ã€ŠA Naive Bride for the Sophisticated CEOã€‹


 Chapter 1: Surprise Graduation Party

    Chapter 1: Surprise Graduation Party

    Amelia Cooper shuffled out of the Bluehills college¡¯s gate and turned to look at its building for the

    last time under the moonlight.

    The outdoor wall lights of the college walls lit up her very fair skin. Her blue eyes sparkled under the

    bright lights, and her red lipstick glitter.

    She was finally done with college, and not just done, but she graduated as one of the best students

    in the faculty of arts, department of massmunication.

    She was going to miss school so much, not because she had friends she made memories with, but

    because there was no way she was going to escape her cousins¡¯ torture now.

    *

    When she was five, her parents were murdered right in front of her eyes by some evil men. They

    didn¡¯t talk to her nor did theyy a finger on her. Amelia never stopped wondering why.

    After her parents died, she became very depressed and isted herself from everyone. She was

    quiet and never talked when she wasn¡¯t invited to.

    Her life turned upside down, and all she could think of was how to stay out of trouble. One thing she

    believed her parents didn¡¯t do.

    Her uncle, Mr. Freddie Cooper took her in and treated her like his child. At first, she was happy

    someone else in the world loved her, but when her cousin started making her life miserable, she

    wished he had left her on the streets to perish.

    *

    She heaved a loud sigh and turned to leave. She was dressed in a red BodyCon dress which fit her

    petite body shape and clear skin perfectly, she also wore 3-inches ck sandal heels.

    They were gotten for her by her uncle Freddie. Over her dress was a blue graduation gown that

    extended down to her ankles.

    Her full, wavy, golden-brown hair was roughly tucked in her graduation hat so that it could fit.

    She hung a ck tote bag on her shoulder, and in this bag were books from her locker, some

    handouts, novels, and even the scroll that was given to her by the vice-chancellor.

    The weight of her bag was pretty much for her, but who could shein to?

    Uncle Freddie had already told her that he wasn¡¯t going to be attending her graduation party nor

    pick her up because of some important work at the office, so she had no choice than to trudge the

    streets of Bluehills home.

    After ten minutes of walking alone, she got to Cooper''s huge mansion. She knitted her brows as she

    noticed something strange in the mansion. The lights of every room in the mansion were out and

    the curtains were down.

    ¡°That is weird,¡± She mumbled to herself as she walked in through the gate, into thepound. She

    dragged her feet on the pavedpound floor, carefully observing everything around her.

    Everything seemed too peaceful, and this got her scared. ¡®Did everyone leave the house?¡¯

    She expected the exterior and interior lights to illuminate everywhere as it has always been, but this

    time, she got disappointed.

    She got to therge main door and turned to look around again. Her heart was beating very fast.

    ¡°Amelia, it¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s probably just a ckout.¡± She encouraged herself and reached for the

    doorknob slowly.

    She applied pressure on it and pushed the door open unhurriedly. She walked into the dark living

    room, she could see absolutely nothing.

    A drop of sweat rolled down from her neck into the beautiful margin that separates her breasts.

    Before her eyes could adjust to the darkness, the light came on all of a sudden, and the people

    chorused with cheering, ¡°Happy Graduation, Amelia!¡±

    Amelia¡¯s bag dropped from her shoulder in fright, and she leaned on the door for support. Her feet

    grew weak out of shock.

    She looked around the living room, and her jaw dropped. There was arge banner that hung down

    from the tall ceiling which had ¡°HAPPY GRADUATION AMELIA¡± written boldly on it.

    There were colorful balloons tied on both sides of the banner. On the windows, and even at the

    edges of the stairs.

    There was arge cake on the right side of the living room, on top of the cake was an image of a

    graduation hat and a wrapped scroll.

    The sofas and center tables in the living room were reced with tables that had bouquets and

    sses of wine on them. Around the tables stood different people of great caliber, looking ssy

    and expensive.

    Amelia was too stunned to speak or move after realizing what happened to her. She couldn¡¯t

    believe that Uncle Freddie would go to the extent of throwing her a surprise graduation party.

    Freddie approached her with a ss of wine in his hand, his outfits were shining under the lights.

    ¡°Congrattions, Amelia.¡± He divulged a cheerful smile. Amelie¡¯s throat tightened as she looked at

    him.

    She grew emotional and tears heated her eyes in a few seconds. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do this, Uncle,¡±

    She mumbled and embraced him very tightly.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You know I would do anything to make you happy. I¡¯m sorry I missed your graduation party. This is

    me making up for it.¡± He kissed her head, and she giggled.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy.¡±

    She raised her head from his chest and looked at him. He smiled and lifted his ss, looking at

    everyone that watched them.

    ¡°Let¡¯s celebrate! Today is a good day!¡± He announced, and they all pped.

    They started chatting, some started drinking, while some started vibing to the solemn music that

    was yed.

    ¡°You should go and change. Your dress is in your room. I hope you¡¯ll love it,¡± He said to her, and she

    bounced her head.

    ¡°I love it already.¡± She chuckled.

    ¡°Great! Hurry and change now. The party isn¡¯tplete until the celebrant is ready.¡± He tapped her

    shoulder softly, and she reached for her bag.

    She hurried to the stairs and climbed up. She took a few minutes to explore the decorations again.

    She felt blessed.

    ¡®Truly, he loves me so much.¡¯ She thought in excitement.

    She got to the top floor and was about to run to her room when her cousins, Ava and Hudson

    crossed her path.

    The excitement in Amelia washed down her body instantly, and her smile faded away quickly. There

    was no time she was in contact with them, she was always very scared.

    Ava moved closer to her and grabbed her arm firmly, while Hudson looked around to see if anyone

    wasing.

    ¡°Ava, you are hurting me.¡± Amelia closed her eyes and muttered in pain.

    ¡°That is exactly what I want. Nowe with me,¡± Ava uttered with gritted teeth and pulled her to her

    room.

    She flung the door open and pushed Amelia into the room, making her stagger backward.

    Amelia was breathing very fast and hard in panic, her hands began to tremble as she gazed at Ava.

    ¡°You are happy, aren¡¯t you?! My father throws such a big party for you and you dare smile, hun?!¡±

    She lifted her hand and smacked Amelia¡¯s face very hard.

    Amelia¡¯s head faced the floor and her graduation hat fell off, making her hair fall loose. ¡°Now, I want

    you to get this into your thick ugly head¡­¡± She poked Amelia¡¯s head with her index finger.

    ¡°My father isn¡¯t your father! We would never see you as our sister, and we will keep torturing you

    until you leave this house!¡± Ava yelled and was about to hit her again when Hudson stopped her.

    ¡°Father ising, we need to leave!¡±

    ¡°Go to hell,¡± Ava whispered to Amelia¡¯s ear before rushing out of the room.

    Amelia clenched her jaw as tears streamed out of her eyes. She rubbed her cheek, trying to

    subside the throbbing pain she felt.

    ¡°Amelia, have you tried the dress?¡± Freddie asked as he entered her room.

    Amelia quickly covered her cheek with her hair and put on a smile. ¡°No, I¡¯ll do that now. It¡¯s so

    beautiful.¡± She looked at her bed and saw a blue ball gownid neatly on it.

    Freddie furrowed his brows after noticing the tears on Amelia¡¯s face. He moved closer and raised

    her jaw.

    ¡°Why are you crying?¡± He asked, and she smiled and shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Uncle. The surprise made me too emotional.¡± She lied.

    Freddie giggled and embraced her tightly. ¡°I¡¯ll do anything to make you happy. You are my daughter

    too.¡±

    He kissed her head again, and she bounced her head. She sped her lips tight so that she

    wouldn¡¯t burst into tears in front of him.

    He let go of her and looked into her teary eyes. ¡°After the party, I have a special present for you,¡± He

    said, and her face brightened.

    ¡°Special present?¡± she asked, and he bounced his head.

    ¡°It is one thing yourte parents had always wanted you to have. I''ll give you this present after the

    party.¡± He brushed her hair, and she nodded nervously.

    ¡®What could this present be?¡¯

 Chapter 2: Stolen kiss

    Chapter 2: Stolen kiss

    Amelia finished applying her light makeup, and she looked at her face in herrge mirror. Her blue

    ball gown covered the baby shoes she wore, and was sweeping the floor.

    The gown slightly exposed the upper part of her breasts and her back was bare and exposed. She

    had straightened her hair, and they weren¡¯t as wavy as they were initially.

    She faintly applied her ck eyeliner which made her almond-shaped eyes look more elegant. Her

    alluring blue eyes glittered under the bright lights that hung on the top edges of her mirror.

    Her Cupid bow lips were masked with a colorless lip gloss that helped showcase how pink her lips

    were.

    She let out a sad sigh and lowered her head. She picked up the portrait of her parents that was on

    the table in front of her and stared at their faces.

    She ran her finger on the picture and said, ¡°I wish you two were here with me today. I made you

    proud again. I am one of the best graduating students in my faculty and department.¡± She smiled

    and felt tears gather in her eyes again.

    ¡°Uncle Freddie is so proud of me. He threw me a surprise graduation party. I know I should be

    happy, but¡­¡± She stopped talking and covered her mouth with her palm and started weeping again.

    She threw her head backwards and exhaled softly through her mouth. ¡°I should go now. Uncle

    Freddie and the others are waiting for me. We will talk well before I sleep.¡±

    She ced the portrait on the table carefully and looked into the mirror again. She picked up her

    handkerchief from the bed and carefully mopped the tears off her face.

    After mopping her face, she forced on a big smile and lifted her dress with her hands. She walked

    out of her room and headed down the stairs.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    As she climbed down the stairs, the people began to p for her. She felt so shy, so she lowered

    her head as her cheeks reddened.

    Freddie quickly approached her before she got off the stairs and gave her his hand.

    She looked at his face and with a bright smile, she gave her his hand too. He held her as she

    climbed down the stairs, and he began to introduce her to the visitors.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why your father likes her so much. I mean, anytime I see her, she irritates

    me.¡± Marie, Ava¡¯s friend muttered as they watched her walk with Freddie.

    ¡°She irritates me too, and you know the most annoying thing? My father told us to be here to

    celebrate with her! Gosh! I¡¯m so pissed!¡± Ava groaned in disgust.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ava. I am here to help you ruin her fun,¡± Marie uttered, and they both chuckled

    wickedly.

    ¡°Hi, Mr. Matt, this is my daughter, Amelia, I was talking about. Always making me proud! She is one

    of the best graduating students in her set. The news is everywhere. Isn¡¯t that great?!¡± Freddie

    boasted to an average-age looking man.

    ¡°Very pleased to meet you, Miss Amelia. My friend won¡¯t stop singing your praises.¡± Matt stretched

    his hand to Amelia, and she shook his hand.

    ¡°Pleased to meet you too, Mr. Matt,¡± She responded shyly, and they all chuckled.

    One of their servers was passing by, and Freddie stopped him and picked up a fork from the tray.

    He lifted his ss cup and hit the fork on it, making a clink sound.

    ¡°I hope everyone is enjoying the party! I would love Amelia, my daughter, to say something to all of

    us!¡± He announced, and Amelia¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. She wasn¡¯t expecting it.

    ¡°Come on girl. Say something to the people,¡± He whispered in her ear, and she bounced her head

    slowly. She let out an exhale and made a quick turn to look at everyone.

    She saw her cousins at the corner with some other guest, their eyes that peered at her said many

    awful things.

    ¡°I bet she feels so proud of herself. Why would your uncle throw her a party, but he didn¡¯t when you

    graduated?¡± Marie asked.

    ¡°Shut up, Marie, and let us listen to the rubbish she has to say,¡± Hudson broke in, while Ava couldn¡¯t

    stop ring at Amelia.

    ¡®Who the f**k does she think she is? I promise you, b**ch, I¡¯ll ruin this stupid party of yours!¡¯ Ava¡¯s

    thoughts made her smirk evilly.

    ¡°Good evening everyone. I don¡¯t have much to say because I wasn¡¯t expecting uncle to bring me

    out this way,¡± she said, and they all giggled.

    ¡°I just want to say thank you to everyone that is here, especially my Uncle. He has been the best

    person in my life. He has been a father and friend. I love you so much, Uncle.¡±

    She looked at Freddie, and he ced his hand on his chest and pouted yfully.

    ¡°I love you too, daughter.¡± He responded and embraced her. ¡°Continue feasting, please! The night is

    still early.¡± Freddie lifted his cup and sipped from his wine.

    ¡°Hey¡­ won¡¯t you have some wine too? Trust me, it tastes very nice,¡± Freddie said to her, and she

    shook her head.

    ¡°I prefer juice, Uncle.¡±

    ¡°Juice? C¡¯mon, Amelia, you are twenty not twelve. Try new things, okay?¡± He said, and she giggled,

    bouncing her head.

    ¡°Freddie Cooper!¡± They heard the vibrant voice of a man that looked the same age as Freddie.

    ¡°Charles Parker!¡± Freddie responded in excitement.

    He opened his arms, and they hugged each other. ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t make it.¡± Freddie said,

    and Charles shook his head.

    ¡°You know I would! Great job you have done here.¡± He looked around the living room and Freddie

    gave a slight bow.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy you like it. We have things to discuss. But before we get to it, Charles. Amelia, my

    daughter. Amelia. Charles, my very good friend.¡± He introduced them and stepped aside so they

    could greet themselves.

    ¡°How are you doing, Amelia?¡± ¡°I¡¯m good, Mr. Charles. Wee.¡± She lowered her head, and

    Charles chuckled, looking at Freddie.

    ¡°She is one with a pleasant manner of approach,¡± Heplimented, and Freddie twitched his

    eyebrows at Amelia.

    ¡°Thank you, Charles. Shall we?¡± Freddie asked, and Charles nodded. They both walked away from

    Amelia and headed to a private room to talk business.

    The smile on Amelia¡¯s face slowly faded away when Freddie left. She heaved a sigh and looked

    around her, everyone was busy with one thing or the other.

    She looked at her cousins and saw they were busy having a chat with some friends at the other end

    of the living room.

    They all turned to look at her at the same time, and she felt shivers run down her spine.

    ¡®They are definitely nning something evil.¡¯ She thought and hurriedly turned to walk away.

    As she walked, her stomach began to grumble. She remembered she was yet to have lunch. She

    looked at her right-hand side and saw where the dishes were disyed.

    She hurried to the table and picked an apple from the basket of fruits. She hungrily took a bite and

    began to munch. In a few minutes, she was done eating the apple. She picked up a slice of bread

    and also munched on it.

    A server was passing by, and she raised her hand to stop him. ¡°I¡¯ll have one,¡± She said to him, and

    he moved the tray to her.

    She picked up a ss of red wine, and raised her index finger, telling him not to leave yet.

    She took a sip of the wine and when she saw it was tasty, she gulped all of it at once. She ced

    the ss on the tray carefully and picked up another one.

    ¡°This should do. Thank you.¡± She nodded and smiled and the server walked away.

    She closed her eyes and gulped all the wine at once again. She dropped the ss on the table and

    a satisfied grin crawled up her face.

    She looked up and saw Ava and Hudson approaching her very fast.

    ¡®Oh no. Not again.¡¯

    She hastily lifted her dress and turned to leave. She headed for the corridor that led to the rooms on

    the ground floor. She looked back to make sure she wasn¡¯t being followed by her cousins.

    Still walking very fast, before she could look at where she was going, she collided with someone.

    Her eyes widened and moved back hastily, as she moved back, she stepped on the hem of her

    dress and tripped. She quickly grabbed the suit of the gorgeous young man in front of her for

    support.

    Instead of receiving support from this man, he fell after her. She fell to the ground and hit her head

    on the Italian floor. Before the young man could regain his stability, he fell on her and their faces

    collided.

    His lips pressed against hers very firmly, and their eyes popped open.

 Chapter 3: Kill me already

    Chapter 3: Kill me already

    Amelia gazed endlessly into the onyx ck deep eyes of the gorgeous man that pressed his lips

    against hers.

    His sandalwood cologne invaded her nostrils, and she didn¡¯t want to loosen her grip on his

    expensive-looking suit.

    She pictured the beginning of a love story like she had always seen in movies, where thedy

    collides with a man and they fall in love afterwards.

    She was too shocked and captivated by his great charms to know what to do.

    ¡°What the f**k!¡± James Parker, the man who Amelia had mistakenly kissed, hurriedly pulled himself

    away from her and fell to the floor on his butts.

    Amelia instantly snapped out of her fantasies and went on her knees. She felt a throbbing pain

    behind her head, and she gradually touched the back of her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Mister. I¡­¡± She stopped talking when somebody pushed her from behind, making her

    lose her stability again.

    She quickly gained her stability and looked up. She saw Ava shoot her a deadly look, and she knelt

    in front of James.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°James, are you okay?¡± She ran her hands over his face, and he moved his face away from her

    hand angrily.

    ¡®So his name is James,¡¯ Amelia thought with fear registered on her face.

    She always had an impression that all James are cruel because of the bullies in her high school and

    college. They were both called James.

    James sprang to his feet and grabbed his butt-cheeks in pain. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you watch where you

    were going, hun?!¡± His face reddened in rage. Amelia gulped hard and quickly stood up.

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, my dress¡­¡±

    The murmurs from the people watching filled her ears, and she stopped talking. She looked back

    and saw that everyone at the party stood at the entrance of the corridor staring at them.

    ¡®This is not good. What have you done, Amelia?¡¯

    Ava approached her and hit her on her shoulder, pushing her backward.

    ¡°How could you be so careless?! Why didn¡¯t you watch where you were going?!¡± Ava barked.

    Amelia felt sweats ooze out of her tiny pores, and her throat fastened ufortably. She always

    tried to avoid creating a scene with her cousins, but now, her worst nightmare was happening, in

    her own party!

    Amelia¡¯s lips parted in an attempt to speak, and Ava didn¡¯t hesitate to shut her up with a resounding

    p.

    ¡°Ahh.¡± Everyone that watched gasped, and Amelia glued her shivering hand to her face.

    Her soft skin was heating up under her palm, and she felt stinging pains. It was the same cheek Ava

    had pped earlier.

    Amelia lowered her head in disgrace and hurt. Her body shivered, and her lips quivered as tears

    uncontrobly rolled down her eyes.

    The news of the disaster Amelia had caused in the corridor got to Freddie and Charles at a fast

    rate, and they hurried to where everyone was.

    ¡°Make way please,¡± Freddie said as he and Charles struggled to walk amidst the people to get to

    where Amelia stood. He saw Ava and James boiling in anger, and Amelia helplessly stood in front of

    them like a stray puppy.

    ¡°What is going on here?¡± Freddie asked, while Charles looked at his son.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, James?¡± His voice was audible and firm.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t you answer? You know very well what you did. Exin to them?!¡± James growled at

    Amelia, and she jumped in fright.

    She raised her head and looked at Freddie. She wanted to exin, but she couldn¡¯t find her voice.

    She was too traumatized to speak.

    ¡°I¡¯m out of here, Father. I told you I didn¡¯t want to attend this party in the very first ce,¡± James

    spat in disgust and stormed to the entrance of the corridor.

    Those that stood in his way quickly moved away so that he could pass through. ¡°James, wait!¡± Ava

    ran after him.

    Freddie heaved a sigh after watching them leave. Everyone kept staring and this made him

    ufortable.

    ¡°Let the party continue. I¡¯m sorry about this ident,¡± He announced, and they started mumbling

    again.

    They started leaving the corridor one after the other, and in no time, they were all gone.

    Some stood back, and some left the partypletely. They were disgusted with what they had

    seen.

    Freddie looked at Charles and saw he had a frown on. Freddie wanted to speak, and Charles shook

    his head.

    ¡°I¡¯d love to call it a day here. My son was disgraced by your daughter. That is enough for the night.¡±

    Charles turned his back to leave.

    Freddie followed after him and overtook him. He stood in front of him and said, ¡°I¡¯m very sorry,

    Charles. I promise that she wille and apologize to you and your son. She would also be

    punished for this,¡± Freddie said remorsefully.

    Charles uttered no words, but nodded. He walked past Freddie and proceeded out of the mansion.

    Freddie looked at Amelia and saw that she was still glued to where she was. Her palm was still on

    her chin, and she was crying profusely.

    Freddie stormed back to where she was and stood in front of her. ¡°I need you to tell me what

    happened. Now!¡± He struggled to stay calm but he couldn¡¯t.

    He had wronged his most significant business partner, there was no reason for him to stay calm.

    Amelia flinched again and raised her head to look at Freddie. She looked more terrified. It was her

    first time seeing Freddie yell at her.

    Her face was stained with tears and her makeup was ruined, but this didn¡¯t seem to move Freddie.

    He needed an exnation.

    ¡°I¡­ I was running away from¡­¡±

    She suddenly felt someone watching them, and she looked at the entrance of the corridor. She saw

    Hudson leaning against the wall, his arms folded around his torso and his eyes fixed on her.

    ¡°Running away from who?¡± Freddie impatiently asked, and she turned her head to look at him.

    She wanted to tell him the truth, but she couldn¡¯t. Not under Hudson''s watch.

    ¡°I wanted to use the restroom badly. I didn¡¯t want to go up the stairs because of my gown, so I

    rushed into the corridor. I collided with Mr. James, and tripped. I hung onto him for support and

    ended up pulling him with me. We both fell to the floor, and his lips mistakenly pressed against

    mine.¡±

    Freddie fastened his eyes and brushed his neatly arranged ck hair backward.

    ¡°What have you done, Amelia? You have messed with someone you shouldn¡¯t.¡± Freddie clenched

    his jaws as he spoke.

    ¡°I am sorry, Uncle. I swear I didn¡¯t mean to. It was an ident,¡± She cried. She moved closer to him,

    and he moved back. He swallowed hard and looked at her.

    ¡°You have to apologize to him and his father,¡± He said, and she bounced her head.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything, Uncle. I¡¯m sorry,¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°You know I don¡¯t get angry with you at all. But this is pretty extreme, Amelia. You don¡¯t know who

    you just messed with. He is a powerful man, and so is his father. I won¡¯t be happy until you have

    apologized, and they have forgiven you sincerely,¡± He said and turned to leave.

    Amelia watched him leave, and her eyes fell on Hudson again. He had an evil smirk and also turned

    to leave.

    She fell to the ground weakly and lowered her head. She broke into more profuse tears.

    ***

    Amelia got to her room after so many minutes of weeping in the corridor. She sat on her bed and

    looked at the floor with a nk expression.

    Her door flung open all of a sudden, and Ava walked in. Amelia looked up and saw her surprise

    cake in Ava¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Have you forgotten your cake?¡± Ava let out a menacingugh. Amelia heaved a sigh and looked

    away.

    ¡°Go away, Ava. I need to rest,¡± She mumbled, and Ava¡¯s eyes broadened in awe.

    ¡°Oh wow! Such audacity! You dare talk back to me, hun?¡± She lifted the cake and threw it on

    Amelia¡¯s head.

    Amelia gasped as the chocte cake and the icing sugar washed down her head. It messed up her

    hair and blue dress.

    Ava grabbed her messy hair and pulled her up from the bed. ¡°The next time youy your filthy hand

    on my James again, that day will be the end of your miserable life!¡±

    She pushed her to the bed and kicked her left leg with her strong ck heels, about five inches

    below her knee. Amelia grabbed her leg and screamed in agony.

    Blood gushed out of the deep cut on her leg and stained her bedspread. ¡°This would teach you a

    lesson.¡± Ava strutted out of her room and mmed the door shut.

    ¡°I just want to die! Kill me already!¡± Amelia yelled in tears.

 Chapter 4: A visit to Jaâ€™ Parks Tertiary Company.

    Chapter 4: A visit to Ja¡¯ Parks Tertiary Company.

    Amelia¡¯s bulgy eyelids parted and closed slowly as she let out a soft yawn. It was morning and the

    rays of the sun found its way into her room through herrge window.

    She had been awake for minutes but didn¡¯t open her eyes, neither did she get out of bed.

    She felt too weak to do anything, and she wished she couldy in bed the whole day. But that was

    never going to happen. She had things to do.

    She recalled Freddie promised to give her a gift after the party yesterday, but she couldn¡¯t remind

    him about it. Not after what went down at the party.

    She opened her eyes again, this time, not closing it. Sheid on her left side and her eyes were

    directly on her parents frame that sat on the table in front of her. She stared at their smiley faces for

    a long time, and let out a sigh.

    She gripped the mattress firmly and dragged herself up. She sat up and yanked the bedspread off

    her body. She stared at her injured yet straight leg and saw blood stained the bandage already.

    She shook her head in regret and lifted her left leg with her hands. She moved her leg off the bed

    and slowly ced it on the floor, using her hands as support. She could still feel severe pain in her

    leg.

    She threw her right leg off the bed too and slowly stood up. The little weight she applied on her left

    leg sent a stinging pain to her brain, and she groaned, holding her thighs very tight. She lifted her

    left leg from the floor and allowed all of her weight to rest on her right leg.

    After a few minutes, the pain subsided. She felt hot and began to crave a cold shower. She slowly

    let go of her leg and turned to face the bed.

    Her left leg was still hanging in the air. She checked her bedspread and saw it wasn¡¯t stained.

    She had to change the old onest night when her blood stained it. She was relieved that the new

    one wasn¡¯t stained too.

    She hopped to her bathroom door and when she opened it, she heard a knock on her door.

    Her heart skipped a bit as she heard the knock. She looked at the door and waited to hear who it

    was before she opened it.

    ¡®I won¡¯t open the door if it¡¯s Ava or Hudson. I am too weak for trouble,¡¯ She told herself.

    ¡°Amelia, are you still sleeping?¡± She heard Freddie¡¯s voice, and her eyes closed, and she exhaled in

    relief.

    ¡°I¡¯m awake, Uncle. I¡¯ll get the door now.¡±

    She hopped to the door and held onto the wall with her left hand while she turned the door knob

    with the right.

    Freddie smiled faintly and walked into the room. He was dressed in a neatly ironed white shirt and

    ck trousers.

    He looked around the room and saw her blue dressying on the floor. ¡°Good morning, Uncle,¡± She

    greeted him, and he looked at her.

    He was about to reply when he noticed she was standing on one foot.He saw the bandage on her

    leg, and he folded his eyebrows.

    ¡°What happened?¡± He asked, and Amelia shook her head.

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    She hopped to the bed and sat on it. Freddie moved closer to the bed and also sat down.

    ¡°Nothing? Amelia, you have a bandage on your leg. Tell me what happened.¡± He uttered worriedly.

    ¡®If I tell you your children did this to me, you would never believe it. It will cause more trouble than

    good.¡¯ She thought and lowered her head.

    ¡°I hit my leg on the stairsst night when I wasing to my room. The dress made me pretty

    unstable,¡± She said, and looked at him.

    ¡°Oh wow, I¡¯m very sorry about that. We should treat the wound well so that it doesn¡¯t get infected,¡±

    He advised, and she bobbed.

    ¡°I did that yesterday, Uncle. I made use of the first aid box. Don¡¯t worry, it will heal in no time.¡± She

    said, faking a smile.

    ¡°I hope so.¡± Freddie kept mute for some seconds, he looked up and heaved a sigh.

    ¡°Charles Parker called me today,¡± He suddenly said, and Amelia looked at him and gulped hard.

    She nodded for him to continue.

    ¡°He informed me that James is at the office and you should grab this opportunity to apologize to

    him.¡± He looked at Amelia.

    ¡°I should go to his office to apologize?¡± She asked, and Freddie nodded.

    ¡°That is what Charles told me. Maybe he is always calmer at work. I don¡¯t know,¡± He responded. ¡°I¡¯ll

    go. I want you to be happy with me,¡± She said, and Freddie smiled.

    ¡°But¡­¡± He pointed to her leg, and she looked at her leg. ¡°I¡¯ll manage. The apology is more

    important than my cut.¡±

    Freddie nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off at his office then. I have an outside meeting, and I¡¯ll be

    passing by hispany. I need you to clean up as soon as possible. My meeting is in two hours.¡±

    He looked at his luxury wristwatch after speaking.

    ¡°I¡¯ll start cleaning up immediately,¡± She assured him, and he stood up.

    ¡°Okay.¡± He walked to the door and held the door knob. He turned to look at her and said,

    ¡°Make sure you clean that wound well and apply some medicine. Do not also forget to take some

    pain relief,¡± He stated as he opened the door.

    Amelia nodded with a smile, and when Freddie was out and the door was closed, the smile faded

    off immediately. She looked at her wounded leg and tears heated her eyes rapidly.

    ¡°Maybe one day Uncle would know his children are evil. I would make sure I won¡¯t be the one to tell

    him. He would find out himself,¡± She muttered sadly.

    *

    Freddie pulled up in his Mercedes Benz car, in front of the Ja¡¯ Park¡¯s Tertiary Company.

    Amelia peered out through the tinted window of the car and marveled at the beauty and hugeness

    of thepany. She tried looking at the roof, but it was too tall for her to see from inside the car.

    ¡°Here we are. Once you are done, take a taxi back home. I need to leave right now, I have less than

    thirty minutes before the meetingmences.¡± Amelia nodded, and hastily unplugged her seatbelt.

    She opened the door and stepped out of the car, minding her injured leg. She turned to the car and

    lowered her upper body.

    ¡°Thank you, Uncle. Bye.¡± She waved at the car, and Freddie zoomed off almost immediately.

    She turned to thepany and saw some people that were around, staring at her. They were

    dressed very beautifully and ssy. She looked at her outfit and began to feel inferior.

    She wore a ck T-shirt and baggy jeans. She also wore a shining-ck leather t shoe. She let

    her hair fall loose on her shoulders, and she didn¡¯t apply any makeup.

    ¡®Am I too casual?¡¯ She wondered.

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    She looked up again and saw that those that stared at her were gone already. This relieved her.

    She tried walking properly, but her left leg wasn¡¯t ready for that. Though she could hide the wound

    under her jeans, she couldn¡¯t hide the pain.

    She approached therge entrance of thepany, lifting her left leg carefully. She got into the

    company and saw a woman sitting behind a desk. Amelia recognized her to be a receptionist.

    ¡°Good morning.¡± Amelia greeted her with a soft smile.

    The receptionist looked up from theputer screen that was in front of her and looked at Amelia.

    ¡°Hey, Good morning.¡± Her response was sweet and warm, and this made Amelia happy.

    ¡®This is a good way to start.¡¯

    ¡°How may I help you, Ma¡¯am?¡± She further asked Amelia, and she answered the same way the

    receptionist approached her.

    ¡°I am here to see Mr. James Parker. The CEO of thispany.¡±

    ¡°Do you have an appointment with him?¡± The receptionist inquired, and Amelia shook her head.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Ermm, okay. Let me call him and inform him. What¡¯s your name, Ma¡¯am?¡± She asked, picking up

    the telephone.

    ¡°I¡¯m Amelia. Amelia Cooper,¡± She responded, bouncing her head slightly.

    The receptionist pressed a few buttons on the dialer and ced the handset against her ear. She

    waited for a few seconds, and Amelia took that little time to look around where she stood again.

    ¡°Mr. James, a young woman is here to see you. She said her name is Amelia Cooper, and she

    doesn¡¯t have any appointments with you¡­ Okay, sir. I will send her in right now.¡± The receptionist

    hung up and looked at Amelia.

    ¡°He asked you toe in. You would see his office on your right-hand side, on the tenth floor. You

    would have seen the tag on his door,¡± She said to Amelia, and Amelia nodded.

    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± She gave a slight bow and walked to the elevator.

    *

    ¡°Thank you so much, Sir. I''m expecting your email.¡± James shook hands with his client, and they

    both walked out of the office.

    His client walked to the elevator and pressed the button, he waited for the door to open. James

    stood not so far from the elevator, expecting Amelia.

    ¡®That girl has some guts visiting mypany. Who the f**k told her toe here? I bet her uncle

    that gave her such a stupid idea.¡¯

    The elevator finally opened, and Amelia trudged out of it. ¡°Good day, sir.¡± She greeted James¡¯ client

    and gave way for him to step in.

    ¡°Good day,¡± He responded and stood in the elevator. She looked up and her eyes fell on James. He

    was about five meters away from her and his dangerous dark eyes peered at her with a straight

    face.

    He looked more handsome than he was when she first saw him. His hair was ck as a raven and

    waved in a very attractive quiff haircut.

    His hands were buried in the pockets of his white, neatly-ironed trousers, a ck belt held his

    trousers steadfastly to his waist, and his blue button-up shirt was neatly tucked in it.

    He rolled his sleeves up to his forearms, exposing his glittering silver wristwatch.

    Amelia lost her voice as she was lost scrutinizing James'' look, and he noticed this.

    ¡°Are you going to keep drooling or you get straight to the point? Why are you here?¡± His deep,

    threatening voice approached Amelia and echoed in her perfect ears.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ here to apologize.¡± She finally found her voice.

    ¡°Apologize?¡± He scoffed, and Amelia bounced her head slowly.

    She nervously fiddled her fingers, waiting for the next words. James turned away from her and

    began to walk away.

    ¡°If you are going to apologize to me, then you have to follow me,¡± He said, without looking back.

    ¡®Follow you? To where?¡¯ Amelia asked herself and hurriedly shuffled behind him like a maid

    following her strict boss.

 Chapter 5: A conditioned forgiveness

    Chapter 5: A conditioned forgiveness

    James got to his office, opened the door and strutted in. Amelia followed behind him before the door

    closed. She looked around his office and was lost in its beauty.

    His office smelled like new books. Its wall and tiles were white and sparkling clean, the white PVC

    blind folds that hung on his window were without blemish, and the chairs, desk and couch were

    seated at the right spot.

    Two leather office chairs were in front of his polished wooden desk, and behind his desk was an

    executive chair for him.

    He headed to his desk and sat on its edge. His right leg hung in the air, while his left leg was on the

    floor.

    The right leg of his trousers pulled up as he sat, revealing his thick ck socks and a tiny part of his

    hairy yet clean leg.

    ¡°Now, tell me. What are you here for?¡± He ced his arms on his right leg and stared at her.

    ¡°Ermm, I am here to apologize for what happened at the partyst night.¡± She bowed her head as

    she spoke.

    ¡°And what happened at the partyst night?¡± He rumpled his eyebrows at her.

    Amelia raised her head and looked at him.

    ¡®Why is he asking me that? He knows very well what happened. Do we have to go over that again?¡¯

    ¡°I made you fall and embarrassed you in front of everyone,¡± She responded.

    His re at her made her so ufortable, so she bent her head. She folded her hands at her

    back and kept her head bowed.

    James¡¯ eyes trailed down her body, from her head to her toes. Amelia wasn¡¯t looking at his face, but

    she could feel he was staring at her.

    ¡°Was that only what you did?¡± He asked, and she bounced her head slowly.

    ¡°So you are going to skip the part where you stole a kiss, and I had to hit my butts on the floor?!¡±

    His voice grew louder, and Amelia flinched.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry about that too. It was a mistake, and I promise it won¡¯t happen again,¡± She said, and

    James let out a slight coldugh.

    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again? You don¡¯t have to say that before I know. Nothing would make me kiss

    someone like you. You should be happy you got that close to me in the first ce,¡± He stated, and

    Amelia nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Mr. James. Please ept my apology.¡± She raised her head and looked at his face.

    It was the same cold look he had on.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who made you believe you could apologize to me like this, and I would listen. You

    don¡¯t know the person you have messed with.¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Amelia felt threatened by his words. She was confused and didn¡¯t know what to do anymore.

    ¡°Please, Mr. James, ept my apology. I¡¯m in serious need of it. My uncle won¡¯t be happy until you

    have epted my apology. I have wronged you, and I am sincerely sorry. I would do anything to

    make you forgive me.¡± She bent her upper body lower than before, and she made her two palms

    touch like she was saying a prayer.

    ¡°You would do anything, hun?¡± He asked and stood up from his desk. He took slow but definite

    steps to Amelia. And every step he took made Amelia¡¯s pulse race like a train.

    She looked up and when she saw he was getting very close, she began to move back slowly.

    James kept approaching her, and she kept walking backward. She clenched her jaw as she felt pain

    in her injured leg. She had mistakenly applied pressure on it.

    Shivers ran down her spine as different scary thoughts ran through her head.

    ¡®What is he going to do? Why is heing so close? Is he going to hit me? Is he going to push me

    to the floor as I did at the party?¡¯

    James saw that she was very close to the couch, and the corner of his lips curved in an evil smirk.

    Before Amelia knew it, she fell on the couch, and her wounded leg sent an agonizing message up

    her spine and into her brain.

    ¡°Arrghh,¡± She groaned and grabbed her left leg in anguish. James crinkled his eyebrows and moved

    back immediately after he heard her groan.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He sounded scared.

    Amelia squeezed her eyes and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Please ept my apology, Mr.

    James,¡± She responded, and he scoffed.

    ¡°So you pretended to be in pain so that I can forgive you, hun?¡±

    He leaned forward and ced his hands on the backrest of the couch, not so far from her head.

    Amelia¡¯s eyes widened, and she quickly lowered her head.

    She felt her heart falter as the same scent she perceived from his body at the party overshadowed

    the air around her.

    ¡°I¡­ I am not pretending. My leg really hurts,¡± She muttered.

    James kept his face very close to her head and said, ¡°You look at me when talking.¡± He gritted his

    teeth as he spoke.

    Amelia rapidly raised her head and looked into his eyes. His face was less than two inches from

    hers.

    Her gorgeous blue eyes bore deep into his alluring ck and slightly big eyes. After some minutes,

    the stare was too intense for her, and she slowly dropped her eyes on his straight, downward-

    pointing nose.

    It was so smooth that she wanted to run her finger on it real quick. Under his nose and above his

    Cupid-shaped upper lip, was his light stubble mustache which connected with his neatly trimmed

    beards.

    Amelia further went on to explore the lips that took the virginity of her lips. His lips were plump and

    wet like he had a gloss on, but he didn¡¯t.

    As she kept staring, his sexy lips parted, and Amelia heard his seductive voice in her ears.

    ¡°Why do I feel like you want another kiss from me?¡± James gleamed seductively, and she quickly

    threw her face to the side.

    ¡°No, Mr. James. I want nothing but forgiveness from you. That¡¯s all,¡± She mumbled, and James let

    out a sigh. His fresh, minty breath brushed her face and her eyes fell shut.

    James saw her cheeks reddened, and he moved back, letting out a littleugh.

    ¡°You said you are hurt, right? Let me see. I can¡¯t forgive a liar.¡± He turned the office chair that was

    closer to him and sat on it. He stared at her, waiting for her to show him her injured leg.

    Amelia carefully stretched her left leg forward and rolled up her pants slowly. She was very careful

    not to touch the bandage that was wrapped around her wound.

    She stopped rolling her jeans directly below her knees, exposing her slender leg. James stared at

    the bandage on her leg and then looked at her face.

    ¡°When did this happen?¡± He asked, and she looked at his face. ¡®Is he worried about me?¡¯ She

    thought before answering. ¡°Last night.¡±

    She pulled down her rolled up pants and dragged her leg to herself.

    ¡°Well, that is none of my business,¡± He responded coldly and stood up. He walked to his executive

    chair and sat on it.

    ¡°You will have my forgiveness on one condition.¡°

    Hearing his statement, Amelia held onto the backrest firmly and stood up. She hopped forward and

    looked at him.

    ¡°What is the condition, Mr. James?¡± She asked anxiously.

    ¡°You have stolen something from me, and now you are indebted to me. You have to look for what I

    love the most and do it for me. Then I¡¯ll forgive you,¡± He said, and Amelia furrowed her brows. She

    was lost.

    ¡°What do you love the most, Mr. James? I¡¯ll look for it and bring it to you.¡±

    The eagerness in her voice made James scoff. He knew she was yet to realize the mess she had

    gotten herself into.

    ¡°That is yours to figure out. Leave my office now. I have work to do.¡± He picked up the file thatid in

    front of him, and opened it.

    She opened her mouth to speak but was shunned by James¡¯ hand that extended in the air.

    ¡°That will be all for now. I don¡¯t want to hear anything from that mouth of yours.¡±

    He picked up the casing of his rmended sses and opened it. He put it on and crossed his

    legs. He lifted the file and began to read it.

    Amelia nodded her head slowly and turned to leave. She dragged her feet to the door and opened

    it. James took onest look at her with a smirk on his face before she finally shuffled out of the

    office.

    She trudged to the elevator and pressed the open button. She waited for the elevator door to open

    and when it opened, Ava walked majestically out of it.

    Amelia¡¯s heart stopped beating when she saw her. She was dressed in a very short and exposing

    pink gown.

    She wore a pink fur hat that held her blonde hair together, and on her skinny legs were shining,

    expensive, pink boot-heels.

    She ran her brown eyes over Amelia¡¯s body with disgust, and before Amelia could make way for

    her, she pushed her off the way, and Amelia fell to the ground.

    She made sure she protected her bruised leg at all costs, and shended on her right side.

    ¡°A Filthy person like you shouldn¡¯t be found in ssy ces like this. You are going to pollute the

    air.¡±

    She emitted an evilughter and strutted away, swaying her hips like they weren¡¯t firmly attached to

    her waist.

    Amelia stared at her and saw her enter James¡¯ office. ¡®She didn¡¯t bother to knock. What is going on

    between them? Are they together?¡¯

 Chapter 6: First step to earning his forgiveness.

    Chapter 6: First step to earning his forgiveness.

    Ava didn¡¯t bother knocking on James¡¯ office door before opening the door and walking in. James

    lifted his head from hisputer to look at who had disrespectfully barged into his office.

    When he saw it was Ava, he heaved a sigh. ¡®Only she can do such a silly thing.¡¯

    ¡°Hi, James.¡± She smiled softly and approached his desk. ¡°What do you want, Ava? I told you I don¡¯t

    like disturbance at the office.¡± He shifted his gaze back to hisputer and kept working.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay? You have been ignoring me, so I decided to pay you a visit.¡± She walked past the

    chairs and headed to where he sat.

    She touched his face with her right hand, and he looked at her. ¡°Stop it, Ava.¡± He moved her hand

    away from his face.

    ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you love me anymore?¡± She asked, and he scoffed. ¡°Love you? When have I ever said

    I love you, Ava?¡± He looked at her unbelievably.

    ¡°What? But, we¡­¡± ¡°We had one night of pleasure and that is all, Ava. No feelings attached. I made

    that clear before we kicked off, didn¡¯t I?¡± He asked, and Ava gulped hard.

    ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t want to be just a one night stand. I want us to start going out.¡± She wanted to reach

    for his face but he moved his face away.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, Ava, and stop dreaming. We are never going to happen. I don¡¯t date, and I don¡¯t

    court. I f**k you and move on.¡±

    Ava felt her heart burst inside of her when she heard the words that proceeded out of James¡¯

    mouth. She had always dreamed of them being a couple, but he kept pushing her away.

    Her eyes heated up, and she moved away from his desk.

    She reached for her tissue paper in her pinkrge bag and tore some. She cleaned her eyes neatly

    so that she wouldn¡¯t ruin her mascara.

    She looked at James again and saw he paid her no attention. She turned her back and walked to

    the door.

    ¡®I¡¯m not going to give up on you, James. I promise I am going to have you to myself alone. No one is

    going to have you except me!¡¯

    *

    Amelia got home and tiredly crashed on her bed. She exhaled loudly and closed her eyes. She

    reyed the scenes at James¡¯ office again.

    As she thought about it, she could perceive his cologne full her nostrils again. She creased her

    brows and opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling. ¡®How am I still perceiving him?¡¯

    She suddenly heard a loud knock on her door, and she raised her head and looked at the door.

    ¡°Who is it?¡± She asked, resting her elbows on the bed and raising her lower body.

    ¡°Open up, Amelia.¡± She heard Hudson¡¯s disembodied voice. She shut her eyes tight and stood up

    from the bed.

    She hopped to the door and opened it. Hudson leaned on the door frame and when she opened the

    door, he leaned forward that their heads almost touched.

    Amelia moved back very fast, and he walked into her room. ¡°What do you want, Hudson?¡± She

    asked, and he smirked.

    He looked around her room and then at her. ¡°Why would you ask me that question in my house?¡±

    He asked, and she bounced her head slowly. ¡°Sorry,¡± She mumbled.

    He tucked his arms on his chest, still watching her. ¡°My room needs cleaning. I need you toe

    and take care of it,¡± He said, and Amelia couldn¡¯t help but knit her eyebrows.

    ¡°Your room? But, the maids are¡­¡± She stopped talking when Hudson spoke up again.

    ¡°And what are you? Don¡¯t tell me you see yourself as one of us.¡± He let out a littleugh of mockery,

    and she clenched her jaw. She felt embarrassed.

    ¡°Can I please rest a little? I promise to clean your room when I wake up.¡± She lowered her head,

    and Hudson arched his eyebrow.

    ¡°Rest a little? You haven¡¯t done anything today. What are you resting for?¡±

    He made his hands fall from his chest, and when she saw this, her heart started thumping against

    her chest. She could think of nothing but him hitting her for what she had said.

    ¡°I went to see Mr. James today, and I am very exhausted because of the injury on my leg. But I

    promise, once I¡¯m awake, I¡¯ll do exactly what you want me to do.¡±

    She lowered her head and prayed silently that he allowed her rest. ¡°Injury? When did you sustain an

    injury? Let me see it.¡± He threw his head forward after speaking.

    Amelia nodded and reached for the left leg of her pants. She pulled it up and when it was above the

    wounded spot, she stopped.

    She could see some traces of blood on the bandage. ¡°What happened to you? How did you get

    injured?¡± He asked, and Amelia raised her head to look at him.

    ¡®Why is he asking so many questions? Does he care about me now? But if I tell him it¡¯s Ava, won¡¯t

    he do something bad to me?¡¯

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    ¡°Ava did it right?¡± He butted in, and Amelia nodded slowly.

    ¡®How did he know?¡¯

    He sped his lips, and she saw a smile light up his face. Immediately, he burst into a loudughter.

    ¡°God, Ava is something else! She told me she broke your leg but I was too shocked to believe. So

    it¡¯s true.¡±

    He keptughing, and Amelia bowed her head. Tears hurriedly heated her eyes, and that streamed

    out without hindrances.

    ¡®Was that supposed to be funny?¡¯ She questioned herself inwardly as she sobbed.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m so sorry for not giving a f**k about your leg. I want you in my room now.¡± He headed to

    where she was standing and stood right in front of her. He was so close that his breath touched her

    forehead.

    Amelia swallowed hard and sped her eyes when she felt him very close to her.

    He raised his hand and ran his finger on her silky hair. He moved his nose to hair and sniffed it

    deeply, his eyes fell shut.

    Amelia moved back after he sniffed her hair. She didn¡¯t know what he was doing, but she didn¡¯t like

    any of it. ¡°I¡¯ll clean your room now,¡± She muttered, looking at his face.

    He had a weird, unexinable look on his face and this made Amelia very ufortable.

    He began to approach her slowly, and she began to move back. Before her back hit the door, a

    knock was heard again.

    Hudson lifted his gaze from her and made it fall on the door. Amelia let out a sigh of relief as she

    believed whoever it was had saved her from Hudson and his weird attitude.

    ¡°Amelia, are you home?¡± They heard Freddie say from outside her room.

    ¡°Yes, Uncle. I¡¯m back.¡± She said, keeping her eyes on Hudson.

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Open the door,¡± He said, folding his arms again. Amelia grabbed the

    door knob and pulled the door to herself.

    She put on a fake smile as she looked at Freddie. ¡°Wee back, Uncle.¡± Freddie nodded and

    looked up to see Hudson inside her room.

    He narrowed his gaze at him and walked in. ¡°Hi, Dad.¡± Hudson smiled widely.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Freddie asked, also smiling. ¡°I came here to see Amelia. I heard she

    has an injury, so I came to greet her.¡± Freddie smiled with great emotions and said, ¡°That is so nice

    of you, Son. I appreciate your care towards Amelia.¡±

    Hudson nodded and looked at Amelia who just watched them nkly. ¡°I¡¯ll excuse you both,¡± Hudson

    said, and he approached the door.

    He got to where Amelia was and rubbed her hair, just like how a dog owner rubs her dog¡¯s head.

    He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, ¡°Consider yourself lucky today. Next time, he won¡¯t be

    around to save you.¡±

    Amelia fearfully smiled and looked at his face. ¡°Thank you for your care.¡± She responded.

    Hudson walked out of her room and as soon as she was out, she turned her head to look at

    Freddie. He sat on the bed and tapped the space next to him.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about your visit to James¡¯ office.¡± He said, and she nodded.

    ¡°I apologized to him, but he has yet to forgive me. He told me I have to find what he loves the most

    and do it for him.¡± She sat next to Freddie, and he stared at her with confusion written all over him.

    ¡°What does he love the most?¡± He asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, uncle. I asked him but he asked me to find that out myself. I don¡¯t know what to do,

    Uncle,¡± Amelia said, and Freddie exhaled.

    Without uttering any words, he pulled out his phone from the pockets of his trousers and searched

    his call log.

    Amelia furrowed her eyebrows as she watched him. She wondered what he wanted to do but she

    kept mute. Soon, Freddie put his phone on his ear and waited some seconds before talking.

    ¡°Charles,¡± He uttered, and Amelia¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡®Mr. Charles? James¡¯ father?¡¯

    ¡°Freddie. How is it going?¡± Charles asked from the other end of the phone.

    ¡°Your son asked her to look for what he loves the most and do it for him. Do you have any idea what

    it could be?¡± Freddie asked, and Amelia nodded as she listened to him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Freddie. I have no idea. What James loves the most is best known by him. She would

    have to know him well before she can figure it out.¡± Freddie looked at Amelia sadly after he heard

    Charles¡¯ response.

    Amelia¡¯s heart skipped when she saw the look on Freddie¡¯s face. She knew something was wrong.

    ¡°Thank you, Charles. I¡¯ll hang up now.¡± Freddie hung up the call and heaved a loud sigh.

    ¡°What did he say, uncle?¡± Amelia asked.

    ¡°ording to Charles, You will have to know James pretty well before you can know what he loves,¡±

    Freddie answered.

    ¡°But, how do I do that? He hates me, Uncle,¡± She said with great worry.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°If you want to know him, I think the best thing you can do is stay close to him and watch him

    closely. And the only way you can do that is only if you work with him.¡±

    Amelia narrowed her gaze as she tried to understand what her uncle was proposing. ¡°What are you

    trying to say, uncle?¡± She asked.

    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is that, you have to apply for a job in hispany. This is the first step to earning

    his forgiveness,¡± He said, and her eyes popped open.

    ¡°But uncle, he is kind of¡­¡± She swallowed her words and bowed.

    ¡°Kind of scary, right?¡± He asked, and she hurriedly bounced her head and looked at him. ¡®Thank

    God I am not the only one that feels that way.¡¯

    ¡°You will have to get used to him then. There is no other way. You have to get close to him. Make

    him like you, and boom! He forgives you and then, I can do business with their family again.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± She slowly nodded and divulged a faint smile. ¡®Why do I find myself in trouble all the time!¡¯

    She screamed in her head.

 Chapter 7: Almost raped

    Chapter 7: Almost raped

    After Freddie left Amelia¡¯s room, she stood up and began to pace in the middle of her room.

    ¡°Can I work in his office? I don¡¯t think so. He hates me, and he is scary.

    This isn¡¯t a good idea. I don¡¯t think I can work well in hispany. What if I ruin something, and I

    have to apologize again! Oh God, this isn¡¯t good. Why is my life like this!¡± Amelia sat on her bed

    again and lowered her head in sadness and thoughts.

    The sudden sound she heard at her door jolted her out of her mind, and she saw Hudson walk in.

    He stood at her door and stared at her with a straight face. ¡°My room is still dirty,¡± He said, and

    Amelia sprang to her feet.

    ¡°I was preparing toe. I. Am. Coming,¡± She stammered, and Hudson moved closer to her. She

    gulped hard and stared at him as he approached her.

    ¡°You were preparing toe and you were sitting?¡± He asked, and she slowly bounced her head.

    She bowed and yed with her fingers nervously.

    ¡°Why are you still waiting? You don¡¯t know the way to my room, or you want me to drag you there?¡±

    He asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m going,¡± she stammered and hurriedly ran past him.

    She headed out of her room and proceeded to Hudson¡¯s room. Hudson also stepped out of her

    room and followed behind her.

    As Amelia walked, she could feel his eyes boring into her back. She swallowed ufortably, and

    when she got to his room, she stopped.

    ¡°Are you going to clean the room with your teeth?¡± Hudson asked, and Amelia looked at him.

    Then she remembered she was yet to pick any cleaning material from the store. ¡°I¡¯ll get the brush

    and mop,¡± She responded and quickly turned to leave.

    She ran to the store which was on the ground floor. As soon as she got to the stairs, she reduced

    her pace because of her injured leg.

    As she got to the ground floor, she heard the main door fling open, and she flinched in fear.

    She saw Ava storm into the house. She looked so angry and as she moved closer, Amelia could

    see tears in her eyes.

    Amelia was too stunned to move because it was the first time she was going to see Ava crying.

    She felt great pity for her and began to approach her. ¡°Ava, are you okay? Are you hurt?¡± Amelia

    asked with worry.

    Ava looked at her with anger and irritation written all over her eyes.

    ¡°How dare you talk to me?!¡± She pointed to Amelia, and Amelia moved back immediately.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was worried and¡­¡± Amelia couldn¡¯t finish her statement before Ava threw a p on her

    face.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stay away from James? Why were you at his office today?!¡± She yelled, and

    Amelia held her chin and began to weep.

    ¡°It was uncle. He asked me to apologize for what happened yesterday. I went there to apologize,

    nothing more. I swear,¡± She cried, but Ava didn¡¯t stop approaching her.

    Ava¡¯s makeup was ruined by her tears and this made her look very scary.

    ¡°Now, you are done apologizing, right? The next time I see you in this office, Amelia!¡±

    She looked at Amelia¡¯s injured leg, and Amelia¡¯s heart began to thump violently against her chest.

    ¡°But¡­ but, Uncle Freddie told me that I have to start working there,¡± Amelia muttered, and Ava¡¯s

    eyes widened.

    ¡°What?!¡± She roared, and Amelia began to pant seriously.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to, but that is what Uncle wants and I can¡¯t say no to him,¡± Amelia added.

    Ava started heading to her in rage again. But before she could get closer, Hudson stood in between

    them.

    ¡°Not now, Ava,¡± He said.

    ¡°Get out of my way, Hudson! Let me break her leg!¡± Ava roared, trying to get Amelia from behind

    Hudson.

    ¡°Calm down, Ava. Not yet, okay? Let her clean my room first,¡± He said, and Ava moved back.

    ¡°F**k both of you!¡± She yelled and stormed out of the living room.

