They arrived in a huge house inside a highly-secured exclusive subdivision in the heart of the district she just sees in magazines and social media. Daemon did not have to force her to go out of the car because she was already outside of the gigantic iron gate looking up at the intricately-designed house.
She tugged at his arms and pointed at the house, her face revealing nothing but admiration.
“Wow! Do you live here? What are you? A billionaire? Are you that loaded?”
“I’m more than that.” He put his hands on his pockets and studied her face. There’s no hint that she remembered this place.
“This is the last house we had before that attack happened. I stayed here for years while looking for you,” he explained.
In fact, he kept the same arrangement of the furniture inside so by the time he finds her, it’ll be easier for her.
“Sure, sure.” Eyeing the place, she smiled to herself. “So I’ll be living here from now on?”
“You seemed excited. I thought you’re not Devon Farrows?”
She shrugged and crossed her arms. “You say I am her. She’s living a good life you see. You’re insisting I am her and since you kidnapped me and I have no more resources because I have resigned from my other part-time jobs because of your harassment, it is your responsibility to give all my needs now including my regular hospital visits. I could be her. I could be Devon, your wife if that pleases you to hear. In exchange, you have to pay me well. Deal?”
Daemon smirked before brushing off his hair, amusement written all over his face.
“And yet, you’re telling me you’re not her. Did you know you asked me the same thing back then? You made a deal with me in the past which is why we’re here now.” He looked down on her face and smiled bitterly. “For the past years until now, I kept thinking what could have happened if I didn’t say yes. If I wasn’t smitten by your eyes, then things would have been so different now you know.”
Stunned, Devon blinked a couple of times. For some strange reason, her heart stirred in pity for him.
“Okay,” she mumbled. “But I am not really her, Daemon.”
He sighed and pulled her by the hand into the house where a man was waiting for them on the porch whose sight immediately landed on her.
“This is Henry. He’s close to you.”
“Hi, Henry. How are you?”
With a wide smile, she offered her hand to a handsome man who stared at her in both shock and happiness first before shaking her hand.
“Good, good. Devon, welcome back. I know you’re really alive.”
“Thank you, thank you,” she replied awkwardly.
People calling her with that name make her bones tingle. She knew in herself that she’s not the woman they’re looking for even after all the papers Daemon showed her. For all she knows, he just fabricated those.
Daemon toured her in the house hoping something will magically click in her head that will make her remember the ‘past’.
“This is our room,” he said after opening the door to the master’s bedroom. “You’ll stay here from now on.”
“Okay, then can I borrow some clothes? I need to change.”
He motioned at the walk-in closet. “Help yourself. I need to take a call.”
“Okay, okay.”
Closing the door behind her, Devon surveyed the whole room. It’s just a typical room for wealthy people.. Big, spacious, full of expensive things and clothes. She tried to touch things to make herself ‘remember’ but all she got was some dust on her fingers.
She chuckled and went directly to the bathroom to shower. After a refreshing bath, she chose some clothes that still have tags on them. She wondered if Devon ever had a time to stay in this house for a long time.
She put on underwear but just as she was about to wear a bra, Daemon emerged from the door and met her red cheeks.
“I’m changing! Get out!” Devon blared and automatically covered her naked body with a towel.
Daemon just shrugged and sat on the bed. “No need to act coy with me. I’ve seen it all.”
“I don’t care. Get out!” she shouted, her cheeks blazing in embarrassment while keeping her hand on the end of the towel to keep it from falling out.
“You’re my wife. I’m entitled.”
“No, I’m not. I’m still not convinced. Let’s go for another second opinion.”
“I already did. Ten hospitals gave me the same results. Is it too hard to accept that you’re Devon?”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Evil Man!” She picked up the bathrobe on the floor and wore it.
“What did you just call me?” he cried standing up.
“You’re Mr. Evil Man because you’re one. I don’t remember anything so I’m not her. I will only be Devon Farrows if I have her memories. So, given my lack of proper mental recall, tell me things about you and myself.”
Daemon grinned. “Ahh, now you’re interested. Ask me questions.”
Dragging the leg of a chair using her foot, she sat on it and crossed her legs. “What do you do? I have to know my ‘husband’.”
“Hmm, let’s see. I kill people for a living.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, yes, that’s very likely of you given your behavior.”
“No, really. That’s what I do.”
“Does that mean I just married a murderer! Great! You’re now a repeat offender! A criminal! You’re a stalker, a kidnapper, and a murderer. Gosh! Devon Farrows must really be an idiot! If I’m her then I’m really an idiot. Who in her right mind would want to marry you? I would never want to remember that part in my life. I lost those memories for a reason.”
“You. You even begged me.”
She laughed sarcastically and was about to say something when an object partially hidden by the side of the bed caught her eyes.
“Daemon, can I ask you a question?”
“What is it?”
Her hand gestured at the direction of the bed. “What’s with that crib?”
Daemon’s face became rigid. His jaws clenched as fury danced in his eyes. “You don’t really remember?” he said in a taunting voice she can’t help but feel fear.
“Would I ask if I do?” She went silent for a whole five seconds when she realized something. “D-Do you guys have a baby? Is that a reason why you’ve been looking for her?”