Leanna-Chapter 194: [Discarded Memories] [You’re Mine]

[Estela’s POV]

[Discarded Memories]

"Little Stela . . . are you alright?"

I breathed for air when I saw his face just inches from mine, in his tight embrace, the moment I woke up.

"Go away!"

I panicked and pushed him away. He was surprised by my sudden outburst and released me. I got to my feet and sprinted away from him, but he grabbed my wrist before I could even put distance between us.

"Estela, Stop! I won’t do anything!"

He tightened his grip, but I couldn’t feel nor hear anything. The only thing which mattered was to get away from him as soon as possible. Or my existence will be in danger!

I shouted and pulled my hand away.

"Estela, stop! It’s dangerous to run at night!"

I paused and wandered my gaze.

It’s true.

It was already night time, and only the fire of the burnt wood served as our light and warmth.

"Are you hungry? I prepared our dinner."

I faced him and noticed those impaled fishes grilled above the fire.

Grumble!

My cheeks burned as he softly laughed.

I couldn’t help but pout when he continued to laugh at me.

I can’t help it!

It had been a whole day that I didn’t eat anything.

"I’ll let you go, but promise me you won’t run away," he said while his eyes were not leaving my face, assisting my reaction.

I met his gaze, discerning if he would do something to me, and when I found it wasn’t the case, it was when I nodded.

He smiled and let me go.

"I’m sorry about hugging you. Your body was shivering so I . . ."

He didn’t finish his sentence as he averted his gaze, looking all flush, and a smile escaped my lips.

I quickly shook it away.

He breathed before he went to grabbed a fish and gave it to me. His eyes were kind while his lips were smiling.

"Here."

I took the fish, still maintaining my guard against him. One wrong move, and I would dash away.

But first, I had to feed myself to replenish my energy.

"I’ll leave you alone, and I promise to put distance between us . . . so please . . . don’t run away from me again."

My heart shook when he pleaded that I nodded without thought. He smiled once more and sat on the root of a large tree.

When I was sure he wouldn’t do anything, I sat on the opposite tree root before chomping the fish.

Not long after, I finished eating the fishes. When only one fish remained, I glanced at him, and it was when I noticed he was just staring at me with a smile on his lips.

I avoided his passionate gaze, couldn’t bear to see it.

"Don’t worry. I’ve already eaten."

How could he know what I was thinking?

I frowned and grabbed the last fish, and chomped it all down.

"You can rest after if you want. I’ll stand guard."

I retraced his gaze, and that was when I noticed our little shelter was doubled.

He probably built it a while ago.

I sighed in relief when I realized he was not entirely useless.

Somehow, I was comforted at the thought that the person stuck with me on this island knew how to stay alive.

Even I didn’t expect I could survive in this wilderness. I thought I had trained for this somehow. Thus, my brain and body naturally responded and adapted to these kinds of situations.

I remained quiet while he leaned against the tree as he supported his chin with one hand while he stared at me with a smile on his lips.

He was like a love-struck fool watching his crush.

I blushed at the thought.

He is my boyfriend?

I couldn’t remember him. Like everything else, only remembered familiar sensation.

What now? What should I do?

I don’t want to be with him.

I might love him in the past, but now . . . he is just a stranger to me.

Should I tell him to break up?

But what will happen when I regain my memory?

But what if I don’t?

I sighed.

My head hurts at the different thoughts battling in my head.

I glanced once more at him. Well, at least he didn’t keep pushing, and he said he would back away.

Does that mean he won’t bother me anymore?

I felt relive and sad at the same time. Which was a weird feeling.

I’m not falling for him . . . am I?

I shook my head.

Impossible.

I didn’t want to be near him. I was too scared of what he might do to me.

Could he bring back my memories? Was that why my brother stranded us here together?

Do I even want my memories back?

No. I don’t.

I inhaled for air when I realized my feelings.

I don’t want my memories to return?

Is that normal?

Why?

I felt living like this, free and un-constricted like a newborn, rediscovering the world once more . . . was nice.

So that was why I don’t like this man.

Associating with him might bring my memories back.

I took mental note to put distance between us.

And . . .

I have to tell him to break up and stop associating himself with me any longer.

But what if I regain my memories? My love for him?

. . .

. . .

I shook my head.

I’ll have to deal with it when it comes. The important thing is to live in the present.

There must be a reason why I lost my memories in the first place and a reason why I didn’t want them back.

----

[Estela’s POV]

[You’re Mine]

Fifteen days left.

Just fifteen days . . .

I chanted while my eyes never left the man opposite me –– making sure he was at least ten meters away from me.

In the past few days, I did nothing but to avoid him, but he was very determined to stick with me wherever I go. Whenever he would get close, I sprinted as fast as I could. I knew he couldn’t catch me, yet he always found me in the end.

Eventually, he got the jest that I didn’t want him anywhere near me. He maintained his distance while once in a while, checking up on me.

As the days progressed in peace, I never felt bored since the man would always have something to talk about even though I didn’t react and just listened to him.

He always talked about his life. Funny things he remembered. Latest news, sometimes about his family, about my family, about himself, and mostly, about me and us –– like what he was doing right now.

We were seated under the shade of a large tree, ten meters apart from each other while watching the ocean waves and the birds roaming the sky.

"When we went out, you always attack me whenever you have the chance." He huffed a laugh.

"Then you would always demand that I kiss you, and you would roam your hands all over my chest in secret. I pretended I didn’t know . . . but I know. Like that time when we were in Hawaii and also that time––"

"Enough!"

I shouted and covered my ears.

I didn’t want to be reminded of the past because it stirred something inside me.

He paused, hurt, and worry painted all over his face.

"I’m not that girl anymore."

I met his gaze and took a mouthful of air, ready to tell him the words I was dying to say.

"F-forget about me. I d-don’t want to be with you. I know it might be unfair, b-but I don’t remember you. All those feelings, I d-don’t feel it anymore."

I almost wavered when his face contorted in pain.

He shifted his gaze at the beach and closed his eyes while he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Estela . . . you’re only saying it now . . . but what if your memories return––"

"And what if it doesn’t?" I countered. "Are you going to live the rest of your life loving me? Loving a girl who doesn’t love you?"

He faced me with a serious expression, and proclaimed in an unwavering voice, "Yes. I’ll tell you this again. Even if you can’t remember me and even you won’t ever remember . . . I’ll continue to love you. I’ll love you until you’ll fall in love with me all over again."

My jaw dropped as I blinked, and turned my gaze at the clouds. I couldn’t believe how annoying this man could be.

Why did I even like him in the first place?

I didn’t understand how I could possibly love this kind of man. Sure he was handsome and tall and manly and smart and knew his way around things and could hold his own –– but he was incredibly, persistently annoying.

"So, you’re going to disregard my feelings and continue to pester me?" I said, annoyed.

He grinned. "That’s right. I’m the type who can’t take ’no’ for an answer."

His eyes then glint a shade darker while his face turned a little scary as he laid out the words with an overbearing and arrogant tone, which left me speechless.

"I’ll make sure you’ll fall in love with me, and I’ll make sure you can’t ever live in this world without me. You’re mine, Estela, and you’ll forever belong to me. Damn your feelings."