    Hudson turned and looked at Amelia. ¡°Thank you,¡± Amelia mumbled in tears, and he scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t

    thank me. I didn¡¯t save you. After you clean my room. I¡¯ll personally lead you to her room,¡± He said

    and walked out of the living room.

    Amelia huffed her hot breath and turned to leave too.

    ***

    Amelia got to Hudson''s room and saw his door was open. She walked into the room slowly and saw

    Hudson sitting on his bed. He looked up from theptop in front of him and looked at her face.

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Get to work,¡± He ordered, and she bounced her head.

    She dropped the cleaning bucket on the floor and walked to where Hudson was with the brush in

    her hand. She started sweeping the floor from the wall behind the bed, and as she did this, Hudson

    couldn¡¯t get his eyes off her.

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Amelia noticed how he kept staring at her, and she became ufortable. But, she had no choice

    than to keep sweeping.

    She kept sweeping when all of a sudden, she felt him touch her butts. She flinched and turned back

    to see Hudson smirking.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± She asked fearfully, and Hudson scoffed.

    ¡°What does it look like, Amelia?¡± He asked and slowly got out of bed.

    Amelia swallowed hard and began to move backwards. ¡°Please stay away. Let me finish cleaning

    your room,¡± Amelia muttered and lowered her head.

    Hudson kept walking towards her, and she kept walking backward.

    Amelia hit the wall with her back, and Hudson trapped her with his two hands, one at her right and

    one at her left.

    Amelia held onto the wall fearfully, she felt her heart sink into her belly as Hudson moved his face

    closer to her.

    ¡°I have always been wondering what you keep under these ugly clothes of yours,¡± He muttered and

    moved his right hand to her face.

    He traced his finger on her face, and Amelia began to pant.

    ¡°Please¡­¡±

    ¡°Shhh.¡±

    Hudson ced his index finger on her lips, making her shut up.

    ¡°I have always waited for a time like this, but I wanted you to finish college, I believed you would

    have grown older, and I¡¯m not wrong. You are looking like a woman now, aren¡¯t you?¡± He chuckled

    wickedly and raised her head to meet his.

    ¡°Please, let me go.¡±

    Amelia closed her eyes tight. It was like she was in a dream. To her little understanding, she could

    guess what Hudson was trying to do.

    ¡®He is my cousin. Why would he see me like this? I am his sister.¡¯ She thought but she did not say it

    out loud.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Amelia. I won¡¯t take your time. I¡¯ll just insert my c*ck in that private door of yours, bang

    your a little, and then let you go. Boom! We are done!¡± He yelled in her ear, and she jumped.

    ¡°I¡¯m your sister, Hudson,¡± Amelia said, and Hudson spanked her face with his finger.

    ¡°I said don¡¯t talk!¡± He grabbed her hair and began to pull her to his bed.

    ¡°Hudson! You are hurting me! Let me go!¡± Amelia screamed in terror.

    ¡°Scream all you want, Amelia. Father is not home to save you this time.¡± He roared inughter and

    threw her on his bed, making her bounce.

    ¡°Please, I beg you. Please.¡± She tried to struggle but he reached for her injured leg and grabbed it.

    ¡°Any more words from your mouth, I¡¯ll punch your wound! Got it?¡± He said with gritted teeth, and

    she covered her mouth with her hand and nodded. Hudson smirked and grabbed her shirt.

    He ripped the shirt into two, and Amelia broke into more tears. Hudson grinned as he grabbed her

    juicy peaks from inside her bra.

    ¡°I knew you were hiding such beauty under your ugly clothes,¡± He said, still squeezing her b**bs like

    he was possessed.

    ¡°Hudson, stop!¡± Amelia smacked his hand off her in rage, and Hudson grew madder.

    He pped her again, and her head moved to the other side. He moved his hand down to her pants

    and grabbed its zip.

    He unzipped her pants and pulled them down her thighs roughly.

    ¡°No! Please.¡± Amelia shook her head but he was paying no attention to her.

    ¡°Hudson?¡±

    The door suddenly opened, and Freddie walked in. His eyes popped wide open when he saw

    Hudson on top of Amelia.

    ¡°Hudson!¡±

 Chapter 8: A new apartment, a new friend

    Chapter 8: A new apartment, a new friend

    ¡°Dad? I thought you went out,¡± Hudson uttered and got off Amelia quickly.

    ¡°What the hell do you think you are doing?¡± Freddie fumed to where Hudson stood and threw a p

    to his face.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? She is your sister!¡± Freddie yelled in anger, and Hudson divulged a

    frown.

    ¡°She isn''t my sister!¡± he yelled. Freddie clenched his fist and looked at Amelia, who covered her

    body with his duvet.

    ¡°Go to your room, Amelia,¡± Freddie ordered her, and she bobbed. She wrapped her body with the

    duvet and wept as she ran to the door.

    ¡°Hey¡­ my duvet!¡± Hudson yelled, and Freddie raised his hand in the air to p him again.

    ¡°Dad, that is enough. You and I know that she isn¡¯t my sister. We are not rted. Why do you keep

    lying to her?¡±

    ¡°Shut up, Hudson! Shut that filthy mouth of yours! Amelia is always going to be family, okay?

    Whether you like it or not. And trust me, Hudson, you are going to pay for this!¡± Freddie poked his

    chest and boiled out of his room.

    ¡°Oh God, what the hell is happening?¡± Freddie thought as he headed back to Amelia¡¯s room.

    ¡®What if I didn¡¯t return to the house? What if I had gone to the meeting? He would have raped her!

    Oh. My. God. This isn¡¯t happening.¡¯

    He got to Amelia¡¯s door, he could hear her sobbing inside the room, and he calmly knocked on the

    door.

    ¡°Hey, Amelia. It¡¯s me, Freddie. I would love to talk to you, but if you don''t want to talk now, it¡¯s fine. I

    cane backter,¡± He said, cing his hand on the door.

    Soon he heard her approach the door and saw the door knob turn. He moved his hand from the

    door as she opened the door.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, we can talk now,¡± Amelia mumbled and shuffled back to her bed.

    She sat on the bed, and Freddie slowly approached her. He sat next to her and lowered his head.

    He didn''t know where to start from, but he spoke up anyway.

    ¡°Is this the first time he is doing this to you?¡± He asked and looked at her. Amelia cleaned her teary

    eyes and slowly nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Amelia. I never knew he had such stupid thoughts about you. I know this is a stupid

    question but are you okay?¡± Amelia nodded again and looked at his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay, uncle. I¡¯m happy you came back on time,¡± She muttered and lowered her head again.

    Freddie closed his eyes and exhaled loudly.

    ¡°Tell me, Amelia, have my children always been nice to you? Be truthful, and don¡¯t lie to me.¡± He

    looked at her, and Amelia huffed.

    She looked at him and slowly shook her head. ¡°No, uncle. They have never been nice to me,¡± She

    cried.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ever tell me?¡± He asked, and she shook her head. ¡°I didn¡¯t want any more troubles,

    uncle. They never saw me as a sister, uncle.¡± She cried even more, and Freddie felt so hurt.

    He pulled her to himself and hugged her firmly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amelia. I¡¯m sorry I never noticed their

    irresponsible attitude.¡± He brushed his palm on her hair as he spoke.

    ¡°I understand, uncle. You don¡¯t have to be sorry.¡± Amelia raised her head and looked at him.

    ¡°You can¡¯t keep living here, Amelia. This house isn¡¯t safe for you. I don¡¯t know the crazy thing they

    could do to you when I leave for work or meetings,¡± Freddie uttered, and Amelia¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°But uncle, I have nowhere else to go. Please don¡¯t chase me out, I don¡¯t have any other family. I

    can endure it.¡± Amelia wept bitterly and held his hand. He shook his head and caressed her hand

    slowly.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I am not chasing you, Amelia. I¡¯m trying to keep you safe. Listen to me, I¡¯ll get you another

    apartment. Far from here but close to James¡¯pany. You can start living there and then you can

    go to work with ease from there,¡± He said.

    ¡°But¡­ but, do I have to work in hispany? Is there no other way to gain his forgiveness?¡±

    Amelia asked, and Freddie shook his head.

    ¡°That is what Charles wants. When I was on my way out, he called me to inform me that James had

    fired his secretary some days ago, and he would love you to fill that vacuum. He said he believes

    you will do better since you have the brains,¡± Freddie told her with a smile.

    ¡°But why me? There are other good and intelligent people out there. What if James doesn¡¯t want

    me? I disgraced him, Uncle and¡­¡±

    ¡°The more reason why you should work with him. Charles and James work together like partners

    most times, they are both business tycoons. And I need to sign a contract with them. If James

    doesn¡¯t forgive you, he can¡¯t forgive me. I lose this contract, and Charles loses his profit. That is

    why we need you to do this. Please, Amelia, for your uncle.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and sniffed the catarrh that threatened to escape her nostril.

    ¡°Okay, uncle.¡± Freddie smiled and stood up.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get you a new apartment now,¡± He said, and Amelia smiled faintly. Freddie pulled out his

    cellphone from his pocket and stepped out of Amelia¡¯s room.

    After he walked out, the smile on Amelia¡¯s face faded away slowly. She looked at her parent¡¯s

    portrait on her table and more tears rolled down her swollen eyes.

    ¡°Finally I¡¯ll be free, mom and dad. I won¡¯t live in this house anymore. I would finally be happy.¡± A

    smile crept up her face as she kept staring at her parent¡¯s face.

    ¡°Amelia,¡± Freddie called as he entered the room again. ¡°Uncle.¡± She looked at him and stood up.

    ¡°I found an apartment!¡± He announced in excitement, and Amelia chuckled. ¡°So fast?¡± She asked,

    and he bounced his head.

    ¡°This kind of thing shouldn¡¯t be taken with levity. You should start packing your stuff, okay? I¡¯ll take

    you to the new apartment,¡± He said, and Amelia happily bobbed.

    He turned to leave but Amelia stopped him by holding his hand.

    ¡°One more thing, uncle.¡± Freddie turned to look at her and nodded for her to continue.

    ¡°On my graduation day, you told me something about a present. I know I shouldn¡¯t ask but¡­¡±

    ¡°No, you should ask. I promised you. But I don¡¯t think you are ready for that present now, Amelia.

    You are young and fragile,¡± He said, and Amelia creased her brows.

    ¡°I¡¯m twenty, uncle. I am old enough,¡± She responded, and he shook his head.

    ¡°No, Amelia. I¡¯ll tell you when the timees, okay?¡± He asked, and she reluctantly bounced her

    head.

    ¡°Pack your stuff. I¡¯ll take you there.¡± Freddie walked out of her room, and Amelia got to work. She

    started packing her bags with great joy.

    ***

    Freddie pulled up in front of a white building. It was a building with about five floors.

    ¡°So, this is your new apartment. There are about thirty, if not more than, apartments in this building.

    And yours is number eighteen, on the second floor,¡± Freddie said as he opened the door and

    stepped down.

    Amelia also stepped down and headed to the back of the car where her luggages was. Freddie also

    moved to the back of the car and helped Stephanie open the boot.

    They started carrying her bags into the house, and Freddie took the lead. They walked through the

    corridor and climbed the stairs, carrying bags in their hands.

    They got to the second floor and sighted the door with number eighteen on the left. They got in front

    of the door and saw apartment number seventeen in front of Amelia¡¯s apartment.

    ¡°Maybe you will start making friends now,¡± Freddie said and opened the door with the key he had

    collected from the agent that gave the apartment to him.

    As soon as he opened the door, the door behind them opened, and they looked back.

    A beautifuldy walked out of the room and when Amelia saw her, she was stunned. She was so

    beautiful, her eyes were just like Amelia¡¯s, blue and almond-shaped.

    Her hair was blonde, and her lips were full. They both stared at each other for some minutes before

    Freddie broke the silence from inside the apartment.

    ¡°Amelia, where are you? The bags please,¡± He said, and Amelia blinked. ¡°I¡¯ming, uncle,¡± She

    responded, and she smiled at thedy that stared at her.

    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Amelia,¡± Amelia waved at her, and thedy smiled too.

    ¡°I¡¯m Elena. Nice to meet you, new neighbor,¡± She responded, and Amelia giggled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get busy now,¡± Amelia pointed into her apartment, and Elena nodded.

    ¡°Great. Can I help?¡± She asked, and Amelia¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°You want to help me arrange my stuff?¡± She asked in surprise, and Elena bobbed. ¡°Yes, I do,¡±

    Elena stepped out of her room and locked her door behind her.

    ¡°Okay, great. Thank you,¡± Amelia said, and she lifted her bag happily and headed into the house.

    She looked at Elena again.

    ¡®She has the same eyes as me, and she is so nice. I never knew blondes could be nice. I like her.¡¯

    Amelia smiled at Elena again as she also carried a bag into the house.

 Chapter 9: Make me a cup of coffee

    Chapter 9: Make me a cup of coffee

    ¡°Thank you so much for helping me arrange yesterday, Elena. I would have had to do all of the work

    alone if you weren¡¯t around. My uncle had an emergency meeting,¡± Amelia said to Elena as she

    stood in front of her door.

    Amelia was dressed in a white ironed shirt and ck office pants. She carried a ck tote bag

    which hung on her shoulders. In her bag were her credentials. She was fully prepared to apply for a

    job at James¡¯pany.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Amelia. You are my new neighbor and it¡¯s only nice of me to help you out,¡± Elena

    responded, and Amelia bounced her head happily.

    ¡°So¡­ where are you headed? You are off to work?¡± She asked, and Amelia heaved a sigh. ¡°Not

    really, Elena. I¡¯m just going to apply for a job. I hope I¡¯m epted into thepany.¡±

    Elena smiled and nodded. ¡°You seem smart. You will be epted. I wish you good luck.¡± Amelia

    nodded and smiled widely. ¡°Thank you. And you? You aren¡¯t going to work?¡± She asked, and Elena

    shook her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m yet to secure a job. But I have it under control. You should quickly head to thepany now.

    You don¡¯t want to bete,¡± Elena said, Amelia bobbed.

    ¡°True. See you soon.¡± Amelia waved at Elena and hurried down the corridor. She could feel Elena¡¯s

    eye boring into her back. She looked back and waved at her again. Elena waved for thest time

    and entered her apartment.

    Amelia chuckled happily as she headed out. ¡®Finally, I have someone I can call my friend. She is so

    nice and beautiful.¡¯ Amelia couldn¡¯t stop thinking about her new friend.

    ***

    Amelia sat in front of James¡¯ office after she got to thepany. She was asked to wait in front of

    his office by the receptionist.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    After some minutes, she heard someone approach her. She looked up and when she saw James

    approaching, she sprang to her feet. ¡°Mr. James. Good morning, sir,¡± She lowered her head.

    James stood in front of Amelia, his hands buried in the pockets of his new deep-blue zer pants,

    and stared at her from head to toe.

    He could notice how neatly ironed her shirt was, though it was a little bit big for her.

    Her pants were also ironed and big. ¡®What¡¯s with her and big clothes?¡¯

    He moved his eyes to the bag that was in her hand, and he could see her file. It was bigger than her

    bag, so she couldn¡¯t zip it. Her shoe was the same she wore the first time she came to see him.

    Amelia was forced to look when she noticed how quiet he was. ¡®God, what is he thinking now?¡¯

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± He asked, and she quickly reached for the file in her bag and pulled it out.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to apply for a job, Mr. James. I would love to work in this greatpany of yours.¡± She

    bowed severally as she spoke, and this made James smirk.

    James uttered no words, instead he headed to his door and opened it. He walked into the office and

    left the door open.

    Amelia interpreted it to be a e in¡± gesture, so she hurried and followed behind him. He picked

    up a remote from his desk, pointed it to his Air conditioner and switched it on.

    He walked to his chair, removed his blue zers and hung it on his chair.

    ¡°Tell me, Amelia, give me one reason why I should employ you to work in mypany.¡± He sat on

    his chair, crossed his legs and stared at her.

    ¡°Because I¡¯mpetent, I have a very good result, I¡¯m hardworking, I¡­¡± She stopped counting her

    fingers when James raised his hand.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I didn¡¯t give you the opportunity to boast in front of me, woman,¡± He said, and

    Amelia sped her lips. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir.¡± She bowed, and he sighed.

    ¡°So, you want me to employ you even when I¡¯m yet to forgive you, hun?¡± He asked, and she

    bobbed.

    Amelia dropped her bag on the couch in his office and walked up to him. James¡¯ eyes widened as

    he watched her approach him. ¡°Mr. James, please¡­¡±

    She reached for his hand and held it tightly. James¡¯ jaw dropped in shock as he looked at her hand

    on his.

    ¡°Please, Mr. James, I need this job and your forgiveness. Everything depends on it.¡± She raised his

    hand and ced it on her forehead.

    James furrowed his brows and kept staring at her in awe. ¡®She has the guts to touch me?¡¯ He could

    perceive the aroma of the coconut oil she used to moisturize her hair.

    Amelia soon realized what she was doing, and she quickly dropped his hand and moved away.

    ¡°Oh. My¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. James. I didn¡¯t mean to touch you, I¡­ I was carried away. I was too¡­¡±

    ¡°Make me a cup of coffee¡­ now,¡± James interrupted her speech, and her mouth slightly fell open.

    ¡°A cup of coffee?¡± She ashes with confusion registered all over her face.

    ¡°The first thing I check in my secretary is how good her coffee is. This is your first assignment.¡± He

    pulled his chair closer to the desk and switched on hisputer.

    ¡°Oh God! Your secretary! Thank you so much, Mr. James. I promise this will be the best coffee you

    have ever drank!¡± Amelia uttered with great excitement.

    ¡°And if it isn''t the best I''ve drank, you lose the job, and you will have another reason to ask for my

    forgiveness,¡± James responded without looking at her face.

    Amelia took James¡¯ words as a threat, and it sent shivers down her spine.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best, Mr. James. I¡¯ll be back with the coffee soon!¡± She walked to the door, and before

    she stepped out, she turned to look at him.

    ¡°How do you like your coffee, Mr. James?¡± She asked, and James raised his eyeball under his lids.

    ¡°If I tell you, how will it be an assignment? Find out for yourself. I need to work now,¡± He responded,

    and she slowly bounced her head.

    She got out of the office and headed to the receptionist. ¡°Hi, Ma¡¯am. Please where is the kitchen

    around here? Maybe the restaurant or¡­¡± The receptionist pointed to her right hand side, and

    Amelia stopped talking.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± She responded and walked away.

    She headed to where the receptionist pointed to, and she found the kitchen. It was more or less like

    a restaurant.

    She saw a woman behind the counter, and she hurried to meet her. ¡°Hi, Ma¡¯am,¡± Amelia greeted

    with an energetic smile and tone.

    ¡°Hi! What would you like to have?¡± She asked and raised her head to look at Amelia.

    ¡°I would love to make a cup of coffee for Mr. James. Can you please let me?¡± She asked, and the

    woman broke intoughter.

    ¡°Cup of coffee? For Mr. James? Are you new to thispany?¡± She asked, and Amelia creased her

    brows and slowly nodded.

    ¡°Yes. Why are youughing, Ma¡¯am? I can¡¯t make coffee here?¡± Amelia was confused. ¡°Who gave

    you such an idea? Everyone knows Mr. James doesn¡¯t take coffee. He drinks tea, not coffee.¡±

    ¡°What? But¡­ but, he¡­¡± Amelia stopped talking and sighed loudly.

    ¡®What do I do now? What if I make coffee and he rejects it? What if I make tea and he tells me it is

    against his instructions?¡¯

    Amelia grabbed her head weakly, and the woman couldn¡¯t stop staring at her.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? If you still want to make the coffee, it¡¯s fine. I just felt I should tell you.¡±

    Amelia nodded and smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯ll make tea instead.¡± ¡®I hope I don¡¯t regret this.¡¯

 Chapter 10: Where am I going?

    <strong>Where am I going?</strong>

    Amelia carefully carried James¡¯ cup of tea in her hand. The hot tea was in a coffee disposable cup.

    ¡°Now, I think I obeyed and disobeyed him at the same time. Tea in a coffee cup is coffee.¡±

    She smiled at her cooked-up principle and walked out of the elevator. She proceeded to James'' office and when she got to his door, she could hear him talking.

    She moved her ear closer to the door and tried eavesdropping. Soon, she began to hear another person¡¯s voice. This time it was that of ady. She could barely hear what they were discussing.

    She shrugged her shoulders and knocked on the door. She exhaled softly and waited for him to give her the permission to go in.

    After waiting a few minutes, and she didn¡¯t hear him ask her toe in, she knocked on the door again.

    ¡°Why does she keep knocking?¡± Amelia heard feminine voice, and she furrowed her brows.

    ¡®He asked me to make him a cup of coffee, and I am here to give it to him.¡¯ She thought.

    ¡°If you want to stand there, I¡¯d prefer you don¡¯t keep disturbing me with that knock,¡± James muttered, with his eyes glued to hisputer. He had an important meeting to attend.

    Amelia hastily opened the door and walked in. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I wanted you to give me permission before entering,¡± She carefully walked to his desk.

    She looked at the young woman that sat on the couch with the corner of her eyes. She wasn¡¯t sure who she was to James, but she seemed to rx to be there for business.

    ¡°Here is your¡­¡± Amelia didn¡¯t know what to end her statement with. So she just ced the cup on the table and moved back slowly. This time, she turned her head to look at thedy that sat on the couch. ¡®She is beautiful.¡¯

    ¡°Good day, Ma¡¯am.¡± She bowed slightly and divulged a smile. Thedy trailed her eyes over Amelia¡¯s body from head to toe and gave a disgusted face.

    ¡°James, please don¡¯t tell me this thing is going to get the job. She doesn¡¯t even look learned. Look at how casual she looks. She even brought you coffee when you don¡¯t take coffee,¡± Tina, who happened to be James¡¯ friend, uttered in disgust, and Amelia was forced to look at herself again.

    ¡®Am I that bad?¡¯

    James heaved a sigh and looked at Tina. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. He looked at Amelia and caught her checking herself out.

    ¡°What is in the cup?¡± He asked, and Amelia quickly raised her head.

    ¡°It is tea, Mr. James. I asked two of my friends in the restauranthow you love your coffee, and she told me you don¡¯t take coffee. So I made tea,¡± She responded with her hands folded in nervousness.

    ¡°And did I ask you to make tea?¡± He asked, and she shook her head and gulped hard.

    ¡°I¡­ I thought you made a mistake when you told me to make coffee. I presumed you meant tea,¡± She responded.

    Tina exhaled loudly, making the both of them look at her.

    ¡°Listen, newbie. If you want this job, you need to do more than this. Start with your looks. You don¡¯t look nice. Why would James, a man of such importance go to a meeting with someone looking like a maid?¡±

    Amelia¡¯s eyes heated up quickly. She tried to take all of Tina¡¯s harsh words without crying, but she couldn¡¯t help it. Her eyes failed her and a tear dropped from her eyes.

    She sniffed and bowed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that, Ma¡¯am. I promise I¡¯ll dress better next time,¡± She mumbled, feeling pains in her throat.

    ¡°Look at me,¡± James said after he saw tears streaming out of her eyes.

    Amelia slowly raised her eyes to look at him, and he saw her eyes were red already.

    He smirked and picked up the cup of tea. ¡°You have another assignment.¡±

    He took a sip from the tea and raised his eyebrows. It waswarm, its sugar and milk quantity was moderate, just the way he loved it. He was impressed but he wasn¡¯t going to show that to Amelia.

    ¡°Oh God, please let him like the tea.¡± Amelia prayed silently as she watched his facial expression after he took the sip.

    He dropped the cup and looked at her with the same straight face.

    ¡®Oh no. He doesn¡¯t like it. Will he give me the job now? Why isn¡¯t he saying anything?¡¯ Amelia began to fidget.

    ¡°Tina, I have a meeting to attend to now. You have to leave.¡± He shifted his gaze to Tina, and she bounced her head. She reached for her bag and lifted it.

    She stood up and adjusted her short, fitted gown. She headed to where Amelia stood and moved her mouth to her right ear.

    ¡°Pray he doesn¡¯t give you the job. If he does, you would have more things to deal with other than your looks.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    She made an evil giggle and turned to look at James, who just watched her. ¡°Talk to youter, James.¡± She blew him a kiss and walked out of the office.

    Amelia was glued to where she stood. Tina¡¯s threat kept ringing in her head and it made shivers run down her spine.

    ¡°I told you I have a meeting. Why are you still standing there?¡±

    James stood up and picked up a file. He walked to whereAmelia was and pinned the file on her chest with his hand.

    ¡°Move it! If I get to that meetingte, you have another debt to pay.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s eyes widened, and she bounced her head. She quickly held onto the file as soon as he released it, and she put it in her bag.

    ¡®This means I have the job, right?! I have the job!¡¯ She yelled in her head.

    She walked briskly to the door and stopped all of a sudden. She looked back and saw James looking at her. ¡°Should I dispose of the tea? Since¡­¡±

    ¡°You have two minutes to get to the car outside thepany,¡± James responded coldly. Hearing this, Amelia hurried out of the office and headed to the elevator.

    James hurriedly picked up his cup of tea and gulped all of it at once. He covered the cup and walked out of his office too. He buried his left hand in his trouser pocket and kept the empty cup in his right hand.

    He got out of thepany and met Amelia standing next to his car. Amelia looked at him and noticed the cup in his hand. ¡®Is he taking it with him?¡¯ She wondered.

    James made a turn and walked up to the dustpan that stood not so far from thepany¡¯s entrance. He threw the cup in it, and Amelia gasped silently. ¡®He threw it away. He hates it.¡¯

    He walked back to where she stood, and his driver quicklyalighted and proceeded to the back door. He opened it for James, and he walked in. He sat in the car and his driver closed the door.

    Amelia hurried to the other side and reached for the door. She was about to open the door, when she looked up and saw James ring at her.

    ¡°What do you think you are doing?¡± He asked, and she quickly withdrew her hands. ¡°I want to¡­¡± She stammered, and he scoffed.

    ¡°Why would you think I¡¯d let you in my car? Get a taxi!¡± He smacked, and Amelia bounced her head. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She gave the car a reasonable distance immediately.

    ¡°I must not get to the location before you,¡± James said, and he wound up his window. His car zoomed off, and Amelia ran closer to the road.

    ¡°Taxi!!!¡± She yelled, waving her two hands in the air when she saw a taxi approaching.

    The driver stopped in front of her, and she hurriedly hopped into the car.

    ¡°Where are you going, Ma¡¯am?¡± The driver asked and looked at her in the interior mirror.

    ¡°Where am I going?¡± She responded in a low tone. ¡°Where am I going?!¡± She yelled when she realized she had no idea where the meeting was to take ce.

 Chapter 11: You did it, Amelia!

    Chapter 11: You did it, Amelia!

    ¡°I should be asking you that, ma¡¯am. Where are you going?¡± The driver asked Amelia again. ¡°I don¡¯t

    know! Oh. My. God! He didn¡¯t tell me the location!¡±

    She grabbed the car seats and yanked herself forward. ¡°Start driving!¡± She yelled, making the driver

    flinch.

    ¡°You want me to start driving without a destination?¡±

    ¡°Yes! That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m telling you. Now drive!¡± She yelled, and he dragged the gear

    backwards.

    The car moved forward all of a sudden, throwing Amelia forward even more. ¡°But where¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a ck Mercedes Benz! He is in a ck Mercedes Benz. If you are very fast enough, we will

    meet him and track him till we get to the venue.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, there are more than one Mercedes Benz cars on the highway. You need to be more

    specific, okay?¡±

    ¡°Just keep driving. I can guess it¡¯s his car when I see it. Go as fast as you can!¡±

    Amelia had never been so restless her whole life. It was her first day, and she was going through

    hell already.

    ¡®Maybe Tina wasn¡¯t wrong after all. How would I survive for a week?¡¯ She reminisced as she kept

    scanning the highway with her eyes, looking for James¡¯ car.

    The driver kept driving at a high speed, overtaking any car he could. ¡°Who would have thought I¡¯d

    carry a crazy passenger today.¡± He mumbled to Amelia¡¯s hearing, but she didn¡¯t care.

    Soon Amelia¡¯s eyes fell on the back of a ck Mercedes Benz about 20 feets away from them. Her

    eyes popped wide open, and she stretched her hands towards the windscreen.

    ¡°There! That is his car! Right in front of us. You can see it can¡¯t you?¡± Amelia hit the driver¡¯s

    shoulder happily, and he shot her a deadly look through the interior mirror.

    The car was going at a high speed, and he couldn¡¯t risk turning his head. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to hit me

    miss. At least we have the car. Can you sit back now? You are distracting me and if we are not

    careful, we would have an ident!¡± He yelled.

    Amelia threw herself backwards and heaved a sigh of relief. She beamed widely and looked at the

    driver, who had a huge frown on his face.

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay? I was just too excited when I saw his car. I didn¡¯t mean to hit you,¡± She mumbled.

    The driver shook his head and exhaled softly. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t you just call him and ask for the

    address? Did we have to go through all this stress?¡± He asked, still keeping his eyes on the

    highway.

    ¡°I would have if I had a phone. But I can¡¯t because I don¡¯t have one. And if at all I had, I wouldn¡¯t

    have wanted to call him, he is my boss, and I should have asked that before he left.¡±

    ¡°I must say your boss is kinda mean. When you didn¡¯t remember, why didn¡¯t he tell you? Or rather

    give you a lift. You are going the same way, aren¡¯t you?¡± He asked, and she nodded sadly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m fine. I am not worthy to sit in his car. I don¡¯t mind taking a taxi and following behind

    him. I just don¡¯t want to get on his nerves again.¡±

    She looked out of the window and saw they had gotten very close to James¡¯ car. She stared at the

    body of his car until the taxi moved forward, and she could look at the window.

    She tried looking into his car through the window, but she couldn¡¯t. She forgot it was a tinted ss.

    She sighed and moved her face even closer to the window, and this caught the attention of the

    driver.

    ¡°What are you doing now? Now that we are close, do you want to jump down?¡± He asked, and

    Amelia let out a slightugh.

    ¡°I just wished I could see him. I want to see the surprised look on his face when he sees that I

    caught up with him,¡± She said and looked at the window again.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why you don¡¯t have the slightest knowledge of where you are headed. Like

    why would you even get on the streets without knowing that.¡±

    The driver shook his head in disappointment, and Amelia looked away from James¡¯ car.

    ¡°You can slow down now. If we are too fast, then we won¡¯t see where they are headed. They can be

    in front, but not too far in front.¡±

    Amelia began to feel dryness in her throat, and she slowly rubbed her neck with her hand. She

    needed water. Luckily for her, she had a small water bottle with water in it in her bag.

    She unzipped her bag and reached for her bottle. As she held the bottle, her eyes fell on the file

    James had given her. Her eyes broadened, and she hurriedly drew it out.

    It was the file for the meeting they were headed to. She opened the file and on the first page was

    the name of thepany boldly written.

    ¡°General Financial Co-operations.¡±

    She moved her fingers on the bold writing, and below it was the address. Her jaw cked

    immediately.

    ¡°How did I not think about this? Why am I so stupid? I had the address the whole time!¡± She yelled,

    and the driver turned his head to look at her.

    ¡°What? Are you kidding me!¡± He smacked.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I forgot about the file he gave me! Thepany¡¯s name and the address is in it. I was

    too tense to remember. God, I feel so stupid.¡±

    She hit her forehead with her palm and sped her lips in anger. She felt like a fool.

    ¡°So you know where the General Financial Co-operationspany is?¡± She asked, and the driver

    hit the steering in rage.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me that is where you are going,¡± He muttered in gritted teeth, and Amelia

    narrowed her eyes and slowly bit her lower lip.

    ¡°It is,¡± She said in a very low tone, but the driver heard anyway.

    ¡°I needed just the name, and I¡¯d take you there! You had to put me through all that stress because

    of apany that even a year old child knows? Seriously?¡±

    Amelia moved forward and held her hands up like she wanted to say a prayer. She bowed and said;

    ¡°I swear, I¡¯m so sorry. But can you take me there now? I would love to get there before he gets

    there. We can overtake him now.¡±

    She waited for a few seconds to hear the driver speak, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, she heard the car roar

    and their speed increased. A smile slowly crawled up her face, and she looked up.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± She uttered in happiness. ¡®You did it, Amelia. You did it!¡¯

    ***

    Amelia¡¯s lips parted when the taxi pulled up not so far from thepany. She had asked him to stop

    there.

    Now she understood why he said a year old baby would know thepany. It was super big and

    spacious! It was almost like a skyscraper, if not one.

    In front of thepany were a lot of reporters taking pictures of some people that walked in. ¡°What

    kind of meeting is this?¡± She marveled.

    ¡°We are here now. Can you alight? I have to keep working.¡±

    The voice of the fuming angry driver pulled her wandering mind back. She hurriedly reached inside

    her bag and pulled out some dor notes.

    ¡°How much is it?¡±

    ¡°$50.¡±

    ¡°What?! $50? It¡¯s not up to a thirty minutes drive, sir.¡±

    ¡°Oh really? After stressing the hell out of me you still want to negotiate the price? Fine. I¡¯ll lock the

    door and make sure your boss enters thepany before you.¡±

    He turned to his door, and Amelia quickly pulled his hand. ¡°Fine! Here, have it!¡± She smacked,

    stretching the notes to him.

    He smirked and collected the money from her. She shook her head in frustration and stepped out of

    the taxi. Her body hair stood upright as the fresh air graced her skin.

    She gulped hard when she looked at the entrance to thepany. ¡®Amelia, don¡¯t tell me you are

    going to walk through that door with those people.¡¯

    Her thoughts sent shivers down her spine, and she brushed her arms with her hands. She looked

    down the streets and saw James¡¯ car approaching very fast.

    The car drove past where she stood and stopped right in front of the reporters.

    ¡°Oh God¡­¡± Amelia hurried to where the car had stopped, but she hid behind one of the reporters.

    James¡¯ driver alighted and ran to the back door where James sat. He opened the door and stepped

    aside. James stepped out of the car and instantly, the sh and click sound of cameras filled the air.

    ¡°Ka-chick! Ka-chick!¡±

    James divulged a feeble smile and adjusted his zers. He took a quick look around, and Amelia

    noticed he was looking around.

    ¡®Is he looking for me?¡¯

    She smiled widely and waved at him from where she stood. James¡¯ eyes caught her hands behind

    the reporters, and he let out a smirk.

    He rolled his eyes and started walking to the entrance of thepany.

    ¡®He is going! You need to go with him, Amelia! They are just shes and sounds. You will be in the

    company in no time.¡¯

    She encouraged herself and slowly moved out from the back of the reporter. She looked at the

    narrow path that was created by the reporters and saw that James was in thepany already.

    ¡°Oh, God.¡± She clenched her jaw and let out a loud sigh. She proceeded to the door, walking very

    fast.

    All the reporters turned their heads to look at her, and they started taking pictures of her too.

    Amelia could hear his loud and fast heart beating amidst the loud shutter sounds. Her feets began

    to wobble and a drop of sweat rolled down her back.

    No one had ever paid her so much attention before, and this time, she felt so scared and weird.

    ¡®Almost there. You can do it.¡¯ She looked up and saw she was a few inches away from the door. She

    increased her walking pace and stormed into thepany.

    Immediately she got inside, she grabbed her chest and began to run. She felt nauseous all of a

    sudden and her breathing was very hard.

    She couldn¡¯t see where she was going, and before she knew it, she bumped into someone. She

    looked up and saw it was James.

    ¡°Hm¡­ hmm¡­¡± She held her mouth very tight with her hand as she moaned, and she didn¡¯t think

    twice before running off.

 Chapter 12: A brilliant presentation

    Chapter 12: A brilliant presentation

    After Amelia was done puking, she rinsed her face and ran out of the restroom. She ran back to

    where she had run into James and saw that he wasn¡¯t there anymore.

    She saw a man standing next to the entrance, he was wearing a blue and ck uniform.

    ¡°Excuse me, sir. Please, do you know where the meetings with the CEOs are taking ce? I should

    be there but I have no idea where it is.¡±

    The eyes of the security man she spoke to roamed her body from head to toe. He wondered what

    someone who looked so not-ssy would do at such a great event.

    ¡°It¡¯s on the other side. They are in the first conference room.¡±

    He pointed forward, and Amelia turned to the direction he pointed to.

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    She hurriedly ran down the corridor in front of her, while her eyes were busy checking out the doors.

    Soon, she got to the fourth door and saw a tag with ¡®Conference Room¡¯ on it. She moved closer,

    and she could see the inside of the room.

    It was super huge, and her mouth fell open in shock. There were pretty many people in the room,

    and they all looked hot.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    They were all seated, but they were yet to start the meeting. She quickly searched for James, and

    then she saw him sitting so handsomely amidst the others.

    The seat that was next to him was empty, and Amelia wondered if that seat was for her. She took

    another look at herself, and heaved a nervous sigh.

    ¡®You can do it, Amelia. You need to show him that you can handle this.¡¯

    She lifted her head high and exhaled deeply. She reached for the handle of the door and opened it.

    As soon as she stepped in, everyone in the room turned their heads to look at her, and they locked

    their gazes on her.

    Amelia¡¯s feet were glued to the floor as she was super overwhelmed with their cold stares.

    ¡°What is a janitor doing here? Did she miss the way?¡± A ssy-looking woman who sat at Amelia¡¯s

    right hand side said to her hearing.

    Amelia gulped hard and lifted her heavy eyes to look at James. James clenched his jaw as he

    stared at her.

    ¡°Come here.¡± James kept his jaw clenched as he spoke.

    Amelia read James¡¯ lips from where she stood, and she felt her feete back to life.

    She ignored the murmurs around her and dragged her feet to where James was. She reached for

    the seat and sat on it.

    ¡°She is with James Parker? Why would someone like that be with him? She looks like a janitor.¡±

    More discouraging words filled Amelia¡¯s ear, and her eyes heated up rapidly. She bowed her head

    and began to fiddle with her finger.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare cry.¡± James gazed at her and noticed the look on her face.

    Immediately Amelia heard his voice, she swallowed the inconvenience she felt in her throat and

    raised her head. She looked at him and saw him gazing at her with a straight face.

    ¡°I think we can start now.¡±

    A smart-looking man stood up from the front seat and everywhere went dead silent. He was the

    chairman of the General Financial Co-operations.

    ¡°Good day everyone. I believe everyone present here has one thing or other to do. So, we¡¯d go

    straight to the point.¡±

    As he spoke, the manual projector screen behind him slowly wound down, and he turned to look at

    the screen.

    ¡°We all know why we are here. We need twopanies that will be joining the GFC this year, and

    thesepanies have to deserve this great opportunity.¡±

    Amelia watched the man speak, and she noticed that those that were seated were pulling out files

    from their bags and everywhere they had kept them.

    She hurriedly pulled out the file James had given her and ced it on the table. She opened it and

    scanned through it again.

    After scanning through a few pages, she realized it was a file that talked about the Ja¡¯Park¡¯s Tertiary

    Company. It was prepared like a presentation.

    She looked up and kept listening to the Chairman.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be giving the thirteenpanies present here today, five minutes to tell us why theirpany is

    fit for this opportunity.¡±

    Amelia looked around the table and saw some were smiling and some looked super nervous. Just

    like how Amelia¡¯s face was.

    ¡°Did you hear why we have to be one of the twopanies that gets this opportunity?¡±

    James leaned closer to Amelia and as he whispered in her ear, his breath breezed her ear, making

    her shiver.

    ¡°I¡­ he said thepany would help the otherpany financially and would bring them more

    clients and contracts in the future. They would work hand-in-hand to make sure the business

    doesn¡¯t crumble.¡±

    James blinked twice as his eyes adjusted in awe. ¡®How did she get all that?¡¯

    He had noticed she wasn¡¯t paying attention when the chairman was talking because she was busy

    with the file he had given her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t say more Mr. James. I wanted to go through the file real quick. I promise to pay

    more attention now.¡±

    Amelia turned her head to look at the Chairman, and James smirked.

    The chairman began to call thepanies¡¯ representatives one after the other, and they began to

    step out and present, using the projector.

    Amelia looked at James, and she smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see you present, Sir. You are surely going

    to give the Chairman a good impression.¡±

    James'' eyes left the Chairman¡¯s face and fell on her face. ¡°Who said I would be the one

    presenting?¡± He asked.

    Amelia blinked and slowly nodded. ¡®Please don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ll be the one to do this.¡¯

    ¡°This is your second assignment. If mypany doesn¡¯t win this, forget about this job and my

    forgiveness. I believe your uncle would be so happy to know you failed him.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s heart began to thump against her chest aggressively as she listened to James¡¯ words

    carefully. She felt so much pressure inside of her that she began to feel weary.

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    She swallowed hard and began to pace.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t prepare. I can¡¯t stand in front of people.¡± The words fell out of her mouth with great difficulty.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. You are my secretary to be. You are supposed to do it. You graduated as one of the

    best students in your department, didn¡¯t you? Prove it here.¡±

    Amelia slowly bounced her head and turned to look at the file again. Her hands vibrated vigorously

    as she turned the pages of the document one after the other.

    ¡®Amelia, you can¡¯t ruin this. If you ruin this for Mr. James, you are in more trouble. You are a mass

    communicator. You can do this.¡¯

    ¡°The nextpany to present is Ja'' Park¡¯s Tertiarypany.¡±

    The announcement the Chairman made threw Amelia out of her brave mind and her heart stopped

    beating for a second.

    ¡°Get your a*s of the chair now! You are wasting time,¡± James said with gritted teeth, though he kept

    a cute little smile on his face.

    Amelia nodded and slowly stood up. She moved away from the table and dragged her feet to the

    front. As she walked, her head was bowed.

    ¡®Pray for me, father and mother! I¡¯m about to die!¡±

    The chairman excused her, and she stood where he had stood. She raised her head and her eyes

    caught with the numerous cold eyes that bore her skin.

    Her lips parted and words began to fall out with zero confidence.

    ¡°Good day, everyone. I am Amelia Cooper, and I¡¯m here to brief us about what the Ja¡¯ Park Tertiary

    Company is about.¡±

    The lights from the projector screen came on, and she turned to look at the screen. In front of her

    was exactly what was in the file she brushed through.

    ¡°Ja'' Park¡¯s Tertiary Company is worthy of this position, because, why not? Since the existence of

    thispany, there has been no slight fall or change in her yearly financial goal. She strictly follows

    her budgets and makes lots of profits.¡±

    Amelia looked at James, and she saw a smile on his face. She felt butterflies in her belly, seeing

    him smile at her. This gave her more courage.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take a look at one out of many investments of ourpany. We have approximately fifteen

    Casinos in the United States, and they rank number one best in all the states they are.¡±

    ¡°Here in bama, others in California, Florida, Georgia and many others. Now, we can¡¯t predict the

    future, but what if there is a financial crisis in General Financial Corporations? What if the need to

    fall back on a subpany arises?¡±

    ¡°Ja¡¯ Park¡¯s Tertiary Company is the bestpany to rely on, thank you.¡±

    The whole conference room was dead silent for the first three seconds after she ended the

    presentation. Suddenly, the people began to p, and Amelia jumped in fright.

    She looked back and saw some of them on their feet. Even the Chairman was on his feet.

    ¡°Beautiful! Brilliant!¡± The Chairmanplimented her.

    Amelia gave three quick bows before she hurried back to her seat.

    As she approached, James¡¯ smile faded off immediately. He was one of the few people sitting.

    Amelia looked at his face happily, but when she saw the look on his face, her happiness washed

    down to her feet.

    ¡®Didn¡¯t I do well?¡¯ She pouted her mouth and sat.

 Chapter 13: Brace Yourself Up!

    Chapter 13: Brace Yourself Up!

    The meeting came to an end, and they began to exit the conference room one after the other.

    James¡¯pany, and one other won thepetition.

    ¡°Congrattions, Mr. James. Your assistant did brilliantly well! I¡¯m so impressed. Who would have

    thought she would have such words in her mouth.¡±

    The chairman greeted James, and James smiled faintly. Amelia that stood behind him couldn¡¯t help

    but giggle.

    ¡°My former secretary would have done better too. Don¡¯t make her too happy. She could have done

    better.¡±

    He looked at her face, and she stopped giggling. ¡®Why isn¡¯t he happy? At least we won.¡¯

    ¡°I understand you. But we should still celebrate. There is a party here tonight. The luckypanies

    should be around to celebrate.¡±

    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll surely attend,¡±

    ¡°You are invited too, Miss Amelia.¡±

    He looked at her, and she nodded excitedly. ¡°Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.¡±

    The chairman walked away, and James began to walk to the building¡¯s exit. Amelia followed behind

    him like a fly following poop, because of the eyes that peered at them.

    If possible, she would enter his body, just to stay away from the people¡¯s stare.

    ¡°Why are you so close? Do you want to push me to the floor again?¡± James asked, without looking

    at her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Amelia abruptly took a halt and let James walk forward a little so that there would be a gap between

    them.

    ¡°Amelia Cooper.¡± A pretty youngdy, Prisci , called behind Amelia.

    Amelia turned to look at who had called her, and immediately she turned, the youngdy hit her cup

    of hot coffee on Amelia¡¯s chest, spilling the coffee on her.

    ¡°Argh!¡± Amelia cried as the coffee burned her skin painfully.

    ¡°Oh my God. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± The youngdy uttered sarcastically.

    James heard Amelia¡¯s cry when he got to the entrance. He turned back almost immediately and

    saw the youngdy. He recognized her to be the CEO of the secondpany that won.

    ¡®What does she think she is doing?¡¯

    He stormed back to where they were, the camera sh flicks and clicking sounds didn¡¯t stop. The

    reporters weren¡¯t ready to sleep on it.

    ¡°What is going on here?¡± James looked at Amelia and saw her holding her shirt away from her

    chest. It was stained with coffee.

    James immediately understood what happened when he saw the coffee cup in Prisci¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Will you watch where you are going? Your clumsiness would do you no good.¡±

    Prisci rolled her eyes and shot Amelia a deadly look. ¡°I think you should say that to your

    secretary, she got in the way first.¡±

    Amelia couldn¡¯t hold back her tears when she heard Prisci¡¯s lies, but she was too hurt to speak.

    Her chest was burning.

    Prisci flipped her hair sexily and walked to the entrance of thepany. Her two female workers

    that watched the whole incident followed behind her too.

    James looked at Amelia again and when he saw she was crying, he scoffed and rolled his eyes.

    He moved closer to her and moved his mouth to her ear.

    ¡°Can you stop being stupid? Must you cry over everything?! Stand up for yourself, woman, and

    don¡¯t disgrace mypany!¡±

    He moved away from her and proceeded to the exit too.

    Amelia looked at the entrance to thepany and saw the reporters still taking pictures. Her shirt

    was ruined, and she knew her chest had turned red due to the burn.

    She gulped hard, trying to push back the heavy tears that threatened to pour out of her eyes. She

    summoned the little courage she could gather and headed to the entrance.

    ¡°What happened there, Miss? Who are you to Mr. James Parker?¡± The reporters¡¯ questions filled

    her ears, but she kept mute.

    She walked briskly down the narrow path, with the microphones and other gadgets pointing to her

    face.

    Soon, she got away from the reporters, and she began to walk down the street.

    James watched her from inside his car and knitted his brows. He wondered where she was headed.

    ¡°Where is she going?¡±

    His driver looked at him through his interior mirror as he ignited the engine. He waited for him to

    give him orders before he started driving.

    ¡°Drive to her.¡±

    The driver did as James told him, and he followed behind Amelia quickly. When they got close to

    her, James wound down his window, and his driver slowed down.

    ¡°Where are you going, girl?¡± He asked.

    Amelia reduced the pace at which she walked and turned to look at him. Her eyes were swollen and

    teary.

    ¡°I am going to get a taxi, Mr. James. I couldn¡¯t wait in front of the reporters, so I wanted to walk far

    from thepany first.¡±

    She ran the back of her hand over her eyes and sped her lips hard.

    James heaved a sigh and said, ¡°Get in the car.¡±

    Amelia moved her hand from her eyes and looked at him. She believed she misheard what he said.

    ¡°Sir?¡±

    ¡°Get in the car or you get punished.¡±

    She hurriedly bounced her head and walked to the other side of the car.

    She sat upright in the car, burying her hands between her legs and gluing herself to the door. She

    made sure there was more than enough space between the both of them.

    She didn¡¯t want to make the same mistake she did which made her stuck with him again.

    James¡¯ driver hit the highway afterward and there was awkward silence in the car.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Amelia kept her head bowed, and James kept his eyes on his phone. Sometimes, he would steal

    nces of Amelia.

    He noticed she was still shedding tears. and he was forced to speak.

    ¡°Must you cry over every little thing? Aren¡¯t you always tired of crying?¡±

    Amelia closed her eyes at the sound of his voice, and she shook her head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever get tired of crying. I¡¯ve been doing it my whole life, and I¡¯m used to it already.¡±

    She responded without lifting her head.

    James stared at her for minutes, his head was nk, and he didn¡¯t know what to say to her. He

    looked out of the window and exhaled softly.

    They arrived at James''pany in no time, and Amelia hurriedly stepped out. She left the door

    open so that James could step down too, but instead, his driver opened the door at his side for him,

    and he stepped out.

    ¡°Thank you for giving me a lift, Mr. James.¡±

    James scoffed and walked up to her. He took a step past her and whispered in her ear.

    ¡°I did it for mypany. People were watching, and I didn¡¯t want to give a bad impression. I won¡¯t

    do that next time. I¡¯m not that nice.¡±

    Amelia gulped hard and closed her eyes as James¡¯ cologne filled her nose when he walked into the

    company.

    She heaved a sigh and opened her eyes a few secondster. ¡®What is wrong with you, Amelia?¡¯

    She pped herself hard on the face because of her thoughts.

    ¡®You can¡¯t keep letting people step on you like you are some trash! You need to brace yourself up! I

    need to look hot at tonight¡¯s party. Maybe this torture will finallye to an end.¡¯

 Chapter 14: Awful Makeover

    Chapter 14: Awful Makeover

    Amelia got home and applied some ointment to her burnt chest, and she felt better. She started

    preparing for the dinner party in no time.

    She had gone to call Elena to help her pick an outfit, but when she went, Elena said she was busy,

    but would be with her in a few minutes.

    ¡°Amelia, I am less busy now. Can Ie in?¡± Elena knocked on Amelia¡¯s door and waited for her to

    answer.

    ¡°Yes,e in! I didn¡¯t lock the door,¡± Amelia responded, tossing more clothes from her closet.

    Elena walked into Amelia¡¯s apartment and searched the living room with her eyes. Her eyes fell on

    Amelia¡¯s open bedroom door, and she walked to the door.

    Her jaw cked when she saw how scattered Amelia¡¯s room was. So many clothes were on the

    floor, some on the bed, and even few found their way to her standing mirror.

    ¡°What in the rough¡¯s name is going on here?¡±

    Amelia, who was in towels, jumped at the sound of Elena''s voice, she looked back and sighed after

    seeing how shocked Elena looked.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Thank God, you are here. I need your help.¡±

    She hurried to where Elena stood and grabbed her hand. She pulled her to her closet and let go of

    her. She stood akimbo and looked at her closet too.

    ¡°I have been looking for the perfect dress for a dinner party, but I can¡¯t find any! Can you help me?¡±

    Elena bounced her head and looked around the bedroom again.

    ¡°Yes, I can, but you didn¡¯t have to throw your clothes all over this way.¡±

    ¡°I know, but I grew frustrated at some point,¡± Amelia sulked.

    ¡°Okay, chill now. Breathe.¡±

    Amelia exhaled loudly and bounced her head. ¡°I think I¡¯m better now. So, what do I do?¡±

    ¡°Do you have any gowns? Sexy ones?¡± Elena asked, and Amelia scoffed.

    ¡°Me? Sexy gowns? No, I don¡¯t. I have never dressed sexy my whole life. And that is why it is so

    hard to pick an outfit.¡± She brushed her hair backward in frustration.

    ¡°Okay¡­ Okay¡­ there¡¯s a solution to everything. This dinner party you are talking about, is it a

    family dinner party? Or a business dinner party?¡±

    ¡°A business dinner party. I need to look ssy and beautiful so that I don¡¯t disgrace Mr. James and

    hispany as a whole.¡±

    ¡°Mr. James?¡± Elena asked.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Amelia walked to her standing mirror to pick the clothes that hung on it. ¡°Mr. James Parker,

    the CEO of Ja¡¯ Park¡¯s Tertiary Company. I¡¯m his new secretary, and I don¡¯t want to be treated like

    garbage again at this party.¡±

    ¡®James Parker?¡¯ Elena answered in her head. That name would never cease to ring a bell, not after

    the splendid night they had together when she was his secretary.

    ¡°Elena, are you okay? You seem lost.¡±

    Amelia waved her hand in front of Elena¡¯s face, jolting her out of her thoughts.

    ¡°Errm, sorry about that. So, you are his new secretary, and you want to look beautiful for him¡­¡±

    ¡°And hispany. Not just for him,¡± Ameliapleted the statement always immediately, and

    Elena slowly bobbed.

    ¡®So he fired me to hire someone like her? Is he joking?¡¯ Elena thought, letting out a fake smile.

    ¡°I got you covered, Amelia. I have a very nice blue gown. I bought it some days ago. It¡¯s pretty tight

    for my body, but I bet it will fit you perfectly well. I¡¯ll go and get it for you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, God. Thank you so much, Elena. You are a lifesaver.¡±

    Elena smiled faintly and walked out of the bedroom. ¡®Let¡¯s see how you¡¯ll win his heart after I¡¯m

    done with you, Amelia.¡¯

    Elena returned shortly with the blue gown she had promised, and she also had a makeup box with

    her.

    ¡°You can wear such a nice dress without some makeover. I¡¯ll help you with that too,¡± Elena said to

    Amelia.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Elena. You are such a darling.¡±

    Amelia raised the gown and saw it was a long gown which had a split in front. The blue color was

    shy and giving, she couldn¡¯t wait to wear it.

    She hurriedly loosened her towel and let it slide down her body. She wore a bra and pantie

    underneath.

    Elena watched her as she wore a cloth. Sheughed so hard inside her. She knew what she was

    doing. ¡®I won¡¯t let any woman have James. If I can¡¯t have him, then no one can.¡¯

    ¡°What do you think?¡±

    Amelia nervously ran her palm over the dress, and Elena pped. ¡°Perfect!¡±

    She walked to Amelia and reached for the zip. She helped her zip up the dress carefully. If she was

    not very careful, the zip would wear out.

    It has a weak zipper and this is why Elena never bothered to wear it.

