Chapter 44

"Solidad, honey, it's Mr. Hayden on the phone." Harley calls to his boss who freezes up. Solidad expected this call. Drew did visit her unannounced the other day, so of course the Haydens want to know what she said to him, which was nothing.

Sighing, she replies, "Transfer him."

Harley nods, and soon, Solidad's desk phone rings. She answers it after a few rings. "Solidad speaking."

"I know."

She freezes. That is not the deep voice of the chairman. Glancing up to see Harley smirking from outside the office window, Solidad glares at her secretary. Technically, this is Mr. Hayden, but it's not the one she was expecting. "Bye-"

"Wait! Just hear me out!"

"No, Drew. Stop calling me. I'm busy." Solidad sternly tells her old friend as her heart aches.

"You never requested a transfer."

She purses her lips. "Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't. You were sent to Slateport as punishment for helping May crash my wedding." Drew runs a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Solidad. I should've protected y-"

"You lost your memories before you could. It's fine." There's no use lying to him now if he already knows. "I like it here anyway." A certain purple haired secretary makes Slateport City enjoyable.

"Solidad…"

"I don't need your pity, Drew. I knew what I was risking helping May."

After a brief pause, Drew says, "I miss you. I now know why you're not in LaRousse City, but can't we go back to being friends?"

"Your family doesn't want that." She points out. Solidad hates using others as an excuse, though that's the only reason she can't interact with Drew anymore.

"But I want it. It doesn't matter what my family wants."

She chuckles lightly. "You chose your family over yourself last time."

He blinks in confusion. "What?"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean I chose my family last time? What last time?" Drew inquires.

Solidad mentally curses herself. She thought he regained his memories, which is how he knew this information. "Uh. You don't remember?"

"I still have memory loss, Solidad."

"Shit." There's no use lying now. Drew can always tell when she's lying, like how she can tell with him. "Forget it."

"No. What are you talking about?" Presses the man.

"I can't tell you! Don't make me sacrifice more for you, Drew." Please stop asking. She doesn't want to play this card against him, but she won't get into any more of a mess.

Letting out a breath, Drew shuts his eyes in frustration. This isn't fair, though he knows he's being the most unfair to Solidad right now. While he doesn't remember the wedding, he understands Solidad lost a lot helping May see him. He has an idea why May crashed his wedding, and he needs May to confirm it. His parents have somewhat implied it, but he needs to hear it from the source.

"Okay. I'm sorry." Drew finally speaks. He's glad Solidad didn't hang up on him. "Can I ask you something?"

"If it's about your memories, I'm staying quiet."

He nods. "No. It's about how to contact May. My family has me on a short leash now. They've caught on to my volunteering there."

"Figures."

He smiles hearing her sound like the old Solidad. The Solidad who was his best friend. "Yeah. They threatened to shut the place down if I try to contact the orphanage. I really want to see everyone, especially May, but I can't risk the orphans losing their home." Drew sighs. "Do you have any ideas on what I can do?"

Solidad massages her temples. This sounds like dejavu. "Dawn and I had this plan of using the media to make the threat public. We were going to use Brendan to be the orphanage's attorney. With the public and the law's eye on them, it'll be hard for Hayden corporation to shut down a home for orphans."

"That sounds like a good plan." Drew notes. "Why didn't we do it?"

"Because you chose to marry Brianna." Solidad reminds him, and Drew frowns.

Why would he do that? What was going through his head back then? "Why'd I do that?"

"I don't know. You lost your memories before I could ask you." Solidad shrugs.

"Right." He sheepishly smiles. "Well, that's a good plan for the longrun, but I need to talk to May now."

"Just have Dawn contact her." Solidad knows of the partnership between Drew and Dawn right now with their company projects.

"But I want to contact her."

Solidad rolls her eyes. Typical Drew Hayden to be difficult. "Then just go there or call her yourself."

"But the orphanage-"

"I thought you don't care about what your family wants?"

