Shadows of Affection (GxG)

Chapter 51: Lost and Found

The days passed in a haze of quiet moments and slow healing. Alessia found herself growing accustomed to the strange, fragmented reality she was living in. She spent much of her time trying to piece together the shards of her memory, focusing on the small, fleeting images that occasionally surfaced in her mind.

More often than not, those fragments were tied to Lily.

It wasn't anything concrete—just sensations, vague and elusive. Like the taste of something sweet and tangy she instinctively knew was her favorite dessert, served with Lily's teasing smile in the background. Or the way a faint floral perfume lingered in the air whenever Lily was near, its delicate scent tugging at a memory she couldn't quite grasp.

Then there were flashes of warmth—a hand brushing hers, soft laughter echoing in a sunlit room, the comfort of being held tightly in the dark. They were fleeting but enough to spark a strange longing deep within her, a longing she didn't entirely understand.

-

Alessia sat in her room that morning, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her fingers toyed absentmindedly with a bracelet she didn't remember owning but hadn't taken off since waking up. It had a simple charm on it—a silver lily.

Lily had told her it was a gift, but Alessia couldn't remember the occasion or the moment it had been given. Still, it felt familiar, like a piece of herself she couldn't let go of.

Frustration clawed at her as she tried to force the memories back. She pressed her palms to her temples, her breathing quickening. Why couldn't she remember?

A knock at the door interrupted her spiraling thoughts. Lily peeked in, her expression hesitant but soft.

"Hey my l... Alessia," she said quietly, holding a tray with tea and some biscuits. "Thought you might want something to nibble on."

Alessia's eyes softened as she nodded. "Thanks."

Lily placed the tray on the bedside table, lingering for a moment before sitting down in the chair by the window. She looked exhausted, her cheeks slightly sunken and her dark circles more prominent than usual.

"Have you eaten?" Alessia asked, surprising even herself with the question.

Lily blinked, then offered a small, tired smile. "I will. Later."

Alessia frowned, guilt gnawing at her again. She wanted to say something, to reach out and comfort her, but the words stuck in her throat. How could she offer solace when she couldn't even make sense of her own feelings?

-

That evening, Alessia found herself pacing in her room, nerves twisting in her stomach. Lily had mentioned earlier that they were going out for the night—a date, she'd called it. Alessia wasn't sure why the idea made her palms sweat and her heart race.

She looked down at the familiar black suit and shirt Lily had chosen for her earlier. It was simple yet sharp, the kind of outfit Alessia felt surprisingly comfortable in despite her usual aversion to formal clothing.

As she waited for Lily to come fetch her, Alessia stared out the window, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. The beauty of it stirred something deep within her—a memory just out of reach, of standing beside someone special, their fingers intertwined as they watched the same sunset.

She shook her head, frustrated at the elusive feeling.

When Lily finally appeared, Alessia turned to see her standing in the doorway, wearing a soft, flowing dress that accentuated her delicate features. Her hair was loosely curled, and her eyes shimmered with a mixture of hope and nervousness.