    The dress looked perfect on Amelia¡¯s body, it wasn¡¯t too big or tight. It was giving, and Amelia was

    so happy. She lifted the dress and hurried to her mirror.

    She looked at herself and her face reddened. ¡®Mr. James, you have nothing to worry about now.¡¯

    ¡°Let me help you with the makeover.¡±

    Elena tapped the bed and made Amelia sit. She opened her makeup box and started shading

    Amelia¡¯s face.

    *

    Elena was done with Amelia¡¯s makeup, and she moved away from the mirror so she could check it

    out.

    ¡°Tada!¡±

    The smile on Amelia¡¯s face slowly faded away when she saw her face in the mirror.

    Her eyes looked so deep because of the excess blue eyeshadow and ck mascara Elena had

    used.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± Elena asked, trying so hard not tough in mockery.

    ¡°Are you sure about this makeup? I¡¯m not so sure about it.¡±

    Amelia kept staring at her face. Elena shook her head and moved closer to her.

    ¡°Trust me, Amelia. This is very beautiful. Who wouldn¡¯t trip when they see you? I bet James Parker

    would be too stunned. You look great, baby girl, and I wish you a happy celebration tonight.¡±

    Amelia smiled widely after Elena finished talking. For some reason, she believed Elena.

    ¡°You are a good friend, Elena. Thank you so much. I¡¯ll leave very soon. It¡¯s almost 8pm. The party

    starts by 8pm.¡±

    ¡°I should leave now then. Take care.¡±

    Elena walked out of Amelia¡¯s apartment,ughing very hard inside of her. ¡®You¡¯ll regret firing me,

    James. I¡¯m the best secretary you can and will ever have.¡¯

    ***

    The taxi pulled up in front of the GFCpany, and after Amelia paid the driver, she excitedly

    stepped out of the car. She felt so beautiful and couldn¡¯t wait to show herself to James.

    She wasn¡¯t sure he was at the party yet, because she had no cellphone to contact him. She

    nned on looking for him, or waiting for him to arrive as soon as she got into thepany.

    Thepany¡¯s entrance was still blocked and filled with numerous reporters and media guys. It

    was a special night, they weren¡¯t going to miss it for anything.

    The GFCpany¡¯s parties were known to be borate and beautiful. I couldn¡¯t wait to show the

    world how those that were invited were dressed.

    The lights in front of thepany¡¯s entrance was enough to light up the whole street, but the

    shlights from the cameras were even brighter.

    ¡°You look beautiful, Amelia. Elena confirmed it too. There is nothing to fear,¡± Elena said to herself,

    as she began to approach the entrance.

    She tried walking majestically, but she couldn¡¯t. Not with the slight pain she felt in her leg from her

    healing wound. Apart from the wound, she wasn¡¯t used to walking majestically. So, she lifted her

    dress and walked normally to where the reporters were.

    Immediately she reached in front of them and they noticed her, they roared inughter and turned

    their cameras to her.

    ¡°Who the hell did her makeup? She looks awful!¡°

    Horrible words filled Amelia¡¯s ears, and she blinked in shock. The confidence she built from home

    washed down the drain immediately, and her eyes began to fail her again.

    She tried so hard not to cry, instead she ran into thepany so that she wouldn¡¯t hear any more

    embara words from the people.

    She got to thepany but didn¡¯t stop running. She headed to the restroom immediately. She

    wanted to wash off her makeup.

    ¡°I told Elena¡­¡± She mumbled when she got to the restroom and started washing her face with

    water. She was still rinsing her face when she started hearing some strange noises inside one of

    the toilets.

    She stopped sobbing and tried to hear the noises carefully. They sounded like moans. She moved

    closer to the door the noise came from and stood in front of the door.

    ¡°Yes¡­ hmm¡­ f**k me, James.¡±

    Amelia heard a feminine voice and her eyes popped wide open. She knew what was going on.

    ¡®James? Like, Mr. James?¡¯ She wondered, still glued to where she stood. This time, she could hear

    the groan of the man too.

    ¡®He isn¡¯t the only one who bears James, Amelia.¡¯ She thought and turned to walk away.

    ¡°Yes, Parker! Just like that!¡± Amelia¡¯s feet abruptly took a halt after hearing thedies pleasured cry

    again, and she looked at the door again.

    ¡°Parker?¡± She called out loud.

 Chapter 15: What the hell?

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 15: What the hell?</strong>

    Amelia covered her mouth after she yelled out James'' name. It was at that moment she knew she f**ked up.

    "Somebody is here." She heard the feminine voice say, and her eyes popped open.

    ''I can''t let them see me.''

    Amelia ran out of the restroom, totally forgetting about her ruined makeup. She stood not so far from the restroom and heaved a loud sigh.

    ''Why would Mr. James have s*x with ady in a restroom? He could have just gone home, or taken her to a hotel. What if someone sees him?''

    "Amelia?" A familiar voice called Amelia out of her thoughts, and she looked up. She saw Mr. Charles Parker standing in front of her. He had a surprised look on his face.

    "Mr. Charles, Good evening sir," She responded, divulging a nervous and fake smile.

    "What happened to you?" Charles asked, still in awe.

    "Nothing. I''m perfectly fine, sir." She gave slight bows as she spoke.

    "No, you are not. Have you seen your face in the mirror? You look horrible. Your whole face is blue.''

    Amelia''s jaw cked and her eyes dted after hearing what Charles said to her. She touched her face, and she felt how sticky her face was.

    "Oh my God. I forgot to wash it off well. I got distracted. I''m so sorry, Mr. Charles. I''ll wash it off as soon as possible."

    She ran into the restroom and headed back to the basin where she once stood. She applied some liquid soap on her palms and rubbed it on her sticky face.

    She heard one of the doors of the toilet open behind her, and she hastily rinsed the foam off her face. She looked back through the mirror and saw James stepped out of the toilet.

    Their eyes met, and she swallowed hard. "Mr. James, I..." She couldn''t finish her statement, when she watched thedy walk out of the same toilet he came out from.

    It was Prisci.

    "You!" Amelia screamed in anger, and Prisci flinched.

    "What the hell?! Why did you scream?!" She asked, while James ignored them and walked to the basin to rinse Prisci''s fluid away from his hand.

    Amelia turned to look at James in amazement. She didn''t know why, but she was hurt. Maybe if it was with someone else, she wouldn''t be this hurt.

    But, it was with the woman that disgraced her in front of the reporters and even made James call her stupid.

    "You told me to stand up against her! You scolded her, didn''t you? Why are you sleeping with her?"

    James raised his head and looked at angry Amelia through the mirror. He wasn''t ready to exin anything to her, because she wasn''t worth it.

    "Hey, ugly, who he is with is none of your business, okay?" Prisci responded with an evil grin.

    James heaved a sigh and turned to look at the both of them.

    "I am not with you. I was bored and wanted to

    have some fun. And for you..." His eyes roamed over Amelia''s body, from head to toe.

    "We have people we need to greet. Don''t disgrace mypany and act intelligent."

    Prisci headed to the basin to wash her hand, while James headed out of the restroom.

    ''I thought we had a mutual enemy. He was pissed with her some hours ago, and now he is sleeping with her? She would never take me seriously. She would keep bullying me, now she has slept with my boss. Why couldn''t he do it with someone else? Why her?!''

    Tears gathered in Amelia''s eyes in no time. She felt betrayed. She took onest look at Prisci

    before storming out of the restroom.

    ''Today is one of my worst days ever.''

    "Why are youing out of thedies restroom, James?" Charles asked James when he saw him walk out of the restroom.

    James heaved a sigh and looked at his father.

    "I must have missed it. I was too pressed to notice. Why are you here, Dad? You didn''t tell me you''ll being."

    "Do I have to tell you everything? Have you

    forgotten I am a partner with thispany? They can''t do without inviting me to every event."

    "That is true. I''m sorry it slipped my mind."

    Charles narrowed his gaze at James and trailed his eyes all over him. "Tell me this isn''t what I''m thinking."

    "What?" James asked, acting like he didn''t understand what his father was talking about.

    "Your zip is open, James. Your tie isn''t prolly knotted. Thest time you were looking this rough,it was when I caught you sleeping with ady in your office. Did you sleep with ady in the restroom?" Charles looked at him in disbelief.

    "Dad, can you lower your voice? There are people around." James looked around and quickly zipped up his pants. He didn''t forget to adjust his tie too.

    "When will you stop all these, James? You are not a child anymore! You should have a wife now, not sleeping with different kinds of girls. How many times do I have to tell you this?"

    "Please, don''t start, father. I was bored and needed to clear my head. That''s all. No big deal."Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He picked up a cup of wine from the server that passed and took a sip.

    "You need to stop all these. Thesedies are just after your money. That''s all they want, and you are too stupid to keep giving them for something you can get easily from your wife, if you had one!"

    Charles poked James'' chest as he spoke, and Amelia who was searching the whole hall for James, finally saw him. She walked up to them, and Charles happened to see her first.

    "Now you look better. How did you get so much paint on your face before?" Charles instantly eradicated the vexed look he had and wore a smiley face.

    Amelia looked at James and quickly looked away when he turned to look at her.

    "I forgot that my makeup was ruined. I promise it won''t happen again." She bowed, and Charles smiled.

    He looked at James and then at her again. He then remembered she hade out of the restroom, looking rough too.

    "Oh gracious heavens. James, was it with her? Freddie''s daughter?" He looked extremely shocked.

    "What?! No!" They both chorused loudly, pulling the attention of other guests to themselves.

    James cleared his throat and held the hem of his suit and adjusted it.

    "Dad, can''t you at least rate me a little? Why would I sleep with someone like her? I don''t sleep with girls like this," He boasted.

    Amelia gulped and lowered her head. She fiddled with her fingers in shame. She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her up.

    "Is that something you should be proud about? At least she isn''t like the other sluts you go around with. She is way decent and educated. Don''t mind him, Amelia."

    Charles smiled and ced his hand on Amelia''s shoulder. She raised her head and beamed feebly.

    "Thank you, Mr. Charles."

    "I need to go now. I have other people I need to say Hi to. And James, we aren''t done yet. I won''t let you do this to yourself."

    Charles shot him a deadly look and walked away.

    James rolled his eyes and took another sip from his ss. He looked at Amelia disgustingly and looked away again.

    "You should be grateful I didn''t see that makeup on your face."

    Amelia raised her head and stole a nce at him when he spoke. She exhaled softly and bit her lower lip. She regretted applying the makeup in the first ce.

    "And your dress. At least you tried. You won''t be disgracing mypany tonight."

    Amelia smiled faintly and looked up. She saw Prisci approaching them, and she slowly clenched her fists in anger.

    ''What does she want again?'' She thought.

    "Hey, James. Have you checked your phone?

    Gosh, this girl is such a disgrace to yourpany. You should fire her already. You have never been aughing stock until today."

    Prisci sassily folded her arms under her breasts and stared at Amelia evilly.

    "What are you talking about?" James asked, and he hurriedly pulled out his phone from his breast pocket. He unlocked it and saw a trending news on his screen.

    He clicked on it and to his greatest surprise, the first thing he saw was Amelia''s picture with a headline which said,

    "I CAN''T BELIEVE SHE WORKS FOR JAMES PARKER. SHE LOOKS HORRIBLE!"

    "What the hell?!"

    Amelia flinched as he smacked. People looked at them for the second time again. This time, they began to murmur.

    He grabbed Amelia by the hand and began to roughly pull her away from the congregation. Amelia held up her gown as it kept getting in between her legs.

    Her pulses raced like a train, and she began to sweat profusely. She was so scared.

    ''What is he going to do to me this time?''

 Chapter 16: The perfect wife for our son

    Chapter 16: The perfect wife for our son

    They got to the back of thepany, and James yanked Amelia forward carelessly, making her

    almost fall to the ground on her face.

    ¡°What were you thinking? What the f**k is wrong with you? What kind of stupid makeover is that?!¡±

    Amelia jumped at the sound of his vexed voice. She gulped hard and her eyes heated up in no time.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare cry! It doesn¡¯t have any effect on me! Didn¡¯t you check yourself in the mirror?!¡± He

    yelled.

    ¡°I did, but my friend told me it was nice! I am not a fashionista but she is, so I believed her. I¡¯m sorry,

    Mr. James. I had to wash my face when I heard the reporters¡¯ments while I was passing by. I¡¯m

    very sorry for this embarrassment. I¡¯ll bear the consequences for this.¡±

    ¡°Of course, you will. You¡¯re fired! You can¡¯t keep doing this to mypany. You aren¡¯t worth

    stepping foot into mypany.¡±

    James turned to leave, and Amelia fell to her knees and hugged his legs tightly so that he wouldn¡¯t

    move.

    ¡°Please, I beg you, Mr. James. Don¡¯t fire me! My uncle is going to hate me for this. I can¡¯t tell him I

    got fired when I¡¯m yet to pay for the crime Imitted at the party. Please, I won¡¯t do it again. I

    promise! It was a stupid mistake, it won¡¯t repeat itself. Give me one more chance!¡±

    Amelia cried hard and loud. She was so scared. How was she going to tell her uncle she failed him

    the second time? She was pretty sure he was yet to sign her uncle¡¯s contract because of her.

    ¡°Let me go, you ugly thing!¡± James shouted in disgust.

    ¡°Please. I won¡¯t leave you alone, Mr. James. Give me one more chance. I swear, If I do anything

    wrong again, I¡¯ll leave before you fire me. Please¡­¡±

    She raised her head to look at his face. He had a fierce look, but she still wasn¡¯t ready to let him go.

    Not until he epts her again.

    ¡°What is going on here?¡± They both looked up to see Charles approaching them. He seemed

    confused.

    ¡°Thank God, you are here. Can you please tell your friend¡¯s daughter to let me go? She is ruining

    my Dormeuil Vanquish pants!¡±

    Amelia shook her head in tears and hugged his legs even tighter, burning her legs in them.

    The scent of his cologne, at that moment, gave her morefort than anything else in the world.

    ¡°Amelia, can you please let him go? You are truly ruining his trousers.¡±

    ¡°No, Mr. Charles. If I let him go, he is going to fire me.¡±

    ¡°So this won¡¯t make me fire you? God, Amelia, when will you grow wise! You are a graduate!¡±

    James uttered in anger.

    ¡°Fire you? You want to fire her? Why would you do that?¡± Charles asked in disbelief.

    ¡°She isn¡¯t supposed to be in thepany in the first ce. I shouldn¡¯t have listened to you at all.

    You told me she is very good and will help thepany, right? Look at the news! She has

    disgraced thepany for the second time!¡±

    ¡°Okay, everyone calm down. Amelia, let go of his legs, and you James, you are not firing her. Not

    after that the video I watched a few minutes ago.¡±

    ¡°Video?¡± James asked.

    Amelia slowly let go of his legs but didn¡¯t stand up. She was still on her knees, and James moved

    away from her.

    He wanted to walk away, but Charles stood in front of him, making him stop.

    ¡°James, are you thinking at all?¡± He grabbed his hand and pulled him aside.

    ¡°Dad, don¡¯t try to talk me out of this. Can¡¯t you see how she acts? She is stupid, she doesn¡¯t know

    anything about fashion. Will you let someone like her work in yourpany?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I will. Stop saying such horrible things about her, okay? She isn¡¯t exposed, and that is the best

    kind of person you need. She isn¡¯t like the other women that had worked with you. You have slept

    with almost all of them, even in the office.¡±

    ¡°Dad, is this about work? What does sleeping with women have to do with what I¡¯m telling you? I

    need a morepetentdy. Good in all areas.¡±

    ¡°And she is the best for you! The chairman showed me the video of her prevention. James, this girl

    is good! What are you thinking? After years of trying to get financial support from thispany, she

    finally helped you get it. What else do you want?¡±

    ¡°I want her to act like an adult! She cries over every little thing, her fashion sense is the worst I¡¯ve

    ever seen.¡±

    ¡°And after that? What else has she done wrong? You haven¡¯t been with her for a whole week yet.

    Can¡¯t you give her a chance to change? Give her the chance to prove she is better than the others.¡±

    James heaved a sigh and looked at Charles¡¯ face. He narrowed his gaze at him, and Charles

    arched his brows.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Why are you so eager to help her? Is it because she is your friend¡¯s niece?¡±

    ¡°No! It is because I see potential in her! This kind of girl won¡¯t get you distracted. You can never

    think of sleeping with her, which is a good thing. She is innocent, and she is the best for you¡­¡±

    ¡°Not for me.¡±

    ¡°For thepany then! James, listen to me, okay? I am your father, and I¡¯m telling you to give her a

    chance. It¡¯s just her first day. You can¡¯t fire her¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

    James wanted to leave, but Charles pulled him back again. He knew James wasn¡¯t going to think

    about it, instead, he was going to look for someone else. He wasn¡¯t going to let that happen.

    ¡°Give her a month. After a month, if she keeps dragging the name of thepany in the mud, I

    promise I¡¯ll bring you a new secretary. You know I always bring you the best.¡±

    James looked at Amelia, who was still kneeling. Her head was bowed, and she was still crying. He

    exhaled softly and rolled his eyes.

    ¡°A month, James. I¡¯ll talk to her too,¡± Charles uttered.

    ¡°Hm.¡± He bounced his head, buried his hand in his pockets, and strutted away.

    ¡°Amelia, get up,¡± Charles said as he approached her.

    She raised her head and saw that James was gone. She sprang to her feet in terror and began to

    fidget.

    ¡°He is gone?¡± She cried.

    ¡°Can you calm down now? He is gone, but he has given you a chance to prove yourpetence.¡±

    ¡°Really? Oh my God, thank you so much, Mr. Charles. Thank you.¡±

    She held his hands happily, and Charles looked at his hand in hers. She noticed the way he looked

    at her hands, and she quickly let go of him.

    ¡°Sorry. I got too excited.¡±

    ¡°I talked to him because I like you, Amelia. But, I won¡¯t be able to do that again after today. You can

    handle this job better than anyone else, and I want you to prove that.¡±

    Amelia nodded and listened attentively to what he said. ¡°I¡¯ll try all my possible best. Thank you for

    helping me.¡±

    ¡°I did this for my friend too. I don¡¯t want him to lose the contract he needs James to sign. The

    contract is on you now. You need to find a way to James¡¯ heart. If it means changing your wardrobe,

    then do it. He mustn¡¯t find any more faults in you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best, Mr. Charles. I¡¯ll do everything it takes to find a way to his heart. I¡¯ll make sure he

    signs that contract. Thank you, sir.¡±

    She gave several bows as she talked, and Charles smiled softly. ¡°Now, go back to your boss, and

    act like the secretary you are. Wipe your tears.¡±

    Charles pulled out a handkerchief from his pockets and stretched it to her.

    ¡°Thank you so much, sir.¡±

    She collected it and wiped her face with it. She held the handkerchief firmly and walked away.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    After she was gone, Charles pulled out his phone and dialed his ex-wife¡¯s number. He ced the

    phone on his ear and waited for her to answer the phone, and she did after a few seconds.

    ¡°Charles?¡±

    ¡°Hi. Can we talk? I think I¡¯ve finally found the perfect wife for our son.¡±

 Chapter 17: Nightmare in the daytime

    Chapter 17: Nightmare in the daytime

    ~ The Next Day ~

    Amelia hurried out of her apartment and locked the door. She had just ten minutes to get to the

    company. Though she could still make it, she wanted to get there as soon as she could.

    She had woken upte because she left the party veryte. James wasn¡¯t ready to leave the party

    when she wanted to, so she had no choice then to stay back with him.

    Before she could walk away from her door, Elena¡¯s door opened, and Amelia turned back. She saw

    Elena standing at the door.

    Elena smiled widely at her, but Amelia was too pained to smile back at her. She remembered what

    she did to her the previous night.

    ¡°Good morning, Amelia. When did you return yesterday?¡± Elena asked, and Amelia exhaled.

    ¡°I returned veryte. You must have been sleeping when I came back,¡± Amelia answered coldly.

    Elena noticed the way she acted, and she stepped out of her apartment and shut the door behind

    her.

    ¡°What is wrong, Amelia? You don¡¯t sound happy.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Amelia looked at her and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I need to go now. I¡¯m runningte.¡±

    Elena hurriedly stood in front of her and held her hand. ¡°Talk to me, Amelia. Are you angry at me?

    Did I do anything wrong?¡± She looked and sounded clueless.

    ¡°Of course you did, Elena! Why are you acting like you don¡¯t know what you did? I trusted you to

    help me look beautiful but you did exactly the opposite!¡±

    Amelia pulled her hands away from Elena¡¯s hurtfully.

    ¡°What? Why would you say that? I swear I didn¡¯t mean to do that. I took some makeup lessons and

    decided to try them out. It looked so nice. Why are you so mad at me?¡±

    ¡°Nice? Didn¡¯t you see the news?! They all insulted me at the party. I looked horrible.¡± Amelia¡¯s voice

    began to quiver as she spoke.

    She gulped hard and looked away from her.

    ¡°Oh God, I¡¯m so sorry, Amelia. I swear. I never knew it was that bad. Please forgive me. I promise to

    make it up to you. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Elena sadly lowered her head, and Amelia looked at her. She felt bad, seeing her that way.

    ¡®At least, she wanted to help. She was the one that gave me the gown and it was beautiful. I

    shouldn¡¯t be so hard on her.¡¯

    Amelia sighed and reached for Elena¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry too, Elena. I didn¡¯t mean to be so hard on you. You meant to help me, and I should

    appreciate that. Thank you so much for the gown and the makeup. I believe you¡¯ll improve better if

    you keep practicing.¡±

    Elena nodded and cleaned her teary eyes. ¡°So you forgive me?¡± She mumbled, and Amelia nodded

    with a wide smile.

    ¡°Come here.¡±

    She pulled Elena into a tight hug and rubbed her back softly. ¡°I forgive you. Don¡¯t worry, Elena. You

    can use my face to practice until you are perfect.¡±

    ¡°Really? Thank you so much. You are so sweet,¡± Elena responded, divulging an evil smirk while

    they still hugged each other.

    Amelia broke the hug and looked at Elena, who had a remorseful look on.

    ¡°I have to go now. I¡¯ll pay you a visit when Ie back.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll make you dinner! I know you will love it. Bye¡­¡± Elena moved away from her front and

    waved at her.

    ¡°Bye!¡± Amelia waved back and started running down the corridor.

    Elena stopped waving and rolled her eyes. ¡°Gosh, she is so stupid and disgusting.¡± She looked at

    her clothes and frowned.

    ¡°I need to wash these,¡± She muttered and walked into her apartment again.

    ***

    Amelia rushed out of the elevator and got to the office, panting profusely. She ran all the way from

    the entrance of thepany.

    As she ran, the other workers stared at her and whispered things to themselves, but she paid no

    attention to them.

    All she wanted was to get to the office as soon as she could. She got to James¡¯ office and saw that

    the door was still locked.

    She heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. ¡°I got here before him. This is a good start.¡±

    She looked around and found a seat and desk not so far from James¡¯ office. It looked like a mini

    office with no coverings and walls.

    ¡®How did I not notice you before? Is this where I¡¯ll be working?¡¯

    She walked to the desk and ran her hands over the polished wood. She found a tag on the desk

    and ¡°Secretary¡± was written on it.

    ¡°My office.¡± She said in excitement. The desk had some neatly arranged files on it.

    She walked to the seat and sat on it. She rested her back on the backrest and exhaled softly. It was

    sofortable.

    She ced her bag on the desk and looked around again. She wanted to know what the time was,

    but she had nothing to check. No clocks, and she was yet to have a cellphone.

    ¡®I need to get a cellphone as soon as possible.¡¯

    She folded her arms on the table and rested her head on them. She was still stressed from the

    party, so she decided to rest a little before James arrived.

    She closed her eyes and heaved another loud sigh. Her eyes were closed for only three minutes,

    and that was it. She slept off.

    ***

    James walked out of the elevator, his hands in his neatly-ironed tuxedo pants, his nerdy sses sat

    beautifully well on his long-narrow nose.

    He got to his office and took a nce at his wristwatch. It was 9 am.

    ¡°So she is yet to get to the office? Is this kind ofdypetent?¡±

    I pulled out his phone from his pockets, alongside his office keycard key. He scrolled through his

    contacts when all of a sudden, he remembered he didn¡¯t have Amelia¡¯s number.

    ¡®Seriously? How did I forget that.¡¯

    He ced his keycard key on the locker and his door unlocked. He held the doorknob and was

    about to open the door when he heard a voice behind him.

    He knitted his brows and turned back to see Amelia sleeping on the secretary¡¯s desk.

    ¡°What?¡±

    He strutted up to her and noticed something weird about her. She was talking in her sleep, and that

    was what caught his attention the first time.

    Her head shook as she mumbled things that James couldn¡¯t hear. Her eyes were tightly shut and

    her forehead was wrinkled like she was having a nightmare.

    James scoffed and bent over to take a closer look at her sleeping face.

    ¡®What is she saying?¡¯ He wondered.

    ¡°No! Please don¡¯t kill them! No, let them go!¡± Amelia screamed out of nowhere, making James flinch

    in fright.

    ¡°What the hell! Amelia!¡± He yelled.

    ¡°Let go of them. Don¡¯t kill mom and dad! Please!¡±

    She cried out loud, moving her head on her arms aggressively as she yelled.

    Hearing the words that she screamed gave James the idea that she was having a nightmare. ¡®In the

    daytime?!¡¯

    ¡°Hey, Amelia! Wake up!¡±

    He moved closer to her and grabbed her hand. He tried pulling her up, but she began to struggle

    with him.

    ¡°Let me go! Don¡¯t kill them!¡± Tears streamed out of her eyes as she kept fighting him.

    ¡°Amelia, it is James. Wake the f**k up!¡±

    He seeded in raising her up,he grabbed her two arma right under her shoulders, and shook her

    vigorously.

    ¡°Amelia, calm down, okay? It is me. It is James. Wake up.¡±

    He felt devastated when he saw tears roll down her cheeks uncontrobly. He could understand the

    hell she was going through.

    While still looking at her, she stopped struggling suddenly. She slowly opened her eyes, and James

    sighed and shook his head.

    ¡°What the¡­¡±

    Amelia grabbed him tightly before he could finish his statement, she buried her head in his chest

    and kept sobbing.

    ¡°Mr. James.¡± She mumbled.

    James blinked severally in surprise, his arms were hung in the air, and his heart was throbbing

    against his chest. He wanted to push her away, but he didn¡¯t.

    She was shivering seriously as she grabbed him. Her eyes were still tightly shut.

    After a few minutes, she became calmer than before. This time, James'' hands were tucked in his

    pockets, waiting for her to let him go.

    Amelia opened her eyes and slowly looked up at the person she hugged.

    Her eyes came in contact with that of James¡¯, and her eyes popped wide open.

    ¡°Oh my God.¡±

    She let go of him and hurriedly moved back. She lowered her head and began to pant heavily.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. James. I didn¡¯t know you were the one I hugged.¡±

    She held her hands forward like she was saying a prayer.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t know? So what did you think you were hugging? A pole?¡± Hr asked, and she closed her

    eyes and bit her lower lip in regret.

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry.¡± She bowed.

    ¡°You should be.¡±

    James looked at his shirt and saw her tears and her sweat had ruined it.

    ¡°Look at the mess you created. Yesterday, it was my pants. Today, it is my shirt!¡±

    Amelia raised her head in terror and looked at James¡¯ shirt. It was all wet and wrinkled.

    ¡®Oh no. I hugged him too tight.¡¯ She thought to herself.

    ¡°You know what this means, right?¡± He asked with a smirk on his face, and Amelia¡¯s heart stopped

    beating.

 Chapter 18: Ruined shirt.

    Chapter 18: Ruined shirt.

    Charles sat in a restaurant, waiting for his divorced wife, Helen. They had both agreed to meet

    because of their son and nothing more.

    He took a peek at his wristwatch and saw it was almost noon.

    ¡°This is one of the reasons why I get so mad at her. Why didn¡¯t she just choose noon for the

    meeting if she would keep me waiting till this time?¡±

    He picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip. He looked out of the restaurant through the

    transparent walls.

    He soon sighted a car park outside the restaurant. The car door opened, and he saw Helen alight.

    She looked as beautiful as ever. Charles gulped heavily and looked away. He picked his cup of

    coffee and took another sip.

    ¡°I am so sorry! I got a bit dyed at the airport,¡± Helen uttered and sat.

    He looked up and stared at her face. There was no difference from thest time he saw her. She

    looked so beautiful and young.

    ¡°Airport?¡± Charles asked in surprise, and she bobbed.

    ¡°I just got back from Mysia. I¡¯m sorry I kept you waiting for so long. My driver is so annoying.¡±

    Charles nodded and heaved a sigh.

    ¡°I bet you are too busy. So let¡¯s get straight to the point.¡±

    He tried avoiding her face as he spoke, and Helen noticed it. She smiled softly and bounced her

    head.

    ¡°Before we get straight to the point. How are you and James?¡±

    Charles scoffed and shook his head. ¡°You don¡¯t care, you don¡¯t have to pretend you do.¡±

    ¡°What? C¡¯mon, Charles. You know I do care about the both of you. You are my family.¡±

    ¡°Your other family, you mean? Listen to me, Helen. I called you here because you are the one

    James listens to every time. Even after all you did to us, he still loves you so much. You should be

    grateful for that.¡±

    ¡°Of course, I am grateful. And I thank you for not letting him hate me. If I had a choice, I wouldn¡¯t

    have¡­¡±

    ¡°You had a choice, Helen. You should have fought for our love, but you didn¡¯t. You let your father get

    in the way of our marriage, and you divorced me. He hated me because I wasn¡¯t rich, and you

    allowed him to ruin our marriage.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Charles. I know you hate me for it, but I had my reasons. If I didn¡¯t leave, then you would

    have¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to know. You have a family now, you are wealthy, and thank God I also became

    wealthy after you left. There are no rejects.¡±

    Helen gulped hard and nodded.

    ¡°So, you told me you have found the perfect wife for James. I¡¯m so happy you are getting me

    involved in this,¡± She uttered excitedly.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice. He is so stubborn.¡±

    She let out a littleugh, while Charles kept his cold look on.

    ¡°So who is this perfect wife you have found for him?¡±

    ¡°Her name is Amelia Cooper, the niece of a very good friend of mine. She works as his secretary

    now. Believe me when I say, she is the best. She is so innocent and quiet.¡±

    ¡°Wow. Do you think James likes her?¡± She asked, and Charles shook his head sadly.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t like her a little bit. He keepsining about everything that has to do with her. I

    would have taken it up myself, but I would never seed¡­¡±

    ¡°So you thought of contacting me so that I can help you talk to him and convince him to get married

    to her?¡± Helen butted in, and he nodded.

    ¡°Yes. It seems hard asking him to marry ady like her. But I prefer her because she isn¡¯t like the

    other girls he f**ks. She is everything we can ever wish for our son.¡±

    Helen smiled widely when he said ¡°our son¡±. Charles noticed she was smiling, and he creased his

    brows.

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±

    ¡°You said ¡®our son¡¯. I¡¯m so happy we still have something that brings us together.¡±

    Charles gulped and looked away. He picked up his cup of coffee and gulped everything that

    remained at a go. He was beginning to feel nervous.

    ¡°So, what do you think we can do?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Ermm. First things first. I¡¯ll have to relocate to bama for the meantime. I am on Vacation, so I¡¯ll

    spend it at home because of James.¡±

    ¡°At home?¡±

    ¡°Yes. At your house. Where else do you want me to stay, Charles?¡±

    ¡°Anywhere, apart from the house, okay? You have been gone for eighteen years. You can¡¯t just walk

    back like nothing happened.¡±

    ¡°But you need my help. You have to let me stay at the house, or I won¡¯t be able to talk to James.¡±

    Charles raised his brows in surprise after hearing her statement.

    ¡°Wow. But this is about our son, Helen.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°More reason why I should move back in for the meantime. The more time we spend together, the

    more opportunity to talk to him. I¡¯m not staying forever. Just for the meantime.¡±

    Charles exhaled loudly and nodded.

    ¡°Fine. When are you going toe?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s move right now! I can¡¯t wait to see him.¡±

    Helen grinned widely, and Charles let out a feeble smile. He truly missed her, but he was still hurt.

    ***

    Amelia got into the store, looking at James¡¯ shirt in her hand. He had instructed her to wash it and

    iron it as soon as possible.

    He had only singlets on when he gave it to her, so he needed it to be done very fast.

    She was happy he wasn¡¯t going to fire her because of what she did.

    She walked to the washing machine and before she threw the shirt in it, she slowly moved it to her

    nose.

    She inhaled his cologne for a long time and closed her eyes. His smell always broughtfort to

    her.

    Amelia poured some detergent in the washing machine and put it on. She sat on a chair not so far

    from it and stared at the machine.

    The machine stopped working after some minutes, and she went ahead to rinse and dry it.

    Soon, the shirt was dried, and she took it out of the machine. She looked up and saw an ironing

    board not so far from where she was.

    The board was covered with an ironing nket, and on it was the quality steam iron.

    She buttoned the shirt andid it neatly on the board. She connected the iron and waited a little bit

    for it to heat up. She started ironing afterwards.

    James silently walked into the store and found Amelia ironing his shirt. He smirked and went ahead

    with removing his singlet.

    He walked up to her and stretched the singlet to her.

    ¡°Wash this too.¡±

    Amelia raised her head to look at him, and when she saw him standing in front of her with his bare

    chest, her eyes broadened.

    She took the singlet from him, but found it hard to look away from his muscr torso.

    She admired the contour lines from his cor bone, down to the waist of his trousers. It was so

    evident and looked so rigid.

    ¡°I promise you that if you burn my shirt, that is the end for you.¡±

    Amelia blinked out of her fantasy and hastily looked away. She looked down and saw that she had

    ced the iron on the shirt unknowingly.

    She quickly raised it up and saw nothing had happened to the shirt. She heaved a sigh of relief and

    kept ironing.

    James stared at her and giggled inside of him. ¡®She is so much fun to make a fool off.¡¯

    ¡°Why don¡¯t I have your phone number? Weren¡¯t you supposed to submit it too?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Errm¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m yet to get one.¡±

    ¡°Hold on a sec. You don¡¯t have a phone?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. I never thought of having one because I didn¡¯t need it. I have no one to talk to, and I

    feared it would be useless.¡±

    James¡¯ lips parted in disbelief. He had never seen such a dumbass his whole life.

    ¡°You fear your phone would be useless if you buy it? And now you are working, you don¡¯t think you¡¯ll

    need it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to get one soon. I promise, Mr. James.¡± She lowered her head.

    ¡°Get it today. I must have your number before the end of today. I won¡¯t be in the office every time,

    and I¡¯ll need to tell you about some things, okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡°

    Amelia finished ironing his shirt and raised it up. ¡°It¡¯s all done, sir. I¡¯ll wash the singlet now.¡±

    She stretched the shirt to James, but he refused to collect it, leaving her confused.

    ¡°Put it on for me.¡± He lifted his arms in the air and waited for her to clothe him.

 Chapter 19: Being Robbed.

    Chapter 19: Being Robbed.

    Amelia was still in shock, even after the day¡¯s work was over.

    When she helped James wear his shirt, she was tempted to bury her nose in his chest and sniff

    him.

    His singlet, his everything smelled so nice! She couldn¡¯t stop wondering how he smelled so nice,

    and he was yet to be eaten up by people.

    She hung her tote bag on her shoulders and waited for James to leave the office, before she

    headed home.

    James walked out of the office and met Amelia standing at her desk.

    ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± He asked, and she raised her head to look at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for you, sir. I didn¡¯t want to leave until you left.¡±

    James raised his eyebrows and exhaled softly. He tucked his hands in his pockets and walked to

    the elevator.

    She hurried behind him and they both waited for the elevator to give way to them.

    For some reasons that Amelia wasn''t sure about, she felt quite nervous. Maybe because she was

    going to stand in the same elevator with James at the same time.

    The elevator opened, and James first stepped in. He looked at Amelia, who didn¡¯t make an attempt

    to move.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He asked, and she gulped.

    ¡°I¡­ I think I forgot something. You can go ahead, sir. I¡¯ll be right behind you.¡±

    Amelia hurried back to her desk, breathing hard.

    The elevator was going to travel to the main door for like five minutes. She wasn¡¯t ready to stand in

    the same elevator with her boss for five minutes.

    ¡®It will be so awkward!¡¯

    She waited for some minutes and then walked back to the elevator. To her great surprise, she met

    James still standing in the elevator.

    ¡®Is he waiting for me?!¡¯ She screamed in her head.

    ¡°Get in already. I¡¯m tired of stopping the elevator from closing up.¡±

    Amelia blinked severally and shuffled into the elevator. ¡®Why did he wait?!¡¯

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    She smiled faintly and lowered her head as the elevator closed up. They began to move, and

    Amelia moved to the extreme end of the elevator.

    James stood not so far from the door and rested on the walls of the elevator.

    He looked at Amelia and noticed she was glued to the other end of the elevator. She couldn¡¯t even

    look up.

    He scoffed and looked away. He looked at his wristwatch and saw it was past seven already.

    ¡°Are you going to get the cellphone today? You must resume with it tomorrow, okay?¡±

    Amelia raised her head and nodded. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the store now, sir. I¡¯ll resume with it tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Great. Come closer.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s breath ceased after hearing his order. ¡®Come closer? Why?! Why do I have toe

    closer?!¡¯

    She bounced her head slowly and dragged her feet on the floor as she moved closer to him. All this

    while, her head was bowed.

    She kept about two meters away from him and looked at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, sir,¡± She said and quickly lowered her head.

    ¡°No, you are not. Come closer. I didn¡¯t say keep a distance from me.¡±

    He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. Amelia¡¯s eyes popped open as she slightly hit her head

    on his chest.

    ¡°Oh God, I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. James. I tried to gain bnce but¡­¡±

    ¡°I need paper and a pen. Get me one.¡± James let go of her hand and stretched his hands to her.

    ¡°Oh, Paper and pen. I have one.¡±

    Amelia quickly searched for what he had asked for in her bag. She was still standing a few inches

    away from him.

    She picked up her mini-jotter and tore a page from it. She also picked the pen and stretched both of

    them to him.

    He took only the pen from her and held her other hand that had the paper in it.

    ¡°ce it well. I want to write something.¡±

    Amelia looked at his face in confusion, but when she saw the cold expression on his face, she

    immediatelyplied.

    She ced the paper on her palm and let him write on her palm. James held her wrist with his left

    hand, as he wrote on the paper with his right hand.

    He finished writing and dropped the pen on the paper. ¡°Move back. I¡¯m done.¡±

    Amelia hurriedly moved back to where she stood initially and looked at what he had written on the

    paper.

    It was a phone number. Under it he wrote boldly; ¡°Call me immediately you get the phone.¡±

    She smiled faintly and looked at him, but he wasn¡¯t looking at her anymore. The elevator finally

    opened, and he stepped out. She hurriedly followed behind him.

    They got out of thepany and that was when Amelia knew it was dark outside already.

    ¡®Thank God my house is near thepany now. What would I have done if I was still living in my

    uncle¡¯s house?¡¯ She thought.

    James headed to his car and his driver opened the door for him. Amelia watched him as he stepped

    into the car.

    Deep down, she wanted him to give her a lift to where she was going to get the phone because she

    was scared, but she dared not ask him.

    In the twinkle of an eye, James zoomed off from her presence, and she heaved a loud sigh.

    ¡°Looks like you are on my own, Amelia,¡± She mumbled and began to walk down the street.

    James'' phone began to ring, and he pulled it out from his breast pocket. It was Charles calling.

    ¡°Hello, Dad. I¡¯m on my way already. I got your message.¡±

    ¡°Great! I want you to get home before your motheres back from the market. She is so excited.

    She can¡¯t wait to see you.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see her too. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± He smiled.

    He hung up the call and looked at the driver. ¡°Drive faster. I can¡¯t get homete,¡± He said, and his

    driver elerated almost immediately.

    ***

    Amelia got to the store and met with the cashier. He told her the cellphone avable and their price

    ranges.

    Amelia checked the cash with her and decided to get an IPhone 6S Plus. She needed money for

    other things, and she didn¡¯t want to ask her uncle for money anytime soon.

    He had given her so much cash when she got to her new apartment. She couldn¡¯t bother him for the

    meantime.

    The cashier helped her pack up the phone, and Amelia paid her a sum of $121.

    ¡°Can I get rid of the carton now? I need to save a phone number.¡±

    ¡°Sure. I can help you with that.¡±

    The cashier helped Amelia get rid of the carton, helped her switch on the phone and gave it to her.

    ¡°You should charge it when you get home. But you can still save the number.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡° Amelia grinned widely and walked out of the store.

    She walked down the street and pulled out the paper James had written on. She clicked on her

    dialer and began to input his phone number.

    ¡®What will I use to save you?¡¯ She asked herself. All this while, her head was buried in her phone.

    ¡°Mr. James would do.¡±

    She saved his contact, and as soon as she saved it, she threw the phone in her bag and looked up.

    She furrowed her brows when she noticed where she was wasn¡¯t anywhere familiar. She missed

    the road when she was on her phone.

    ¡°Where the hell am I?¡±

    It was like a Close, but not just any Close, it looked like a dangerous one. It was awkwardly dark

    and scary.

    ¡°My street is the next one. How did I make such a stupid mistake?¡± She felt goosebumps grow all

    over her body.

    She rubbed her hands and hurriedly turned to hit the main road. As she turned, she collided with

    someone.

    ¡°Oh, my¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡±

    She raised her head to look at who she had hit, and when her eyes met with the scary-looking man

    in front of her, her heart skipped a beat.

    His face was full of tattoos. Only his eyes were spared. He had a ciger between his lips, and he was

    wearing a ck hoodie.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡­ I¡¯ll leave now.¡± Amelia moved to the other side, and he moved in the same direction,

    blocking her way.

    She moved to another side again, and he did the same thing. Amelia began to sweat all of a

    sudden, she could sense she was in trouble already.

    ¡°Please, let me go.¡± Her voice was shaky and full of fear.

    He scoffed and took the cigar away from his mouth. He threw it on the floor and quenched the fire

    with his boot.

    ¡°You can escape easily. I don¡¯t ept apologies.¡± His voice sounded fierce and devilish. Amelia¡¯s

    throat tightened ufortably, and she bowed her head.

    ¡°What do you want then? Please don¡¯t hurt me.¡±

    ¡°Give me everything you have!¡±

    Before Amelia could react to his order, he snatched her bag from her, unzipped it and turned it

    upside down. Everything in her bag scattered on the paved floor.

    Her eyes widened in terror. She was too shocked to move or speak. She was being robbed. For the

    very first time in her life.

    He picked up her phone and the dor notes that flew out of her bag. It was about $200.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t take the phone. I need to call my boss tonight,¡± She cried.

    ¡°Are you crazy? You should be happy I don¡¯t want to f**k toot brains out right now. You are lucky you

    don¡¯t entice me. Get the hell out of here!¡± He yelled, making her flinch.

    She quickly went on her knees in tears, packed the documents and her apartment key back into her

    bag.

    She picked up her bag and ran out of the deadly close, crying profusely.

 Chapter 20: A kindhearted woman

    Chapter 20: A kindhearted woman

    Amelia dragged her feet down the street her apartment was, crying profusely.

    Everyone that passed past her stared at her. They all wondered what had happened to her, but

    never asked her what happened.

    ¡°How do I call Mr. James now? He is going to be so mad at me tomorrow. If I don¡¯t resume using the

    phone tomorrow, I¡¯ll be so done!¡±

    ¡°All my money has been stolen, I can¡¯t buy another one unless I get home and pick some more

    cash. But I can¡¯te back here tonight, it¡¯s alreadyte.¡±

    ¡°Why is the world against me so much? Why do you hate me so much!¡± She cried aloud like a baby.

    She kept dragging her feet, her head lowered in sadness, and her bag hung carelessly on her

    shoulder.

    She didn¡¯t care about the eyes that peered at her. She was devastated.

    She shuffled past the mall on her street and before she could take five footsteps away from the

    entrance of the mall, she heard a loud crash behind her.

    She stood walking and looked back in fear. She saw a woman struggling with already torn nylon

    bags.

    Some fruits like oranges and apples that had fallen from the torn bags were rolling to the road. At

    this time, a car was approaching at full speed.

    Amelia ran to rescue some of the fruits before they got crushed by the car approaching.

    She picked about five oranges and six apples and threw them in her bag before the car got to them

    and passed them.

    ¡°Oh God, thank you so much.¡±

    The woman that had the items uttered tiredly. There were still more things on the floor to be picked.

    Lettuces, spring onions, corn beef, sardines, ketchups, pepper, and many more.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you get nylons from the mall. You should stay with these so they don¡¯t get stolen.¡±

    Amelia moved closer to the woman and passed her bag to her. ¡°You can put some here. I¡¯ll pick out

    the documents.¡±

    Amelia removed the file in her bag and the woman collected the bag from her. She looked at

    Amelia¡¯s face and noticed her eyes were teary.

    ¡°Hey, are you okay? Why are you crying?¡± She asked, and Amelia shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll get you two big bags.¡±

    Amelia hurried into the mall to ask for two bags from the cashier. She pointed to the woman outside

    and the cashier gave her the bags.

    She hurriedly back to the woman and started helping her pick up the items.

    ¡°Thank you so much, dear. You are a kindhearted woman,¡± The woman said, and Amelia smiled

    faintly, uttering no words.

    In no time, they were done packing all the items that fell from the nylons, into the bags. Amelia¡¯s

    bag was also filled with foodstuffs.

    ¡°My car is parked on the other side of the road.¡±

    The woman pointed to a ck Lexus RX 350 on the other side of the road.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the bags to your car then.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much.¡±

    The woman carried Amelia¡¯s bag, while Amelia carried the bags she had collected from the cashier

    down to where her car was parked.

    She opened the boot of her car and put the bags in it.

    ¡°My bag.¡± Amelia pointed to her bag and the woman locked her boot.

    ¡°What is your name? I can¡¯t give you your bag just yet. You have to let me repay you for your

    kindness.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you don¡¯t have to. I don¡¯t want anything. I just want to go home.¡± Amelia¡¯s eyes heated up

    again, and she bowed her head.

    ¡°Talk to me. What is wrong? What is your name? Come with me.¡±

    She held Amelia¡¯s hand and led her to her chair. Amelia followed her weakly and kept crying. She

    opened the front door for her and made her sit.

    She shut the door and walked to the driver¡¯s seat. She also sat and looked at Amelia.

    ¡°Talk to me, dear. What is your name? Why are you so sad?¡± She asked.

    ¡°My name is Amelia, and¡­¡±

    ¡°Amelia?¡± She asked, and Amelia bounced her head.

    ¡°Yes, Amelia. And, I¡¯m sad because all my valuable things got stolen some minutes ago. My phone

    and some money¡±

    ¡°Really? Oh my, I¡¯m so sorry, Amelia. You don¡¯t deserve such a treatment. Where do you stay?¡±

    ¡°My house is not so far from this mall. It¡¯s like the fifth building from here.¡±

    ¡°Have you had dinner?¡± She asked, and Amelia shook her head.

    ¡°Not yet, Ma¡¯am. But don¡¯t worry, Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll prepare something when I get home.¡±

    ¡°No, Amelia. Follow me home. I¡¯ll make you dinner, and I¡¯ll help you clean your bag too. Just follow

    me home. Please. I haven¡¯t seen such an amazing person in a long time.¡±

    Amelia looked at her and smiled faintly. She bounced her head, and the woman hurriedly ignited the

    engine.

    ¡°Thank you so much. I can¡¯t wait to know more about you. How old are you, Amelia?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m twenty. I¡¯ll be twenty-one in a few months.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a big girl. What do you do?¡±

    ¡°I have graduated from the university, and I¡¯m working at the Ja¡¯ Park¡¯s tertiarypany. I¡¯m the

    secretary of the CEO.¡±

    ¡°Hm, smart girl, hun?¡± She asked, and Amelia chuckled.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so smart. If I am smart, I wouldn¡¯t get robbed.¡± She lowered her head and fiddled her

    fingers.

    ¡°Anybody can get robbed, Amelia. That doesn¡¯t make you less smart, okay? I have been robbed

    before too. I was young like you. I was almost raped too, thanks to a brave, nice guy that helped me

    out that day. I would have been raped.¡±

    ¡°Wow. I¡¯m so sorry about that.¡±

    She shook her head and smiled. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be sorry, Amelia. It''s been a long time. I¡¯m

    happy such a bad thing didn¡¯t happen to you.¡±

    Amelia nodded and looked at the road. They drove past her house, and she rested her head on the

    window.

    ***

    The car stopped moving, and Amelia opened her eyes. She looked out of the window and saw a

    super huge mansion in front of her.

    ¡°Here we are.¡±

    ¡°This is your house?!¡± Amelia asked in awe, and the woman nodded.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go in. My son is waiting.¡± She opened the door and stepped out of the car.

    ¡°Son?¡± Amelia asked no one in particr and also stepped out of the car.

    She held onto her shirt nervously and waited for the woman to take the lead.

    ¡°Follow me.¡±

    The woman walked to the main door, and Amelia followed behind her. Before they got to the door,

    the door opened and twodies walked out.

    They wore maid uniforms and when they got closer, they bowed.

    ¡°Carry the bags in the boot. I need them in the kitchen as soon as possible,¡± The woman ordered.

    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    They hurried to the car, and Amelia stared at them. ¡®Gosh, this woman is so rich. Who is she?¡¯

    She opened the door and entered the house. Amelia followed behind her and when she got in, her

    mouth dropped open.

    Everything was so clean and sparkling. The tiles, furniture, chandelier, sma TV, firece, they all

    looked beautiful and expensive.

    Amelia felt like she was the only dirty thing in the house.

    ¡°Helen, you are back.¡±

    Amelia heard a familiar voice, and she looked up to Charles standing in front of the woman. ¡®Helen?

    Her name is Helen.¡¯

    ¡°Mr. Charles?¡± Amelia asked in surprise.

    ¡°Amelia, what are you doing here?¡± Charles asked, walking to her.

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    ¡°Mom!¡±

    Amelia and everyone looked at the stairs where the voice came from. James ran down the stairs

    and headed to where Helen stood.

    ¡°My son,¡± Helen said and embraced James tightly.

    ¡®Mom. My son? She is Mr. James¡¯ mother?¡¯ Amelia asked herself in disbelief.

 Chapter 21: Pick a wife for me

    Chapter 21: Pick a wife for me

    ¡°Amelia? What are you doing here?¡± James asked after he stopped hugging Helen.

    ¡°I brought her home, because she helped me,¡± Helen answered before Amelia could, and the men

    exchanged looks.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about itter, okay? Come on, James, join me in the kitchen.¡±

    Helen held James¡¯ hand and pulled him along with her to the kitchen. After they were gone, Amelia

    looked at Charles, she didn¡¯t know what to say.

    ¡°Come and have your seat, Amelia. Let¡¯s talk.¡±

    Charles walked to the sofa, and Amelia followed behind him. She sat on the sofa in front of Charles

    and looked around again.

    ¡°Wee to my home, Amelia. I¡¯m still very surprised to see you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Charles. I never knew I¡¯d be visiting too. But Ma¡¯am insisted I have dinner with her.

    I never knew she was your wife.¡±

    ¡°Erm, not really. She is my ex-wife.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Charles.¡± Amelia lowered her head, and he chuckled.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Amelia. You never knew about it.¡±

    *

    ¡°So, are you going to tell me why Amelia is here?¡± James asked as he watched Helen chop the

    onions.

    ¡°She is here to have dinner.¡±

    ¡°Why? Can¡¯t she do that at her house?¡±

    Helen heaved a sigh, stopped chopping, and looked at James.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so harsh. She saw me in front of the mall, struggling with torn nylons.

    Everything I bought scattered on the floor, she helped me pack them, brought me two new bags,

    and even gave me her bags to put the fruits in. I just wanted to show my appreciation.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Mom. Tonight is supposed to be special. It should be a family dinner, where we get to talk

    about you and Dad. Amelia isn¡¯t part of the family. She is a stranger.¡±

    ¡°She is no stranger. She is your secretary.¡±

    ¡°Now you know everything about her?¡± James asked sarcastically.

    ¡°Of course, I asked to know little about her, and that included the fact that she got robbed tonight!¡±

    ¡°What? Where? How did it happen?¡±

    Helen knitted her brows and smiled widely. ¡°Look who is worried about a stranger.¡±

    ¡°Of course not! I just want to know if the file I gave her to study today is safe.¡±

    Helen¡¯s jaw cked in surprise. ¡°James, are you serious, right now? She got robbed and all you

    care about is your document?¡±

    ¡°What else should I care about? She isn¡¯t hurt. She seems fine to me. So¡­¡±

    ¡°Her phone and money was stolen, okay? Show some pity to her. She is a very nice girl, and I like

    her so much.¡±

    ¡°You have yet to tell me why you decided toe home. You prefer me toe to anywhere you

    are to see you. What changed?¡±

    Helen narrowed her gaze at James. She knew he tried to avoid the topic about Amelia, but she

    decided to y along.

    ¡°Well. You are the reason why I¡¯m here in bama, facing your father after a long time.¡±

    ¡°I am the reason? How?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk better after dinner. Alone.¡±

    ¡°You are scaring me, Mom. I can¡¯t wait till after dinner. Why am I the reason? Or is this an excuse to

    see father after a long time?¡±

    ¡°Nah! Your father hates me, James.¡±

    ¡°But he allowed you into the house after eighteen years. This is progress, right?¡±

    Helen exhaled sadly and lowered her head, arranging the chopped onions on the chicken. James

    lowered his head to look at her sad face.

    ¡°You still won¡¯t tell him?¡±

    ¡°No, James. This is not the right time.¡±

    ¡°But you want him back, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I do, James. But, can we not talk about this yet? This time around, we are talking about you and

    that thing of yours that refuses to rest.¡±

    Helen pointed between James¡¯ legs, and he raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°So that is what this is about, hun? Dad reported me to you?¡± James asked, folding his arms.

    ¡°Let me pay attention to our meal, okay? You have distracted me enough,¡± Helen responded and

    carried the chicken to the microwave.

    ***

    The table was finally set, and they all sat at the dining table, including Amelia.

    She sat on the chair that was next to Helen. James sat directly opposite Helen, and Charles sat at

    the front part of the table.

    ¡°This smells so good, Ma¡¯am Helen. I bet the taste is the same,¡± Ameliamended with a smile.

    ¡°Of course it is. Thank you, Amelia. Start eating so that I can drop you at your house afterwards.¡±

    Amelia nodded and looked at James, who looked at his meal. He lifted his head and shot her a

    deadly look. She quickly threw her face away, and Charles and Helen exchanged looks.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to take her home. I¡¯ll take her home,¡± Charles responded, and James hit the table.

