Where We First Met

*The mind will always protect its owner. It can choose to erase or forget inconvenient memories such as memories that would hurt you. Overtime, your mind decided that it would be better if you forgot about the incident. Why? Because any memories of the incident may make you question the true identity of your savior and threaten the happiness that you currently have with Lucien.

But, what about the true savior who was conveniently forgotten? At first, he didn't mind at all. He didn't think he would see you again after the incident. Then to his surprise, he met you again when his brother introduced you to him as his step niece. Even then, he was just happy that you seemed happy. So what if everything was a misunderstanding? So what if she never looked or cared about him again?" Edward told me this story passively. Once again, he was referring to the hero as if it was someone else entirely. Just like that time he told me the story about his childhood.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" I asked sadly. He could have told me...

"Why would I do that? Imagine how weird the whole situation would be. If I told you prior to this, you would have just said that it was Lucien. Worst, you could have said that you never got lost in the woods before in your life. Since the first day I met you again, I decided to stay away from you," Edward said with a sad laugh.

*Then why did you approach me? Why did you try to make me remember after all this time?" I asked the burning question in my mind.

*Because you were no longer truly happy. Lucien cannot give you true happiness, Natalia. I'm not saying that I can but if there's someone who can, it is not Lucien," Edward stated this as if it was a fact set in stone.

"Why do you think that?" I asked suspiciously.

"I don't just think it, Natalia. I know it. Why do you think you're in love with Lucien? Is it because he was kind to you when he raised you? Is it because he's handsome? Is it because he comforted you when you needed it?" Edward asked rhetorically with narrowed eyes.

"..." I whispered. My answer dying on my tongue.

"No. You're in love with him because you believed that he is your first love. Because he is your first love, he has a special place in your heart," Edward went on as he gazed into my eyes. His green eyes were dead serious, and it was scaring me.

Suddenly, Edward got up from his seat and came over to my side of the table. He knelt down on one knee so that he could stare deeper into my eyes. I couldn't look away. I was scared, not of him but of how I truly felt.

"Listen well, Natalia. Lucien is not your first love. Your first love has been me all along. It was never his eyes that you fell in love with, it was mine," Edward said clearly and slowly as he stressed each and every word. His warm hand cupped my cheek as he continued staring into my eyes.

"It is not his touch that you crave, it's my touch. It is not him that you want, it's me that you really want. It is not his love that you desire, it's my love that you're after," Edward said slowly and softly.

Edward bent down to kiss my lips softly. It was a very light and fleeting kiss.

"Why are you crying? Is it that disappointing that your first love is me instead of Lucien?" Edward asked as he cocked his head to the side, resting his head in his palm. I couldn't tell how he felt.

I touched my own cheek and felt the wetness of my tears. I was too shocked and if Edward hadn't pointed it out, probably wouldn't know that I had started crying. I wiped my own tears away as I blinked rapidly.

"Sorry, I...don't know how I feel... or how I should take it..." I replied honestly.

"So that answered the first part of you question of how I knew it wasn't Lucien. As for the second part...what proof did I have that my version of the story is true..." Edward continued casually as he continued to peer at me through his long lashes.

I nodded that it was ok for him to continue. I had just finished wiping my tears away with my fingertips and

Edward offered me a tissue. I smiled weakly at him.

"Did old Ralph make some unnecessary comments about this place?" Edward asked out of the blue. Did he overhear us earlier?

"He... mentioned that you have precious but painful memories associated to this place...," I replied.

"He's right. My mother died here,' he said abruptly.

*... What? Your mother?" I asked without bothering to hide my shock.

"Well, she didn't die in this house. As you've figured this house is quite new. She died in the building that used to be on this land. I told you before, my mother was taken away when everyone deemed her to be insane. Actually, she was locked up in a mental facility that used to be here. Of course, when my siblings and I were young and lived in the mansion, we were prohibited from visiting her. My father never spoke of her even if we asked so we honestly didn't even know that she was locked up here. To him, she was as good as dead or better off dead,* Edward recounted the tale in a voice void of all emotions.

"Did you get to meet her?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes, I did. I met her. Since I'm the only one who ran away from home, I was the only one free to find her and see her again. Many years had passed since I'd last seen her and I had changed quite a lot, but she remembered me instantly. That was when I was convinced that she was not insane; she never was. I visited her often...until she passed away soon after," Edward ended his story on a mixed note. copyrighted © content.

I guess it was good that he was able to see his mother a couple of times before she passed away. That was something that Madame Francesca and Lucien never got the chance to do.

"My mother used to mention that the stars she could see from the window of her cell was very beautiful at night. That's why I bought the land here when the facility went out of business and built a house with a stargazing tower. Who knows....maybe my mother uses it from time to time to stargaze," Edward said dreamily as he thought of his old memories with his mother.

"I see, I didn't know this place meant so much to you. I'm sure your mother is in a happier place..." I replied sincerely.

"Why do you think I told you this old story?" Edward asked suddenly.

"...I'm not sure..." I replied truthfully. My normal brain can't keep up with him, ok?

"Let's try a different question. Why do you think I bought that cottage by the lake, the lake and the surrounding woods?" Edward asked with a smirk.

*Because it is important to you?" I replied with a reasonable guess.

"Right...and why do you think it is important to me?" Edward prompted further.

Because...I didn't know what to say as I got lost in his sincere green eyes.

"Because that's where I first met you..." Edward answered for me.

-To be continued...