XXXIX

NICO

"Hi, my name is Chiara Benvenuti. I will be your senior here at Triumvirate Labs. Any problems and questions you go to me, got it?" The woman said in a lab coat as they toured around the lab. She had dark pixie hair and fierce almond eyes.

"Got it," Nico nodded. "If you don't mind asking, are you Italian?"

Chiara raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes. Why?"

"Sono anche italiano." Nico said, introducing himself as an Italian too.

"Oh. Sì. Di Angelo." Chiara mused. "Where you exactly from?"

"Venice," Nico said.

"From Milan. I visit my family there from time to time but my life's been here," Chiara said.

"I could relate," Nico said.

Chiara smiled. "Maybe we can get along di Angelo. Honestly, you're lucky that you're under my wing. If you were assigned to Damien, it could be worse."

Nico arched an eyebrow at her. "Do I want to know why?"

Chiara waved her hand, laughing. "Oh, I don't need to tell you, you'll see soon enough."

They stopped in a balcony overlooking several scientists working on different lab equipment down below. Some of them were testing samples and others were comparing notes.

"A new employee, I guess?"

Nico and Chiara turned their heads and saw a tall handsome man in navy pinstripe suit walking towards them. He has short-cropped sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and an athletic and muscular build.

"Mr. Castellan," Chiara looked surprised. Nico couldn't help but react the same way.

Nico remembered the man. He had briefly seen him on the pamphlets of Triumvirate and sometimes on the news related to Triumvirate Labs. He was Luke Castellan, assistant of infamous Nero Johansen, CEO of Triumvirate Laboratories.

"Hello to you Miss. . ." Luke greeted Chiara who was rooted to the spot. Then he turned to Nico and extended his hand for a handshake. "I am Luke Castellan, assistant to Mr. Nero Johansen."

Nico accepted Luke's hand and shook it almost hesitantly. How curious, for some higher-ups to bother and get interested in the newbies. Or was that like a norm in this company? However, seeing Chiara's reaction Nico kind of doubt it.

"I'm Nico di Angelo, new part-time here. It's my pleasure to meet you, sir." Nico released Luke's hand

"Likewise, Mr. Di Angelo," Luke was staring too much at Nico's face that the latter one was starting to get uncomfortable. As if Luke Castellan was searching for something on his face.

"I hope you enjoy working here and we are glad that you chose to work with us." Luke smiled.

For some reason that Nico didn't know or understand why Luke's smile unnerved him.

"Anyway, I won't interrupt you any longer. Please continue on your way. I'll go ahead. Excuse me." With that, Luke Castellan was gone/

After a few seconds of shock silence, Chiara faced Nico, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at him. "Who are you really, Nico di Angelo?"

"What?" Nico frowned, getting defensive. "Do you want a copy of my resume?"

"Well, are you related to Luke Castellan?"

"I'm certain that we are not."

"There must be something about you." Chiara insisted. "Luke Castellan never comes down here in the pit just so he could greet some new part-timer. This is even the first time he talked to me and I've been working here for five years! And of course, he noticed me because of you."

"Let's not assume things right away," Nico said politely. "Maybe he was just in the mood to greet the employers here. . ."

Chiara shook her head. "Believe me, di Angelo. Other senior employees, who have been working here way longer than me, would be shocked to hear that Luke Castellan paid you any attention. Don't even go telling this to others. You don't want your seniors to resent you, the newbie. People here can be pretty competitive."

"Well, are you one of them who will resent me?" Nico asked.

Chiara snorted crossing her arms. She rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I'm not interested in office politics. I'm just here because I love my job. And as I've said before, you are lucky that you are under my wing."

Nico smiled thinly. He liked Chiara Benvenuti.

Nico clocked out of Triumvirate Labs by noon. He was only on half-day since his official work would start tomorrow. So after lunch, he went to see his psychiatrist. It had been a month since his last consultation, and it was a miracle that his doctor wasn't throwing a fit yet because of his absence.

"Well, well, well," A man said, as soon as he had seen Nico entered the clinic. The man had a chubby face, a red nose, and curly hair so black it looks purple. He wore a leopard print Hawaiian shirt and purple running shoes. He was in his early fifties. There was a double-sided wooden desk nameplate at the edge of his table. In a fancy script across the plate, a name was written: Dionne Nicksus, M.D. Below the name with the same script 'Psychiatrist' was written. He preferred to be called Mr. D though. His clinic occupied the first floor of his house while on the second floor was where he slept.

