32 Memories (1/2)

I open the door once more to let Mateo in. However, instead of just sitting and waiting for me, I see him just staring blankly against the wall. Mary the maid is not even here. I wonder what got to her. It took a pat on the shoulder to get this staring man's attention.

”Mateo, come on,” I say to him. ”You can see Emma now.”

As he hears my word, he is startled to see me before him. ”Oh, ummm, ok,” he says as he stands up.

Hesitantly, he enters the room. As he steps inside, I see him put on a smile on his face. ”Good morning, Mistress Emma.”

Even though I expect her to turn the story around, she does not even play the game. She finally concedes defeat that it was she who broke Mateo. Despite Mateo's happy face, she does not even smile. She just looks mortified to see him alive and well. ”Oh, my god,” she says to herself. ”Mateo.”

”Rose told me that you would be of great help in helping me recover my memories,” Mateo replies awkwardly. ”I hope I am not bothering you.”

She looks at me. I just nod at her hesitation. Yes, Mateo does have amnesia. Yes, he does not remember everything. Just help him. That's all I could think of saying to her had he not been in the same room. I say no words, and yet she understands. She just nods back in my nod.

”Mateo, you are not bothering me,” she says. ”It just that…” –she breaks off as she thinks of the proper words to say– ”it has been a long time since we last saw each other.”

Tears are coming out of her eyes as she struggles to keep her act together. Mateo is not even perturbed. He just clears his throat and faces her. ”For what, miss? You have not done anything.”

”I'm sorry,” she explains. ”You did nothing wrong. It was I who did all the wrongs. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for my lies. I'm sorry for ruining your inheritance. I'm sorry for destroying your name.”

”Mistress, I don't believe I understand,” he replies. ”My name might be ruined, but it is fine. I have my inheritance. I am CEO of my father's company. I'm just here because Rose said you can help me recover my memory.”

”No, Mateo. I'm truly sorry. Hear it from me. It was not your fault. I'm sorry for my infidelity. I'm sorry for the kiss you saw. We were not right for each other. I wish it had not come to this.”

And suddenly, his face turns upside down. It was as if a realization dawned in him. His eyes widen at what he sees in his mind. Without another word, he runs for the door and accidentally slams it on his way out. At this act, I just shake my head. Even Emma is shocked at what she saw.

”That's what become of him,” I explain to her. ”He can't remember. He is just a victim of your inheritance war.”

”He lost his memories, did he?” she asks.

”Yes. Some sort of accident with your half-sister, Ysabel. This just proves that this war not just involves you and your family, but also the people around you that are concerned.”