Gretta Adelson's life changes the day she wakes up in bed with her step-sister's boyfriend. She has no idea how she ended up in his bed since she can't remember anything from the past three days. A family dinner is the last thing she can recall; the...
Despite all the scandals, no legal actions were taken and no news was out in public, thanks to my father's power.
"How are you?" I ask.
"I'm fine. And you look good too. You have that rosy color on your cheek now."
I brush my cheek and smile. "I was staying a bit too long in the back verandah."
"Ah, I see." Mary nods. "I came to see your father yesterday at his office. Thank you for recommending me for the position, otherwise, I would stay jobless."
I've learned that the Golden Thrill which was owned by Hilda is now closed until further notice. To show my gratitude for revealing the truth to me, I asked Father to give her a job so that she still can provide for her family. "No problem. How's my father doing?"
Mary shrugs. "He's lost weight, though. Lydia said he often skipped meals and hid in his room when he was home. But other than that, he's alright." Mary sounds a bit hesitant when she asks, "Has he been visiting you lately?"
"He came last month. Maybe he will come to see me this weekend." Father had always been distant before the incident, but now he's even deeper in his cave and gradually becoming a stranger to me. Lydia said the incident hit him hard and he needed time to recover.
Mary nods, shifting uncomfortably on her seat. "How's your leg?"
"It's healing," I reply, glancing down at my right leg, "but it will take a while until I can walk again."
"Ah. Well, it's progressing. That's what matters. By the way, I" —she fiddles with her own fingers— "came with Damien today, but we're not sure if you wanted to see him. He's going abroad for his Magister program next week, and hoping that he can say goodbye to you personally."
I heave a sigh. Seeing Damien still brings certain anxiety to me, but this time I understand why. He reminds me of how intimate we were without me remembering any of it. He also reminds me of Lola and my mixed feelings toward her: guilt, resentment, and longing. But most of all, he knows someone I don't. He knows the fearless Gretta who fought her family to stand for her rights. The other Gretta who values her existence more than anything. The other me.
My doctors still don't know about the weird occurrence during the incident. They're still unaware that I don't remember charging at Patricia and stabbing her chest when she was about to shoot Damien. As a result, she accidentally shot my leg. My doctors also still don't know that I mysteriously skipped three days before the bloody morning took place. My family lawyer gave me the script of what I needed to say, and I did as I was told.
"Gretta?"
I blink, realizing that I'm still in the visitors' room with Mary. "Send him in."
Five minutes later, the dark-haired guy is standing in front of me, looking slightly nervous but he manages to smile at me. He looks noticeably thinner, and the dark shadows under his eyes are evidence of his sleepless nights. He smells like cigarettes, mixed with an aftershave scent.
"Thank you for having me, Gretta," he says before carefully sitting down on his seat. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you. And how are you holding up, Damien?"
He smiles again. "Not bad."
"You're leaving for school soon?"
"Yes. And it's a thousand miles from here. I thought it would do me good, leaving this all behind and starting fresh, you know," he says before shaking his head and sighing. "I mean, not you. You're not one of those I want to leave behind. I mean–"
"I know what you mean." And I do what the other Gretta would do. I extend my hand, resting it on his hand, and give him a gentle squeeze. "Good luck, Damien."
He freezes as his eyes are fixed on our joint hands. Slowly, he turns his hand, palm facing up, and wraps his hand around mine. "You're not afraid of me anymore?"
"I never am."
He smiles a little too wide this time. "I'm glad," he says. "That night, we smoked, talked, kissed, cuddled, talked again, then we cuddled until we fell asleep. I will always remember that moment, Gretta. I hope you, too, will always keep it in your memory."
"I will." I would have panicked if I heard this two months ago. But I'm safe here now; there is nothing to be afraid of. It's when we hear the grandfather clock on the corner of the room ding three times. "The visiting hour has ended. Goodbye, Damien, and good luck."
He brings my hand to his lips and gently gives it a peck, forcing me to suppress the uneasiness in my gut because of the intimate gesture. But he can't know. I'm Gretta who remembers everything in front of him right now. I'm Gretta who lives her life as a whole.
"Goodbye, Gretta. I hope we bump into each other again someday."
I respond with a smile while watching him untangle our hands before he stands up. Once he disappears behind the door, I straighten my torso to sit upright, ready to be taken back to my room.
Autumn has arrived. Despite the leaves changing to red and yellow shades, and trees beginning to lose their crowns, the grass stays green.
The new chapter of my life has arrived. Despite everyone leaving me behind with the unanswered questions about my past, and my vivid life now changing into predicted, scheduled, and soulless days, the other Gretta stays.
It's becoming my little secret. No one has to know about the other Greta in me. I haven't even met her yet, but I know she did everything in her power to protect me. We are inseparable now. Because we are us.
*** END***
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