Both of them won

—————————-Author's note———————

Respected reader, I apologise with the delay in the update.

My account had a problem because of which I couldn't log in. I promise this won't be the issue again as long as my story is ongoing.

I hope you enjoy this chapter. Feel free to leave your opinions.

———————————————————————

Amelia Anson.

The words echoed in Fletcher's mind as Rocky led him to the hall which was usually used for meeting vistors if the patient is sober enough not to attack.

The hall was filled with tables for the visitors to sit with the patients. There was a piano in the corner and Fletcher wondered if somebody here knew how to play.

Rocky took him through the hall into an empty room. Well it wasn't empty completely as someone was sitting there with their head down. Fletcher could have recognised that head from anywhere.

The chair scrapped against the floor as Fletcher pulled it to take a seat.

The lady with her head on the table looked up.

Fletcher felt like air has been sucked out of his lungs.

"I'll leave you guys alone now" Rocky said as he left the room. Amelia nodded at Rocky but Fletcher was too stunned to even speak.

"Mom" his voice came out as a mere whisper.

"Flake" his mother said as her eyes teared up. His mother had a funny habit of naming everything and everything with funny words. His nickname 'Flake' was after he almost choked on a cornflake when he was in tenth grade.

Not one of his proudest moments but it is what it is.

His mother was so stressed when he was choking. But when he spat the flake that he was choking  on, she gave him a bewildered look. "Don't cornflakes soften up in mouth?" She had asked slowly as if her whole life has been a lie.

"Where were you mom? We were going crazy with worry. Do you know how many nights dad went without eating anything." He said exasperated.

"I know Flake. I am bound" she looked down and shadow of a tear loomed on her face. Her dirty blonde hair, same hair that Fletcher inherited, were spraying  across her face.

"What do you mean mom?" He asked. Dozen scenarios ran through his mind.

"Flake. This" she gestured to the walls with both of her hands "what are you doing here?" She asked warmly. There was a different eeriness in her voice Fletcher has never experienced before.

"You know why I'm here mom" he looked down at his hands.

"There's nothing wrong with you Flake" she whispered and her hand came forward across the table "this is a blessing Flake. You will realise soon. I've already realised it" she said with a sad smile"

"This is the biggest curse I've ever seen upon anybody" Fletcher groaned. There was an aggressiveness in his voice.

"You may not realise it now Flake, but soon you will" she smiled again. Her beautiful face was lighted dimly by the light above their head.

His mother has always had a heart of gold for as long as he can remember. It is the same reason why she thought about it as a blessing, she surely was happy that her son can help others in ways nobody else could.

"I'm sure I won't" he said bitterly.

"Wait till these moments prove to be a blessing" Amelia got up and Fletcher's heart started aching as if, if he lets her leave today, she will never come back. "I don't have much time Flake. But all I want right now, is you to leave this goddamn place" she said sorrowfully.

"Mom" He called her as she started walking towards the door. Amelia turned back to look at her son with a smile, she looked like she already knew what he was about to ask "you will come back right?" Fletcher said. When she didn't reply, he pleaded again "please mom" he said.

Tears were threatening to roll out of his eyes.

"I will. But I don't know if I can manage to come more than once" she sighed "as I said, I don't have much time"

"Is someone threatening you? Just tell me and I will deal with anybody" Fletcher said with determination.

"You've done what a good son can. And I'm afraid nobody can get me out of this situation" she said and smiled at him. "I'm happy son. You don't have to worry about me" with that, she turned around to exit through the door.

Another thought ran through Fletcher's mind. "Wait! Mom!" He called again.

"Yes Flake"

"How did you find out I was here? Nobody knows about it" he asked curiously.

In return, Amelia Anson smiles mischievously "well I live nearby. You will be surprised to know how fast news travel around here" with that mysterious reply, she left.

Rocky came in after a few minutes and took Fletcher to his room. All this while, his mother's words were ringing in his ears.

Amelia Anson has always been a mystery. The same mystery that drives an Ohio based businessman to her. The same mysterious beauty people swore off. And the same mysterious beauty that has left him wondering.

___________________

"What has gotten into you today" Alice said, observing Fletcher who was munching on his dinner like a cow.

"I'm thinking" was all he said as he kept on munching. His eyes were narrowed and he was looking at the lake.

Alice chuckled and shifted closer to him. Somehow in the two nights they have come here before this, they become closer. Closer enough to shift to sitting on the same rock from the rock at a distance.

"She meant what she said Fletch" Alice said slowly. "She wants you to leave that place" she said.

"And that's exactly what I'm thinking" he turned to her "you're my nurse right?" He said and she nodded. "And you would've diagnosed me mentally stable" he said, one of his brows going up as if in doubt.

Alice rolled her eyes, there was nervousness in her voice when she spoke "off course I would have"

"This means, if my mother wanted me to actually leave, she could have taken me" he said running a hand through his dirty blonde hair.

"Then why didn't she? She said she wants me out but left me there" he said as he turned his head to Alice.

Alice took a deep breath. "I think you're right" she said.

Their close proximity was causing a fire to burn in Fletcher's heart. A fire he didn't know his heart was capable of producing.

Alice licked her lips and then regretted. This action made Fletcher's attention go to her lips and she could've sworn his green eyes darkened.

Alice knew this was meaningless. That she couldn't bring herself to do something like this. Not when he knew nothing about her.

The desire was suffocating her but all she could do, was look into those beautiful green eyes.

Both of them looked like they were trying to stop themselves from doing something they shouldn't.

And both of them won.

Well, at-least for now they did.