Chapter 225: I remember everything
Chapter 225: I remember everything
In a dimly lit room, scented candles cast a warm glow, creating an ambiance of relaxation and tranquility. Elena, seated in one corner, held a glass of wine in her hand, her fingers tapping lightly against the smooth surface as she scrolled through her iPad. Soft music played in the background, adding to the soothing atmosphere.
With a thoughtful expression, Elena browsed through images of her resort accommodation, her eyes flicking from one picture to the next as she considered potential improvements and optimizations. She hummed softly to herself, lost in thought as she envisioned the possibilities for her luxurious retreat.
As Elena perused the images on her iPad, her mind wandered to the unexpected guest who had arrived on the island just the day before. It was a rare occurrence for anyone to visit the island at this time of year, let alone an unanticipated visitor. In recent years, there had been a decline in the number of guests seeking accommodation on the island, making this visit all the more intriguing.
The arrival of the guest had sparked a flicker of curiosity in Elena's mind. Could this unexpected visitor herald a change in fortunes for her resort?
As Elena continued to ponder, her thoughts drifted to the enigmatic guest who had arrived on the island. Tessa seemed oddly familiar, triggering a nagging sensation in Elena's mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had encountered Tessa somewhere before, but try as she might, the memory remained elusive, like a puzzle with missing pieces.
As Elena studied the land map of the island, her gaze lingered on undeveloped parcels and neglected corners, ripe for her attention and refinement.
"Incompetence seems to be a recurring theme," she remarked coolly, her voice carrying an air of disdain as she traced her finger over certain areas. "Rose's handiwork, no doubt. Such a pity. Her taste always fell short of the mark, lacking the finesse and refinement that define true elegance."
With a dismissive wave of her hand, Elena continued her assessment, mentally cataloging the shortcomings of Rose's designs. "These structures bear the unmistakable imprint of her inferior sensibilities. It's no wonder they fail to capture the essence of sophistication.
Fortunately, I am here to rectify these glaring deficiencies and elevate this island to the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication it deserves."
In a tone dripping with disdain, Elena meticulously scrutinized the structures on the island, her critical eye dissecting every flaw with surgical precision.
"It's simply appalling," she remarked, her voice laced with thinly veiled contempt, "to witness the lack of taste and refinement evident in these structures. One can hardly discern any semblance of sophistication or elegance."
As she surveyed the neglected areas, Elena's gaze settled on the large expanse of land allocated for the villagers, a source of perpetual vexation for her. "And let us not forget the perpetual nuisance that is the village," she added with a disdainful sigh. "Their brazen actions regarding Blake have only served to compound their insufferable presence."
With a rueful shake of her head, Elena allowed a rare moment of introspection to color her thoughts. "Perhaps," she mused, "had I not been swayed by Rose's misguided counsel in the past, we would not find ourselves burdened by the consequences of her folly."
"And let us not overlook Rose's perennial weakness," Elena continued, her tone tinged with derision. "Her inexplicable compassion for humans has always been her Achilles' heel. Take, for instance, her human pet, now under my exclusive care. It's a testament to her sentimental nature."
With a contemptuous scoff, Elena lamented, "If only Rose possessed a fraction of the ruthlessness that defines true leadership, perhaps we would not be burdened by the consequences of her undue discretion."
"Who's Rose?" Blake's voice sliced through Elena's reverie, startling her. She turned abruptly to see him rousing from a bed, a bandaid adorning his head.
Startled by his sudden awakening and questioning, Elena's mind raced to compose a response.
Elena's heart raced as she quickly pushed aside Blake's questions, dropping her wine glass and iPad on the table without a care. Rushing over to him, she showered him with pretentious affection, hoping to divert his attention away from her slip-up.
"Oh, Blake, darling! You're awake!" she exclaimed, feigning concern as she leaned in to embrace him, her hands fluttering over his bandaged head. "How are you feeling? You gave us quite a scare, you know."
She hoped her overly affectionate display would distract him from probing further into the mention of Rose's name.
Blake observed Elena's actions with a half nod and a polite smile before gently removing her hand from his cheek. There was a subtle hint of hostility in his demeanor, but Elena dismissed it as a side effect of the medications she had been administering.
"Are you feeling better, Blake?" she asked, her voice laced with faux concern. "Do you need anything? Are you hungry?"
Blake's response caught her off guard. "When was the last time I took a bath? I stink," he remarked bluntly.
Elena's brow furrowed in confusion. She had been about to assure him that she had taken care of his hygiene while he was unconscious, but his comment indicated otherwise. He waved her off before she could respond and headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Left standing alone in the room, Elena felt a pang of frustration at her inability to control the situation as she had hoped.
With a soft knock on the closed bathroom door, Elena leaned in slightly. "Blake, I'll have the aides prepare something fresh for you to eat," she reiterated, her tone gentle yet expectant. Silence greeted her words, punctuated only by the sound of running water from within the bathroom.
Undeterred, she tried once more, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. "Is there anything specific you'd like?" Still, no response came from the other side of the door.
Elena sighed inwardly, realizing that Blake wasn't going to engage in conversation at the moment. With a resigned nod to herself, she stepped back from the door, deciding to give him some space. Turning on her heel, she made her way out of the room, intent on instructing the aides to prepare a meal for their unexpected guest.
Standing before the bathroom mirror, Blake stared into his own reflection, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fragments of memory. The sound of running water filled the room, a constant backdrop to his racing thoughts.
"Shitt!!!" he exclaimed, the word escaping in a frustrated breath as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. Panic gnawed at the edges of his consciousness, threatening to overwhelm him.
Where was he? How had he ended up here? The questions swirled in his mind, each one adding to the growing sense of disorientation. But amidst the chaos, one thought rose above the rest.
"Rose..." The name slipped from his lips, a whispered plea tinged with worry. Was she okay? Was she safe?
As if in response to his silent questions, fragmented memories began to surface, pieces of the puzzle slotting into place. He remembered now, the events leading up to this moment flooding back with startling clarity.
With a deep breath, Blake steadied himself, his gaze hardening with determination. He may have been disoriented, but one thing was clear –
"This is not my life. I want my real life back,"