Yes, it was me. Why? Did you forget about me too?”

"No, it's just that I think your face looks older now than I last remembered."

Immediately, Sian felt angry at Eden's innocent words that were annoying but unfortunately it was true because he was already old enough to be single like this.

“I am indeed a lonely old single man. I'm just not as lucky as that damn Aciel," said Sian finally after he felt a little emotional with Eden's words.

But a second later he remembered Eden's earlier words, and he became eager to give the woman a little wise advice as a lonely old single man.

“Oh, and speaking of the death you talked about earlier, you shouldn't have said it like that. In fact there are many people out there who want a luxurious life like you, but you want death instead. It's better that from now on you learn to accept your new role as the mother of Ciara and Louise as well as the wife of Aciel because the three of them obviously can't live without you. Your disappearance a few days ago made them worried, especially Aciel because he was so afraid of losing you. My best friend, even though he looks cold, he is actually very warm. And you've made it possible for him to bring out that warm side over the years. You managed to change Aciel slowly with your— sometimes fierce, gentle, and motherly nature. You are everything to Aciel. After all, all of Aciel's bastard traits were formed due to the faults of his parents which… well I can tell if they're selfish enough.”

"What's wrong with Aciel's parents?" asked Eden not understanding.

Sian took a deep breath in front of Eden before he finally told a little about Aciel's past and his parents.

“Aciel's parents separated after Aciel's mother found out that her husband had a mistress. So can you imagine how Aciel lived after his mother left because his father had another woman he loved more? It's broken, it's hurtful."

"But he took all his anger out on his father on me," said Eden suddenly in an angry voice.

"I know that all his jerky attitude all this time was none other than because he had a grudge in the past."

Remembering how Aciel's attitude that often changed women all this time suddenly made Eden's chest rumble in anger. After all she was a normal woman, she admitted that she liked Aciel's handsome face, she liked Aciel's abundant wealth, and she also felt proud of her position as Mrs. Lutherford.

“Aciel has his own reasons for that. Sometimes he has to use dirty ways to smooth his business. And not a few who use women as a way to smooth their business. Did you know that some entrepreneurs provide beautiful women during meetings? It is used to make it easy for their business partners to collaborate between companies. So I guess you can figure out for yourself how dirty the business world is, Ed."

"Yes I know. There's going to be plenty of time to ask Aciel all that about the women out there, but do you know where Anthony is now? Is he still… alive?” asked Eden doubtfully. Even though Anthony had tricked her and almost killed her, but more or less she knew why Anthony had done that. So she couldn't hate Anthony completely.

"Anthony? He is still alive. Luckily Aciel's side has not made any demands on him, so for now he is still safe in prison. But after Aciel recovered later, maybe Anthony would be sentenced to death. After all Aciel has many colleagues in the police force, so giving Anthony the death penalty, I think it would be very easy for Aciel to do." Sian's sly grin.

Eden unconsciously swallowed her saliva in horror with the look on Sian's face when he talked about Anthony's death. According to her, Sian and Aciel are no different, they are both cruel and have no respect for life. If Ciara and Louise were indeed her children, then she would strictly educate them so as not to grow up like this terrible father or uncle.

“Is life to you just a toy? It's so easy for you to talk about death and murder! I hope you don't teach such bad things to Ciara or Louise, my children must grow up in a conducive environment. Without blood, anger, hatred, or revenge.”

“I don't think Aciel will let Ciara or Louise be contaminated with his dark side either. Aciel has changed a lot after marrying you. In fact, he did not hesitate to cancel the work contract worth billions of dollars when Ciara's birthday. His priority right now is just you Ciara and also Louise, so I hope you don't disappoint him by trying to run away from his life because he will be ruined if you leave.

“I've always been jealous of you. I'm envious of Aciel being able to find the right woman for him, whereas I haven't found it until I'm this old. I was too afraid to step into marriage because I was quite traumatized by my family life. I should have met you first, not Aciel! Tsk, he has always been luckier than me." Sian grumbled annoyed. Eden looked at Sian doubtfully with one of his eyebrows dropping down.

“Did you just say that you like me? You're going to stab your own best friend?"

Sian just blinked his eyes mysteriously while shrugging his shoulders lightly. It was as if he missed teasing Eden as much as before and made her cheeks turn red every time he spoke his sweet, poisonous words. Huh, Eden should have immediately remembered her past which was full of sweet memories with Sian, because that woman definitely won't regret it if she remembers it.

"You think so? Looks like you'll have to get well soon to find out the answer." Sian mischievous grin before leaving with a smile full of satisfaction because he managed to irritate Eden with her overflowing curiosity.

