AUTHOR'S P.OV
The Event, Two Nights Ago.
Reed navigated through the crowded ballroom, the soft glow of chandeliers casting a warm ambiance. The sound of clinking glasses and muted conversations enveloped him as he made his way back to the table assigned to Alistair, his footsteps echoing through the ballroom. No doubt Alistair would start interrogating him about his brief disappearance. He had no intention of sharing his thoughts.
As he approached, he noticed Alistair and his girlfriend looked worried. His eyes strayed to the girl Alistair had introduced as his date.
His steps faltered.
Her back was to him, but that distinctive hair... No, it couldn't be. She wasn't her.
Alistair's eyes met his, filled with concern.
Reed's gaze returned to the girl, his heart racing. Her physique, her hair... No. He was overthinking. Alistair would've informed him if she was Valerie. He steeled himself, his expression neutral, and continued towards them.
He couldn't lose his control just because she looked like her. However, he couldn't help but wish she would turn. He wanted her to be her. The longing was palpable, a dull ache in his chest.
Reed's gaze lingered, his heart pounding in anticipation. Would she turn? Would she reveal the face he'd etched in his memory?
Reed's eyes locked onto hers, willing her to turn, to confirm or deny his suspicions.
"Mr. L!" A representative approached him, breaking his reverie. "Mr. Zhang wishes to meet with you."
Reed followed the representative through the crowd, his mind still on the girl. They navigated through the sea of people, reaching a quiet corner near the bar.
Mr. Zhang, a middle-aged Chinese businessman with a kind face and firm handshake, greeted Reed warmly.
"Good evening, Reed. Thank you for meeting me tonight."
Reed returned the handshake. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Zhang. Your timing is impeccable. I've been looking forward to discussing our potential collaboration on the Shanghai skyscraper project."
As they delved into the specifics, Reed's eyes strayed back to their table.
The girl had fainted.
He saw Alistair carry her out. A flash of that distinct red hair was all he saw. Reed watched, his emotions in turmoil, as they vanished into the crowd.
His instinct screamed it was Valerie. His Valerie.
"Mr. Lanchester?" Mr. Zhang prompted.
Reed refocused, outlining his company's expertise in sustainable building design. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, sealing their commitment to work together on the Shanghai project.
"Let's make this happen, Mr. Zhang." Reed said, smiling.
"Indeed, Reed. Together, we will create something remarkable," Mr. Zhang replied, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
On his way home, Reed contacted his assistant.
"Send me the files I'd asked for."
Upon entering his mansion, he was stopped by his mother. "Have you eaten? There's food—"
"No need," Reed interrupted, marching up the stairs.
In his study, he opened his laptop and accessed the files on Ariana's family. A photo caught his attention – Ariana, Nicole, and Ava.
He was about to shut off his laptop in disappointment when he paused. He'd nearly missed it! His heart skipped a beat.
Ava resembled Valerie, but her hair was brown, not that distinctive red. Her eyes, ocean-blue, weren't doe-like like Valerie's. He continued reading.
She was dead.
Then a recent photo popped up – Ariana and Ava on the red carpet. Reed's fingers shook, his mask crumbling.
"Valerie..." His voice was a whisper.
Reed felt his cold, dead heart come alive. She was alive – his Valerie. Tears pooled in his eyes as he laughed.
Why didn't she return? Why adopt a new identity? Was Alistair in on it?
He called Alistair. "Whereabouts?"
Alistair's strained voice replied, "On my way home from Ariana's. Any problem?"
"No. What happened?" Reed probed.
Alistair's sighed. "Ava's sick."
Reed's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong with her?"
Alistair hesitated. "And how come you're suddenly interested in your date?"
"She's sick?" He asked instead, ignoring the question.
Alistair groaned. "Dammit Reed! She has amnesia!"
Reed's heart stopped. Fear clutched his chest.
"A-amnesia?" His voice faltered.
"Are you alright?"
Without a response, he ended the call. It all made sense. He remembered his friend had seen her photo once. He was bound to forget. And besides, he'd thought his wife was still mute.
He laughed, the sound filled with a mixture of joy and sorrow. After all these years. He stared fixedly at her photo. He'd been a dead man without her. The days without her presence killed him.
He'd always known she was alive, his heart refused to accept it. After she'd gone missing, he'd listened to his heart.
Reed stared fixedly at her photo, his heart alive.
Just then, the door burst open with Alistair in the doorway, panting.
Reed shut his laptop, his mask intact.
Alistair's gaze traveled over Reed, relief washing over him. "Dammit, Reed! You're alright. I was so fucking worried."
Reed smirked. "Fine. Unwarranted worrying."
Alistair's eyes narrowed. "You ungrateful bastard!" He made his way to sofa and slumped into it, drained.
Reed stared at him. "When's your birthday, Alistair?"
Alistair rolled his eyes. "You know it's a week away. Why ask – wanna give me a present?"
"Make it a masquerade party."
Alistair's eyes widened. "Why?"
Reed shrugged.
Alistair pouted. "It's my birthday, not yours."
Reed nodded. "Zhang Xui agreed to invest in your company."
Alistair's eyes sparkled. "Are you bribing me? – cause it's working!"
Reed nodded.
"The girlfriend is invited, yes?" Reed asked.
Alistair smirked. "Not girlfriend – yet."
Reed's expression didn't change. "Is the whole family coming?"
Alistair nodded. "Yes. I'll give all of them an invite."
"Good." Reed said and stood up. "Sleep over tonight." With that he made his way towards the door. Just as he reached for the door knob, Alistair called him. Reed turned.
"Are you planning something for my birthday?"
Reed stared at him. "Maybe."
"Calculating bastard." Alistair mumbled as he watched the door close after him.
