Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter by the Sea
I'm Adelina Rosalind Greenville, and I live in this peaceful seaside town. The sea breeze is like a gentle old friend, caressing my hair every day, while the vast ocean is my spiritual haven. I often take leisurely strolls along the beach, searching for seashells washed up by the waves, carefully collecting them to adorn my cozy seaside cottage. Each shell seems to carry a story of the sea, and I'm the lucky listener.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful evening, like a dream. The sky was painted with the most vibrant colors by a genius artist, and a deep orange-red hue spread across the sky, dyeing the entire sky into a stunning painting. The sea was also infected by this passionate color, and the golden light of the setting sun danced on the waves, as if the sea and the sky were having a silent and passionate conversation. I walked to the beach as usual, my footsteps light, with expectations of finding some special shells to add a new touch to my collection.
I lowered my head slightly, my eyes focused and sharp as I carefully searched the sand. The fine white sand beneath my feet was like an endless treasure trove, and every step might bring a surprise. Suddenly, a weak but exceptionally clear moan broke the silence of the beach. The sound echoed on the empty beach, carrying a hint of pain and helplessness, and instantly grabbed my heart. My heart skipped a beat, and a sense of tension surged up. I didn't have time to think, and I rushed towards the direction of the sound. Beside a huge and protruding rock, I found a young man.
He lay on his side on the sand, his white shirt soaked by the seawater, clinging to his broad chest, outlining his athletic physique. His black hair was disheveled, and a few wet strands still dripped with sparkling water droplets, shining with a golden glow in the fading sunlight. His face was incredibly handsome, with a high nose like a Greek sculpture, and his lips were pale and trembling. His face was as white as paper, his eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and his eyes were closed, with his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on his eyelids. He seemed to be trapped in endless pain and confusion, like a lost child abandoned by the world.
I quickly knelt down, my movements gentle, afraid of startling the injured stranger. I stretched out my hand, my fingers trembling slightly as I gently pushed him: "Hey, wake up, are you okay?" My voice, with a hint of tremble and concern, was exceptionally clear in the silence of the beach, even to myself.
After what felt like an eternity, he slowly opened his eyes. They were deep and vast, like the ocean, but his pupils were filled with confusion and helplessness, like a lost boat in the fog, unable to find its way. His eyes stared at me blankly, his lips moved with difficulty, and his throat produced a hoarse and dry voice: "I... I'm where? Who are you?"
My heart sank, and a strong premonition rose up – had he lost his memory? I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and replied in a gentle and clear voice: "You're on the beach now, I'm Adelina Rosalind Greenville. I was collecting seashells and found you. How did you end up here? Do you remember who you are?"
He slowly shook his head, the movement seeming to require great effort, as if using up all his strength. His eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment, and his voice was weak: "I... I don't remember anything, my head hurts." As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand, trying to rub his painful temples, but his arm was like a thousand pounds, trembling in the air.
Looking at his pitiful and helpless state, my heart was filled with endless sympathy. I bit my lip, thinking quickly, and after a moment, I made up my mind, speaking in a firm but gentle tone: "You're in no shape to go anywhere now, why don't you come with me first, and we'll figure things out when you regain your memory?"
A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, followed by a glimmer of gratitude. He nodded slightly, his voice hoarse: "Thank you, Adelina, I'm sorry to trouble you."
I struggled to lift him up, only to realize he was extremely tall, and my slender body seemed tiny beside him. I used all my strength to support him, and we slowly walked towards my home. Along the way, he remained silent, his eyes occasionally curiously scanning the unfamiliar surroundings, like a newborn baby, full of wonder and curiosity.
After we returned home, I let him take a hot bath, and then I found some old clothes from my father's closet for him to change into. When he came out of the bathroom, he looked a bit more energetic, and his tall, upright figure, though dressed in loose old clothes, still couldn't hide his innate charm.
"Adelina, I don't know how to do anything, I feel like a burden. How can I repay you?" He hung his head, his eyes filled with dejection and loss, like a lost animal, making me feel sorry for him.
I smiled and comforted him: "Don't say that, who hasn't had a tough time? But if you really want to repay me, you can help me with something. I have a small flower shop in town, and I'm short-handed. If you're willing, you can help me out."
His eyes lit up instantly, like seeing a glimmer of hope in the darkness. He quickly said: "I'm willing, as long as I can help. I'm just afraid I'll mess things up."
"It's okay, take your time, and I can teach you," I replied with a smile, my smile as warm and radiant as a spring day.
I took him to the flower shop, and although the sun was setting, the shop was still filled with the fragrance of flowers. I lit a few lamps inside, and the soft light fell on the beautiful flowers, as if wrapping them in a layer of fantasy.
"Adelina, these flowers are so beautiful, what are their names?" He looked around curiously, his eyes filled with wonder.
I patiently introduced them to him: "This is a rose, symbolizing love; that's a lily, representing purity; and these tulips have elegant postures..." As I spoke, I gently stroked the petals, as if introducing my close friends.
"Where do these flowers come from?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Some I buy from flower farmers, and some I grow myself in the garden. I take care of them, watching them grow from small seeds into blooming flowers, and the process is full of surprises." I recalled the time I spent with the flowers, a happy smile on my face.
"You must love these flowers very much." He looked at me, his eyes filled with understanding.
"Yes, they're like my family, accompanying me through every beautiful day." I sighed lightly, my heart filled with affection for the flowers.
"I'll take good care of them too, just like you." He spoke firmly, as if making a solemn promise.
I nodded, and then took him to the backyard of the flower shop. The backyard had various tools and flowers that needed attention.
"Let's tidy up these flower pots first." I picked up a pot and demonstrated how to clean the soil and debris.
He imitated me, doing his best, but his movements were a bit clumsy due to lack of practice. Once, he accidentally knocked over a pot, spilling soil everywhere, and his face immediately showed embarrassment and self-blame.
"I'm sorry, Adelina, I messed things up." He said in a low voice.
I walked over, gently patting his shoulder: "It's okay, it's just a small accident. Anyone can make mistakes. You see, like this, we can put the soil back into the pot." I comforted him, helping him clean up.
As we tidied up the flower pots, we started chatting.
"Do you think I'll have family looking for me?" He suddenly stopped, his eyes filled with worry.
"I think they probably will. Don't worry too much, maybe your memory will come back soon, and you can reunite with your family." I comforted him, although I didn't know what his future held.
"But I don't remember anything now, and if my family sees me like this, they'll be so disappointed." His eyes turned dull.
"Don't think that way, it's not your fault. And now you're with me, I'll take care of you." I looked at him, my eyes filled with determination.
He lifted his head, looking at me, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Adelina, you're really kind. I don't know how to thank you."
"No need to thank me, just like I said before, let's just help each other out." I smiled and said.
As night fell, we finally finished the initial tidying up of the flower shop. I locked the door, and we walked home together.
The town was exceptionally quiet at night, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing on the stone road. He looked up at the stars in the sky and suddenly said: "Adelina, look at those stars, they're twinkling in the sky, like they're guarding us."
I also looked up, gazing at the starry sky: "Yes, they're the most beautiful elves in the night sky. Maybe they're also witnessing our encounter, who knows if this is fate?"
He turned to look at me, his eyes sparkling with an indescribable light: "Regardless of whether it's fate or not, I'm grateful to have met you."
A warm feeling rose up in my heart, and this mysterious amnesiac, in just one day, had already left a deep impression on me. I didn't know his past, and I didn't know where his future would lead, but in this moment, I just hoped to accompany him through this difficult time, and together, we'd explore the unknown secrets.