I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU [Episode 16 - 18]

 I CAN'T  STOP LOVING YOU

                                      Episode 16

Sitting by the pool with a beer in my hand, my mind goes back to the time Clara confessed to me here.

I remember how she got fever, but by the time I came home, she was ready to give herself to me.

She trusted me completely. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

I can't help but think what she might be doing right now.

Clara, is it okay for me to have you back? Is it okay for us to be together?

A sigh leaves my mouth as I think about it. One thing is for sure.

I know I lived life before her, but I didn't know how.

It is only after I met her, I felt alive. Now... If I walk away from her, I am sure I wouldn't know how to live. I will surely not find my way back to life.

Thoughts of us both consume my mind when my phone rings.

Picking it up, I see that it's from William. He must have mailed the scanned copy of the file I asked.

"Yes, did you mail it?" I ask in my business tone.

"Mr. Bryant... I..." He stutters. He never stutters

"What is it?" I take a chug from my beer.

"Clara fainted in your house." Hearing her name brought me to my senses.

She fainted? Did she get hurt? Is it bad? Hoe badly is she hurt?

"What do you mean she fainted?!" I try to control my temper.

"What is she doing at my house? Why did she go there?!"

My voice is rising every second. I have to go! I need to go see her! Going to my room, I start packing the bag.

"I have sent her there, to pick up the file." He says and I can sense the guilt in his voice along with fear.

Fu*k! "Why would you send her there?! Fu*k! Fu*k!" In my house?

There are pictures of us in the bedroom? Did she see them? Did she remember something?

"I am sorry, Mr. Bryant." He apologizes.

"When did this happen? Is she okay now? What did the doctors say?

Did she wake up?" I pace around the room as I ask him. I have to know that she is okay!

"We don't know yet. They have just completed the tests. We are waiting for the results."

Fu*k! Fuc*k! Fuc***k! "Where is she admitted?"

"Mrs. Edwards admitted her. She said she will take her to the doctor who has been monitoring her since the accident last year."

It must be Doctor Brown! "Okay. Anything happens, anything she needs whatever it is that might concern her, call me.

I will talk to Doctor Brown. Keep in contact with him. As soon as the results come out, give me a call."

"Okay, sir."

I cut the call and call my pilot. Oh Clara! Please be safe. Please, please!

"Get the jet ready. We will be leaving in thirty minutes."

"Yes, Mr. Bryant."

I take my bag and walk out.

"Mr. Bryant!" I hear the Maria, the housekeeper call.

"You are leaving? I thought you will be staying till tomorrow."

"Yes. I have something urgent come up." My heart is racing as I think about how Clara is.

The image of tubes attached to her body to breath last year because of the accident appeared in my mind.

My heart dropped. I don't want to see her like that again.

Walking out of the room, I get in my car and quickly reach the airport.

I try calling Mrs. Edwards, but she picks up after some time.

"Mrs. Edwards! How is she?" I ask desperately wanting to know that she is okay.

"She is fine, Dalton. The doctor's have done some tests and she is all good.

You don't need to worry." Even if she says that Clara is fine, I can't stop worrying.

I have to see her with my own eyes and only then can I be at ease.

"She is found fainted in your bedroom. I guess she saw the pictures and maybe it triggered her memory."

Does that mean she remembers everything? No! It can't be.

"But since she is not awake yet, we don't know."

"When will she wake up?" I ask getting into the plane.

I want to go to her as soon as possible. It I can run faster than this plane.

I would have done that. I just need to see her.

"Don't know, son. We are waiting for that too."

"Mrs. Edwards. In case, she remembers anything, let me answer her if she has any questions."

I want to be the one to tell her everything. There is a pause before she answers.

"Okay."

What if she remembers me? Oh Clara! Please be okay. I don't want to lose! I can't lose you!

Clara

How is she?"

"Everything seems normal in the scan reports. We need to wait for her to wake up."

"Okay."

"Mom, do you think she remembered everything?