Chuckling, Drew really misses having Solidad around. "Will you ever come back to LaRousse?"

"Depends."

"On?"

"If I can keep my staff."

"You mean just your secretary."

Solidad's face flushes. "Drew Shu Hayden, that is inappropriate."

The man finishes laughing to say, "I'm joking. Well, if I end up taking over this company, I'll transfer everyone over here. If I lose everything…" Drew shrugs. "I'm inviting you and your staff to join me at the orphanage."

"Are you okay with giving up everything?" Solidad worriedly asks.

"I have everything, and I'm not happy, Solidad. At the orphanage, there's not much, but I love it there. I never want to leave. I don't even need my money to enjoy myself there." Drew grins thinking about the place he finds most joy at.

Solidad takes in a deep breath. "I only stuck around for you, Drew."

His smile falls to a frown. "I want you to live for yourself. Don't keep catering to me." She's done that enough when they were children.

"Someone needs to make sure you don't screw up."

"I still screwed up. I screwed up big time and lost my memories." Drew reminds her. "So just live your life. You don't need to worry about me anymore."

"You say that yet you call to let me know your family is threatening to shut down the orphanage again. This is dejavu." She knowingly remarks, and Drew raises a confused eyebrow.

"Again?"

"Shit." How much does he know? She'll move forward believing he knows nothing at all now because she keeps slipping up.

Shaking his head, Drew tries to get rid of the curiosity. "I said I wouldn't make you tell me about my memories, so I won't. It's okay, Solidad." Plus, she's told him enough already.

"Thanks." mutters the defeated woman.

"I'm gonna figure out a way to communicate with May without my family finding out. At least until I get everything ready to go public."

Solidad opens her eyes wide in shock. "Wait. You're actually doing that?"

"Yeah. I have to fight for my happiness." Drew smiles warmly. "I told you. I'm not a kid anymore. I know I can't buy everything with money." He recalls his younger years with Solidad where he'd pay his way into everything he wanted. He used to think this was a great life, but meeting May has shown him the greatest things in life are priceless.

Furrowing her brows, Solidad soon finds her lips curving up into a small smile. "This time, I'm letting you run the show. Count me in for logistics." Public Relations is her expertise.

Drew is surprised she's volunteering herself when she was so adamant about staying away from him. It makes him happy knowing that he's getting his friend back. "Thanks. I will." Glancing at his watch, Drew knows he needs to go to this board meeting soon. "I have to go. I'll be in touch."

"Drew." Solidad calmly speaks.

"Hm?"

"Did you look through your wallet?"

He figured she'd find out eventually that Harley gave Drew the wallet. "Uh. Yeah. I know you wouldn't take anything. It seems like everything is there." He doesn't remember how much cash he was supposed to have because that's during the time he lost his memories. However, there was so much cash in the wallet that he doubts Solidad took any. And he knows Solidad would never use him.

Slightly disappointed by the response, Solidad tries to cheerfully respond, "I know. I just wanted you to make sure you have everything."

He chuckles. "Everything in the wallet is useless. I just keep it because it's a reminder of that day."

Solidad nods. "I won't keep you waiting, Drew. Have a good rest of your day."

"Bye, Solidad."

After hanging up, Drew checks his stocks on his phone. He's been preparing himself to take over the company since his wedding day. Getting married is a huge step into adulthood, so Drew's parents started getting him ready for company ownership. While Drew didn't plan to takeover the company for a few more decades until his parents retired, he knows he can't afford to wait much longer for that day.

"Mr. Drew, it's almost time."

Drew glances over at his secretary and smiles. "Thanks, Owen. How's your father doing?"

Owen nods gratefully. "He's getting the best treatments, thanks to you, sir. Thank you."