"Hi, Mr. D," Nico greeted.

"Well, kid. I thought you've also forgotten that you still have a psychiatrist here waiting for you to come. I was tempted to call Hazel and ask about you but I know you wouldn't like that," Mr. D. He sat behind his desk, a can of diet coke in hand. He motioned Nico to sit down opposite him. Nico obliged.

"I am sorry, I was really busy recently. You know, with the moving to Manhattan then Hazel got sick, and I was also busy with my part-time now that I got accepted." Nico explained almost in one breath. He exhaled. "I really appreciate that you didn't call Hazel, I'm sure that I'll never hear the end of it if she knew."

"Figured." Mr. D chuckled sipping on his diet coke. He put the can down on the desk. "So kid you've been busy lately which is good. That helps you take your mind on other things. So how's your amnesia? No progress?"

"Actually. . ." Nico faced Mr.D. He launched his story about revolving doors and significant annoyance memories.

Mr. D was silent for a moment. "That was the first real progress you had ever since the incident aside from the occasional blond hair and blue eyes dreams. By the way, how's your fascination with blonds and blue eyes?"

Nico froze.

Mr. D quickly noticed Nico's reaction. Mr. D frowned. "Why?"

Nico swallowed. "I just realized that my dreams about it have stopped. So I momentarily forgot my fascination with it."

This seemed to interest Mr. D as he leaned forward and clasped his hands together over his desk. "Really? Since when it stopped?"

Nico thought about it for a moment. "A week ago, I guess. . ."

Mr. D looked in awe. "How busy you are that you forgot about that? Your whole memories seemed to revolve around blond and blue eyes and now you just conveniently forgot. What exactly did you do last week?"

Nico's face felt warm all of a sudden. How could he not feel flustered when his recent days had revolved around Will Solace after getting his number.

"Come on now, kid," Mr. D prompted. "I thought we already established that you shouldn't be embarrassed with Uncle D."

"It's just that. . ." Nico started. "I was caught up with this... .guy... An actual blond and blue eyes... "

"So my blind date idea worked then?" Mr. D smirked.

Nico scowled. Yeah, it was Mr. D's idea that he should go on a blind date from time to time. Mr. D had said that it would help with his socialization instead of being holed up in his room and being frustrated about blond and blue eyes. So his idea, why not meet an actual one? So far, it worked . . . a little bit.

It was still frustrating that it had felt like he was searching for something on every blond and blue-eyed he would be with on a blind date. The more frustrating thing was, the fact that he didn't even know what he was searching for. Nonetheless, after meeting Will Solace, he had stopped going on blind dates and he had promptly removed his dating apps on his phone. He was so serious about Will that he was willing to let go of all his search for the unknown.

"No. he's not from the blind date. We kinda met accidentally. . ." Nico trailed off.

"Now why don't we start first with this guy's name." Mr. D said.

"His name is Will Solace. He's a doctor too."

"Hang on." Mr. D raised his hand. "Will Solace as in William Solace, that young cardiothoracic surgeon?"

"Yes. He's a surgeon. . ."

Mr. D whistled in appreciation that made Nico flustered again. "Among doctor's gossip, he's a pretty common topic with his excellent skills. I thought that he doesn't date."

"Well, he changed his mind. . ."

"After meeting you I guess?"

"Mr.D!"

Mr. D laughed."Okay. Can't blame him, you had the aura of mystery and let's admit it when you remove that scowling expression, you're handsome dear. Anyway, let's hear the story of how you two met."

So Nico launched on his new story. When he had met Mr. D for the first time, it was hard to open up with him with all the awkwardness and doubt if this doctor would understand him completely, and not to jump into conclusions that Nico needed more pills to pop in so his hallucinations would stop.

But when Nico had felt too desperate and lost because of his blank state of mind, he started to open up bit by bit to Mr. D. It was beyond relief that Mr. D had understood him immediately when it had felt like no one else can, his weird fascination about blond and blue eyes, his frustration about remembering nothing, and Nico admitted his depression for the same reason.