I mean she fainted in there. She saw all the pictures and you know... It might have triggered a memory."

"I hope she remembers. I don't want to see Dalton or Clara suffering. The things they are doing for each other. Oh God!"

"They both love each other so much and just... I want them to be together, Mom.

I want them to be happy. Not just Clara, but Dalton too."

"How is she now?"

"Don't know Kurt. She needs to wake up for us to know anything."

"Don't worry Micheal. She will be alright."

"She better be."

"I called Dalton. He is coming."

"How did he sound, Mom?"

"Worried. Just why can't these both patch up."

"I know."

"I feel bad hiding everything from here. I thought if she forgot Dalton and he wants to break up with her,

what's the point of telling her the past if it's going to make her sad.

But her heart still wants Dalton and Dalton... Oh that boy has become my other son."

I hear the sound of beeping. A warm hand is holding mine. My eyes are still closed. I feel a little conscious.

"Clara. Sweetie, wake up. Wake up at least for Dalton." It's Mom! "I am sorry for hiding everything from you."

Yes, she did hide. She should have told me everything. I feel myself getting more conscious.

"I love you."

I try to open my eyes. I am able to move my fingers. I hear a gasp.

"Clara! Are you awake? Can you hear me?"

I try hard to open my eyes this time and I succeed.

My vision is blur as I open my eyes. The light is too much.

I see my mom's face come into vision. Blinking a few times, I look at her again and her face becomes clearer.

"Micheal! Come inside!" She calls and I hear the door open and close.

"Mom, what ha- Clara!" He comes to the other side of the bed.

"Call the doctor." She tells him.

"Yes." He says going out again.

"Clara, sweetie, look at me." She looks worried, tired and a bit happy, maybe because I am awake.

I move my lips to talk, but my mouth feels dry. I try again.

"Why did you hide the truth, Mom?" I finally ask and she looks at me in shock.

She looks stunned and doesn't move for a second.

"You remember?" She asks.

I nod my head. I feel betrayed. Betrayed by my family, betrayed by my lover.

Many questions are running through my mind. Why did Dalton behave like he does not know me?

Why didn't he just tell me the truth? What happened after the accident? Why are they all hiding the truth?

Oh Dalton! When will you come?! I am so angry with you!

Why did you have to behave like a stranger?!

You can't be away from me, so you became my boss again? Then why?!

"Ms. Edwards!" I hear the doctor come in. He comes to me and mom moves aside to let the doctor check.

"How are you feeling?" He asks. How am I feeling? I am feeling like I want to slap someone!

"Well," I try to speak but I can't. They give me a glass of water.

I drink the whole glass before speaking. "I feel angry." He looks confused at my answer.

My mom looks guilty and brother is looking confused as well.

"What?"

"I remember the part of my life that I forgot after the accident." Micheal look shocked. He looks at mom and she gives him a nod.

"That's a good news." He says. I scoff. If only!

"What is the last thing you remember about the accident that happened a year ago?" He asks. Mom and Micheal looks at me with curious eyes.

"I remember my boyfriend firing me from his own company.

I mean I asked him to fire me and we were about to catch a movie.

I got out of the car, waiting for him to park it got hit by another car."

My mind goes back to that day. I remember it clearly. I was so happy.

We were so happy! What exactly happened after the accident?

"I want to talk to Dalton." I say looking at mom.

"He is on his way hear, Sweetie." She says coming to me and putting her hand on mine.

I take my hand away. I am so angry at Mom and Micheal. She doesn't say anything.

"Ms. Edwards, you are completely fine, but now that you have gained your memory back just let us run a few more tests to make sure everything's alright. How does that sound?"

I nod my head. I just want to see Dalton! I don't care about any other thing!

"Mrs. Edwards. Please come, I need to talk with you."

The doctor says and mom goes out to before giving me loving look. I am alone with Micheal in the room.

"How could you guys?! Why?!"

"I am sorry, sis. You need to talk to Dalton."

"Oh I will! I will not just talk though. I am so angry with him! With all of you!"

