Chapter 11 New Beggining

• Belle had finally finished her visit with her friend, Dr. Mark, who was a doctor at the hospital. She was exhausted, her mind buzzing with the day's events, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that clung to her like a persistent shadow. It was Zeph (Nero), the man she had found on the beach, the man who had lost his memories, who was the source of her unease.
• He was a constant shadow, following her around the hospital, his hand reaching for hers, his eyes filled with a love that was both innocent and heartbreaking. He would ask her questions, his voice filled with a childlike wonder, about their past, about their life together, about their love. He would try to remember things, to piece together fragments of their shared history, but his mind remained a blank slate. He would often lapse into a state of deep sadness, his eyes filled with tears, as he mourned the loss of his memories, the loss of his love.
• Dr. Mark had explained to Belle that Zeph (Nero)'s condition was unusual, that he seemed to be fixated on her, believing her to be someone from his past. Mark had even suggested that Belle stay with Zeph (Nero) for a while, believing that her presence might help him to regain his memories. Belle had hesitated, unsure of what to do. She had a life, a family, a home. She couldn't just abandon everything to care for a man who wasn't even her responsibility.
• As she walked out of the hospital, she felt his presence beside her, his hand brushing against hers. She sighed, her annoyance growing. She had a life, a family, a home. She couldn't just abandon everything to care for a man who wasn't even her responsibility.
• "Zeph (Nero)," she said, her voice firm, "I need to go home. You need to stay here."
• He looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and sadness. "But Chan," he said, his voice trembling, "I don't want to be alone."
• She felt a pang of sympathy for him, but she knew she had to be firm. "You're not alone," she said. "The nurses will take care of you."
• He shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "No, Chan," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I want to go home with you."
• She felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She couldn't deal with this. She couldn't deal with his clinging, his dependence, his childlike innocence. She had to get away from him.
• "Zeph (Nero)," she said, her voice sharp, "I'm going home. You can stay here."
• She turned and started to walk away, but he grabbed her hand, his grip surprisingly strong. "Don't leave me, Chan," he pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
• She looked down at his hand, his fingers intertwined with hers. She felt a strange sense of responsibility for him, a feeling of protectiveness that she couldn't explain. She couldn't just leave him here, alone and vulnerable.
• She sighed, her annoyance giving way to a sense of resignation. "Fine," she said, her voice weary. "Come with me."
• She led him out of the hospital, his hand still holding hers. They walked to the curb and hailed a cab, Zeph (Nero)'s gaze fixed on her, his eyes filled with a love that was both innocent and unsettling.
• The cab ride was tense. Zeph (Nero) kept asking her questions about their past, his voice full of a childlike wonder, about their life together, about their love. Belle found herself answering in a daze, her mind struggling to find the right words, to explain the impossible situation.
• When they arrived at the cottage, Belle felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. She had never brought anyone home with her, especially not someone like Zeph (Nero). She knew her adoptive family wouldn't understand. They wouldn't understand his confusion, his dependence, his childlike innocence.
• She took a deep breath and led Zeph (Nero) to the front door. The house was simple, with a weathered wooden porch and a small garden filled with colorful flowers. Her adoptive father, a weathered fisherman with kind eyes, was sitting on the porch, reading the newspaper. Her adoptive sister, a vibrant and energetic young woman, was helping their mother prepare dinner in the kitchen.
• "Belle, honey, you're home," her adoptive father said, his voice filled with warmth. "Who's your friend?"
• She felt her heart sink. She had no idea how to explain Zeph (Nero), how to explain his situation, how to explain the strange bond that had formed between them.
• "This is Zeph (Nero)," she said, her voice hesitant. "He's...he's a friend."
• Zeph (Nero) smiled, his eyes fixed on her. "Hi," he said, his voice soft and innocent. "I'm Chan's boyfriend."
• Her adoptive father looked at him, his brow furrowed with confusion. "Chan?" he asked. "Who's Chan?"
• She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She had no idea how to explain this. She had no idea how to explain the situation.
• "It's a long story," she said, her voice strained.
• Her adoptive sister, who had just walked in from the backyard, looked at Zeph (Nero) with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Who is he?" she asked, her voice soft.
• "He's a friend," Belle said, her voice strained. "He's...he's staying with us for a while."
• Her adoptive mother, who had just walked in from the kitchen, looked at Zeph (Nero) with a mixture of annoyance and disapproval. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice cold.
• "He's staying with us," Belle said, her voice firm. "He needs help."
• Her adoptive mother's eyes narrowed. "He's a stranger," she said. "We don't know him. We don't know what he's capable of."
• Her adoptive brother, who had just walked in from the garage, looked at Zeph (Nero) with a mixture of suspicion and hostility. "He's not welcome here," he said, his voice gruff.
• Belle felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She knew this was going to be a disaster. She knew her family wouldn't understand. She knew they wouldn't accept Zeph (Nero).
• But she couldn't just leave him alone. She couldn't just abandon him in his confusion, his vulnerability. She had to help him.
• "He's not a threat," she said, her voice firm. "He's just lost. He needs help."
• Her adoptive father, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of concern and curiosity, stepped forward. "Belle," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "We'll help him. We'll take care of him."
• Her adoptive mother and brother looked at him, their expressions unreadable. They didn't seem convinced, but they didn't say anything.
• Belle felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew her family wouldn't make things easy, but at least they were willing to help. At least they weren't going to abandon (Zeph) Nero.
• "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
• She looked at Nero, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of confusion and apprehension. She felt a pang of sympathy for him. He didn't understand what was happening. He didn't understand why everyone was so hostile towards him.
• She reached out and took his hand, her touch gentle and reassuring. "It's going to be okay," she said, her voice soft. "We're going to help you."
• He looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and trust. He smiled, a small, innocent smile that tugged at her heartstrings.
• "Thank you, Chan," he said, his voice soft. "I love you."
• She felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She knew he was lost, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. She knew she could help him find his way back. She knew she could help him regain his memories, his life.
• She had a feeling this was going to be a long and difficult journey, but she was determined to see it through. She was determined to help Zeph (Nero) find his way back.