Once Drew had calmed down the other day, he started thinking and making a plan to protect those important to him. The orphanage and May are his top priority, but he didn't forget about his loyal secretary. After speaking with Owen, Drew figured out Brianna was blackmailing the secretary with his father's health. Wakanna Enterprises is going bankrupt. That monetary support wouldn't have lasted for much longer anyway. Thus, Drew decided to take care of Owen's father. Plus, Owen is the only one in the LaRousse company Drew can trust.

"I'm glad. Let me know if he'll need anything else." Drew pockets his phone and smiles at Owen. "Ready for a show?"

Chuckling, Owen replies, "I will always follow you, sir."

Drew slaps Owen's back playfully while walking past him. "Stop being so formal with me, Owen. We've talked about this."

"It's my job."

"I'm your boss, and I'm telling you to stop it."

Soon, the two get in the company car and drive off to their destination. Drew is being wary of the orphanage since he knows he's being tracked. Even though he trusts Owen, Drew is pretty sure his parents have other ways of keeping tabs on him. What he's gauged from his conversation with them is that they know Solidad was involved with sneaking May into his wedding. However, they don't know about Dawn's involvement. Plus, with Drew's business partner with Dawn, this is a good excuse for him to frequent her. Of course she isnt' expecting him today.

Once inside, Drew manages to finesse his way to Dawn's office. He's told that she's currently in a meeting, but being a rebellious heir, Drew can wait. He's brought his laptop to do some work anyway. Therefore, by the time Dawn shows up glaring at him, since she was warned by her staff, Drew had finished a lot of work.

He smirks at her. "Long time no see, Ms. Dawn." Drew's smirk only grows with Paul's scowl. Passively teasing the bodyguard is fine too.

"You can't come unannounced. You need an appointment." Dawn narrows her eyes at Drew before taking a seat at her desk, which he is already sitting across from.

"Yeah, and you told me appointments aren't open for 2 more months."

"Plenty of time to not see you again."

Chuckling, Drew leans across the desk, and Paul's glare on him intensifies. Owen gulps in fear at the scary purple haired man. "This can't wait."

"I already told you enough."

"I know. I'm not here for that."

She raises a curious eyebrow at him. "Then what?"

"I have a proposal to make."

"Not interested."

"You won't even listen to what it can be?"

"You can leave by yourself or Paul would be more than happy to escort you." Paul takes a step, and Drew shakes his head in amusement.

He has a feeling Dawn won't be throwing him out. "I need to talk to May."

Dawn shoots him an annoyed glare before resuming looking at her paperwork. "No." She already promised herself and May to not meddle anymore.

"I know you and Solidad snuck May into my wedding. You two weren't just trying to stop me from marrying for money." Drew sighs. "You were trying to get me to follow love." His conversation with Dawn makes a lot of sense now when she kept saying they wanted Drew to choose love.

The woman furrows her brows. "So what?"

"It means May and I were in love, right? Everything makes sense! My feelings for her after only knowing her for a few months, the reason I always want to be with her, the reason I prefer the orphanage. I was there and fell in love with May! I know it!"

Dawn lets out a breath as she faces him again. "Okay. Let's say that's what happened. You still chose Brianna."

"I must've been tricked."

"No. You chose her." Dawn narrows her eyes at the man. "We tried to rescue you. May even came to see you, and you turned her down. You chose Brianna." Shaking her head, Dawn continues, "Think about how May feels? If what you claim is correct, you two fell in love, and you still chose Brianna. You wouldn't even give your love with May a chance… You don't deserve May." The old Drew had his memories of falling in love with May, and he didn't choose her. How can anyone trust this current Drew's feelings?

Drew runs a hand through his hair because he knows Dawn is correct. It's another reason he hasn't felt too pressured to visit the orphanage yet. At first he thought he chose Brianna over Dawn, but now he feels much worse choosing Brianna over May. "Why'd I give up?"

Dawn shrugs. "May didn't say. It was too painful, and none of us wanted to pry."

"So we did fall in love." Dawn hadn't confirmed it at all.