"Clara, you need to understand we love you. Whatever we have done, it's for you own good." He comes near me.

I laugh with no humour. "My own good! Then you wouldn't have hid it from me!"

He stays silent. "I mean... We were together. We were in love.

Why would he hide it from me? Did the doctors tell you guys to not force any memory on me?

Is that why he didn't say anything? That must be it, right?" He looks me.

"Dalton will be here soon. You guys should talk."

"Micheal! Tell me what happened when I was in coma that time. I want to know. I need to know."

"Don't panic, Sis. Please. You just became conscious, I don't want you to faint again."

"I can't stop thinking. I mean, he clearly still loves me. I have seen all the pictures in his room. Then... then why?!"

"Shh! Clara, control yourself, please." He pleads holding my hand.

"Control myself? Micheal, I just woke up to my family and boyfriend hiding the fact that he is boyfriend. How am I supposed to live with it?!"

"He is not your boyfriend." His words shock me. I look at him in shock.

"What? What do you mean?"

"He..." Micheal trails off.

"Tell me, please. I want to know. Tell me at least now. What happened after the accident?"

Micheal stays silent holding my hand.

"We broke up." I look at the door from where the voice came.

The very familiar voice. The one that stirs my heart every time.

There he is! He looks tired. His five O' clock shadow is growing.

His hair is dishelved. It looks like he ran his hand through it a few times.

But, Damn, he looks sexy. The Handsome Man. My Handsome Man.

Suddenly all the past comes knocking in front of my eyes.

How he felt in my arms, how safe I felt in his arms,

how safe I felt in his arms, how we loved each other and every other detail. He hid all that from me. He hid everything.

I am so angry at him.

"Dalton." His name leaves my lips involuntarily. I feel it again.

My heart is doing flips. I sure loved him before and after my amnesia.

But as I look at him walking to me, I see him in a whole different light.

I realise how different our chemistry was then and now.

He comes to me in two long steps and engulfs me in his heavenly arms. Oh fuc**k! I am home!

"Clara!" He whispers holding me tightly. I waste no time in holding him back.

"Cara Mia." Then my mind clicks. Cara Mia! That's me! His ex-girlfriend!

That's me! Wait! Ex-girlfriend? When did I become that? Why did I become that?

Why don't I remember the break up!!!!!

Episode 17

"What do you mean we broke up? I don't remember any of it.

I don't have any memory of us talking about it. Do I not remember it?"

Dalton's stays silent as he looks at me.

"I-I mean if we did break up, why are you still here?

Why did you buy the company that I was working in?

Why did you become my boss and why do you have a picture-no pictures of us in your house?!"

I feel like smoke might come out of my ears any minute now.

"If we actually broke up, why do you care about me?"

My voice came out almost as a whisper. Mom and Micheal left us alone. It's only us both.

"I was so scared." He says looking down at my fingers that he is holding.

He kisses my hand before looking up. "I was scared that something might happen to you... if I am with you." Oh not this again!

"Dalton, we talked about this before too."

"I know. No matter how much we talk about it, it doesn't change the fact that I am a bad luck and bring danger.

I don't want you to be in any danger. I can't see that."

The sincerity is clear in his eyes. But why doesn't he understand that our love is more important?!

"When did we break up? Did we talk about it? I wouldn't have let him break up over this thing!

"No. When I saw you in the hospital after the accident..."

He stops speaking and looks away from me. It's like he can't speak about it.

He looks back at my IV attached hand. He caresses it gently.

"For the first time in my life I was scared. I don't want to see you like that I again.

Never! Not because of me." He shakes his head.

He holds my hand with both of his. "So, I decided to not tell you truth about us being in a relationship.

I told Mrs. Edwards to not tell and she thought if we are going to break up, telling you about the past would only hurt you."

"So, that's how we broke up?" I am confused.

"Yes."

"How is that a break up, Dalton? You decided to walk away and you call that a break up?!

