As Antonio and Hinata sat down for their meal, the teasing continued. Every time Antonio made eye contact, Gabi would wink at Antonio and nudge her husband's arm with a knowing grin. Despite Antonio's protests, Gabi seemed impossible to quit. She would call Hinata daughter-in-law at any given time and wait for Antonio's reaction. He would always react nervously and awkwardly. She would then call him out for being all flustered like a virgin teenager. By the end of the evening, Antonio had resigned himself to the teasing and accepted his fate. Deep down, he was grateful for the love and acceptance these two simple people offered, even if it came with a side of relentless matchmaking.
Since losing his memory, Antonio's once fierce, fearless, and of course perverted personality—being the sexiest man of the year and fastest leg opener—has been replaced by a shy, awkward, and extremely polite man. He often stumbles over his words, his gaze drifting away when conversations get too personal, as if he's searching for something just unreachable within himself. He even regards himself as an introvert! Who hates human interaction! Antonio Montero loved the spotlight and all the attention as an idol. What a change!
Many hours later. It was late evening and the darkness covered the sky. The night was calm, with a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. The sky color above was deep, scattered with stars that twinkled like distant memories. Antonio sat alone on a weathered wooden bench outside their home, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped tightly together. Deep in thought.
Hinata approached him quietly, her footsteps barely audible on the gravel path. She had noticed Antonio's quietness during the dinner, and now he had come out in the dark alone. She felt a pang of concern for him and couldn't resist talking to him.
"Diego-San," she called softly, careful not to startle him.
Antonio looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise but also relief. "Hinata," he greeted her softly, trying to muster a smile. "I didn't hear you coming."
Hinata smiled back and sat down beside him, keeping a respectful distance. "I could tell something was on your mind," Hinata said gently. "You've been quiet since dinner time. Is there something you want to talk about?"
"I am always quiet," Antonio chuckled.
"I know, but this time I can feel something is wrong," she said with a small giggle.
She was right. Antonio sighed, his expression now serious and tight. "Well... I'm... I'm worried, Hinata. Every day I try to remember who I was before all of this, but it's like staring into a fog. No matter how hard I try, the memories just won't come back. It's been five years already. Will I ever recover them?"
From his voice, Hinata could tell how much he was hurting. "Don't push yourself too hard, Diego-San. I am sure at the right time you will get them back."
"What if my past is something I can't live with? I was shot, they said... How did I get involved with gunmen...? And there are tattoos on my body. It's all scary. What if I am someone scary and dangerous? Who doesn't deserve to live?"
Hinata shifted closer to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Diego-San, please don't say such sad things. No matter who you were before, you are who you are now. I believe in the person you've shown yourself to be since we met. A kind, caring, and respectful gentleman. That's what matters to me... to the people who love you. You are alive because it's meant to be."
Antonio turned to look at her, his eyes staring deep into hers. "You don't mind if I was... maybe a thief or a murderer?" he asked.
A man this soft, gentle, and kind. But most of all good-looking cannot possibly be someone like that. However, who cares about his past. It's in the past. Yuki thought.
"No, I don't care about the past. I admire the man In front of me. The gentleman I have known for three years."
"You really mean that?" Antonio asked, a bit relieved.
She nodded, her smile reassuring. "I do. No matter what your past holds, you will always have my friendship, Diego-San. I promise."
She raised a hand. Antonio pulled the long sleeve of his hoodie. "Doesn't this bother you?" He showed her his tattoo for the first time.
Hinata felt a lump form in her throat. He always wears long sleeves she thought he had a burn or something, but he was only hiding his amazing tattoos. She blinked and met his innocent eyes, waiting patiently for a genuine reply.
"To be sincere, it does seem disturbing a little bit, but I think it's also a cool tattoo, why don't you show it off sometime," she replied with a smile.
"Never!"
"Is it just on the arm, right?" she asked.
"No... I have on my arms then my whole back covered, it's stupid how could I have done that to my skin! It gives people wrong impressions about me in the changing room," he said in annoyance.
Hinata swallowed tightly. A handsome, hot man with tattoos. She is secretly into that! Now she is drawn to him more than ever. Imagine running her fingers over his tattoo, then her fingers digging into his strong tattooed back as he thrusts into her. Wait, what, where did that come from? Hinata blinked and shook her head. Who would blame her for having such thoughts?
Antonio is definitely a charmer. In fact, that was one of the main reasons he was hired as a waiter in their restaurant. His facial appearance, height, and unique handsomeness are rare in Japan. Ever since then their female customers have increased by 90 percent and the men too. Antonio had complained to her about creepy male admirers, but never complained about the women.
Hinata finds the female and male admirers annoying all together. Sometimes, she secretly gets jealous whenever the ladies only come to just gush over him, have him around their tables with their unending orders. The management was happy and told him to always smile and be more friendly. Occasionally they will go as far as request pictures with him like he is some celebrity.
"I mean, he looks like one," Hinata thought. He will, of course, turn their requests down politely. He always respects women so much. What a personality! With such handsomeness. If only he knew the power he held with such handsomeness, he would be so proud and arrogant, Hinata thought.
"Thank you, Hinata. I don't know what I'd do without you." Antonio's voice cuts into her thoughts.
She looked up and saw him smiling at her, his eyes staring into hers. Hinata looked away nervously, her cheeks red.
"I can say the same, you have been a great friend, Diego-San." For a moment, they sat in intense silence. Is this a perfect time to make a confession?