1 Welcome home, Karen!

It had been three weeks since Karen Wilson was found unconscious in her apartment with a severe head injury and some bruises on her skin. The cctv footages of the incident were completely erased, leaving no leadings in the investigations that were carried out by the cops.

Forensic technicians were also involved in the case, but they found no strange fingerprints on the items in the house including Karen's body.

It became very clear that whoever they were dealing with was an expertise in criminality and the only way they could probably reveal his or her identity was if Karen survived being comatose.

To the joy and gladness of everyone who wished Karen well, Karen eventually became conscious. She had been conscious for a day, but was yet to say a word. She was also acting strange, from the way she looked at the people around her to the way she reacted whenever they touched her.

The doctor said she might be suffering from memory loss, but it was not certain until Karen began to speak.

She soon began to speak, and to everyone's disappointment, she confirmed what the doctor said to be true. She had no memories of herself, her families and friends, including what had happened to her.

After being under the observation of the doctor for a few days, she was deemed fit to be discharged.

....

Preparations were being made to welcome Karen back home and her grandmother 'Fiona Wilson' took it upon herself to make sure everything was perfect.

"You didn't set the table well enough." Mrs Wilson complained to one of the maids, then she continued inspecting everything else.

She went to the entrance of the house where the decorations were being made by Karen's younger sister and her face turned gloomy.

"What is this, Jane? Couldn't you at least make the banner a little higher?" She shook her head. "I thought you said you were good with decorations, and yet you couldn't do this simple task right."

Jane who was on a ladder, putting up more decorations, was dressed in tomboyish clothes. She paused when she heard her grandma's comment and angrily got off from the ladder. Rolling her eyes, she walked past the old woman.

"Jane! sweetheart!" A much younger woman in her early forties, called out to her but Jane turned a deaf ear and went up the grand staircase.

The woman sighed and looked at Mrs Wilson "Mom, did you really have to be so strict with my little girl?"

"I just need everything to be perfect for Karen's arrival... I want her to feel at home." Mrs Wilsons voice broke a little as she spoke. "My poor baby was found unconscious in her own apartment, with a severe head injury and some bruises on her skin... Lauren, she was taken to the hospital and was there for a week only for us to be told she had a memory loss and may suffer mental derangements, causing her to be ignorant of many things. She is coming home today, I want her to feel comfortable."

Lauren broke into tears. "Oh mother, you have succeeded in snatching the tiny thread I was holding onto. If you feel this way, then I guess you should know that I feel much worse. She is my daughter and my first fruit. She was beaten up by some god knows who bastard, which put her in the pitiful condition." She stopped talking and sniffled.

"She doesn't even remember her very own mother anymore." She wiped her tears. "So please stop working yourself up. I'm sure Karen would feel at home here and we would all show her love and care. Hopefully, that would bring her memories floating back".

Mrs Wilson placed her hand on Lauren's shoulder and smiled. "You are right my dear, I believe everything would be fine."

"So while we are still waiting for Karen's arrival, why don't you go up to Jane's room and spoil her a little." Lauren said.

"No way. That brat is already spoilt to the core. Didn't you see how she whooshed past me? I'm sure if I had tried to stop her, she would have pushed me to the floor."

"C'mon Mom." Lauren frowned slightly.

"Just a little joke... Fine, I'll go spoil her some more." Mrs Wilson chuckled and approached the stairs.

A while later, a limousine drove into the large compound and out of it came a young man who had blonde hair long enough to cover his bright blue eyes. He was of an average height, but with a well built masculine body. He had a great physique, which gave away a kind of out of this world beauty.

He went around the car, opened the door and held out his hand for the person inside. The person accepted his hand and was assisted to get out of the car.

It was Karen. Her head was wrapped up in bandages and her skin was really pale that one would think all the blood in her body had been sucked out. She looked around her surroundings like she was on the look out for anything dangerous.

"It's okay, Karen. You are safe here. This is where your family lives and you would be taken proper care of." The young man assured her with a sweet and gentle smile, revealing his nice set of white teeth, but she only blinked at him innocently with her long lashes.

"Let's go in." He gestured with his hand for her to move ahead of him.

Karen hesitated, but she soon started taking slow steps, while the young man patiently followed behind, and in what seemed like hours, they were finally standing before the large double doors.

The man pressed the doorbell and in a minute or two, the door was opened by a young lady in a maids uniform.

"Welcome home Karen!!" All the occupants of the house were all gathered in the spacious living room, and they had all shouted together.

A banner also slid down with the words 'Welcome home Karen' printed on it.

Lauren excitedly ran to Karen and engaged her in a hug, which Karen was a little uncomfortable with. "Come on in sweetie, don't be shy." She smiled sweetly at her.

Mrs Wilson also came forward and stood before Karen. "Oh my beloved grandchild." She placed her hand on Karen's face "You look so pale... Don't worry, it won't be long before your skin starts to glow as before and hopefully your memories too would be triggered." She wrapped her arm around Karen's waist and led her into the living room.

