Amnesia

Chapter Three - Snobby blue-blood family

"Welcome home!"

Scared, she flinched when she and her mother walked inside the big living room. A huge crowd stood there, with big smiles on their faces. Her mother walked past her and straight into the arms of a young man.

She kissed his cheeks before firing of a smile. "I'm so glad you came, Orlando. You have been a patient boy." With a chuckle, she gestured toward Marley. "She's home now, so you all enjoy yourself!" she added with a higher voice.

Marley sighed. All she wanted to do was get to her room and sleep. She didn't know any of these people anymore, and to go from the hospital to this... it was just sad. Hadn't her mother listened to anything the doctors had told her? It had been almost a month since she had woken up from her coma, but she still couldn't remember anything.

"I'm sorry", she said loudly. The crowds chatter died instantly. "I'm sorry, but I'm tired and would like to go to sleep. Mother, could you show me my room?"

"Show some respect. Where are your manners, young lady?" her mother responded. Then, with a sigh, she turned towards Orlando. "Can you show her to her room, darling?"

Immediately, he nodded. Then he held his hand out to hers. "Please, allow me", he said politely. She hesitated before taking it, but the tiredness took over, and she gladly followed him.

He led her up a giant staircase. Fascinated, she watched the huge paintings portraying people from different ages. All of them were looking at her with disgust in their eyes, like they were condemning her for her amnesia.

"Here we are." Orlando's voice made her flinch. She had completely forgotten he was there.

"Thanks", she smiled at him and opened the white double doors. The room was light, with white everywhere. No photos or paintings hung on the wall, and as far she could see, the toiletries on the make-up table were in a specific order. Everything was perfect... and non-personal.

Disappointment spread in her chest. She had expected at least a few pictures or stuffed animals. Something, anything that reminded her of who she was.

Behind her, Orlando cleared his throat. "This used to be your room, but since you moved out, your mother had it redecorated and turned into a guestroom. Well, when you stay here it's always this room that you borrow." She wrinkled her nose. Couldn't her mother have made some effort to make her remember who she was? Like, put up a family portrait or something.

Trying to not let her disappointment show, she turned toward Orlando. It wasn't his fault that her mother still thought she faked her amnesia. "Thanks for showing me." She decided to be honest with him, and dropped her gaze to study her hands. "I know you are my fiancé, Orlando, but I'm sorry, I..."

"Shh..." He put his finger on her lips. "It doesn't matter. I know it's not your fault." His voice was soft and encouraging. She looked up. A smile was still playing on his lips. Slowly, he let his hand fall. "Besides, we weren't exactly close before the accident either."

"What do you mean? Aren't we engaged?" It had never crossed her mind that perhaps they weren't lovers. Maybe it had been supposed to be a marriage of convenience. "Didn't we love each other?"

The sweet smile twisted into a smirk. "We were horny for each other, love was never in the picture", he said sardonically. She flinched. What did he mean by that? Then he suddenly burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face! It was priceless."

Narrowing her eyes at him, she watched with confusion how he wiped tears from the corners of his eyes. When the outburst calmed down, she massaged her temples.

"I really need to rest, Orlando." His joke had drained the last of her strength. "Please leave."

Immediately, he sobered up. "Sorry, that was a bad joke." She merely nodded. Wouldn't he just go? "Sleep tight, princess, and if there is anything you need, anything at all, don't hesitate to call my name." She didn't miss the wicked gleam in his eyes when he said the last part.