No chances

Brendon followed Cole's explanations and suggestions, he was slower than his brother to learn the basis, and sure enough, he didn't have his charisma and his innate will to stand out.

They had always been opposite brothers, in both personality and appearence. People who knew them both, always said how they looked rather opposite than similar.

After almost a whole day of working and training his brother Cole decided to ask him some more information about his relationship with Claire.

"How are things with Claire?" He asked Brendon, trying to sound less interested than he truly was.

"Things are going smoothly, I couldn't ask for a better woman to have by my side. We barely argue on a daily basis."

He lied effortlessly as if he was an actor in his own life.

"Oh, that's good. Do you love her?" Cole asked, frowning his forehead.

That was the first time they spoke about something personal in a long time.

"I do. I really do."

Cole hearing his brother's answer nodded, it hurt hearing that answer.

"And… does she love you back?"

The answer didn't slid out his lips as easily as the first answer he provided. A little of hesitation which lasted approximately few fractions of seconds before he lied once again.

"She does." he answered coldly.

"I'm happy for you two then." Cole lied as well, two brothers who were supposed to be very close now appeared the most distant.

None of them was honest with the other, none of them cared to be.

"My father said you told him that she had an accident in the past and was affected by memory loss." Cole pretended he was just curious and that he didn't have any other purpose in knowing more about that accident.

"I'm sorry, it must be hard for her. Is she recovering well?"

Brendon crinked his nose and tilted his head to the side to take a inner deep breath, "not really, her condition is stable which is positive since she can't get worst but at the same negative because she can't get better either."

He took a second deep breath, this time it seemed more rancorous as if he was mad not to help his girlfriend in any way. Maybe that would be the first thing they could have in common.

Brendon continued to speak, "she gave up now, for some time she tried to recover her memory but now I guess she gave up. It's better to leave past in the past and focus on present. She even cut off the few friends she useed to have because she felt gulty for not remembering them. I guess she did a good thing. Meeting people of her past would only make her feel sad and bad for her current situation."

Brendon's thought made Cole reconsider his purpose and wonder if he was selfish for trying to get her back if it would only mean causing her collateral damage and sufferance. Moreover he didn't even have the certainty he would success with his plan to conquer her and remind her the amazing lovestory they had.

"She is the happiest with me, doctors had been clear. She has a minimal chance she will restore her memory and in case she does it will be only partial memory of details and events. She will never remember the people she had met in the months before the accident." Brendon talked slowly and carefully with his brother who at each word grew more and more demoralized by the situation he was in.

Cole could feel his tears of anger and desperation pinching his eyes, threatening to break out. He tried to drive them away but his effort resulted invain so he walked hastly to his office and when alone he let the tears free to wet his sculptured face and his particular facial features. He covered his eyes with his hands and he punched the table's surface angrily before bending his head on his arms.

He cried his heart and his eyes out that I afternoon, doubting that if his brother may be right, he would only cause pain to the woman he so deeply loved.

Moreover, were there even any chances for their relationship to be reminded and saved? Now he doubted that.