    ¡°She is no baby. She can go home by herself.¡±

    ¡°No, she can¡¯t. It¡¯ste, okay? I¡¯ll take her home. It¡¯s no problem,¡± Charles responded, and James

    heaved a sigh.

    ¡°Whatever.¡±

    Amelia lowered her head in sadness and shame. She looked at her meal and didn¡¯t know whether

    she should eat or not. Especially after how James had reacted to her being present at their dinner.

    Helen noticed she was reluctant to touch the food, so she moved her hands under the table and

    gave Amelia a little tap on her thigh.

    Amelia looked at her face, and Helen gave her a reassuring nod. Amelia also nodded and picked up

    her cutlery. She began to eat too.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    ¡°So, tell me, Amelia. How are your parents?¡± Helen asked.

    James and Charles lifted their heads and looked at Helen, then they also exchanged looks.

    ¡®That question shouldn¡¯t be asked, Mom.¡¯ James thought, looking at his meal again.

    ¡°They died. A lot time ago.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Helen raised her eyesbrows and blinked severally in awe.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for asking. I never knew¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Ma¡¯am. You don¡¯t have to be sorry. You didn¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Can I ask who you live with now?¡± Helen further asked, and Charles exhaled softly.

    ¡°Can you just let her eat in peace? She will be dyed if you keep asking her questions. She has to

    get to the office tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mr. Charles. I live alone now. But I lived with my uncle before.¡±

    ¡°She lives alone now? How did I not know? Where does she live now?¡± James looked up and

    looked at her.

    ¡°You changed address and didn¡¯t tell me about it?¡± James asked coldly, and Amelia gulped.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think it was necessary to bother you with such information. I stay on the street

    not so far from thepany¡¯s building.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I¡¯ve lost my appetite.¡±

    He hit the table again and stood up. He took onest look at Amelia before walking to the stairs.

    ¡®When will he stop hating me?¡¯

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Amelia. That¡¯s how he is,¡± Helen said with a smile, and Amelia responded with

    a faint smile.

    ¡°Do you have a boyfriend?¡± Charles asked, and Amelia¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t!¡±

    ***

    James was busy scrolling through his social media when he heard a knock on his door.

    ¡°Hey baby. It¡¯s Mom. Can Ie in?¡± He heard Helen¡¯s voice.

    ¡°The door isn¡¯t locked. It¡¯s not my house, remember?¡±

    Helen chuckled and opened the door. She walked into the room and met James sitting on the bed.

    He seemed very engrossed in what he was doing.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to talk. Can you give me a few minutes?¡± She asked, and James rolled his eyes and

    tossed his phone aside.

    ¡°That girl is gone already, hun?¡± He asked, and Helen heaved a sigh.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, stop treating her like that. She is a very nice girl. I like her.¡±

    Helen sat next to him and reached for his hand. She held his hand and looked at his face.

    ¡°What do you want to talk about?¡± He asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s about you, James. You are twenty-eight, and you promised me something, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    James knitted his brows and shook his head. ¡°Promised you something? I don¡¯t think I remember.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, James, stop ying. I¡¯m serious. You promised me that you¡¯d bring a wife home when you

    turn twenty-five. It¡¯s been three years already, and I still haven¡¯t seen any woman you are serious

    with.¡±

    ¡°I knew this was what the ¡®I want to talk to you¡¯ is all about. Mom, if I had found the perfect woman, I

    would have brought her home and told you about her. But I haven¡¯t found one yet. You need to give

    me more time.¡±

    ¡°How much more time? James, I¡¯m not growing younger, and this goes to you too. You are turning

    twenty-nine next year. You don¡¯t even look like you are searching for a wife.¡±

    James exhaled and looked out of his window.

    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m just not ready, and that is because alldies are the same. They are after my money,

    nothing more.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, James, are you saying this because I left your father to marry a richer man?¡±

    He hurriedly shook his head and looked at her. ¡°No! Of course not. You were forced. Your father

    would have hurt dad if you didn¡¯t do what he asked. Yours is understandable.¡±

    Helen closed her eyes and nodded. She wore a sad face almost immediately and James grew

    worried.

    ¡°Mom, C¡¯mon. I don¡¯t see women like that because of you. Father hates you because he doesn¡¯t

    know about the threats you faced yet. I still don¡¯t know why you have refused to tell him that you are

    a free woman now. That asshole is dead!¡±

    ¡°James¡­ James, you are raising your voice. Calm down, okay? This should be about you, not

    about your father and I. I¡¯ll talk to Charles, and we¡¯ll talk things out. But this is about you!¡±

    She pocked his shoulder, and he giggled.

    ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s do this. I¡¯ll let you pick a wife for me. Any woman you want, I¡¯ll want.¡±

    ¡°What? Are you for real? Is that a promise?¡±

    He nodded happily, and she sprang to her feet in excitement.

    ¡°I have a wife for you!¡± She yelled.

    ¡°Who?¡± James looked super curious.

    ¡°Amelia!¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

 Chapter 22: Do you like my son?

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 22: Do you like my son?</strong>

    Charles parked in front of Amelia''s apartment, and she alighted. He also stepped out of the car and walked up to her.

    "Thank you so much for the ride. You can go back now. I don''t want to keep you waiting," Amelia said and bowed.

    "I would love to talk to you about something. Do you mind if I go in with you?"

    "Oh really? Sure. Let''s go, Sir."

    Amelia led the way and Charles followed behind her. They walked up the stairs and in no time, they got to her floor.

    She headed to her door and when she drew close, she looked at Elena''s door.

    "She is probably asleep," She said aloud, and Charles looked at the door.

    "Who is asleep?" He asked, and she looked back at him.

    "My friend, Elena. I''m alwaysing homete, and I don''t get a chance to talk to her at night:"

    "Elena?" Charles knitted his brows, and Amelia nodded, opening her door.

    "Why? Do you know her?"

    "I know one Elena. She worked as James'' Secretary before she got him pissed, and he fired her. I heard she lives around thepany too. Is she your friend?"

    "Yes, she is. The first friend I''ll ever have actually. She is a nice person. But she has never mentioned working for James. Maybe because we haven''t really talked."

    Amelia opened the door and stepped aside so that Charles could go in.

    "She may not be the one. And if she is the one, I don''t think it matters."

    Amelia walked into the apartment and locked the door behind her.

    "But what would she have done to Mr. James that made him fire her? He once said she was good at her job. I believe she is a nice person too."

    "Well, you know how James can be. He never told me what she did. All I knew is that he fired her."

    Amelia nodded and dropped her already cleaned bag on the couch.

    "Sit, Amelia." He tapped the couch he sat on, and she sat next to him.

    "I am about to discuss something very importantwith you. I want you to be super honest with me. I have never done this before. I hope you answer everything I ask you."

    Amelia looked at him and nodded nervously. ''God, I hope he isn''t firing me too.'' She thought fearfully.

    "What do you think about my son, Amelia?"

    "Sir, you mean Mr. James?" She asked almost immediately and blinked severally.

    "Yes, James."

    "Erm... Mr. James is a very nice person, Mr, Charles," She said, and bowed her head.

    "C''mon, Amelia. Stop lying. You and I know that James isn''t a nice person. He is arrogant and stubborn."

    Amelia covered her mouth and let out a littleugh after hearing Charles'' response.

    "I didn''t want to talk about him like that. He is my boss, Mr. Charles. I appreciate him so much for allowing me to work in hispany despite my ws."

    Charles smiled faintly and bobbed. He looked around the living room, feeling impressed about how neatly arranged it was.

    ''She takes care of her apartment well. She will definitely take care of James and his apartment.

    Amelia noticed Charles was lost in thoughts, staring around her living room.

    "Mr. Charles, do you want anything? I don''t have soft drinks at home. I''m yet to stock the freezer. But, I have cold water," She said and stood up, but Charles held her hand and made her stop.

    "I don''t want anything. Sit down, Amelia. I''m not done questioning you."

    Amelia gulped hard and sat on the couch again. This time, she turned to look at Charles, paying him rapt attention.

    "Do you like my son?" Charles asked, and Amelia knitted her brows.

    "Like? I don''t understand you, Mr. Charles." She let out a nervousugh and rubbed her thighs with her hands.

    "There''s no other way to exin that question. It''s pretty straightforward. Do you like James?"

    ''Oh God, what is going on? Why is he asking me these weird questions? I need to be careful with the way I answer them. Maybe this is another test.''

    "Ermm... yes, Sir. I do like Mr. James."

    "Great! Beautiful!" Charles pped and sprang to his feet happily.

    "Sir... hold on, I don''t get you. Why are you so excited about it?" She asked curiously.

    "That means you don''t mind being his wife!" He raised his arms in the air.

    "What?! Wife?! What?!" She yelled at the top of her voice. She sprang to her feet too and shook her head aggressively.

    "I never knew you meant that. He is my boss, I work in hispany. I should like him, right? I can''t hate him."

    Charles heaved a sigh and his arms fell weakly.

    "Now you know what I''m talking about right? Would you love to be in a rtionship with my son? It''s you I want for him, Amelia. You are innocent, beautiful, smart, hardworking, most importantly, you aren''t after his money or body. You are perfect."

    Charles moved closer to her and held her hands in his. Amelia swallowed hard and shook her head again. This time, slowly.

    "No, Mr. Charles... I.. I... This is a bad idea. Mr. James hates me with everything in him. He would never marry me."

    Amelia struggled with words. She felt super ufortable and started to breathe hard in no time. Instead of a dream, it was more like anightmare.

    "Don''t bother about James, Amelia. I need to know what you think. Do you think he can be your husband?" Charles asked again.

    Amelia got her hands off his and walked away.

    She stood inches away from Charles and started pacing.

    "Truly, Mr. James is handsome, smart, bold, powerful, rich, smells so good, he is every woman''s desire. But, I don''t think he can be like my husband because I''m not worth him! He... he is too much for me. I can''t. I can''t handle him, Mr. Charles."

    Amelia shook her head again, this time, tears streamed out of her eyes uncontrobly.

    "C''mon, Amelia. You don''t have to cry. Leave what James thinks about this to us, Okay? Helen and I would take care of that. But, I need you to please ept my request. I need grandchildren, and I want you to be their mother."

    "But, there are other women out there. Beautiful, fashionable, smart, of age, rich, and..."

    "I''ll give you time to think about this, okay? I''m not forcing you, but I''ll be so happy if you two end up together. Please, Amelia. I want a positive answer."

    Amelia closed her eyes after Charles finishedtalking and tapped her shoulder softly.

    "I''ll excuse you now."

    Amelia didn''t move an inch until Charles was out of the house. She fell on her knees and began to weep.

    ''Why do I feel so emotional? Shouldn''t I be happy I''ll be getting married to such a man?'' She reminisced and shook her head again.

    "He hates me. He will never love you, Amelia. But what if I say no and I get fired too? My uncle will never forgive me. God! This is too much!"

    Amelia was still weeping when a knock on her door came through.

    "Who is it?" She mumbled, cleaning her teary face.

    "Hey, it''s me, Elena. Are you okay? You sound strange."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    Amelia exhaled softly and stood up from where she knelt. She headed to the door and opened it.

    She left the door and walked back to the couch. She sat on it, and Elena also walked to the couch.

    "Hey, what''s wrong? Why are you crying?"

    Elena sat next to her and looked at her face.

    "It''s nothing." Amelia faintly smiled and cleaned the tears that were gathering in her eyes again.

    "We are friends, aren''t we? You can''t deceive me. My friend is the most jovial person I know. So tell me what happened, okay? I''ll listen."

    Amelia nodded and let out a loud sigh.

    "My boss'' father just left my apartment. He told me something I wasn''t expecting at all."

    Elena narrowed her eyes and leaned closer. "What did he tell you?" She further asked.

    "He said something about wanting me for his son. He wants me to get married to my boss, and... and I don''t see myself doing that. I''m not half of what he wants in a woman."

    The curious look on Elena''s face washed off immediately she heard Amelia''s words. She leaned back and clenched her jaws.

    Amelia looked up when she noticed Elena turned awkwardly silent all of a sudden.

    "Hey, what''s wrong?" Amelia asked, and Elena shook her head and smiled.

    "It''s nothing. I''m just pretty surprised. Don''t you want to get married?" She asked, brushing her hair backward with her palm.

    "I never said I didn''t want to get married. But getting married to my boss? The CEO? To Mr. James Parker? I can''t!" Amelia raised her voice a little higher than usual.

    "Hey, Calm down, okay? It''s quite simple. Tell Mr. Charles that you don''t want to marry him. Is it that hard?"

    "I can''t... Wait..." Amelia stopped talking and creased her brows.

    "Mr. Charles? How did you know his name? I didn''t mention his name."

    ''F**k! Elena!'' Elena thought in anxiety.

    "Ermm... it''s..."

    "Hold on. You are the Elena that worked for Mr.

    James Parker before, right? You were his secretary."

    Elena nodded and smiled.

    "Yes, I am. I just realized you work there too. You know we haven''t gotten the time to talk properly. I never even knew that you were working there."

    Amelia heaved a sigh and sat on the couch again. "Why did he fire you?" She asked with a sincere worried look.

    "I never expected you to ask me that question. I''m very sure you know how James is. He can fire you for the slightest mistake. I''m surprised you are still working there."

    "Well, I don''t know, Elena. What can I do? I can''t lose my job, and I can''t say no to Mr. Charles. I''m scared he will hate no for an answer. My uncle would hate me if I do anything stupid."

    "It''s simple, Amelia. Tell your uncle that you don''t want him. He is arrogant and hateful. You don''t deserve someone like him," Elena uttered.

    Amelia nodded and looked at Elena''s face. "Thank you, Elena."

    "You don''t have to thank me. I''ll do anything for my friend. I know you''ll do the same thing for me. Come here."

    Elena opened her arms, and Ameliafortably leaned into her arms and closed her eyes. Elena exhaled softly and rolled her eyes.

    ''Stupid b**ch.''

 Chapter 23: Amelia is fired

    Chapter 23: Amelia is fired

    Amelia got to thepany very early in the morning. She got to her table and arranged

    everywhere. James was yet to arrive, and she was happy she got to thepany before him.

    ¡®I¡¯m going to try my best not to piss him off.¡¯

    She took a look at her outfit and smiled. She was dressed in a yellow T-shirt and a very tight blue

    skirt that stopped directly on top of her knee. Her t shoes were ck. Her t-shirt refused to remain

    tucked in her shirt because her skirt was too tight. As she walked, it kept pulling out.

    ¡®I believe this is a better look. He would be surprised to see me wearing something fitted.¡¯ Amelia

    thought excitedly.

    She sat on her chair and ced her bag on the table. She pulled out the file James had given her

    and began to read through it again.

    She stayed up all night to make sure she covered everything in the file. She just wanted to brush

    through to refresh her memory.

    She was still reading when she heard the elevator open. ¡®He is here!¡¯

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She sprang to her feet and pulled her skirt down. She gulped and folded her hands in front of her.

    She looked at the hallway, expecting James to pop out, but Freddie came into sight instead.

    ¡°Uncle Freddie?¡± She called in surprise, and he bounced his head with a grin.

    ¡°Baby Amelia.¡±

    He opened his arms and she ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.

    ¡°What are you doing here? I missed you so much,¡± Amelia said and looked at his face.

    ¡°I missed you so much too, Amelia. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t visited you since you left the house. I have

    been so busy.¡±

    Amelia let out an affectionate smile and took two steps backwards away from him.

    ¡°I understand, Uncle. I¡¯m happy you are here now.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, you look different today. Stepping up your fashion game, hun?¡± He asked, and she chuckled.

    ¡°Something like that. Is it good?¡± She asked, making a quick turn.

    ¡°Trust me, everything you do is good, Amelia. Lest I forget, I¡¯m so sorry about what happened to

    youst night. Mr. Charles called me to tell me. I got you a new phone on my way here.¡±

    Freddie walked to Amelia¡¯s desk and opened his briefcase. ¡°Your boss is yet to arrive?¡± He further

    asked, and Amelia bounced her head.

    ¡°Uncle, you didn¡¯t have to buy another for me. I still have some cash.¡±

    Freddie shook his head and pulled out the ck IPhone X he had gotten for her.

    ¡°The cash would serve other things, okay? I don¡¯t mind getting a cellphone for you. Here, have it.¡±

    He stretched the carton to her, and she collected it from him with full happiness.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Uncle. I love you.¡±

    She moved closer to him and nted a kiss on his cheek. Freddie chuckled and locked his

    briefcase.

    ¡°I can¡¯t stay long, Amelia. Mr. Charles and I have a meeting in an hour, and I still have to get to my

    company first.¡±

    Amelia nodded and ced the phone on her table.

    ¡°Can you thank Mr. Charles for me? Him and his wife treated me like their daughterst night. Mr.

    Charles drove me home.¡±

    Freddie looked at her and raised his eyebrows. ¡°Really? Well, I¡¯m not surprised Charles is so nice to

    you. Once he likes you, he will always be nice. But his wife? He doesn¡¯t have a wife.¡±

    ¡°Oh yes, that¡¯s true. His ex-wife. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Freddie smiled and shook his head as they both headed to the elevator.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Amelia. I¡¯m happy you seeded in getting into James¡¯ heart. So how did you get what he

    loves the most?¡± He asked, and she furrowed her eyebrows.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seeded in getting into his heart, Uncle. I mean, he hates my guts, and I¡¯m still not

    close to knowing what he loves the most.¡±

    ¡°Really? That is weird. Charles told me he signed our contractst night.¡±

    ¡°What?! Really?! So I¡¯m free?¡±

    ¡°Free? Hell no! You need to keep working here, Amelia. Aren¡¯t you happy you have finally secured a

    good job? You can finally survive without your uncle. Moreover, this isn¡¯t thest business I and the

    Parkers would do together. You can¡¯t ruin the opportunity we have now.¡±

    Amelia heaved a sigh and bounced her head. She punched the elevator button and waited for the

    door to open up.

    ¡®He still didn¡¯t give a shit about mest night. What made him sign the contract?¡¯

    The elevator opened and Freddie stepped into it.

    ¡°Hey, I saved my number on your phone already. Call me as soon as you get home. I got a SIM

    card for you too. I have your number already.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and waved at Freddie as the elevator closed.

    ¡®So Mr. Charles hasn¡¯t told him about what we discussedst night?¡¯

    She exhaled softly and walked back to her table. She sat and picked up the carton, she opened it

    and switched on her phone.

    As she waited for it toe on. She remembered how she got robbed and her body hairs stood in

    reaction to her thought. She shivered and shook off the thought.

    The phone came on and she broadly smiled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask him for his phone number again when he arrives,¡± She told herself as she scrolled through

    the phone.

    Soon she perceived a familiar scent, and she lifted her head to see James standing in front of his

    office. He was opening the door.

    ¡®When did he arrive? He must have arrived when I got lost on my phone.¡¯

    Amelia nervously put down her phone and stood up. She moved to where James was but kept a

    reasonable distance between them.

    ¡°Good morning, Mr. James. I hope you slept well.¡±

    Amelia''s moist lips lifted in an enthusiastic smile as she greeted him. She expected him to look at

    her, but he totally ignored her.

    He walked into the office and mmed the door in Amelia¡¯s face before she even thought of

    following him in.

    ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ She thought, dragging her feet back to her table. She stared at his door and got

    lost in thoughts again.

    ¡®He isn¡¯t always this cold. What happened? Was he forced to sign the contract? Did his father say

    something to him about me?¡¯

    ¡°Amelia!¡±

    James¡¯ intense, threatening voice knocked Amelia out of her thoughts, and she hurriedly sprang to

    her feet.

    ¡°Sir, I¡¯ming, sir.¡±

    She opened his door and hurried into his office. She got to his desk and lowered her head. ¡°Here I

    am, sir.¡±

    James moved an envelope in front of her and looked at her face in disgust.

    ¡°I give you two minutes to pack your things and get the hell out of here.¡±

    ¡°Sir?¡± Amelia¡¯s eyes widened in awe, and she couldn¡¯t but stare at him.

    ¡°Your two minutes started counting seconds ago. After two minutes and you are still in this vicinity,

    I¡¯ll do something you have never imagined in your entire miserable life:¡±

    Amelia began to breathe hard and loud after hearing James¡¯ threat. She began to shed tears in no

    time.

    ¡°Please, Mr. James. I beg you. Please don¡¯t do this. Please forgive me. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    She kept apologizing even though she had no idea what she had done to deserve such a cruel

    attitude from him.

    James didn¡¯t hesitate to pick up his phone, and he began to put a call across to the security.

    ¡°I beg you, Mr. James. I don¡¯t want to wait for my uncle to help me anymore. I want to have my own

    life, feed myself and¡­¡±

    ¡°I need two men up here right now. There¡¯s someone I need you to throw out for me.¡±

    James interrupted her speech, and Amelia¡¯s jaw cked in anguish. ¡®He is truly throwing me out.¡¯

    Amelia knew once the men came, they were going to handle her carelessly, so she hurriedly stood

    up and turned to leave.

    ¡°Take that letter of termination. There are enough reasons to kick you out of thispany. You

    should have seen thising.¡±

    James picked up the letter and tossed it to her. Amelia picked the letter from the floor in sadness

    and headed out of the office.

    As soon as she was out, the security men were approaching already.

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving already! Don¡¯t touch me!¡± She yelled in anger, and they immediately took a halt.

    She grabbed her bag, threw everything that belonged to her in it and ran to the elevator.

    *

    James rxed the muscles in his face after frowning for hours. He felt so relieved that Amelia was

    out of his life.

    ¡°Now mother wouldn¡¯t have those weird fantasies anymore. This will make her understand that I

    hate her with all my guts!¡±

    James'' phone began to beep, and he checked the caller, but it happened to be an unknown

    number.

    ¡°Who the f**k is this?¡±

    He answered the phone and put it on speaker. He waited to hear the person¡¯s voice before saying

    anything.

    ¡°Hey Pookie.¡±

    James closed his eyes and clenched his jaws in anger immediately he heard the voice.

    ¡°I told you never to call me that again, Elena. What the f**k do you want? And why are you calling

    me with a strange number? You knew I wouldn¡¯t answer the phone if I knew it was you, hun?!¡± He

    asked in rage.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, James. Why are you so upset today? Did your new secretary get on your nerves?¡±

    ¡°She is not my secretary anymore. Moreover, it¡¯s none of your business. What do you want?¡±

    ¡°She isn¡¯t your secretary anymore? She is now your fianc¨¦e?¡±

    ¡°What?! No! Where did you get such stupid idea from?¡± He asked in surprise.

    ¡°Why not let us leave that aside. Since she isn¡¯t your secretary, can Ie back to thepany?¡±

    ¡°Hell No! Listen to me, Elena. I¡¯m not in the mood for these silly games you are trying to y, okay?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. I just called to hear your voice again, my love. And, I want to tell you that I don¡¯t mind

    having another night of pleasure with you again.¡±

    ¡°F**k you, Elena.¡±

    ¡°I love you too. See you soon, Pookie. I¡¯m not giving up on you easily. Bye!¡±

    She guffawed and hung up before James could say any more words. James tightened his fist and

    hit his table, making a loud noise.

    ¡°B**tch!¡±

 Chapter 24: A loud scream

    Chapter 24: A loud scream

    So many taxis passed by Amelia, but she wasn¡¯t ready to stop one. Her head was full, her eyes

    were blurry due to her tears, her heart was broken.

    An hour back, she thought she finally got control over her life. She thought she could now make

    money and survive without her uncle, but she was wrong. The happy fantasy was washed down the

    drain by James.

    She looked at thepany¡¯s building for thest time and began to shuffle down the streets. She

    tried so hard not to call Freddie and tell him about it because she believed he would be busy, and

    she didn¡¯t want to be a distraction.

    She held her bag firmly, grasping it tightly under her shoulders as she walked. This time, she wasn¡¯t

    going to let anyone snatch her new phone and money from her.

    Almost everyone they passed by Amelia looked at her. Something caught their attention. It was

    either the way she sobbed home, or her fitted skirt.

    When Amelia noticed a young couple staring at her, she realized they were whispering things to

    themselves about her skirt.

    She quaffed and increased the speed at which she walked. At the moment, she began to regret that

    she changed her sense of fashion at all. She thought she improved it, but it seemed like she

    worsened it.

    She got to the front of her apartment and ran up the stairs. She hit her corridor in no time and saw

    Elena locking her door. She was heading out.

    ¡°Elena,¡± She mumbled loudly from where she was, and Elena lifted her head and saw her.

    ¡°Hey. Amelia.¡±

    Amelia shuffled to where she was in tears, and as she approached, Elena saw tears on her face.

    She felt a great urge tough when she saw her outfit, but she controlled it very well.

    ¡°Baby girl. Why are you crying? Are you okay?¡±

    Amelia shook her head and when she got to her door, she rested her back on the door weakly.

    ¡°What happened at work?¡± Elena further asked, moving a bit closer to her.

    ¡°I was fired, Elena. For no reason at all. Now I understand what you meant when you say he can

    fire me because of the slightest thing.¡±

    Elena heaved a sigh and touched Amelia¡¯s shoulder in pity. ¡°What was the slightest thing you did?

    Maybe it seemed slight to you, but it isn¡¯t slight at all.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, Elena. I swear. I was so eager to see him and collect his phone number I lost

    yesterday night, only for him to arrive, looking very cold and angry. The next thing I knew, I was out

    of thepany.¡± She broke into more tears again.

    ¡°Oh my¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, Amelia. You don¡¯t feel good at all. Let¡¯s talk in your apartment, okay?¡±

    Amelia turned to open the door, and Elena took this opportunity to free her throat by letting out an

    inaudibleughter.

    Amelia walked into the house and before she could look at Elena, Elena¡¯s face was back to the

    pitiful face she had earlier.

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    Amelia stepped away from the door and let Elena in. She got to her couch and fell t on it. Elena

    exhaled softly and approached her.

    ¡°I hate my life,¡± She groaned as she kept her face buried in her couch.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Amelia. Don¡¯t hate your life because you lost one job. There are other jobs out there, baby

    girl. Don¡¯t get so worked up about this one. Moreover, shouldn¡¯t you be happy you finally got away?¡±

    ¡°Hun?¡±

    Amelia raised her head from the couch and looked at Elena.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be excited? You have gotten away from Mr. Charles, don¡¯t you know? There is

    nothing bringing you and James closer anymore. You don¡¯t have to be his wife anymore.¡±

    Amelia heaved a sigh and sat up. ¡®I never even thought of that.¡¯ She thought.

    ¡°Trust me, Amelia. This is the best thing that has ever happened to you. You are free from that

    Psychopath, and you are crying? C¡¯mon, Amelia! You should be d!¡±

    Elena smiled cheerfully and hit Amelia¡¯s leg softly. Amelia smiled and looked at the leg she hit. It

    reminded her of the wound she had nursed for a few days.

    She stared at the dark mark, and Elena noticed it. She also saw the mark and furrowed her brows.

    ¡°What happened to you there?¡± She asked, and Amelia looked up.

    ¡°My female cousin almost chopped my leg off with her heels at my surprise graduation party.¡±

    ¡°What? She is so cruel!¡± Elena eximed, and Amelia shrugged.

    ¡°I was so distracted with work that I forgot about my wound. If I had thought about it when I was

    rushing out this morning, I wouldn¡¯t have worn a skirt that exposed it. Maybe this is why people kept

    staring at me on my way back home.¡±

    ¡°So this is why you wear long and big clothes?¡±

    ¡°No, not only this. I have been like that since my childhood. I don¡¯t like exposing so many parts of

    my body.¡±

    ¡°Really? But this is quite exposing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. I was stupid to think this would make Mr. James see me differently.

    ¡°Amelia, listen to me. You don¡¯t have to change for anyone, okay? Be yourself. You look beautiful

    with or without exposing your body. You deserve someone better. Forget about James!¡±

    Amelia chuckled and bounced her head. She felt happy with Elena¡¯s words. After her uncle, she

    was the only person that had boosted her self-confidence a little.

    ¡°I love you, Elena.¡± She pouted her mouth after saying it, and Elena divulged a thin smile.

    Elena began to feel her bag vibrating, she guessed it was her phone ringing, so she hastily picked it

    out. She checked her screen and saw it was her mother calling.

    She stared at the screen with an angry look for so long that it disconnected.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer it? Who is it?¡± Amelia asked out of curiosity. She could sense the anger in

    Elena.

    ¡°It¡¯s no one.¡± She threw her phone into her bag.

    Amelia slowly nodded, she wanted to mind her business, but the phone began to ring again.

    ¡°The person seems desperate. Pick up and listen to what he or she has to say. You don¡¯t have to

    say anything, but it¡¯s better than not hearing what¡¯s going on at all.¡±

    Elena clenched her jaw and sprang to her feet in outrage, catching Amelia unaware.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you tell me what to do! Mind your goddamn business, okay? This is my shit, not your stupid

    shit! Mind your f**king business!¡± She poked the air as she yelled.

    Amelia blinked severally in awe and disbelief. She never expected such a switch of attitude from

    Elena. Elena reached for her bag and stormed out of her apartment.

    ¡°Why is she so mad at me? I was just trying to help.¡±

    Ameliaid on the couch again and closed her eyes. Her eyes were heavy and stressed. She

    wanted to sleep badly.

    ~ At Evening ~

    The sudden noise from her bag kicked Amelia out of her sleep. She sprang up and looked at her

    bag with sleepy eyes. Her phone was ringing.

    She picked her phone and saw ¡°Uncle Freddie¡± on her screen. She smiled and excitedly answered

    the phone.

    ¡°Uncle,¡± She called, gluing her phone to her right ear.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Hey, Amelia. How are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Uncle. How are you?¡±

    ¡°Charles told me you got fired today, and I need to talk to you about it. Can youe to the house?

    I would have preferred your apartment, but I¡¯m passing a different route home. We need to talk

    tonight. Can youe home?¡±

    Amelia rubbed her eyes and bounced her head.

    ¡°Yes! I can. I¡¯ll take a taxi as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Good. I''m expecting you.¡±

    Freddie hung up the call, and Amelia sprang to her feet. She hurried to her bedroom and opened

    her closet.

    She pulled out green pzzo pants and a ck big round-neck shirt. She got rid of her clothes and

    put them on. She felt morefortable in them because they were big.

    She rinsed her face in the bathroom, never paying attention to her rough, wavy hair. She wore ck

    flip-flops and grabbed her bag before heading out.

    She ran down the corridor, totally forgetting about Elena. She got out of the house and noticed

    nightfall was near.

    ¡°Wow, I slept for so long.¡±

    She saw a taxi approaching right in time, and she moved closer to the road and waved it down. She

    got into the taxi and took off immediately.

    She checked her phone and realized it was 7 pm. She shook her head in disbelief and exhaled.

    ¡®I must have been so tired.¡¯

    *

    ¡°We are here, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. She drew out a few dor notes from her bag and stretched it to him. He collected the

    money, and she alighted.

    She lifted her head and stared at the building for a few minutes. Memories of how bad she has been

    treated in the house rushed into her head.

    She gulped hard and headed into thepound, which was all lighted up as usual.

    She got to the door and opened it. She didn¡¯t bother to knock because they never locked the door

    until it was midnight.

    The aroma of baked bread filled her nose as she walked into the living room. She looked towards

    the kitchen and smiled. The maids were doing wonders once again.

    When she saw Freddie wasn¡¯t in the living room, she proceeded to the staircase, heading to his

    room.

    She got to the uppermost part of the staircase and was about to step her foot on the second floor,

    when Ava appeared in front of her out of nowhere.

    Amelia was startled but quickly held onto the railings. She withdrew her leg and stood on thest

    tread.

    ¡°Hello, sister¡­¡±

    Amelia¡¯s heart began to beat very fast, it thumped against her chest like it was going to tear through

    it.

    She grabbed the railing tighter and kept moving back slowly because Ava didn¡¯t stop moving closer

    with an evil grin.

    ¡°You are back, right? I missed you so much.¡± Ava teased.

    Amelia¡¯s flip-flops were halfway off the tread. She began to sweat profusely at the fear of falling off.

    ¡°Ava, can you please move away? I¡¯m going to fall off,¡± She mumbled, and Ava scoffed.

    ¡°That is exactly what I want.¡±

    She moved her hand to her and aggressively poked Amelia¡¯s chest.

    Unfortunately, Amelia¡¯s flip-flops slipped off the tread, and she lost bnce.

    Amelia¡¯s hands got off the railings, and she fell backward with a loud scream.

    ¡°Ahh!!!¡±

 Chapter 25: I love James!

    Chapter 25: I love James!

    Amelia closed her eyes losing hope of surviving Ava¡¯s cruelty, until she fell into someone¡¯s arms.

    She opened her eyes and found out she was in arms of a man. She turned her head to look at her

    savior.

    ¡°Hey, baby girl,¡± Hudson uttered with a devilish grin.

    Amelia wanted to get away from his grip but he was way stronger than her. It had always been like

    that.

    ¡°Let me go, Hudson!¡± Amelia yelled.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be grateful I didn¡¯t let you fall off?¡±

    ¡°What the hell is going on here?!¡± Freddie yelled as he walked to the scene.

    Hudson let Amelia go immediately he heard his father¡¯s voice. He tucked his hand in his pocket and

    turned to leave.

    ¡°I¡¯m asking you a question! What is going on here?!¡± Freddie yelled angrily, and Ava gave way for

    Amelia to walk to where Freddie was standing.

    ¡°Nothing happened, okay?! She was about to fall off the stairs, and I grabbed her before she could

    lull herself!¡±

    ¡°We just wanted to help her, Dad! You don¡¯t have to be on her side all the time!¡±

    They responded to Freddie out of rage, and they both walked down the staircase, to the first floor.

    Freddie turned to look at Amelia and scrutinized her body.

    ¡°Are you hurt?¡± He asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, father. Let¡¯s talk now.¡±

    Amelia couldn¡¯t wait to go back to her apartment. If not for Freddie¡¯s intervention, she couldn¡¯t

    imagine the horrible things are cousins would have done to her.

    Freddie nodded and led the way to his room.

    ¡°I should havee out earlier. I was busy on my PC when I heard your voice. Please just ignore

    them. I have stopped funding Hudson after what he did the other day.¡±

    ¡°Really? Uncle you didn¡¯t have to. He is your son.¡±

    ¡°No, Amelia. I would never support such a bad thing. He deserves more punishment than that. You

    are also my daughter.¡±

    He opened the door to his room and walked into his room. Amelia followed behind him and waited

    at the door.

    Freddie looked at her and pointed to the single seat in his room.

    ¡°Sit here.¡±

    Amelia sat, and Freddie pulled a chair close to her.

    ¡°So, Charles told me that he got to James¡¯pany and found out you weren¡¯t there anymore. He

    told me you were fired. Did you do anything to him?¡±

    ¡°No, Uncle. I did nothing. He arrived at the office looking so angry and cold. I greeted him and

    received a termination letter as a response. I¡¯m still trying to think of what I did wrong.¡±

    ¡°I think I know why he acted like that to you. Charles talked to me about something, and I want us to

    talk about it.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Uncle. But before you go there, can you please tell me what made Mr. James sign the

    contract? Maybe he was forced to do it and felt I didn¡¯t have to work at thepany again.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. It was Helen that talked to him about it. He loves his mother so much and wouldn¡¯t

    say no to her. Charles talked to her about it, and he decided to help out. If not for Helen, he wouldn¡¯t

    sign it at all.¡±

    ¡°Oh, wow. He truly loves his mother then. I¡¯m happy you can finally go on with the business now.¡±

    Freddie smiled and bounced his head.

    ¡°About what Charles told me. He said he has talked to you about it. He said he wants you to marry

    James.¡±

    ¡°He told me, Uncle. I am still¡­¡±

    ¡°Hold on, Amelia. I know you feel somehow about it, but I believe this is a good thing for you.¡±

    ¡°How, Uncle? Mr. James hates me. He treated me like trash this morning. If only you were present,

    you would understand what I¡¯m saying.¡±

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± He reached for her hand and held it.

    ¡°Listen to me, Amelia. All James needs is some time. After Charles told me he fired you, I was so

    worried. But he said I shouldn¡¯t, that they are going to work on it. Both he and Helen.¡±

    ¡°But do they have to go through all that stress because of me? I don¡¯t think I want to marry him.¡±

    ¡°Amelia, I know you are scared. Anyone in your shoes would be scared. But, see it this way. You

    are taking a step forward, you are making me proud like you have always done. Who wouldn¡¯t want

    to get married to a man with such greatness?¡±

    Amelia heaved a sigh and lowered her head. She wasn¡¯t sure what to tell her uncle anymore.

    She could phantom that he wants her to get married to him, and saying No to her uncle would show

    that she is ingrateful.

    ¡°Do this for yourself. Do this for me, and you won¡¯t regret it. I have nursed you since you were little. I

    was your mother and father. Believe me when I say I know what is best for you. James is best for

    you,¡±

    Amelia raised her head and looked at him. She smiled faintly and bounced her head.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Okay, Uncle. But if he doesn¡¯t want me after his parents intervene. There is nothing we can do

    about it, right?¡± She asked, and he shook his head.

    ¡°If Helen and Charles can¡¯t convince him, then we¡¯ll let him go. But let them take care of it first.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Uncle. I¡­ I¡¯ll do anything you ask of me.¡±

    ¡°This is why I love you, Amelia. You are the best.¡±

    Freddie opened his hand and she embraced him, resting her head on his shoulder.

    ¡®This is going to be a wonderful breakthrough for Amelia and my business. She will be famous

    and rich, and my business will gain more support from the Parkers.¡¯ James thought happily.

    ¡°I should leave now, Uncle. I want to get home as soon as I can.¡±

    They disengaged and stood up. Amelia led the way to the door and before she got out, Freddie held

    her hand and made her stop.

    ¡°Remember, Amelia. I¡¯m doing this for you, and I love you so much. And don¡¯t be scared of James,

    his parents love you. Most especially his mother, she wouldn¡¯t let him do anything stupid to you.¡±

    Amelia smiled and bounced her head. She slowly withdrew her hand and headed out of the room.

    As she opened the door and stepped out, she saw Ava standing in front of the door. Her face was

    burning up in wrath.

    She had eavesdropped and heard only thest parts of their conversation. She could guess that her

    father wanted Amelia to be with James.

    ¡°What are you doing here? Are you okay?¡± Freddie asked Ava as he also stepped out of the room.

    ¡°Dad, we need to talk.¡± Her voice was full of rage.

    ¡°Wait for me then. I¡¯ll walk Amelia out.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to. I¡¯ll be fine, uncle. See you soon.¡± Amelia hurriedly waved and walked away.

    Ava stormed into Freddie¡¯s room, and he exhaled loudly and turned to look at her.

    ¡°What is it this time?¡±

    ¡°Dad! Are you for real? You want Amelia to be with James?!¡± She uttered in a very loud tone.

    ¡°When you talk to me, you talk Politely, Ava, okay?¡± He calmly uttered and sat on his bed.

    ¡°Dad, do you love me at all?¡± She asked, and he knitted his brows.

    ¡°Of course, I do. You are my daughter. Why would you ask me that kind of question?¡±

    ¡°Why won¡¯t I ask? You want Amelia to have all the good things in the world, and what about me?¡±

    ¡°Ava, I have given you everything you have ever wanted. Don¡¯t startparing yourself to Ava. You

    are two different people, okay? Sit next to me.¡±

    He tapped the bed and Ava shook her head.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to sit next to you. I love James, Dad! I want to be his wife.¡±

    ¡°What? James Parker?¡±

    ¡°Yes! We are a thing. He would never marry Amelia because he doesn¡¯t love her. He loves only me,

    Dad!¡±

    ¡°Oh my¡­ this is surprising. I¡¯m so sorry, Ava. I never knew you two are a thing.¡±

    Ava pouted and sat next to him. She began to shed crocodile tears and rested her head on his

    shoulder.

    ¡°Now you know, Uncle. You won¡¯t let him get married to her, right?¡±

    ¡°Ava, I can¡¯t decide that. His parents love her already and want only her. If they want her, I don¡¯t

    have a choice but want the same thing. You know how the Parkers have always helped us.¡±

    ¡°What!! Dad! I¡¯m your daughter! Your only daughter! Don¡¯t you care about my feelings at all? You

    want me to lose the one I love?¡±

    ¡°Ava¡­¡± Freddie called tiredly as he stood up.

    He moved closer to her and took her quivering hands in his.

    ¡°Ava, you are my only daughter and that is why I want the best for you. Do you think I don¡¯t have

    ns for you too? Of course I do. I wanted it to be a surprise, but since it hase to this, I¡¯ll tell

    you.¡±

    ¡°What surprise?¡±

    ¡°You remember President Anthony? My friend from high school?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I do. What does he have to do with this?¡±

    She snatched her hands away from him in frustration.

    ¡°His son, Nichs wants you. And his father is in full support. Nichs is yet to return from the

    United Kingdom. Once he is back, he is going to visit the house. I wanted to wait until then before I

    say anything.¡±

    ¡°Is that the surprise?¡± She asked, and Freddie nodded with a broad smile.

    ¡°Yes! I want the best for my daughter.¡±

    ¡°No, Dad!! This is not the best! I want James Parker, not one stupid President¡¯s son!¡±

    ¡°Ava, C¡¯mon.¡± Freddie tried to stay calm and understanding.

    ¡°No! If anyone should back off, it¡¯s Amelia. I have known James before she did. And I won¡¯t let him

    go easily, Dad. If she doesn¡¯t stay away from my man, she is going to suffer! I promise you!¡±

    After yelling, she stormed out of the room, leaving Freddie in shock.

    ¡°Ava!¡± He called, but she ignored him and headed to her room. ¡®You are going to pay, Amelia. This

    is just the beginning!¡¯

 Chapter 26: On the sick bed.

    Chapter 26: On the sick bed.

    James became so busy in his office with paperworks. He for the first time regretted firing Amelia.

    He would have pushed the whole work to her, and she wouldn¡¯t haveined.

    He reached for his tea cup and gulped some of his warm tea. He stood up and adjusted his pants

    before stretching.

    He was about to sit and resume working when he heard a knock on his door.

    ¡°It¡¯s not locked,¡± He responded without bothering to look at who it was.

    The door opened, and he heard the click-ck of Ava¡¯s high-heels approach him. He lifted his head

    and when he saw it was her, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

    ¡°Ava? What are you doing here?¡± He asked, and she let out a bright smile.

    ¡°Do you have to ask me that? I came to see you of course.¡± She drew the chair backward and sat

    before he asked her to sit.

    ¡°You could have done it some other time. I¡¯m so busy right now.¡±

    He shifted his attention from her, back to the paperwork on his desk.

    ¡°Can I help you then? I can assist you now that I¡¯m here.¡±

    James scoffed and looked at her.

    ¡°You? Help with paperwork? I don¡¯t think you can handle stuff like this. This isn¡¯t modeling or a

    fashion show.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, James? I can do better than Amelia,¡± She said, feeling offended.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. Amelia may not be fashionable, but she is intelligent and smart. You are

    nothingpared to her.¡±

    ¡°If that is it. Why did you fire her? She is smart and intelligent, why can¡¯t you marry her?¡±

    ¡°What I decide to do is none of your business, Ava. Please leave, I need to get back to work.¡±

    ¡°I know you don¡¯t like her. There is nothing likeable about her. You prefer her to me. Why don¡¯t you

    choose me instead? Show your parents you don¡¯t want her and¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey, stop there. How do you know about this in the first ce?¡±

    ¡°James, I¡¯m still in my father¡¯s house,¡± She chuckled.

    ¡°Exactly! More reasons why you should get something profitable doing, so that you can have a

    house of your own. Stop poking your nose into other people¡¯s businesses.¡±

    ¡°James, why do you hate me so much? Can¡¯t you see I love you?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t see, Ava. I¡¯m beginning to regret that I spent that night with you in the first ce. I told you

    clearly that I don¡¯t make love. I f**k, and you agreed not to disturb me after that night. So why do

    you keep pressuring me?¡±

    ¡°I thought I could stay away from you, but I can¡¯t James. I¡¯m in love with you! I¡¯m obsessed. I can¡¯t

    let Amelia snatch you away from me.¡±

    ¡°No, you are mistaken. I was never with you, and no one is snatching me from anyone. Stop

    insinuating rubbish, okay? The earlier you know I don¡¯t feel the slightest thing for you, the better.¡±

    ¡°So you feel something for Amelia, hun?¡±

    James clenched his jaws when she mentioned Amelia¡¯s name again. He wanted her to stop talking,

    and he came up with the perfect idea for it.

    ¡°Yes! I feel something for Amelia. She is better than you with everything. She doesn¡¯t make me feel

    sick like you do, okay?!¡±

    ¡°James¡­¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Ava. Get out!¡± He beat the table, making her flinch. He sprang to his feet, and she

    gulped hard as she stared at him.

    ¡°Get out!¡± He smacked, and she hurriedly jumped to her feet. Tears streamed out of her eyes as she

    slowly walked to the door.

    ¡°I promise you, James. I¡¯m not going to let you go easily. If I can¡¯t have you, then no one can!¡±

    She mmed the door behind her, and James rolled his eyes and sat on his chair again.

    ¡°Slut.¡± He mumbled.

    He took another sip from his tea and ced it carefully on the table. His phone began to ring, and

    he saw it was Helen calling.

    He exhaled softly and answered the phone.

    ¡°Hi, Mom.¡±

    ¡°James¡­¡± Helen responded with a low, hoarse voice.

    ¡°Mom, are you okay? Why do you sound weird?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well, Son.¡±

    ¡°What?¡­¡± James sprang to his feet. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? When did you start feeling this way?¡±

    ¡°It started at night. I wanted to call you, but I didn¡¯t want you toe all the way from your house

    down here.¡±

    ¡°Mom, seriously? You should have told me. Where is Dad? Isn¡¯t he supposed to be with you?¡±

    He pinned his phone to his ear with his left shoulder and began to pack up his paperwork.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, James. I¡¯ve been begging her to use the drugs the doctor prescribed, but she refused.

    She said you have toe to the house,¡± Charles answered.

    ¡°Mom, please use your medication, okay? I¡¯m on my way already.¡±

    James picked only his car keys and ran to his door. He locked the door and headed to the elevator.

    ¡°I¡¯ll use it when you are here. Since you left the house and returned to yours, you have refused to

    talk to me. I know you are mad at me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not mad anymore, Mom. Use your medications. I¡¯ll be there in a few minutes.¡±

    James hung up the call and hurriedly got out of thepany.

    ***

    ¡°Are you sure this is going to work?¡± Charles asked.

    ¡°Trust me. It is going to work. I just need him to believe I¡¯m really sick. He will do whatever I ask

    him,¡± Helen replied with a smirk.

    ¡°I hope so.¡±

    They stared at each other for some minutes, and Charles looked away first.

    The door to the room where Helenid opened, and James rushed in.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    ¡°Mom.¡± He called, totally ignoring his Dad. He sat next to her on the bed sheid and ced the

    back of his hand on her forehead.

    ¡°Mom! You are burning up!¡± James uttered, almost yelling.

    ¡°She still hasn''t used the drugs. She wanted to see you first,¡± Charles said.

    ¡°I¡¯m here now. Use it now.¡± He stretched out his hand, and Charles passed the drugs in his hand to

    him.

    James was so scared for his mom that he didn¡¯t bother to check what the drugs were used for.

    ¡°Mom, sit up.¡± He said.

    He wanted to pick up the ss of water on thempstand next to the bed when Helen held his

    hand.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to use the drugs,¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°Mom¡­ C¡¯mon. I¡¯m here now. I promise I won¡¯t go back to my house until you¡¯re better.¡±

    Helen shook her head and withdrew her hand from his.

    ¡°That alone won¡¯t make me take it.¡±

    James sighed and nodded. ¡°Okay. Okay, what do you want then?¡±

    ¡°You are not going to give me, James. Just let me die. I would love to be buried in¡­¡±

    ¡°Stop!¡± Charles and James chorused.

    ¡°You are not dying, okay? Stop talking like this. I won¡¯t let you die,¡± James said fearfully.

    ¡°Then do you promise to give me what I want?¡± She mumbled, and James bounced his head.

    ¡°I cross my heart.¡± He crossed his hands over his chest, and Helen nodded slowly.

    ¡°I want¡­¡± She let out a dry cough, and James hurriedly passed the ss of water to her.

    ¡°Drink water.¡±

    Helen slowly dragged herself up and rested her back on the bed¡¯s backrest. She sipped from the

    water and closed her eyes weakly.

    ¡°I want you to marry Amelia.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± James sprang to his feet in disbelief. He looked at Charles, and saw he had a surprised

    look too.

    ¡°Helen, what is wrong with you? You know James would never do that! Do you want to die?¡±

    ¡°Then he should let me die! Leave me alone. I won¡¯t use those drugs until he promises me he is

    going to marry Amelia.¡±

    Sheid on bed again and pulled the duvet over her body.

    ¡°James.¡± Charles called with worry and looked at him.

    James looked away and let out a heavy sigh. He looked at Helen and noticed she was shivering

    under the bedsheets.

    ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll marry her. Will you please use the drugs now?¡± James asked, and Helen felt butterflies in

    her belly. She had never been happier her whole life.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you so easily. You can change your mind,¡± She muttered.

    ¡°What else do you want me to do? I¡¯ve promised you.¡±

    ¡°Call Freddie and tell him you ept his daughter. Then I¡¯ll believe you, and I¡¯ll use my medications.

    All of it.¡±

    James grabbed his hair in frustration and slowly bounced his head. He looked at Charles, and

    Charles pulled out his phone to call Freddie.

    After Freddie answered the phone, he stretched it to James, who collected it.

    ¡°Hi, Mr. Freddie. I just want to let you know that I want to marry Amelia now,¡± He said coldly and

    stretched the phone to Charles again.

    ¡°Here, use them already.¡± He stretched the drugs to her, and she smiled and bobbed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll use them now.¡± She grinned, and James rolled his eyes and looked away.

 Chapter 27: Welcome to hell, dear wife.

    Chapter 27: Wee to hell, dear wife.

    ~A MONTH LATER~

    It was the Saturday morning of Amelia¡¯s wedding with James, and everyone was busy doing one

    thing or the other.

    James was at his mansion with his father and friend, Tina. They were helping him look very good for

    his wedding.

    James didn¡¯t have many male friends, so Charles hired some of his friends'' sons to act like the

    friends of the groom.

    Amelia, on the other hand, was scrolling through her phone as she sat in Charles¡¯ apartment. The

    news about her wedding was everywhere on the inte. This made her so nervous.

    Helen was next to her, watching closely what the makeup artist was doing. Helen had been so bent

    on making Amelia look so beautiful on her wedding day.

    She had also made sure that she got other things like, making the whole city know about the

    wedding so that women could stay away from James, the hall and church that was going to be used

    for the wedding, and many more, prepared.

    The makeup artist stopped working on Amelia¡¯s face and asked her to check herself out in the

    mirror in front of her.

    Amelia raised her head and stared into the mirror. She couldn¡¯t recognize herself anymore. She had

    never thought she would look so perfect her whole life.

    Her face was slightly contoured, smokey eyes, and her lips were covered with nude lipsticks. Her

    hair was weaved in casual, yet beautiful braids. It was as a crown on top of her head.

    ¡°This is beautiful! Do you like it?¡± Helen asked her, and she bounced her head and divulged a feeble

    smile.

    ¡°I do, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    She stood up and walked to where her bright white, gorgeous wedding gown was hung. It was a

    strapless ball gown, with a V-neck, and was made of a stretchy material. The dress covered the

    mannequin, down to the feet.

    As she stared at the gown, her hands began to quiver. Helen noticed how nervous she was, so she

    walked up to her and held her hand in hers.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Are you scared?¡± She asked, and Amelia gulped and nodded.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be scared, Amelia. I know this is one of the biggest days in your life, and you are

    very nervous. But, you don¡¯t have to worry about anything. Everything will be fine. You will get

    married to my son and you two will have beautiful and handsome kids.¡±

    Helen seemed like excited as she spoke, while Amelia on the other hand was still not calm.

    After James agreed to marry her and let her resume work again, all thanks to his mother, he had

    been very cold to her. It was worsepared to when she first started working with him.

    He wouldn¡¯t talk to her nor even look at her. She began to worry if he would ever touch her, talkless

    of sleeping with her so that they could bear children.

    Helen asked the artist to help Amelia with her dress. Helen¡¯s phone began to vibrate in her hand. It

    was Charles calling.

    ¡°Your Father-inw is calling. Let me quickly talk to him,¡± Helen said to Amelia and stepped aside.

    ¡°Hey, Charles. What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Are you done with Amelia? We are headed to the church now.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± She turned to look at Amelia and saw she had worn her dress already. The artist was

    helping her adjust her dress.

    ¡°She is almost done. Don¡¯t worry, we will be there soon.¡±

    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll hang up now.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Charles!¡± She hastily pronounced and an awkward silence set in afterward.

    ¡°Helen, we have things to do. There¡¯s no time to do this right now.¡±

    Helen gulped and bounced her head. ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll talkter.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    He hung up, and she turned to look at Amelia, who was staring at her, looking so beautiful. The sad

    look on Helen¡¯s face disappeared, and she beamed widely.

    ¡°God! James will be so shocked to see how beautiful you are! Damn! You are so cute!¡±

    Helen walked up to her and lifted her cheeks with her thumb slightly. Amelia giggled and lowered

    her head shyly.

    ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°Of course I do!¡± Helen knitted her brows. ¡°Trust me, James has a soft spot for beautiful women.

    And you¡¯re very beautiful, Amelia. I¡¯m so d you are his wife!¡±

    She shifted her gaze from Amelia and looked at the makeup artist.

    ¡°We should start heading to the church. The groom will be close to the venue by now.¡±

    They all headed out of the house and led the way to where the ck Mercedes Benz prepared by

    Freddie was parked. There was a driver sitting for them in the car.

    They all got in, and he drove them down to the church.

    ***

    A solemn ssical love song yed as the church gate opened up for Amelia¡¯s entry.

    Next to her, on her right hand side was Freddie, dressed in an expensive ck Tuxedo. His hair

    was neatly shaved, and was dyed in ck.

    As they both walked down the aisle, people from the congregation threw flower petals on them.

    Amelia¡¯s heart was thumping very hard against her chest as she walked.

    The three-inches silver heel-shoes and the heavy dress she wore made it difficult for her to walk

    fast. So, she took her steps pretty slow, lifting her dress slightly with her left hand.

    She lifted her head as they drew closer to the altar, and she saw James in front.

    His eyes were on her as she walked up to him. His expression was cold and mean. He wasn¡¯t so

    shocked by her beauty as Helen thought.

