Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8: REMEMBER

"It's Yamada Enna. I need two tickets for New York please. Give me whatever you have." Enna said calmly through the phone in her left hand as her right fumbled through her clothes.

"The only available spots we have for tonight are first-class seats, ma'am." The flight receptionist informed, Enna could hear her typing away on her computer. "941,737 yen each."

"That's perfect, Ms. Kimura. I'll take it." She said without even thinking about it. I don't give a damn how much it costs, I need to be in New York as soon as possible.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm going to need your account information. You're flight is at 11:30 pm."

"Okay, hold on. Lemme just get my bankbook." Enna desperately said before digging in through her stuff to find the book. It's 10:45 already. Goddamnit. This would've been so much easier if I memorized that bloody account number.

She was still looking when she heard the front door open. "Alex I told you to wait for me at the airport." Enna called out, assuming that it was her best friend.

"I know, Enna. But..." Alex slowly approached her in her room. "..we've got company."

Enna looked at her friend and saw two men beside her, each carrying their own luggage. Nino approached her as Ohno leaned on the wall. Enna sighed.

"Yes. Kimura-san?" She said, smiling as she rolled her eyes and put her right hand on Nino's chest to stop him from getting to her. "Is it possible to add two more tickets to my purchase?"

*****

"You didn't have to come, you know. I could've went there myself. Plus I have Alex with me." She said as she looked at each man at her side. They were aboard the plane now, with Enna and Nino on one aisle, and Ohno and Alex on the other.

Ohno just smirked across her. "We know, Enna-chan. Nino and I just wanted to make sure you're gonna be okay. We can't just let you alone like that."

Isn't that my line to say? Nino thought irritably as he tightened his hold on Enna's waist.

"Are you okay, Nino-chan?" Enna asked as she looked him and touched his face.

"Y-yeah I'm fine. Don't worry." Nino had his eyes closed thirty minutes after take-off.

"What's wrong with him?" Alex snorted sleepily.

"Nino gets easily... seasick." Ohno explained.

"But this isn't the sea."

"Same concept." Ohno smiled as he saw Enna laugh heartily.

"Just sleep it off, baby. It'll go away." Enna said as she held his face again and kissed his lips tenderly. Nino kissed her back, momentarily forgetting the sick feeling he had. "I told you not to come anymore. Look at you."

"There's no way in hell I'm gonna let you go alone, Enna. You know that." He said as he placed her head on his shoulder, kissing the top of her head. Enna closed her eyes as she drifted to sleep. Plus, if Satoshi's here, I certainly have to be here. Nino thought as he looked at the man across them.

As soon as Ohno met his best friend's eyes, he knew that Nino already realized his feelings for Enna.

You've always been so sharp, Kazunari

*****

"Ms. Enna~!" Eva called as she approached them at the hospital door.

"Eva." Enna nodded kindly as she recognized the girl. "Where's my mother?"

"She's at the penthouse room ma'am. The best room there is in this hospital, as you instructed."

"Great. I'll be right up there. You can rest now, Eva. I know how tired you are." Enna said apologetically.

"I'm fine, ma'am. This is my job and my way of paying you back for everything you've done for me."

"You do not owe me anything. You worked hard for what you have." Enna smiled at her mom's personal nurse.

It wasn't the first time Ohno and Nino heard Enna talk in her main language, but the two were still so impressed by how elegant she sounded. They understand English perfectly, it's the speaking that's hard for them to do. They knew what Enna was talking about and they just stared at her in amazement.

"Very hot, huh boys?" Alex whispered in between them, smirking as she saw both of them fidget in place.

As they were walking towards the elevator, Enna suddenly stopped and turned around.

"I wonder where the gift shop is." She said, in deep thought as she looked at them blankly.

"I saw it through the window on the way here. It's on the other side of the building." Ohno said, gazing at her with wondering eyes.

