E T H A N 

She was there.

Yet, I didn't do anything. 

I could still remember the moment that she slapped me. I felt like the word slowed down on me. Her eyes were filled with dark clouds. Sadness. Anger. Everything that she felt right on that spot was like a spear thrown into my heart for a split second. 

I wanted to tell her everything. But with Vanessa with me, I don't think that would be a great memory for Vanessa to start. After all, seeing Claire on that spot would not be a great beginning for her. She could return to her old self if I'm not that careful.

New memories, the past is past. I want Vanessa to see me as a friend, not as her boyfriend or crush. If only my plan could work. To make new fresh memories instead of bringing up the old ones.

Because I like how Vanessa acts right now, calm and kind. Just like how I first met her. 

My eyes went back to my phone, knowing too well that Claire meant the breakup messages seriously. That's why I never really answered them. 

I wait for the time that I could explain everything to her but I was scared that Vanessa might figure out that Claire was connected to me. I want her to think that I never knew Claire at all, never really met her. 

That way, she could be peaceful without Vanessa bothering her again.

I heard my phone ring while Vanessa and I were watching a movie. She looked at me distinctly before pointing to the phone with her finger --- which was right between us. 

 "Are you going to answer that?" she asked me as she watched me nod as I stood up. Noticing that it was Benedict who was calling me, I excused myself before walking out the door to take the call. Though, I noticed how she paid no mind and continued watching the movie.

"I'll be back after this call, okay? I promise. Just try to enjoy the movie," I tried to tell her but the only answer I got was a nod. Taking this as a hint, I finally got outside to answer the phone call.

Though, I didn't expect Benedict to raise his voice at me. 

"What the fvck is wrong with you?" That was his starter line when he answered me. Judging from the tone of his voice, I could feel that he was frowning even more at the other line.

Confused, I tried to confront him slowly, "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm saying, Ethan. What were you thinking? Rejecting Claire in front of Vanessa? Maybe you don't remember that Claire is your girlfriend. " I stood there, unable to move. It felt like someone was preventing me to answer at that very moment. The words that I was about to spill were frozen inside. 

How did he know about this? Did Claire talk to Sam?

"Let me explain," I replied before he interrupted me before I could even tell him what happened.

"Do you think that explaining to me here on the call will cause something good to happen? Why don't you just apologize to Claire instead?" I didn't answer when he said that. I just kept quiet, waiting for him to finish.

For the first time, I heard Benedict being furious and swearing at me.

"Vanessa has amnesia, not me. When I denied Vanessa, her parents despised me, including my parents. You don't know how difficult my situation is right now. They forced me to take care of her and I am stuck in this problem," I said as he continued to be silent. He's probably telling me to continue so I decided to tell him everything. 

"When I saw Claire, I wondered why she was there. I never thought Vanessa and Claire would meet there. When I turned my attention back to them, I saw the two of them in the distance, talking and---" he suddenly interrupted me when I mentioned the scene at the cathedral.

"Wait, talking? Did you see them talking? How did Vanessa meet Claire and why would she approach her if she didn't know Claire at first sight? How about---" he then paused for a moment. 

"Ethan, are you sure Vanessa has amnesia?" The tone of his voice changed. Though, I nodded even if he couldn't see me.

"I'm sure Benedict because a doctor even told me that face to face. I was also with Ray at the hospital. Your brother also called me to go to the hospital," I answered.

I then heard him sigh, telling me that I should probably watch over Vanessa for a couple of days if there would be any weird behaviors. Benedict also taunted me, telling me I should apologize to Claire and create a foolproof plan. 

Because a straightforward apology won't be enough.

I knew this ever since I left. And it pained my heart to finally see the results of my actions. 

After Benedict's call, I turned my phone off and walked back inside --- slowly opening the door so I won't interrupt Vanessa's movie session. Suddenly I heard Vanessa's voice talking on the phone. I was curious so I just didn't bother her and listened to their conversation. 

After all, they were both on speaker.

Vanessa was staring at her phone when I saw a face there on the screen. Wait, my bad. They both had a video call. Wait, is that Ray?

"Ethan shouldn't know about what happened or I'm screwed," she said while crossing her arms. I could see her huffing before she rolled her eyes. 

Ray immediately laughed as he suddenly smirked at Vanessa. "I also didn't think Ethan would believe in our acting. I mean, your amnesia is actually impossible to happen. I can't believe he fell for it."

Vanessa smiled immediately. "There's clearly nothing else that would ruin this day for me, Ray. The plan is going along very well. As long as Ethan is in my hands, he won't be able to return to his little girlfriend." 

After a few minutes, she looks into her glass before sighing exasperatedly. "Oh dear, I ran out of juice. I just get in the kitchen and refill. I'll be back for a moment."

When she stood up, she turned back and suddenly saw me. In shock, the glass slipped right through her hands, shattering right on the ground. 

"Ethan," she called out my name, trying to approach me slowly. But I told her to stay put, trying to make sure that the space between us was farther from each other. 

Her lips quivered, hands shook right in front of me. "How much did you---"

I interrupted her, of course. 

"If you're asking me how much I've heard and how long I've been standing there, all I can tell you is that you don't have to hide anything anymore because I've heard everything you've done."