    When Amelia saw the way James red at her, she wished she could run back out of the church,

    and escape him for good. But she couldn¡¯t.

    Her uncle stood next to her, smiling widely like it was the happiest day of his life.

    In the congregation was Ava, Hudson, Tina, James¡¯ family and friends, and many others. Ava was

    shedding tears, feeling so hurt to see Amelia snatching what belonged to her.

    Hudson tried to console Ava by hugging her to his side.

    ¡°Stop crying because of that rude fool. He isn¡¯t good for you anyway.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about him like that, Hudson. I love that man, and why I am not ruining everything is

    because of Dad,¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°So you are just going to give up, right?¡±

    ¡°Never! This is just the beginning!¡±

    Amelia got to the altar, and Freddie walked away from her. He proceeded to the front chairs

    provided for the parents of the couples.

    Amelia lowered her head as she stood in front of James. She was too scared to look him in the

    face.

    The priest began his speech shortly,

    ¡°James Parker and Amelia Cooper, have youe here to enter into marriage without coercion,

    freely and wholeheartedly?¡±

    James scoffed and looked at Amelia. He said inside of him, ¡®This isn¡¯t wholeheartedly! I¡¯m doing it

    because of my mother.¡¯

    ¡°Yes,¡± He mumbled, and Amelia raised her head and looked at him.

    ¡°Yes,¡± She also said.

    ¡°James Parker, do you take Amelia Cooper as yourwfully wedded wife? To love and cherish her

    till death do you part?¡±

    He divulged a smirk and moved closer to her. Amelia couldn¡¯t stop fidgeting, her heart kept

    thumping against her chest.

    It was all happening so fast. She was getting married to the great billionaire, James Parker!

    He moved his face to her ear and the murmuring of the congregation that watched filled the air.

    ¡°What is he doing? Why didn¡¯t he answer the priest?¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to run now? Before I say yes to that vow, this is yourst chance to

    escape from hell,¡± He whispered in her ear, and she swallowed hard.

    ¡°I can¡¯t run away. I have to do this for my uncle. I will never say no to him. I¡¯m ready to go through

    hell.¡±

    James arched one of his brows and stepped back. He looked at the Priest and nodded.

    ¡°Yes. Till death do us part.¡±

    Amelia raised her head and looked at him. The way he looked at her scared the shit out of her. If

    only she could say no to her uncle and herself, but she couldn¡¯t.

    ¡°The same goes to you, Amelia Cooper. Do you take James Parker as yourwfully wedded

    husband, to love, cherish and take care of the beautiful kids you¡¯ll give to him, till death do you

    part?¡±

    The crowd giggled at the additional phrase the priest added to the vows.

    ¡°They are sure going to have beautiful kids. They look so cute together!¡± James¡¯ mother yelled, and

    the crowd cheered happily.

    ¡®Kids? Kids for James Parker?¡¯ Amelia thought in terror.

    ¡®Kids my foot. She is yet to take care of herself!¡¯ James yelled inside his head.

    Amelia fiddled her fingers and slowly bounced her head. ¡°Yes. Till death do us part.¡±

    ¡°Is there anybody in this congregation that objects to this marriage? Speak now or forever hold your

    peace.¡± The Priest said to the congregation, and everyone began to look around, even Amelia.

    Suddenly, the church gates opened, and Elena walked into the church. Amelia¡¯s eyes widened

    when she saw Elena at the church gate.

    ¡®Is she against this marriage? Why would she be?¡¯

    ¡°Sorry! You can go on!¡± Elena said to the priest in a loud tone and hurriedly walked to the chairs at

    the back of the congregation.

    Amelia let out a sigh of relief and smiled faintly. She thought the only friend she had was against her

    happiness.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to wear the rings on each other,¡± The priest said, and the best man stepped forward with

    the rings.

    James took one of them and stretched his hand out his hand to Amelia. He wore the ring on her left

    hand, ring finger. And she did the same to him too.

    ¡°From today henceforth, you are no more called Amelia Cooper, but Amelia Parker! I dere you

    husband and wife! You may kiss your bride!¡±

    The congregation stood up and started pping. Amelia gulped and looked at James, who didn¡¯t

    make any attempt to move.

    ¡®Kissing is a bad idea! I kissed him once, and I¡¯m still suffering for it! I¡¯m standing here because of it!¡¯

    Amelia thought fearfully.

    James suddenly made the move and leaned closer to her. Amelia¡¯s eyes popped wide open as he

    grabbed her neck and pulled her in.

    ¡°Oh my God!!!¡± The cheering continued.

    He moved his face very close to hers, and she closed her eyes very tight. She could see another

    doom piling up.

    He was so close that she could feel his fresh breath on her face. It caused little tingling feelings on

    her skin.

    ¡°Why are your eyes closed? You think I¡¯ll kiss you again? It¡¯s never going to happen.¡±

    The crowd began to p as they thought their lips touched already.

    He let go of her neck after some minutes, and she opened her eyes and exhaled softly.

    ¡°Wee to hell, dear wife.¡±

 Chapter 28: She raped me.

    Chapter 28: She raped me.

    James looked at the congregation and divulged a fake smile. He lifted his elbow towards Amelia

    and looked at her.

    ¡°I¡¯m tired of standing here. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Amelia moved closer to him and wrapped her arm around his. They walked down the altar and

    proceeded down the narrow path in front of them.

    Amelia kept her head bowed as the people kept throwing flower petals on them.

    ¡°Congrattions, Amelia Parker!¡± She heard someone shout, and she was forced to look up. She

    looked at the direction where the voice came from and her eyes fell on Ava.

    ¡®Was she the one that greeted me?¡¯ She wondered, when she saw the angry expression she had on

    as she stared at her.

    Different people were taking pictures of them from different angles. James kept his facial expression

    cold, while Amelia was shy and scared.

    They got out of the church gate, and Helen rushed to stand in front of them.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take pictures together!¡± She said to them excitedly.

    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m tired, okay?¡± James mumbled, and she shook her head.

    ¡°Tired? Why would you be tired? It¡¯s your wedding day! We should take pictures. You should have

    couple pictures too. We are going to do that now. It won¡¯t take your time.¡±

    She brushed his hair and giggled. ¡°Everyone! Let¡¯s take pictures!¡± She announced, and everyone

    began to gather around them.

    Lots of Media guys, camera men and women from both families began to take pictures of them.

    Amelia couldn¡¯t stop but flinch anytime she heard the shutters of the cameras.

    James noticed she was shivering, and he looked at her with the corner of his eyes and scoffed. It

    finally dawned on him that he got married a child.

    After they were done taking pictures, some other people decided to take more pictures, so they

    diverted their attention from the married couples.

    Freddie looked around for Ava and Hudson so that they could take a picture with Amelia and her

    husband, but he couldn¡¯t find them.

    ¡°Ava?¡± He walked into the church, but she was nowhere to be found.

    He saw Hudson sitting on the church chair like he had no idea what was going on outside. Freddie

    walked up to him and stood next to him.

    ¡°Where is your sister? I would like us to take some pictures with Amelia,¡± He told him excitedly.

    Hudson lifted his head and looked at him.

    ¡°You were so busy with your niece that you didn¡¯t know your daughter had left?¡± Hudson replied

    coldly.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°She left already. She could take it, so she went back home.¡±

    ¡°Why would she do that?¡± Freddie asked in surprise.

    ¡°Maybe because she didn¡¯t want to be here in the first ce but you forced her. She told you she

    loves James and wants to be with him, but you refused. As if that wasn¡¯t enough, you forced her to

    attend this wedding. She never wanted to, but she respected you and still came. That is enough.¡±

    ¡°Watch the way you speak to me, Hudson. I needed to do the right thing,¡± Freddie replied, trying not

    to raise his voice. There were still few people inside the church building.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to do the right thing too. I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re leaving? You want to act like your sister too?¡±

    ¡°No, I am not acting like my sister. I¡¯m leaving for good. You told me to start looking for a ce of

    my own. I have found a ce of my own, and I won¡¯t bother you anymore.¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s great. Where is it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to tell you. Bye, Dad.¡±

    Hudson walked out on Freddie and walked past everyone, he headed out of the church premises

    and didn¡¯t look back.

    Amelia sighted him leaving, but she dared not ask him where he was going. Shortly, Freddie walked

    out of the church with a weird expression.

    Amelia could guess it was because of Hudson. She wanted to go to him, when Elena stood in front

    of her.

    ¡°Congrattions, girlfriend.¡±

    She opened her arms and wrapped them around Amelia. Amelia let out a warm smile and hugged

    her too.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry foring into the church at that moment. I was on my way back from New York. I

    didn¡¯t want to miss anything, but it¡¯s a shame I still arrivedte. I didn¡¯t mean to startle you that way.¡±

    ¡°New York? I never knew you travelled. Since you left angrily that day, I kept knocking on your door

    but you never responded.¡±

    ¡°Amelia, I¡¯m so sorry about what happened that day. It was my mother calling. We weren¡¯t on good

    terms, and I got so mad that you intervened. I had to leave bama because she wanted me back

    home. My parents are staying in New York.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to be sorry, Elena. I understand. I¡¯m happy you are back now. I haven¡¯t been to

    that apartment in weeks now. Ma¡¯am Helen has parked all my stuff from there. I¡¯ve been staying

    with her for some time now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s nice. You seem pretty happy about everything. I thought you didn¡¯t want this.¡±

    Elena¡¯s fake smile slowly faded off as she spoke.

    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t left with a choice. My uncle wanted me to marry him, and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that bad. I

    would have to endure. Maybe one day, he¡¯ll love me.¡±

    ¡®Love you?! Don¡¯t be stupid, Amelia. James can never love you. You are the least person he would

    ever love.¡¯ Elena thought, while she nodded and grinned.

    After James finished talking to Charles about the wedding reception, he looked at Amelia and saw

    her talking to Elena.

    ¡°What is she saying to her?¡± He muttered, gritting his teeth.

    Charles looked at Elena and heaved a sigh.

    ¡°Anytime I look at that girl, I see nothing but pure evil. She gives me chills sometimes. Who would

    know she could rape a man?¡±

    James angrily walked up to thedies and stood next to Amelia.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to go home.¡±

    As he spoke, he kept his eyes on Elena. Shooting her a deadly re.

    ¡°I¡­ I thought we were heading to the reception now.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t question me. I told father I have things to do, and I can¡¯t wait for the reception. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    His voice became louder and more aggressive.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, James. You are the one busy, not her, okay? Let her have some fun. You can go and attend

    to your business, and she will meet you at home. She will be bored if she goes with you now, don¡¯t

    you think?¡± Elena asked.

    The anger in James tripled when he heard her speak.

    ¡°How dare you?! Who the hell told you to poke your nose into my business?¡± He asked in a deadly

    tone and began to approach her.

    Amelia grew so scared and didn¡¯t know what to do, so she just watched. She couldn¡¯t help but

    wonder why he hated her so much.

    ¡°I was just saying. Anyone would see that what you are doing isn¡¯t fair:¡±

    ¡°Shut your filthy mouth, Elena. You have no right to talk about what is fair and what is not fair, okay?

    You devil.¡±

    Helen finally shifted her attention to them and noticed something was going on. She knitted her

    brows and hurried to meet James.

    She held him by the arm and made him stop walking.

    ¡°What are you doing, James? People are watching,¡± She said in a whisper, and he looked at her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t want to see her anywhere around me. It¡¯s quite simple. Get out.¡±

    Helen looked at Elena and sighed. She didn¡¯t know who she was but she knew for James to react

    like that to her, he didn¡¯t like her at all.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, girl. But I think it¡¯s best if you leave. You can discuss this some other ce.¡±

    Elena gulped hard and looked at Amelia who just stared at them.

    ¡°Can I have your phone number, Amelia? We could talk better on the phone.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­¡±

    ¡°No! You wouldn¡¯t give her your phone number. Leave.¡±

    Amelia flinched as James stopped her with a death stare. She bounced her head and moved

    backward.

    Elena scoffed and took onest look at James before walking away.

    ¡°You,e with me.¡±

    Helen pulled James into the church building. There was no one in the church at that moment.

    ¡°What was that about? Who is that girl? Why would you create such a scene on your wedding day?¡±

    ¡°That girl is someone I don¡¯t want anywhere close to me, Mom. I hate her so much, and I don¡¯t want

    to ever see her again.¡±

    ¡°Why? What did she do to wrong you?¡±

    ¡°She raped me! That was my former secretary. I never wanted to have anything to do with her

    because for some reasons, she didn¡¯t entice me at all. She drugged me and slept with me. I hate

    her.¡±

    Helen¡¯s eyes widened, and she blinked severally in disbelief.

    ¡°Why would a woman do that?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? She is crazy. She wants a rtionship with me, and I can never give it to her. I have

    no idea why she was talking to Amelia. She is dangerous.

    ¡°Okay, take it easy. Your face is turning red. Come and blow off some steam at the reception. You¡¯d

    love it.¡±

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    ¡°No, Mom. I have work to do.¡±

    ¡°What work? It¡¯s your wedding!¡±

    ¡°You know I didn¡¯t want a wedding in the first ce. Stop telling me it¡¯s my wedding.¡±

    Helen sighed and rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Son, C¡¯mon. The work can always wait. Everyone knows today is an important day for you. Fine.

    Spend an hour at the reception and you can head back.¡±

    ¡°Mom¡­¡±

    ¡°For your Mom, James. I need you to be around when I¡¯m talking to Charles. I would need your

    support.¡±

    ¡°You are talking to him today?¡± His eyes widened in excitement.

    ¡°Yes, I am. So will you wait now?¡± She asked, and he let out a loud exhale.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice. You know how to make me do what you want. It won¡¯tst forever though,¡±

    He mumbled and began to walk away.

    ¡°I love you!¡± Helen chuckled as she followed behind him.

 Chapter 29: Wedding Night

    Chapter 29: Wedding Night

    The wedding reception was arranged at the back of the church, in an open field. There was arge

    white shed to prevent the people and the meal from the sun.

    Helen and James got to the venue and saw some people were eating already. She searched the

    ce with her eyes for Charles and saw him having a chat with Freddie. They seemed happy.

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to your father. Find your wife. I¡¯ll talk to you when I¡¯m done.¡±

    She tapped his shoulder and walked up to Charles. James saw Amelia sitting on one of the chairs,

    she was staring at the meal in front of her hungrily.

    James scoffed and walked up to her.

    ¡°If you want to eat it, just eat,¡± He mumbled and sat in front of her.

    She smiled faintly and looked up.

    ¡°I was waiting for you. I was told that I can¡¯t eat until you are here.¡±

    James raised his brows and chuckled. ¡°So you decided to wait for me? Why?¡±

    ¡°Errmm¡­ So that we can eat together.¡±

    ¡°And if I didn¡¯t wait for the reception, would you have still waited for me?¡± He asked, and she

    lowered her head and bounced it slowly.

    ¡°I think so.¡±

    James rolled his eyes and let out a soft sigh. He stood up, and she lifted her head and looked at

    me.

    ¡°You are just so dumb. I don¡¯t want to eat with you. Don¡¯t wait for me.¡±

    He turned to leave, but she quickly stood up and grabbed his hand. He turned to look at her hand

    around his. He seemed pissed.

    She had a chat with Freddie before James arrived, and he had told her to do everything she could

    to bring him closer to herself. He told her not to give up on him and make sure she gained his love.

    ¡°Let go of me.¡±

    He snatched his hand away from her, and she gulped hard and smiled again.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Why do you want to know? It¡¯s none of your business,¡± He responded and proceeded to leave.

    ¡°We should danceter!¡±

    James abruptly stopped when he heard her statement. He arched his brows and turned back. He

    stared at her and moved closer to her.

    At this point, Amelia could hear her heart beating very fast. ¡®I think I¡¯ve crossed the line. Amelia, you

    are going too fast!¡¯

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± He muttered coldly and shivers ran down Amelia¡¯s spine.

    ¡°I said we should danceter. After eating, we would be asked to dance. So, I was thinking¡­¡±

    ¡°Snap out, Amelia. Erase whatever you are thinking in that head of yours, okay?! I am not dancing

    with you. Know your limit. You are nothing but my secretary to me. Don¡¯t think too much about all

    these. I don¡¯t love you, and I never will.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s throat tightened painfully as she watched him strut away. She felt so stupid for thinking she

    could make him fall in love with her like her uncle had told her.

    ¡®Amelia, stop dreaming. He will never love you.¡¯

    She lowered her head in grief and walked back to where she previously sat. She stared at the food

    for a few seconds and dug in afterwards.

    ¡®I need food to console myself.¡¯

    Helen and Charles began to take a stroll around the vast church premises. She had told Freddie

    they had something important to talk about, and so he excused them.

    ¡°What is the important thing you want to talk to me about?¡± Charles asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s about us,¡± She responded and looked at him.

    ¡°And what about us?¡±

    She stood walking, and Charles was prompted to stop too. He looked at her and saw she was

    finding it hard to talk.

    ¡°What is it, Helen?¡±

    ¡°The thing is I want you back, Charles.¡±

    She moved closer to him, and he took a step backward, making her halt.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. You want me back? Helen, it¡¯s been years¡­¡±

    ¡°I know, Charles. But believe me, I had my reasons for living. If I didn¡¯t leave, you would have been

    killed, Charles.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± He knitted his brows in confusion.

    ¡°Eighteen years ago, my father threatened you and our son. We ran away from him to get married,

    but he still came back to hunt us after James turned ten. He has always wanted me to marry Tristan

    because of his riches. I loved you so much and refused to listen, not until ten years into our

    marriage, he threatened to kill you and James. He had the support of Tristan and his parents too.¡±

    Charles¡¯ eyes reddened as he listened to Helen. He was trying so hard to control his emotions, but

    his eyes were beginning to fail him.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me he threatened you?¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t. You would have insisted that we fought for our love if I did! I know how my father and

    Tristan can be. I had to leave.¡±

    Tears streamed out of Helen¡¯s eyes as she spoke.

    ¡°Why are you just telling me this?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to tell you then because it wouldn¡¯t change anything. Now, Tristan is dead. I can finally

    be with you, Charles.¡±

    ¡°He is dead? How did it happen?¡±

    ¡°He was shot. He was involved in some illegal activities, and he was killed. Before his death, I never

    enjoyed marriage. It was just a contract between my family and him. I couldn¡¯t bear children for him,

    and he didn¡¯t hesitate to sleep with women and have children outside.¡±

    ¡°Wow, I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Helen shook her head and broke into tears. She moved closer to him and hugged him tightly.

    ¡°Please forgive me, Charles. I¡¯m back now, and I promise I won¡¯t leave this time. My father doesn¡¯t

    have a say anymore.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She kept weeping against his chest, and he decided to let it all out too. They both wept as they

    embraced each other tightly.

    ***

    It was about 8 pm, and Amelia was driven to James¡¯ home in the same Mercedes Benz that took

    her to the church. The driver was also the same person.

    Freddie told her that he bought her the car, and she could start taking it to thepany and

    anywhere she wanted to take it.

    Amelia was happy about her new present and promised him to cherish and take care of it. She had

    once learnt how to drive when she was at school, so that didn¡¯t seem to be a problem.

    She wanted to ride in the same car as James, but he left the reception quite early to attend to his

    work. So she had to go home alone.

    They got to the front of James¡¯ extravagant mansion, and she alighted.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± She said to the driver and watched him park the car in thepound.

    She looked at the house and walked to the door, lifting her wedding gown. She couldn¡¯t wait to get

    rid of it.

    She got to the door and her phone began to ring in the purse she carried. She reached for it and

    saw it was her mother-inw calling.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am Helen.¡± She answered.

    ¡°Amelia, are you home now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am. Thank you so much for today.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, you don¡¯t have to thank me. I have sent your things to the house. They are all in James¡¯

    room and his room is thest room on the second floor.¡±

    ¡°Errmm, I don¡¯t think he would want my things in his room.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Amelia! You are his wife now. He wouldn¡¯t mind. It¡¯s your wedding night too,

    remember? Make sure you do it.¡±

    ¡°Do it?!¡±

    Amelia¡¯s eyes widened as she immediately understood what Helen meant.

    ¡°Yes, of course! It¡¯s your wedding night. I packed some sexy lingerie in your pink travelling bag. Put

    that on before he gets back from work, okay? Be ready for him.¡±

    Amelia shyly smiled and nodded.

    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Bye now! I don¡¯t want to be a disturbance.¡±

    After Helen hung up, Amelia reached for the door knob and opened the door. She stepped into the

    house and her jaw cked immediately.

    The interior of the building was more elegant than the exterior. The very spacious living room was

    beautified by lights, white sofas, polished furniture, an expensive-looking chandelier, a brown Italian

    floor, flowers and their vases, paintings, and bifurcated stairs.

    ¡®This is a pce!¡¯ Amelia eximed inside of her.

    After feeding her eyes with the beauty of the building, she hurried to James¡¯ room to get prepared

    as Helen had told her.

    ¡°But would James want to have sex with me?¡±

    She got to his room and walked in. She switched on the lights and a bright smile crept up her face

    almost immediately.

    The room was screaming James. The smell, the neatness and elegance. It was all James.

    She found her bags in front of his closet, and she picked up the lingerie that Helen told her about.

    She raised one of them and chuckled as she stared at it. It looked so sexy!

    Deep down, she couldn¡¯t wait to see his reaction when he saw her in it.

    She found her way to the bathroom and freshened up on time. She wore the lingerie and stood in

    front of the mirror to check herself out.

    It was a red, bra and pantie with a light fabric covering. She smiled widely because she loved

    the way she looked. She made quick turns to check herself out even more.

    She moved to the bed and was about toy on it when she heard footsteps approaching.

    ¡®He is here!¡¯ She screamed inside of her and sprang to her feet. She stood next to the bed and

    stared at the door, nervously waiting for him to walk in.

    The door finally opened, and she watched James hurry into the room. She furrowed her brows and

    before she could think, she saw ady follow him into the room.

    He didn¡¯t bother to look up before he grabbed her and began to kiss her aggressively in front of

    Amelia.

    It was like a dream to Amelia.

    He proceeded to remove his suit and unbutton his shirt. Amelia began to weep silently. She couldn¡¯t

    take it anymore.

    She cleared her throat loudly, making them stop. James looked back and saw Amelia staring at

    them.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± He asked in anger.

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    ¡°Get out! You are disturbing me,¡± He said and pulled the woman closer to him again. They began to

    kiss again.

    He didn¡¯t hesitate to help thedy out of her skimpy gown while Amelia was still glued to where she

    was, shedding tears in disbelief.

    ¡®It¡¯s our wedding night, asshole!¡¯

 Chapter 30: A good start

    Chapter 30: A good start

    Amelia picked up her phone and ran out of the room after she saw James was bent on getting his

    slut naked right in front of her.

    She cried aloud as she ran to nowhere in particr. She could feel her heart breaking into pieces

    inside of her.

    ¡®Why did I ever think he would feel something for me?! Why did I believe he would want to have

    anything to do with me! He has always made it so clear but I keep giving myself stupid hopes!

    You¡¯re a fool Amelia.¡¯

    She ran up to the third floor and entered one of the rooms. She switched on the lights and looked

    around briskly.

    She walked to the neatlyid bed and sat on it. She lowered her head and continued crying. At that

    point, she needed a friend badly, but she had known.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t he have at least done this another day? I would have preferred he ignored me and sent

    me out of the room alone. Not with another woman!¡± She mumbled in tears.

    Her phone began to ring all of a sudden, and she wiped her eyes with her hand and checked who

    the caller was. It happened to be her uncle.

    She answered the phone and weakly ced it on her ear. She fell on the bed and stared at the

    ceiling. Her tears rolled down the corner of her eyes, and wet her ears.

    ¡°Hey, Amelia. Are you home now? I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t see you before you left the reception. I had to

    attend to some things.¡±

    Amelia sniffed and closed her eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Uncle. I¡¯m home now.¡± Her voice was shaky, and Freddie immediately guessed something

    was wrong with her.

    ¡°Amelia, are you crying? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    She covered her mouth with her second hand and began to chew on her lower lip.

    ¡°Hey¡­ talk to me, Amelia. I¡¯m beginning to worry.¡± Freddie¡¯s voice was low and full of concern for

    her.

    She exhaled loudly and moved her hand away from her mouth to tell him the horrible thing she had

    just seen.

    ¡°James¡­ he brought another¡­ he brought another woman home tonight.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°They are in the room together, as we speak, Uncle. I was stupid. I thought he would want to have

    something to do with me. I wanted to please him and look good so bad, but he didn¡¯t even look at

    me twice. I was in the room when he walked in with another woman. He was ready to strip her in

    front of me, Uncle.¡±

    ¡°Oh my¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, Amelia.¡±

    ¡°I know he hates me. I shouldn¡¯t have thought of making him fall for me. It¡¯s never going to work.¡±

    ¡°Amelia, please don¡¯t talk like that. You know, you are new to this marriage. You haven¡¯t known each

    other well. Maybe that¡¯s why he is acting funny. I¡¯m not on his side, but I need you to be very

    patient. You are legally married to him. Themunity recognizes only you as his wife. He will

    come to his senses sooner orter.¡±

    Amelia scoffed and sat up. She cleaned her eyes and shook her head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. But I won¡¯t keep trying. I¡¯m his wife already. I believe one day he will see I am not

    garbage.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, Amelia. You are not going to give up on him easily. I have always thought you

    never give up.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and shut her eyes tight again. Deep down, she didn''t see her hopes

    going anywhere. She wanted to give up already.

    ¡°It¡¯s the first time you are in his house. You have more time to prove to him that he deserves you.

    Make him breakfast, don¡¯t act bothered about his annoying character, you have known that before

    now. Live your life. Enjoy it while itsts.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Uncle. I¡¯ll try to enjoy it while itsts. I have to go now, I¡¯m so tired, and I need to sleep.¡±

    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°I love you, Uncle.¡± Amelia said with a genuine sad smile.

    ¡°I love you too, Amelia. Take good care of yourself. Don¡¯t let him get to you.¡±

    She slid the phone off her ear and hung up. She let out a soft exhale and looked around the room

    again.

    ¡°Enjoy it while itsts. But how do I do that?¡±

    She stood up and looked at herself, she remembered she was still in the lingerie.

    She wanted to remove it so badly, but she had nothing else to wear. Her things were stuck in

    James¡¯ room, with him and his slut.

    ¡°I need to do something about him. I refuse to give up easily.¡±

    Amelia picked up her phone again and went on google. She searched for ways to deal with an

    unloving husband.

    ¡®I am going to do anything the answer says.¡¯

    Several answers popped up, and she didn¡¯t know which one to open first. She clicked on the first

    website and began to read.

    ¡°One; Don¡¯t notin. Just Discuss.¡±

    ¡®Do notin? But he just brought a woman home on our wedding night.¡¯ She thought as she

    scrolled to the next point.

    ¡°Two; Focus on the positives.¡±

    ¡®There are no positives here. All seem negative to me.¡±

    ¡°Three; Take yourself seriously.¡±

    ¡°Four; Speak up.¡±

    Amelia heaved a sigh and raised her head. She felt the fourth point was a bad idea. She would

    never find the courage to speak up to James. He was way too scary for her.

    ¡°Five; Maintain eye contact when stating your feelings and opinions.¡±

    ¡°This is a no too.¡± Amelia mumbled.

    ¡°Six; If he still doesn¡¯t listen. Pay attention to some guy friends. Jealousy could help too. But don¡¯t

    try this if you haven¡¯t thought about it well.¡±

    Amelia shook her head and tossed her phone aside.

    ¡®Guy friends? I don¡¯t even have female friends. God, why is it so hard to please him?¡¯

    She rubbed her hair with her hand out of frustration as she reminisced. She let out a yawn and set

    the pillow afterward.

    ¡®I should rest. Maybe in the morning, I¡¯lle up with something better.¡¯

    Sheid on the bed and tucked herself in. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to sleep.

    ***

    Amelia woke up very early in the morning. She wished she hadn¡¯t but she was used to it already.

    She felt way better than the previous night. She got out of bed and proceeded to the bathroom.

    She searched in the bathroom cupboard for a toothbrush and toothpaste. Luckily, she found a new

    toothbrush.

    She hurriedly brushed her teeth and headed out of the bathroom.

    She headed out of the room too, tying the rope of the light covering of her lingerie over her belly.

    She walked down the stairs and took a minute to scrutinize the mansion once more. She got to the

    second floor and stared at James¡¯ room.

    She wanted to go and pack her things but she felt the woman would still be in there with him. So,

    she proceeded to the kitchen instead.

    She got to the ground floor and looked right and left for the kitchen. Soon, she sighted it on her right

    hand side, and she walked to the door.

    She opened the door and walked in. Her eyes widened in awe as she dragged her feet on the

    Italian floor. The size and beauty of the kitchen got her so bad.

    She saw the standing fridge and opened it to see it was fully stucked. She wondered if he ever

    touched anything in the fridge.

    The items were all full. There were full, three crates of eggs, some containers were even sealed.

    She expected to find maids and chefs in his house, but she was wrong.

    ¡°I know if he has a chef, there won¡¯t be so much food in the fridge. What should I cook for him

    today?¡±

    She smiled widely tapping her cheek with her index finger. The only thing she could think of was

    scrambled eggs and ground turkey.

    She picked one te of ground turkey, six eggs, yellow onions, scallions, red bell pepper, garlic,

    and chili powder.

    She reached for the cupboard and picked up two non-stick skillets. She washed them thoroughly

    and ced them on the gas stoves.

    She spread butter in one of the pans and let it melt. She beat the eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl

    and poured it in the pan with melted butter.

    She was done with the eggs in no time, and moved on to prepare the ground turkey. She started off

    with chopping the veggies.

    She felt excited as she cooked. Maybe because she had never cooked sofortably before.

    Anytime she begged the maids at Freddie¡¯s house to let her prepare her own meal, Ava or Hudson

    would always ruin her kitchen moment.

    She was happy she could finally express herself in the kitchen like she had always wanted.

    ¡®I hope he likes it though.¡¯

    She was lost in chopping the veggies that she didn¡¯t know when James walked into the kitchen.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He asked out of nowhere, and she jumped in fright. She was so lucky she

    didn¡¯t cut herself with the knife.

    James was wearing only khaki shorts. Amelia blinked severally as she stared at his bare chest.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    It was the second time she was going to see his chest, but it was like it was the first time.

    ¡°I asked you a question! What are you doing in my kitchen?!¡± He walked closer to her, and she

    gulped hard.

    ¡°I.. I am preparing breakfast for you.¡±

    She lowered her head and stepped back. He took a look at the pan and saw she had made

    scrambled eggs. Scrambled eggs were his favorite, and Amelia¡¯s looked so yummy.

    ¡°And who gave you the permission to use my kitchen? Why would you prepare breakfast for me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I will leave now.¡± She wanted to walk past him but he pulled her back.

    ¡°You want to leave when you have started preparing it already? Finish up. This should be thest

    time you¡¯ll use my kitchen. Make sure you clean all these up.¡±

    Amelia watched him walk to the door. One thing kept telling her to talk to him aboutst night, but

    she dared not speak up.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting at the dining table. Let¡¯s see if you can be useful in my house,¡± He added before

    finally walking out.

    Amelia¡¯s eyes widened, and she felt butterflies in her tummy immediately she heard his statement.

    ¡®He wants to eat my food! This is a good start!¡¯ She thought delightedly.

 Chapter 31: Breakfast with James

    Chapter 31: Breakfast with James

    Amelia was done preparing breakfast, and she served it out on a white ceramic te.

    She put some of the crumbled eggs on one side of the te and the ground turkey on the other

    side.

    She ced it on a white tray and smiled widely as she stared at the food. She had tasted it, and she

    believed he was going to love it.

    She filled the ss jug with water and put a ss cap in the tray too. She headed out of the kitchen

    and walked to the dining table.

    She lifted her feet carefully so that she wouldn¡¯t spill anything. She got to the dining table and

    looked up to see James seated already.

    Next to him was the woman that came home with himst night. She stopped in surprise and stared

    at both of them.

    ¡®Don¡¯t tell me you want me to feed her too.¡¯ She thought.

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Serve the meal,¡± James said, and she bounced her head slowly.

    She ced the tray in front of him and looked at the woman again. She looked truly beautiful and

    ssy.

    ¡°Why is there just a te? Make another one.¡±

    Amelia gulped hard and nodded again. She turned to leave and briskly walked back to the kitchen.

    Her heart was beating very fast in rage.

    ¡®What does he take me for? Why would I serve his slut too?! We are supposed to have breakfast

    together!¡¯

    She held onto the kitchen table and clinched her jaws angrily. She remembered the points she read

    onlinest night and said to herself,

    ¡°Do notin, Amelia. Discuss.¡±

    She rolled her eyes and went on to serve the other te for his woman.

    ¡°Like he would want to listen to what I have to say,¡± She mumbled sadly.

    James picked his spoon and scooped some scrambled eggs. He took it in his mouth and began to

    munch.

    He raised his eyebrows, showing how impressed he was with the taste.

    ¡®Who would have thought she could be so good at cooking?¡¯ He wondered with a smirk.

    ¡°Do you want me to feed you?¡± Julia, the woman that sat next to him asked.

    He stopped munching and looked at her with the corner of his eyes.

    ¡°Did you hear me say anything?¡± He asked, and she chuckled, shaking her head.

    ¡°I just want to¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think about it. Don¡¯t overthink this, okay? I have my reasons for letting you sit at my dining

    table. Don¡¯t feel special,¡± He responded coldly.

    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t feel special? Your wife is about to serve me breakfast. I¡¯m super excited.¡±

    James arched his brows and shot her a deadly look. ¡®This is why I hate some women.¡¯

    ¡°Get up.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± She knitted her brows.

    ¡°I said get up!¡± His voice grew louder and fiercer. Julia hurriedly stood up, looking extremely

    confused.

    ¡°What did I do wrong?¡±

    ¡°Get out.¡±

    ¡°James, I¡­¡±

    ¡°Get out. I should have let you sit here in the first ce.¡±

    Julia swallowed hard and stood up. She adjusted her gown and picked up her bag.

    ¡°If you keep acting like this, no one is ever going to love you, James.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Get the f**k out of here.¡±

    Julia stormed out of the dining room and out of the mansion.

    ¡°Foolish girl,¡± He mumbled and kept eating.

    Amelia walked out of the kitchen with another tray, arranged the same way she did to James¡¯ meal.

    She got to the dining table and looked up to find out that the woman was nowhere to be found. She

    stood next to the table and looked around the living room.

    ¡°Why are you standing there?¡± James asked, without looking at her.

    ¡°I prepared the meal already. Where is she?¡±

    ¡°Who said the meal was supposed to be for her?¡±

    He lifted his head and looked at Amelia who was extremely lost. He knew what he was doing.

    ¡°But, you said I should¡­¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to eat, it¡¯s fine. You can return it to the kitchen. It¡¯s not like I care anyways,¡± He

    butted in coldly and took a sip from his ss cup.

    ¡®So he sent her away already? The meal is for me, not for her! He wants me to eat with him.¡¯

    A smile crept up her face as she ced the tray on the table and sat directly opposite James.

    She took a peek at his te and saw he had almost finished his meal.

    ¡®Should I ask him if he likes it? But it¡¯s obvious he does like it, I don¡¯t have to ask. But, I was told to

    discuss anything with him, right?¡¯

    James noticed she was staring at him, so he raised his head and looked at her face.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Amelia shook her head and quickly looked away. She picked up her spoon and began to eat too.

    She felt so proud of herself.

    She lifted her head after a few minutes again and saw James was done eating.

    He began to drink water, and she couldn¡¯t help but stare at his neck endlessly. The way his Adam¡¯s

    apple rose and fell was so sexy.

    James dropped his ss and looked at her. She hurriedly looked away and faced her meal. James

    rolled his eyes and stood up.

    Before he could walk away, she summoned the courage to ask him the question she was dying to

    ask.

    ¡°Mr. James, did you like the food?¡±

    James turned his head and looked at her, without uttering any words. Amelia regretted she asked

    him in the first ce.

    ¡°Where do you know Elena from?¡± He managed to change the topic. He was never going to admit

    he loved the food.

    ¡°Oh. I met her at the apartment my uncle got for me when I started working at thepany. She is

    my only friend.¡±

    ¡°Seems like you have lost your only friend now. I don¡¯t want you to speak to her anymore. Stay

    away from her.¡±

    ¡°What? Why? She has never done anything wrong to me. She is one of the few nicest people in my

    life.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care and don¡¯t expect me to exin why I don¡¯t want you to stay away from her. You are in

    my house now. I will tell you what I want and what I don¡¯t want.¡±

    Amelia lowered her head sadly and bobbed. She wanted to know why he hated her so much, but he

    already warned her not to ask why.

    ¡®Elena is so nice. What could she have done to deserve such treatment from him?¡¯ She wondered.

    ¡°Ande and get your things out of my room. I don¡¯t know what you were thinking in the first

    ce. That we would sleep on the same bed, like normal couples?¡±

    He scoffed and tucked his hands in his shorts before walking away. Amelia heaved a sigh after he

    left, and she kept eating.

    ¡®I need to ask Elena what really happened between them. I am going to visit her whenever I can.¡¯

    *

    She knocked on James¡¯ door and waited for him to tell her toe in.

    ¡°If you are here for your stuff,e in and pack them. I¡¯m sick of seeing them.¡±

    Amelia opened the door and walked in after hearing his statement. She carried all of her luggages

    at once and headed out.

    While she did it, James paid no attention to her. He was busy checking out the performance of his

    casino in Florida.

    Amelia wanted him to notice her at least, but he paid her no attention at all.

    She got to her room and pulled out her parents portrait and ced it on themp stand. She also

    picked up a jotter and pen.

    She wrote down the points she got from the inte and stared at them again.

    She felt she was beginning to get to his heart slowly since he liked her meal. She also didn¡¯t

    comin and it seemed to go well too. She decided to make her list her guide in dealing with

    James.

    She ticked the first point and moved on to the second. ¡®Focus on the positives.¡¯

    ¡°I think I can do this too.¡±

    Her phone began to ring. An unknown number was calling. Amelia fastened her brows as she

    stared at the number.

    She answered the phone and slowly moved it to her ear.

    ¡°Hello.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Amelia. It¡¯s Elena. I got your number from your uncle Freddie.¡±

    ¡°Elena¡­¡± Amelia raised her eyebrows and smiled. ¡°How are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. And how are you? How wasst night?¡±

    ¡°Last night? Nothing happenedst night, Elena. I don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± She responded sadly.

    ¡°Sure. I won¡¯t talk about it either. I just wanted to check up on you, to know how you are doing.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much, Elena. Can I ask you something?¡±

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    ¡°Sure. What¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°Can you tell me what happened with Mr. James when you were still his secretary? I want to know

    why he was so pissed when he saw you.¡±

    After Amelia asked her question, the other end of the line went dead silent. She creased her brows

    and looked at her phone screen to check if it disconnected already, but it wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°Elena, are you there?¡± She asked again, and the next thing she heard was her sniffing.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m good.¡± Elena¡¯s voice turned shaky, and this made Amelia worried.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Are you crying?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to tell you about it because I hate remembering that incident. I have never told anyone

    about it.¡±

    ¡°Really? Is it that bad?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s very bad, Amelia. Sometimes, I wish I had died after it happened.¡±

    ¡°Oh my God. I¡¯m so sorry for bringing it up, Elena. You don¡¯t have to talk about it if it hurts so much.

    I was just curious.¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡± She sniffed. ¡°You are my friend, Amelia. I¡¯ll tell you about it, but I can¡¯t say it over the phone.

    Can I visit you?¡±

    ¡°Erm, no. I don¡¯t think that is a good idea. I¡¯lle to your apartment instead. Expect me tomorrow.

    Thank you for wanting to tell me this. I promise your secret is safe with me.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Amelia. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow.¡±

    Elena hung up the call, and Amelia dropped her phone sadly.

    ¡®He must have done something horrible to her. Why does he like to treat anybody like he isn¡¯t

    human too? I must find out what he did to her.¡¯

 Chapter 32: Bad bitch

    Chapter 32: Bad bitch

    Amelia drove to thepany herself. She was happy she could still remember all she was taught at

    school about driving.

    James left the house the same time she left too. He didn¡¯t say a word to her but she went ahead to

    greet him. She wasn¡¯t bothered that he didn¡¯t give her a response. She wanted to focus on the

    positives alone.

    She got to her desk at the office and arranged it. She missed the table so much. If not for Helen,

    she would have never had the chance to work in hispany anymore.

    She began to work on herptop shortly, when she heard someone approaching. She lifted her

    head and saw Tina standing in front of her.

    ¡°Hi, Tina. Good morning.¡± She let out a bright smile.

    ¡°Hm,¡± Tina responded and narrowed her gaze at her.

    Amelia creased her brows and stared at her. She had no idea why ¡®Hm¡¯ was her response.

    ¡°You seem quite happy. I wasn¡¯t expecting that,¡± Tina teased.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You are living in James¡¯ house now. I believe that is the worse ce you can be. But you seem to

    be coping very well. I hope thatsts long though.¡±

    Tina chuckled and tucked her hair at the back of her ear before heading to James¡¯ door.

    ¡°Thank you foring to our wedding!¡± Amelia added before Tina could knock on the door.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. It isn¡¯t the kind of wedding I would love to attend anyways. I had to

    because of my dear friend.¡±

    She rolled her eyes and finally opened the door to James¡¯ office. Amelia heaved a sigh as soon as

    she was gone and looked at herptop again.

    ¡°Thank God his parents aren¡¯t like him and his friends. They are so mean,¡± She mumbled to herself,

    before finally concentrating.

    Tina got into the office and met James on his PC too.

    ¡°Woah. Why are you all so busy today? What¡¯s new?¡± She asked, and James raised his head and

    looked at her.

    He heaved a sigh and looked at hisptop again.

    ¡°It¡¯s Monday, Tina. A serious person would be busy. Why are you here today?¡± He asked.

    ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m here because I want to see my friend. Is there anything bad about that?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. But you have to know I won¡¯t pay too much attention to you. I will be going to Florida

    by noon. I would love to visit the Casino. It¡¯s been a year.¡±

    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s cool. Well, I came here because I¡¯m on leave from work. Tell me, how was the woman I

    gave to youst night?¡±

    She sat on the chair in front of his desk and began to grin boastfully.

    ¡°There was nothing special about her. She didn¡¯t satisfy me to the peak, and she is just dumb. I

    wonder where you found that one.¡±

    ¡°Really? Wow. I¡¯m sorry about that. I¡¯ll make it up to you then. I¡¯ll find you a better woman next time.¡±

    He shook his head and smirked. ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡±

    ¡°Why? Because you are married?¡±

    He rolled his eyes and looked at her.

    ¡°This has nothing to do with my being married. In Fact, I am not married, okay? I just prefer I do the

    picking instead. I always find the better one myself. I will do that in Florida today.¡±

    ¡°Hm.¡± She bounced her head and sighed.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t thought of getting between her legs? I mean your wife.¡±

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t think that thought would ever cross my mind. Nothing about her turns me on.¡±

    All this while, James talked with a straight face, keeping his attention fixed on hisptop.

    Amelia stood in front of his office, her ear glued to the door, listening to everything they were

    discussing.

    James¡¯st statement shattered her heart more than the other things they had been discussing.

    ¡®Even after trying to look sexy for him, it still doesn¡¯t work. What will I do to satisfy him?¡¯

    She walked away from the door and sat on her seat. She picked the document he had asked her to

    prepare and headed to his door again.

    She knocked on the door and didn¡¯t wait for him to tell her to go in before she did.

    ¡°Here are the documents, Mr. James. I prepared them already.¡±

    She walked to his desk and ced the file on his table. She looked at Tina and clenched her jaws

    angrily.

    ¡®You are the bad friend that introduces him to all these bad girls, hun?¡¯

    Tina noticed how Amelie was looking at her, and she creased her brows and spoke up; ¡°Why are

    you staring at me like that?¡±

    Amelia ignored her question and looked at James again. He was busy checking through the file she

    had prepared.

    ¡°Get ready to present this in Florida. There¡¯s a meeting we need to attend there. I wouldn¡¯t be able

    to attend because I would love to visit my Casino. You would have to represent thepany there.

    Exin some few things in the file and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°I would go to the meeting alone?!¡± Her eyes widened, and he stopped looking at the file and shot

    her a deadly look.

    ¡°And why are you so shocked about that? You can¡¯t go alone?¡±

    ¡°No. It¡¯s ¡­ it¡¯s just that, I would prefer we went together. I would be able to speak better when I see

    someone I know around. You can visit the Casino after the meeting too.¡±

    James clenched his fist and hit the table, making Amelia jump.

    ¡°Are you questioning my decision?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. I¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut the f**k up. You are going to that meeting alone, and you must perform well.¡±

    Amelia exhaled softly and bounced her head.

    ¡°Performing well is not my problem. You know I can do that. I just want you to be present. But it¡¯s

    fine, I understand you have things to do. I¡¯ll go alone.¡±

    Amelia red at Tina one more time before she headed out of the office.

    When she was out, Tina rolled her eyes and looked at James.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like her at all. She gets on my nerves every time.¡±

    ¡°Tina, can we talkter? I have important things to do, and you are distracting me. If you have an

    issue with her, go and tell her. It¡¯s none of my business,¡± He responded coldly.

    Tina scoffed and stood up angrily.

    ¡°Sometimes I wonder if you are truly my friend. You act weird everytime.¡±

    She picked up her bag and headed out of the office. James kept mute until she was out of the

    office. He valued his business more than petty talks.

    Amelia picked up her jotter and looked at the points that she had written. She was still on point two,

    which was to focus on the positives.

    ¡°I guess the positive thing here is my work. I need to focus on this job. That is the only positive thing

    in my life at the moment.¡± She muttered to herself and marked the point out.

    She moved onto the next which was, ¡®Take yourself seriously¡¯.

    ¡®How do I take myself seriously?¡¯ She thought when she saw Tina walk out of James¡¯ office. She

    expected her to leave, instead, she headed to her table again.

    ¡°Hey, you. Why were you looking at me like that? Do you have an issue with me?¡±

    Amelia gulped and took a nce at her jotter again. She wanted to ignore her but then, her eyes fell

    on point four which was, ¡®Speak up!¡¯

    Immediately she saw it, she sprang to her feet.

    ¡°I should ask you that. What is your problem with me? You know your friend is married and you are

    still introducing sluts to him? What kind of friend are you? If your kind are the only friends on earth, I

    prefer to die without friends! You are evil!¡±

    Tina blinked and her mouth parted in shock as she listened to Amelia speak. She never expected

    such words from her.

    ¡°Wait¡­ was all that for me?¡±

    ¡°This should be thest time I know you keep giving him these girls! If I were you, I¡¯d work on myself

    and get myself something profitable to do,¡± Amelia added.

    Tina grew so mad at her, and she raised her hand to p Amelia when James spoke from behind

    her.

    ¡°Stop! I won¡¯t let you do that in mypany. If you want to fight, take it outside.¡±

    Amelia lowered her hand which she raised to guide her face from Tina¡¯s p. Tina withdrew her

    hand and stormed to where James stood.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see what she did? She just insulted me.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what she did to you, Tina. This is mypany, and I won¡¯t tolerate you hitting any of

    my workers.¡±

    Tina¡¯s eyes watered in no time when she heard James¡¯ words. She regretted ever showing her face

    in thepany.

    ¡°F**k you, James!¡±

    She ran to the elevator and punched the button in anger. James looked at Amelia and saw her

    looking at Tina.

    ¡®Where did that attitudee from? Why has she kept it sealed until now?¡¯ He thought, still staring

    at her.

    Amelia turned to look at James and caught him staring. She rxed the muscles in her face and

    her frown washed off slowly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that, Mr. James. She got on my nerves.¡±

    ¡°So you have a nerve?¡± He asked, raising one of his eyebrows, and a smile crept up her face.

    She too found it hard to believe she could speak up with such confidence. All thanks to her jotted

    points.

    ¡°I think I do.¡± She lowered her head shyly and couldn¡¯t stop smiling.

    ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate that kind of issue in this office. If you have anyebacks for anyone, you can do it

    outside thepany.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    She nodded and kept her head bowed.

    ¡°It¡¯s noon. We should get going.¡± He uttered.

    Amelia picked up her jotter and threw it into her bag. She carried her bag and picked her car keys.

    She led the way to the elevator.

    James smirked as he walked behind her. ¡®I think I love that bad bitch side of her.¡¯ He thought and

    kept staring at her.

 Chapter 33: Kiss me now.

    Chapter 33: Kiss me now.

    Amelia was done at thepany where the meeting took ce and headed to her car.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She hadn¡¯t spoken to James since they arrived in Florida. She wasn¡¯t sure if she could head back to

    bama without him.

    She sat in her car and put a call across to Elena. She couldn¡¯t stop thinking of how to get to her

    apartment without James knowing.

    ¡°Hi, Elena.¡±

    ¡°Hi, Amelia. How are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good. And how are you?¡±

    ¡°I guess I¡¯m good too.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry aboutst night. I didn¡¯t mean to make you cry.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Elena. It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s James¡¯ fault. He is the one that made me cry. Will you be able

    to visit today?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure, Elena. I¡¯m in Florida as we speak. I just finished a meeting.¡±

    ¡°Florida? Wow. So, you went alone?¡±

    ¡°No. Mr. James is in Florida too, but he isn¡¯t with me at the moment. He is in his Casino. I don¡¯t

    know if I¡¯ll be able toe back to bama without him. Even if I doe back, it will bete at

    night.¡±

    ¡°That means you can¡¯te today, right?¡± Elena responded with a sad tone.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Elena. I wish I could. I cane some other time, or you can just tell me over the

    phone.¡±

    ¡°I just want you to know James is an evil person. If you have any chance to run away from him, do

    it.¡±

    Amelia creased her brows as she listened to her carefully.

    ¡°Evil person? I don¡¯t think he is evil. He just¡­¡±

    ¡°So what do you call a rapist?¡±

    ¡°A rapist?! You are trying to tell me Mr. James is a rapist? He will never do that!¡± Amelia eximed

    in disbelief.

    ¡°So you are believing him now? Have you forgotten how bad he has treated you? You being his wife

    doesn¡¯t change anything. He is going to hurt you if he wants to. Run away from him, Amelia.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s jaw cked as she stared down the streets. She was too stunned to speak. She knew

    James was a tough guy to deal with, but never expected him to be a rapist. It was too hard for her

    to believe.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can believe that, Elena.¡± She responded in a low tone.

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m lying? Why would I lie about such a thing to you, Amelia? You are my friend, and

    I¡¯m trying to warn you! James is evil. Stay away from him. You deserve someone better.¡±

    Elena¡¯s voice turned loud and aggressive. Amelia swallowed hard and blinked severally. She

    bounced her head and spoke up again.

    ¡°I would have to talk to him about it.¡±

    ¡°No! Don¡¯t you dare! I have never told anybody. If he knew I told you, I¡¯d be dead, okay?¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and narrowed her gaze again. Her phone began to vibrate, and she

    checked the screen to see it was her rm. It was 6pm already.

    ¡°Are you there, Amelia?¡± Elena asked.

    ¡°I have to go now, Elena. We¡¯ll talkter, okay?¡±

    She hung up the call and scrolled through her phone for James¡¯ number. It was getting veryte,

    and he still hadn¡¯te to thepany as they had nned.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if she could go to the Casino or keep waiting for him.

    She found his number and stared at it for minutes. She got anxious seeing his phone number alone.

    She had not called him since she got his phone number from his mom. And now being the first time

    she was going to call him, she heard something very bad about him. Something she never

    expected.

    She summoned courage and dialed his number. Hoping that he wouldn¡¯t answer the phone.

    ***

    James was busy ying Poker when his phone began to ring in the breast pocket of his suit.

    He raised his hand, excusing himself from the game. He pulled out his phone and saw ¡°My Dear

    Wife¡± calling.

    ¡°My dear wife? Who the f**k is my dear wife?¡± He muttered, furrowing his brows.

    He looked up and saw other yers staring at him. It was his turn to face up his card.

    He looked back and saw the manager in charge of the casino, standing behind him.

    ¡°Can you please take over? I need to answer this.¡±

    He raised his phone and his manager bounced his head. James stood up and stepped away from

    the table. This time, the phone had stopped ringing.

    ¡®Please don¡¯t tell me my dear wife is Amelia. Who the f**k saved her number on my phone. With

    that name!¡¯ He thought.

    His phone began to ring again, it was still ¡°my dear wife¡± calling.

    He answered the phone and ced it on his ear, waiting for my dear wife to speak up.

    ¡°Mr. James, are you there?¡±

    ¡°Amelia?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. James.¡±

    ¡°Who the f**k told you to save your number as my dear wife on my phone?!¡±

    ¡°What? I have never touched your phone. I didn¡¯t do it.¡±

    James then remembered his mother had asked for his phone before, and he gave it to her without

    questioning her.

    ¡®She must have saved it that day. God, mother is something else.¡¯ He thought.

    ¡°Why are you calling?¡±

    ¡°Errrm. I am done at the meeting now. So I was thinking ofing to the casino too.¡±

    ¡°Why do you want toe here?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ To. To have fun, I guess,¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°Suit yourself. We will fly back to bama tomorrow. I¡¯d book a hotelter. I¡¯m busy now, don¡¯t call

    me again.¡±

    He hung up before Amelia could respond and threw his phone into his pocket. He looked back and

    saw his manager smiling widely.

    ¡°You won, right?¡±

    ¡°Of course, I did,¡± he responded, parking all of the money on the table into a bag.

    ¡°Let¡¯s celebrate then.¡±

    He tapped his shoulder and they all headed to the bar in the casino. James ordered Vodka and

    Cranberry Juice and began to sip it.

    ¡°You have done a great job here. I love how it keeps improving every year,¡± He said to his manager.

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. James. I¡¯m trying my best to keep the Casino running, the way you have always

    wanted it.¡±

    James smiled widely and pointed to the bag that was full of money.

    ¡°That is yours. Consider it a bonus from me.¡±

    His Manager, Gray, chuckled and nodded. ¡°Thank you, Mr. James.¡±

    James took another sip from the drink and looked around again. His eyes fell on a gorgeous woman

    that sat at a corner. Her eyes were on him too, she was also sipping her drink.

    She winked at him, and James raised his eyebrows, showing her he was impressed. She stood up

    and approached him afterward.

    ¡°Hi.¡± Her voice was super calm and angelic. A seductive smileplimented her red lips.

    ¡°Hi,¡± James responded, feeling down for her already.

    ¡°Do you want to get out of here?¡± She asked, and he let out a smirk.

