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Chapter One
Clean Slate

That day wasn't supposed to be just like any other day. She, of all people should know that. Instead, she found herself working twice as hard and ignoring calls that were supposed to be taken.

"I thought you're taking the day off." Lucy ironically placed another pile of paperwork on top of her manager's desk.

"Not with all this workload." said woman responded as she ran a hand through the strands of her red hair and released a tired breath. Erza Scarlet was awfully stressed and she wasn't even halfway through the day. She's currently the team manager of the creative department for a game company and it was most unusual to see her in such a weary state because most of the time, she works at an amazing pace and fluidly accomplishes all tasks at hand.

"Yeah, about that—" Lucy's thoughts were rudely interrupted by another phone call and Erza hastily dismissed it to give the blonde a chance to continue. "-you might want to answer that. It's your fiancé."

Excusing herself, the redhead picked up the phone.

"Hey," came the usual greeting.

"Simon," she knew conversing with her lover was important, but the matters piling up in the office seem to weigh more, presently.

"You seem so worked up, what's wrong?" the concern present in his voice almost made Erza guilty of wanting to brush him off.

She first responded with a click of her tongue before adding, "Work. I'm quitting."

Simon chuckled at the other end.

"You always say that sweetheart. But I thought you were supposed to meet the florist at ten."

Erza mentally slapped herself for forgetting. It was nine-thirty in the morning and it would be a miracle if the traffic mellowed down even for just a bit.

"Crap," she pressed her lips to a thin line as she wore her jacket and grabbed her things. "I'm on my way."

The redhead mouthed reminders to Lucy while her ear was still glued to the phone. The blonde nodded for each order her manager asked of her. The moment Erza exited the building, Lucy took over and drove the rest of the team-including the sloths Natsu and Gray-to work their asses off or there will be trouble when the boss comes back.

Planning the wedding was a headache. Preparing the things needed for the wedding was an even greater headache. Erza wasn't the kind of person who'd spend a fortune over something so trivial-as she'd like to call it. She was more of the say-your-vows-kiss-and-end-the-ceremony-already. As she's always been practical, she believed the time wasted on such event would be more rewarding if utilized properly.

She may hate all the formalities but she loves Simon. So much that she's willing to go through all that trouble. Her fiancé knew that too that's why he's ever grateful for her patience and understanding. He wanted the wedding to be a special day for the two of them and be a constant reminder that it was an occasion worth remembering.

Erza drove downtown and was surprised to find the road almost clear of vehicles. She reached the flower shop in about fifteen minutes and was greeted by the ever enthusiastic owner.

"Erza!" the redhead was eventually rewarded with a bone-crushing embrace.

"Mira, too tight." she managed to breathe out.

The florist let out a bubbly giggle before nudging the redhead.

"So, have you decided on the bouquet and centerpiece yet?"

"Nothing too flashy and grand. I want something simple and easy on the eyes." Erza responded, picturing whites and pastels.

"Then I have the perfect thing."

Erza checked her watch. Only two hours had passed and she was thankful that Mirajane was quick to catch on to what she likes and dislikes. Though wedding preparations were far from over, she was just relieved that one by one, the list seemed to narrow down much to her liking.

She immediately started the engine and went on her way to get back to work. The redhead called her fiancé to tell him about the news and was happy that she has finally calmed her nerves.

"Hearing how you're sounding so much better, is it safe to assume everything went well?" Simon asked at the other end.

"It was great. Mira's a genius. And—ah crap."

"What's wrong?"

"I missed my turn. I have to go, I'll call you back when I return to the office. I love—"

Erza never had the chance to finish her statement as she felt her head collide with the car window. The glass shattered upon impact and her ride took a hundred-eighty degree turn before smashing to a nearby post. Her head ringed and her vision blurred as she tried to grasp what happened. Her hands immediately went up to her head as pain shot through her skull, fearing that she might have damaged her brain. It was only a matter of time before blood pooled her vision and the distant commotion from across the street started to consume her. It wasn't long either when a familiar voice calling out to her from the phone's receiver, yelling her name, dissipated as she lost consciousness.

Simon didn't know what to do. He had to cancel everything that had to do with the wedding and take an indefinite leave of absence from work. It had been nearly a week since Erza had a car accident and she still hasn't shown any signs of waking up. He had stayed most of the time in the hospital with Erza's colleagues taking turns at visiting and keeping watch. Lucy came first, then Natsu and Gray. Simon's sister Kagura also came. Mirajane made an appearance too with flowers to decorate the redhead's room and lighten the atmosphere inside.

"Any news on the crazy truck driver?" Natsu asked to which Simon bleakly responded with a weak shaking of his head.

"Don't worry," Gray placed a hand on the troubled man's shoulder. "The police are going to catch whoever did this."

There wasn't any assurance as to whether they'd be able to find out who did this to her, but right now, Simon was only concerned about his lover waking up.