Lauren faced the young man that had brought Karen home. "Thank you so much Hendrick, I really appreciate your help."

Hendrick smiled at her and said. "It's nothing really. I feel it's my duty."

Lauren sighed. "I just can't imagine what would have been of my daughter if you hadn't shown up in her apartment and rushed her to the hospital. We sure do owe you a lot." Lauren said as she took his hand in hers.

Hendrick shook his head. "No, you don't owe me. You all are like family to meand Karen and I have really come a long way as friends."

Mrs Wilson brought Karen close enough to the others. "Karen, this is Jane, your baby sister." She pointed at Jane.

Jane smiled awkwardly. "I'm glad you are okay, Karen."

Mrs Wilson continued. "For some reasons, she was too busy to come say hello to you at the hospital."

Lauren and Hendrick had already joined them, and Lauren was quick to join in. "Sweetie, what grandma meant was that Jane was busy with some work so she couldn't come to say hello. You don't know how badly she wanted to come see you."

Mrs Wilson held back her laughter. "Yes my dear, the both of you are perfect sisters." She said it sarcastically, which made Jane frown hard.

All the while, Karen was still yet to say a word. The butler 'Mr Evans' and the other two servants 'Sarah and Bella' were introduced to her.

Lauren heaved a sigh on noticing this. "I couldn't help but notice that you haven't said a word since you got here, darling."

Karen suddenly felt the need to say something. "Nice to meet you all." She said with a little smile.

Lauren smiled at the progress. "Oh my! You have no idea how much I have missed that cute smile... Come, you must be famished." she held Karen's hand and led her to the dining, and everyone else followed.

"Look, they are all your favorite dishes. Lobster rolls, Meatloaf, Grits, fried chicken and pancakes. Once you taste them, I'm sure it will ring something in your head." Lauren said and pulled out a chair for Karen.

Karen sat down, and with all those dishes on the table, she could feel her mouth starting to water. She picked up the cutlery and ate from one of the dishes. Her eyes widened from the taste, which made Lauren chuckle.

"Do you like it?" she asked and Karen looked up at her, nodding happily.

"Now that the princess likes the food, can we all sit and eat now?" Asked Jane.

Lauren gave her a look before smiling. "Of course, let's all eat."

After lunch, Mrs wilson showed Karen to her room. "Just the way you left it, my dear."

Karen entered the room, looking around with her curious eyes and her beautiful smile. The room was painted all white and was really spacious. The large bed was neatly covered with a white duvet and there were two sofas in the room, facing the TV screen that was attached to the wall.

"Does seeing your room remind you of anything?" Mrs Wilson asked with hope reflecting in her eyes, but her question killed the smile on Karen's face.

Karen slowly shook her head. "No."

Mrs Wilson saw that Karen's facial expression changed and she quickly took Karen's hands in hers as a means of comfort. "Don't worry dear, we aren't in a hurry. You just take your time and it will all come to you." And with those words, Karen's smile returned.

"I'll leave you to be alone now. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know, alright?"

Karen nodded, "Thank you ma."

Mrs Wilson smiled and said "Call me Grandma."

"Grandma?" Karen asked.

Mrs Wilson's smile faded. "Why? You don't want to?" she asked, sounding disappointed, but Karen didn't respond and looked away. "You used to call me that before and I would be really happy if you continue doing so." She added.

Karen looked back at her and said "Okay, Grandma."

Mrs Wilson's face lit up immediately she heard Karen call her grandma. "Thank you very much, dear. You don't know how happy you've made me." She gently squeezed Karen's cheek. "Alright, I'll leave you to rest now." she left Karen's room and shut the door behind her.

Karen silently sat on the bed, with her eyes still travelling around the room. An image flashed in her head, but she didn't get a chance to read a meaning to it as a knock on the door got her attention.

"Hey Karen, it's me Hendrick. Can I come in?" Hendrick's voice sounded from outside Karen's room.

Karen looked at the door, and after being silent for sometime, she said "Come in."

Hendrick entered her room with his usual smile still on his face. "I just thought of saying goodbye to you before leaving."

Karen nodded. "Okay."

"If you need anything just ask, okay? And if you need someone to talk to, you could always ask your mom or grandma to call me to come over. I'll come right away."

Karen nodded again, then Hendrick turned around to leave, but stopped in his tracks when Karen's voice stopped him. "Wait!"

Hendrick turned around with a surprised look on his face as he knew the new Karen didn't seem to like conversations. "Yeah?"

Karen smiled. "Who are you to me?" She asked.

Hendrick wasn't expecting her to ask him that, but he still smiled back and said "Uhm... We have been friends since we were little children, probably best friends." He paused and scratched his head. "Well, there's something else, but I'll tell you about it next time, okay?"

Karen nodded and then he smiled at her once more before leaving.

A/N: Hello guys!! I want to welcome and thank you all for stopping by to read. I'm sorry if there were too many characters that were introduced in just a chapter. I'm not perfect and I'm willing to learn so I'll appreciate if you tell me what you think about the story in the comment section below.