"Oh. Okay. Can you come with me then, Ohno-kun? Since you know the way. I need to buy some flowers... w-white tulips." She said. Still looking like she's not herself.

"O-of course." Ohno responded immediately but then looking at Nino, who was quietly looking at his girlfriend.

"We'll stay here then, Enna." Alex said as she clung on Nino's arm. "Me and boyfriend can chat while waiting for you."

"Okay." Enna said simply before she walked away, Ohno followed closely beside her.

"So.." Alex started as soon as the two were gone. "How does it feel like to actually have a one-on-one rival?"

Nino snorted, kinda amused at Enna's best friend. "You knew?"

"Oh yeah." She said, plopping herself and the man her arms clutched to the sofa near the elevator. "I knew the moment I saw him at the airport. Being Enna's best friend, I'm used to the look of a man that has just fallen for her."

"Wow. I wish I could read my best friend like that." He said bitterly. "And does Enna know about this?"

"Nope. Come on, boyfriend. We both know she's ignorant to things like these." they both smiled.

"I just can't believe Ohno would--"

"Would what, Nino? Fall in love with your girlfriend? Really?" Alex asked sarcastically.

Nino sighed. "I know. But, damn it, Ohno Satoshi?! My best friend?! Seriously?"

"I think both of you fell for her at the same time.." The girl said thoughtfully. "He just realized that you loved her before he even did anything and decided to give way for you. You can't really blame him for anything."

Just then, an interesting question came into Enna's best friend. "I wonder.. what would you have done if you were in his position?"

Nino thought hard and smirked. "I'm too selfish to even think of letting her go, Alex."

*****

"Nani kore?" Ohno said quietly, looking at the bucket of red wire-like things in his hands as Enna's attention turned to him while she was paying for the the white tulips.

She approached the idol who was looking at the things adorably. "They're licorice, Oh-chan."

"Huh? Li-- what?" He said as he looked at her, then back at the transparent bucket.

"Li..co..rice." Enna smiled, saying the name slowly. Ohno stared at her amusingly.

"And what do you do with them?"

"You eat them.. well when you don't have a choice. I hate them, they feel like rubber and taste like plastic. Tasted it once a few years ago and never ate it again." She explained.

"You've tasted plastic before?" The thirty-year-old man asked with an innocent surprised look on his face brows furrowed.

Enna laughed so loud people stared at them, she took the licorice from Ohno's hands and went to the counter to pay for it.

"Here you go." She offered as she opened the bucketful of Red Vine. "I'm warning you, they're horrible."

Ohno took one with his whole hand, looking like a kid holding a pencil with curious eyes.

"Itadakimasu~" He chanted before he bit a large chunk off it. Enna grinned, waiting for his reaction.

"Umai~!" He suddenly said as he took another bite, brows meeting further than before.

Enna burst into laughter yet again as she saw the man's expression.

"What are you laughing about? This is good!" Ohno protested, unconscious that she's laughing at him but happy that she is.

"You.. are just too cute, Oh-chan." She said as she wiped the tear that escaped her eye. It's not everyday that she tears up because of laughing.

"I'm happy to amuse you." He said as he smiled back lazily. He held out a licorice at her. "Eat."

"Hell no. I hate that thing." She pouted, making Ohno's heart skip a beat.

"Just try it. Maybe the taste changed now." He encouraged.

Enna sighed as she bit it from his hand. She looked up, assessing it as she chewed.

"Hmmmm... It's not.. as bad as before, I guess." She said, her head titled at the side as she took another bite.

"See, Enna? Things change and get better sometimes."

Enna gently smiled at Ohno. For a person who doesn't say much, you are incredibly deep, Satoshi-kun. You're mere smile relaxes me.

"Uhm.." Ohno said as they were heading back. "I'm sure you want your mom to be happy so you brought her flowers.. but why did you specifically plan on white tulips?"

"Because.. It's my only chance of my mom knowing who I am." She said as she kept walking, not looking at the man who's already staring at her in wonder. "It's rather hard to explain."