Erza shifted from where she was lying and that single movement rendered them speechless. When a sound escaped from her lips, Mirajane took in a sharp intake of breath. And as her eyes slowly peeled open to take in the surroundings present before her, Simon rushed out of the room to call the doctor.

Erza Scarlet has woken up.

Makarov Dreyar was the doctor assigned to the redhead. So the moment Simon called his attention, he immediately ordered the rest of the visitors to clear the room in order for him to assess Erza's condition.

He found her seated upright on the bed, eyes fixated on the window, hair draped all over her frame. The doctor approached her and tapped the clipboard to get her attention.

"I'm Doctor Makarov Dreyar," he coolly greeted and Erza returned the gesture by slightly bowing. "I'm going to be asking you questions and I want you to answer if you can."

"I'm sorry," she started, brows knitting in confusion. "May I ask what am I doing here first?"

"We'll get to that, I promise."

There was something about the old man that made Erza comply and trust him for now. And she briefly wondered that maybe it was the calmness of his voice or the father-like aura he presented.

"What is your name?"

"I'm Erza Scarlet."

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-one years old."

Makarov scribbled something on the paper before continuing on.

"And what do you do for a living?"

"I work at a game developing company. I'm in my second year there as a graphic artist."

"Do you know any Lucy Heartfilia?"

"Yes. She's the new addition to the team together with Natsu and Gray."

"One last. Do you know Simon Mikazuchi?"

There was a pregnant pause before the redhead could answer.

"No. Is...he someone I should know?"

The doctor wrote down some more notes before analyzing the information he gathered.

"Erza," he tested her name before breaking the news off to her. He hated being the bearer of bad news, but there was no other way to it. "You're here because of a car accident. You've been unconscious for six days."

Car accident? Unconscious? For six days?

"You're twenty-four years old and currently the team manager of the creative department of the game company you work for."

"Wait, what? Slow down doctor." Erza was having a hard time taking it all in. It was like listening to someone talk in foreign language. Her body ached all over and now her head was throbbing as well. "Are you telling me I'm twenty-four years old and I just lost three years worth of memories?"

Makarov merely nodded at this, his eyes holding her shocked gaze with all seriousness.

"Hold on. I need a minute or two to...to..." Erza licked her lips. "Is there anything else I need to know?"

The doctor called out to the visitors waiting outside and they all came bustling in with utter disregard for house rules. Simon immediately went on his way to hug his lover, careful not to crush her in his arms. Erza just stared blankly for a moment before hesitantly returning the hug. Then from her line of vision, familiar faces started to appear before her.

"Lucy," said woman cried as relief washed over her. "Gray and Natsu too."

"Hey boss," sniffed Natsu as tears began to gather around the corner of his eyes.

The moment Simon heard Erza speak, he let her go and stared lovingly into her eyes only to be terrified by the confusion and the unknown staring back at him.

"Hey, sweetheart, it's me. Simon."

That only made the redhead frown even more. She took in the form of this man clinging to her and thought hard why he was doing such thing and why there was so much skinship. Then she briefly remembered that the doctor mentioned that name. Erza looked from Simon and then back to the doctor who now was the focus of everyone's attention.

"Doctor," Kagura began. "Is there something wrong?"

Makarov heaved off a distressed sigh before reluctantly speaking once more.

"It's called post-traumatic amnesia. She doesn't remember you," he pointed out to Kagura.

"And you." the same finger went on Mirajane.

"And...I'm sorry Simon." his jade eyes were sympathetic. "She doesn't remember you as well."

The explanation that the doctor had provided them was so hard to believe that Simon punched the wall so hard he swore his knuckles bled.

"Calm down, Simon." Kagura tried her best in keeping her brother's emotions in check as they were once again ordered by the doctor to leave Erza alone to give her some rest.

"Calm down? You expect me to calm down when she can't even remember you? Me?!" the volume of his voice increased with each horrid thought about the fact that he lost his lover. "Doctor, you can bring her back right?"

Makarov knew it better than anyone that he wasn't sure. That there's a possibility that Erza's memories would be permanently gone but the man who looked like he just lost his world was so devastated that he answered in him in the safest way possible. "I'll be needing your help. All of you. You'll all be vital for her road to recovery." he turned to Erza's colleagues and they were all ears. "Natsu, Gray and Lucy, since Erza remembers you, she'll be needing all the support she can get from you guys."

"As for her therapy, I've already assigned someone most fitting for the job."

A tall and lean man sporting a tattoo on his face appeared to join them, hair tousled and bathed in blue. The man could be easily mistaken as an aristocrat with his facial features and build but the stethoscope hanging around his neck and the white lab coat he wore was the giveaway that yes, he was a doctor by profession too.

"This is Doctor Jellal Fernandes, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist by trade."

The young doctor gave all of them a warm smile before making introductions himself, turning to Simon who was still in pain and confusion.

"I assure you, I'll do whatever it takes to bring Ms. Scarlet's memories back."

A/N: Inspired by mostly (cliché) k-dramas. Hi :')