Another day, another failed attempt at getting my memory back.

I got out of bed and opened the wardrobe as if clothes could have magically appeared from the last time I opened it last night without thinking. Hearing faint chatter downstairs, I opened my door only to see Elliot standing on the other side, his hand raised in a fist as if he was just about to knock. My gaze lowered to the clothes he was holding that I imagined were for me.

"That for me?" I asked by way of greeting.

"Good morning to you too," he extended the clothes in my direction. "Get dressed, come eat, then we go out."

"Go out where?" I queried, taking the clothes from him.

"Shopping," was all he said before turning and heading downstairs.

I closed my door and inspected the clothes. The outfit was simple enough, a pair of tights and a plain t-shirt. It would match with the plain black takkies Elliot had gotten me when I was discharged. I got dressed and headed downstairs to join everyone for breakfast. The kitchen was spacious with a wooden floor and white walls. The counter was marbled white and designed in an L shape. In the centre of the room was a long island that extended into a table where everyone was already seated. The food hadn't been touched so I imagined they had been waiting for me.

"Morning," I greeted everyone and took the free chair at the end beside Harley.

"Did you sleep well?" Aunt Mary asked.

"Yeah, I did thanks," I answered then asked, "did you?" out of courtesy.

"Yes, thank you," She replied then held her hands out on either side of her. "Shall we?"

Harley held her hand in my direction and Uncle Harry—who sat opposite me—stretched his hand over the counter toward me. Seeing everyone holding the others' hand, I placed my one hand in Harley's, then my other in Uncle Harry's.

"Harley, would you do the honours?" Aunt Mary said then everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes.

I followed suit.

"Lord, thank you for the food," Harley jumped into prayer. "May you bless it, and bless the awesome hands of Harley that made it. Amen."

"Amen," everyone echoed.

"You should always say Grace before eating," Harley said to me. "There are people out there who would kill for this food, especially because it was made by, the one and only, Harley."

I grinned, "you like cooking?"

"Like is an understatement, I love cooking," she emphasised. "I love cooking, and I love food. I thank the Lord for my fast metabolism and my love for sports because, with the amount I eat, I would get so big that I'd have to sit on two chairs."

Elliot cleared his throat to mask his next words, "glutton."

"I am not a glutton," Harley defended. "I just have no self-control when it comes to good food."

"Sounds a lot like gluttony to me," Elliot chimed.

"Good food," Harley highlighted. "Not all food, good food."

"Same difference."

I couldn't help but smile at their banter.

"Let's just eat, shall we?" Aunt Mary suggested.

"Fine by me," Harley said as she reached for the only pot before us. "I call this, the Harley breakfast special," she announced as she raised the pot lid. The steam rose and the smell that hit me was... overwhelmingly amazing. "Bacon, eggs, beans, sausage, cheese, tomatoes and all the breakfast essentials packed into one dish."

I looked into the pot. Visually, it didn't look great, but I had to admit, "it smells amazing."

"It tastes even better."

Harley grabbed the bowl in front of me and dished for me, before placing a spoon inside and pushing it in my direction.

"And don't forget about the bread," she said, grabbing a long cutting board where a long stick of bread was. "It's a baguette because we're fancy," she added in a French accent before cutting a slice for me. "I made it by the way. Because I'm secretly French."

Elliot snorted, "you wish."

"You can dip the bread in or eat it plain, your choice," she said, handing me the slice she had cut. "It tastes amazeballs either way."

I took the slice of baguette and tried not to focus on the way everyone was watching me for my reaction when I scooped the contents with the bread and took a bite. An unexpected moan surfaced.

"Success!" Harley cheered.

"Oh my gosh, Harley, this is amazing," I told her, taking another bite.

"I know," she said, satisfied. "And thank you."

"You just need to work on its visuals," I told her. "But otherwise it's a 10 out of 10."

"I appreciate it—"

Harley's words were cut off by the sound of the front door opening and closing and a familiar voice calling, "Ellie!"

"Great," Harley sighed under her breath.

"I'm in the kitchen," Elliot answered, loud enough for her to hear.

Her steps grew louder as she approached.

"Ellie," she smiled upon seeing him. He stood up to hug her before sitting back down again, and then she greeted the rest of us.

I couldn't help but notice the way she looked as if she was going for a photoshoot. She wore a skin-tight short dress with knee-high boots and her makeup and hair, once again, looked like they had been done by a professional.

"I missed you," she cried and bent down to kiss him on the cheek.

"You literally saw him last night," Harley snarked.

"Harley!" Aunt Mary scolded.

"What?"

"Have you eaten yet?" Aunt Mary asked Jess, deciding not to deal with Harley now. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Don't you usually just have cereal or toast?" Jess asked, analysing the food.

"Yes, but Harley wanted the first meal Zara ate here to be her cooking."

"But I ate here yesterday," I said.

"None of that was cooked here so it doesn't count," Harley dismissed. "And it doesn't compare to the Harley breakfast special."

"Oh, so this is one of Harley's concoctions?" Jess asked, and I noticed the way her upper lip curled slightly. "Well, in that case, I'm not hungry."

"Jess," Elliot said softly.

"What?" Jess asked. "It doesn't even look nice."

"But it tastes great," I told her, having more of my own Harley breakfast special. "You're honestly missing out."

Harley looked at me with what looked like a grateful expression, and I wondered why. Had Jess never been a fan of her food or something?

"I didn't come here to eat," Jess said before plopping down on Elliot's lap. "I came here to tell you all that we've found and paid for a wedding venue."

"What?!" Harley and Elliot said, but their parents only remained silent.

Elliot stood, which forced Jess to stand as well, "we need to talk."

"The venue cost $5000!" She suddenly declared, and I choked on my Harley breakfast special. "We've already paid."

The venue cost $5000?

"The invitations have been made and sent out. They cost $800," Jess said casually.

I coughed again and reached for the serviettes when a bean found its way to and out of my nose.

"I found and paid for my dress," she turned to Elliot. "And I've found and paid for your suit as well."

"I didn't ask you to do that." He seemed upset. Irritated.

She turned and faced us again, ignoring Elliot's statement, "those cost $9500 for both."

"Jessica..." Elliot said through clenched teeth.

The tension was so tangible. I could almost feel it.

"The bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits cost $15000 total," she continued, and I couldn't help but wonder if these clothes were made of gold or something. "That was all I came here to say, so I'll be off now." She planted a quick kiss on Elliot's cheek. He stiffened at the contact and didn't say anything as she left.

A long, tense, thick silence enveloped the kitchen, and only when Jess' car was heard pulling out of the parking lot did someone dare to break the silence.

"I'm going to my room," Harley said, shooting out of her chair and stomping past Elliot and out of the kitchen.

"Zara," Elliot suddenly called me and I didn't know why I immediately rose to my feet, feeling guilty, as if simply witnessing that spectacle was a reason for condemnation. "Let's go." He didn't even bother to check to see if I was following before exiting the house.

"Um, please tell Harley I said thank you for the food," I asked Aunt Mary. "And Please save my leftovers for me for when I get back."

Then I followed Elliot.