Chapter 1

Rain

I stared at him for a few minutes, trying to piece together the fragments of my thoughts. Am I Rain? Is he my husband? Why does everything feel so empty?

 I couldn’t remember who I was—am I Rain?

 My head throbbed as I tried to dig deeper, but it only made the ache worse.

 "Don't force yourself," he said gently, his voice soothing but firm.

 He took the glass from my hands and held both of my palms. His touch was warm, grounding, but still, I couldn’t feel the familiarity I expected.

 I looked up at him, but there was nothing—no rush of warmth or recognition.

 He gave me a mischievous smile, the kind that should have made me laugh. "Falling for me again, wife?" he teased, winking playfully.

 I felt my face flush. It was the kind of blush that crept up from my neck, all the way to my cheeks—hot, embarrassed, almost like a tomato.

 His eyes… they were stunning. Chocolate brown, deep and intense, pulling me in. I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

 He chuckled deeply, and the sound vibrated through my chest, making my heart skip. His laugh made him more handsome, more irresistible, and I couldn’t help the flutter that spread through me.

 Just then, a nurse entered the room, her soft steps interrupting the moment.

 "Sorry, Sir. May I check on her?" she asked politely, glancing at me with a warm, professional smile.

 Alex nodded, his hand lingering on mine for a second longer before he stood and moved to the side, giving the nurse space.

 The nurse approached me with a calm and caring presence. "How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" she asked, checking my vitals.

 I nodded, still feeling a little off. "I’m fine."

 The nurse smiled reassuringly. "You seem okay. You can go home now, but remember to rest. Take care of yourself."

 I gave her a faint smile, grateful for the care, and watched her leave the room.

 Alex returned to my side, his presence almost overwhelming in its closeness. "Are you sure you're alright?" His voice was low, almost like a whisper, and it made my heart race.

 I grabbed the glass of water from the table and drank the last of it, trying to soothe my dry throat. It helped a little, but I still felt uneasy.

 "I’m fine," I replied, though I wasn’t entirely convinced.

 He looked at me for a moment before saying softly, "Rain Montelgo. That’s your full name."

 My mind seized on the name, but something about it felt wrong. "You had an accident a month ago—the day you were planning to surprise me with lunch. I was shocked to see you like this, like… this."

 Rain Montelgo. That’s my name. Or at least, it’s supposed to be. But why does it feel so empty? Why does it feel like a name that belongs to someone else?

 I looked at him, my heart racing as I tried to piece together the memory of him, of us. But everything was blank, like a missing page in a story.

 "A month?" I asked, my voice hesitant.

 "Yes. You were in a coma, but the doctors said you’d be alright," he confirmed, his voice steady, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes that didn’t match the confidence of his words.

 A month? How could I not remember anything?

 I stared at him, a swirl of emotions—confusion, fear, and something else—building in my chest. Was he really my husband? Was I really Rain? Something inside me felt like I wasn’t. Like I was someone else entirely, someone who couldn’t even remember her own name.

 "Don’t think too much," he said softly, almost as though he could read my thoughts. "We’ll go home, okay?" He took my hand gently, pressing a soft kiss to it.

 I nodded, my smile barely there, uncertain but willing to trust him—for now.

 But in the pit of my stomach, something told me that I had to figure this out for myself. I had to see what awaited me, even if I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.

 I finished changing and we headed out together. I couldn’t help but notice how tense Alex seemed, like he was on edge. He held my hand the whole time, and even though I wanted to pull away because there was this strange electric pull whenever we touched, he wouldn’t let go. It was like his hand was glued to mine.

 He told me to sit near the reception area and wait for him while he had to step out for a moment. I nodded, watching him walk away. But then, just like that, he was gone. Vanished.

 I had no choice but to sit there, my mind racing, trying to make sense of everything. I turned my attention to a mother and daughter sitting not too far from me.

 “Mama, is this mine?” the little girl asked, her eyes wide with wonder as she held up a chocolate bar.

 “Yes, it’s yours. You’ve been so good today,” the mom replied, pinching the little girl’s cheeks in a way that made her giggle.

 The little girl pouted dramatically. “Mama!”

 Her mother laughed softly at her antics, and I found myself smiling, a faint memory tugging at the edge of my mind.

 But then, out of nowhere, a sharp pain shot through my head. It felt like a flood of hazy, fragmented memories was crashing into me, but it was all too blurry. I couldn’t hold onto any of it.

