Chapter 6

I didn't sleep at all last night and found that the sun was taking its sweet time to rise. It felt like an eternity since I had closed my eyes, and not even a sliver of sleep found its way to me. I lay in bed, torn between getting up to make some breakfast before heading out or staying put so as not to upset Grandma any further. Anxiously, I peeked out of my window, half-expecting to see that black car lurking in the shadows from last night. But to my relief, it wasn't there. Taking a deep breath, I let out a sigh of relief.

The thought lingered in my mind - who could have been inside that car? To be honest, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness creeping into my thoughts as I contemplated making my way to the coffee shop. Suddenly, the sound of Grandma shuffling her feet reached my ears. She was awake. At that moment, I closed my eyes and sent a silent prayer to the moon goddess, hoping against hope that today would bring solace and clarity for both Grandma and myself. The weight on my shoulders grew heavier as I realized the complexity of finding a doctor suitable for someone who wasn't fully human like Grandma. However, amidst all these worries, what I prayed for above everything else was simply for Grandma to remember me.

Lost in my thoughts, exhaustion must have finally taken over because the next thing I knew, Grandma's voice echoed through the house, calling out to me that breakfast was ready. A part of me questioned whether I was still trapped within the realms of a dream. Does she remember me?

I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and trepidation as I approached my grandmother. The weight of uncertainty had been lifted off my shoulders when she turned around and greeted me with that familiar, warm smile. It was a smile that I had seen countless times before, but today it held a deeper significance for me. It meant that her mind was still functioning properly, at least for now, and that she recognized me without any confusion.

However, behind the facade of my smile, tears were welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill over onto my cheeks. I tried my best to hide my emotions from her, not wanting to burden her further. But deep down, I knew I needed to confide in her about what had transpired. After all, last night's sudden episode of memory loss made it painfully clear that finding a doctor for Gram was an urgent matter.

I found myself engulfed in her embrace as she drew closer to me, concern etched on her face. Her voice filled with genuine worry as she asked if everything was alright and why I appeared so upset. At that moment, words failed me, and all I could do was hold onto her tightly. She questioned why I was acting as though we hadn't seen each other in years, reminding me that we had spent time together just yesterday. It broke my heart to witness her unawareness of our turmoil last night and the events that took place.

As much as I didn't want to disclose the details of what had happened, I knew it was crucial for both of us. It was evident that her memory loss was becoming more frequent and severe, reinforcing the urgent need for medical intervention. Finding a suitable doctor who could provide the necessary care became my priority – not only for Gram's sake but for the sake of preserving our precious bond and her overall well-being.

In the midst of this seemingly peaceful moment, I found myself engrossed in conversation with my grandmother while we ate our breakfast. We casually discussed the ominous black car that had trailed me home from the previous night. She believed it had followed me from work (because she doesn't remember the event of her kicking me out because she thought I was a stranger.) and promised to keep a watchful eye as I walked to the coffee shop this morning. Grateful for her concern, I thanked her before a sudden realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.

I had become so immersed in our discussion that I hadn't paid attention to the time slipping away. Panic washed over me as I realized there was no longer any opportunity for a leisurely shower or ample preparation for work. Hastily dressing myself, I pleaded with my grandmother not to be upset but explained that I simply couldn't spare a moment to help clean the table. My grandmother's reassuring smile reassured me that she understood my predicament and urged me to focus on getting ready instead. After embracing her once more and planting a gentle kiss on her cheek, I rushed off to my room to change my clothes.

As I hurriedly went about my morning routine, one question consumed my thoughts: how would I find a doctor for my grandmother? Who could I even turn to for guidance? The task ahead felt daunting, an overwhelming challenge that loomed large before me. Nevertheless, fueled by determination and love for my grandmother, I made a solemn promise to myself. By the end of today, come hell or high water, I would secure the medical assistance she needed.

The feeling of urgency surged through me as I hastily made my way through the house. Gram, with her ever-present nurturing spirit, was waiting at the door for me, clutching two brown paper bags in her hands. Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but ask what she had brought. With a warm smile on her face, she replied, "My famous muffins, silly! You always told me they were a hit at the coffee shop, so I thought you might need more today."

As I reached out to take the bag from her, a comforting heat radiated through the paper. The muffins were still warm - straight out of the oven. A sense of joy filled me, knowing that my customers would be thrilled to have not only an ample supply but also ones that were freshly baked. Expressing my gratitude once again to Gram, I hurriedly left, knowing she stood there watching me with unwavering support until I almost ran out of sight.

The line of eager customers had already formed by the time I arrived at the coffee shop. Wanting to gather myself before facing them, I decided to slip in through the back entrance. It was essential that none of them caught a glimpse of my disheveled appearance after such a rushed morning. This detour allowed me a few precious moments to collect myself and prepare the much-needed coffee for my eagerly awaiting patrons.

As the customers entered the coffee shop, I couldn't help but notice the vibrant energy that filled the air. The sound of cheerful greetings and conversations echoed throughout the room, leaving me slightly bewildered. How on earth could anyone be so lively this early in the morning? Nevertheless, I plastered a smile on my face and warmly greeted each customer as they walked through the door. Despite my inner aversion to mornings, I never let it show. It was important for me to create a positive atmosphere for everyone who stepped foot in our cozy little café.

I made my way back to the counter once all the customers had made their way inside. Grabbing my trusty order pad, I began serving tables one by one. The first table I took orders from seemed unfamiliar, like faces I hadn't seen before in town or even around the neighborhood. Each of them ordered a bagel with lox and cream cheese, accompanied by black coffee and a refreshing glass of orange juice. When I asked them if that was all, the man asked for 1 of the special muffins. He said that he could smell it the minute they walked it.

So after ensuring everyone's orders were taken care of and delivered promptly, it was time for my favorite part of the morning routine - refilling coffee cups. As I made my rounds, a sense of contentment washed over me seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. Finally, it was my turn to pour myself a steaming cup of coffee and take my place behind the counter. This ritual had become somewhat of a cherished moment for me amidst the hustle and bustle of the café. However, today would prove to be different from my usual routine.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the same black car from last night that followed me, an overwhelming sense of panic instantly took over. My mind raced as I desperately tried to come up with a plan to handle this situation. How on earth did they know that I worked here? They had followed me from the diner, not the coffee shop.

Fear and uncertainty coursed through my veins as I instinctively reached for my cell phone in my pocket, gripping it tightly. It dawned on me that calling the town's police might be my best option for help. As I contemplated this course of action, a towering figure emerged from the driver's seat of the black car. Dressed in a sleek black suit and sporting sunglasses, he exuded an intimidating aura.

When he walked to the back passenger door and opened it my heart skipped a beat when I realized who he was opening the door for - the man I had been avoiding ever since Via informed me that he was my fated mate. A mixture of excitement and anxiety flooded my senses as I watched him approach the entrance of the shop. In a surprising turn of events, I found myself compelled to open the door for both him and the person who had driven him here. Confusion clouded my thoughts as conflicting emotions wrestled within me.

"That's our mate, Sierra! He's the one who can help Gram!" Via exclaimed urgently, her voice filled with hope. But before she could finish her sentence, I cut her off abruptly.

"Don't start with that nonsense, Via," I snapped, frustration lacing my words. "I've said it countless times - we don't need or want a mate. I can handle everything on my own!"

Tension hung heavily in the air as our voices clashed, echoing the inner turmoil each of us felt. The mysterious arrival of this man had ignited a firestorm of emotions within me, leaving me torn between embracing my supposed destiny and clinging fiercely to my independence.