Glaring at him, she replies, "It doesn't matter. You sold out back then. No one will believe your feelings now."

"I know. That's why I need to show all of you. I want this. I want to be happy and follow my love." insists the man.

She scoffs. "I'm not falling for that again." Dawn got lucky she didn't get caught back then. Solidad and May took the wrap, which Dawn still feels guilty about. However, if Dawn was caught alongside them, her company would've been destroyed back then instead of prospering like it is now.

He gives her an apologetic look. "Is there really nothing I can say to convince you? Solidad is giving me another shot."

"We're not even friends. Why are you asking for my help?" They've done nothing to indicate that they're friends this time around.

Shrugging, Drew tells her, "It's kinda like my relationship with May. I just feel like I can rely on you."

"Well, don't. You wasted that effort years ago."

Drew takes in a deep breath as he thinks. Fortunately, Dawn hasn't had Paul remove him from the office yet. Glancing over at the angry bodyguard, Drew says, "How about we make a deal?"

"Not interested." She's already fed up with their business relationship. Anything personal will be too much.

Smirking, Drew motions to Paul. "At the rate you're going, you'll be 60 by the time you two can be together." Paul's glare intensifies, and so does Drew's smirk. "I'll make it 6 days."

"Bullshit." Paul growls as he moves towards Drew. Owen flinches, but Dawn rests a hand on Paul's chest, stopping him. "Let me get him. He's teasing us!"

"Stop it, Paul." Dawn scolds. She returns her attention to Drew. "We don't appreciate you coming in here and toying with us."

"I'm not." Drew's serious gaze meets Dawn's cautious one. "Look, I may not remember what I did back then, but I know I can rely on you. Please help me. I'll do anything in return."

"No." Dawn won't give in to his temptations. She's going to do things her way. She didn't need his help back then, and she won't need it now.

"Just listen to me. Please." Insists the man. "If you don't like my idea, then I won't ever bother you again. I'll have some representative continue our business deal so that you won't have to see me anymore." Drew's emerald eyes peer into Dawn's midnight blue ones. When he sees Dawn contemplating, he gives her a small playful smile. "And I'll let Paul beat me up."

That seems to break the business woman who can't help but crack a small giggle. Looking at Paul, who is clearly unamused, her gaze softens to a loving one. "I always said we need to follow our hearts, Paul."

"And you said we need to be careful." Paul reminds her.

Dawn intertwines her fingers with Paul, and Owen seems to now fully understand their relationship. Owen's jaw drops, but no one pays him any attention. With her large blue eyes, Dawn looks up at her boyfriend. "What do you think?"

Paul glares at Drew before returning his attention to the pleading heiress in front of him. She's already made up her mind. And she's his boss. Why is she asking him for his opinion? "Fine."

Grinning, Dawn squeezes Paul's hand. She then brings back her stoic face as she faces Drew. Extending her hand, she says, "Six days. If Paul and I still aren't publicly together, I'm out."

Drew gives her a grateful smile while shaking the hand. "It might be even less. I like exceeding expectations."

She rolls her eyes. "Don't make me regret this." Dawn isn't sure how Drew will react once he gets his memories back. Will he be ashamed of everything he put everyone through? While he does have knowledge of what happened at the wedding, he doesn't have those emotions. He doesn't have the feelings of loving and losing. Of betraying. He has none of that, so Dawn isn't sure if the old him would even continue with this useless try.

When the two stop shaking hands, Drew motions to Owen who seems to have forgotten his reason for being here. The secretary has learned so much that he isn't sure he's supposed to even know. Rushing over to Drew with the briefcase, Owen hands it to Drew. Drew places it on the desk, much to Dawn's annoyance. "Can you give this to May?"

"I have other things to do than visit the orphanage." Dawn had seen May last month when the two women had time to see each other. That's the only time Dawn has seen May in LaRousse City. The two do text every now and then.