It's my choice! Does my feelings mean nothing to you?!"

Tears cloud my vision. They start flowing down freely and I don't stop them.

"They do. That's why we didn't tell you anything. It would hurt you."

"So, it doesn't hurt you?! Are you happy breaking up with me?

Are you happy acting like we weren't in a relationship while I was working with you?!"

Cara Mi-"

"Don't!" I pull my hand away from his hold. I am so angry.

So angry! "How could you just..." I can't even complete the sentence.

I feel like my throat is clogged with pain. I bite my lip to stop it from trembling.

"How could you just decide that?" A sob leaves my mouth. I wipe my tears as they don't stop falling.

"Clara." He sits and the bed and takes me in my arms. I hit his chest.

"How could you?!" I hit his arm" How could you?!"

I keep hitting his chest with my fists. He doesn't even flinch.

"Hit me. Hit me as much as you want. I know I am wrong."

He says. I look at him.

"I hate you!" I hit him harder. But I know it's even like a fly biting him.

It doesn't have any impact on him. I keep hitting him on his chest. "I hate you!"

"Oh Clara!" He quickly pulls me in for a hug and I sob into his chest.

"I am sorry." He kisses the crown of my head. "I am so sorry."

"I hate you!" I say between my sobs. I bawl my eyes out.

Oh what am I to do with this man?

"I know." He holds me tightly. I put my arms around him.

"I love you too, Cara Mia." He rubs my back as I cry.

"I missed you. I missed you every minute. I wanted to hold you like this! I wanted to take you home and into our room and not let you go from there.

I wanted you safe." He holds me tighter and I do the same.

Oh I wanted the same thing! I wanted to hug him many times!

"I feel the safest when I am with you." I confess.

There is nothing more safe and comfortable than being in his arms.

I lift my head up once I am done crying. There are tears in his too.

"That is not a break up Dalton. One person walking away from a relationship is not called a breaking up.

If you call that a break up, do I deserve such kind of break up.

Would my boyfriend doesn't even give me the respect to tell me that we are breaking up?"

"No! You know that's not why I did it." He holds my face in his arms.

"I am so angry with you."

"I understand." He leans forward and gives me a kiss on my forehead.

I nearly melt at it. He hugs me again. "Clara." He whispers for no reason.

I am in his loving arms and he is calling my name with love.

I want nothing more.

"dalton." I whisper back kissing his chest over his shirt and resting my face against it closing my eyes for a second to enjoy this.

I have missed this and longed for it even when I didn't know he was my boyfriend. I then remember something.

I take his hand that's having the ring I have given him.

I look at him who looks confused. Taking the ring out knowing all well what's inside, I see take a look at it.

I love you. It is engraved inside, just like I had a vision when I was in his arms at the office. I look back at him.

"According to you, we have broken up right?" I look at him as I ask.

"Clara'," He says knowing all too well what's about to come up. The tension is clear on his face.

"Then why are you wearing this?" I don't give the ring back.

"No." He reaches for it.

"You don't need this." I pull away from him. "I gave it to a guy who would do anything to be with me.

I gave it to my boyfriend who is not a coward." He stares at me and I stare back.

"But you are not the guy or the boyfriend." My voice almost becomes a whisper and breaks as I say the next words. "We-"

"No."

"We broke up, right?"

"No. Cara-" He reaches to take the ring from my hand. I still don't give it to him.

Then you don't need it."

Tears start forming in his eyes.

"You walked away from me, remember? You walked away from this relationship.

You gave up on... us." My voice breaks again. I think of all the moments we shared.

"You know, if anyone asks, what are the happiest moments of my life, I would have said every moment I spent with you.

Even if they are painful, they still my happiest memories because I spent them with you and with you, every minute is magic."

The tears in his eyes look like they might drop down his cheek every minute.

"Why am I telling my ex-boyfriend all this?" I laugh at myself with no humor.

"Clara." He whispers my name like he is pleading me to stop.

"To save the girl you love, you sacrificed your love.

