Remember My Dreams

27. Surprise

When I arrived at Bill and Tom's apartment, Bill was already at the door, visibly excited. He eagerly pulled me inside, and as soon as the living room door opened, I was greeted by a sea of balloons and a loud shout of "Surprise!" My eyes quickly darted around the room, and I began to realize what was happening. Bill had organized a surprise party for me.
Above the dining table hung a large banner that read "Welcome home, Elise," and I could instantly see how much effort Bill had put into making everything perfect. I smiled widely at everyone and called out gratefully, "Thank you all so much!"
Tom stood beside me and gave me a tight hug. "Welcome back," he said as he released me and looked deeply into my eyes. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," I replied, "I just feel a little overwhelmed by Bill's surprise party."
"Yeah, I told Bill," Tom continued, "that it might be a bit much." His words faded as my attention shifted to the crowd in the room. Familiar faces came into view. Georg and Gustav stood with a blonde woman between them, and Bas and Tilly were talking in the kitchen. Bas nodded at me when he saw me looking, and I smiled softly, murmuring "uh-huh" to Tom as if I were still engaged in the conversation.
Bill had placed his hand on my back while chatting with Andreas, and as I scanned the room further, I spotted Jacob. My breath caught in my throat, and a sharp pain shot through my head. My very last memory came rushing back like a storm. I remembered the fear in Jacob's eyes when David started talking about his family. My heart began to race, and I felt the room spinning around me.
Sensing that something was wrong, Tom grabbed my arm as I started to falter. "I need to go, sorry," I said quickly, turning and rushing toward the front door. My hand gripped the doorknob as I heard Bill ask behind me, "Elise? Are you okay?"
"Bill, I just need to go home, sorry. It's a bit much for me right now. Please, just let me be," I begged as I opened the door.
"No, Elise, wait," I heard him say, but I quickly closed the door behind me. I had to get away as fast as possible, to my home, a place where I could breathe and process everything.

As I hurried down the hallway, I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. The memories of David and the fear I had felt were overwhelming. My breathing was heavy and erratic, and I knew I couldn't handle this in the middle of a party, no matter how well-intentioned it was. I needed to escape, away from the people and the memories that had suddenly come crashing down on me.
When I reached the elevator, I quickly pressed the button and stepped inside as the doors opened. As the elevator descended, I tried to calm my breathing, but my thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions. Jacob's face kept flashing before my eyes, the pain and fear he had
shown when David started threatening his family. It was too much, all of it was too much.
When the elevator doors opened, I hurried outside into the fresh air. I quickly made my way toward my apartment, my heart still racing in my chest. Every step felt like a step away from the chaos in my mind, a step toward a place where I could think clearly again.
Finally, back at my apartment, I took a deep breath and opened the door. The silence inside was a welcome relief. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, my eyes closed as I tried to organize my thoughts. I needed to calm down, to find a way to process this storm of emotions.

I sank into the soft cushions of the couch and closed my eyes, attempting to quiet the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my head. The silence in my apartment was a welcome break from the overwhelming chaos of the party. But suddenly, the silence was broken by a knock on the door. With a sigh, I stood up, convinced that Bill was worried and wanted to talk.
"Bill, I told you I need some space," I started as I opened the door. But the words caught in my throat when I saw that it wasn't Bill standing there, but Jacob. My heart skipped a beat in shock.
"Sorry, Jacob," I quickly composed myself. "I thought it was Bill. Come in." I stepped aside to let him in, feeling the tension rise in my chest.

As Jacob and I found ourselves in the living room again, the atmosphere seemed to calm slightly. But when he looked at me with a concerned expression, he said softly, "It's because of me, isn't it? That you had to leave the party?" His words were full of understanding, but also a hint of guilt, which only brought my tears closer to the surface.
"Jacob, I'm sorry," I began to cry, my voice breaking as I could no longer hold back my emotions. Tears streamed down my face, and I felt vulnerable and overwhelmed by all the feelings I had been bottling up.
Jacob, tall and strong, seemed unsure of how to handle my tears for a moment. He leaned over and started comforting me, his hands gently rubbing my back and shoulders. "Elise, it's okay," he soothed. "I'm sorry, that was never my intention," he continued, and his voice was now filled with genuine concern.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here," I sobbed. I looked up, tears still flowing. Jacob looked deeply into my eyes and said, "Elise, I would never let anything happen to you. Never." His words were like a warm blanket, offering some comfort to my cold, turbulent feelings. He tilted his head slightly and said, "Come on, let's sit."
As we sat on the couch, I felt my breathing slowly return to normal. Jacob's words helped calm me, but I still felt a lingering sense of regret and guilt. "It's really me who should be sorry," Jacob continued, his voice full of remorse. "Because of my attack on David, you fell to the ground and hit your head on that stone, which took away your memory. I'm so sorry."
"You did the right thing," I replied, my voice still shaky. "You saved me from David's clutches, and I'll always be grateful for that." I sighed deeply, my thoughts still a whirl of emotions. "I just feel terrible that he started bringing up your family."
Jacob nodded, his face a mix of sadness and determination. "Yeah," he said. "I knew at that moment he was bluffing. Bill, Tom, Georg, Gustav, and so many others behind the scenes at Tokio Hotel have been working for years to make sure my wife and kids can eventually come to Germany."
Jacob's genuine concern made me even more emotional, but I nodded in understanding. "I really hope it works out," I said, looking at him. The conversation with Jacob had been a relief, a way to share my feelings and thoughts with someone who truly listened.
At that moment, I felt Maü jump onto my lap, offering a welcome distraction. "Who's this?" Jacob asked as I ran my hands over the cat's soft fur. "Maü keeps me company."
"Speaking of company," Jacob continued, gently stroking Maü, "Bill is waiting in the car. Are you sure you want to be alone?"
I smiled at Jacob, grateful for his concern and support. "Let him in," I said. "I really needed this conversation."
Jacob gave Maü one last pat and stood up. "I'm glad we finally talked," he said as he walked toward the door. "Oh, by the way, I'm officially your bodyguard now. So, we'll be seeing a lot more of each other." He laughed and gave me a wink. "Extra protection won't hurt," he added, and I laughed back.
"See you tomorrow," Jacob said as he opened the door.
"See you tomorrow, Jacob," I replied as he turned and closed the door behind him. Just as Jacob left, I saw Bill's tall figure slowly appear. His face was a mix of concern and awkwardness. He hesitated for a moment before stepping closer.
I reached out my hand and pulled him inside. "Bill, come in," I said softly, my voice a blend of relief and exhaustion.