Promises Forgotten
Chapter 24

“Zach!”

I waved at Stacy as she ran to me and threw her arms around me. Rolling my eyes, I gave her a peck on the cheek. “Woman! People are going think we are lovers reuniting.”

“Whatever you say, partner in crime. I’m just glad to be here.” She huffed. “I’ve had to listen to Adrian and Jay complain non-stop about being left behind. F**k them. A girl can take a damn private jet by herself. Some real me time.”

Smiling, I opened the car door for her and she slid in. The driver grabbed her luggage and I got in after her.

“I’m glad you’re here. I was starting to miss home. I feel better now. I don’t think I need to go back.”

Her mouth dropped open and she punched my stomach. I leaned forward, faking hurt. “Don’t you dare, Zach. I swear to god. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon. I f*****g missed you.”

“I missed you too, bitch.”

“Damn, you lost weight. You’re a toothpick. I swear you’re thinner than Adrian now.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Did Adrian gain weight?”

“No. Well, yes, but you’re the one who’s lost weight. Seriously, were you taking care of yourself at all in France?”

“Yes, Stace. I’m fine. I thought we would drop off your luggage at the suite and then we can go down for dinner. Sound alright? I know it’s a little late for much else.”

This time her eyebrow rose. “Not going to invite me to party like a rockstar in Oxford?”

I chuckled. “I don’t know the scene here. You’d be on your own.”

“Well well, I’m not sure what to think. I mean I figured being on your own for a little bit you would regress, but I guess not.”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head, but didn’t rise to her jab. It was still raining, and it made for a cozy night. I had the hotel set up the fireplace in the suit and I didn’t really want to go to dinner, but I figured Stacy might be hungry after the flight.

“So, when is your appointment?”

“Two days, at seven in the morning. He said in case it takes longer than a couple hours.”

She stared at me, but I didn’t return her look. “Has it taken a couple hours before?”

“The longest someone has taken in his office was four hours.”

“How long was that for?”

I looked out the window. “Two weeks of lost memories.”

She cursed and grabbed my arm. “Zach, maybe you shouldn’t…”

Shaking my head, she let go of my arm slowly. “I have to, Stace, I have to try. He said he will pull me out if I hit eight hours, because then you’re getting into the danger zone of a self-induced coma. So, at the very most it will be eight hours. We will go from there after the appointment.”

Stacy nodded and stayed quiet. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

“I appreciate you coming here and doing this with me. Seriously. It means a lot.”

“Of course, Zach. I wouldn’t want you to do this alone.”

Smiling, I inclined my head to her and turned back to the window. We pulled up to the hotel and both of us got out. Going up to the suite, I let her explore as I went to the kitchen and pulled out a water bottle from the fridge. Sitting down on the couch, I grabbed up my laptop and finished the report I was working on before I went to pick up Stacy.

My mind on work, I looked at the time and an hour had passed. Putting my laptop down, I knocked on Stacy’s door and it opened, but I smirked. She was dead asleep on the bed, shoes off but still in her skirt and top. Shaking my head, I closed the door and leaned over the couch to close my laptop. Going back to my room, I unbuttoned my shirt and took off my slacks. Laying down in bed, I almost immediately fell asleep as well.

–

“Honestly, Zach, you are no fun.”

I looked back at Stacy from the couch. “Yes, yes. No fun. I thought we already established I am the one who is no fun out of our friend group.”

She huffed. “It’s literally breakfast at a cafe. You can at least go for an hour.”

“Not only is it pouring rain, but I have an appointment that may destroy my entire mind. So please excuse me if I’m not dying to eat something right before that.”

“I’m not saying you have to eat anything. I’m saying you need to come with me.”

Sighing, I looked at my watch. “It is 5:30, Stacy. In the morning. You need to hold your horses. It’s too damn early for this.”

“I will shut up and stop bothering you if you just come.”

Rolling my eyes, I sighed and slowly picked my a*s up off the couch. She squealed and handed me my jacket and coat. Shaking my head, I put on both of them and grabbed my wallet and phone.

“Why I let you talk me into these things, is beyond me.”

Taking my arm, we walked out of the suite and down into the lobby. We each took an umbrella from the front desk and walked down the block to a cafe on the corner. Going in, I wrinkled my nose. It was nowhere near as cozy as the one in France. Stacy punched my arm.

“Seriously, don’t make that face. You can’t compare this to your little nook in France. It’s rude.”

