Unforgettable

Part 9 - Past meets the Present

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Willow couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. Turning round she couldn't see anyone but she felt it all the same.

Standing outside of the building where she had spent most of her childhood filled her with both warmth and dread. After her dad passed away, Willow couldn't face going into his office anymore. Not seeing her dad there smiling from his desk broke her in more ways than she would care to admit and it was taking everything in her not to turn around and run. Taking a deep breath she pushed her thoughts way down and allowed herself to step foot in the building she had avoided for years.

Stood in front of the reception desk, Willow was pulled out of her daydream by the sour looking receptionist 'Yes can I help you' she snapped without even looking up from her computer

Willow cleared her throat and tried to calm her nerves 'Yes I'm here to see Mr Cartwright'

'Do you have an appointment?'

'Umm no but I really need to speak to him' Willow replied feeling her confidence disappearing

For the first time since Willow had walked in, the receptionist looked up from her computer, giving her a look of contempt 'If you don't have an appointment then I'm afraid you can't speak to Mr Cartwright. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to be getting on with'

Not liking the way she was just being dismissed, Willow's tone got a little bit higher 'Look... if you can just tell Jeremy.. I mean Mr Cartwright that Y/N Barnes is here to see him. I'm sure he would make an exception for me'

With a look of sympathy the receptionist sighed 'Look Miss Barnes was it. I hate to break it to you but Mr Cartwright has girls coming in here like a conveyer belt. You will be the same as all the others so why don't you save yourself the heartache and leave with your dignity still intact'

Willow isn't one to not have anything to say but for once she was speechless 'You know what I'll let myself in his office' Willow barrelled her way to the office her dad used to have, hoping that her hunch was right and this is the office Jeremy now used. As she pushed open the door, Jeremy turned and was stunned to see Willow standing before him 'Sir I tried to stop her but she barged her way in anyway. I will call security'

Without taking his eyes off her, Jeremy dismissed her 'It's fine Jenny. I know her. Why don't you take your lunch early.'

Jeremy and Willow just stared at each other. Willow couldn't deny that both her mind and body still very much wanted the man in front of her but she was determined not to give anything away until she had all of the facts

'Willow. I didn't think I'd ever see you again. Why are you here?'

'Why did we break up Jeremy?' The words tumbled from her mouth before she even had time to warm him up to her questioning'

Jeremy sighed unable to meet her eyes 'You know why we broke up Willow. It won't do any good to open up that old wound'

Pulling her fingers through her hair, Willow moved further to him 'No I don't know why actually' she took a deep breath before continuing 'I was in a car accident. A bad one actually which has caused me to lose some of memories. Essentially the last few years'

Jeremy finally looked her in the eyes 'So what can you remember?'

'I remember you proposing and me accepting. I remember feeling that I had never felt as happy as I did in that moment. So you can imagine my surprise when I woke up to find that I'm married to another man and you were nothing but a distant memory'

'I'm so sorry Willow'

'I don't want your sympathy Jeremy. I need your honesty. Everyone that is close to me is hiding something from me and I need to figure out what... so I'm asking you again to tell me why we broke up?'

Jeremy leaned back perching on the end of his wooden desk 'What does your husband think about you being here? The last time I saw him, he made it very clear what would happen to me if I came near you again'

'He doesn't know I'm here. I don't even know if I can't trust him yet. He feels like a stranger to me'

'Ok... I will tell you everything that happened but not here. Do you want to meet up later in the week and we can discuss it. I'll answer any questions you have'

Feeling slightly annoyed that she still wouldn't have the answers she wanted, Willow could also appreciate that talking about this in his office probably wasn't appropriate 'Ok. Let's meet later in the week. Do you still have the same number?'

Jeremy tilted his head to look at her 'You still remember my number?'

'It seems so. Only a small part of my memories are missing Jeremy. So is it still your number?'

'Yes it is'

'I'll give you a text later in the week with the details of where to meet'

Willow walked towards the door and looked back at him one last time 'It was good seeing you Jeremy'

'Yeah same' with that he watched her leave. What the hell am I getting myself into he thought to himself as he watched her walk in to the elevators

*****************

Bucky tried to compose himself. He had just watched Willow walk into the one place he never wanted her to see again.

Pulling out his phone, he dialled the one person he knew would understand 'Steve... she's gone to him. She's only gone to meet him'

'Ok slow down Buck. Who has gone to see who?'

'Willow. She's gone to see Jeremy. We can't let that slimeball worm his way back in. I have a good mind to walk over there and drag her from that office'

Steve knowing his friend was close to blowing up tried to defuse the situation 'Look we don't know why she's there but you can't do anything stupid. Meet me back at the compound and we will figure out what to do'

Bucky was hesitant to agree but knew it was the right thing to do 'Fine. But we need to figure out a plan Steve. I can't lose her to him'