Chapter 4

My face went stoic with what he said and immediately push him away from me. A mocking grin plastered on his lips and I don't like the way he looks at me. His tall powerful frame is really manly that he needs to lower his head just to level my height. His handsome face is not new to me anymore, I already saw him in the picture. What I didn't expect from him is his arrogant attitude. How did I like this man? Aside from his looks, I don't think there is anything adorable about him.

"You're flustered" he chuckles lowly "Almost the same reaction when you were just a kid"

"I am not a kid anymore"

He smirks "Oh sure you're not. I know you are more able to do adult stuff now"

I creased my forehead. Is it I or there is really a secret message behind 'adult stuff' that he's talking about.

"So innocent my sweet Sammia" he murmured grinning from ear to ear.

I press my lips together. I couldn't find his humor funny. I think he's taunting me because I couldn't get what he's trying to say.

He is five years older than me. I was 7 when he left the country and pursue his dreams to study abroad. He used to tease me when I was still a kid, he makes fun of my weakness and took advantage of my admiration for him. Mom told that to me, she narrates every single detail about me that's why I know everything although my memories have not returned yet.

Silvanus is right... It's been seventeen years since the last time we saw each other. I am not just sure if he visited me during my confinement. As far as I know, he's aware that I lost my memories. And he's making fun of it.

"That's enough son, you have a lot of time to catch up with each other later" Tito Firdous intervene.

"I am hoping to have an exciting catching up with you, baby" he hissed.

His lips stretch into a smirk and casually walks towards his father. My chest move when I took a deep breath not minding what he said.

What was that? What's with the sudden images that I saw? Now I can say that he really plays a big role in my life that even my memories recognize him.

"So was your treatment hija?" Tita Fara suddenly asks in the middle of our dinner.

I stop and I look at her. She looks curious about my answer so I smile at her trying my best to act polite. I must show her that I am a woman with demeanor and class.

Oh yeah, that's what I know because that's what Mom told me.

"I already recovered" I replied and I felt my parents stare "Dr. Hase is very focused on my treatment. After I was discharged he make sure that I start my everyday session to cope up and adapt to the sudden changes. That's why I am not having a hard time at all" I explain.

"Sounds good to hear. I didn't know Akihiro could be a great doctor"

She knows Akihiro too... I didn't know about that.

"You will be surprise Fara, Aki is really good at his job" Mom agreed.

Well, Mom is right. It's just that, Akihiro is annoying.

I secretly rolled my eyes and just focus my attention on the food I'm eating. I can feel someone is staring at me and I don't need to raise my head to know who it is.

Staring is rude, does he even know that?

"How's Alexander by the way? I haven't seen him for years now" Tito Firdous ask while slicing his steak in a very elegant way.

I can't help to stare at him. I don't know what is wrong with me but when I saw him a while ago, my mind automatically thought that he is familiar far from what I felt when I saw my parents for the first time after the accident.

I didn't felt any familiarity with my parents before that's why it took me a week before I tried to talk to them. But Tito Firdous is different... I think I know him in the way that my parents know.

"What do you think Avi?" I reverted to my senses when I heard Tita Fara spoke.

I automatically shifted my gaze to my mother asking for help because I didn't follow their conversation. I am spacing out so I don't understand what she's trying to ask me.

"Your Tita Fara is curious about your thoughts to Silv" she smile and tap my back gently "You two didn't saw each other for almost two decades, we're hoping that there will be no awkwardness between the two of you"

I try my best not to frown and show any disapproval. I grip the hem of my dress while staring at my mother. I couldn't find the right word to say. Although I couldn't remember anything about myself, I have a strong feeling that faking a smile is not my forte so I choose not to make a fake one.

But I could be extraordinarily clever, I guess.

I casually moisten my lower lip and turn my gaze at Silvanus. I intentionally meet his deep dark forest green eyes that I find really sexy and attractive aside from his facial feature that is perfectly sculpted to complement each other making him look so handsome as hell.

