CHAPTER 440: ARGIE

Sarah’s heart pounded violently against her ribs as she whispered, almost breathlessly,

"No... it can’t be."

Her eyes widened in disbelief, her trembling hands flying to her mouth. Her knees nearly gave way as she blinked several times, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. But the figure before her was no illusion. It was as real as daylight.

"Oh my goodness..." Sarah clutched her pounding chest. She could believe that her lover, whom she thought was dead, was standing a few metres away from her, looking very much alive and in good health.

"Henry!" She whispered, burning tear clouding her vision. "He is alive....he is not dead."

Wiping her streaming tears with the back of her hands, her lips trembled as she called to him in a slightly loud voice,

"Henry."

The young man looked up, startled by the unfamiliar young lady, his brows furrowing in confusion as he met her gaze. He tilted his head backwards, wondering if she was mistaken him for someone else.

Before Sarah could stop herself she bolted forward, almost stumbling across the dock as she ran while calling his name again and again. "Henry."

"Henry?" Amelia froze as she caught sight of Sarah, sprinting towards a young man standing by the ferry.

"Did you say Henry?" Judith came behind Amelia, her tone tinged with shock.

"It’s Henry!" Michael’s voice rang from the upper deck, his binoculars trembling in his hands. "It’s really him!" He didn’t wait another second before racing down the stairs.

"He is alive?" Blaze followed behind Michael, too stunned to believe his eyes.

By the mid-sized ferry, the young man blinked rapidly, instinctively stepping back as the fragile-looking woman threw herself at him. He caught her before she fell, steadying her in his arms. Her face was flushed, tear-streaked and achingly beautiful. It made his chest tighten unexpectedly.

Something about her eyes felt hauntingly familiar. But he was certain he had never seen her before.

"Excuse me, Miss," He said gently but firmly. "I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else."

"No... I’m not mistaken," Sarah whispered, shaking her head desperately. "You’re Henry. You died. I saw him murder you. But you’re here. You’re alive." Her tears flowed freely again.

"Murder me?" His brows knitted tightly. "I think you’ve got the wrong person, lady. I’m not Henry. My name is Argie."

"Argie?" Sarah repeated, blinking in confusion. "No... no, you’re not Argie. You’re Henry Gordon, the movie star. You are my Henry. Don’t you recognize me?"

Argie stared at her blankly, shaking his head.

Sarah’s panic deepened. "I’m Sarah Hunt, your girlfriend. You were going to propose to me after the movie shoot. You gave me this during the Christmas holiday at the island." She thrust her wrist forward, revealing a delicate bracelet.

"I... did?" Argie murmured. His head throbbed as he tried to remember, but everything was foggy and fragmented. The harder he tried to recall her face, the more painful it became.

"Listen," Sarah said softly, reaching up to touch his cheek. "I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere."

Argie froze, his gaze locked on hers. For a moment, the world around them blurred.

A chorus of gasps and cheers erupted from onlookers. Passengers pulled out their phones and camera began flashing, capturing the emotional scene.

’This isn’t right,’ Argie thought, wanting to pull away. But he couldn’t.

There was something about her touch that made his body go weak. It felt unsettling and strangely comforting all at once.

For as long as he could remember, Argie had never felt this way before.

Women had always been a huge distraction he didn’t entertain. His only pursuit in life was to earn enough money to lift his parents out of poverty and pay off their debts. But this young lady felt different.

"Oh, Henry... I thought I lost you," Sarah sobbed, throwing her arms around him again.

Argie gently pushed her back, a frown creasing his face. He opened his mouth to protest when more people came rushing toward him, calling him that same strange name, their faces bright with hope and tears.

Before he could react, they surrounded him, touching him, speaking over one another and embracing him like a long-lost brother.

"Okay, that’s enough." Argie finally said, raising his voice. "I don’t know who this Henry is, but I’m not him. You’ve all made a mistake." His eyes darted from face to face. "I’ve never met any of you before. Now please, if you’ll excuse me..." he gestured toward the ferry, "I have passengers waiting. I have to..."

Before he could finish he sentence, Sarah’s eyes rolled back. Her world spun and she collapsed.

Argie caught her instinctively, alarm flaring in his chest.

"Hey....hey! Miss! Wake up! What’s happening to her?" He looked up, alarmed.

"She fainted—thanks to you!" Michael snapped, rushing forward to take his sister from Argie’s arms. "Do you even realize what she’s been through? How could you deny her like that?"

"But I don’t..." Argie began.

"Michael, take Sarah back to the cruise and let the doctors check on her," Blaze interrupted, his tone calm but firm. He turned to Argie, studying him intently before adding.

"Everyone else, please return to the ship," he instructed, flashing them a reassuring look.

As Amelia and the others reluctantly obeyed, Blaze stayed behind. He didn’t miss the confusion flickering in Argie’s eyes.

’If Henry was truly alive but denying who he was, then there were only two possibilities.’ Blaze thought. ’Either he’d lost his memory or he was hiding from something far worse.’

When it was just two of them, Argie spoke first, his tone hurried and apologetic.

"Hey... I’m really sorry about that young lady. I swear, I don’t recognize her, or you, or any of your friends. Please, tell her I mean no harm."

Blaze studied him silently for a moment, then said calmly,

"How about we take a walk? Just you and me."

Before Argie could answer, a frustrated passenger called out,

"Hey, Argie, are we taking this trip around the coast or not?"

"I’m sorry, I..."

"Mr. Argie won’t be taking anyone anywhere today," Blaze cut in sharply, his voice tinged with irritation. "He’s coming with me."

"What?" Argie turned to him in disbelief. "You can’t just..."

"What do you mean he’s going with you?" another passenger shouted.

"What about the ride?"

"Who’s taking us across now?"

"I paid five whole dollars for this trip!"

"I want a refund!"

The growing commotion drew the attention of the ferry owner and the dockmaster.

"What’s all this noise?" Barked the bulky, potbellied man with a sunburned face. He glared at Argie. "Why are you still docked here, Argie? Do I pay you to keep the customers waiting?"

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Hello reader....

Thanks for all your continuous support.

I’m currently writing a new book titled: Unexpected Love: The Billionaire’s Feisty Sweetheart.

I would love you all to also follow me on this journey. It promises to be twice the fun and family drama.

Thanks

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