Episode 5

Dinner passed in silence, save for the occasional meows of Michiru, who prowled around the table as if hoping to receive some of the food. Alexander, still getting used to living together, eyed the cat with distrust, who returned the gaze with the same suspicion.

Melisa noticed the tension between them and smiled amusedly.

"I don't think he'll ever fully accept you," she commented, taking a sip of her drink.

"That's obvious," Alexander replied, averting his gaze from the feline. "Have you always lived alone?"

The question took her a bit by surprise. She looked at him and then placed her silverware on the table.

"Yes… well, I've lived in New York for five years. My parents are still in California, they have a farm and are middle class. They are very loving people and support me in everything, although, of course, it was hard for them to accept that I moved far away to work in the hospital."

Alexander listened to her attentively.

"And how do you get along with them now?"

Melisa smiled with nostalgia.

"I always call them to see how they are. I miss them, but they know I'm fulfilling my dream. Since I was little, I wanted to be a nurse, and when I got the opportunity to work here, I didn't hesitate. Of course, it was difficult at first, but over time I got used to it."

He imagined how difficult that experience had been for Melisa.

"And outside of work? Have you always been alone?"

Melisa laughed with a certain irony.

"Let's just say my life is pretty monotonous. I've had two boyfriends in my entire life. One cheated on me and the other moved to another state, so, as you can see, destiny doesn't favor me in love."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"Wow, that sounds… unfortunate."

Melisa rolled her eyes. "But, you know? I'm not really alone. I've had Michiru for a year and a half."

The cat, hearing its name, meowed proudly and jumped onto her lap.

"I found him when he was just a helpless kitten, abandoned in the street like he was trash. I couldn't leave him there, so I adopted him and raised him with a lot of love. Now look at him, he is all my feline adoration."

Alexander observed the cat and then Melisa, noticing the tenderness in her eyes when talking about her pet.

"You are a woman with a big heart," he said sincerely. "You not only helped this little one, but you also helped me, a complete stranger."

Melisa smiled.

"Well, now you live with me. So, technically, I'm not so alone. At least until you recover your memory."

Alexander stared at her, as if he wanted to say something else, but in the end he just smiled.

"I guess that means you'll be taking care of me for a while."

"Exactly. Until I can go back to the hospital to work, we'll be together for a week until this cold of mine goes away. And since you can't remember who you are, we need to make a plan."

Alexander looked at her with curiosity.

"A plan?"

"Yes," she said enthusiastically. "An itinerary. Maybe if we go out for a walk, if we do different things, you'll manage to remember something. We can go to the movies, to a park, tour the city… something that awakens your memory."

Alexander looked at her and said that sounds… incredibly thoughtful of you.

Melisa shrugged.

"I can't leave you here locked up doing nothing. Besides, it would be interesting to see if something is familiar to you."

Alexander smiled, with a more relaxed expression than he had shown since waking up in the hospital.

"Really, Melisa, you are a great woman. You are not only professional and dedicated to your work, but you are also generous and kind. I don't know what I did to deserve your help, but I am grateful."

Melisa felt a slight warmth in her cheeks and ears at the compliment, but she didn't let the situation become too sentimental. So, with a mischievous smile, she decided to joke.

"Well, I hope that when you recover your memory it turns out that you are a millionaire and give me a few million as thanks."

Alexander burst out laughing.

"So that's what you expect from me?"

"Hey, if you're poor, at least I hope you visit me from time to time," Melisa winked.

Alexander shook his head, still laughing.

"Deal."

They both laughed, since they met, the mistrust seemed to vanish completely. There was something about that conversation, about the way Melisa made him feel comfortable, that calmed him down.

Maybe, after all, being without memory wasn't so terrible if he had someone like her by his side.

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