Page 41 of Forgetting the Enemy
“Zaira, he’s just concerned about you,” she says. “Seriously, all I was going to say is that you were engaged to Michael before the accident, and so it’s only natural you are engaged after.” When I don’t say anything, she continues nervously. “You and Michael were always meant to be together. He’s always loved you. We all knew it. It’s like a fairy tale.”If she only knew. Outwardly, he leads the world to believe he loves me, and in private, he despises me. I repulse him. But his passion is real; I can feel it. Oh hell, I don’t know.
I decide not to pry. I still believe there is something they are not telling me, but I am sure that when my memories come back, and I know they will, I’ll know.
Mia and I spend most of the afternoon at the pool. When Ricco comes out to tell me my packages have arrived and that they have been placed in my room, I grab Mia and insist she come upstairs to see all the things I bought. For some reason, I feel comfortable with Mia. I don’t remember her as my sister, but I feel her as my sister. I know that probably makes absolutely no sense, but it’s like the feeling I have about Michael. I know I’ve loved him for a very long time. Don’t ask me how I know it, but I do.
Mia gushes over all my purchases. “OMG! Zaira, this lingerie is sexy as hell.” She holds up a lacy bustier and garter belt. “Will you really wear this stuff?”
I look at her and smile. “Oh, yes. I will definitely wear this stuff.”
“Do guys really get into this stuff?” Mia asks.
“Oh, sweetie, yes they do. Just wait until you’re a little older.”
She looks at me shyly, and it is clear she is at an age where she is curious yet cautious. It’s sweet and endearing and makes me want to be her older sister. I want to guide her. I remember Michael telling me that both of our parents are dead.
“Do you want to stay for dinner?” I ask. “Dr. Siegel is coming later this afternoon for a follow-up, but other than that, I have nothing else. All I have to do is let Dina know.”
“Oh, Zaira, I’d love to, but Vince comes home today, and although he knows I’m here, I don’t want him to come home to a house full of staff and void of family. He’s had a rough couple of days, and I think I should be home with him.”
“He’s been away?”
“Yeah, he went to Pennsylvania yesterday to meet with a client.”
“Client?” I ask.
“Oh, he must not have told you. Vince is an attorney, licensed to practice in four states, Pennsylvania being one of them.”
“Oh, I didn’t know,” I reply. “You mentioned you wanted to be home for him when he arrived. Is something wrong? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, just a lot of issues to deal with in the wake of Papa’s death.”
Wait, what?“Mia, when did our father die?” I ask her.
“The same night you fell and hit your head.” She replies as if I should have already known the answer. And she is right. I should have known because Michael should have told me. He led me to believe my father had been dead a long time.
“And Mom?” I ask her hesitantly.
“Oh, she was killed five years ago.”
Killed?“You mean to tell me our mother was murdered?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says sadly.
“Who killed her?” I ask, and suddenly I’m afraid of the answer.
“I don’t know,” she says. “They never found her killer.”
So the murderer is still out there.Who would have killed my mother and why?I think to myself.And why did Michael lie to me about my father?
“Well, Zaira, this has been so much fun, but I better go.” She looks at her watch. “Vince should be home soon.”
“Okay, if you have to go. I really enjoyed this today. Thank you.”
“I’m so glad you called. Vince said not to push your memories, so I was staying away. It means a lot that you reached out to me.”
I give her a hug. “I may not remember you, Mia, but I feel a connection. Based on Michael’s reaction earlier, I assume you are always welcome to come by anytime. You don’t have to wait for me to reach out.”
She hugs me harder and says, “I have to go.” She then breaks the hug and turns to leave.