    ¡°Of course.¡± He stood up and stretched his right hand to her. She took his hand and they both

    headed away from the bar.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you ask what my name is?¡±

    ¡°Does that matter? I don¡¯t think so,¡± He responded, and she chuckled in response.

    Amelia walked into the Casino, holding her bag to herself firmly. She looked around and saw the

    ce was full and everyone was busy doing one thing or the other.

    ¡®Where do I know he is now? And he had warned me not to call him.¡¯ She thought, scanning the

    whole ce with her eyes.

    She walked up to one of the men she believed was a worker, with a warm smile.

    ¡°Hi, Good evening. Please can I know where the restroom is?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s down there. Thest door.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± She responded, looking at the direction in which he had pointed.

    She walked down the hallway, looking for the restroom closely. She didn¡¯t want to make the mistake

    of barging into a room she shouldn¡¯t.

    She got to the end of the hallway and found thest door, she hurriedly opened the door and walked

    in.

    She looked up and saw James in front of her. He had a beautiful-looking woman¡¯s leg wrapped

    around his torso, and she was pinned to the wall. They were both looking at her.

    She then realized she had entered a different room. It was nothing close to a restroom.

    ¡°Mr. James,¡± She mumbled, and James shot her a deadly look.

    She hurriedly lowered her head and walked out of the room. Her heart was threatening to jump out

    of her chest as she hurried down the hallway. She hated what she saw.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t he stay away from slut for a week?! Most he f**k any beautiful girl he sees? Can¡¯t he

    respect the fact that he is married?¡¯

    Amelia couldn¡¯t help but feel so hurt. Even though she knew he didn¡¯t like her, she still didn¡¯t like

    seeing him with other women.

    After she kept walking fast for some time, she began to run.

    *

    James wanted to continue kissing her when she looked at his left hand and saw a ring on it.

    ¡°Hey. Are you married?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Do you want to do this, or should I stop? I hate women that ask too many questions.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve lost interest. I hate being interrupted, and I don¡¯t like married men.¡±

    James scoffed and moved farther from the wall. He reached for her legs and pushed them off him.

    ¡°Hey, easy¡­¡± She muttered, feeling offended.

    James ignored her and walked out of the room angrily.

    ¡°Everything was going well until she interrupted!¡± He mumbled in anger.

    *

    Amelia kept running with her head bowed, when all of a sudden, she ran into a man. She raised her

    head and looked at him.

    ¡°I''m so sorry,¡± She mumbled, and he shook his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Are you okay? Why are you crying?¡± He raised her face with his finger and stared at her

    face with worry.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m good,¡± She responded, trying to hide her face from him.

    ¡°Are you sure? Did you get hurt? I know there can be some crazy guys around here.¡±

    As he was talking, Amelia sighted James from afar, he was walking towards them.

    Before he could look at them, Amelia looked at the man in front of her and said; ¡°Kiss me.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± He asked, looking very confused.

    ¡°Kiss me now!¡± She said and pulled him in. She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him

    deeply.

 Chapter 34: Goodnight text message.

    Chapter 34: Goodnight text message.

    James looked up and sighted Amelia and another man from where he stood. He looked closely and

    noticed they were closer than usual.

    ¡®Are they kissing?¡¯

    He stormed to where they were, his heart was racing like a train, his respiration increased, and he

    was perspiring heavily.

    ¡®Why would another man take advantage of my wife in an open ce like this? In my Casino!¡¯

    He got to where they were, he grabbed the young man by the hand and pulled him away from her.

    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± He asked, and didn¡¯t wait for him to answer before he

    threw a punch at his face.

    ¡°Mr. James!¡± Amelia called in awe.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare call my name! What do you think you are doing? You wrapped your hands around

    him, like you were enjoying whatever he was doing to you?!¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t do anything wrong, okay? Who are you anyways?!¡± The young man answered, cleaning

    the blood that busted out from the corner of his lips.

    ¡°I am her f**king husband, and who the hell are you?! Why are you kissing my wife?¡±

    The man looked at Amelia and could see fear written all over her. She was breathing very fast, and

    she was so sweaty.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to know who I am. If you truly care about your wife, you would know she needs

    more attention from you! Dude, your wife was crying, and you have no idea. Honestly, I believe she

    deserves better from what I can see.¡±

    ¡°You have no right to talk about me like that! You have no idea who you are dealing with!¡±

    James began to approach him in rage again when Amelia hurriedly ran to the front of the man and

    made James stop.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t do anything, Mr. James. I was the one that initiated the kiss. He is innocent!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± James creased his brows in disbelief as he stared at her.

    ¡°You intentionally kissed him?¡± He asked, feeling so stupid for trying to defend her.

    He had thought he was taking advantage of her innocence, but it became clear that she was the

    one who wanted it. He hated that he had to get involved in the first ce.

    ¡°I kissed him, and I¡¯m sorry about that,¡± She mumbled.

    James grabbed his hair and bit his lower lip in regret. He looked around and noticed no one was

    around them.

    This made him a little calm, because he wouldn¡¯t want to see himself in the news the next day with

    stupid headlines, like he was defending his newly married wife, when she was the one to me.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two to sort out your sh*t,¡± The young man mumbled and walked out on them.

    Amelia wanted to call him back and apologize for putting him in that kind of situation, but she feared

    what James was going to do to her.

    She swallowed hard as she stared at James, searching for the right words to say to him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. James.¡±Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    James raised his eyebrows and scoffed. He began to move closer to her, and Amelia¡¯s heart

    pounded against her chest at every step he took.

    ¡°You¡¯re sorry?¡± He asked, and she bounced her head slowly.

    ¡®How will I tell him I wanted to know if he was going to get jealous if he saw me with another man?¡¯

    She thought.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sir. I didn¡¯t want to kiss him, but when I saw you with the woman, I got so mad and

    wanted to forget about what I saw.¡± She lied.

    After she finished talking, a smirk slowly crept up James¡¯ face, and he let out a littleugh.

    ¡°So, you kissed a man because you wanted to get back at me? Did you think that was going to

    make me regret what I did?¡±

    Amelia gulped hard again and shook her head. It was beginning to go as not nned.

    ¡°I had to intervene because I didn¡¯t want any stupid news about me and my Casino on the news,

    stupid woman! Almost everyone knows we are married, and any stupid thing you do can be out

    there on the inte because you don¡¯t know who the hell is watching you! The next time you try

    such a thing, I promise you, you will hate me more than you already do.¡±

    He moved away from her and tucked his hands in his pockets, he shot her a deadly look and turned

    to leave.

    ¡°So you didn¡¯t feel jealous at all? All you cared about was your Casino and the news?¡±

    Amelia¡¯s voice was shaky as she spoke. Her eyes were filled with tears, and they began to stream

    down her face.

    ¡°Jealous of what? Jealous of you? I would never be jealous of you, woman. I don¡¯t care who the f**k

    screws you. Just don¡¯t f**king disturb my name and business.¡±

    Amelia broke into more tears at the realization that James would never care about her.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t you care about me?! Just a little bit, Mr, James. I have never done anything wrong to

    you. Why do you hate me so much?¡±

    James heaved a sigh and strutted back to her again.

    ¡°Why would I care about you? Take a good look at yourself, Amelia! Look at you! Look at how

    unprofessional, unfashionable, ugly, you look. I hate women that look like this, okay?! You disgust

    me.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s feet wobbled as she heard James¡¯st sentence. All her life, she has always wanted

    someone to love her, when James came into her life, even though it was in a rough way, she hoped

    one day he would be the one to love her too. But, at this point, she lost hope that he could ever love

    her for who she was.

    ¡°Leave this Casino, go and get a Hotel. We will meet at the airport tomorrow morning.¡± He muttered

    and began to walk away again.

    ¡°So if I stop dressing like this, you are going to like me? Even if it¡¯s a little bit?¡±

    James ignored Amelia¡¯s question and kept walking away.

    After minutes of crying, Amelia cleaned her tears with the back of her hand and headed out of the

    Casino.

    She got outside and headed to her car. Before she got to her car, someone blocked her path. She

    looked up and saw it was the man she kissed.

    ¡°How are you?¡± He asked, lowering his head and staring closely at her face.

    ¡°I¡¯m not good. But, I¡¯m sorry for doing that to you. I¡­¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I understand what you wanted to do there. You saw himing, right?¡± He moved his

    face away from tears.

    ¡°Yes, I did. I thought he got pissed because I kissed another man, but sadly, he didn¡¯t give a f**k

    about that.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± He knitted his brows, and she bobbed.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be so sure. He was full of jealousy.¡±

    ¡°No, he wasn¡¯t. He just cared about himself, his business, and the media. Well, it¡¯s none of your

    business, anyway. I¡¯m sorry, once again.¡±

    ¡°I understand. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°Amelia. And you, what¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Fred. It¡¯s very nice to meet you, Amelia. I¡¯m sorry about whatever you are passing through right

    now.¡±

    She smiled faintly and shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Thank you so much. I have to go now. I need to rest. I have a long day ahead of me

    tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Sure. But before you go, can I have your Line ID? I just want to know you more. That¡¯s all.¡±

    He pulled out his phone from his pocket and stretched it to her. Amelia smiled faintly and collected

    his phone. She imputed her line ID and gave it back to him.

    ¡°Thank you. Do you live here in Florida?¡± He further asked.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. I came here for business purposes. I¡¯ll be out of here tomorrow.¡±

    She opened her door, and Fred stepped away from her car.

    ¡°I¡¯ll text you soon. Take care of yourself, okay?¡±

    He waved at her, and Amelia waved back at him. He walked away, and the smile on her face faded

    off almost immediately. She ignited her engine and drove off.

    ***

    Amelia got into the hotel room she booked and mmed into the bed. She exhaled loudly and

    stared at the ceiling, which had lights built in them.

    Her phone began to ring shortly. It was Helen calling. She answered the phone and ced it on her

    ear. Before she could speak up, she heard Helen and Charles discussing.

    ¡°Charles, stop. I¡¯m calling her already. My lips are aching,¡± Helen said, giggling very hard.

    Amelia raised her eyebrows and smiled widely. She knew it was what she was thinking.

    ¡°Mrs. Helen.¡±

    ¡°Amelia? Amelia, are you there?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±

    ¡°How are you? Is James with you? I have tried his phone number but it isn¡¯t connecting.¡±

    ¡°He isn¡¯t with me. Maybe you should try his phone number again. I am at the hotel already. I left him

    at the Casino.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay. But, are you okay? Are you two fine now?¡±

    ¡°Fine? I don¡¯t think that is going to ever happen.¡±

    ¡°Why? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Helen asked. Her voice sounded like she was worried.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Mrs. Helen. Would you please shop with me some time? I need to get some clothes.¡±

    ¡°Clothes? You mean hot, sexy clothes like the one James likes?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I would need help because I have no idea which of them would look sexy on me.¡±

    ¡°Gosh, I¡¯m so excited you want to get sexy clothes! I can¡¯t wait to see you in them!¡±

    Amelia chuckled silently and rolled on her side.

    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Helen. I¡¯ll visit you when we get back to bama.¡±

    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll keep trying James¡¯ phone number then. Good night, dear.¡±

    ¡°Good night.¡±

    Amelia hung up the call and heaved a sigh. She smiled widely and looked at her phone.

    A message popped in while she was looking at the screen. It was from an unknown number.

    She opened the message and read;

    ¡°Look at the sky wherever you are, and you¡¯ll see the stars shining just like you. I must admit you

    are a very beautiful woman, Amelia. Sleep well. May your dreams be sweeter than you tonight.

    Fred.¡±

    Amelia grinned happily while she read his message. It was her first time receiving such a message

    in her whole life.

    ¡®He is so sweet. Why can¡¯t James be like him?¡¯

 Chapter 35: She is with me

    Chapter 35: She is with me

    Amelia and James flew back to bama in the same airne, but they totally ignored each other.

    Amelia tried looking for ways to talk to him, but James wasn¡¯t ready to even look at her.

    Though Amelia was sad that he was totally ignoring her this time around, Fred was busy texting her

    over the phone. He said funny things that made her smile and sometimes giggle out loud.

    James often stole nces of her and saw her smiling while checking her phone. He wondered what

    or who could make her so happy over the phone.

    They got to bama in less than two hours and they headed straight to thepany. They had a

    lot of work to do.

    Amelia was glued to her chair for more than three hours, organizing files, preparing documents,

    organizing and distributing messages from different departments.

    James on the other hand left for another meeting at his father¡¯spany. It was a meeting Freddie

    was going to attend too.

    Amelia was still working when she perceived a familiar scent in the air. She creased her brows and

    lifted her head to see Ava in front of her.

    ¡®I guessed right. It¡¯s her cologne.¡¯

    Ava was standing in front of James¡¯ office, she knocked on the door and waited for him to respond.

    She didn¡¯t want him to get mad at her for barging in again.

    She didn¡¯t notice Amelia at first, but when she was waiting, she eventually looked back and saw

    Amelia staring at her.

    Her face wrinkled into a frown as she stared back at her.

    ¡°Why are you staring?¡± Ava asked, folding her arms.

    Amelia shook her head and looked at herputer. She resumed her work and acted like she

    didn¡¯t see her in the very first ce.

    Ava rolled her eyes and turned to face the door. She knocked on it again, this time without patience

    and out of frustration that Amelia was watching her.

    ¡®Why won¡¯t he f**king answer me?¡¯ She thought angrily.

    She finally lost it and reached for the door knob. She tried to open it when she realized that the door

    was locked.

    She knitted her brows and tried to open it again. Every time she visited his office, his door was

    never locked, except he wasn¡¯t on seat.

    ¡®But if he isn¡¯t around, why wouldn¡¯t Amelia tell me?¡¯

    She turned to look at Amelia and saw her busy on herputer. She paid her zero attention.

    ¡°Where is he?¡± She asked, walking to Amelia¡¯s desk.

    ¡°Where is who?¡± Amelia responded without raising her head.

    ¡°You know who I¡¯m talking about. Where is James?¡±

    Amelia smiled faintly and looked up. ¡°You mean my husband?¡± She asked again, and Ava clenched

    her jaws.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? What are you trying to do? Are you trying to rub it in my face? Such

    guts!¡±

    Amelia exhaled softly and looked at herputer again. She could feel Ava burning in rage, but

    she wasn¡¯t moved by it.

    One way or the other, she didn¡¯t care about what Ava was going to do to her.

    All she wanted to do was to show her that she wasn¡¯t going to keep being the Amelia they always

    bullied.

    Ava expected a response from Amelia, but she got none and this made her even more furious. She

    made an attempt to move closer to Amelia, but Amelia raised her hand and stopped her.

    ¡°Whatever you want to do, I¡¯d advise you not to do it. Things could get very ugly.¡±

    Amelia looked at her again and stood to her feet. Deep down, she couldn¡¯t recognize the person

    that was talking anymore. She had developed more courage than she thought she could ever have.

    ¡°Wow.¡± Ava blinked in awe. She was too shocked at Amelia¡¯s reaction.

    Since she knew Amelia, she never spoke back at her, and the one time she tried it, she almost

    broke her leg.

    ¡®Where is that courageing from?¡¯ She thought.

    ¡°Please leave, Ava. The one you seek isn¡¯t here. And I have lots of things to do, distraction is one

    thing I despise when I¡¯m working.¡±

    Ava¡¯s eyes widened as she heard Amelia¡¯s words. She was more shocked than angry.

    ¡°Who do you think you are? You think you can talk to me rudely because you are married to a man

    that will never love you?¡±

    Amelia swallowed hard after she heard herst statement. It broke her heart to keep hearing from

    others that James would never love her.

    She pushed that sad thought away and smiled widely at Ava.

    ¡°Well, I should consider myself lucky enough to have married him. He doesn¡¯t love me, but I get to

    live with him, to make him breakfast. What do you get Ava? He will never love you and still you can¡¯t

    get any closer to him.¡±

    Amelia scoffed and shook her head. She heaved a loud sigh when she saw the great expression of

    shock on Ava¡¯s face.

    ¡°Like I said. I¡¯m busy, Ava. Next time you want to visit him, call thepany first, book an

    appointment. It''s easier that way.¡±

    She shifted her attention from Ava after talking and resumed working.

    She didn¡¯t want James to return to half-done work. She wanted to do everything to please him so

    that he could talk to her at least.

    Different thoughts began to rush through Ava¡¯s head. How she wasn¡¯t going to let Amelia go scot-

    free for talking rudely to her. How to make her regret staying in James¡¯ house in the first ce.

    In rage, she said no words to Amelia, instead she stormed to the elevator and punched the button.

    ¡®I¡¯ll make you pay. You will watch me take back what is rightfully mine! No matter how long it takes.¡¯

    ***

    Amelia pulled up in front of a clothing store. Helen was sitting next to her. Amelia noticed she

    seemed happierpared to thest time she saw her.

    She believed it had to do something with Charles, based on what she heard over the phone.

    ¡°We won¡¯t be working on your clothings alone. We need to do something about your hair, and if

    possible, help you learn how to beat your face.¡±

    ¡°I am in for anything, Ma¡¯am Helen. I¡¯m tired of James seeing me like I¡¯m good for nothing. I want

    him to see me and fall in love with me at first sight.¡±

    Helen chuckled and opened the door. She looked at Amelia again and bobbed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you get him. You don¡¯t have to worry about my son. I know what he likes. Let¡¯s go now. We

    have a long way to go.¡±

    They both headed into the store and started off with selecting clothes Helen believed to be sexy.

    They selected almost all kinds of dresses. Newly stocked, casual but hot, mini, in, sleeveless,

    red, cold shoulders, and many more.

    They also didn¡¯t forget some ssy shirts and fancy, tight jeans. Helen believed Amelia would look

    hot in them too.

    They went on to the room where she could try on the dresses. Helen sat in front of the room and

    waited for her to walk out.

    The first time she walked out, she was wearing an orange puffntern sleeve, cold-shoulder dress.

    The dress stopped about four inches above her knees.

    The dressplimented her tiny waist and moderate-sized, round breast so much that Helen

    picked it without thinking.

    Happily. Amelia went on to try the others. Helen liked everything and told her to keep them.

    To the shoes, Helen made sure she picked more heel shoes than t shoes and sandals. She

    believed heel shoes would make a woman look hotter and ssy.

    Amelia tried on the silver, pointed pump, stilettos heels they selected and when it was time for her to

    stand and walk, she got very scared.

    She had a feeling she would fall to the floor if she walked with them. Helen noticed the fear in

    Amelia and pulled her up by her arm.

    ¡°If you let fear take over, you would never walk in them. Those that wear these started from

    somewhere. Now, try to walk. I¡¯ll stay next to you and guide you.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head anxiously and took her first step with Helen holding her arm.

    Her legs were quivering as she kept on walking. Her heart was beating very fast, but she didn¡¯t stop

    trying to walk better.

    She kept walking in front of the changing room for minutes, and Helen slowly let go of her after

    some minutes and stepped aside.

    Amelia raised her two hands in the air and began to walk alone.

    ¡°That is it! You are doing it!¡± She yelled in excitement and began to p.

    Ameliaughed out loud in excitement and looked at Helen. She was so happy. Her legs stopped

    shaking, and she seemed more courageous than she first wore it.

    ¡°The more you wear it, the more you get used to it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much for this, Ma¡¯am Helen. I¡¯m so excited!¡±

    Amelia hugged her and Helen hugged her too.

    ¡°I think we are done here. Time to do something to your hair. I believe a straighter hair would look

    better on you,pared to this wavy look.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t tried it before. But if you believe it would look good, then I¡¯d love to try it.¡±

    ¡°Good! I can¡¯t wait to see James trip for you when he sees you! Gosh, he would be so in love.¡±

    ¡°I hope so. The women I¡¯ve seen with him are way more beautiful than I look.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think like that. You are a very beautiful woman, Amelia. You just need the courage and

    attitude to bring it out.¡±

    Helen brushed her shoulder with her hand, and she nodded.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ***

    Helen and Amelia got to Parker''s mansion. Helen had invited her for dinner, the same way Charles

    invited James for dinner after their meeting.

    Amelia wore the orange cold-shoulder dress she first tried on and the silver stiletto heels too.

    They headed into the mansion and met James sitting in the living room.

    ¡°Mr. James,¡± Amelia called excitedly. She was dying to see the look on his face when he looked at

    her.

    James raised his head and when his eyesnded on her, his eyebrow twitched. She saw her

    smiling widely, and he exhaled and looked away.

    ¡°James, I can¡¯t find the ice!¡±

    They suddenly heard a faminine voice call out from the kitchen. Amelia and Helen creased their

    brows and looked at the kitchen.

    A gorgeous- lookingdy with crazy ass curves walked out of the kitchen with a ss of juice in her

    hand.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Helen asked.

    ¡°She is with me,¡± James responded and walked up to her. He stood next to her and held her hand,

    smiling widely at her.

    Amelia felt her heart sink to her belly when she saw how he held and smiled at her.

    ¡®Did he even notice the change at all?¡¯

 Chapter 37: Ten missed calls

    Chapter 37: Ten missed calls

    Fred got home and carried Amelia out of the car and into the house in a bridal style.

    He stared at her face until heid her on the neatlyid bed in his guest room.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ why is it so hot?¡­¡± She moaned and turned on her side.

    Fred ced her bag on themp stand and hurried into the bathroom to get a wet towel for her.

    He soaked the white towel he kept in the bathroom with water and walked to where sheid again.

    He made hery on her back again and began to mop her face carefully with the towel. As he

    cleaned her body, she smiled widely asionally.

    Fred giggled at the slightest reaction she gave. ¡®Why is she so cute?¡¯

    He was done with her face, and he slowly moved down to her hand. He picked up her right hand

    and cleaned it.

    He couldn¡¯t help but gaze at her body. It was so smooth and beautiful.

    He looked away from her hand and down her leg, he saw a scar on her left leg and furrowed his

    brows.

    ¡°What happened to you here?¡± He asked in a whisper and ran his finger on the scar softly.

    Amelia reacted to his touch and moved her leg away from him. She turned on her side and kept

    sleeping.

    Fred sighed and withdrew his hand totally from her body. He stood up and walked back to the

    bathroom to wash the towel.

    When he was done, he stepped out and took onest look at Amelia. He was about to leave the

    room when Amelia¡¯s phone began to ring.

    The sound of her phone made Amelia cringe. She blocked her ears with her hands ufortably.

    Fred noticed how ufortable she was, and he wanted to put off the phone with immediate effect.

    But how was he going to search in adies¡¯ purse for her phone?

    He hesitated at first, but when the phone began to ring again, he reached inside her bag and pulled

    it out.

    He looked at the caller and saw it was Mr. James that was calling.

    ¡®What does he want from her this time? Hadn¡¯t he done enough?¡¯

    He put her phone in a silent mood and put it in her bag again. He looked at her and walked out of

    the room afterward.

    ¡®You are not alone anymore, Amelia. I¡¯ll take good care of you. I promise.¡¯

    *

    After James was tired from calling Amelia, he put a call across to his mother again.

    ¡°Mom, she isn¡¯t at home. Where the f**k did she go? It¡¯s veryte.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, James. You are to me, not me.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. You and her didn¡¯t give me the chance to exin who Madison was

    before you judged me.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t still me us! We know the kind of person you are. If you two are nothing, why did you

    hold her hand and smile at her like that?¡±

    ¡°Because she is my friend, Mom.¡±

    ¡°You, James? Can you even have a normal friendship with women? Especially the curvy ones?

    Listen to me, Amelia needed the slightestpliment from you. She changed her hair, wore a dress

    she isn¡¯t veryfortable in, wore heels that she had to learn to carry, all because she wanted to

    please you. I can¡¯t me her for leaving after you held another woman like that.¡±

    ¡°But.. but I didn¡¯t ask her to do any of that, did I?¡±

    ¡°Oh please, James. Shut up, okay? I¡¯m as mad as you as she is. Even though you im Madison

    isn¡¯t with you. You had a chance to make things clear, not make it worse! You didn¡¯t even run after

    her. I¡¯m very mad at you.¡±

    ¡°Mom, C¡¯mon¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you tomorrow. Just keep praying nothing bad happens to her tonight. I¡¯ll never forgive you

    for it.¡±

    Helen hung up the call before James could reply. He grabbed his hair in anger and mmed himself

    into the couch.

    ¡°Where the f**k are you, Amelia? What are you thinking!¡±

    He dialed her number for the tenth time, and he still didn¡¯t get any response.

    ¡°Fine! Suit yourself. It¡¯s not like I care anyways.¡±

    He walked to the kitchen and picked up a bottle of cold water from the fridge. He walked back to the

    living room and sat on the couch, sipping the water slowly.

    ***

    Amelia opened her eyes and tried to sit up. Her head began to bang seriously, and she grabbed it in

    pain.

    ¡°Arrrgh¡­ why does it hurt so much?¡±

    She took a minute to adjust to the pain in her head before looking around. She knitted her brows as

    she figured out that she wasn¡¯t in a familiar ce.

    ¡°Where am I?¡±

    She lifted the duvet from her body and stared between her legs. Everything seemed normal and this

    gave her a little relief.

    She looked around the room and yanked the duvet off her body. She moved to the edge of the bed

    and sat up, still holding her head with one of her hands.

    Her eyes fell on her bag, and she hurriedly pulled it to herself. She dipped her hand inside her bag

    and pulled out her phone.

    She first saw what the time was on the screen and her eyes broadened.

    ¡°9:03!¡°

    She looked away from the time and saw she had ten missed calls from Mr. James.

    ¡°Mr. James!¡±

    She sprang to her feet and ran to the door. Though her head was hurting, she didn¡¯t care at this

    point. She began to worry about James.

    ¡®Why would he call me ten times? What¡¯s going on? Does he need me at the office?¡¯

    She ran out of the room and down the staircase she found. She got closer to the main door when

    Fred walked out of the kitchen and saw her.

    ¡°Hey, Amelia.¡±

    Amelia looked back and saw Fred behind her. He was carrying a tray in his hand and he had an

    apron on.

    ¡°Fred¡­ Oh, Fred.¡±

    Fred chuckled and ced the tray on the dining table. He rushed back to her and stood in front of

    her.

    ¡°How are you feeling? Does your head hurt?¡±

    He ced his palm on her forehead to check her temperature. She shook her head and smiled

    faintly.

    ¡°Thank you for bringing me to your house, Fred. I was too drunk to drive home.¡±

    He smiled and bounced his head. ¡°I know, Amelia. I was with you throughout, so I know. Are you

    leaving already? I made scrambled eggs and coffee already.¡±

    He pointed to the table, and Amelia exhaled.

    ¡°Thank you so much for your kindness, Fred, but I have to leave now. It¡¯s 9am already. I¡¯ll bete for

    work.¡±

    Fred creased his eyebrows and let out a littleugh, making Amelia narrow her eyes.

    ¡°What? What¡¯s funny?¡±

    ¡°It''s the weekend, Amelia. There is no work today, okay?¡±

    ¡®Weekend? That means Mr. James isn¡¯t at work. So why did he call me ten times?¡¯ She reminisced.

    ¡°Please eat what I have made for you before you leave. I would be so hurt if you didn''t eat it.¡±

    Fred pouted, hoping she was going to stay back and hand breakfast with him.

    ¡°But¡­ Mr. James. I think he is worried about me. He called me ten timesst night. I¡¯m scared that

    he is pissed at me already.¡±

    Fred shook his head and heaved a sigh. He held her hand and began to pull her to the dining table

    carefully.

    ¡°James hurt youst night, didn¡¯t he?¡± He asked, and she bounced her head.

    ¡°So why are you so worried about him? You should take care of yourself first. Put yourself first. If

    you get home, I bet you would have to start preparing breakfast. Eat some eggs, even if it¡¯s little.¡±

    Amelia looked at the tray and at the food he had prepared. They did look very enticing.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll eat a little. Not because I¡¯m hungry, but because I don¡¯t want you to do it in vain.¡±

    Fred smiled widely and nodded. He moved the chair back so that she could sit, and he sat next to

    her. She began to eat, and Fred watched her do so.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Amelia raised her head and caught him staring at her. She smiled faintly and looked at her meal.

    ¡°Thank you forst night, Fred. I don¡¯t know what I would have done without you. I can¡¯t imagine

    what could have happened, if it was someone else that took me home yesterday.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me, Amelia. It is what a friend would do, right?¡± He smiled.

    She raised her head and looked at him again. It felt so nice to hear him call her ¡®friend¡¯.

    She bounced her head and dropped the fork she was using to eat.

    ¡°I think I have had enough, I need to go home now. Thank you for the meal,¡± She said and stood up.

    Fred nodded and stood up too. She took a gulp from the coffee and they both headed to the door.

    ¡°Remember you can tell me anything, Amelia. I¡¯ll be here to listen.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She responded with a smile and walked to her car. Fred waited at the door and

    watched her.

    She opened her door and threw her bag inside the car. She took onest look at Fred and waved at

    him.

    He waved back and kept waving until she was out of thepound.

    *

    James opened his eyes to realize he fell asleep on the couch, waiting for Amelia to return. He

    looked around and found out she was yet toe back.

    ¡®I am so stupid to have waited for her. What was I thinking in the first ce?¡¯

    He stood up from the couch and began to walk to the stairs when he heard the door open. He stood

    and looked back to see Amelia walk in.

    He frowned and walked up to her without hesitation.

    ¡°Where the hell have you been sincest night?! Why didn¡¯t youe home? Didn¡¯t you know I

    called you several times?!¡± He smacked.

    Amelia clenched her jaws and raised her eyes to look at him.

    ¡°Why are you so pissed? Were you worried about me?¡± She asked in a cool tone.

    James raised his eyebrows and scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t think highly of yourself, woman,¡± He muttered.

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t worry about me, then you don¡¯t have to know where I was and who I was with

    throughout the night,¡± She responded and walked away.

 Chapter 38: I donâ€™t care

    Chapter 38: I don¡¯t care

    ¡®What the hell.¡¯

    James stared at the staircase which Amelia had climbed in great shock. He couldn¡¯t believe she

    had just walked out on him.

    ¡°Ame¡­¡±

    All of a sudden, his phone began to ring, cutting him short. He clenched his jaw and walked up to

    the couch, where he had left his phone.

    He picked up his phone and saw his mother calling. He answered the phone and angrily ced it

    on his ear.

    ¡°Mom,¡± He muttered.

    ¡°Woah¡­ what¡¯s with the cold voice?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure? What¡¯s wrong? Is Amelia back?¡±

    ¡°Mom, can you please not ask me about her? If you want to know anything about her and her

    whereabouts, you can call her and ask. I don¡¯t care about her.¡±

    ¡°Hey¡­ can you calm down? I never asked if you cared about her or not. Why are you acting weird?

    Who pissed you off?¡±

    ¡°No one. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll call her to ask her then. But you have to apologize to her for what happenedst night. You

    did something wrong.¡±

    ¡°Mom, I am not apologizing! I have to go now.¡±

    He hung up the call and threw the phone into the pocket of his pants. He clenched his fists and

    stared at the staircase again.

    ¡®Why do I even want to know where she was throughout the night? I don¡¯t care.¡¯

    He exhaled softly and walked up the stairs. He headed to his room and when he got to the door, he

    hesitated to open the door.

    ¡°But will I just let her be after walking out on me? I am James Parker! No woman has ever done that

    to me!¡±

    He put on a straight face and headed to the next floor, where Amelia¡¯s room was.

    As he approached her door, he could hear her speaking.

    Amelia sat on her bed, smiling widely. Her phone was on speaker as she was speaking to Fred.

    She was busy removing her earrings, preparing to have a warm bath.

    ¡°I am home now. Have you eaten too?¡± She asked and stood up from the bed.

    ¡°Yes, I have. How are you? Are you good?¡± Fred asked in response, making her smile widely.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Fred. You don¡¯t have to worry about me. You have many other things to worry about.¡±

    She removed her gown and walked to the bathroom door to pick up her towel when the door

    suddenly opened.

    ¡°What the hell!¡± She yelled and turned back to see James staring at her with his eyes widened.

    She bent down and quickly wrapped her hands around her body.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you knock!¡± She yelled in terror.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you lock the door when you knew you would be changing your clothes?¡± He asked with

    a smirk.

    ¡°Look away,¡± She muttered in a panic.

    ¡°Amelia? Amelia, are you okay?!¡± Fred asked in a loud tone, and James looked at the phone on her

    bed.

    She hurriedly reached for her towel on the door and wrapped it around her body. She ran to the bed

    and grabbed her phone before he could get it.

    ¡°Who is that?¡± He asked, and Amelia held onto her towel firmly and looked at the screen.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you back.¡±

    She hung up the call and looked at James. He folded his arms and red at her, waiting for the

    answer to his question.

    ¡°Why do you care?¡± She responded, and he arched one of his eyebrows.

    ¡°Why are you here anyways?¡± She asked, walking to the bathroom.

    ¡°This is my house! And don¡¯t you dare walk out on me again!¡± He smacked, pointing his finger to

    her.

    She heaved a sigh and turned to look at him again. She bounced her head slowly and ced her

    phone on the table next to her.

    ¡°Okay.¡± She folded her arms and began to stare at James too.

    James became ufortable after they stared at each other for minutes. He gulped and looked

    away.

    ¡°I need you to prepare a manuscript about the Casino in Florida. Since you have been there, it

    shouldn¡¯t be hard, right?¡± He asked coldly.

    Amelia knitted her brows and walked closer to him.

    ¡°But¡­ but I don¡¯t know anything about the Casino. Plus, it¡¯s the weekend, can¡¯t I do it on Monday?¡±

    She asked calmly.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡°So are you saying no to me? Have you forgotten I am your boss? I could fire you for what you have

    just done.¡±

    Amelia swallowed hard as her heart began to beat very fast. He could do anything to her, but not

    take her job from her. That was the only way she could take herself seriously. She loved her job.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t fire me. I¡¯ll do some research about it and prepare the manuscript before the end of

    today.¡±

    James smirked after seeing her sober she turned after he threatened to fire her.

    ¡®Now I know what to do to her.¡¯ He thought, divulging an evil smirk.

    ¡°I give you two hours to prepare the manuscript.¡±

    He buried his hand in his pocket and turned to leave. As he stepped out of the room, he rested his

    back on the door, and his eyes widened again.

    He recalled her bare body he saw for a few seconds and shook his head.

    ¡®What are you thinking, James?¡¯ He let out a disgusted look and strutted back to his room.

    Amelia exhaled loudly and picked up her phone again. She looked at the screen and saw James

    had already sent her a message.

    She opened the text and read;

    ¡°Amelia, are you alright?¡±

    She smiled and replied to him.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, James. I just had a talk with Mr. James. I will be busy for the next two to three hours. He

    needs me to do some office work.¡±

    Her message was delivered, and she waited for him to respond since he was online.

    ¡°Office work on a Saturday? Who does that?¡± Fred responded.

    ¡°Mr. James does that. I can¡¯t lose my job, so I have to do what he says.¡±

    ¡°I know you love your job, but once he knows you can¡¯t afford to lose this job, won¡¯t he use that

    against you all the time?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I think if he wants to fire me, he would. Nothing can stop me. I can¡¯t risk that. I have

    to go now, okay? I¡¯ll text you when I¡¯m done.¡±

    She dropped her phone and hurriedly into the bathroom to have her bath.

    *

    ~After two hours~

    After Amelia gathered what she could from the inte about the Casino, she stopped researching

    and read through her manuscript for thest time.

    She felt satisfied with what she had written and headed out of her room. She got to James¡¯ room

    and stood in front of his door.

    She let out her breath from her mouth before reaching for the door knob. She felt the knob turn

    under her hand and she quickly withdrew her hand.

    The door opened and James walked out in only shorts.

    Her eyes fell from his face down to his smooth chest and pink nipples.

    James noticed she was staring, and he scoffed. He grabbed the paper in her hand, jerking her back

    to reality.

    ¡°Stop drooling.¡±

    Amelia looked at his face and shook her head. ¡°I wasn¡¯t drooling.¡±

    He took a quick scan through what she had written and it seemed to impress him. But, he wasn¡¯t

    going to go easy on her.

    He looked closely, trying to look for mistakes to make her rewrite the manuscript, but he saw none.

    ¡°I need you to¡­¡± Amelia¡¯s phone began to beep, cutting him short. She looked at the screen of her

    phone and saw Fred calling.

    She smiled heartily, and James furrowed his brows, staring at her.

    ¡°Excuse me, please.¡±

    She answered the phone and walked far away from James¡¯ room.

    ¡°Hi, Fred.¡±

    ¡°Amelia, I was thinking I could help ease your stress. What do you think?¡±

    ¡°Really? How?¡± She asked and caught James looking at her.

    She smiled and looked away again.

    ¡®Looks like point Six goes harder.¡¯ She thought, remembering the list she had created to make

    James like her.

    ¡°I found this super cool restaurant. I want us to eat there. Trust me, you are going to love it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, sounds good to me.¡± She responded and looked at James again. But this time, he wasn¡¯t

    standing there anymore. He had entered his room and shut the door.

    ¡°So, I¡¯ll see you at 3pm? I¡¯ll pick you up.¡±

    ¡°Sure. Okay.¡±

    The smile on her face faded off slowly as she walked back to James¡¯ door. She ced her ear on

    the door to hear what he was doing, but she heard nothing.

    ¡°Mr. James, I will be going out soon.¡±

    She eagerly waited for him to respond and tell her not to go because he was jealous.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± She heard him reply, and she rolled her eyes and moved back.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    She turned to leave and kept looking back asionally, wanting him to open the door and ask her

    to stay back, but he didn¡¯t.

    ¡°Fine.¡± She mumbled and headed to her room to change.

    *

    After James realized she had gone, he clenched his jaw and stared at Tina¡¯s number. He needed a

    chick to bang, but how would he call her after what happened at the office.

    ¡®She said she hates me, she wouldn¡¯t want to help me anymore. And I can¡¯t beg her. I won¡¯t.¡¯

    He exhaled and fell on his bed. He stared at the ceiling thinking about what to do when a message

    popped into his phone.

    He looked at the message and saw it was Ava that texted him.

    ¡°Hi, Baby. I came to your office yesterday but you weren¡¯t in the office. Since it¡¯s the weekend, do

    you want to hangout?¡± She texted with a pleading face emoji.

    James stared at her text and a smile slowly crawled up his face. ¡®Great.¡¯

 Chapter 39: Some serious issues

    Chapter 39: Some serious issues

    Amelia finally finished dressing up. She had been stuck, trying to look for the perfect outfit for her

    outing.

    She didn¡¯t only want to look fine for herself, but also for James. She wanted to see him stare at her

    like he wanted to have her.

    So she settled with a loose ck blouse and fitted jeans. She finished her look up with some

    feminine essories and very slight makeup of just powder and red lipstick.

    She wore a ck knee high boot and carried ck leather bag to match. She brushed her hair

    quickly and decided to pack it in a scraper ponytail.

    She stared at herself in the mirror and fell in love with her new look. She pulled out her phone and

    took a few selfies at the window.

    She took a peek at the time on her phone and saw it was a few minutes to 3 pm.

    ¡°He will be here soon.¡±

    She headed out of the room and locked the door behind her. She walked down the staircase and

    kept an eye out for James¡¯ door.

    She found it still closed the same way she had left it. She heaved a sigh and headed to the living

    room, so she could wait for Fred there.

    Getting to the living room, she looked up and saw James sitting on the couch. He was on his phone,

    and he didn¡¯t see her standing in front of him.

    ¡°Mr. James,¡± She called. She held her hands in front of her, her fingers intertwined, and her eyes

    fixed on James.

    James raised his head after hearing Amelia¡¯s voice. His eyes fell on her, and he looked away almost

    immediately.

    Amelia knotted her eyebrows after seeing how he reacted. She expected him to say something nice

    with his eyes, but all she saw his eyes say was ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡±

    She exhaled softly and also sat on the couch. She stared at him and noticed he was dressed up

    too.

    ¡®Where is he going?¡¯ She reminisced, checking out his outfit. It was the same outfit he had always

    worn. Dashing suits and shoes. Then she noticed he had styled his hair in a different way too.

    ¡°Is there a business meeting I don¡¯t know about? Where is he going, looking so hot?¡± She

    wondered.

    James¡¯ phone began to ring and when he saw Ava calling, he clutched his jaw. He could feel Amelia

    staring at him, but he made sure he didn¡¯t look at her.

    He answered the call and stood up from the couch.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡±

    ¡°James, where are you? Ten minutes ago, you said you''d be here soon. Why aren¡¯t you here yet?¡±

    Ava asked out of frustration.

    ¡°I¡¯m on my way. Order something to eat.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s ears caught all James said, and her eyes widened.

    ¡®Is he having dinner with someone? Another slut of his, hun?¡¯

    She rolled her eyes and looked away from him. She rested her back on the couch¡¯s backrest and

    folded her arms.

    James walked out of the house and headed to his car. He sat in his Bugatti Veyron and watched as

    a car drove into hispound.

    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± He muttered, staring at the car. He raised his eyebrows when he caught a

    closer look and saw it was a Lamborghini Veneno.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you are here to pick her,¡± He groaned in rage, hitting the steering wheel.

    Almost immediately, Amelia heard the honk of a car in thepound. Her face brightened as she

    guessed it was Fred that arrived.

    She stood up and hurried out of the mansion. She climbed down the stairs in front of the door and

    waited in front of them.

    Fred parked the car in front of Amelia and stepped out. He was dressed in a white long-sleeve T-

    shirt and grey trousers.

    He tucked the shirt in his pants and didn¡¯t bother to use a belt since they were fitted and sat on his

    waist perfectly.

    In his hand was a hand-tied bouquet of roses. Amelia grinned widely as he approached her.

    ¡°You look so beautiful, Amelia,¡± Heplimented as soon as he got closer to her.

    ¡°Thank you so much. You look amazing too.¡±

    He gave a slight bow and stretched the bouquet to her. ¡°I got this for you. I hope you like it.¡±

    Amelia collected the bouquet from him and moved it to her nose. She sniffed it and slowly divulged

    a hearty smile.

    ¡°I love it, Fred. Thank you.¡±

    She happily moved closer to him and hugged him. Fred smiled widely and hugged her back.

    She disengaged from him and lowered her head shyly. She was carried away by the happiness of

    receiving a bouquet from a man so much that she didn¡¯t think before acting.

    ¡°Shall we?¡± Fred asked, and she bounced her head.

    He walked to the car and opened the front door for her. She sat in the car, and Fred hurried to the

    other side too.

    James¡¯ eyes widened as he watched all that was going on with Amelia and Fred.

    He was shocked the most when he saw her hug him. ¡®If the man had initiated the hug, it would be

    better. But she did it! Has she forgotten that she is in my house?!¡¯

    James waited for Fred¡¯s car to drive out before he also proceeded out of thepound.

    He put a call across to his mother and put his phone on speaker. Helen picked up almost

    immediately.

    ¡°James, My son.¡±

    ¡°I want a divorce, mother.¡±

    ¡°What?! James, what are you talking about? You haven¡¯t been married for more than two weeks!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! She got herself a man already. She should go and be with him. I won¡¯t let her stay in

    my house and do this rubbish.¡±

    ¡°Hey¡­ slow down, okay? I¡¯m lost. What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you call her and ask her yourself, Mom? You are always on her side, but she isn¡¯t the

    innocent girl you think she is. She is going out with men!¡±

    ¡°With men? Or with a man?¡±

    James punched the steering wheel in anger after hearing her reply.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! But if she is going to keep living under my roof, I won¡¯t let her go out with men!¡± He

    smacked.

    ¡°Then talk to her about it! It¡¯s that simple, James! Call her and tell her what you want and don¡¯t

    want!¡± Helen responded in a loud tone too.

    ¡°You know I¡¯ll never do that. I don¡¯t want her around me again. It¡¯s quite simple.¡±

    ¡°Then leave me out of this. If you don¡¯t want her anymore, if you don¡¯t like what she is doing and

    you want her to stop, tell her not me. I don¡¯t understand why you are so mad at her when you are

    doing the same thing. You are still sleeping with sluts, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Why are you always taking her side? I am your child, not her!¡±

    ¡°Talk to your wife, okay? I¡¯m off.¡±

    The call got disconnected afterward, and James rolled his tongue in his mouth. He tried to suppress

    the anger he was feeling, but he couldn¡¯t.

    ¡°This is disrespectful.¡±

    *

    Fred and Amelia walked into the restaurant and sat at the table that was in the middle.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± Fred asked, and she chuckled.

    ¡°This ce is truly beautiful. I haven¡¯t been to so many ces, you know. I¡¯ve always been an

    introvert. Thank you for bringing me here.¡±

    ¡°No, thank you foring here with me. Let¡¯s order something, okay?¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and pulled out her phone. She raised her phone a little and took a picture

    of Fred while he was speaking to the waiter.

    He wanted to ask her what she would like to eat when he caught her taking pictures of him.

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± He asked shyly, and she giggled.

    ¡°I want to post this on my instagram. You know, to save the memories. Can I?¡±

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯d be so happy if you do that.¡±

    She bounced her head and headed to her instagram to make a post.

    ¡°What would you like to have?¡± Fred asked her.

    ¡°I¡¯d have anything you have,¡± She responded, and they both chuckled.

    While waiting for the waiter, Fred looked around the restaurant and suddenly noticed ady that sat

    at their right hand, staring oddly at them.

    He furrowed his brows and looked closely to see if he could recognize her, but he couldn¡¯t.

    He tapped Amelia and looked at her.

    ¡°There¡¯s thisdy at our right hand side, like three tables behind us. She has been staring at us for

    some minutes now. Do you know her?¡±

    Amelia creased her brows and looked back. Her eyes fell on the woman and it happened to be with

    Ava.

    Her eyes widened, and she quickly looked at Fred.

    ¡°Do you know her?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Yeah. She is my cousin. Just ignore her,¡± She mumbled ufortably, and Fred slowly nodded.

    The waiter served them Bite-Sized Pizza, Chicken, and dessert. They began to eat shortly, and

    Fred asionally fed Amelia.

    Ava took pictures of them happily, she couldn¡¯t wait to send them to James and tell him his wife was

    busy with another man.

    She sent him the pictures and captioned it;

    ¡°Fortunately or unfortunately, they are here in the restaurant where we would be having lunch. If you

    had married me, I would never do this to you. She would seed in tarnishing your image, don¡¯t

    you think? It¡¯s better to get rid of her and settle down with me.¡±

    After she sent the pictures, she let out a wicked smirk and looked at Amelia again.

    ¡®Who would have known she is a slut too.¡¯

    The door of the restaurant gave way all of a sudden, and Ava saw James walk in.

    Fred was passing the spoon of dessert to Amelia¡¯s mouth when all of a sudden, James pped the

    spoon away from his hand.

    ¡°Mr. James.¡± Amelia called in shock.

    Fred was about to react to what he did, but when Amelia called him, he contained his anger.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He said and grabbed Amelia¡¯s hand, pulling her up from the chair.

    ¡°James! What are you doing?¡± Ava called and ran to them.

    ¡°Stay away, Ava.¡±

    ¡°Let her go!¡± Fred smacked and James blocked him and pointed at his face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you daree any closer.¡± He groaned.

    Amelia was too shocked to speak as James kept dragging her out of the restaurant.

    ¡°James, we have a date!¡± Ava yelled, but he didn¡¯t pay her any attention.

    ¡°Let me go, Mr. James,¡± Amelia muttered.

    ¡°Not until we get home. Looks like we have some serious issues to talk about.¡± He responded.

 Chapter 40: Why does she affect me so much?

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 40: Why does she affect me so much?</strong>

    James pulled Amelia''s hand as they trudged to the house. They got into the mansion, and he threw her forward.

    She staggered forward and her bag fell off her shoulders to the floor.

    "What do you think you''re doing with that guy?!" James asked.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    "I wasn''t doing anything, okay? I was just eating lunch!"

    "Lunch?! And he was feeding you?... Here..." He grabbed her hand roughly and looked at her palm.

    "Stop! You are hurting me!" Amelia cried fearfully. Her heart was pounding very fast. It seemed like a nightmare came true to her..

    "I can''t see any injuries on your hand, why couldn''t you f**king feed yourself?!" He smacked and threw her hands away angrily.

    "What is wrong with you, Mr. James! What do you want from me?!" She yelled in tears.

    She held the wrist of her right hand, rubbing it softly. She felt throbbing pain in it due to James grip.

    "You are married, okay?! You have no right to have lunch with another man!"

    "And you have the right to sleep with other women?! You were at that restaurant for Ava, right? Why are you so mad when you are doing the same thing!"

    "What I do is none of your business! Stay away from the man!"

    "And if I don''t?! What are you going to do, Mr. James?"

    James scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You want to know what I''m going to do, yeah?"

    "Yes, I want to know. All you have ever done is hurt me. I won''t be surprised if you do it again!" She yelled in response.

    Her face turned red due to her tears, her blouse was roughened, and she was shaking in anger and pain.

    "Who the hell is that guy anyway?! You got married a few days ago, and you are a slut to another man?!"

    Amelia''s eyes widened as she heard the word ''slut'' proceed from his mouth.

    "What did you just call me?" She asked in a low tone, walking to him.

    "Aren''t you a sl..."

    Amelia didn''t let himplete the word before he threw a hot p on his face. James'' eyes dted as he held his hot, red cheek in surprise.

    "What do you take me for, Mr. James?!" She yelled and burst into tears.

    "I am not like one of those girls you sleep with! I will never give my body out cheaply, because I know my worth! And I just realized Elena was right the whole time. You are a monster, and I deserve a better man!"

    "Don''t you mention that woman''s name again." He groaned, pointing to her.

    "Why?! Why can''t I mention her name? After the evil thing you did to her, you still act like that victim! After making her cry, I can''t believe you can still act so innocent!"

    James wanted to speak back badly, to do something evil to her, but he couldn''t.

    He searched for the words to say, but he found none. He had never been so shocked and speechless his whole life.

    Amelia closed her eyes and kept wailing, her whole body was shaking vigorously.

    She grabbed her chest because she could feel her heart crushing to tiny pieces.

    "I thought you would one day love me, Mr. James, I wished and hoped that one day you would care for me the way I care for you. I guess I was stupid to think the devil himself can have good intentions! I regret ever meeting you!"

    Amelia turned away from him and began to run up the stairs. James was still too astonished to react to all she had said. He stared at the staircase until she was out of sight.

    ''Did she just f**king p me?''

    The ring of Amelia''s phone in her bag jerked him back to reality. He looked at the bag in fury and disgust. He picked it up, unzipped it and turned it upside down.

    Everything in the bag fell to the ground, including her phone. He picked it and when he saw the caller was Fred, he grew even angrier.

    "A**hole!" He shouted and smashed her phone on the Italian floor, producing a loud crashing noise.

    "Mr. James!" Amelia calle, running down the stairs.

    She had heard her phone ringing, she guessed it was Fred calling and before she could get to it, she saw James smash it into pieces.

    "Why? You want to p me again? C''mon! Do it! You want to say awful things, right?! Say it!" He screeched at her from where he stood.

    Amelia clutched her jaws as she stared at him with great regret. She rushed down the staircase, walking to where James stood.

    James'' breathing pace increased as he watched her approach him. ''Is she going to smack me again? She is going to really do that?''

    She got in front of him and stopped walking. They red at each other for minutes, inhaling and exhaling very hard.

    James exhaled softly and his lips parted slowly.

    "Amelia..."

    "I want a divorce. We both want it, don''t we? Let''s do it!"

    James raised his eyebrows in surprise after listening to her. "You want a divorce?" He asked in a threatening voice.

    "I''ll finally be free from a monster like you!"

    She poked his chest and bent over to pick her car keys. She ran to the main door and headed out of the house.

    "Where the hell are you going?!"

    "It''s none of your business! Aren''t we minding our businesses now?" She responded, running to her car.

    She got into the car in no time, ignited the engine and drove out of thepound.

    James watched her drive out of thepound and he punched the air in fury.

    "F**k!" He yelled and grabbed his head tightly with his hands. He mmed the door and pulled out his phone from his pocket.

    He scrolled through his call log, searching for his mother''s number. After he found it, he hesitated.

    ''What if she takes her side again? I better not talk to her.'' He thought.

    He threw his phone into his pocket again, and walked to his bar that was next to his kitchen.

    He picked up a bottle of Bourbon and a ss. He filled up the ss and gulped it at once.

    ''Why does she affect me this much?''

    ***

    Amelia kept sobbing and sniffing as she drove to Elena''s apartment.

    "I hate you! I hate you so much?!" She yelled, hitting the steering wheel with her left hand.

    She got to the house and alighted. She walked into the house and proceeded to Elena''s apartment.

    She prayed Elena was at home because shenned she wasn''t going to go back home. Not after what had happened.

    She cleaned her eyes with the back of her hand and knocked on Elena''s door. She looked at her former apartment and gulped hard.

    ''If I didn''t marry him, I would be living here happily.

    "Who is there?" Elena asked and opened the door before Amelia could respond.

    When she saw Amelia and how terrible she looked, she knotted her brows.

    "Amelia, are you okay?" She asked worriedly.

    "Elena." Amelia called and hugged her tightly.

    Elena rolled her eyes as she hugged her back. She wondered what had transpired this time.

    "What happened?" She asked as they disengaged from the hug.

    "Mr. James happened. Can I go in?" Amelia inquired sadly.

    "Oh... yes. My bad."

    Elena moved away from the door and let Amelia enter her t. She let out a smirk as she locked the door behind her. She erased the smirk from her face and looked at Amelia.

    "Can you exin to me what happened?"

    Amelia bounced her head slowly and lowered her head in unhappiness.

    "I went to lunch with a friend, Mr. James came to the restaurant, embarrassed my friend and I, he took me home, called me a slut..." She mumbled and covered her mouth with her palm afterward.

    She broke into tears again.

    "Oh my... I''m sorry, Amelia." Elena responded, cing her hand on Amelia''s shoulder.

    "No, you shouldn''t be sorry. You worried me, but I never listened. You told me he is evil. I should have listened to you."

    Elena heaved a sigh and withdrew her hand. "This friend is a man, right?" She asked, and Amelia bounced her head.

    "So he was pissed that you were out with another man? You know... like he was Jealous?"

    "No! If that was it, it wouldn''t be so painful. I want to see him get jealous because I am with another man, but this is different. He wants to control me, control all I do. He wants to keep me living the lifestyle of the Amelia he first knew, and that isn''t going to happen!"

    "Wow."

    Amelia raised her head and cleaned her eyes, she looked at Elena''s face and poured.

    "Why did you wow?"

    "Is that the bad b**ch in you talking?" She asked, and Amelia smiled faintly.

    "He turned me into this. I never wanted..."

    "I love it! Say no more. But... what are you going to do about him?"

