Shadow of Past Love

Viviana observed the smiling guy in her view. He was softly holding her chin. The black shirt he was wearing was open and she couldn't get a clear view of his chest because the mobility of her head was limited. She ended up staring at his face mirroring what he was doing.

His eyes were on her lips for reasons she couldn't comprehend.

She didn't care where he looked. She tried to figure out where she was, but she could only look at his face.

He looked a little paler than when she met him earlier and warmer than a normal human. He's probably sick. But he had very good skin for a man. Not that she knew many men, but his skin looked smooth and well-maintained.

And was it classic Old Spice aftershave she smelled on him?

Her sense of smell was not all that good. But she could smell whiffs of her favorite aftershave scent on him when she struggled to have that coveted deep breath. Although he smelled like a grandpa, it gave a protective feeling. Her father used that scent. So did some other older males she respected. She, without knowing had started to associate that scent with safety and affection over years. She drew a deep breath although it was difficult.

'One more whiff...'

The tug she felt back then when she was in the dark waters… she felt that again with a whiff of that scent.

'Was this scent the tether that pulled me here?'

*Knock* *Knock*

Hearing the door knock, Leander swiftly got down from the bed. The grin on his face got wiped away instantly. Rubbing his chest in confusion, he walked away from the bed and opened the door. He did flick the knife under the table with his foot before anyone noticed it there.

By anyone, he meant Viviana.

Nathaniel was standing at the door with a troubled expression. Leander didn't know why he aged a decade in just two days. He didn't care to know the reason for his sadness for the most part and came to his point.

"She woke up," Leander said jerking his head at Viviana.

And instantly he saw Nathaniel's face brightening with a thousand-watt smile. Leander rubbed his chest which was itchy. Not the skin, but inside…somewhere…something didn't feel right seeing Nathaniel smile at her like that.

"That's great! Hello, I am Dr. Nathaniel Burke," he introduced himself as he walked toward her. "That was a long sleep. So… how are you feeling?" he asked.

Leander hurriedly stepped closer to Nathaniel blocking him from Viviana. Only when he saw how perplexed Nathaniel was, he realized that he is stopping the doctor from having a look at her.

Clearing his throat, he stepped back. But when he saw that Nathaniel's back is blocking his view of her, he went around and stood at the other end of the bed.

"Look here, Miss…" Nathaniel leaned to her face with the penlight. He needed to check her pupil reflexes.

Nathaniel trailed off not mentioning her by the name because firstly, he didn't know her name, and secondly, he wanted to check how good her mental capabilities are. As a doctor, he didn't have much hope, but as someone who wanted to live, he hoped for a miracle.

There was no answer from her. Viviana was seriously contemplating where she was. She could say that Dr. Burke is genuinely concerned for her. And the view from the window—the mountain range at the distance—she could conclude that she is indeed in Leander Kastello's villa.

'So much for hoping for a romantic break in an alternate universe, eh, Viv? Fate is cruel!'

She rolled her eyes in her heart.

But then she remembered all her friends who worked together with her in bringing down the Kastello family. She wondered how long she was asleep and what happened to them during that time. She is alive, in Kastello's villa.

Could they be alive too? Did they escape Leander Kastello, or did they do as they planned? If so, did they succeed?

But... If Leander managed to catch them alive that would be good. Then they can find a way to escape together.

And she wanted the confirmation of the successful castration of Evander. That's what they planned everything for.

She loved conversing with herself, and she often forgets everything around her doing so. Maybe she is narcissistic, but she found that she liked her company much better than anyone else's. It protected her. She cannot betray herself, and she won't ruin other people's life by attaching herself to their life.

It usually garnered her the name "silent", "introvert", and of the sort. And her silence often was associated with smartness and goodness. Well, some called her other names like "loner", "loser" and of the sorts too. But right now, she didn't know that the good doctor in front of her was losing his mind as he tried to figure out if she had lost her mind.

And Leander saw the hate swirling in her eyes. His eyebrows twitched in worry. Maybe she didn't forget?

"Miss, can you tell me your name? And how are you feeling, apart from your cold?"

The doctor's voice brought her out of her reverie. He checked her eyes and other orifices and looked at her for answers.

She opened her mouth to say her name, but Leander interjected her even before she started. "She does not remember her name. She doesn't even remember me."

Nathaniel looked at Viviana and she looked at Leander. Her eyes widened and she bit her lips. She was confused by his words.

This is his place and aren't I, his prisoner? What's with the 'she doesn't even remember me' bit?

Leander was stressed for a reason. Steve told him that Nathaniel thinks(rightly) that this woman is responsible for the atrocity that happened to his brother. But he is wrong to think he arranged her or is protecting her.

Once again, he lied. This time he thought that he lied to protect himself, when in fact, he was protecting her too.

"Miss, do you not remember him?" Nathaniel asked.

It's all going bonkers, Nathaniel thought in his heart. But he could say that for the big lion baby in front of him, the woman forgetting him means something. Or… he is hiding something. He wondered if Leander is stopping him from learning her name. And that means his doubts were right.

"He's… Kastello," Viviana answered with a little hesitation.

She wondered if it is some interrogation technique used by the mafia these days. They pretend to care for them and gather the information they want with kindness.

'Heh, Kastello and kindness?'

She scoffed. Her lungs didn't take her scoffing very easily and she ended up getting a fit of cough. The doctor helped her and after a struggle, she calmed down.

"She remembers you," Nathaniel said to Leander who looked restless. No matter what, Leander is acting weird.

And this woman… he couldn't see it when she was sleeping as her eyes were closed, but she closely resembles that woman Leander loved with all his heart when he was a teen.

Maybe that's what it is, and he is needlessly thinking that he wants the Don seat. Maybe Leander's heart is rekindled after meeting a woman closely resembling his first love. And he is acting restless as he forgot how to love.

Leander desperately needs to release his sexual frustration. A good-looking woman will definitely help him mellow up. Nathaniel decided to help Leander.

It's about time he forgets that woman.