Sounds good like a movie. Maybe a good story line too. So, you are the hero here? You are the big guy?!" He shakes his head.

"No."

"What about the girl? What about her choice? How can he decide for both of them?

He sacrificed and left. But the girl is stuck in her love, waiting for him to come back.

To... Come back to her. He left her behind. If he really loves her, he should stay back shouldn't he?"

"If she can live and start a new happy life without him-" He tries to defend.

"He is her happiness!" I want t shout. I want to scream.

I want him to understand. "You are my happiness Dalton." The words leave out of my mouth like a whisper.

"And you are mine." His hand caresses my cheek.

A tear rolls down his handsome face. I reach up and wipe it. I don't want to see tears in his eyes.

"Then why are you complicating it? I love you, you love me and I don't care about how long I live as long as we are together. Nothing else matters."

He leans his forehead against mine. We close our eyes. I feel happy together. Doesn't he feel this? I am sure he does!

"How can you hide everything from me? How did you keep it all to yourself?"

I open my eyes and pull away. "I guess it didn't affect you much to stay away from me-"

"Don't say that. You don't know how hard it is to have the woman you love in front of you every day and for her to not recognize you.

It was hard. Every day I wanted to tell you everything and take you home. Every day I have to hold back that urge. It was not easy."

"Then why didn't you just tell me?!"

"I was about to tell you everything on the New Year's Eve.

Remember I told you I would answer all your questions?" I nod my head.

The six days. I guess it's not needed anymore.

"You did all this just because you thought you might bring me danger if you are near me?" I can't help but ask as I pull away.

He looks away. Tears are still pooled in his eyes. He just doesn't let them out. I hug him tightly. He doesn't hug me.

"You know what's the biggest danger to me?" I ask not pulling away.

"What?"

"You leaving me. Because then I would lose my way to life." He hugs me tightly, tighter than before.

"Clara." He whispers. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"I have to do this, for the sake of my peace that you will be happy without me."

"Dalton. You can't." I pull away and look at him. "After all this, you still..." I can't finish the sentence.

"You know, I just came from Venice." Venice? My mind goes back the beautiful memories of Dalton and me.

"I was near the pool, you remember?" He asks. I nod my head with a smile.

I remember. But I am still confused, not understanding where he is going with all this.

"I was thinking of telling you the truth and for a moment..." He trails off and looks at me deeply. The love and affection is clear in eyes.

Why does it have to be like this?

"I thought of us being together once I tell you the truth."

My heart soars with happiness at his words. "A few minutes later I got the call from William saying you fainted in my house."

He holds me tightly. "Even if a thought of us being together crossed my mind, you are in the hospital. If we are together again-"

"You are afraid I might di-"

"Don't say it." He stops me and pulls away.

He kisses my forehead. "I am sorry. I want you to live a long life."

He gets up leaving me on the bed. As I understand what he is about to do, I lose my sanity.

"You can't. You can't!" I hit him on his chest again. "Don't be foolish! I will kill you!"

He holds my fists and kisses each hand. He opens the fist in which I has the ring that I took off his finger.

He takes it and places it on his ring finger again and looks at it like that's where it belong.

He leans down and gives me a tender kiss on my lips.

"I have to do this." With that he gives me a hug and I am so in shock that I don't hug him back.

"No." I realize what he is doing. He can't be doing this again! "No!"

He pulls away and goes to the door to leave. He opens it and stares back at me.

"I love you." He says and before I know he is gone.

"No! Come back! You idiot!"

The room is empty and silent. The only sounds that can be heard are the beeping sound from the monitor and my loud sobs.

The heavy reality settles in me and I just can't stop sobbing.

The door opens and mom come in along with Micheal.

"Sweetie!" She looks surprised and scared.

"Mom! He left! He left again!" I hug her and cry. Tears don't stop coming out.

Before I know it, I feel the earth moving and feel like I am fainting.

There is only one thought in my mind as I faint.

Dalton!!!

Checkout in the next episodes