Ohno decided to keep quiet about it. He wasn't one to pry. The man just put his hands on his pockets and walked along with her.

"N-ne, Oh-kun..." Enna said suddenly, still looking straight ahead. "W-what do you think Nino's gonna do..? When he finds out about me? That I'm not as perfect as he thinks I am?" The girl sounded scared as she finally looked up to him.

Ohno balled his fists inside his pockets, trying hard to stop the urge to hug her and kiss her. "Well, if I was him, Enna.. I would be amazed at how you overcame everything that happened to you. You're still going to remain perfect in my eyes because you are. I wouldn't care about you're past,because it's over and it's what made you you. If I was him... I'd still love you." He said, forcing a wide smile, seeming happy in front of the girl he loved the most. "Don't worry. He loves you."

Enna's heart fluttered and felt better at his gentleness, she smiled back.

*****

"Dominique~!" Enna forced herself to sound as happy as possible as she walked towards her mom.

The woman on the bed looked at her blankly, She had the same black wavy hair and almond eyes her daughter has. Enna showed her the tulips and smiled widely.

"For you." The girl said. At that, Dominique's face lit up in recognition.

"Aleanna! How have you been, my dear?" She said as she elegantly reached out for the girl in front of her. Enna sighed and hugged her. Alex, Nino, and Ohno just stood quietly against the hospital wall, watching the mother and daughter.

"Dominique? Aleanna?! What the hell's going on?" Nino hissed under his breath, aiming the question at Alex.

"I'll explain later." The girl whispered back, looking at Enna worriedly.

"No. not later. Now." The brat demanded. At that, Ohno stood up straight, not leaning on the wall anymore.

"Enna's name is Aleanna Dominique De Vera Yamada.." He memorized. "She got her second name from her mom, Dominique. Enna's mother can't remember her, she doesn't know she has a daughter. Enna has to call her by her name and not by 'mom' to avoid freaking her out." Ohno explained, whispering not to cause disruption.

Nino stared at him in shock. "H-how d--"

"Let's not do this now, Kazu-kun." Ohno whispered calmly, his eyes still fixed on Enna who's now chatting with her mom animatedly. "Enna's trying her hardest here and she needs us for support so.. save it for later."

Nino just stared back at his girlfriend who's smile seems to be covered with pain, his heart aching at the fact that she hid a lot of things from him.

"Dominique," Enna said as she placed the tulips on the bedside table. "Please be careful with yourself. Okay? I don't want you having another heart attack. The doctors told me you cried too hard again, that's why your heart failed." She sat down and took her mother's hand. "Please don't make me worry about you."

"Oh, Aleanna. you worry too much. I'm fine now." The 50-year-old woman replied. "I was just looking at my pictures and.. and my husband wasn't in any of them. Somebody threw them away. Can you believe that?"

"No way!" She feigned her surprise, gulping back the lump in her throat. She wanted to scream. She wanted to tell her mom that she's her daughter and she's never had a husband. How can I possibly say that the man she loves left her twenty-three years ago? Left us? "You want me to find out who did it? I'll make them pay."

"Oh yes, dear. That would be great. Thank you." Dominique said as she hugged Enna tightly, the daughter hugged her mom back lovingly, closing her eyes to stop her tears from spilling. Her memory time was almost up.

"Dominique, I want you to meet my friends and my boyfriend." Enna said as she broke the hug. The three moved forward.

"This is Alexa Imperial." Enna's best friend smiled as if it was the first time she met her mother.

"Ohno Satoshi." The man bowed his upper body, showing high respects to the lady.

"And my boyfriend, Ninomiya Kazunari." She said as she stood up to wrap her arms around him. Nino bowed slightly.

"Oh, such wonderful people. You're very lucky Aleanna. You--" The woman suddenly stopped. Enna's eyes were full of pain as she saw her mother's blank expression. "Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" Dominique asked, now panicky.

