Liam’s words echoed in my mind as I stood outside the imposing office building. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety, knowing that a group of people, whom I supposedly considered friends and colleagues, awaited me inside. However, I couldn’t escape the fact that their existence remained shrouded in the fog of my lost memories.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the glass doors and into the reception area. The air hummed with the sound of ringing phones, clicking keyboards, and the murmur of conversations.
Determined to blend in, I straightened my posture and plastered a polite smile on my face, attempting to exude a confidence I didn’t fully possess.
“Amelia!” A familiar voice called out my name, causing me to abruptly stop in my tracks. The sound resonated through the bustling streets, drawing my attention to its source.
My curiosity piqued, I turned around slowly, my eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on a woman. There she stood, wearing a vibrant blue blouse that beautifully complemented her complexion, paired with a flowing, elegant skirt that swayed with her every step. Her choice of footwear, a pair of comfortable flat shoes, showcased her practicality. But what truly caught my attention were her oversized, dorky glasses, perched upon her nose in a charmingly endearing manner. I couldn’t help but stifle a mental chuckle at the sight, appreciating her unique style.
As she approached me, a warm smile graced her face, radiating kindness and familiarity. Without wasting a moment, she enveloped me in a heartfelt embrace, her arms encircling me with a comforting strength.
“I’ve missed you so much, my love,” she whispered, her voice filled with genuine concern. “I heard about your accident, and I’m just relieved to see that you’re alright.”
I returned the embrace, the warmth of her presence melting away any lingering apprehension. Pulling away slightly, I found myself momentarily at a loss for words, struggling to recall her name amidst the flood of emotions and surprise.
“Hey, I miss you too… uhm…” I stammered, my mind frantically searching for the missing puzzle piece.
“Are you trying to say Laila?” she interjected, a hint of confusion clouding her expression.
“Yes, Laila!” I immediately agreed, relief washing over me as her name resurfaced in my memory. She regarded me for a moment, her brows furrowing in momentary confusion, but she quickly dismissed it with a shake of her head.
“I’m going to tell everyone that you’re back,” she declared, excitement lacing her words. “We’re going to have so much fun tonight!”
With a gleeful twinkle in her eye, she turned and dashed off, leaving me standing there, a mix of emotions swirling within me. Before disappearing from sight, she shouted one last piece of information that caught me off guard.
“Oh, and you’re expected to meet the boss in the conference room!”
Her words hung in the air, and as the bustling surroundings returned to focus, I let out a sigh. With a renewed sense of purpose, I began to navigate through the crowd, my eyes scanning the surroundings in search of the elusive conference room.
I followed the signs leading me to the conference room. As I walked, I couldn’t help but notice glimpses of familiar faces darting between desks. Some smiled warmly as they caught my eye, while others nodded in acknowledgment.
Their expressions held a mix of anticipation and curiosity, unaware that I was a mere stranger within my own memories.
Finally, I reached the conference room door, adorned with a simple sign that read, “Meeting in Progress.” My heart quickened its pace as I grasped the doorknob, my mind racing with uncertainties. Would they notice my hesitation? Would my facade crumble under their scrutiny?
With a subtle push, the door swung open, revealing a scene of bustling activity. The room was filled with a diverse group of individuals, each engrossed in their own conversations and tasks.
They looked up as I entered, their eyes transitioning from the intensity of work to expressions of surprise and delight.
“Amelia! So glad you could join us,” a familiar voice called out, breaking the silence that hung in the air. It was Liam, a steadfast friend who had been guiding me through this perplexing journey. He stood at the head of the table, his face a mixture of relief and encouragement.
As I took a step forward, the others began to rise from their seats, their smiles widening. Their faces, once hazy and unknown, now began to take on a sense of familiarity.
A pang of guilt pierced my heart as I struggled to match names to their faces, desperately grasping at fragments of memories that remained elusive.
One by one, they approached, extending their hands in warm greetings. Each person introduced themselves with kindness and understanding, acknowledging my absence and expressing their genuine pleasure at my return.
They shared anecdotes, inside jokes, and recounted moments we had supposedly shared together. I listened intently, my mind searching for clues, desperate to regain a sense of connection.
As the meeting commenced, I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of information. Presentations were made, ideas were exchanged, and discussions flourished around me.
Though their words were foreign, I relied on my instincts, probing with thoughtful questions and offering insights where I could.
I tried to absorb every detail, hoping to piece together the fragments of my past and bridge the gap between the person I once was and the person I had become.
Despite my efforts, moments of uncertainty and doubt still lingered. The fear of exposing my memory loss gnawed at the back of my mind, threatening to unravel the charade I had so delicately constructed. However, the genuine warmth and support radiating from my colleagues reassured me, instilling a newfound strength within me.
As the meeting drew to a close, Liam approached me with a soft smile, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and empathy. “You did great, Amelia,” he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
“Okay, Teddy, I have something to do. I’ll see you later,” Liam stated before excusing himself from the conference room, leaving me alone.
“Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed, jumping in excitement and instinctively covering my mouth with my hand.
“I can’t believe I pulled it off, and no one had a single clue. I guess I’ll be just fine here,” I scoffed, brushing imaginary dirt off my shirt.
Lost in thought, I made my way out of the conference room and accidentally bumped into someone.
“I’m so sorry…” I apologized, looking up to see a familiar face glaring at me. Her presence triggered some flashbacks, causing a slight pain in my head.
“You!” I blurted out unconsciously, earning a glare from the lady.
“Yes, what? Why don’t you watch where you’re going, huh?” she reprimanded me.
“I’m sorry for bumping into you,” I apologized again, still trying to figure out where I had seen her face before.
“Whatever. You just came back to work, and you’re already giving me trouble. I wish you had never recovered,” she rolled her eyes and left, leaving behind those hurtful words.
I stared at her as she walked away until she disappeared from sight. “Who the heck was she, and why did she say that?” I wondered aloud.
“That was Claudia,” a voice said from behind, making me jump in fear a little.
I turned to see Laila, the girl I had bumped into earlier, staring at me.
“Gosh, you scared me,” I breathed out.
“Hehe, so how was the conference?” she suddenly asked.
I have to say, this girl named Laila has been acting really chill with me, as if we were pals. I guess she’s one of the co-workers who are also friends that Liam was talking about.
“It was good,” I replied, and she nodded slightly.
“So, what’s next?” I asked, making her give me a weird look.
“Well, you don’t have any work for now. We’re on a break. I came to get you because Nina and the rest are waiting,” she explained.
“For what?” I asked, not caring how suspicious it sounded.
“Well, we normally eat lunch together. Did you hit your head on a wall? You’re acting like you’re not Amelia,” Laila rolled her eyes before playfully punching my arm and laughing. Nervously, I joined her in laughter.
“Okay, why are we laughing?” she asked, looking at me.
“I don’t know,” I chuckled slightly.
She grabbed my hand and led me towards where the others were.
“Amelia!” a group of people called out.
Panic surged through me as I realized that I couldn’t recognize any of them. They all looked strange. Oh no, God, please help me.