A Barrier

A hard lesson.

Emery Hayes can't help but wonder what was the hard lesson her fiance talked about.

Did she know about it before she lost her memory? But it seemed like they never had a close relationship before.

Just like he said before, Marcus had already figured out what was bothering his fiancee. Then he forced a little smile and said, "If time allows us, I will tell you more later."

"Later?" She raised a brow as she wondered why he couldn't just tell her the whole story. He already told her some to mount her curiosity!

Marcus Pierre only nodded with that unconvincing smile still on his face. Then he resumed his steps with Emery doing the same.

"I think we finish the tour of the mansion. Only outdoors are left now," Marcus informed Emery while they were standing on the ground floor of the mansion.

"We're done?" Emery Hayes glanced around as if she was looking for something. Then turning back to her fiance, she asked, "What about your room?"

Oh! His room. The expression on Marcus's face was proof of how surprised he was!

The old Emery Hayes was never interested in his room and maybe he had gotten used to that. Showing her his room didn't even cross his mind! Then he let out a sigh.

"I'm still struggling to register that you've changed a lot," he muttered while rubbing his temples. Then he briefly glanced at the upper floor before he turned back to Emery and said, "Follow me."

The two made their way up the stairs and entered Marcus's room in no time.

"This is it," Marcus Pierre said to Emery as the latter promptly glanced around the spacious room.

Just as she expected, her fiance's room was awesomely neat and arranged! Everything was in place to the point where it was very pleasant to look at!

"I think the word 'perfect' is invented for you," she absentmindedly remarked while looking around the room. "Your room is just like you."

Marcus Pierre chuckled at his fiancee's remark and he noticed how Emery took an interest in the bookshelves that spread along the wall near his desk.

Reading the titles of the books that were on the bookshelves, Emery turned to Marcus and said, "You have so many books on vehicles and all. Are you really that interested?"

Marcus walked closer to Emery who was standing next to the bookshelves. When he reached there, he looked at his large collection of books. "It's my dream to let Pierre Group enter the automobile industry. Right now, the company is involved in many fields such as electronics, construction, fashion, hotels, and even hospitals.

"But once I finish my studies, I wish to work in the automobile industry. To make that happen, I will have to start one."

Hearing out her fiance's dream brought a little smile to Emery's face. "I can see that you're very sure about what you want." She was reminded of her condition while her hand gently swept the books. "I don't even know what I like," she muttered and then looked at Marcus with an obviously forced smile.

"You can take your time," Marcus promptly reassured her. "We're only 22, Emery. It's still not late to look for what you really like." He took one of the books on the bookshelf and opened it as he said, "Life is too short to waste on things that we don't like. Like I said before, I'm fortunate that I'm interested in the fate that is set for me and in your case, you can look for your interest and walk that path once you find it."

All Emery Hayes did was gaze at her fiance who appeared quite invested in the book that he picked out. Then what he said to her before crossed her mind.

Later.

Ever since she woke up from a coma, Marcus was the one who looked after her and did everything without complaining even once. However... Emery felt like there was still some sort of barrier drawn between them and she can't figure out what exactly it was.

Did Marcus have some problem with her? She really wanted to know this.

While she was busy thinking of this, Emery was snapped out of her thoughts by her fiance's voice.

"Can I ask you a question, Emery?"

Feeling flustered by him suddenly asking for permission to ask her a question, Emery Hayes dumbfoundedly nodded. "What is it?"

Marcus Pierre closed the book he was reading. "Earlier..." He narrowed his eyes and looked up at Emery again when he continued, "Why did you say that you don't want to regain your memory?"

He noticed the uncomfortable change in his fiancee's expression and he quickly said, "My mother said that we shouldn't push you and I understand. I won't do that if you don't want to answer but... I'm worried.

"You always wish to have your memory back but you suddenly changed your mind. As your fiance, it's okay for me to worry about this kind of matter, right?"

His words reminded Emery of that glimpse from her lost memories and she ended up squeezing her clothes. However, the question that bothered her before suddenly crossed her mind once again and she met Marcus's gaze.

"If I tell you that, will you answer my question too?"

"What do you want to know?" Marcus asked her back. Like always, his voice was calm.

Emery Hayes thought twice before she said, "You are always so good to me but... I can feel that you are still drawing a barrier between us. Can you tell me why?" She met his gaze and cautiously added, "Do you not want us to get closer than we do now?"

"Emery -"

"Are you only good to me because I'm your fiancee? The partner that your father chose for you?"

Marcus Pierre found himself struggling to answer Emery's question. He didn't even know that she was bothered by this!

The more time he took to answer her, the more pressure Emery was feeling.

Why was she suddenly feeling so bothered by this? She had no idea at all!

Their engagement was an arranged one and wasn't it normal even if a barrier was drawn between them? Why did she even ask him that in the very first place?

She didn't know the answer to her own questions but she knew one thing.

That she wanted an honest response from her fiance who was still struggling to answer her question.

Why was it so hard for him to give her an answer this time?