    "I don''t know and that is why I''m here, Elena. I even said I wanted a divorce out of rage. I didn''t mean it at all!" She replied in frustration.

    "Why didn''t you mean it? Do you still want to be with him?"

    "Errmmm... I don''t know, Elena! I still love him," She mumbled and bit her lower lip.

    Elena swallowed hard and clenched her jaws.

    "Well, if you need my help, I think you would have to stop loving him. He doesn''t deserve your love. When you hate him, then I''ll help you make him suffer."

    After Elena finished talking, Amelia stared into space, lost in thoughts, and a great silence set in.

 Chapter 41: Ladies Night

    Chapter 41: Ladies Night

    Helen and Charles got to James¡¯ mansion in no time, after they had called him and heard how he

    sounded down over the phone.

    Getting to the living room, they met him sitting on the couch, sipping wine from the ss in his

    hand.

    Helen hurried to where he was and collected the ss from him.

    ¡°James, what are you doing? Why are you drinking?¡±

    She ced the cup on the center table and sat close to him on the couch.

    ¡°I told you not toe here,¡± He muttered, and Charles let out a loud sigh and rolled his eyes.

    ¡°What is wrong with you? What happened?¡± He asked, and Helen also bounced her head.

    ¡°We fought. It¡¯s no big deal.¡±

    ¡°A fight?¡±

    ¡°Yes! A fight. I fought with Amelia after taking her away from her boyfriend.¡±

    ¡°Did she tell you she is dating him?¡± Charles asked tiredly.

    ¡°Does she have to tell me that?! I saw her!¡­¡± He sprang to his feet and began to pace in front of

    them.

    Helen and Charles exchanged looks as they watched James¡¯ bodynguage as he spoke.

    ¡°He was feeding her at a restaurant and she was smiling like a fool!¡± He smacked.

    ¡°Hold on. Why are you so mad about that, James? You do the same thing all the time. You brought

    a woman home on your wedding night!¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ but¡­ I don¡¯t want her close to that man, and that is it! I don¡¯t like how I feel when she

    talks to him.¡±

    Charles divulged a smirk and looked at Helen again.

    ¡°I think I know what is going on here. James, you are jealous, right?¡±

    James shot him a deadly look and scoffed.

    ¡°No, I am not! I just don¡¯t want her anywhere close to that man. Remember, she is married to me,

    and almost everyone in bama knows this! I can¡¯t let her tarnish my image and pull attention to

    my business.¡±

    Helen exhaled loudly and threw her head backward.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    ¡°Okay¡­ where is she now?¡±

    ¡°Who knows?! She left angrily. She is probably with that guy right now! All she could say to me was

    that she wanted a divorce.¡±

    After James finished talking, he mmed into the couch and an awkward silence set in afterward.

    His head was lowered, while Helen and Charles looked at each other, they used their eyes to

    communicate. They wanted to know what to say to their depressed son.

    ¡°But you talked about divorcing her to me, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I did! But I wasn¡¯t thinking straight then. It¡¯s going to do more harm than good.¡±

    ¡°So you are worried that if you divorce Amelia, it could affect your business because the media

    would carry it?¡±

    ¡°Yes! She is not worth the attention either.¡± He responded.

    ¡°So all these are just because of your business? Not because you love her?¡± Helen asked.

    ¡°Love her? Where the hell did you get that idea from, mother? I don¡¯t love her, okay? You caused

    this in the first ce. I never wanted to marry her, but now I¡¯m stuck with her because of you!¡± He

    smacked and stood up from the couch again.

    ¡°Hey, James! Don¡¯t talk to your mother like that!¡± Charles responded in a loud tone and sprang to

    his feet too.

    ¡°I¡¯m pissed, okay? She pped me and I couldn¡¯t do anything about it! I¡¯m so f**king angry right

    now!¡±

    ¡°Fine! Do you want to keep yelling? Let¡¯s keep doing that! I¡¯m sorry I forced you to marry her

    because I feel she is the best for you, I¡¯m sorry for trying to make your life and future better!¡±

    Helen grabbed her bag angrily and stormed to the main door. James clenched his jaws and lowered

    his head, trying to contain his anger.

    ¡°Your stubbornness will take you nowhere, James! You better do what is right!¡± Charles said to him

    and ran after Helen.

    ¡°Mom! Mom!¡± James called, running out of the house too. He got out of the mansion and saw that

    Helen was sitting in the car already. She was yet to close the door.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me! I should have left you to waste your time! I love you and that is why I want the best

    for you. I should have known you wouldn¡¯t value it. She deserves someone better!¡± She yelled back

    at him with a shaky voice.

    James saw tears streaming down his mother¡¯s eyes and his heart scattered in his chest. He never

    wanted to see his mother cry, especially because of him.

    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry, okay? I¡­¡±

    Helen mmed the door of the car shut, causing James to shut up. Charles ignited the engine and

    he drove out of thepound in no time.

    ¡°F**k!¡± James yelled at top of his voice and threw a punch at the wall. He hit the wall so hard that

    his knuckles cut and began to bleed.

    He looked at his hand as it bled and clutched his jaws again. He walked into the house and shut the

    door behind him.

    ***

    Elena walked into her room and found Amelia lying on the bed, deep in thoughts the same way she

    left her.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t tell me you are still thinking! C¡¯mon, Amelia. You are too young for this! How old are

    you?¡± She asked, sitting on the bed.

    Amelia heaved a loud sigh and pulled herself up. She sat up and rested her back on the bed¡¯s

    backrest.

    ¡°I¡¯m twenty. I know I¡¯m too young¡­.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m twenty too.¡± Elena butted in.

    ¡°You are twenty?! Really? Why do you act thirty sometimes?¡± Amelia asked in awe.

    ¡°Should I take that as apliment or insult?¡± Elena asked, and they both giggled.

    ¡°It¡¯s apliment,¡± Amelia replied.

    Her smile slowly faded off after some seconds, she lowered her head and began to fiddle with her

    fingers.

    Elena stood up and lifted the bags she brought back home from her outing. She began to remove

    the clothes she had gotten one after the other.

    ¡°So¡­ when I went out, I did a little shopping for you, since you will be with me for now and you

    have nothing to wear. We will be going to the club tonight because I won¡¯t let you sit at home and

    keep thinking¡­¡±

    ¡°Elena¡­¡± Amelia called.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Elena looked up and saw Amelia staring at her with a sad face. She exhaled softly and

    folded her arms.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you won¡¯t go out with me tonight, trust me, I will drag you down to that club myself!¡±

    Amelia smiled faintly and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not that, Elena. It¡¯s about James¡­ I don¡¯t think I can

    stop loving him. I mean, he is my husband¡­¡±

    ¡°Your husband? Well, that is true. But he became your husband because you wanted to please your

    uncle and his parents, not because you loved each other. Am I right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you are. But I have feelings for him already, Elena.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s a one-sided thing, isn¡¯t it? James isn¡¯t a preacher of love. I don¡¯t think he would ever

    love a woman for real.¡±

    After Elena finished talking, she saw Amelia looked even sadder than she was before the talk about

    James. She reached for her hands and held them firmly.

    ¡°Listen to me, Amelia. I won¡¯t force you to dissolve your feelings for him, okay? All I want is that you

    to be happy. We are too young to suffer at the hands of the same man. The first step to forgetting

    about him is adies¡¯ night!¡±

    She screamed thest statement in excitement, and Amelia burst intoughter.

    ¡°Ladies¡¯ night?¡±

    ¡°Yes. No talk about your husband! Just drink and dance. I bet you will feel better by tomorrow

    morning!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I like the way I am when I¡¯m drunk. I¡¯m always a handful.¡±

    Elena let out a littleugh and walked to her closet. ¡°You expect me to be scared about that? If we

    can¡¯te home because you are too drunk, then we¡¯ll sleep at the hotel next to the club. It¡¯s as

    easy as that!¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­ okay. You seem extra excited about this though.¡± Amelia responded.

    ¡°Why won¡¯t I? I haven¡¯t gone on adies¡¯ night before, because I don¡¯t have friends. But now, you¡¯d

    make that happen¡­ So,e and help me pick an outfit!¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Amelia bobbed and stood up from the bed and proceeded to Elena¡¯s closet too.

    *

    The loud hip-hop music at the club filled their ears as they walked in. The dull club lights were too

    bright for Amelia¡¯s eyes, so she took a moment to adjust to the lights.

    ¡°Let¡¯s have a drink!¡± Elena said in a loud tone in Amelia¡¯s ear. She didn¡¯t wait for her to reply before

    she started pulling her to the counter.

    They both sat on the stools in front and ced their bags on the counter.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ What would these beautiful women love to drink?¡± The handsome bartender asked,

    smiling seductively at Amelia.

    ¡°Tequ, please¡­ and don¡¯t look at my friend like that! You have eye-banged her already.¡± Elena

    responded, and the bartender giggled.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that, but damn she is so hot!¡±

    Amelia lowered her head shyly and smiled. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Elena looked at her and noticed that she still had her wedding ring on. She knitted her brows and

    leaned closer to Amelia.

    ¡°I told you to get rid of this! Why are you still wearing it?¡± She asked, pointing to her finger.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I forgot. I¡¯ll take it off now!¡± Amelia hurriedly pulled her ring out of her hand and threw it

    into her bag.

    ¡°Good.¡±

    Elena let out a satisfied smile and looked away. Her eyes wandered around the club, looking for

    someone in particr.

    Soon, her eyes fell on a man in a corner. He waved at her with an evil smirk, and she smiled back.

    ¡°Hey, Amelia. I¡¯ll be right back,¡± She said in Amelia¡¯s ears and Amelia bounced her head.

    ¡°Hurry back. I can¡¯t drink alone.¡±

    Elena nodded and tapped Amelia¡¯s shoulders as she stood up and headed to the corner.

    She got to the man and they greeted each other, nting a kiss on their cheeks.

    ¡°You came with her, hun?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I did. I believe you haven¡¯t forgotten our n.¡±

    ¡°I have been in this game for years. Trust me with this.¡± He responded, and a smirk slowly crept up

    Elena¡¯s face.

    She turned to look at Amelia and saw her having a chat with the bartender.

    ¡®Let¡¯s see how James would ever love you now.¡¯

 Chapter 42: Give me what I want.

    Chapter 42: Give me what I want.

    Amelia took the fourth cup of Tequ and became really tipsy. Elena noticed the drug she asked the

    bartender to insert in her drink was beginning to kick in.

    ¡°Would you love to dance?¡± Elena said in Amelia¡¯s ear. Amelia let out a loudugh and bounced her

    head.

    ¡°Yes! Let¡¯s go!¡± Amelia pulled Elena¡¯s hand to the dance floor and let go of her.

    She raised her hands in the air and began to sway ording to the rhythms of the hip-hop they

    yed. Elena kept her eyes on Amelia and kept dancing too.

    ¡°Do you want another drink?¡± Elena asked, and Amelia bounced her head. She began to move her

    head aggressively, jumping and dancing out of excitement.

    Elena walked to the bartender and sat in front of him.

    ¡°How many capsules did you put in it? I think it is yet to start working. You have her just one, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t worry, Ma¡¯am Elena. It will kick in very soon. If it¡¯s more than one, it would be too much.

    She could go crazy.¡±

    Elena slowly divulged a smirk and stretched her hand forward.

    ¡°That is what I want. Give me another capsule and a cup of tequ.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am¡­¡±

    ¡°Now! Do it.¡±

    The bartender reluctantly nodded as he reached for the viagra tablets in his breast pockets and

    stretched it to Elena.

    ¡°A shot of Tequ too.¡±

    After collecting the capsule, she picked a paper from a bag, ced the capsule in it and crushed it

    with her teeth.

    The bartender stared at her ufortably, he wished he could stop her from whatever she was

    doing, but who was he to question her? She was going to pay him after all.

    Elena powered the power into the drink and danced back to where Amelia was dancing wild.

    ¡°Hey!! Here is another shot!¡±

    Amelia looked at Elena and smiled happily. She took the cup from her and gulped all of it.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you bring yours?¡± She asked, passing the cup to Elena again.

    ¡°I think I have had enough.¡± Elena responded with an evil grin, and Amelia bobbed and kept

    dancing.

    Soon, Amelia began to feel very ufortable. Her body was beginning to heat up and she could

    feel her nipples harden inside her crop top.

    She reached for the jacket she wore on the strap crop top and removed it.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elena asked, still moving to the rhythm.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I feel hot.¡± Amelia stammered, tossing the jacket to Elena.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Elena smirked and looked back. Her eyes met with the man and he bounced his head.

    ¡°I¡¯ll drop this next to your bag, okay? Stay put.¡± Elena tapped her shoulder and walked back to the

    counter.

    Amelia tried to keep the vibe going, but something was wrong with her. She was¡­ horny.

    She moved her hand to her left aching ni**le and gave it a slight rub which sent sensation all over

    her, down to the middle of her legs.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening to me?¡± She mumbled and rolled her eyes up. She kept rubbing her ni**les when

    someone held her hand.

    She opened her eyes and looked at the man that held her.

    ¡°Do you want me to help you with that?¡± He asked with a very calm tone, and a smile crept up

    Amelia¡¯s face.

    ¡°James, what are you doing here?¡± She asked and before he knew it, she threw her arms around

    him.

    Throwing her arms around him roughly, the ne Helen bought for her fell to the ground but she

    had no idea.

    ¡°You came to look for me, right?¡± She drunkenly poked his chest.

    Elena looked back and gave the man a wink. He nodded and looked at Amelia¡¯s heated face.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go somewhere private, shall we?¡± He asked and didn¡¯t wait for her to respond before he

    started pulling her with him. He headed for one of the rooms at the back of the club.

    Elena let out a little as she saw how Amelia held unto him like he was her husband. The bartender

    watched her reaction and shook his head.

    ¡®She is so evil.¡¯ He thought.

    The man opened the door and helped Amelia in. He let go of her and she staggered to the bed and

    laid on it.

    ¡°Hm¡­¡± She moaned. She touched her ni**ples again and began to rub them.

    ¡°You look so horny.¡±

    He closed the door and hurried to where Amelia was. He grabbed her legs and flung them open.

    ¡°Hey¡­ What are you doing?¡± She mumbled, trying to close her legs. She opened her eyes and he

    moved his face closer to hers.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡± he called, and Amelia let out a feeble smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m still mad at you, James! When will you love me?¡± She asked in a shaky voice, and he went

    ahead to kiss her.

    Her eyes fell closed automatically and kissed him back. ¡®Finally, James wants me.¡±

    He proceeded to grab her b**bs, and she arched her back, letting out another pleasured moan.

    ¡°I want you to f**k me¡­¡± She moaned.

    ***

    James clutched his jaws as he walked into the club. He looked around, saw differentdies, some

    with men, some with women.

    He rolled his eyes and walked to the bartender. He sat on the stool and looked up.

    ¡°Margarita.¡± He said to him, and the bartender nodded and got to work.

    He looked at the dancing floor and watched how people danced and enjoyed themselves. He

    remembered Amelia once again.

    He heaved a sigh and was about to look away when his eyes fell on someone familiar. He knitted

    his brows and looked closely to see it was Elena dancing.

    ¡°Elena?¡± He called and the bartender ced the cup of Margarita in front of him.

    ¡°Here is your drink, sir.¡± He said, but James didn¡¯t respond to him. His eyes were on Elena as she

    danced.

    ¡®What if Amelia is with Elena?¡¯ He thought and sprang to his feet. He stormed to where Elena was

    and when he got there, he grabbed her by the arm.

    ¡°Hey!¡± She yelled and looked back to see that it was James who grabbed her. Her eyes popped

    wide open as she stared into his eyes.

    ¡®Why the f**k is he here?¡¯ She thought fearfully.

    ¡°Where is she?!¡± He asked, and she furrowed her brows.

    ¡°Where is who? Can you let go of me, please!¡± She smacked and snatched her arm away from him.

    ¡°You know who I¡¯m talking about! Where is Amelia?¡± He asked angrily, and Elena scoffed.

    ¡°How the hell am I supposed to know that?! You told her to stop seeing me, didn¡¯t you? She is none

    of my business now.¡±

    James swallowed hard and threw his head backward in frustration. Elena smiled and moved her

    hand to his chest.

    ¡°Why are you in the club, anyways? Are you here to¡­¡±

    James smacked her hands off him before she couldplete her statement.

    ¡°Keep your filthy hands off me, okay?!¡± He roared.

    She withdrew her hand and rolled her eyes. ¡°Good luck finding her then.¡±

    She walked back to the bartender, packing her bags to take her leave.

    James exhaled hard and lowered his head.While he was staring at the floor, thinking about Amelia,

    he saw a familiar shining object on the floor, not so far from a chair.

    He hurried to where it was and picked it up. He furrowed her brows and carefully scrutinized it.

    ¡®I have seen this neck piece before.¡¯ He thought, still staring at it.

    Suddenly, the scene of when he and Amelia were having an argument shed into his head, and

    his eyes widened.

    ¡®This is Amelia¡¯s! It was round her neck while we had a fight!¡¯

    He looked around for Elena but she was nowhere to be found anymore. He ran back to the

    bartender and hit the counter aggressively.

    ¡°Where is she?!¡± He asked.

    ¡°Where is who?¡±

    ¡°Where is thedy that came here to pick her bag? Do you know her?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ She left already. Why are you asking?¡±

    ¡°When she came in, did shee with anotherdy? She has fair skin, beautiful, and she wore this

    ne.¡±

    He raised the ne and the Bartender swallowed hard.

    ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Please, she is my wife! I need to see her.¡±

    ¡°Your wife?¡± He asked, and James bounced his head.

    ¡°She¡­¡± The bartender looked at James and James nodded. ¡°She what? Please tell me.¡±

    ¡°She went into one of the rooms with another man.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± James'' eyes widened in awe. Before the bartender could keep talking, James sprang to

    his feet and ran to the door that leads to the rooms at the back of the club.

    He was quite familiar with it because it wasn¡¯t his first time at the club.

    He began to kick the door one after the other, looking for Amelia.

    ¡®How dare her sleep with another man!¡¯ He thought in anger. He kicked open thest door and met

    a man on top of Amelia, he was kissing her.

    The upper part of her body was bare, and he was fondling her breasts as they kissed.

    James stormed into the room, grabbed the man by the hair and threw him away from her in anger.

    ¡°What the hell!¡± The man yelled, and before he could regain his bnce, James threw two hard

    punches at his face.

    ¡°James, why did you stop?¡± Amelia cried, moving on the bed ufortably.

    ¡°James?¡± James asked in confusion and looked at the man. ¡°What did you do to her?!¡± He yelled.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything! She came to me herself!¡± He yelled in response and looked at Amelia again.

    He was so angry as he saw her naked in front of another man. He left the man and pulled the duvet

    to cover her body.

    The stranger grabbed the opportunity to run for his life.

    ¡°James, I¡¯m still horny¡­¡± Amelia mumbled, holding his hands pretty tight.

    ¡°Amelia, what is wrong with you?! Why are you doing this?!¡± He asked, and she pouted.

    ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore.¡± She cried, grabbing her br**sts and squeezed them.

    James watched her and noticed she wasn¡¯t herself. ¡®This isn¡¯t the Amelia I know. Something is

    wrong.¡¯

    Amelia closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. She held James¡¯ hand again and pulled him closer.

    ¡°I want it¡­ my body wants it. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me.¡± She cried.

    ¡°What did you take, Amelia?¡± Hr asked fearfully, but she didn¡¯t give him a response.

    She moved one of her hands between the middle of her legs and began to rub it.

    ¡°It¡¯s so sensitive! If you don¡¯t sleep with me, James, I¡¯m going to die! I can feel it!¡± She further cried.

    Watching her act so hot and horny, the way her ni**les were hard and pink began to drive James

    crazy, but he was reluctant.

    He didn¡¯t know if it was the right thing to do.

    ¡°Amelia, I¡¯ll take you home.¡±

    She shook her head, grabbed him by the neck and pulled his face very close to her.

    ¡°Why are you so wicked? Give me what I want.¡± She moaned and covered his lips with hers.

 Chapter 43: Stay with me

    Chapter 43: Stay with me

    After much hesitation from Amelia who wasn¡¯t ready to let go of him, he parted his lips and kissed

    her back.

    Amelia slowly stuck the tip of her tongue into his mouth, and he grabbed it with his lips. He nibbled

    and sucked on her lower lips.

    Amelia moaned softly and held James¡¯ left hand. She moved his hand to her left br**st and made

    him grab it.

    James opened his eyes and looked at her face. She looked so down for him.

    ¡®I don¡¯t think I should do this. She is not herself. I don¡¯t want to sleep with her when she isn¡¯t

    conscious about what she is doing.¡¯ James thought.

    Though the feel of her perky peaks caused him to feel pleasurable pains between his legs, he still

    tried to fight his crave to devour her.

    ¡®I¡¯ll do this only when she isn¡¯t under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.¡¯

    He withdrew his hand from her b**bs and wanted to slide away from her body, when she grabbed

    his hand again. This time, she moved his hand in between her legs.

    Her leggings were still on, but James could feel her wetness from the surface of the soft fabric.

    ¡°F**k.¡± He groaned, clutching his jaws.

    He threw his head backward and kept his hand on her most private area. He felt his rigid shaft

    twitch severally in response to what he felt.

    He exhaled softly and withdrew his hand from her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amelia. If I do this, I¡¯m taking

    advantage of you.¡±

    He hurriedly moved away from the bed, and Amelia closed her eyes and began to cry.

    She moved her hand over her body restlessly. She was sweating profusely too.

    James looked around the room and found the Air conditioning remote. He switched on the Air

    conditioner and increased it to about sixteen degrees.

    ¡°James, please.¡± Amelia cried, and James heaved a sigh.

    He shook his head and ran into the bathroom. He opened the cab in the bathroom and picked a

    towel. He filled a bowl with water and dipped the towel into it.

    He walked into the bedroom again and sat next to Amelia. He ced the back of his hand on her

    forehead and realized how fast she was heating up.

    ¡°This would make you feel better.¡±

    He squeezed the water out of the towel and began to mop her face. As the damp towel touched

    Amelia¡¯s face, she let out a slight sigh of relief.

    James felt happy after seeing the relief the wet towel caused her. He kept cleaning her face, down

    to her neck, and even her bare body top.

    After minutes of repeating the same process, Amelia¡¯s restlessness, heavy breathing, and hotness

    reduced.

    James looked at the window and stood up to open it. He felt fresh air was also going to do the trick.

    After he opened the window, he headed to the mini fridge and picked up a bottle of water. A ss

    cup was next to it, and he filled it with water.

    ¡°Amelia, drink some water, this should help.¡±

    Amelia shook her head unconsciously and kept her eyes closed. James sighed and ced the

    ss of water on the drawer next to the bed.

    He held her arms carefully and pulled her to sit up. He rested her head on his shoulder so that she

    wouldn¡¯t fall to the other side.

    He picked the ss cup from the drawer and moved it to her mouth.

    ¡°Open your mouth, Amelia.¡±

    ¡°Hm.¡± She moaned, shaking her head on his shoulder. All her weight was on him, but he didn¡¯t

    mind.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, this will help you calm down. Take a little.¡±

    He ced the cup at the tip of her lower lip, and her mouth slowly parted. He made her sip the

    water slowly.

    When Amelia tasted that it was water, she eagerly drank more because of her dry throat.

    After finishing the water in the ss cup, she still wanted more. James poured more for her and she

    drank until she was satisfied.

    After drinking, she wrapped her arms around James. Her temperature had reduced and she felt

    much better, except for the throbbing pain she felt in her head.

    ¡°James.¡± She called, and he lowered his head to look at her.

    ¡°Yes, Amelia,¡± he responded.

    ¡°My head hurts.¡±

    She ced her hand on her head weakly. James touched her forehead and caressed it carefully.

    ¡°You need pain relief. Lie down and I¡¯ll go and get you one, o okay?¡± He said and made her lie on

    the bed again.

    He turned to leave and she grabbed his arm. He looked back and saw her open her eyes.

    ¡°Do you love me now?¡± She asked.

    James swallowed hard and looked away from her. He gradually released her grip around his wrist

    and ced her hand on the bed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± He responded and walked out of the room. He headed into the club house and

    walked to the bartender.

    ¡°Hey, have you found her?¡± He asked as he mixed some drinks.

    ¡°What did you do to her? What did you put in her drink?¡± James inquired angrily, and the bartender

    gulped.

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare tell me that crap! You were acting suspicious when I asked for her. What did you put

    in her drink?!¡¯ James yelled, hitting the bar table aggressively.

    ¡°Can you please calm down? If I didn¡¯t want to help you, I wouldn¡¯t. I was just doing what I was

    asked. I was paid to put Viagra in her drink.¡±

    ¡°What?! Who paid you?!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I should disclose that. I put one tablet, but the person went ahead to put another. I

    needed the cash, so I did it. Even though I wasn¡¯tfortable with it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pay triple of that price if you tell me who is behind this and why.¡± James muttered, and the

    bartender¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°Triple?¡± Hr asked to be sure.

    ¡°Name your price. Just tell me who did that to my wife.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ the woman you confronted did it. I put one tablet in, but she wasn¡¯t satisfied, so she put

    another one. I was scared for your wife, but I didn¡¯t have a say.¡±

    ¡®Elena, you b**ch!¡¯ James yelled in his head.

    ¡°And the man that took her to the room? Do you know him too?¡± James further inquired.

    ¡°No, but I saw him talking to the woman. I bet it was part of her n too.¡±

    James clenched his fists after listening to the bartender. He was so pissed that if he saw Elena and

    that man, he would gun them down without hesitation.

    ¡°Give me your ount details. I¡¯ll transfer any amount to you right now.¡± James said, pulling out his

    phone from his pocket.

    He unlocked his phone and when he looked up, he saw a handbag and jacket in front of him.

    ¡°I believe this is for your wife, sir.¡± He said, and James bobbed.

    He picked up the bag and hung it on his shoulders. ¡°Your ount details.¡±

    The bartender smiled and shook his head. ¡°I changed my mind.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± James asked in awe.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯tfortable doing it in the first ce, collecting this money from you would show me how

    bad I am. I¡¯m happy to help, and I¡¯m sorry for putting your wife in that situation.¡±

    The bartender gave a slight bow, and James breathed out softly. He threw his phone in his pocket

    and said;

    ¡°She needs pain relief. I¡¯ll go and get it.¡±

    ¡°No! You can¡¯t leave her alone for too long. Here¡­¡± He bent over and picked up a sachet of pain

    killer from under the table.

    ¡°¡­ I have this. It¡¯s always with me because of this work I do. I use it almost every time. You can

    take it.¡±

    James collected the medicine from him and took a close look at it to make sure it wasn¡¯t something

    else.

    The bartender noticed this and smiled. ¡°If you don¡¯t trust me, I can use one right now.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Thank you.¡± James said, and the bartender nodded.

    ¡°Good luck and please, take good care of your wife. I have to get back to work now:¡±

    James nodded and hurried back to the room where he left Amelia. He got into the room and saw

    her stillying on the bed. It looked like she was beginning to fall asleep.

    ¡°Amelia, I¡¯m back. I am with the medicine. It would help a lot.¡± He said, walking to the bed.

    He made her sit up again and put one capsule into her mouth. He gave her water and she

    swallowed it.

    ¡°You can sleep now. We¡¯ll go back home tomorrow morning.¡±

    Amelia nodded slowly andid back on the bed. James wanted to move away again, but she held

    him.

    ¡°Stay with me. Don¡¯t go anywhere.¡±

    James smiled faintly and nodded. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±

    ***

    Elena held her phone to her ear and paced in her bedroom. She waited for him to answer the

    phone. He finally answered the phone and she stopped pacing.

    ¡°How is it?¡±

    ¡°He intervened before I could f**k her. Why didn¡¯t you tell me he was around? My lips burst because

    of you!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!! It was so sudden. So¡­ Do you at least have something I can use?¡± She asked

    anxiously.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Yes. I managed to take my phone before leaving the room. I¡¯ll send you the clip. It¡¯s a short one but

    it shows her face and b**bs.¡±

    ¡°Great! Excellent Job. I¡¯ll be expecting it.¡±

    She hung up and stared at her screen, waiting for the clip to drop. As soon as it popped in, she

    hastily downloaded it and began to watch.

    It was a video of how Amelia was pulling and kissing the stranger. Elena divulged an evil smirk and

    chuckled.

    ¡°This is getting more interesting.¡± She mumbled.

 Chapter 44: Be a good boy and come to me

    Chapter 44: Be a good boy ande to me

    Amelia slowly opened her eyes and closed them. Her vision was blurry at first, but it became clearer

    after several blinks.

    She could finally see clearly and in front of her was James, lying on his left hand side, facing her.

    His face was about three inches away from hers.

    She creased her brows and sprang up. She looked around the room, wondering how and when she

    got there.

    The manner at which she sprang up woke James up, and he also sat up.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± He called, and she turned her head to look at him.

    ¡°What am I doing here? Why are we sleeping on the same bed?¡± She asked, moving further away

    from him.

    ¡°Hey¡­ I know it would be hard to recollect what happenedst night. How are you feeling?¡±

    He stretched his hand to her face but she moved away. She got out of bed and moved away from it.

    ¡°Hey¡­ what¡¯s wrong? I just want to check your temperature.¡±

    ¡°What happened, Mr. James,¡± She responded, lowering her head slowly.

    She couldn¡¯t remember much but she could remember vividly that they were on good terms and

    that is why she ended up in the club in the very first ce.

    James heaved a loud sigh and yanked the duvet off his body. He got out of bed and walked to

    where she stood.

    ¡°I told you not to talk to Elena anymore. You see what she caused you?¡± He asked, and Amelia

    knitted her eyebrows.

    She raised her head and looked at him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She asked, trying to remember what

    happenedst night.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    ¡°Let¡¯s leave here first. We¡¯ll talk better when we get home.¡± He said. He picked up her jacket and

    stretched it to her.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going home with you, Mr. James. You smashed my phone on the floor.¡±

    ¡°So where would you go? You¡¯ll go back to Elena, after what she did to you?¡±

    ¡°What did she do?¡±

    ¡°She drugged you, Amelia! She put two capsules of Viagra in your drink! She set you up with a man,

    fortunately I was around to save you before he slept with you.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Amelia eximed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll prepare our things. Think back very well, you will remember. I told you she isn¡¯t who you think

    she is, but you would never listen to me.¡±

    James walked away and Amelia grabbed her head as she began to remember all that went down

    the previous night.

    ¡°No¡­ no¡­ no¡­¡± She cried.

    ¡°Yes, Amelia. You were all over a stranger, calling him James because of how horny you were.¡±

    ¡°Oh my God¡­¡±

    She bowed her head and looked at her body, James narrowed his gaze at her, wondering what she

    was looking for.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything to you if that¡¯s what that is about. Though you wanted me to sleep with you so

    badly, I didn¡¯t do it. Let¡¯s go back home and talk properly there.¡±

    Amelia cleaned the tears that streamed out of her eyes and bobbed.

    James carried her bag and hung it on his shoulder, just like he did the previous night.

    He walked to the door and opened it. He stepped aside and waited for Amelia to walk out first.

    Amelia gulped hard and shuffled to the door. All memories of the previous night kept rushing into

    her head. How she was all over a stranger, how she wanted him to sleep with her.

    She became disappointed in herself.

    *

    They both sat in the car, and James drove out of the club¡¯ premises. Amelia sat next to him in front

    of the car and kept her head lowered.

    Tears couldn¡¯t stop streaming out of her eyes at the thought of betrayal from someone she called

    her best friend.

    James took a nce at her and noticed she was sobbing silently.

    ¡°What are you thinking, Amelia?¡± He asked, and she sniffed and looked at him.

    ¡°Why would she do that to me? She was my best friend! I trusted her, and told her almost

    everything.¡± She mumbled in tears.

    James clenched his jaws and looked away. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he drove.

    ¡°She is evil, Amelia. You shouldn¡¯t believe anything she says.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and looked out of the window. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± She asked,

    and James nodded

    ¡°Yes, you can.¡±

    ¡°What really happened between you and Elena, Mr. James. Tell me everything.¡±

    James exhaled softly and nodded.

    ¡°It all happened when she started working as my secretary. She seemed normal at first, butter

    she started acting so obsessed with me. She wouldn¡¯t eat until she sees me, she would stay in the

    office until whenever I am done just to tell me goodnight. At first I thought it was a good thing that

    she cared about me, not until one day we won a contract. I was so happy, and she brought the

    suggestion of celebrating in the office¡­¡±

    James took a break and swallowed hard. These bad memories made him even angrier.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Amelia asked out of curiosity.

    ¡°She drugged my wine. The same way she did to your tequ. The drug she put in it was to make

    me fall asleep. She raped me right there in the office and after I realized what happened, I fired her.¡±

    ¡°Oh my¡­ She is so evil. She told me a different story.¡±

    ¡°What story?¡± James asked.

    ¡°She said you raped her and fired her afterwards.¡±

    James scoffed and shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not surprised. She would do anything to make her look like

    the victim. I would never rape a woman. There¡¯s no fun in that.¡±

    After James finished talking, great silence set in and they both had different thoughts running in

    their minds.

    Amelia recalled she had kissed that stranger too and she slowly touched her lips.

    ¡°I kissed him,¡± She muttered, and James looked at her.

    ¡°The stranger?¡±

    She nodded and said; ¡°I wasn¡¯t myself at all. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight. I hate Elena for this. What did

    I ever do to deserve such cruelty from her?¡±

    ¡°I understand. You kissed me too.¡± He added, and she slowly lowered her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. James. I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t bad actually. I liked it.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Amelia asked in surprise.

    ¡°Yes, I did like it. Who would have thought you would be so good at kissing?¡± He chuckled, and

    Amelia smiled and hid her face in her palm.

    James felt so happy seeing her smile again. He moved his right hand from the wheel and moved it

    to her.

    ¡°Give me your hand.¡± He said, and she looked at his face. He gave her a reassuring nod and she

    ced her hand on his.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what happened. I was so angry and didn¡¯t know what I was doing. I¡¯m sorry for

    smashing your phone on the floor.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s eyes popped wide open as she listened to him. ¡®Is this a dream? Is Mr. James really

    apologizing to me?! Oh My God!!¡¯

    ¡°Hey, Amelia¡­ say something.¡± James added after waiting for so long to hear her reply.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry too, Mr. James. I didn¡¯t mean to p you. And about Fred, I have nothing going on with

    him. He is just a friend. He just wanted to make me feel better about myself, and I let him.¡±

    James nodded and withdrew his hand. ¡°You talked about getting a divorce¡­¡± He gulped and

    continued.

    ¡°¡­ were you serious about it? Do you still want to get a divorce?¡±

    Amelia heaved a loud sigh and began to fondle her fingers. ¡°I¡­ I said that out of anger, Mr. James. I

    didn¡¯t mean it, and I don¡¯t want to get a divorce, except you want it.¡±

    ¡°No¡­ no! I don¡¯t want a divorce. We have been married for just a month. We would be shameless

    to get a divorce. Let¡¯s try to make things work instead. If not for anything, but to put Elena to

    shame.¡±

    ¡°Not because we love each other?¡± Amelia asked.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡±

    ¡°Tell me Mr. James. Do you feel anything for me? Even if it¡¯s a little bit?¡± She butted in.

    James kept his gaze on the street, trying to rearrange the words he was going to say to her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I need time to figure that out,¡± he responded, and Amelia bobbed sadly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you then.¡± She answered, and James smiled and nodded.

    ¡®I feel so relieved having her around me again. I don¡¯t think I want to lose her anymore.¡¯ He thought,

    still smiling widely.

    ***

    Amelia walked to her room to take a shower, while James sat in the living room, waiting for her to

    finish.

    He pulled out the neck piece in his pocket and stared at it. He scrutinized it and noticed that the clip

    was ck already. He hurried into the store, picked up a plier and began to fix it.

    ¡°I bet she¡¯d be so happy when I give this back to her.¡±

    As he was fixing it, his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the caller

    to see it was an unknown number.

    He answered the phone and put it on speaker. He ced it on the table and continued amending

    the ne.

    ¡°Hey Pookie.¡±

    Hearing Elena¡¯s voice made James hurriedly drop the plier and the ne on the table. He picked

    the phone and removed it from the speaker.

    ¡°What the hell do you want now?! Aren¡¯t you ashamed of yourself?¡±

    ¡°Why would I be, Pookie? She is with what belongs to me. I am not ashamed of trying to get it

    back.¡±

    ¡°Are you insane, Elena? She took you as her best friend!¡±

    ¡°Well, she was so stupid to believe that. If it wasn¡¯t for you, she wouldn¡¯t have found out, Pookie.¡±

    ¡°Stop calling me Pookie, you devil! Don¡¯t you evere close to me or Amelia again! Ever!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t do that. Amelia, yes I may note close to her again, but you¡­ No, it¡¯s not

    possible.¡±

    ¡°F**k you.¡±

    ¡°Before you get so pissed and hang up. I have something interesting to tell you.¡±

    ¡°Save it for yourself! I don¡¯t want to hear it!¡±

    ¡°Really? Even if it¡¯s going to ruin your wife¡¯s life and your business? For your own good, I would

    advise you to listen.¡±

    James creased his brows and sprang to his feet.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± He asked nervously, and immediately he asked, she hung up.

    ¡°Elena! Elena!¡± James called and looked at the screen of his phone.

    ¡®What the hell is she trying to do this time?¡¯

    A message popped into his phone shortly, and he quickly opened it. It was a video message.

    He downloaded it and began to y it. When he saw what was in the video, his eyes widened in

    great shock. A text message popped in afterward.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want the whole bama to know how nasty your wife is, you will be a good boy and

    come to me. If youe to see me, then I¡¯ll delete the videos with me. Very simple.¡±

    After he finished reading her text, he clenched his fist and punched the side in anger.

    ¡°F**k you!¡± He yelled.

    Amelia walked up to him and noticed how worked up he looked.

    ¡°Mr. James, are you okay?¡± She asked, and he raised his head and divulged a faint smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure? I heard you yelling.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just work.¡± He lied, smiled widely.

 Chapter 45: Have S*x with me

    Chapter 45: Have S*x with me

    James drove Amelia to the office because he didn¡¯t want her to drive.

    The previous night, they slept in seperate rooms like they always did, but James wasn¡¯t happy with

    it.

    He had no idea why, but he wanted toy next to her like he did in the club house.

    The way she wrapped her hands around him in the middle of the night like she took him as her

    protector made him happy.

    But he couldn¡¯t bring himself to tell him that he wanted to cuddle her every night, so he let her sleep

    in her room.

    Getting to the office, Amelia headed to her desk while James walked to the office.

    When they were in the car, they both didn¡¯t talk to each other. Amelia stared out of the window

    throughout.

    James noticed how bored she was without a phone and decided to buy her a new one, since he

    destroyed her old one.

    He got into his office, sat on his chair and went online to order a phone.

    He found an IPhone X, which looked exactly like the one he smashed.

    ¡°I should get a better one for her.¡± He muttered to himself. He then saw an IPhone XS MAX and

    ced an order.

    After paying and doing the necessary things, he switched on hisptop and got to work.

    While he was working, he began to hear faint conversations in front of his office. He stood up and

    walked to his door. He could recognize the voices that were talking.

    One was Amelia¡¯s, and the other was Tina¡¯s.

    He opened the door and as he opened it, the voices died down. Tina looked at James and let out a

    faint smile.

    ¡°Will you please tell her not to interfere in my business?¡± Tina asked, and James looked at Amelia.

    ¡°I only asked her if she had an appointment, because it¡¯s very early in the morning. I don¡¯t know why

    she got so pissed.¡±

    After Amelia spoke, James let out a soft sigh. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Amelia.¡± He opened the door, and Tina

    divulged a smirk at Amelia before walking into the office.

    James shut the door behind her and headed to his desk.

    ¡°Why are you here? I didn¡¯t message or call you.¡±

    ¡°That is exactly why I¡¯m here. You didn¡¯t contact me for days and that is very strange. So, I thought

    something happened and I needed to pay you a visit.¡±

    She sat on the seat in front of his table, and he also sat on his seat.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Tina. I¡¯ve just been so busy with work. Thank you for your concern.¡±

    Tina chuckled and shook her head.

    ¡°No, don¡¯t thank me yet. I brought some good news. A news you always love to hear.¡±

    James furrowed his brows as he stared at her. He began to wonder what good news Tina could say

    to him.

    ¡°Let me hear it.¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡± she uttered with excitement and sprang to her feet.

    ¡°There is this girl that just joined the team! Gosh, James, she is super duper hot! Trust me, she

    beats the standard of any girl I have ever given you, the sweetest part is that, you don¡¯t have to pay

    much. She is our number one now¡­¡±

    ¡°Hold on, Tina¡­ the good news you want to share is about a girl that joined your team?¡± James

    asked, making Tina feel ridiculous.

    ¡°Of course! What were you expecting? Isn¡¯t that what you love to hear? You couldn¡¯t contact me for

    a girl because of work, so I decided to bring her to you. Tell me when you need her and I¡¯ll make it

    happen.¡±

    James heaved a sigh and lowered his head. ¡®Things are starting to make sense at home, James.

    You don¡¯t want to ruin that, do you?¡¯

    ¡°James? Why are you taking so long to give me an answer?¡± Tina asked after seeing the hesitation

    on his face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I need a woman for now, Tina. I have lots of things on my mind, work, home¡­¡±

    Tina let out a littleugh at the mention of ¡®home¡¯, causing James to stop abruptly.

    ¡°What?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Home? James, when did you start thinking about home?¡± She asked sarcastically.

    ¡°Tina, If I needed a woman, I would have contacted you, you know this very well. For now, I don¡¯t

    need one.¡±

    Tina narrowed her gaze at James, and he looked at hisputer and continued working.

    ¡°Whenst did you have sex?¡± She asked, and James raised his eyebrows and looked up.

    ¡°Tina! What kind of question is that? How is that your business?¡±

    ¡°Well, don¡¯t me me! You don¡¯t stay more than two or three days before contacting me before.

    What has happened? I know you to have a very high sex drive¡­¡±

    The door opened all of a sudden, and Amelia walked into the office. Tina stopped talking and looked

    back.

    Amelia was eavesdropping since the beginning of their conversation.

    She was happy James was beginning to lose interest in carrying women, but she was beginning to

    run out of patience with Tina, trying to pull him into that miserable act again.

    She was scared that Tina would end up changing his mind, so she quickly intervened.

    ¡°Mr. James, here are the documents you are to sign before noon.¡±

    She lifted the files in her hand and walked to James¡¯ desk. She stood next to where he sat and

    ced the file on the table.

    She was so close to him that he could perceive the scent of her hair shampoo. He gulped hard and

    looked up to see Tina staring at him.

    ¡°Tina, can we talk some other time, please? As you can see, I¡¯m about to get very busy. I¡¯ll call you

    if I need anything.¡±

    Tina arched her right eyesbrows and bounced her head. She could guess why James was acting

    weird.

    She picked up her bag and headed out of the office shortly. After she was gone, Amelia let out a

    sigh and walked away from James¡¯ desk.

    ¡°Are you still going to contact her?¡± She asked in a low tone, and James looked at her.

    ¡°What?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I know she gives you thosedies you sleep with. Are you still going to contact her about them?¡±

    She asked, and James smiled faintly.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡±

    ¡°If you truly have an high sex drive, then have sex with me instead. At least, you don¡¯t have to pay

    for it.¡± She butted in.

    James eyes widened as he listened to her.

    ¡°Amelia, I was going to say no. I won¡¯t be contacting her anymore.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t change what I said. I want you to have sex with me.¡± She insisted.

    James gulped hard as he stared at her. He never saw hering at him so in. She had a

    serious look on, so he could guess she wasn¡¯t joking.

    He bounced his head slowly, and a smile crept up Amelia¡¯s face.

    ¡°Good! So tonight?¡± She asked, and James narrowed his gaze and bobbed.

    ¡°Amelia, If you are doing this because of Tina, you don¡¯t have to.¡±

    ¡°I want to do it with you. I have always wanted to do it with you. Think of it this way: you get to save

    your money and still satisfy yourself.¡±

    James felt butterflies in his tummy as he listened to her carefully.

    He didn¡¯t know why but as she spoke, he was happy she was willing to sleep with him. He gave a

    nod and she smiled again.

    ¡°Tonight then! I would love to pay a visit to Mrs. Helen after work, I¡¯ll head home right after I see her.

    It¡¯s been long we talked.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± James responded, still staring at her in shock.

    ***

    Amelia met Helen busy with dinner in the kitchen. She happily hurried to where she was and gave

    her a tight, overwhelming embrace.

    ¡°I miss you so much, Mrs. Helen.¡±

    Helen chuckled and hugged her too, wrapping her hands tight around her upper body.

    ¡°I missed you too, Amelia. How are you? You look so happy today.¡±

    ¡°I am truly happy, Ma¡¯am Helen. James¡­¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Mrs. Helen stopped her. ¡°¡­ before you continue, can you please call me Mom instead?¡±

    She asked, and Amelia bounced her head excitedly.

    ¡°Okay, Ma¡¯am Helen!¡±

    Helen widened her eyes, and Amelia realized that she had called her by her name again.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Okay, Mom.¡± She added, and Helen giggled.

    ¡°Good, now tell me! What has that my spoilt son done again?¡± Helen asked.

    ¡°I think he isn¡¯t spoilt anymore. He is beginning to change. He is starting to care for me. Even at the

    office today, he said no to thedy that gives those sluts to him!¡± She told happily.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡°Really? Are you sure about that? You fought some days ago.¡±

    ¡°I know! But he has changed, Mom!¡±

    ¡°Wow. I¡¯m happy for you, Amelia. Maybe I can finally talk to him again. I made sure I didn¡¯t talk to

    him because of how bad he treated you.¡±

    ¡°I know, Mom, and I¡¯m happy you helped me. Thank you. One more thing¡­¡±

    Amelia divulged a suspicious smile, and Helen narrowed her eyes at her.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°We are going to have sex tonight!¡± She said in a loud whisper, and Helen¡¯s eyes popped wide

    open.

    ¡°What?! Are you serious?!¡± Helen responded in the same tone Amelia spoke.

    ¡°Yes! We are going to do it tonight! I need your help, I don¡¯t know to act when ites to something

    like that. Can you tell me some things to help me?¡± Amelia pouted.

    ¡°Of course! My son is one sex freak, I will help you satisfy him and make him ask for me.¡±

    Amelia jumped up andughed. ¡°I¡¯m so excited and nervous at the same time.¡± She told and they

    both burst intoughter.

    *

    James received the phone package he ordered, and before he could lock the door, someone

    stopped the door from outside.

    ¡°Amelia?¡± He called.

    ¡°Amelia?¡± Elena asked and burst intoughter.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He asked angrily as she forced herself into the living room.

    ¡°You have been ignoring my texts and calls. I am here to give you onest chance to save your wife

    from disgrace.¡±

    ¡°I am not going to have sex with you, Elena.¡± James muttered, swallowing hard.

    ¡°Who said I want sex?¡± She asked, moving closer to him. James pinned himself to where he stood

    and stared at her dangerously.

    ¡°I just want a kiss.¡± She said and wrapped her hands around his neck. Before he could resist and

    push her away, she yanked his head forward and aggressively pressed her lips on his.

    Amelia¡¯s eyes popped wide open, her bag of goodies fell off her hand as she caught James kissing

    Elena.

    She felt her heart plug out of her chest, crunch into pieces and sink down her belly. She turned from

    the opened door and ran out of thepound without looking back.

 Chapter 46: Get me out of here

    Chapter 46: Get me out of here

    James grabbed Elena by her shoulders and pushed her away from him.

    ¡°Are you crazy?!¡± He yelled and cleaned his lips with disgust.

    Elena grinned widely and let out a little evilugh. ¡°Why are you so disgust? This isn¡¯t the only part

    of my body your lips has touched.¡±

    ¡°Enough, Elena! I don¡¯t want to hit you and that is why I¡¯m still this calm. If you push me too much, I

    promise you won¡¯t get out of here alive! Get the hell out, right now!¡± He smacked.

    His fair face turned red in rage, and Elena felt shivers run down her spine.

    ¡°You still want to act stubborn, after telling you what I want to do, right? Then, I¡¯ll go ahead and just

    do it.¡±

    Elena turned to leave and James hurriedly grabbed her by the arm.

    ¡°You are not going to do anything funny, Elena. I promise you that if you don¡¯t drop this stupid act of

    yours, I¡¯ll make you go through pains, I¡¯ll make you disappear.¡±

    Elena¡¯s eyes heated as she listened to James¡¯ threatening words. ¡°So you are going to kill me

    because of her, hun? You are going to turn into a criminal?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything to stop this craziness of yours! She is my wife, Elena! The earlier you know this, the

    better. Delete that stupid clip before tomorrow night or you¡¯ll be begging me to spare your life.¡±

    Elena scoffed and broke into an hystericalughter. ¡°Really? You think that is going to scare me?¡±

    She stated, trying to break her arm loose.

    ¡°Oh, please. I don¡¯t need you to be scared. You don¡¯t I just done threaten people, I do it. Because I

    have power over the rules that are going to put me behind bars¡­ now, get the hell out!¡±

    James dragged her mercilessly to the door and threw her out. As he threw her out of the door, they

    both saw a bag on the floor.

    James gasped and let go of Elena hastily. He picked up the bag and looked in it. He found a broken

    ss of wine, rose petals and a wristwatch in it.

    ¡®Amelia.¡¯ Her name rang in his head and his heart skipped a beat.

    Elena burst intoughter again, after realizing what had happened.

    ¡°Looks like your dear wife found out about us. What are you going to do now, James?¡± She pouted.

    ¡°Get the hell out of here!¡± He spat. He picked up the bag and ran to the gate.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± He called out, but all he got as a response was the echo of his voice.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± He called again. His heart was thumping very fast and hard against his chest.

    He knew she must have misunderstood what she saw, and he wanted to exin to her before she

    overthought it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother, James! She is long gone already. At least now she knows what kind of person you

    are.¡± Elena added as she walked past him and moved out of the gate.

    She turned to look at him again and blew a kiss to him before leaving.

    James clenched his fists and jaws and lowered his head. He looked down the dark streets but

    couldn¡¯t see any traces of Amelia.

    He hurried back to the living room and picked up his phone. He wanted to call his mother. He put a

    call across to her and she waited for her to answer.

    Helen answered the phone and started talking.

    ¡°James, why are you calling now?! Have you showered? Amelia should be home now. You should

    get ready. Don¡¯t worry, she told me all about it. I shouldn¡¯t be telling you, but I¡¯m so excited about¡­¡±

    ¡°Mom!¡± James called, and a dead silence from Helen¡¯s end set in.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± She asked in a calm and concerned manner. The way he called her told her that

    he wasn¡¯t happy.

    ¡°Amelia is gone! Please if youes back to you, let me know, okay?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ hold on! I don¡¯t understand you, okay?! She already left for your house. She should have

    arrived.¡±

    ¡°She came back and left! She must have misunderstood.¡±

    ¡°Misunderstood? James, what did you do this time?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, I swear. Elena came over and she kissed me. It¡¯splicated mom, but I

    swear I didn¡¯t kiss her back, it was so sudden.¡±

    ¡°James! Are you crazy! Why would you put yourself in such situation?! Amelia was so excited to see

    you! She even bought things as a present for you.¡±

    ¡°I know! I found it at the door! She didn¡¯t wait to let me exin! Elena was trying to ckmail her,

    okay? I couldn¡¯t tell her because I didn¡¯t want her to start thinking about it. You need to believe me,

    Mom. I swear!¡±

    Helen went silent for some minutes, James¡¯ mood of talking told her how serious he was.

    ¡°Mom, please say something! I¡¯m freaking out. I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± James grabbed his hair as he

    spoke.

    ¡°Okay¡­ calm down, okay? Try calling her or texting. Tell her you are ready to exin and

    apologize.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have a phone yet! I got her another one but I haven¡¯t been able to give it to her

    because of what happened. I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    ¡°James, I¡¯m confused as well. But, why don¡¯t you just stay calm for some time, okay? If shees

    back here, I¡¯d call you immediately.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mom! I don¡¯t know who to contact again.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Amelia would try to listen. She can¡¯t stay angry with you forever and that is why you

    are so lucky. You will have to exin this to me properly too, okay?¡±

    ¡°Mm, okay. Bye for now.¡±

    James hung up the call and sat on the couch anxiously. He lowered his head and picked up the

    phone he had nned to give Amelia.

    He stared at it sadly and dropped its again. ¡°I never meant to hurt you. Amelia. I swear on my life.¡±

    ***

    Amelia trudged down the streets, weeping profusely. It got to a stage, she went on her knees,

    holding her chest very hard.

    It was like her heart was thrust with a spear. She could feel the pain physically. She wanted it all to

    disappear.

    She began to regret that she trusted James with her heart. ¡®I should have known better.¡¯ She said to

    herself.

    ¡°I hate you!¡± She screamed at the top of her voice.

    She kept panting very hard as she stood to her feet again. She grew weaker and weaker as she

    walked.

    Her eyes became to heavy to stay open. She wanted to just lie somewhere and sleep.

    While still struggling to keep walking far away from James¡¯ mansion, a car pulled up next to her.

    ¡°Amelia! Amelia!¡± She heard a familiar voice call. She took an abrupt halt and turned back. She saw

    Fred run towards her.

    ¡°Fred.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°Oh My¡­¡± Fred uttered as she fell into his arms. He quickly grabbed her and hugged her very tight.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Amelia? Why are you here by this time? Why are you crying? Did he hurt you

    again?¡±

    He bombered her with so many questions, that she wasn¡¯t ready to answer.

    ¡°Get. Me. Out. Of. Here.¡± She muttered.

    Fred eagerly bobbed and helped her into his car. He drove off and headed to his mansion.

    ***

    Amelia got to Fred¡¯s house and crawled herself up on the couch.

    ¡°Amelia, you were silent throughout the drive. You refused to tell me what happened. Can you

    please tell me? I¡¯m very worried about you.¡± Fred said, squatting in front of her.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She responded coldly.

    ¡°Amelia, no human would believe that. Your eyes are all red and swollen. You look terrible. He did it

    again, right?¡±

    ¡°Fred, drop it! I don¡¯t want to talk about it! How many times do I have to tell you that I¡¯m fine! Leave

    me the f**k alone!¡± She yelled in tears.

    Fred gulped hard and nodded. He stood to his feet and moved away from her couch.

    ¡°Okay. Can I at least give you water?¡± He asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°Can I get wine instead?¡±

    ¡°Wine? I don¡¯t think you should take wine now, Amelia. You are not in the right¡­¡±

    ¡°Fine¡­¡± She butted in.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go somewhere else.¡± She uttered. She almost stood up when Fred held her and made her lie

    again.