After all, it's Mr. D's job to understand how a human mind thinks, and for Nico, Mr. D was doing a good job at it. Mr. D seemed nonchalant but Nico could feel that he genuinely cared about him. He was not just doing his job for the sake of a hundred dollars that would come into his pocket. Also, Mr. D was just a chill dude.

Mr. D was silent again after Nico had finished his story.

"I see. ." Mr. D said nodding. "I think the reason why you suddenly forgot about your fascination was that he was your new coping mechanism which is good that there's an actual human being you could talk to. Those flashes of blond and blue eyes in your head used to be your coping mechanism because that's all you have in that blank mind of yours. You cling on those because they could be fragments of your old memories, of your old life. Now that Will came. . ." Mr. D shrugged. "He's like your dreams turned into reality. Blond and blue eyes."

"But why Will of all people? I had gone into blind dates with a few people who were also blond and had blue eyes, why him?"

"Kid, that's where the attraction entered, you never got attracted to anybody except to this Will guy. There's always like a pull towards him, am I right?" Mr. D wiggled his eyebrows.

Nico scowled, blushing again.

"And that kid, is your favorite defense mechanism, scowling." Mr. D remarked.

"But then, what do you think have triggered your old memories to come back? You need to identify that because it is important. You could use that trigger to regain something again. There's always a trigger, think." Mr. D continued.

Nico frowned thinking. The first time a fraction of his old memories appeared was where Reyna and he had lunch together. The revolving door was when he had been at the hospital. What was the common thing about them? Wait. . . that day . . . and in the hospital. . . there was someone who had been present at both events.

Will Solace.

That day, Will Solace had interrupted his date. He had a headache after seeing him for the first time. The same day at noon, he had remembered something while eating with Reyna. Then in the hospital where Hazel had been rushed, Will had been there too.

"No, it should be a coincidence." Nico thought out loud.

"But you have something or someone in mind. Tell me." Mr. D said.

"It's impossible, but Will Solace was always present every time I was going to remember something. And the first time we met, I had a terrible headache."

"And you're telling me this now about the headache." Mr. D noted.

Nico winced guiltily. "Sorry"

Mr. D waved his hand in dismissal. "Anyway, do you think he's the trigger?"

"That's impossible," Nico said exasperatedly. "He already said that we had never met way before the incident."

Mr. D was silent.

"Ugh," Nico said banging his forehead lightly on the desk. "I'm starting to have a headache again."

"Of course you are, you're banging your head on a hard surface. That's also our cue to stop for the time being, and please stop banging your head. Thank you" Mr. D said.

Nico stopped slumping back on his chair. He sighed.

"Hey, there's no reason to be gloom and doom again. On the brighter side, you are making progress. You need to have patience because your memories won't come all at once."

"Will my memories really come back?" Nico grumbled.

"Let's be positive on this one."

"You're not even sure." Nico accused.

"I'm not giving you false hopes and you know the chances." Mr. D stated.

"Anyway," Mr. D continued. "I suggest you stick with this Will guy. He's good for you emotionally and mentally regardless that he's your trigger or not. And you know dating someone was good. Because when you are seeing someone, your brain releases endorphins for euphoric feelings. That's good for you. So now, we will lessen the intake of your medications."

oo00oo

After Nico had left, Mr. D was left sitting drumming his fingers on the table. He noticed that the figurines on his desk started to slightly rattle. Then he started to feel a tremor as if there was an earthquake coming. It also started to dim around him despite that it was still noon and the temperature started to drop despite the July summer heat.

"Oh come on!" Mr. D threw his hands as he leaned back in his chair. "Chill dude! Don't fret. It's not like I revealed anything vital to him! Just be thankful that I am looking after your son! Jeez. ."

The tremor stopped. The temperature went back to normal. The room went bright again.

Mr. D sighed shaking his head. "Hey! You're not the only one who doesn't want the world to end you know."

"As expected, Nico di Angelo hasn't remembered me at all." Luke Castellan walked in a dimly lit office. The curtains were drawn; a glimmer of sunlight passed through the gap between the two curtains, illuminating lightly the desk. A man was sitting behind the desk, blending in the shadows.

"Just keep an eye on him. Our advantage is, he's inside our nest." The man in the chair said.

Luke nodded. "As you wish, sir,"

On the table, the sunlight was particularly illuminating the double-sided glass desk nameplate. In golden calligraphy, the nameplate read: Nero Johansen, CEO. The sparkled against the light.