Page 36 of She Found Me

“Yes, just hurry up.”

“Can I help you?” a very glamourous retail assistant asks.

“Yes please, that would be lovely. I need everything. A primer, foundation, concealer, the lot.” The names of the types of products come out of my mouth like a reflex. “I had an accident a few months ago where I suffered burns to my face. They’re healing well, but I’ll need something that isn’t going to affect the healing process.”

“Absolutely no problem at all. We have some ultra-light products in the MIA sensitive range that will be perfect. You take a seat on the stool, and we will get to work selecting what is most suitable for your skin tone.” The assistant helps me onto the stool and gets straight to work. “You know, I feel like I have met you before. What is your name?” she asks, while dabbing various products onto my face.

“Arianna. But I’m sorry, I wouldn’t know if we had met before if we had. When I had my accident, I lost my memory. Do you think you might know me, then?”

“No, sorry I don’t recognise the name. Maybe you just remind me of someone. Oh god, but how awful. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be to not remember who you are.”

“Yeah, it’s tough. But I have a feeling my memory will return any day now. I’ve already had a lot of familiar feelings.” I say, which gets a quizzical look from Eric.

On the journey home, Eric is very quiet.

“Thanks for buying me everything today, Eric. I feel awful not having my own money. Once I’ve had the baby, I’ll see about getting a job so I can help support us.”

“There’s no need. I earn enough for both of us,” Eric replies.

“What is it you do? I know you work from home on your computer, but what are you actually doing?” I inquire.

“I’m an accountant for a large building company. It’s easy enough. I can work where and when I want, and it pays well.” He shrugs. “You just concentrate on our family.”

Eric puts his hand on my stomach, and I have to fight the urge to push him away. It’s his baby, too, so I have to let him share in it.

The next few months pass quickly. Eric and I have been renovating the house, and it looks pretty spectacular now. We have a new bathroom, which I tiled myself, a new kitchen that Eric and I fitted, and all the walls have been sanded and painted. We make a good team, surprisingly. Eric was kind enough to let me have free reign in the design. I have chosen all the décor, and I’m feeling more at home. I just wish I could shake this constant heartache. It’s like I miss someone dreadfully, only I cannot remember who.

Now that the house is finished, I have been working on the garden. It’s a nice sunny day today, so I leave Eric working on his computer and go outside. There are some waist-high planters I want to clear out, and with my bump getting quite large now, I need something to sit on to save my back. I remember seeing some old furniture in the shed when Eric was last in there, so I go and have a look at what I can find.

The shed is crammed full of junk. The gardening equipment is at the entrance along with the decorating tools we have used, but behind them are tables with boxes piled on top of each other. I carefully move things outside so I can get closer, hoping there’s a chair or stool I can use.

When I get nearer to the boxes, I see they have writing on them. Bedroom. Living room. Curiosity takes over, and I begin opening the box marked Bedroom. Inside the items are wrapped in bubble wrap. I take out the first one and unravel it to find a photo frame with a wedding picture inside it. The date and “Arianna and Eric’s wedding day” are written at the bottom. Eric looks quite handsome, smiling happily in his suit. The bride looks beautiful in a fitted white dress and veil. Only the bride… isn’t me.

“What the hell are you doing in here!”

Erics voice makes me jump. So much so, the frame falls from my hands and smashes onto the floor.

Chapter 20

Marco

The rapid sharp bursts of machine guns fill my ears. Keeping my head down, I wait for my life to be taken. But when the sound quietens, and I realise I am still alive, I look up. The scene around me is surprising. Al Martelé lies lifeless on the floor. Lorenzo is slumped over him, the deep, crimson red of blood spreading across his white shirt. Martelé soldiers also cover the floor.

Confused, I look over at Van, who is still tied to his chair. He smirks as he watches me take in the room.

“How the fuck?” I ask, completely astounded by the situation around me.

Van looks at the door as if expecting someone. That’s when I hear the heavy footsteps in the hall. A suited man surrounded by smoke arrives in the doorway. He takes a drag of a cigar and blows it towards me.

“Leo Guerra,” I choke as the smoke clears, and his smug-looking face becomes visible.

“What took you so long?” Van laughs.

What the fuck is going on here? I stare at them both in disbelief, and they roar with laugher.

“Aren’t you supposed to be fucking dead?” I boom.

“Had to come and save your sorry ass, didn’t I,” Leo says as he unties Van from the chair.

---