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💔 ​🌉 Bridge Over Road in LA
​The air was thick with the scent of exhaust and the metallic tang of blood. On the cold, unforgiving asphalt of a bridge overlooking an LA road, Rico lay twisted and still. Ameya was hunched over him, her elegant dress soiled, her face streaked with tears and dirt.
​"Rico! Rico, open your eyes!" she pleaded, her voice raw.
​He was half-conscious, his eyes fluttering open to look at the frantic angel above him.
​"Please, somebody call an ambulance!" Ameya roared at the passing cars, her hand pressing a wadded scarf against his bleeding stomach.
​Rico managed a weak smile, a flash of his old, infuriating charm even now. "What if I die, Ameya?"
​Ameya's head snapped back, the question shocking her. "No! Stop that! Nothing would happen to you, I promise!"
​Rico's hand, slick with blood, feebly reached up and grabbed her wrist. His smile widened, and he chuckled, a wet, rattling sound. "But I am lucky, aren't I? Because I am dying in beauty's lap."
​"Rico! Stop it! Don't joke!" Her eyes were wide with panic.
​"What?" he teased, his voice barely a whisper. "You don't like I called you beauty? Or… should I call you angel?"
​"Don't joke! You will live long! We will happily live together, you hear me?!"
​Rico's face sobered, the playful light dying in his eyes, replaced by a deep, serious intensity. "I love you, Ameya. Only you."
​A single, hot tear dropped from Ameya's eye, falling onto Rico's cheek. He grabbed it gently with his thumb, his fingers brushing her skin. His grip on her wrist suddenly slackened. His eyes rolled back.
​Ameya roared, clutching his shoulders. "RICO! RICO!"
​🏥 Couple of Hours Later... In the Hospital
​The antiseptic smell of the hospital lobby was a stark contrast to the earlier smog and blood. Ameya was sitting outside the ICU, her clothes wrinkled, her face pale with shock and exhaustion, staring blankly at the swinging doors.
​Suddenly, a hand gently touched her shoulder from behind. Ameya turned sharply.
​She saw Alice.
​Ameya rose instantly and, to Alice's surprise, hugged her tightly. "Alice! Thank you! I won't forget your help, ever!"
​Alice stiffened, unsure how to react to this uncharacteristic burst of gratitude from the proud SuperNova. She patted Ameya's back awkwardly. "Don't," she said in a normal, level voice. "He will recover soon. And don't thank me. Of course, Rico is my friend, before whatever bitter things happened between us."
​"But… still… thank you," Ameya insisted, stepping back, her eyes earnest.
​Just then, a tall man approached Alice. It was Zack.
​"Shall we go, Alice? I have important meetings."
​Ameya stared, utterly shocked. "Mr. Zack… you…?"
​Zack, looking polished even in a hospital waiting room, offered a cordial nod. "SuperNova Ameya."
​Alice looked between them, confused. "Did you guys… know each other?"
​Ameya blinked rapidly. "We have already met… on…"
​Zack completed the sentence with a confident smile. "On the collaboration party of your company and mine. And Jenna is our brand ambassador, you know right?"
​"Oh… yes," Alice murmured, piecing it together.
​ Zack assured Alice . " I asked the doctor. He said no worries. He will wake up within hours."
​Ameya nodded her thanks.
​"We have already reported to the police, so everything is taken care of," Alice added. "We will visit him tomorrow. We have to go now."
​"Mm," Ameya replied, her attention already drifting back to the ICU door.
​Alice and Zack walked away. Zack turned to Alice as they moved down the hallway. "Why is Ameya here?"
​"Of course, they are lovers," Alice replied simply. "So she's with him."
​Zack stopped, a look of confusion on his face. "So the girl you told me about is… Ameya?"
​Alice nodded.
​Zack smiled. "So the rumors are true."
​"You didn't see the news about their unexpected engagement?" Alice asked, arching an eyebrow.
​"Actually, I was abroad. So I hadn't noticed it," Zack admitted.
​Alice just smiled faintly.
​Zack lowered his voice, concern in his tone. "Are you okay? Because you had loved Rico before…"
​Alice met his gaze, her tone completely normal. "Of course, I'm sad. But as a friend. Not anything else."
​Zack smiled, relieved.
​Alice gave him a mock-offended look. "Don't worry. I'm not the kind of girl who waves her feelings between an ex-lover and a current one. Did you plan our next date?"
​Zack's eyes sparkled. "Yes. Your favorite place."
​Alice smiled warmly. "Mm."
​🌙 In the Night
​Ameya was still waiting outside the hospital room, a cup of lukewarm coffee untouched beside her.
​Suddenly, two police officers approached her. "Miss Ameya?"
​Ameya stood up immediately. "Yes?"
​"We have captured who struck Mr. Rico," the older officer stated.
​"Who?" Ameya demanded.
​The officer explained, "She is actually a sasaeng—a stalker. She was obsessed with Mr. Rico when he was an idol. She found out where he was staying, and she was angry because he engaged to another girl. So she tried to kill him."
​"Please take charge against her immediately!" Ameya said, her voice shaking with contained rage.
​The police nodded. "You have to come to the station tomorrow for the formalities."
​"Sure," Ameya confirmed.
​A nurse called Ameya's name. "He's awake, Miss."
​Ameya rushed to the room. Rico was lying in the bed, a thick bandage wrapped around his stomach.
​The doctor was checking his vitals. "No worries. He's alright now. Just take care of him." Ameya nodded, relief washing over her.
​The doctor hesitated. "But…"
​Ameya panicked, her earlier calm dissolving. "You can tell me anything! Is anything serious?"
​"Actually…" the doctor began, but at that moment, Rico opened his eyes.
​The doctor turned to Ameya. "Are you his wife?"
​Ameya faltered. "I'm… his…"
​Rico's voice was weak but clear. "She is my… Lover." He smiled slightly, his eyes fixed on Ameya, who was shocked by his answer.
​Ameya moved closer to the bed. "Are you… okay? Is there any pain?"
​Rico smiled warmly. "No."
​Ameya smiled back, the first genuine smile she'd had all night.
​Rico suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand, his grip surprisingly strong. Ameya was shocked by the intensity. He pulled her forward. Ameya stumbled, falling onto the bed, and sat beside him. Rico immediately hugged her, clinging to her like a frightened child.
​"Rico! What are you doing?" she whispered, confused.
​The doctor watched them, his face grave. "He… he lost his memory."
​Ameya stared at the doctor, her eyes widening in stunned disbelief.
​"What?!" she shocked, as Rico continued to cling tightly to her.
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To be Continued.....
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