"You guys should go. Alex, get a nurse. Our time's up." Enna said quickly as she run towards her mother's side and took her hand.

"Mother. I'm Aleanna. You're daughter. Remember me?" the girl choked as she hoped for hope. She looked directly at her mom's eyes. "Enna, mom. Enna."

"Enna..?" Her mom looked at her questioningly. "I don't.. No!! No, I don't have a daughter!! Who the hell are you?!? I'm twenty-seven years old and I'm about to be married!! Are you trying to ruin my marriage?! Are you his mistress?!??" Enna's mother shouted as she scratched her daughter's face, already back to her delusional state. Alex came back with three nurses.

"Enna! Get away from her!" Alex hugged her best friend, protecting her from her mother. The girl didn't say a word as Alex walked her out of the room, the hysterical woman still shouting while the nurses sedated her.

Ohno and Nino saw everything from the door. As soon as Enna got out, Nino grabbed her in a hug, kissing her forehead worriedly. He then touched her bleeding cheek gently. Enna's eyes looked as blank as he'd ever seen them.

"Baby.. Enna.." Nino called, holding her face in his palms as he stooped down to meet her eyes. "Baby. We need to get that scratch treated. We're going to the clinic before we head back. Okay?" He said, making his eyes bigger as he looked her straight in the eyes.

The girl suddenly snapped back to reality. "I-I'm sorry. Yeah. L-let's go home." She nodded at the man before she faced all three of them. "I'm sorry, guys. This happens all the time, don't worry about it." She forcibly smiled after she shook her head.

*****

"We're going back to Japan tonight, Eva. I don't think I can do much good staying here." Enna explained through the phone as she looked out the window. Nino gave her a quick worried glance before focusing his eyes back to the road he's on. He insisted in driving knowing that Enna wasn't in the condition to. It wasn't that hard to read English signals. Ohno rode on Alex's car since Enna's was a two-seater.

"Yes. Just please don't let her out of your sight. She's.. uhm.. getting worse." Enna choked. "Thank you. I will. Bye."

"How are you feeling?" Nino asked as he took her hand and locked it with his.

"The scratch doesn't hurt anymore. It'll probably go away in about a week or so." Enna smiled as she patted her bandaged jaw.

"That wasn't what I meant, Enna." the man said as he tightened his grip on her.

Enna laughed. "I'm okay, babe. This isn't the first time it happened."

"But it still hurts you every time." He clenched his teeth.

"Do.. you.."

"Have questions?" Nino continued for her. "Tons." He looked at her from the corner of his eye. She closed her eyes.

"You don't trust me much, do you?" He smirked bitterly as he looked at the road.

"No.. No. I do, Nino. It's just that.. I'm scared you'll look at me differently once you know." Enna said. She shifted in her seat as she continued. "My real name's Aleanna. I'm an illegitimate child of a man who's in.. I don't even give a damn where.. I have a delusional mom who doesn't even remember me since I was 15. I've always had a hard time opening up to people and or expressing how I feel. And I'm broken.." Enna said as tears started to flow out of her eyes. "..very broken."

Nino pulled over. He got out of the car and went around, opening Enna's side of the door. He squatted beside the car, holding the stunned Enna's hands. Nino looked at her straight in the eyes as if he's talking to a child. "I'm never going to look at you differently, Yamada Enna.. or Aleanna.. or whatever your name is. You're you. And I love you. I will always love you." He said before he stood up and pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, one hand stroking her hair as she hugged him back.

"I'm asking you to please open your heart to me. I'm here. I'm with you. You don't have to suffer alone. I'm here, baby. I love you."

"I love you." Enna whispered back, thankful for the man in her arms. Something bugged her though, for it wasn't the first time she heard what Nino just said. "You don't have to suffer so much. Not alone. I'm here for you." Ohno Satoshi's words rung in her head.