Destined by a thread

Adam gently pushed Alice's arms back. "I'm sorry, but who are you exactly?" he asked, as Emily stood behind him, looking furious.

"I'm Alice, your fiancée. You can't remember?" Alice asked Adam.

"Alice? Hmm... I remember Madam Mayumi saying your name. However, I can't recall ever meeting you or even being engaged to you," Adam clarified, drawing from his limited memories.

"I know you can't remember due to your amnesia. I'm your neighbor that checks up on you from time to time. You remember the leftover food I gave you?" Alice clarified.

Adam thought back and then realized. "Oh, you're her. I'm sorry I couldn't recall your name. You're my next-door neighbor!" Adam smiled as he remembered who Alice was.

"Wait, I don't recall getting engaged to you," Adam stated, his smile faltering.

Alice chuckled. "Can I come in to talk about it?" Alice asked sincerely.

"Of course, please come in," Adam said, ushering Alice into the house.

Emily's face boiled over, watching Adam smile happily with another girl. As Adam turned and saw Emily, his smile felt like an insult to her.

Quickly, Adam rushed over to Emily and tried to calm her down. "Please be patient, there's nothing between us. I really want to know what happened," Adam said, gently pushing Emily by her back into the house. Emily reluctantly followed, compelled by his gentle push.

Adam quickly seated Alice at the dining table, with Emily sitting beside Adam, opposite Alice. "Let me introduce you to my wife, Emily," Adam said, gesturing to Emily. Emily gave Alice an annoyed look. "This is my neighbor, Alice, from when I was staying in that apartment," Adam introduced Emily to Alice.

"So, Alice, how did we end up engaged? I can't remember any of it," Adam asked.

"I was the one who had been taking care of you during your coma. Then I met your uncle while I was visiting you daily. Your uncle was concerned about your safety after he found out you were in a coma. He was notified as your guardian when you were admitted. He came often and always talked to me about you. As time went by, he asked me if I was willing to marry his nephew once he woke up. I was more than willing, and he bought the ring for us," Alice stated, holding her face, shy about being engaged.

"So it was my uncle that brought it up. Wait, Alice, how did I end up in the hospital?" Adam asked.

"Hmm, you came home that night as usual. I came knocking at your door and gave you my leftover food. You didn't say much, but you still took the food to eat. As I was studying in my room, there was a bright, blinding light coming out of your apartment. I was surprised and wondered what it was from my window. Then a loud sound was heard. It sounded like a growl, and a burnt smell coming out from your apartment window. Then a sudden thud, like you fell down. It was enough to make me worry, which is why I rushed to your apartment and tried to knock on your door multiple times. You didn't answer after multiple attempts to call for you. So I decided to ask Madam Mayumi to help open the door. Inside your apartment, it was filled with smoke. Madam Mayumi quickly went down to call the fire department and ambulance. I rushed in to grab you out of the apartment," Alice stated.

Emily brought some drinks for all of them and placed them on the table. "Drink up. I'm sorry for calling you names just now. I'm really grateful that you saved Adam," Emily stated, feeling bad about her earlier behavior after learning Alice had saved Adam.

As Alice drank to quench her thirst, she continued, "The weird part about all of it was there was no fire in the apartment. The fire department went to search for the cause, but the smoke just came out of nowhere. You were escorted by Madam Mayumi via ambulance to the hospital. Your apartment was closed off as the whole night, the fire department tried to find the cause of the smoke. The police came to take a statement from me before going to meet Madam Mayumi. It was concluded as an unnatural accident." Alice stated. "Once Madam Mayumi returned, she informed me of your ward, and since then I have been coming over after school to see you," Alice explained.

"Every day? I'm sorry I put you through a lot of trouble. It must have been such a burden for you. If you feel responsible for what happened to me, I assure you that it has nothing to do with you," Adam explained.

"It's okay, I have always loved you even before you were in the coma," Alice spoke boldly. Adam and Emily were stunned by Alice's blunt confession.