 I thought I saw five people sitting at a table, eating together, but the details were foggy. I heard their voices, but their faces and names were just out of reach.

 “Pen?”

 I froze. A soft, unfamiliar voice called out to me. Looking around, I spotted a woman in a doctor’s coat, her eyes locked on mine. I couldn’t place her—who was she? Why did she call me “Pen”?

 Before I could figure it out, Alex was suddenly back, his presence like a shield. He took my hand firmly, and without another word, we headed out the door.

 We climbed into the car, and as Alex drove, the tall buildings of the city quickly gave way to open fields and rolling hills. The scenery was beautiful, but there was a strange sense of unfamiliarity. The further we drove, the more I felt like I was somewhere else, somewhere I didn’t know.

 Minutes later, we turned onto a quiet, secluded road and came to a stop in the middle of a vast grassy field. I barely had time to ask what was going on before a helicopter descended from the sky, the whirling wind kicking up dust and grass.

 “Hold on,” Alex murmured, his hand gripping my arm as if he could sense my rising panic.

 The helicopter landed smoothly, and a man stepped out, nodding at Alex as if they shared an unspoken understanding. Alex nodded back, but everything felt too fast, too strange. Without explaining, Alex guided me to the helicopter.

 Inside, the space was small but sleek. He made sure the door was securely shut before strapping us both in. The hum of the engine came to life, and slowly, we lifted off the ground, the city disappearing beneath us as we ascended into the sky.

 “Are you scared?” Alex asked, his voice laced with concern as he glanced at me.

 I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath. “No,” I lied, my heart racing in my chest.

 “Look out the window,” he urged gently.

 I did as he said, and for a moment, all the fear faded as I gazed at the stunning view of the ocean below. The colors were so vibrant, the blues and greens swirling together in a way that took my breath away. But even as I marveled at the beauty of it all, my mind kept racing, trying to make sense of everything.

 I hadn’t even realized we were descending until the helicopter touched down on an island. The soft thud of the landing gear was almost surreal.

 Alex helped me out of the helicopter and led me toward a waiting black car, parked on the edge of the field. We climbed in, and as we drove, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of wonder mixed with confusion.

 “This is Isla Asul,” Alex said, his voice steady but with a hint of pride. “This is where we live.”

 Isla Asul. The name rolled off his tongue like a dream, like something straight out of a movie. The island was beautiful, lush with greenery, the sound of waves crashing against the shore in the distance. But the more I looked around, the more questions flooded my mind. If this was where we lived, then why was I in a different city? What was going on?

 Alex seemed to read my thoughts. “I was finishing a business deal there, and you decided to join me. So I let you. We stayed at a villa near the beach.”

 I nodded slowly, still trying to piece it all together. But no matter how hard I tried, nothing felt completely clear. The more I tried to remember, the more it slipped away.

 But as Alex glanced at me, a quiet tension grew between us—an unspoken connection, a weight that neither of us fully understood yet. His hand brushed against mine, and I couldn’t tell if it was for comfort or something more. And for the first time since I woke up in the hospital, I felt like I might just be on the verge of discovering something big. Something about him. About us.

 But for now, all I could do was follow him and see where this strange, beautiful place would lead.

 I looked out the window of the car, lost in thought. Questions swirled around my mind, things I needed answers to, yet felt like I was chasing them with no clear direction.

 "We're here," Alex’s voice broke through my haze, and only then did I realize we had stopped in front of a massive, imposing mansion.

 Is this where we live?

 Alex parked the car, and we got out, walking up to a grand entrance. He took my hand again, guiding me inside. The place was stunning—towering columns, manicured gardens with rows of vibrant flowers, and a sweeping driveway. I couldn’t recall ever being here before.

 "This is where we live," Alex said with a soft smile.

 I tried to take in every detail, but something didn’t sit right. Nothing felt familiar.

 Inside, the space was even more impressive. The entryway had a grand staircase, and above us, a huge golden chandelier hung, casting a warm glow over the room. The floors were a mix of marble and soft blue tiles, giving the space a breezy yet elegant feel. Everything looked immaculate, but why didn’t I remember this place?

 Alex led me to the kitchen. He pulled out a chair for me, guiding me to sit down. The table was full of fresh, vibrant food—grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, rice, and fruit. But somehow, I wasn’t hungry.

 He noticed I was just staring at the food, so he took the initiative, loading up my plate with salmon and some of the fish. "I know you’re not hungry, but at least eat a little. Look at yourself, you're like a walking stick," he said, his tone a little teasing, but also concerned.

