From the Beginning

Chapter 24: Reality

            "Yes," Bowen answered.

"I'm sorry," Yulian apologized once more and hurried off to stop his head from hurting.

"He's," Bowen furrowed his brows as he tried to recall, "Yulian...White."

"You remember him?" Skye asked.

"I think so, but it doesn't feel real," Bowen admitted. "Will you believe it, if I tell you that the last few months feel like a very long dream to me?"

"Only if I'm part of that dream," Skye joked.

"Ge, you'll never be my dream." Noticing that Skye appeared somewhat disappointed, Bowen continued. "I don't want you to be my dream. I want you to be my reality."

Such a flirt. Bowen's words lifted Skye's slight frown into a huge toothy grin.

"Ge."

"Huh?"

"Let's head home. I'm tired."

"All right."

"I know that look," Bowen muttered.

"What look?" Skye blinked in confusion.

"You think that I'm a flirt, right?"

"So, you're able to read minds now?"

"I am able to read you." Bowen smirked.

"Flirt." Skye beamed.

***

"I'm home," Bailey announced when he unlocked the door and walked in. "White?" Wondering where the man was, Bailey shut the door and went to look for him. "White, where are you?" Just when he asked that, he found Yulian sitting on the kitchen floor with his hands holding on to his head. "White!" Quickly crouching down, he worriedly inquired. "What's the matter? Are you okay? White...?"

Yulian's hands gradually slipped away from his head and he glanced up at Bailey with tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong, White?" Bailey reached over to wipe the tears that had trailed down his face.

"Bailey, I..."

"Are you feeling sick? Do you want to go to the hospital?"

Yulian shook his head. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Yulian nodded and handed Bailey the gift bag. "This is for you."

"What is it?"

"A gift," Yulian responded exasperatedly.

Bailey took the box out of the bag and opened it. "A ring...?"

"Do you like it?"

Taking it out of the box, Bailey slipped it on his left ring finger and smiled. "It's a perfect fit."

Yulian lifted his left hand and showed Bailey the matching one that he was wearing on his fourth finger. "Humans wear these when they are married. It's a promise that they will be together."

"Yes," Bailey affirmed. "Why do you sound like you're not human?"

"I'm..." Yulian paused for a moment before proceeding, "not."

"What?" Bailey sniggered at how ridiculous that sounded.

"Bailey, my memory has returned."