Chapter 191 Coming Ashore
Quentin had made up her mind. She called Victor ahead of time and asked him to return to the hotel and wait for them. The harbor crew was instructed to discreetly tail Matthew once the cruise ship came to port. While Victor felt a bit puzzled by the situation, he ultimately agreed to Quentin's plan.
Dorian grumbled under his breath, convinced that it would be more straightforward to grab someone from the dock. His experience had taught him that if the person didn't keep their word, all the waiting would be in vain. However, Quentin wouldn't hear of it—he was adamant that they follow through with the plan.
Although Dorian let the argument go, he was not one to leave things to chance. So, behind Quentin's back, he ensured they had a few connections within the local authorities, just in case things took a turn for the worse.
As the ship pulled into the harbor of Lunaria, offering a picturesque view of the quaint pier. Quentin and Dorian were among the first to exit their cabin, their anticipation palpable as they eagerly anticipated setting foot on solid ground once more. They made their way to the deck and leaned against the railing, taking in the tranquil atmosphere of the port in the early morning light.
A sudden flurry of activity erupted as the ship's owner, accompanied by an entourage, made a grand entrance onto the deck. A quiet tension enveloped the air as the two groups faced each other, both assessing the other's intentions with a sense of wariness.
From behind the circle of people, Matthew stood partially obscured. As Quentin's gaze found him, a rush of warmth filled his chest. Despite the bustling scene and his curiosity about the woman in front, something about her sadness drew Quentin’s attention. With each passing moment, he wrestled with the urge to break through the crowd, offer solace, and whisk her away from whatever sorrow she was wrapped in.
The woman locked eyes with Quentin, her gaze brimming with confidence before she shifted her attention to Matthew and announced, "Caius, let's go." With a subtle nod, Matthew trailed the others off the boat. As he walked by Quentin, she called out his name, "Matthew." That made him halt.
Ahead, the long-haired man shouted back, "Caius, what's the delay? Come on." Matthew stood still for a beat, then picked up the pace to catch up with the others.
Victor was waiting at the dock, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. He almost missed Quentin, but then Matthew caught his eye. He dashed over, clasped Matthew's arm, and burst out, "Matthew, it's really you! Thank heavens you're safe..." Victor's words tumbled out until Matthew icily pulled back his arm. He shot Victor a look but remained silent and kept moving forward.
Victor stood rooted to the spot, bewildered by the scene unfolding before him. He had intended to pursue Matthew, but two men dressed in black blocked his path, a clear reference to what Dorian had said about Matthew's amnesia. As Quentin and Hank, another member of their group, stepped off the ship, Victor walked up to them. "Are you okay? Is it true Matthew doesn't remember anyone?"
Quentin's eyes had followed Matthew until he disappeared. He then nodded to Victor. "Yeah, he's got memory loss."
"What are we going to do now?" Victor asked, his disbelief clear. It seemed inconceivable they would just let Matthew walk away after they had finally found him. He looked to Dorian, searching for answers. Hank caught Quentin's eye and just gave a noncommittal shrug.
Quentin, after a last glance in the direction Matthew had gone, said to Victor, "Let's get a room at a hotel and discuss it there." Still perplexed, Victor followed Quentin, with Dorian trailing behind, to check into the Lunaria Hotel.
Matthew felt an inexplicable pull toward Quentin and Dorian. The person who had addressed him as Matthew had stirred a peculiar sense of recognition within him. Deep down, he sensed a connection with these strangers, yet a profound sense of obligation bound him—he knew he owed his survival to Quentin.
He made up his mind to stay by Quentin's side.
*
Upon reaching the hotel, Quentin secured three separate rooms. Victor and Dorian, fueled by agitation and uncertainty, avoided splitting up and instead gathered in Quentin's room. Victor was eager to get to the bottom of the baffling incidents that had occurred.
Quentin provided a brief rundown of the information she had received during their earlier exchange. Victor eyed her skeptically when it came to the idea of a fair fight, voicing his concerns, "Matthew's lost his memories; he doesn't remember a thing. Can you really count on him to choose to return with you? And the kids—what's going to happen to them? Besides, once you're back in the States, you'll be playing on their home field—it'll be way tougher to pull out than it is here in Dawnhaven."
Dorian nodded, signaling his agreement with Victor's concerns.
Quentin understood their apprehensions, but if Matthew didn't want to leave, was it right to force him? It was hardly manageable with an adult. "I trust him," she stated.
Victor let out a gentle sigh. "Alright, we'll try it your way." He exchanged a look with Dorian before the pair exited Quentin's room, intent on preparing for any eventuality. They decided to wait a bit longer, holding on to hope for a positive turn of events. If Matthew chose to come back voluntarily, that would be ideal. Otherwise, they were set to take a firmer stance, bring him back to Horizon City, and then assess if a touch of the familiar could reignite his memories. Quentin was resolute on one thing: there was no chance she'd let Matthew return to such an oppressive small town with someone like her in the picture.
After their departure, Quentin initiated a video call with Rachel. The night had settled over Horizon City, and the children had peacefully surrendered to their dreams. Quentin swiftly updated Rachel on her success in locating Matthew but mentioned there would be an unexpected delay before they could return home. She requested that Rachel mind the kids for a few more days. Rachel, elated with the news of Matthew's discovery, assured Quentin that she would gladly take care of everything, putting her worries to rest.
"Don't worry, Quentin. Quentin Jr. and Hannah are behaving wonderfully, and their Aunt Willow frequently visits them. Concentrate on your tasks and return with Matthew. We'll be right here, waiting in Horizon City."
"Thank you, Rachel," Quentin replied, his gratitude palpable. She took solace in the fact that Willow, assumably Rachel's sister, was present to provide support. This knowledge was his anchor; without it, the strain of being away would have been nearly unbearable.
Deep in his heart, Quentin made a vow, "I will definitely bring Matthew back home."
Victor soon discovered that Matthew was lodging at the same hotel as him. He promptly shared this news with Quentin, who paused to think before grabbing her smartphone and stepping outside.
Heading straight to the front desk, Quentin sought Matthew's room number, only to learn he was registered as Caius without any identification. The desk clerk refused to divulge any guest details, leaving her at a loss. Quentin then opted to stay in the lobby, hoping to spot Matthew en route to a meal.
As Quentin started to turn around, she spotted Matthew exiting the elevator by himself. Their gazes locked across the bustling lobby, and he commenced to move in her direction.
He stopped a step away from Quentin and said, "What a coincidence. Are you staying here, too?"
Quentin's eyes brimmed with tears, and she managed a faint nod. "Yeah."
Matthew raised an eyebrow, silently staring at Quentin. Every time he saw her, she appeared troubled, and he couldn't help but feel a strong urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her. Undeniably, the moment he stepped out of the elevator and saw Quentin, his heart skipped a beat, especially after hearing her say they were a married couple. His eagerness to meet her grew.
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