When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Everyone's eyes were glued to Clyde in disbelief, and I felt as if my blood had turned to ice. Was Clyde suffering from amnesia, or were his memories all jumbled up?

I approached him, cupping his face in my hands. "Clyde, look at me closely. Who am I?"

"Melanie, have you lost it? My girlfriend's right here!" he yelled, then turned to Rachel and said, "Babe, I swear I didn't do anything! It's all her fault."

"This isn't exactly my idea of fun, you know!" I retorted, just as he shoved me away. Rachel quickly caught me, then whispered in my ear, "What on earth is happening?"

I shook my head; I was as clueless as she was.

Fortunately, a nurse came to wheel Clyde out for a CT scan, and the room quieted down.

Rachel and I exchanged bewildered looks.

"I barely said two sentences to him when I got here, and he woke up, nearly gave me a heart attack."

"He wakes up and claims I'm his girlfriend. I thought he was joking, so I played along."

"Do you think he's developed some sort of psychological disorder?"

Rachel had just returned from abroad and had come for a routine check-up when she stumbled upon Merritt.

Their paths had crossed before over Clyde, and a casual inquiry revealed Clyde's accident.

"I didn't expect to find you here..."

"Rachel, seems like fate ties you and Clyde together; otherwise, he might have never woken up."

I knew Fenton meant no harm, but his words stung. I had been by Clyde's side for so long with no sign of him waking up, and then Rachel returns, and suddenly he's awake?

Rachel put an arm around my shoulder. "Melanie, don't worry. Now that he's awake, he'll surely remember everything."

I nodded, though I wasn't convinced.

The doctor's examination showed Clyde's physical functions were fine, but his memory seemed confused.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Sometimes he remembered his college days, other times the period after being recognized by the Patterson family. Throughout it all, his girlfriend was always by his side in his memories, excluding the period I was abroad.

When mentioned his girlfriend going abroad, he even casually said, "Rachel went abroad for further studies, right? I know."

I was speechless; Rachel and I shared a dorm room, and I had no idea she went abroad!

Merritt looked at Rachel thoughtfully.

I

"Rachel, I know this is a tough ask, considering you and Melanie are friends, and you're friends with Clyde too. Could you look after Clyde? He seems to only recognize you now, won't even take his medication otherwise."

Rachel glanced at me, a hint of reluctance in her eyes, but I nodded slightly.

Getting Clyde back to himself was the priority. Everything else took a backseat.

Fenton chimed in. "It's just a mix-up in his memories, like tangled code. Just needs sorting out."

"The body is the most important asset for any revolution. Rachel, please help out."

Rachel eventually sighed and

agreed, though she made it clear if

she found a job, she wouldn'te wet

able to help with Clyde's medication.

"He's an adult; he should be able to come to terms with this."

"I can't just do nothing when I'm back; I need to find a job."

Fenton quickly added, "Melanie is hiring designers. Why don't you apply, Rachel?"

Rachel and were not only

classmates but also dormmates

was familiar with her capabilities - not outstanding, but decent, and her overseas studies should have added to her experience.

"Let's arrange an interview then..."

"No need for an interview for Rachel; she can directly join the company." Clyde suddenly appeared from the room, casting a cold glance my way.