I Love You As Much As I Hate You

8. First Attempt

Rain looked at the photos which Cloud printed for half an hour, but nothing triggered her lost memories. She admitted that she really looked like the woman in the photo, except the haircut, but other than that there was nothing. She looked at the faces of the man and the woman for the hundredth time, sighing. Cloud said that the man was her brother and the woman was his wife, then mustn't have she remembered at least her brother? Wouldn't they look for her? What if Cloud was wrong? What if she wasn't Sun? Rain admitted that she was swayed by Cloud's mysterious handsome vibes as well as the pained look in his eyes, but what if he was just obsessed?

Rain put the photos onto the coffee table as there was no outcome. What shall I do now? she murmured in the empty house. Cloud was still suspicious of her so he did not give her phone back and there was no laptop. She could watch TV or read a book, but she was unwilling to do so. She wanted to do something useful as she was living in Cloud's house for free. Giving it a thought, she decided to do the cleaning and then cooking dinner.

4 hours later

After finishing everything she planned to do, Rain took a shower, set the table and started to wait for Cloud's return on the sofa with a book in her hand. However, as she was pretty tired, she fell asleep after twenty minutes of reading.

***

As soon as Cloud entered the flat, he noticed the change. Everywhere looked so clean and the table was set! Then he noticed the sleeping Rain on the sofa and without making a noise, he sat on the coffee table looking at her intensely. You changed a lot, but this is not you, he murmured while pushing the bangs that fell to her eyes. Feeling the touch, Rain opened her eyes.

"When did you come back?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.

"A minute ago," he took the book form her lap, "is it good?"

"I have no idea as I only managed to read five pages," she smiled softly, "but it is apparently a wonderful read for insomniacs."

Cloud chuckled. "I see you were very busy today," he looked around one more time, still being unable to believe Sun did the cleaning. SUN DID THE CLEANING!

"I should at least do the cleaning and cook," she said determined, "I can't stay here for free."

He gaped for a second then recollected himself, "what did you cook?"

"Chicken, rice and salad," she looked at him expectedly, "you are hungry, right?"

He nodded, even if he was not hungry, he could not say no to her when she looked damn cute like that.

"Great! Then you go change, I will sauce the salad," she said and went to the kitchen.

I hope it tastes very bad otherwise I will be more confused, he said inwardly when he joined her in the kitchen after changing his clothes.

"Here you are," she gave the plate to Cloud with a smile.

He took a bite and unfortunately it was good. "It is really nice, thank you," he managed to say while swearing non-stop inwardly as his brain was yelling; She is not Sun! But his heart was unwilling to listen.

"I am glad you liked it," she said and started to eat as well.

"After dinner, let's go to near park for a walk," he said as if the idea just came into his mind, as if he did not plan it in previous day.

Unaware of the foxes in Cloud's mind, Rain was highly happy for the offer as she nodded with a huge smile on her face.

One hour later, the duo was out, one walking aimlessly while the other had a plan in his mind. As Cloud could not take her to seaside, he had to find the perfect spot giving the same vibes.

"Let's take a break here," Cloud suddenly stopped Rain. They were in front of a huge decorative pool and there was a soft music coming somewhere near. "You stay here, I will be right back," he said before rushing somewhere.

She sat on the stone step, adjusted her cap and watched the sunset with an unknown melancholy in her heart. She was too immersed in her thought that she did not even notice Cloud's return.

"Here, for waiting me patiently," he gave her a cone of ice cream.

"Thank you," she said laughingly. He was like Pandora's box, full of surprises, and she liked his unpredictability.

"Do you like kiwi flavour?" he asked, seeing her eating the ice cream without any objection.

"Yes."

Liar! You hate kiwi, Cloud said inwardly while his mood became grumpy. He watched her finishing the ice cream with a twisted expression which she unsuccessfully tried to hide from him, probably it was too sour for her taste. He gritted his teeth with irritation as his reenactment plan was off-rail because she was too nice to admit she did not like kiwi. As the second part of the night was already out of question, Cloud admitted defeat for the first day.

"Can I ask you a question?" she asked softly while helping him to wipe the remaining of the ice cream from his lips, making him jumped back with the sudden contact. She abruptly retracted her hand, pretending as if she did not notice his reaction although she was hurt a little.

"Hmm?"

"What is your job?"

"I am a garden designer," he said disappointed as now it was for sure she did not even get a fracture of memory.

"Wow, it is cool. I would never expect that," she said teasingly.

"Why?"

"You look the way too serious and... sad for a fun job like garden designing."

Cloud shrugged. He knew she was right, but it still amazed him how she understood him this well, considering the limited time they spent together.

"Another question," she did not give him time to object, "do you have a family?"

That was easy. "Just my mom and I, she lives in seaside."

She pouted, "she must be missing you."

Cloud noticed the sadness in her voice, "probably not, I am very grumpy as you may notice," he said jokingly.

It worked, she chuckled a bit, "still, you have your own charms."

Do I? Cloud was not that sure.

"One more question then I will leave you alone," she said while blinking cutely to get permission.

Cloud smirked and made a hand gesture to her to continue.

"Who are those friends that you met on Sunday?"

He wondered why she was asking those personal questions. She was as if... as if trying to be close with him. But why? Cloud hoped she would not develop some feelings for him. Unconsciously, he mumbled "it is impossible with Sun again."

Fortunately, she did not hear, "hmm?"

Cloud shook his head, "nothing. They are my best friends from middle school. Gray is a police officer and Mir is a doctor."

"That's cool. You are lucky to have two good friends."

"I guess so," he said softly, "let's go back home, it is getting cold."

Rain simply nodded as she knew it was the way he was telling "no more questions".

***

C: Here, for waiting me patiently.

S: Ice cream? It is the worst pick-up line and method

that I ever heard. Which flavor is this?

C: Kiwi, as exotic as you.

S: Here, you can eat both of them on our way back to my place.

C: Your place? Wow, isn't it a bit fast?

S: I hate 'getting to know each other' part, let's just have some fun.

C: Lead the way then!