Seconds *COMPLETED*

Chapter 9

Daniel

I was standing with my wife, Narissa Eliza, staring at the huge crowd of people standing around during my wedding reception outside my house that evening. Many people had walked up to us, introduced themselves and chatted for a moment, before presenting us with a gift and then walking over to the tables in the lawn in front of my house, where dinner was served for the guests.

I didn't recognize most of the people who had come, perhaps because of the accident which snatched away the memories of my life before it. So I was bored while Narissa seemed fidgety for some reason. She was looking around, scanning the crowd frantically.

"Hey, what's wrong? Who're you looking for?" I asked her softly after watching her for a long time.

"My boss. I'd invited him for our reception. I'm worried he might be lost somewhere among this crowd, that's why I'm looking for him but I can't find him," said Narissa, looking worried.

"Oh. Uncle Harris just said the exact same thing a few minutes ago. Don't worry, he's gone to the gate to invite the guests and know when your boss arrives. So, just relax, alright?" I said with a smile.

Narissa smiled, "Kinda obvious that's what Dad would do. Dad really respects my boss, ever since that car accident when my boss saved Dad... you know about it, right?"

"Yeah."

Narissa smiled, and the depth in the warmness of her smile made me smile.

As I stood there bored, I caught a glimpse of Tiara, standing nearby with Isma and her friends. Why was Tiara so mesmerizing?

"There he is!" Narissa's voice snapped my gaze away from Tiara to the direction in which Narissa was pointing.

I noticed Uncle Harris and a familiar guy walking towards me and Narissa. I have seen that guy before; I was certain. But where? When? And how?

"Ah, sir... you came? Thank you very much for attending our wedding reception. I am so pleased to see you here, sir. Meet my husband, Daniel," Narissa said to the familiar guy. That must be her boss.

As her boss's eyes shifted to me, his face hardened.

"Daniel Sorrens; it's a pleasure to meet you," I introduced myself as I stretched out my right hand for a handshake.

Narissa's boss seemed to be glaring straight through me.

"Raymond Caruso; it's nice to meet you too," he said, with a slight tinge of hostility as he continued giving me that transfixed loathing glare, ignoring my outstretched hand.

I flashed a fake smile for a second, feeling awkward. My smile froze. His last name was very familiar. Raymond Caruso, huh? Then, who was Darien Caruso?

I glanced at Tiara, who had been standing nearby with Isma and her friends. Tiara's face appeared alarmed and agitated, unlike her usual expressionless face. I watched as she whispered something hurriedly to Isma. Isma and Tiara immediately edged their way out of the crowd and headed into the house. Strange.... She was near enough; she would have heard Raymond's voice. Is that why she appeared distressed and quickly disappeared into the house just now?

When I glanced back at Raymond, he was still glaring at me through the corner of his eyes even as he chatted with Uncle Harris and Narissa.

All of a sudden, it was completely pitch-black around me and the chattering voices completely died out, leaving me in a dark silence. The darkness around me gradually lifted. I was standing on a gravel road in an isolated street under a gloomy grey sky in the wee hours of the morning. It was a completely unfamiliar place. Where was I? What was I doing here? How did I get here? In this dead street...?