His sex appeal is no joke. I wouldn't be surprised if he already bedded a lot of women because surely, women are dying to taste him. His smoldering gaze is enough to make you want him to ravish you. He is sexy without any effort at all. But I don't like the way he looks at me.

"My thoughts about him are still the same," I whisper and I clearly saw how the corner of his mouth twitch as if he's suppressing a laugh while bluntly staring at me "I think it's Silvanus that you should ask Tita" I look away but I know he didn't withdraw his gaze at me.

"Oh yes! I'd like to hear your thoughts Hijo" Mom agreed.

I smile in victory when the spotlight turns to him. I briefly glance in his direction and pretend nothing happen now that my parents are firing him a non-stop question. As I said, I could be extraordinarily clever if I find the situation hard to handle.

This inevitable struggle must end really soon or I will end up being the Avileigh that they will never be pleased to see. Somehow Akihiro is right, whenever I felt a strong emotion like being annoyed, irritated, angry, mad, and frustrated, I acted on my own and forget the things that my parents taught me. I forgot to act as Avileigh that's why Aki keeps on mentioning that I am not being me to snap me out.

I don't. After reading that note, I realize that I want to be different in how everyone defines me. I feel like they were putting my real self inside a box and cover me with the things that they wanted me to be although that's what they told me I 'used' to. I feel like, I am just pretending to be me and that sucks. I hate that feeling but I couldn't erase it now.

After a boring dinner full of greetings and asking questions that are too random and scripted, the dinner finally finishes. I thought my struggle putting myself in a show will finally end but then I remember that my mother asks the maids to prepare the great room for tea.

I mentally sigh, I don't want to drink tea.

"Join us for tea, hija" Tita Fara said.

I flash a faint smile already expecting it coming from her. Would it be alright if I say no?

"Oh, come on Mom" Silvanus suddenly grumped beside me "Give us some alone time. I need to catch up with my Sammia and you're momentarily stealing my chances"

My mouth gape and I can't help to lift my head. I unbelievably stare at Silvanus who's talking so easily about catching up with each other without a hint of awkwardness.

His proud smile is really annoying but I can't complain. I hate it when he's talking.

"No funny business, Silvanus" his Mom warned him in a strict tone of voice.

I heard my parents laugh as well as Tito Fird who's giving Silvanus a wink.

I snorted mentally because of that. Do I look like having fun with this? I am not even smiling.

"Just a meet and greet conversation, don't worry" he confidently replied giving his mother a cheeky smile.

"I am doubting you'll do that. I know you"

"We already talked about this at home. And I gave you my word, you need to trust that" he assured her mother in a hard tone of voice.

I cannot follow their conversation but I have a hint that this is about the coming topic of our marriage...

"Son, man up" his father interjected.

"I'm already 29 for fucking shake. I am not a teenager anymore" he annoyingly burst out.

I raised my left eyebrow and I glance at my father who shrugs his shoulder. I bet he also doesn't understand the Rivveros conversation.

"Let's get out of here," he said hurriedly and grab my hand without a warning dragging me out from the great room.

"Let go!" I snap when we reach the gazebo yet he's still clutching my hand tightly as if he's no intention of freeing me from his tight grip.

I shot a glare at him and pulled my hand. I instinctively step back giving enough distance between us. The last thing that I want is to be close to him. Now I am doubting if I really do like this man because honestly, I don't like his gut.

"Enough with the pretending" he suddenly said in a low tone and face me flashing a stoic expression on his face.

His playful and cheeky attitude dissipates in the thin air and all I could see right now is the rough side of him. His sharp stare is uncomfortable. It doesn't make him less handsome, as a matter of fact, his blazing eyes just make him more attractive.

But what is happening to him?

He takes a step closer to me and I instantly step back suddenly afraid of him. What's happening?

"Who are you? Where the hell is the real Sammia?!" He screams that made me stiffened on my spot.

W-What? W-Why is he asking me such a ridiculous question? I am Sammia. I am Sammia Avileigh Vinz.