For half a month after Elisa woke up, there were moments of happiness, but mostly, she felt unsettled due to her amnesia, which seemed to exude weakness from the depths of her being.
Never had she smiled like this before. Hamish looked at her radiant smile, feeling as if he had returned to the night they first met.
The surge of emotions in that moment was irresistible.
Seeing the water stains on Elisa’s face, she reached out to wipe them away, pouting playfully. “I’m very ticklish, so don’t you dare tickle me, or I’ll make you sleep on the couch.”
Hamish was in high spirits. The world, silent and still for months, now felt as if it had been infused with a radiant light. He grabbed Elisa’s hand, gazing deeply into her eyes. “Elisa, can you marry me again? We’ll take wedding photos, have a ceremony, and fill the void of those missing years.”
Elisa pursed her lips, turning her head in confusion. “But haven’t we already been married? Why should we do it again? Besides, planning a wedding is such a hassle, and I don’t like it…”
“Because you’ve lost your memory. I’m afraid you might forget the past and stop loving me. Though I’m your husband, I too can feel insecure. I fear you might reject me. So, give me a chance to pursue you again, to start anew.” His voice, already magnetic, now grew even more compelling.
Catching Hamish’s affectionate gaze, Elisa blushed secretly. Her mind went blank, and she murmured softly, “I suppose it’s not impossible. But it depends on your behavior. Even though I’ve lost my memory, I won’t forget my bottom line. Before my amnesia, I was a strong person who tolerated no wrongdoing. If you do anything to betray me…”
Pausing, Elisa’s tone turned serious and stern. “I would rather shatter like jade than be complete like earthenware. I’ll make you regret it for the rest of your life.”
Hamish’s heart skipped a beat. A cold sweat broke out on his back as he met Elisa’s serious gaze. Holding up three fingers, he said, “I will behave well. From now on, you are my leader. If you tell me to go east, I won’t dare to go west. If you tell me to sit, I won’t dare to stand. I will pursue you earnestly, cherish you like my life, and treat you like a precious gem.”
As he finished, the tension in the air eased. Elisa smiled at Hamish. “I now officially declare, Mr. Hamish, you are in the probation period.”
“I promise to satisfy my leader!” Hamish grasped Elisa’s calf, leaning in to quickly kiss her on the lips.
“Speak properly. No kissing the leader!” Elisa pinched his ears, pretending to be angry, resembling a kitten with newly grown claws-utterly lacking in threat. Following her lead, Hamish’s gaze softened, his tone indulgent.
“Alright, no kissing you.”
“Then carry me back, or I’ll faint from waiting too long.” She raised her hand, allowing Hamish to drape a bathrobe over her and carry her back to the bedroom.
This gesture, a retreat turned into an advance, provided Elisa with a sense of security. She had been feeling perplexed about this marriage, but when Hamish expressed his desire to pursue her again, she felt respected and cherished for the first time.
Under Hamish’s gentle care, Elisa opened her heart completely to him.
“Blow-dry my hair.”
“Sure.” Hamish naturally reached for the hairdryer, cradling her head against his lap.
“I want to watch TV.”
“Wait a moment.” Hamish set down the hairdryer and found the remote control in the bedside table drawer to turn on the TV.
After watching for a while, Elisa said, “I’m thirsty. I want some water.”
“Okay, I’ll get it.”
“I don’t want plain water.” Elisa played with her long hair, smiling mischievously, treating Hamish like a servant.
Hamish enjoyed being bossed around by Elisa. It made him feel depended upon. He found a jar of passion fruit and lemon jam in the fridge, scooped some out, and diluted it with warm water.
“Try this.”
Elisa took it, sipped, and nodded in satisfaction. She enjoyed sweet things; they brightened her mood.
“Hamish, if your subordinates see you obeying my every command, will you still have authority in front of them?”
“I willingly do so.”
For a long time, Hamish had fantasized about the day when he and Elisa could live calmly like an ordinary couple, free from hatred, freeof vendettas.
“Take your medicine.”
At the sight of the medicine, Elisa wrinkled her nose. Grabbing his hand, she nestled against him like a cat. “Can I not take it?”
“You must take it. It will help you recover faster. Don’t you want to remember things sooner?”
“But this medicine makes my head feel dizzy.”
“After a nap, you’ll feel better.”
Watching Elisa obediently take the medicine, Hamish smirked. Soon, she fell into a deep slumber, without needing any coaxing.
The hypnotist’s medication was certainly not intended to restore her memory. It merely dulled Elisa’s senses, making it difficult for her to think deeply about anything.
Like all medicines, it had its dangers, especially when used over the long term, resulting in a further decline in memory.
But Hamish couldn’t afford to consider all that now.
Kissing Elisa’s forehead, he saw the pallor of her lips, preparing for the next step, when his phone interrupted him with a call.
Setting his phone to silent, Hamish checked the caller ID.
– Lila.
It had been a long time since he had seen Lila. After Elisa had woken up, Hamish had sent Tobias to “warn” her, and she had, as promised, refrained from bothering him. If it weren’t for this call today, he might have forgotten about Lila in Bankshire altogether.
Hamish had always been emotionally detached, and now, his heart was entirely occupied by Elisa, leaving no room for anyone else.