I smiled. “I absolutely can. Just order me a black coffee with two sugars and I will find us a table.”

She headed off toward the counter and I found two seats at the window bar facing the street. Sitting down, I shrugged off my jacket and placed it on the seat next to me, saving it for her. Stacy came back and plopped down on the seat after I took my jacket back.

“Adrian said you decided to buy the flat in France. Even though he said it was to small and you should have gone for something much better.”

Shaking my head, I looked over the rain soaked road. “Adrian has gotten used to the grand mansions, suites and penthouses a little too much lately. I needed something just for me or a normal family. Everything else felt too empty.”

“Are you really getting rid of the penthouse?”

“Yes.” I moved as the waiter placed a coffee in front of me and a latte with a scone in front of Stacy. “Unless Jason wants it. I will absolutely sell it to him if he wants it. Otherwise, I’ll have a realtor handle the rest. I’ll look around to find something a little more modest just for me. I don’t need five f*****g rooms. Two would be fine.”

She stared at me for a long while. I poured my sugars into the coffee and took my spoon, mixing it gently before taking a sip. It wasn’t the same as France, but it was better than the coffee they made in the hotel.

“Who are you and what have you done with Zachary Anderson?”

I looked at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

Taking a sip of her coffee, she stared out at the road as well before meeting my eyes. “You’re just so mellow now. Down to earth. I’m used to seeing you in the meetings, even on Zoom you’re a f*****g shark. Here though, just seeing you being you. It’s so different. Like…”

“Like I decided to grow the f**k up?”

Smirking, she shook her head. “Not what I meant, and you know it. You just seem…content in your loneliness.”

I cocked my head to the side and took another sip of the coffee. I watched as a couple people ran for their lives, their umbrellas nowhere in sight.

“Maybe. I decided to decline the Sinclair’s offer of marriage when I get back. Honestly, the company doesn’t need it and I don’t want the headache. Of either his company or his daughter. I think after everything that has happened, content in my loneliness is where I’ve landed. If nothing happens today, then I will continue moving forward on this path I’ve laid out. I don’t find myself needing to complete anything else.”

Her brow furrowed. “What about a family? A life outside of work?”

“Whether or not I remember it, the fact that I loved fully is enough for me. I don’t know if I could throw my heart into anyone else, knowing it would only pale in comparison. Plus, I have a son. At some point, I know Evie will allow him to find me. When he does, a kingdom will be ready for him. One he can either choose to take over or leave behind.”

“But Zach…it’s so…”

Smiling, I sipped my coffee, looking at her over the mug. “Lonely? Maybe. But remember, I’ve found contentment in this loneliness.”

“Shit, you’ve turned into a damn adult while you were in France. How boring.” Stacy huffed.

Shaking my head, I elbowed her as she had a bite of her scone. We finished our coffee in silence before heading off to my appointment with Dr. Walters.

Before we arrived, Stacy held my hand. “What happens if you do get your memories back?”

I shrugged. “It really depends. On one hand, I could try fighting for her. Not letting her go. Or I’ve already done so much damage that I live with the pain I’ve caused her over the years.”

“That seems a bit broad.”

“I mean, I don’t even know what I’m going to remember. What if I can’t remember it all? It all just depends on what happens. I won’t be able to tell you until it does.”

“Sir, we are here.”

Nodding to the driver, I looked at Dr. Walters’ office. Unlocking the door, I pushed up the umbrella and stepped out of the car. Holding out my hand for Stacy, I brought her under my umbrella. I walked with her to the door and opened it for her. We stepped in and I shook out the umbrella before putting it in the basket at the door.

“Good morning, Mr. Anderson. You can head straight into the first room.”

“Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate it.”

Stacy gave me a look and I rolled my eyes. “They shut down the office for the whole day in case something happens. Gwen and Hamlet the Medical Assistant have to stay the whole time, along with Dr. Walters. Just in case. There is also an ambulance on standby.”

“An ambulance?” Stacy’s voice rose an octave.

Dr. Walters walked into the reception area. “Yes, dear. We are fiddling with the brain, remember. All kinds of things can go wrong. Especially with you friends disposition to pass out over the smallest of memories.”

I held out my hand for Dr. Walters and he shook it. “Good morning, doctor.”

“Good morning, Zachary. Shall we get started?”

“Ready or not.”

He smiled and nodded. “That’s the spirit. Lay down on the couch and we will get started.”