 I rolled my eyes but reluctantly dug in. As I chewed, an older woman walked in, carrying a potted plant. She looked to be in her fifties, wearing gloves and a simple apron.

 "Oh, sorry, sir! I didn’t know anyone was here," she said, her eyes widening.

 "It’s okay. Nanny Lori, this is my wife, Rain," Alex introduced me with a smile.

 Manang Lori’s eyebrows shot up slightly, and she gave me an appraising look. "Your wife is beautiful, sir! You are a perfect match." I flushed at the compliment, and Alex just nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at me.

 Another woman entered, and Nanay Lori handed the plant to her. “Mom, come here," the woman said, before giving Alex a nod and heading out.

 "Nanny Lori?" I asked, confused.

 Alex glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "She was my nanny. You’ll get to know her."

 I didn’t love his answer but didn’t push further.

 After we finished eating, Alex insisted that the staff handle the cleanup. He guided me down a hallway and into a spacious bedroom. The bed was huge, draped in soft, expensive linens, and the view outside the large windows overlooked the rolling ocean in the distance.

 He tried to get me to rest, but I felt too restless. He walked off to take a shower, and I sat there, taking in the room, still trying to process everything.

 Looking out the window, I noticed how close we were to the water—waves crashing softly on the shore. Suddenly, I heard a ping from the bedside table. A message notification flashed on the phone. Without thinking, I grabbed it.

 "Queen: Meet me ASAP."

 I froze. Queen? What kind of name was that? My mind raced. Was this some other woman? A mistress? His ex? I didn’t have enough information to jump to conclusions, but it made me uneasy.

 I quickly put the phone back down as I heard the sound of water turning off. Alex was done with his shower. I couldn’t help but glance at him as he stepped out, damp hair clinging to his forehead, droplets tracing the lines of his sculpted chest and abs. My heart skipped a beat.

 I immediately looked away, embarrassed to have been caught staring.

 He chuckled softly, noticing my reaction. "Take a bath," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I’ll be right here."

 I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart as I made my way to the bathroom. The space was gorgeous—marble fixtures, soft lighting, and the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air. I spotted his shower products on the shelf. They were all clearly for men—strong, musky scents—and I hesitated before deciding I didn’t have much choice. I used what was there, trying to ignore the awkwardness of it.

 After I finished, I wrapped a towel around me and hesitated at the door. Was it weird to leave like this? But I figured it was either that or stay trapped in the bathroom.

 I cracked the door open, only to find Alex lounging on the bed, absorbed in his phone. When he looked up, our eyes locked. My stomach did a flip.

 Flustered, I slammed the door shut. Oh, great. What was I thinking?

 A few moments later, I gathered my courage and stepped back out. Alex didn’t look up immediately, so I took the opportunity to slip into the wardrobe. But when I opened it, I realized it was entirely filled with his clothes—oversized shirts, boxer shorts, and other men’s attire.

 There was nothing for me.

 I grabbed a large shirt that hung almost to my knees and a pair of shorts that barely fit. I couldn’t help but smile when I looked in the mirror. I looked like I was ready to grab a mic and freestyle on the streets.

 When I stepped out, I found Alex looking at me over the rim of his glasses. He was holding a book, his sharp features framed by the frames. He looked so effortlessly handsome it almost made me forget where I was.

 I moved toward the bed, planning to sit beside him, but before I could, he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me against him in a tight embrace.

 "Resist me or try to escape, and your legs will be over my shoulders," he murmured, his breath warm against my neck. The sensation of his hard body pressed against mine sent a shiver down my spine.

 He chuckled lowly, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Nice," he said, his voice almost teasing, as he inhaled the scent of his products on me. "Use that more often."

 I could only nod, unsure of what to say.

 "Let’s sleep," he said, pressing a button that dimmed the lights, casting a soft glow over the room.

 He pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me and tugging me against his chest. I stiffened for a second, feeling something pressing against my back, but I didn’t want to ask.

 The bed was soft, but his heat was more overwhelming, and his body felt like a solid wall around me.

 "Sleep," he whispered, his voice gentle, but there was no mistaking the command in it.

 He turned me in his arms, so my head rested on his chest, his heartbeat steady against mine. I felt the warmth of his body, and before I could think of anything else, I drifted into sleep.

 But was this right? Or was I just getting caught up in something I didn’t understand yet?