CHAPTER 4

Recap

Allen and Andrew drove home together. Allen took the chance to initiate a conversation regarding Nancy. Coincidentally , they met Nancy on their way which ended up with them having dinner with Nancy. The chapter ended with some friendly introductions and pleasant talks.

CHAPTER 4

AT THE RESTAURANT

Nancy : You both are free to order anything. The treat is on me.

Andrew : I just want a cup of coffee. 

Allen ( highly focused on the menu ) : Do they sell protein shake here ? 

Nancy : I will have each of everything on the menu. 

Andrew and Allen looked at her in shock. Their eyes went wide and mouths hung open.

Allen : You eat a lot.

Andrew : Allen , thats rude. Don't mind him Nancy. 

Nancy ( sheepishly ) : Thats okay. I do have a big appetite.

Andrew : Will you be able to eat everything ?

Nancy : Of course. I had a long day today so I am extremely tired. I deserve a big feast right now.

Allen ( suddenly ) : Oh ! Its my cheat day today. I don't need to hold back my temptations.

Nancy ( smiled ) : You should never resist your temptation towards food.

Allen : Yes , your highness ! You are right.

Allen bowed down in respect towards Nancy , playfully.

Nancy : Let's order quickly. I am damn hungry.

Allen : I would like to have the family meal combo. It includes variety of appetizers and the main dish looks scrumptious. Also , they will serve you chocolate pudding for free. It's a good deal.

Nancy : Okay. Let's order now.

Allen ( in mind ) : I think this is the right time to ask her about it. 

Allen : Nancy , have you ever fallen in love ?

Nancy ( with mouth full ) : I don't really remember.

Allen : What do you mean by that ?

Nancy : I met with a major accident in the past which caused me amnesia. So , I don't remember a lot of things which are related to my past. 

Andrew was shocked hearing about it so he continued asking her queries regarding her condition.

Allen ( in mind ) : It's no use asking her. She doesn't remember anything.

AFTER A WHILE

Andrew : Nancy , it's quite late. Do you want us to drop you home ?

Nancy : Thank you Andrew but my friend is already on his way to pick me up. He is almost here.

Nancy ( in mind ) : Andrew is such a gentleman. I shouldn't have judged him.

Allen ( in mind ) : Friend ? Is it…..him ?

Someone covered Nancy's eyes from behind with his hands. 

Jake : Guess who ?

Nancy immediately smiled recognising his voice. 

Nancy : I know it's you.

Jake removed his hand from her eyes and stood in front of her face to face. He noticed the presence of Andrew and Allen who were standing beside Nancy. When he saw them , his face darkened and the atmosphere around them suddenly turned gloomy and intense.

Allen ( in mind ) : Why did he return so soon ? His return might change the course of their relationship.

Jake ( in mind ) : Andrew , I won't let you hurt Nancy again !!!!

Andrew ( in mind ) : Why does this guy feel so familiar ? His presence just gave me goosebumps.

Nancy was pissed off because Jake didn't drop her home. Rather , he booked a cab for her and scurried off somewhere saying that he got some urgent matters to attend to. 

Nancy : Why did he come to pick me up in the first place ? 

Meanwhile 

Andrew : Allen.......was he Jake ?

Allen : Yes , he is Jake Stephens !

Andrew : That's why he seemed so familiar.

Allen ( shocked ) : Thats weird. How do you know him ?

Andrew : It would be actually weird if I didn't know someone who is already well known. His parents are Jonah and Jary Stephens. Jonah is a well known entrepreneur and Jary is also a very famous fashion designer. 

Allen ( in mind ) : Andrew bro , if only you knew that he is your rival in love in the past , you wouldn't have praised him.

Andrew ( curiosity at it's peak ) : How does he know Nancy ? Allen , do you have any idea ?

Allen knew more than required but he still pretended as if he knew nothing at all.

Allen :  I have no idea , bro. I am surprised as well. How does Nancy know him ? Nancy is common girl from a middle class family whereas Jake belongs from a rich family. It's so weird !

Andrew : I think the same. Maybe I should do a thorough background check on both of them.

Jake walked towards Andrew and Allen.

Jake : Get in the car !

Andrew and Allen looked at each other confused but they both did as they were told. Jake's voice sounded urgent so they obediently followed him. Jake took them to a secluded place near the shore.

Allen : Is he kidnapping us ?

Andrew : Hush !

Jake : I didn't expect to meet you today , Andrew.

Andrew got confused as to why Jake was talking so informally and casually with him as if he had known him for a long time. Allen kept quiet carefully listening to them.

Andrew : Have we met before ?

Jake ( coldly ) : I have an old grudge against you. You better stay away from Nancy.

Andrew: What are you talking about ?

Jake ( lost his control ) : It's all because of you. She got hurt because of you. She even got into the accident and lost her memory. It's all your fault. 

Andrew ( shocked ) : What ?

Jake : She loved you with all her heart but you couldn't even protect her. 

To say that Andrew was shocked would be an understatement. He was bewildered. He was hella confused by Jake's words. He couldn't make a head or tail out of what Jake had said just now.

Andrew : What ? When ? I don't understand you , Jake.

Jake ( angrily ) : Don't act dumb in front of me. I once trusted you with her. I won't repeat the same mistake again. Dare you try to get near her. 

Saying this Jake drove off , leaving Andrew with millions of questions in his mind. Jake's words kept coming back to him and he started overthinking. He felt a sudden pain surge up in his head and clutched his head tightly. Allen rushed to his side and told him to calm down. Allen immediately called up an ambulance seeing Andrew's semi-conscious state.

Allen ( in mind ) : I never knew that truth we were trying to hide from him for so long would come up to him in such a way.

AT THE HOSPITAL

Allen : How is my brother ?

Doctor : He is fine now. He suffered an epilepsy. His amnesia…..

Allen : What about his amnesia ?

Doctor : We can't say anything for now. He might start remembering about his past. His psychological self was triggered which might force him to remember the things which he had forgotten.

Allen went inside to see Andrew deep in thoughts. Not knowing how to confront him about this , he called up their parents for help.

Allen ( in mind ) : He knows.

Andrew : Why did you hide it ?

Mr and Mrs Riom didn't know what to say to their son. They looked at him with sad and regretful eyes.

Mrs Riom: I wish you never knew.

Mr Riom: Those nightmares and traumatic seizures that you went through always worried us. We were glad that you had forgotten about it. 

Mrs Riom: It hasn't been easy for me to see you suffer. No mother would like to see her son suffer. Your dad has suffered equally.

Mr Riom: We wanted you to start over a new leaf but the past keeps coming back to you again and again. 

Andrew looked at their parents. He could see how hurt they seemed but it was important for him to know about everything.

Andrew : I want to know everything.

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