"I know. But I can't go there or send anyone." Drew pulls out a red thornless rose. "My family is threatening me with the orphanage...again." He sheepishly smiles. "You can send someone." Drew would rather be the one to deliver the rose, but he can't.

Dawn shakes her hand as she watches him hold out the rose to her. "You tried this before with Solidad, and May wouldn't take it." Seeing Drew tilt his head slightly in confusion reminds Dawn that he doesn't remember that. "Well, she'll only take a rose from you."

She walks around the desk to grab Drew's coat from the chair. Tossing it to Paul, who catches it, Dawn says, "I'm gonna be the CEO of Berlitz Beauties, hopefully in 6 days." She winks at Drew. "I'm a master at disguises."

"Troublesome." Paul glares at her when she enters the coat closet.

Drew and Owen curiously watch her return with a black bomber jacket, black hoodie, and black hat, which she rests on the desk. "I know you can't get away, so let us help." She pats the clothing. "Put these on."

"No." Paul gruffly states, but Dawn ignores him.

Drew raises a curious eyebrow at her. "What?"

Rolling her eyes, she points to Paul and Drew. "You two are around the same height and body structure. We'll do a little switcheroo."

Drew now understands what she's implying they do. He knows the black cap will hide his green hair, especially when he puts on a hoodie. However, what about Paul's purple hair? "Uh. But I didn't wear a hat in here. I rarely wear hats. How will Paul-"

"He won't leave." Dawn smirks.

The bodyguard quickly says, "I go where you go."

"I won't leave either, Paul." Dawn reassures him, causing him to rest easy. She returns her attention to Drew. "Paul always runs errands for me when I'm in the office. I'm pretty safe here with security and my employees. It's only when I leave that I really need Paul by my side." She grins at Paul. "Though I do prefer having him with me all the time." Paul's blush as he looks away in embarrassment makes her giggle. "Anyway, people will think you're Paul, and I sent you to get coffee or something while we talk."

"Uh. But your valet will know I'm not Paul." Drew states.

"My employees are loyal." Dawn shrugs. "Plus, Paul only gets driven around when I'm with him. He hates it, so he usually drives himself." She points to the coat pocket of the coat Drew just put on, and Drew digs his hand inside. "The company keys are in there. I'll tell my secretary to clear my schedule because we're in deep business talks."

Drew chuckles at the cunning woman. He's glad he made a friend like her, and he hopes to be her friend again. She's helping him after he betrayed her trust years ago. Nodding at Owen, he tells the secretary, "Do the same for me."

"Yes, sir." Owen mutters quickly.

Drew smirks. "Owen, c'mon. Enough with the 'sir'. You're older than me! It's weird."

"I'm sorry, sir- Sorry!"

Smiling in amusement, Drew nods at Dawn and Paul. "Thanks, guys. I owe you."

"Yeah. You have 6 days to make good on your word, Drew." Dawn crosses her arms over her chest as a playful smile dances on her lips.

"I will." Drew puts the cap down over his eyes and then puts up the hood.

Dawn quickly reaches over to Paul where she opens his blazer he is wearing. Tossing the item to Drew, she says, "Catch!" Drew gracefully catches the dark sunglasses. "Paul hates eye contact. He always wears those when we're out." Dawn giggles, adding to Paul's annoyance.

"I hate this." Paul grumbles.

"I'll make it up to you." Dawn hugs his arm. She then shoos Drew to the door. "Go! You won't have much time!"

"Thanks. I mean it." Drew leaves, which means Owen is left alone with the couple.

The awkward secretary shifts his feet. "Uh. What should I do, ma'am?"

Dawn liked watching Drew interact with Owen. It's like Drew sees Owen more of an equal than a subordinate. That's how Dawn operates her business too. She's glad that Drew's caring nature is still around rather than his arrogance. Pointing to the couches, Dawn tells him, "Make yourself at home, Owen. I'll be getting work done, but Paul would love to keep you company." Paul shoots her a glare that she innocently ignores.