-00-

The wind blows fiercely blowing away Eden's brownish mane which starts to elongate. Vegas tonight looks gray with a few stars hanging beautifully in the sky. However, even though the weather is good today, nothing has changed at all from Eden's life. Her relationship with Aciel had only gotten worse since that day. She woke up the next morning with Aciel by her bed, decided to be indifferent to him. The glimpse of their fight and Aciel's rude attitude made Eden very sick for some reason. Though it is not a first for her. She had been getting harsh treatment from Aciel more than often, but for his attitude that night, she really couldn't forgive him until this second.

"Time for dinner, Eden."

"Sian, what are you doing here?"

Without turning her body, Eden asked Sian who was currently standing in the doorway. She knew that man must be trying to mediate between herself and Aciel.

"You don't like me visiting you?"

"Not really. It's just that this feels weird to me." Eden replied that she still had her back to Sian. The man then entered Eden's room and stood right next to Eden to accompany the woman to enjoy Vegas gray sky at night.

“I don't understand, why did you guys become like this? Sorry Eden, you know that I'm not here just to tell you to have dinner downstairs together... hmm... that bastard. But here I want to hear the answer that comes from your own lips, what really happened between you?"

Eden sighed heavily and seemed reluctant to answer the question raised by Sian. It felt like the man didn't need to listen to anything from her because Aciel must have told him everything.

"There's nothing you need to hear. You better go down and tell your best friend if I don't feel like eating at the dining table, especially if I have to be in the same place with him.”

“Ed… I guess you should harden your heart. Because whatever Aciel does, it will always hurt you. That man really can't treat women well, especially a woman who is pregnant like you. So come on, forget everything and pretend nothing ever happened between you. Even though I know you have been very hurt by his actions all this time, but all of that will not solve the problem if you choose to be cynical or avoid him. In addition, if you really want to have Aciel all to yourself, then you have to work harder for it. Don't let Aciel be controlled by other women whose strata are far below yours."

"Huh, thank you Sian for the advice you gave. But this is the result of my patience all this time. Everytime I tried to endure, I would only get in pain. Even I got a painful slap from him because I was angry for his actions that broke his promise. I waited for a very long time like an idiot while continuing to hope that he would come. But after I went to his office, I actually found him clinging with Jessica. Do you think I'm not angry, huh!" Eden said fiery and looked breathless. She hate people who always demand a lot of things from her. As for Aciel, it seemed like they could very easily forgive all that man's bastard and acted as if nothing had happened.

“Ed… that's not it. Ahh... shit!"

Sian cursed loudly and looked frustrated with the kind of relationship that had occurred between Aciel and Eden. In fact, mediating for them wasn't easy at all. The two people both have their own justifications and have a stubborn attitude, so it is very difficult for one of them to give in so that things can get better again.

“I don't mean to corner you, I just want your relationship to get better. Seeing Aciel who gets angry every day for no apparent reason and makes reckless decisions makes me nervous and wants to end all of this.

“I never wanted this to happen to you, Ed. I consider you like my own little sister. Seeing you who are continuously hurt because of Aciel makes me never be able to forgive myself for failing to be a good brother to you. But for this time I beg you, give in to your ego a little. I know it's hard, but all of this won't find a way out if neither of you give in to each other.”

"But why me? Why didn't that bastard give in to me? Was all this his fault? He's the one who made so many wounds on my heart, and he's the one who made my future so unclear like this. But why me, why?!" Eden asked bitterly with tears that started to rip rivers on her cheeks.

She really couldn't hold on to this any longer. Coupled with Sian's words that took Aciel's side more, it made her feel like she was really alone in this world. There was no one standing by her side to strengthen her footing. Everyone is currently judging her and giving her a tough punishment for what she didn't do at all.

“Because you are a strong woman Eden. You are much more powerful than Aciel who can't budge for others. You, with all the good you have, you are able to make other people touched by your attitude. And I believe deep down in your heart you are still the old Eden Morel. Cheerful Eden, kind hearted, and has pure kindness. So, can you go back in yielding for now? I promise Eden, this is the last. What's more, if Aciel is bad at you again, then you can destroy him until he's completely destroyed. I will help you." Sian's promise means it.

Eden seems unable to make a decision in front of Sian. There are too many things on her mind now that she has to be careful with the decisions she makes. But for Sian's last words, she felt quite tempted. If Aciel made another mistake in the future, then that man would really find his doom because everyone else wouldn't side with him anymore.

"Okay, I'll back down. But remember, this is the last one. The rest you have to help me to destroy him."