Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 46:

Annie slowly opened her eyes. It immediately felt like someone has hit her right between the eyes. The headache was immediate and it feels like her head might split into halves.

"What happened," she asked groggily. Just the soft tone of her voice was enough to make her eyes shut from the blinding pain. She managed to open her eyes once the pain has lessened a bit. Now very carefully she starts to move into a sitting position.

"Mammy,"

It almost felt like her head would rip from her shoulders when she heard the calling.

"Leo," she said softly. She throws the blanket from her body. Once her feet touch the floor she carefully makes her way in the direction of the son calling.

Aaron stood looking towards the entrance onto his estate. Since early this morning he has noticed people keep moving past his gates. They sometimes stood to look directly at him but he can't make out their faces. He just senses he must stay on the ground. His slowly rubs his temples trying to lessen the throbbing pain. He has been living with these headaches for as long as he can remember. Today it feels worse somehow.

"I need coffee," he mumbles. As he was rubbing his eyes his body suddenly stills He looks at his left hand and noticed the wedding ring. Everything within him went still.

"Annie," he said confused.

Leonardo was standing in the hall looking at the opened door then down the hall. He was confused why his parents aren't giving him breakfast this morning. He wants to go and play outside with Ricky and his boys. But he was hungry. "Mammy, where are you?" he calls loudly.

"Dad, I am hungry."

Where he stands he could easily look towards the door seeing his father. His eyes looked then towards the bedroom watching as the door opened. He smiles then rushed towards his mother.

"Mammy, I am hungry. Ricky and the boys are waiting for me."

"Leo you are up early." Annie was balancing herself against the wall. It feels like her immediate world was spinning out of control.

"Come on Mammy," Leo grabbed hold of her hand pulling her in the direction of the vast kitchen.

Aaron hearing the voices turns away from the front door going inside. He finally looked at a very pale Annie who was being pulled into the kitchen. He frowns deeply when he follows. He has noticed the little boy who looks just like him. He was puzzled though not remembering he has a son.

"Dad, the boys are waiting for me." Leo looks very displeased in his direction.

"What boys?" he asked confused.

"Ricky, I told you."

"I don't remember,"

"Dad, not again." The little boy opened the cabinet grabbing hold of the milk then cereal. He keeps shaking his head oblivious with his two parents just looking at him.

Annie managed to slowly sit down beside the table. She wishes to hold her head in her hands but she doesn't want to worry her son. She just sits looking at him making a mess as he prepares his own breakfast.

Aaron stood in the doorway looking at the scene in front of him. He noticed that in fact it was Annie sitting at the table looking at the little boy. He slowly rubs his head as the headache was throbbing. He keeps looking between them. He doesn't understand what to make of this morning. He finally decides maybe strong coffee will lift the fog in his memory that was clearly fragmented.

"Would you like a cup of coffee too Annie?" he asked carefully.

"Yes," she said softly.

"Mammy, I am finished. May I go now?" Leo looked eagerly.

"Where are you going again?"

"Ricky said we could fish in the lake. He said he did ask you. Don't you remember Mammy?" he suddenly stood still looking at both his parents. "Oh, promise to be careful."

"Okay Mammy,"

Annie watches the speed with which he was leaving the kitchen.

"Annie..."

י

Aaron watches his wife slowly look into his direction. He noticed the puzzled expression.

"I am confused," she said softly taking the cup of coffee he has placed in front of him.

"I have a headache," Aaron opened the cabinets in search of painkillers.

"I want pills too," Annie said.

"You also have a headache?"

"Yes, I don't remember drinking or anything? Am I a drinker?" she asked confused.

"No," Aaron found a bottle of pills. He took two and gives Annie two along with a glass of water. "I think we need fresh air."

Annie follows him outside. They went and sit down underneath the shady trees looking back towards the old mansion. They both heard the laughter of the boys coming from the lakeside. Neither said anything just sipping the coffee. They just keep looking towards the mansion.

"Annie, how old are you?"

"Twenty five, why do you ask?" she looks at him carefully still trying to figure out what is going on.

"I am forty years, right?"

"I think so." She looks at him seeing he was rubbing his temples.

"We are married, right?"

"I think so."

"I don't understand what's going on?"

"Me neither. I don't remember anything from yesterday." She admits.

"Good, I thought I was losing my mind." Aaron stood. He was looking towards the gates again. "Didn't we live and work in the city?"

"I think so. I am really not sure what's truth and not." Annie stood and starts to circle around. She senses a kind of familiarity with the garden but nothing seems clear. The ringing of a cell phone close startled them both. "What on earth is it doing out here?" Aaron found the bedazzled phone behind the bushes. He looks at the caller before he gives the phone to Annie. "I think this is for you."

Annie took it but just look at the caller. She certainly doesn't recognize the name.

"I don't know this person."

"Well answer it maybe you would recognize the voice." Aaron suggests.