Orphanage

The man dressed in black rushes inside once he parks the car. He's a careful driver, so he doesn't speed. Thus, he knows he doesn't have too much time before someone realizes he snuck out. Walking through the double doors, he is instantly greeted by a slightly terrified Betty. "Welco-"

A man dressed in all black. Are they getting robbed? Is it because they're funded by Hayden Corporation? Who would rob an orphanage? She freezes up until Drew removes his sunglasses. Seeing those familiar green orbs makes Betty relax. "Where's May?"

"Uh. Drew?" Betty is confused about Drew's attire and his demeanor. Why does he seem out of breath when he drove here? "What's going on?"

"I don't have much time, Betty. I can't be here long, but I need to see May." Drew apologetically looks at the girl in front of him. "Please. It's urgent."

Sighing, Betty knows Drew is telling the truth. Even though he lost his memories, she can still read him. She can tell when he's lying, and nothing about him says he is right now. While she doesn't know why he's panicking, she won't waste anymore of his time he can spend with May. Pointing down past the double doors leading to the cafeteria, Betty says, "She's in the bathroom with one of the girls who got her um...ya know…"

Drew's face flushes awkwardly and he nods. "Thanks, Betty."

"She should be done by now." Betty weakly offers.

Giving her a grateful smile, Drew ruffles Betty's hair. "When I can, I'm gonna show you my garden. Maybe you can take some photos there?"

Betty eagerly grins at him. "Yeah! I can't wait!" She's only been at the mansion once, which was when she and Tyler tried to convince Drew to come back.

When Drew walks through the double doors, he sees a bunch of the children hanging out inside. Some are working on schoolwork. A few see him and start whispering, so Drew assumes they must either remember him from when he was here years ago or they just find him suspicious. After volunteering here for some time, Drew knows his way around. Thus, he makes his way over to the bathroom just as May walks out with a young teenage girl.

May doesn't initially recognize Drew in the dark clothing, so she protectively grabs the girl's arm back. However, she soon registers that this is Drew. Releasing the girl as a frown appears on May's face, May says, "Heather, go to your room. I'll bring you dinner when it's ready."

The girl curiously looks at Drew who she recognizes as the rich volunteer here recently. She is one of the newer children, so she doesn't know about his history here. Nodding, Heather walks past Drew to the hall where the bedrooms are, leaving May and Drew alone. There are a couple of children who can see May and Drew in their line of sight.

"Where's your shirt?" May asks. Drew is here a little later than usual, but it's not bad. Nonetheless, that's no excuse for him to not wear his volunteer shirt.

Despite the hectic situation, Drew can't help but chuckle at her. "I can't stay long."

May is slightly disappointed. She knew it was too good to be true having Drew as a volunteer. His busy life would catch up to him soon enough, and it must've. Plus, with her rejection the other day, Drew must be feeling uncomfortable, so he wants to give them space. It's the most mature thing he's done. "That's fine."

He shakes his head. "No. It's not." Drew runs a hand through his hair and groans. "I want to be here. I like it here. But I need to do some things before I can come back."

"Okay?" May raises a confused eyebrow at him. He could've just said he's going on a business trip. He had done that last week when he was gone for a few days. Well, that was after they had a little dispute when Brianna came around.

Feeling the eyes on them, Drew whispers, "Can we talk in private?"

"Tyler is in the office."

"Please." Drew's emerald eyes meet May's sapphire ones.

Sighing, the woman replies, "My room, but the door stays open."

Drew gratefully nods and follows her. Fortunately, there is no one in the hallway to snoop. Once inside, Drew tells her, "Give me a few days. A week max. I will be back."

"You could've just called."

He shakes his head. "I can't." Taking in a deep breath, Drew responds, "It's complicated, but trust me. I'll be back. Don't try to contact me."

She's been wary of his frantic behavior. This is unlike the cool Drew she's seen. "What's going on?"

"I got it."

"No, Drew." May sternly narrows her eyes at him as she pulls out her desk chair for him to sit down. She then sits on her bed. "Tell me. What's going on?"

With his head in his hand, Drew defeatedly mutters, "My family is threatening the orphanage...again…" He isn't sure about the first time they threatened it, but Brianna did say they did.

May is surprised he knows about that time. Has he regained his memories? Or part of them? Hesitant, the woman nods. "We'll be fine. Hayden Corporation has given us enough already."

"No. They're gonna shut it down if they know I'm here." He meets her gaze. "If they know I've contacted here."

"Then why are you here?" May questions. She's slightly upset that he's risking the orphanage like this. Especially since he knows about the last time he risked the orphanage. They risked the orphanage.

Smiling slightly, Drew pulls out the red thornless rose he had tried to get Dawn to deliver. "To make a promise." May hesitantly watches him. "I'll come back to replace this one before it dies."

Her heart aches hearing that. He broke that promise years ago when he chose to marry Brianna instead of fight. She doesn't want another false promise again. "I don't want it."

Drew's smile falls. "But-"

"You confessed to me. I never said anything back."

"But you never denied your feelings." Drew reminds her.

Shrugging, May replies, "It's more than just me, Drew. It's the orphans too. I won't put them in danger."

"I won't either."

"But you're here."

He gives her an apologetic look. "I don't know what to do. If I didn't show up, then you'd feel like I'm not putting in enough effort."

"We're not even together! You don't need to think about that!"

"I want to be together!" shouts the man, causing May to purse her lips in silence. Drew mentally groans. "I know. I'm married. We're in different worlds. My family is threatening the orphanage again. There are so many factors saying we shouldn't be together, but…" His desperate emerald eyes lock onto May's conflicted sapphire ones. "There has to be a reason the universe made me fall in love with you again."

"We were never in love." May denies as her heart aches some more.

"But-"

"Listen, Drew. I don't know what people have been telling you, but we were not in love. We were partners who took care of the orphanage. Your family didn't like the money and time you were investing here. You got rebellious and threatened to leave everything, and they hated that. So they made you come back by saying they'd shut this place down." May narrows her eyes at the confused man. "We tried to convince you out of your marriage because that's unlike you. You and I were partners. Maybe even friends. That's it."

He shakes his head in disbelief. "It's more than that. I know it."

"It's not. You're just following me around because I was the last person on your side you saw before your accident."

Frustrated, Drew runs a hand through his hair. "Then why-"

"Nothing, Drew. I was your connect here, so that's why you always want to be around me. We spent a lot of time here together." May fights her voice from shaking. She knows it wants to crack. It wants to tell him the truth and make him feel guilty. "You should go before you take this home away from everyone."

When May stands up to leave, Drew grabs her arm, forcing her back on her bed. He's still seated on her chair, so he gazes into her eyes again. She kept shifting them this whole time. He knows she's lying, but why? Why won't she tell him anything? "What can I do?"

"You can leave. There's a reason you lost your memories." Pang. May winces, and Drew notices. "You were never supposed to be here, and you shouldn't come back." Life is easier with him out of it. She misses him, though everyone is safe without him.

"I know you don't mean that." Drew frowns. He sets the rose on the desk. "I'm gonna show you we're safe, and then you have to tell me everything."

"There's nothing to tell."

"And yet you can barely look me in the eyes this whole time." Drew places the cap back on his head to shield his face. "I'll be back. You can decide if that's the last time you see me."

May wants to tell his arrogant self to not come back at all. To keep his stupid rose and his stupid memory loss. To stay as far away from the orphanage as possible. However, a major part of her wants him back. She wants to be beside him and help him regain his memories. Despite all that he seems to know, May can tell he still doesn't have his memories back. She hears him walk down the hall until his footsteps can't be heard anymore. Glancing at the rose on the desk, May hopes he keeps his promise this time.