    ¡°Hey¡­ calm down, okay? I¡¯ll give you just one ss. I can¡¯t let you go out in a condition like this.¡±

    Amelia nodded and waited for him to bring her wine. Fred poured red wine in a ss and took it to

    her.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    As soon as she held it, she gulped all of it.

    ¡°I want more.¡±

    ¡°No, Amelia! You are not taking more!¡± Fred asserted.

    ¡°Then let me leave! I am tired of you all telling me what to do and what not to do! I¡¯m tired!¡± She

    cried out and broke into tears again.

    Fred exhaled softly and sat next to her. He pulled her closer and made her rest her head on his

    chest.

    ¡°I promise, Amelia, that I won¡¯t tell you want to do anymore, okay? I¡¯m sorry.¡± He said calmly.

    Amelia bounced her head and cleaned her tears with her hand.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let anyone tell me what to do anymore. I¡¯ll do whatever I want and I don¡¯t care what anyone

    thinks about it. Even if it¡¯s that a**hole.¡± She uttered coldly, with a frown written all over her face.

 Chapter 47: I wonâ€™t leave

    Chapter 47: I won¡¯t leave

    Amelia woke up and sat up on the couch. She looked around the living room and let out a heavy

    sigh.

    Fred wanted her to sleep in one of his rooms but she refused. For some reason, she didn¡¯t want to

    feelfortable. Not after what she saw.

    Soon, the aroma of scrambled eggs filled her filled the air and her nostrils. She knitted her brows

    and looked at the kitchen. She knew Fred was at it again.

    She stood up and dragged her feets on the tiles to the kitchen door. She leaned on the door and

    stared at Fred as he cooked.

    He didn¡¯t realize she was watching him until he looked back to pick a te. Then he saw her.

    ¡°Hey! You are awake.¡± He said with a bright smile. Amelia divulged a smile also and bounced her

    head.

    ¡°Yes, I am awake.¡± She responded, still leaning against the door.

    ¡°Did you sleep well? How are you feeling now?¡± Fred further asked, moving close to her.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you.¡±

    ¡°Please wait at the dining table, breakfast will be ready in no time.¡± He said to her.

    She nodded and kept looking at him. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sure. What is it?¡± He asked, paying rapt attention to her.

    ¡°Are you like this all the time?¡± She asked, and Fred narrowed his gaze at her.

    ¡°Like how?¡±

    ¡°Nice, caring, always making breakfast¡­¡±

    Fred let out a littleugh and Amelia giggled. ¡°I¡¯m serious, okay? You are so nice to me. Why?¡± She

    further asked.

    ¡°Because you don¡¯t deserve to be treated badly, Amelia. You are a good woman, and you should be

    cherished.¡±

    He smiled sweetly at her again and walked to the frying pan.

    ¡°If only Mr. James knows this.¡± She muttered sadly.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Free asked and looked back.

    ¡°Nothing. I¡¯ll wait at the dining table.¡± She responded and walked out of the kitchen.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She sat at the dining table and waited for Fred to show up. As she sat, she thought of James again.

    She remembered how super excited she was to give him her virginity. How prepared she was to go

    to any length just to satisfy him.

    ¡®And all you could do was make out with the woman that hurt me the most?! The woman you told

    me to stay away from?!¡¯ She screamed in her head.

    She lowered her head in sadness and began to weep.

    ¡®I was so stupid to have thought you were beginning to feel something for me. I was so stupid to

    think you have fallen in love with me. I promise you, Mr. James, I¡¯ll make you regret this. I will make

    sure you never hurt me again.¡¯

    *

    Fred finished serving breakfast and sat directly opposite her. He noticed her eyes were red and she

    was crying before he came out of the kitchen.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± He asked as they ate.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you.¡± She responded, letting out a fake smile.

    Fred nodded slowly and kept staring at her. He wanted to know what happened to her badly.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡± He called, and she raised her head and looked at him.

    ¡°Yes.¡± She responded.

    ¡°Can you please tell me what happenedst night?¡± He asked with hopes that she wouldn¡¯t hide it

    from him anymore.

    Amelia let out a sigh and nodded. ¡°I met Mr. James making out with my worst enemy.¡± She

    responded coldly.

    Fred clenched his jaw and exhaled softly. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about that, Amelia. I understand how hurt

    you are.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t, Fred. You have no idea how broken my heart is right now. I thought everything is

    going very good, he was beginning to care for me, we were even suppose to have sex¡­¡± Amelia let

    out a littleugh and shook her head.

    ¡°I am so stupid.¡± She added.

    ¡°No, you are not stupid, Amelia. You need to start saying awful things about yourself. You are not

    stupid. You just fell in love with the wrong person.¡±

    Amelia kept mute as she listened to Fred. He was right after all, she fell in love with the wrong

    person.

    ¡°Listen, Amelia. You don¡¯t have to stay with him if it is against your happiness. There are many men

    out there that would want a woman like you.¡±

    ¡°Many men?¡± Amelia scoffed and shook her head. ¡°Where are they? All my life, where have they

    been? Mention one of them.¡±

    ¡°Me.¡± He responded almost immediately.

    Amelia¡¯s lips sealed after hearing his response. She exhaled heavily and lowered her head.

    ¡°Fred¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything. I understand that you are a married woman and you love your

    husband. I won¡¯t bother you, okay? I mean well. I hope one day your husband loves you the way I

    do.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and kept eating. She wasn¡¯t shocked that he liked her because she

    noticed how much he cared about her. What she didn¡¯t understand was why?

    ¡°What do you see in me?¡±

    ¡°Everything. Everything I have always wanted. Everything a matured man would ever want, Amelia.

    There¡¯s nothing wrong or odd about you. You are perfect.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s heart began to bleed as she heard his words. One part of her wanted to hear those words

    proceed from James¡¯ mouth.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Fred. You are one of the few nicest people in my life. I¡¯ll always say this.¡±

    Fred bounced his head and picked up the jar of orange juice. He poured it into a ss and moved it

    to Amelia.

    ¡°Drink this too. It will help you feel much better.¡± He said and they both smiled at each other.

    ***

    James opened his eyes and realized he fell asleep in the living room again. He sprang to his feet

    and ran up the stairs.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± He called, hoping to hear her answer to him.

    He opened the door to her room and walked in. He looked around and saw she was nowhere to be

    found.

    ¡°She hasn¡¯te home.¡± He muttered sadly.

    ¡°What can I do to make her believe I had nothing to do with that Psychopath, Elena? I don¡¯t want to

    lose her again.¡±

    An idea suddenly popped into his head and his eyes widened. ¡°If I pack all her things to my room, it

    would give her an idea that I don¡¯t want her to leave, and that I want her close to me.¡±

    He smiled and hurriedly opened her closet. He picked up the bags she used to pack her clothes to

    his house and began to fill them with her clothes.

    After he filled the bags with her stuff, he began to transfer them to his room. He arranged her

    clothes neatly in the closet next to his, arranged her shoes next to his, and ced her bags next to

    his.

    After he was done arranging it, he pulled his old bedspread from his bed and reced it with a new

    one. He ced two pillows on it after clothing them.

    He stood in the middle room and looked around. A smile of satisfaction curved up his lips, and he

    slowly bounced his head.

    He headed back to the living room and picked up his phone. He put a call across to his mother

    again.

    ¡°Hi, Mom. So, did she show upst night?¡±

    ¡°No, she didn¡¯t. She is yet to return to you?¡±

    He let out a sad sigh and nodded. ¡°

    ¡°No, she hasn¡¯t. I¡¯m scared, Mom. I don¡¯t think she would want to listen to me. She is probably very

    hurt.¡±

    ¡°I know right. But, can¡¯t you just tell her what transpired between you two? She wouldn¡¯t stay angry

    with you after you tell her what went down, right?¡±

    ¡°No, she wouldn¡¯t, but I don¡¯t want to tell her until I have made sure all clips are out of Elena and her

    partner¡¯s reach. If I tell her now, she would be more worried. I don¡¯t want her to be worried. I

    want to help her solve this.¡±

    ¡°And how do you intend on doing that?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, Mom. My men are working on it already. I remember the face of the man,

    they¡¯ve contacted the bartender to help out too. We¡¯ll get the clips out of their hands in no time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you, son. You are finally taking responsibility for your wife. It¡¯s a dreame true.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mom. I just don¡¯t want to see her hurt. I just realized that I want her to be with me and be

    happy.¡±

    ¡°Really?! You are in love, James! This is amazing!¡±

    James chuckled and lowered his head shyly. ¡°I think I am.¡±

    All of a sudden, he heard the sound of a vehicle driving into thepound. His eyes widened and

    he sprang to his feet.

    ¡°I have to go, Mom! I think she is back!¡±

    He hung up and ran to the door. He opened the door and when he looked up and his eyes fell on

    the car that drove in, the smile registered on his face faded off slowly.

    ¡®Is that not that man¡¯s car?¡¯ He thought, staring at the car.

    Fred alighted and hurried to the other side to open the door for Amelia.

    James felt anger raise inside him from under his belly, up to his chest. ¡®A little misunderstanding,

    and she ran back to him?¡¯

    ¡°Amelia!¡± He called, and she looked up and saw him storm towards them.

    Fred noticed the anger on James¡¯ face and stood in front of Amelia before he could get closer.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch¡­¡± James didn¡¯t let Fred finish his statement before he grabbed him by the

    shirt and threw a hard punch at his face.

    ¡°Stay away from my wife!¡± He yelled.

    Fred found a way to get out of James¡¯ grip and p threw a punch at his face. They wanted to keep

    throwing punches at their faces when Amelia screamed.

    ¡°Enough! Stop it, Mr. James!¡± She yelled.

    James took an abrupt halt, he slowly withdrew his fist in the air and moved back. He cleaned the

    blood at the corner of his lips with the back of his palm.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want her and you don¡¯t want another man to want her?! What kind of man are you?¡± Fred

    asked in anger. His lips were burst and bleeding too.

    ¡°Enough, Fred. That¡¯s enough. Please leave.¡± Amelia said to Fred. He gulped hard and bounced his

    head.

    He got into his car and drove out of thepound.

    Amelia turned to look at James, and she caught him staring at her.

    ¡°What was that for, Mr. James?¡± She asked angrily.

    ¡°Why did you go to him? You should have at least allowed me to exin.¡± He answered with a calm

    and low voice.

    ¡°Exin? What¡¯s there to exin? You were making out with Elena! Elena of all women!¡± She

    yelled, walking to the door.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t what you think, Amelia!¡± He answered, following behind her.

    ¡°Oh yes it is! I should have trusted my guts and left you the very first time!¡±

    ¡°What? Ameli, please don¡¯t leave! I beg you! I had nothing to do with Elena! I swear on my life!¡±

    They got into the living room and Amelia stopped walking. She stood in front of the couch and

    turned to look at him.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want me to leave?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. Please.¡±

    ¡°Fine! I won¡¯t leave!¡± She replied coldly.

    ¡®I won¡¯t leave because I want you to know what it feels to be hurt! What it feels to be heartbroken.¡¯

    She said to herself.

 Chapter 48: I love you, Amelia.

    Chapter 48: I love you, Amelia.

    ~At Parker¡¯s Mansion~

    The whole mansion andpound was lit up with beautiful lights and decorations. The air was filled

    with the aroma of different food delicacies.

    The living room was also filled with so many people of great caliber and status.

    It was Charles¡¯ fiftieth birthday, and Helen had thrown him a birthday party. She invited all of his

    friends from near and abroad.

    ¡°Happy Birthday, Charles. Here is a little present from me.¡± Freddie said as he hugged Charles

    tightly.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Freddie. You never disappoint.¡± Charles responded, collecting the bag of

    presents he gave to him.

    He gave the bag to one of the waiters and asked him to drop it in the room where they kept all the

    presents.

    ¡°Where is your son and his wife?¡± Freddie further asked.

    ¡°Oh, they should be on their way here. They are runningte because of work.¡±

    Freddie smiled and bounced his head. ¡°Your son has finally snatched my daughter away from me.

    She hardlyes to visit. All she does now is call me.¡±

    Charles let out a littleugh and shook his head. ¡°Your daughter is married now. You should get

    used to that, okay?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I have a choice.¡± He responded, and they both giggled.

    ¡°How is Ava and Hudson? It¡¯s been a long time I saw the both of them¡±

    ¡°Ava is on her way here too. She has this photo shoot today, but she will be here soon. I made sure

    she prepared you a present¡­¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s so nice of you. And Hudson?¡±

    Freddie let out an heavy sigh and shook his head.

    ¡°Since he left the wedding the other day, I haven¡¯t been in contact with him. He blocked all ways I

    could talk to him. He probably hates me.¡±

    ¡°Wow. I¡¯m so sorry about that, Freddie. I know this is hard for you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as you think it is, Charles. He is a big boy, I¡¯m confident that he is taking care of

    himself and that he wille back one day.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I hope so too.¡± Charles responded and they both went silent.

    ***

    James pulled up in front of his father¡¯s mansion. Thepound happened to be filled with cars, so

    he couldn¡¯t park inside the gates.

    Throughout their ride from the house, Amelia was awkwardly silent. It had been like that since their

    misunderstanding.

    She hardly talked to him, they slept in the same room but she made sure their bodies didn¡¯t touch

    during the night.

    James was so hurt to see her act cold to him, but he wasn¡¯t going to give up on her.

    His men promised to get back to him after his father¡¯s birthday about Elena and her evil partner. He

    couldn¡¯t wait to settle it so that he could exin all that happened to Amelia.

    After James switched off the engine, Amelia didn¡¯t hesitate to open the door and step out. James

    had his eyes on her throughout the whole time.

    She looked too beautiful for him to look away. For a minute, he forgot how the former Amelia

    looked.

    Her makeup was done perfectly, her beautiful golden long dress had a sexy slit that extended down

    from her thighs to her feet.

    Her arms were exposed because the dress had no sleeves. Around her neck was an expensive

    golden neckpiece.

    She wore a ck sandal high heels which she carried so perfectly like she was born with them.

    As James stared at her, all he could say in his head was; ¡°That is my wife! Damn it!¡±

    As they got into the mansion, the ssy sound Amelia¡¯s shoes created made everyone look at

    them.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    They both divulged a wide smile and gave slight bows before joining the people.

    James moved closer to Amelia to hold her so that they could both greet his father.

    Amelia noticed James bringing his hand closer to hers, and she slowly moved her hand behind her

    legs.

    She acted clueless about what James wanted to do and headed to where Charles stood.

    James swallowed hard at the taste of rejection. He smiled feebly and acted like nothing happened.

    He followed behind her to where his father was.

    ¡°Mr. Charles. Happy birthday to you.¡± Amelia uttered with happiness and kissed his cheeks.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Amelia. You look so beautiful. Wow.¡± He held her hand and made her take a

    quick twirl.

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Charles. You look very handsome too. Nice Tuxedo.¡± Sheplimented, and they

    both chuckled.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same Tuxedo as your husband¡¯s.¡± Charles added, and Amelia¡¯s smile slowly faded off.

    ¡°Happy birthday, Father.¡± James said to Charles and they embraced each other.

    ¡°Thank you, Son. You look handsome.¡± Charles uttered, and James chuckled.

    ¡°I am no bastard.¡± He responded, and they bothughed.

    ¡°Mr. Charles, here is your present. I wish you many more years.¡± Amelia butted in and stretched the

    medium box in her hand to him.

    ¡°Hm¡­ this looks enticing. I can¡¯t wait to check what is in it.¡±

    ¡°You can check it when checking the others. It¡¯s nothing special.¡±

    ¡°All presents are special to me, Amelia. Thank you so much.¡±

    Amelia nodded and looked around the living room for Helen. She hadn¡¯t talked to her for a while.

    ¡°Are you looking for Helen?¡± Charles asked and she bounced her head.

    ¡°She should be in the kitchen. Have fun.¡± Charles said to her, and she smiled widely as she walked

    away.

    James let out a heavy sigh and gazed at her as she walked away.

    ¡°Hey, James. Still the same?¡± Charles asked. James nodded sadly and looked at him.

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to give me a chance at all, Father. I think she hates me now.¡± He said sadly.

    *

    Amelia found Helen in the kitchen and when they saw each other, their eyes widened.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± Helen called and opened her arms. Amelia ran into her arms and embraced her tightly.

    ¡°Mom.¡± She muttered against her shoulder. Helen moved her hand to her hand and gave it a little

    rub.

    ¡°Am I still your Mom, Amelia?¡± Helen mumbled.

    Amelia disengaged from her slowly and lowered her head in sadness.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sorry I stopped calling and replying to your text. I am hurt badly, Mom. James¡­¡±

    ¡°I know all about it, Amelia. You don¡¯t have to exin to me again.¡± Helen butted in, and she slowly

    bounced her head.

    ¡°And have you given him the chance to exin himself to you?¡± Helen further inquired.

    Amelia exhaled softly and shook her head. ¡°No. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything to exin. He can¡¯t

    love me, Mom. It¡¯s quite simple.¡±

    Tears streamed out of Amelia¡¯s eyes in no time, and she bowed her head.

    ¡°No, Amelia. You are mistaken. James loves you. He loves you so much.¡±

    ¡°How are you so sure about that? He was with Elena¡­ the night he was supposed to be with me. I

    was ready, I was¡­¡±

    ¡°I know, Amelia. But it isn¡¯t the way you see it. I would have done the exnation for him but he

    wants to do it himself. He did all of that for you, Amelia.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Amelia asked and cleaned her eyes.

    ¡°Do me a favor, Amelia. Let him exin what really happened. I am not taking sides, okay? I know

    James is suffering because of how badly he has treated you in the past, but please, listen to him.¡±

    ¡°Mom¡­¡±

    ¡°He calls me every time you ignore and acts like he is not there, Amelia. He is hurting. He wants

    you badly, Amelia.¡±

    Amelia sped her lips and more tears rushed out of her eyes.

    ¡°He has hurt me so much.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°I know, Amelia. And he has learnt his lesson. Just give him a chance to exin. Don¡¯t you miss him

    at all?¡±

    Amelia huffed and raised her head. ¡°I do miss him. I¡¯m just scared he will hurt me again.¡±

    ¡°Everything is worth a try, Amelia. I won¡¯t ask you to stay after he exins what happened to you.

    Just hear him out and decide what you would do on your own.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± She muttered and nodded. She cleaned her eyes and divulged a smile.

    ¡°Thank you. I love you, and thanks foring! Charles never told me you will being. He said

    you will be busy with work.¡±

    ¡°I wanted to surprise you, so I told him not to tell.¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­ you won. Let¡¯s join the party.¡± Helen held Amelia¡¯s hand, and they both walked to the living

    room.

    Getting to the living room, they met the people giving their speech about Charles. How nice he had

    been to them and all.

    ¡°Be prepared to say your part too, okay?¡± Helen whispered in Amelia¡¯s ear, and she chuckled.

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Uncle Freddie helped me ovee the fear of talking in events like this at my

    graduation party.¡±

    ¡°Have you met him at all?¡± Helen asked, and they both looked around for Freddie.

    Amelia¡¯s eyes fell on Freddie where he stood next to Charles. She was about to approach him when

    James took the spotlight to give his speech.

    She gulped hard and took a pause to listen to him before going to her uncle Freddie.

    She stared at his face under the bright light and got lost in it. She hasn¡¯t let herself stare at him for

    so long after what he did to her. She didn¡¯t want his looks to get the best of her anymore.

    ¡°Ermm¡­ I don¡¯t have much to say today. All I want to say is thank you, dad. You are always there

    when I need you the most, you love and care for me. I will always love you.¡±

    Everyone, including Amelia, pped for him after he finished talking. He wanted to move away from

    the spotlight, but thought twice and stood there.

    ¡°I have one more thing to say. I want to use this opportunity to say something I have never said to a

    woman before¡­¡±

    Amelia¡¯s heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened as she heard James¡¯ words.

    ¡®What are you doing, James?!¡¯ She screamed in her head.

    ¡°I want to say I LOVE YOU, AMELIA. I love you so much, and I am happy you are my wife.¡± He

    uttered aloud.

    The people cheered and shouted immediately after he spoke, while Amelia was too stunned to

    speak or move.

 Chapter 49: Desire and Lust

    Chapter 49: Desire and Lust

    James walked out of the spotlight and headed to where Amelia stood. Her eyes were glued on him

    like she had never seen him before.

    He got closer to her and slowed down. He swallowed hard and stood in front of her.

    ¡°Can you give me another chance?¡± James asked with his face so close to hers.

    Amelia gulped and looked around to see that people had shifted their attention to the next person

    that was giving his speech.

    ¡°Why were you kissing her?¡± Amelia responded, and James smiled feebly.

    ¡®At least she wants to talk to me now.¡¯ He thought.

    ¡°Before I answer that question, please let me ask you another question. Can I?¡± He further asked.

    Amelia exhaled softly and bounced her head. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Do you still love me at all? Any little feelings? I promise to manage it.¡± He uttered, and Amelia

    lowered her head.

    James¡¯ eyes widened in fear as he stared at her. ¡®What is taking her so long to respond? She

    doesn¡¯t love me anyhow? Is this because of Elena or Fred? Is that how quick feelings die?¡¯

    James¡¯ head became heavy with thoughts.

    Soon, his phone began to vibrate in his pockets, and it jolted him out of his thoughts.

    ¡°Excuse me, please.¡± He said to her and answered the call.

    Amelia looked to her right and saw Helen staring at them. She could tell what she was trying to say

    with her eyes.

    ¡®She wants me to act cool with him? But I don¡¯t know what went wrong, he has yet to exin to me.¡¯

    Amelia thought, and she looked away.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± James answered and hung up the call.

    ¡°You want to know what happened between Elena and I, right?¡±

    ¡°I asked you, didn¡¯t I?¡± Elena replied.

    ¡°Fine. Thene with me. We have to leave now. It¡¯s better you see for yourself.¡±

    Amelia furrowed her brows and looked at his face. ¡°See? What are you talking about?¡± She

    sounded confused.

    ¡°You¡¯ll understand when we get there.¡±

    He reached for her hand and held it in his. Luckily for him, she didn¡¯t hide her hand from his this

    time.

    Her hand felt so soft and smooth, just like a baby''s own. It made James miss her even more.

    They walked out of the mansion and headed to the car. While they walked, Freddie ran out to catch

    up with Amelia.

    ¡°Amelia! Amelia!¡­¡± He called, making Amelia halt.

    ¡°Uncle!¡± She called and ran back to where he was in excitement. She threw her arms around him

    and embraced him tightly.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were around.¡± She added.

    ¡°Well, you seemed too busy to notice your father. What should I do?¡±

    ¡°Of course, not, uncle. Don¡¯t say it like that. I nned on paying you a visit on Saturday. I missed

    you so much.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She broke the hug and moved back to see his face.

    ¡°I missed you too. I thought you totally forgot about me because of your husband.¡±

    He looked at James above her shoulder, and James smiled and gave a slight bow to show his

    greetings.

    ¡°I will never forget you, Uncle. I just got pretty busy at the office. But I promise to show up this

    Saturday, okay? I¡¯ll spend almost the whole day with you!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait, Amelia! Lest I forget, I must say this¡­¡± He moved closer to her and whispered in her

    ear.

    ¡°You are looking super hot.¡± He said, and Amelia chuckled shyly.

    ¡°Thank you, Uncle. Your suit isn¡¯t bad either.¡±

    ¡°Of course, it isn¡¯t. You should get going now. Your husband seems to be in a hurry.¡±

    Amelia turned to look at James who was waiting at the car door already. She nodded and waved at

    Freddie.

    ¡°See you on Saturday!¡± She said and kept waving at him until she sat in the car. It was much easier

    because James helped her get the door.

    They drove away from thepound in no time.

    *

    James pulled up in front of Amelia¡¯s further apartment, making her crease her brows.

    ¡°Why are we here?¡± She asked and turned to look at James.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to give you the honest answers you seek, Amelia. We are here to see Elena, not just

    Elena, but the man that tried to sleep with you after she drugged you.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Her eyes popped wide open. ¡°Why? What does that have to do with this?!¡±

    ¡°Everything, Amelia. Can you please trust me and ask less questions.¡± He said, and Amelia

    swallowed hard and reluctantly bobbed.

    They headed to the top floor where Elena¡¯s room was. Getting to her apartment, the door was wide

    open. James knew it was the work of his men.

    Amelia looked at the door in terror and confusion. ¡®Why is her door wide open?¡¯

    James walked majestically into the apartment, and right there in the living room was Elena and her

    partner, sitting on the couch. In front of them were two of James¡¯ men.

    Amelia walked into the apartment too and got more lost after seeing how they all looked at each

    other.

    The face of Elena¡¯s partner was all swollen due to the beating James¡¯ men gave him. They had to

    do that to him before he showed all the ces he hid the clip.

    ¡°Here we are, Amelia.¡± James uttered.

    ¡°Boss. We have sessfully deleted all evidence of the clip as I informed you earlier. She doesn¡¯t

    have any either. They are harmless now.¡± One of his workers said, and Amelia knitted her brows.

    ¡°Clip? What are you talking about? What is going on here, James?!¡± Amelia asked again, and Elena

    turned to look at her.

    ¡°Are you that dumb?¡± Elena asked in anger.

    ¡°I never asked you to speak, so shut the f**k up!¡± James smacked and her mouth went shut

    automatically.

    ¡°There was a clip, Amelia. The night Elena drugged you and set you up with this man. She asked

    him to make a video which she will use against youter. She used it against me instead and tried

    to sleep with me because of it. She said if I didn¡¯t do what she wanted, she would release it to the

    world.¡±

    ¡°So you did it?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t! I knew if I slept with her, she would have still gone ahead with her n. I¡¯m not as stupid as

    she thinks I am. That night, she came to me and tried to make me do what she wanted, but I

    refused. That was when she kissed me and you saw us. I never kissed her back, nor did I sleep

    with her. I sent her out of the house almost immediately.¡±

    After James exined to Amelia, her eyes were filled with tears already. ¡®So he didn¡¯t cheat on me.

    He was just trying to defend me.¡¯ She thought, feeling guilty of how badly she had treated him.

    ¡°But there¡¯s nothing to worry about now. The clip has been deleted. She wouldn¡¯t bother us

    anymore.¡±

    Amelia stormed to where Elena was, and before anyone could do or say something, she threw a big

    p on her face.

    ¡°How dare you!¡± She cried.

    Elena got heated up in anger, she stood up to retaliate but James¡¯ men stopped her and made her

    sit again.

    ¡°Why do you hate me so much?! I never did anything wrong to you!¡± Amelia yelled.

    Elena scoffed and let out a hystericalugh. ¡°Oh please! You know what you did! You took what

    belongs to me!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t belong to you!¡± James answered immediately.

    ¡°I¡¯ll say this once, Elena. Stay away from me and my husband! The next time I see you anywhere

    close to him, I promise to feed your skinny skull to the dogs on the street!¡±

    Amelia grabbed James hand and pulled him out of Elena¡¯s apartment.

    ¡°Take care of them.¡± James said to his men as Amelia kept dragging him out.

    They hit the hallway and James stared at her as she held his hand firmly and pulled him with her.

    Her angry face, walking in high heels so fast, breathing hard due to rage was so hot for James to

    handle. He wanted them to do more than holding hands.

    She wasn¡¯t the only one to fantasize about their first night. James couldn¡¯t stop thinking about it too.

    Not after the gorgeous body of hers he saw at the club that night.

    ***

    James finished taking a shower too and headed out of the bathroom, cleaning his hair with a towel.

    Anotherrge white towel was tied around his waist.

    He looked at the bed and saw Ameliaying on it as usual.

    She still didn¡¯t remove the pillows she had arranged in between them to make sure their bodies

    didn¡¯t touch while sleeping.

    James exhaled sadly and walked to his closet. ¡®Only heaven knows what she is thinking? She

    hasn¡¯t said a word since we left Elena¡¯s apartment.¡¯

    Amelia slowly opened her eyes after hearing James¡¯ footsteps in the room. She stared at him as he

    wore his boxers in front of his closet.

    ¡®What do I say to him now? I feel so guilty to even look at him in the face. Why didn¡¯t I listen to him

    the first day!¡¯ She reminisced sadly.

    James turned back and caught her staring at him. He smiled and walked to the bed wearing his

    singlet and boxers.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± James asked, and she bounced her head.

    ¡°And you? Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been better. I¡¯m happy I finally got to exin what happened to you.¡± He answered, and

    she heaved a sigh.

    She turned toy on her back and stared at the ceiling. ¡°What are you going to do to them?¡± She

    asked.

    ¡°Elena and her partner?¡± He asked, and she nodded.

    ¡°Nothing. They will part ways I guess. Elena is the proud type, she wouldn¡¯t want to stay here after

    what happened. She is going to leave.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ sounds good to me.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ very good.¡± He responded with a chuckle.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. James. I¡¯m sorry for judging you so fast.¡±

    James smiled and shook his head. ¡°No. You had every right to be pissed. I¡¯m not mad at you. I

    would have reacted worse if I were in your shoes.¡± He said.

    An awkward silence set in again, and they both stared at the ceiling. James¡¯ hands were at his side,

    while Amelia¡¯s hands were on her belly.

    She slowly moved her right hand off her belly and moved it towards James¡¯ left hand. Her heart was

    beating very fast and loud as she did this.

    She got to where the pillow divided the bed into two halves and her hand stopped moving.

    ¡°Errmm¡­¡± She muttered, and James turned to look at her.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked in a calm tone.

    ¡°Errm¡­ the pillows¡­ they¡­ they are not making me sleepfortably. I think I¡¯ll remove them.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡±

    James picked one of the pillows, while Amelia picked the other. They both threw the pillows to the

    other side of the room.

    Sheid on her back again and didn¡¯t hesitate to continue trying to touch his hand with hers.

    Fortunately, James¡¯ hands were still at his sides.

    After the pillow was out of the way, James started moving his left hand towards Amelia too. ¡®I just

    need one more feel of her hand.¡¯ He said to himself.

    Soon, their thumbs slightly brushed each other and they both inhaled heavily. They turned their

    heads to look at each other and they saw something in their eyes.

    It was desire and lust.

 Chapter 50: I promise

    Chapter 50: I promise

    ¡°So¡­¡± James moved his hand on top of hers and held it slightly, making her close her eyes slowly.

    ¡°That night, we were supposed to do it.¡± He added, and Amelia nodded. She opened her eyes and

    looked at him.

    ¡°We can do it now, right?¡± Her voice was filled with hunger for pleasure, and James could hardly

    hear her.

    ¡°Do you want us to?¡± He further asked.

    ¡°I have never done it before, and I don¡¯t have any gifts to give you.¡± She responded, and James

    giggled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to give me any gifts. You are a special gift to me already.¡±

    Amelia smiled heartily and moved closer to him. Sheid on her right side and lifted her head in the

    air with her right hand.

    She got so close to him that she could perceive the soap he used to bathe.

    James kept smiling as he moved his right hand to Amelia¡¯s fair and smooth face. His hand touched

    her cheek and her ear found its way in the middle of his fingers.

    Amelia closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against his palm even more. She couldn¡¯t help but

    feel tingles between her legs as he touched her.

    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful, Amelia. So beautiful.¡± James said in almost a whisper. His thumb kept brushing

    her skin as he spoke.

    Her lips slowly curved up in a smile, and she touched his hand too.

    ¡°I want to kiss you.¡± She muttered. Her eyes fell from staring at his eyes, down to his lips.

    ¡°Do it.¡± James responded, staring at her lips too.

    Amelia moved her face closer to James¡¯ face. Her hand was the side of his face, caressing it slowly

    as she went in for the kiss.

    Her thumb touched his lips and rubbed them hungrily. James pulled her face even closer that their

    noses touched.

    Their eyes slowly went shut as Amelia¡¯s lips covered his. As soon as their lips touched, Amelia let

    out a sigh and fastened her eyes.

    She had always wanted to kiss him so much. It was a dreame true.

    James opened his mouth wider and took over the kiss. He moved his hand to the back of her head

    and grabbed her hair, deepening the kiss firmly.

    Amelia sumbed to his touch and grip, and let him do whatever he wanted to do with her.

    He turned her swiftly and made hery on her back without breaking the kiss. He slowly introduced

    his tongue and pushed its tip between her lips.

    Immediately Amelia felt his tongue, she also opened wider and took his tongue between her lips.

    She nibbled on his lower lips and at the same time, kept moving her hands over his head and back.

    Slight, hungry moans began to escape Amelia¡¯s mouth as they kept kissing. She raised her legs

    and wrapped them around James¡¯ hips.

    Lifting her legs, she felt how damp her most private area was. She could feel her fluid flow down to

    her a*s inside the night shorts she wore.

    All of a sudden, she stopped kissing him, and they opened their eyes.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± James asked in a thirsty tone.

    She shook her head and looked down to his hips. She bit her lower lip and looked at him nastily.

    ¡°I want you to feel something.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    She held his left hand and moved it down to the middle of her raised legs.

    James heart was beating fast and loud as he watched where she took his hand to.

    Amelia tucked his hand into her shorts and widened her legs even more. His fingers touched her

    super slippery entrance, and his breath ceased.

    ¡°F**k.¡± He groaned within gritted teeth. His erection twitched in response to what he felt.

    The look of lust registered on his face made Amelia smirk. She moved her hand to his head and

    raised his face to look at her face again.

    ¡°Are you aroused too, Mr. James?¡± She asked, knowing fully well he was. But she still wanted to

    hear him say it.

    ording to what Helen taught her, she said having petty chats while doing it was going to give

    more spice to their make out.

    James took her hand the same way she did and moved it down to his crotch.

    When her hands came in contact with the bulge that was formed in his boxers, her eyes popped

    wide open. James let out a proud smirk and looked at her.

    ¡°I am huge, right?¡± He teased, and she chuckled.

    ¡°Very huge.¡±

    She moved her hands away from his manhood and jerked him towards her with her legs.

    ¡°I¡¯m done talking.¡±

    She grabbed the hem of his singlet and pulled it over his head. She tossed the singlet to the other

    side of the room and raised her hands.

    James didn¡¯t hesitate to remove the singlet she also wore. He tossed it away, with his eyes on her

    round, perky b**bs.

    ¡°You can grab them if you want.¡± She teased, and James chuckled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know what I want to do with them, Amelia.¡± He whispered and buried his head in

    between her peaks.

    He kissed her chest and moved his mouth to her hardening, pink ni**le. He took them in his mouth

    and licked the tip with his tongue.

    ¡°Hm¡­¡± She moaned and threw her head backwards. She grabbed his hair with her hands and

    pressed his head against her even more.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ yeah¡­¡±

    After dealing with her peaks, he moved down to her waist, kissing her all the way. He kissed her so

    sexily, making sure he stuck out his tongue as he did.

    He got to the stic waistband of her shorts and grabbed it. He pulled it down and she raised her

    hips to help him get rid of it better.

    Her shorts came off in no time, and she was fully naked in front of him. He made a quick run of his

    hand over her body and divulged a smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re f**king hot.¡± Heplimented, and she hid her face in her hands shyly.

    ¡°Hey¡­ don¡¯t be shy, okay? I¡¯m your husband. You shouldn¡¯t be shy around me.¡± He added.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She moved her hand off her and looked at him. ¡°Okay.¡±

    His face met hers again and they began to kiss. Soon she felt his finger trail her legs up to where

    her most private area was.

    When he got to her thighs, she slowly widened her legs, giving him full ess to her entrance.

    His hand came in contact with her tight opening and a moan escaped her lips. He ran his finger

    over it real quick, and Amelia raised and began to sway her hips in rhythm.

    She wanted more. He drove her crazy. She needed him to do all nasty things he had ever done with

    other women. She didn¡¯t want him to hold back.

    While still thinking, she felt his finger dive into her tight, wet spot. Her eyes rolled up unconsciously

    and her mouth opened and produced a gasp.

    She didn¡¯t see iting.

    ¡°Damn, you are so tight, Amelia.¡± He moaned in her ear and bit his lips.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t done it before.¡± She whispered in pleasure.

    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you. Just stay still and trust me.¡±

    He withdrew his face from hers and reached for his boxers. He tossed it off in the twinkle of an eye

    and positioned himself between her legs.

    ¡°Looks like I won¡¯t be needing lubricants, you have enough already.¡±

    He moved the tip of his hot swollen flesh to her molten need and rubbed it on the surface, scooping

    some of her fluid on him.

    It was all slippery and enticing.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be going in now. I can¡¯t hold it anymore.¡±

    He pushed into her pulsating core gradually, and he watched her face change as he did.

    At first it seemed she was enjoying it, but then it turned to pain.

    ¡°Mr. James¡­ Mr¡­ it. hurts.¡± She cried.

    James stopped prating and started kissing her again, so that she could adjust to the pain.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amelia.¡± He muttered, and she shook her head.

    ¡°I. I just need a minute.¡± She moaned, and he bounced his head.

    After a few minutes, he pushed in the remain half of his d**k and she gasped.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t all?¡± She moaned aloud.

    James let out a smirk and began to thrust unhurriedly but steadily. At every thrust, a moan escaped

    their mouths.

    Amelia¡¯s fingers were buried deep in James¡¯ bareback, always piercing his skin with her nails.

    He increased his pace and he began to let out shallow pants. It was so tight and hot inside her and

    it made him get close to climax very fast.

    Amelia¡¯s inhales shivered, short heated breaths escaped her mouth as James grew wild and fast.

    He kept pounding and thrusting as their moans filled the air. Their bodies were sweaty and at some

    point, Amelia could taste the saltiness of his sweat in her mouth.

    ¡°Hm¡­ argh¡­ I¡¯m cuming, Amelia.¡± He groaned aloud and went harder this time.

    ¡°Arrghhh!¡± He grabbed the bed very tight and stopped thrusting. He threw his head backwards and

    shivered as he poured his cum inside of her.

    After he was done, he fell on her. They could hear their heartbeat clearly as theyid on each other.

    They couldn¡¯t regain their normal breathing pace until after some minutes.

    Amelia turned her head and looked at him and he also did the same. Smiles slowly crept off their

    faces, and he held her hand.

    ¡°That was amazing!¡±

    ¡°It was? Down there hurts like hell.¡± Amelia uttered with a chuckle.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Looks like I¡¯ll have to carry you everywhere for the next one week.¡±

    Amelia broke into a littleugh and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not that weak, Mr. James.¡±

    He smiled widely and kept staring at her.

    ¡°I love you, Amelia.¡±

    Amelia turned her head to look at him again and smiled widely too. ¡°I love you too, Mr. James.¡±

    He moved closer to her and nted a deep emotional kiss on her forehead.

    ¡°Mr. James, do you remember when I first visited your office?¡± Amelia asked after opening her eyes.

    ¡°Yes, I do. Why?¡±

    ¡°You remember when you asked me to find out what you love the most and do it for you. Can you

    tell me what it is now? I¡¯d love to do it for you. I¡¯ve tried finding out, but I got nothing.¡±

    James giggled and heaved a sigh. He looked at the ceiling and responded.

    ¡°As at that time I made that statement, I never had anything or anyone in mind. I just said it to

    frustrate you. I wasn¡¯t serious about it. But now, I think I have something I love the most.¡±

    ¡°Really? What?¡± She asked. Her eyes were locked on his pretty face.

    ¡°You, Amelia. I don¡¯t want to lose you anymore. I want you by my side all the time. I¡¯m so happy we

    met that night at your graduation party. I was so stupid back then to treat you badly.¡±

    ¡°No, Mr. James, don¡¯t say that. If it wasn¡¯t like that, we wouldn¡¯t be here today. It¡¯s destiny.¡±

    James bounced his head and looked at her. ¡°Come closer. I want to hug you.¡±

    He opened his arms and she cuddled up inside his arms. He rested his head on hers and said;

    ¡°As of today, can we talk to each other about everything? Let¡¯s not keep secrets.¡±

    ¡°I promise.¡± Amelia answered softly.

    ¡°Good girl.¡±

    He kissed her head again and closed his eyes.

 Chapter 51: Patricia?

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 51: Patricia?</strong>

    Amelia and James rode in the same car to thepany. James refused to let her drive because he believed she was still hurting from the previous night.

    That wasn''t the only reason though, he didn''t want her so far from him. So he kept her by his side as he drove and held her hand too.

    He stole nces of her beautiful face as he drove. One way or the other, she looked more gorgeous to him than ever. He believed it was as a result of what happened the previous night.

    James parked the car at the parking lot and told Amelia not to get down yet. He ran to her door and helped her open it.

    "What? That was why you told me not to alight?" She asked, and he giggled and bounced his head.

    "Yes! I wanted to help you open up. Isn''t that a good reason?" He asked, and she chuckled.

    "Of course, it is. I''m just a little surprised you want to help me with the door. That''s so sweet of you." Sheplimented and nted a soft kiss on his cheek.

    "Is that a thank you from you?"

    "What do you think?"

    "Nah! I don''t want that."

    He leaned forward and held her face in his hands. Amelia''s eyes widened as he stared at her glossy lips.

    "Mr. James, we are outside. People are staring." She muttered.

    James took a pause and looked around to see people staring at them, including his workers.

    "Okay." He responded and still went in for the kiss, but it was just a peck.

    "Mr. James." Amelia called and beat his chest yfully. She looked around shyly, and her cheeks grew very red.

    "What? You are my wife, Amelia. I can kiss you anywhere. I don''t care what they say, okay? I wanted a deeper kiss, but since you aren''tfortable, I''ll leave it this way until we get to the office."

    Amelia beamed and bounced her head.

    "Let''s go in already. I can feel their eyes piercing my skin."

    Amelia turned to leave but James held her and made her stop. "Are you leaving without me?" He asked, and she furrowed her brows.

    "Of course not. We are going together, right?"

    "Then let me hold you." He responded, tightening his grip on her hand. He walked forward and pulled her with him.

    As they headed into thepany, the workers and others that watched mumbled things to each other.

    Some saw them as cute, while others saw it as show off and tactics for business.

    Amelia stared at James from behind as he pulled her. She couldn''t help but smile happily.

    ''I never thought a day woulde where Mr. James would hold me so proudly in front of everyone. This is a dreame true.''

    James looked back when they got to the elevator and caught Amelia smiling at him.

    He smiled too and said; "What''s going on in your mind?"

    Amelia shook her head and bowed shyly. "It''s nothing. Just random stuff."

    "No! I won''t take nothing as an answer. I saw the way you smiled at me. Something interesting is going on in your mind, and I want to know it."

    The elevator returned empty, and he stepped aside for Amelia to walk in first.

    "You know this too?" She teased as she walked in.

    "Of course. I know almost everything, don''t you think?"

    He also walked in and punched the button. "You can''t know almost everything, Mr. James."

    "Why do you say so? I know you, Amelia. You are my everything. So I know everything."

    "What?" Amelia''s eyes widened, and James burst intoughter.

    "How was that? Smooth, hun?"

    "Very smooth." Amelia responded inughter too.

    "Well, it''s true. That wasn''t only to impress you..." He held her two hands and turned to look at her.

    "...you are truly my everything. I''m unhappy I got to realize thatte."

    Amelia heaved a sigh and took his face in her hands. "You are so cute." She said, and James'' cheeks flushed.

    "You are the cutest."

    The elevator stopped and the door opened. Two workers were at the door and they caught Amelia and James staring into each other''s eyes.

    They smiled widely and bowed. "Good morning, Mr and Mrs Parker."

    They looked at them and let go of each other. Good morning." They responded and stepped out of the elevator.

    Getting into the office, James'' cellphone began to ring in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked who was calling.

    It was Tina.

    He clenched his jaws and looked up to see Amelia looking at him.

    "Who is it?" She asked.

    He stretched his phone to her and she took it from him. "Talk to her." He said.

    Amelia saw it was Tina and didn''t hesitate to pick up the call.

    "This is Mrs. Parker speaking. What can I do for you this morning?" She uttered with great confidence that made James giggle.

    "Why do you have James'' phone? I need to speak to James, not you. This is his cellphone, not yours." Tina sounded like she was offended.

    "Well, Mr. James is busy now. So I''ll be the one you will be talking to. How can I help you once again?"

    Tina rolled her eyes and hung up the call. She threw the phone on the couch and shook her head.

    "What is it?"

    "Amelia won''t let me talk to him, okay? I don''t think this is going to work, Ava. He is in love with her already."

    "So I should just give up? I have always liked James, Tina. Incase he calls you for ady, don''t hesitate to call me. I''ll go to him and pay you well for it. Maybe if I have one more night with him, I''ll get over him for good."

    "Well, let''s pray he ever asks for ady from me again. Looks like his wife has bewitched him."

    "Amelia is so lucky she isn''t in our house anymore. I would have poisoned her. And I won''t hesitate to do that now if I set my eyes on her."

    Tina scoffed and smiled. "All because of a man that doesn''t want you? Is it worth it? There are thousands of men that would want to be with you, Ava. Don''t waste your time on this dickhead."

    "And let Amelia live her best life? I don''t think I''m ready for that. That confession James did in front of everyone at that party was supposed to be for me, not her."

    "And what do you want to do now? You lost him already."

    "Not yet. Amelia is still the stupid girl I have always known. I can still make one night with James happen. All I want is to see Amelia sad. She isn''t worth that happiness." She uttered with an evil smirk.

    "She hung up. I bet she is so vexed." Amelia said and gave James his phone.

    "That was a good one." He praised, and she exhaled softly.

    "It''s high time you told her that you wouldn''t be needing her services anymore." She muttered, pouting.

    James smiled and pointed to her face. "Is that Jealousy?" He asked.

    "Of course! I don''t want thosedies close to you anymore. I''m possessive of you, Mr. James. I have never been given the chance to call something mine since my parents died. Now I have you, I won''t let you out of my hands."

    James stood up from his chair and walked up to the couch where she sat. He squatted in front of her and held her hands.

    "You are not losing me, Amelia. I''m yours." He said and kissed her hands.

    She grinned and bobbed. "You have a photoshoot session in Deluxe Studio in an hour. You can''t bete."

    "And you are going with me."

    "Why? I have other things to do at the office." She pouted.

    "Then I''m not going anywhere. I want you there with me. We should take a couple pictures too."

    Amelia sighed and nodded. "Fine. Let''s prepare then. You should have started your makeup session."

    "Hm." He nodded and stood up.

    ***

    James sat in the makeup studio, waiting for the makeup artist to show up. Amelia on the other hand was having a chat with the designer who picked his outfit.

    While waiting, one of the workers at the studio approached him.

    "Mr. Parker, we are so sorry for the dy. The former makeup artist you know left the country months ago, so we have a new one, but she is yet to get used to our busy roads."

    James grinned and shook his head. "It''s fine. I can wait. Thank you."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Thedy bowed and walked away. After she was gone, Amelia approached him and sat on the chair in front of him.

    "She still hasn''t arrived?"

    "Nah. She is on her way here."

    "They are taking too much time. Can''t another person do it?" She asked impatiently.

    "C''mon, Amelia. We can wait a little longer. Today is Friday, we have less work at the office. I bet they want a professional to beat my face."

    "Hmm. True. We''ll wait then. I''ll wait here with you." She responded, and James nodded happily.

    They were chatting andughing for minutes when the door opened and a youngdy rushed in.

    "I''m so sorry foringte! The traffic was crazy." She said without looking up.

    She dropped her bag on the table and finally looked up to see James and Amelia staring at her.

    "I''ll get you coffee, Mr. James." Amelia said and walked out of the room.

    ''Patricia?'' James called in his head as they stared at each other speechlessly.

    "James Parker?" Patricia called and smiled widely.

    "Is it really you? Wow. I had no idea." She added happily.

    "Erm... yeah. It''s me. Hi."

    "Hi? C''mon, won''t you hug me?! It''s been over ten years since west saw each other." She said and moved closer to him.

    She embraced him and rested her head on his shoulder.

    "I missed you so much. Thank God I finally found you." She uttered. She closed her eyes emotionally and tears rolled down her cheeks.

 Chapter 52: Line ID

    Chapter 52: Line ID

    ¡°Ermm, Patricia, can we start with the makeup now?¡± James asked, pushing her off him slowly.

    ¡°Ohh¡­ yes. Sorry about that, I didn¡¯t mean to..¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s just go straight to business. Time is fast spent already.¡±

    Patricia moved away from him and reached for herrge bag. She pulled out herrge makeup box

    from it and ced it on the table.

    She opened it and began to look for the shades to use for James. As she got prepared, Amelia

    walked in again.

    She had two cups in her hands, one had coffee and the other had warm tea.

    ¡°Mr. James, I¡¯m back.¡± She said with arge smile, and James looked at her and grinned.

    ¡°Wee back.¡± He responded as Amelia stretched the cup of tea to him.

    ¡°Coffee?¡± He asked, and she shook her head and chuckled.

    ¡°I know you don¡¯t drink coffee, okay? I wanted to say tea, but coffee fell out of my mouth instead.¡±

    James giggled and took a sip from the cup. He closed his eyes and a wide smile curved up his lips.

    ¡°I love it! Thank you.¡±

    Amelia nodded and leaned closer. She nted a kiss on his cheek and looked up to see the

    makeup artist staring at them.

    ¡°Ohh¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll let you work now.¡± Amelia said and stepped aside.

    She found another chair in the room and picked it up. She moved closer to where James sat and

    sat next to him. She began to watch and sip her coffee at the same time.

    Patricia pulled her chair closer to James and started off by cleaning his face with a dry wiper.

    As she cleaned his face, she took nces at Amelia. She wondered who she was to James.

    After a few minutes, the room became too silent and this made Patricia super ufortable. She

    wanted to know more about her first love.

    ¡°Tell me James, how have you been?¡± She began a conversation.

    ¡°I have been surviving. And you?¡± He asked, and she chuckled.

    ¡°Been surviving too. Since I left bama. My life has changed drastically. I wish I never left.¡± She

    muttered sadly.

    ¡®Do they know each other?¡¯ Amelia furrowed their brows as she listened to their conversation.

    ¡°Mr. James, do you know her?¡± Amelia asked, and James looked at her.

    ¡°Yes. She is an old friend of mine. We went to high school and college together. But she left

    bama in her second year.¡±

    ¡°Oh really? That¡¯s nice.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I am Patricia.¡± Patricia said with a smile.

    ¡°Mrs. Parker.¡± Amelia responded.

    The smile on Patricia¡¯s face slowly faded away after hearing Amelia¡¯s response. She bounced her

    head and looked at James¡¯ finger to confirm.

    Then she found the ring on his finger. She looked at Amelia¡¯s left fingers and also found the ring.

    ¡®He is married!!¡¯ She yelled in her head.

    ¡°Wow. You got married.¡± Patricia uttered, and James bounced his head.

    ¡°Yes, I got married. And you?¡±

    ¡°Errmm¡­¡± She lowered her head and heaved a sigh. She raised her head with a feeble smile and

    looked at James¡¯ face again.

    ¡°Divorced.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± James replied, and she shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. You had no idea about it.¡±

    They stared at each other, and James gulped hard. He looked away and caught Amelia staring at

    them.

    ¡®Why do I feel these two aren¡¯t just friends? Why are they staring at themselves like that?¡¯ She

    thought.

    She saw James staring at her and shot him a deadly re. James swallowed and slowly smiled.

    He looked away ufortably, understanding fully why Amelia red at him.

    *

    Patricia finished James¡¯ makeover and they headed to the studio for the photo shoot.

    While it was on, Patricia had to constantly rearrange his air while her hand. As she did this, they

    bothughed as they looked at each other.

    Amelie who watched from the background began to grow very angry.

    ¡®Why does he look like he is enjoying the way she is touching him? I feel there is more to the story.¡¯

    Patricia left the stage and walked to where Amelia stood.

    ¡°Hi Amelia, do you think we should change his hairstyle after this shoot? Mullet would look very cool

    on him, what do you think?¡± She asked, locking her eyes on James.

    ¡°Mullet would be nice on him.¡± Amelia responded and looked ar Patricia.

    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll do that.¡±

    After their short conversation, silence set in. Amelia kept staring at Patricia, she thought of the best

    way to ask what was going on between James and her.

    ¡°Patricia, you are an old friend of James, right? How was he in high school?¡±

    Patricia looked at Amelia and chuckled. ¡°Ahh¡­¡± She exhaled.

    ¡°James was a very nice young man in high school and college. Every woman, I mean, every female

    including teachers wanted to have something with him.¡±

    Amelia smiled and lowered her head. ¡°That isn¡¯t a surprise. He is a very handsome man.¡± She said

    and took a look at James again.

    ¡°The crazy thing is that he had no eyes for all of them, except one person right from high school.¡±

    ¡°Really? Had eyes? As in, he was in love?¡±

    ¡°Crazy, right? Yes! He was in love with only one woman.¡±

    ¡°And who was this woman?¡± Amelia asked, hoping it wasn¡¯t Patricia.

    ¡°The woman was me.¡± She responded and chuckled. She lowered her head and continued talking.

    ¡°We were so in love and vowed never to leave each other. I was in first love and he was my first

    love too.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Amelia asked, and Patricia nodded.

    ¡°Yes. We were madly in love with each other.¡±

    ¡°So why did you two split up?¡± Amelia further inquired, and she looked at James.

    ¡°I left bama. After promising him never to leave him. I ended up leaving.¡± She responded, and

    Amelia nodded.

    She swallowed hard and looked away from James. ¡®Was it because of her he stopped giving his

    heart to women?¡¯ She thought.

    James was done with the shoots, and he walked up to Amelia, smiling widely.

    ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± He said in a jovial tone and kissed her cheek.

    ¡°Finally.¡± Amelia responded, also smiling at him.

    ¡°We can go home now. We have spent so much time here already, we can¡¯t go back to the office.¡±

    Amelia nodded and looked at Patricia.

    ¡°Thank you for your service, Patricia.¡± She uttered, and Patricia shook her head and smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I enjoyed working with you.¡± She responded, looking at James.

    ¡°It was nice to see you again.¡± James added, and she bobbed.

    ¡°Shall we?¡± He looked at Amelia and stretched his hand to her. Amelia happily took his hand and

    they both turned to leave.

    ¡°James, wait!¡± Patricia called, and they both halted. They turned to look at her as she approached

    him.

    ¡°Can I have your Line ID?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Ohh¡­¡± James muttered and looked at Amelia. Amelia looked away and pretended not to know

    what was going on.

    ¡°Can I? Just to catch up.¡±

    James gulped hard and bounced his head. ¡°Sure.¡±

    She gave him the phone and he imputed his Line ID. He gave her back the phone and held Amelia

    again.

    ¡°I¡¯ll text you. Please reply, okay?¡±

    ¡°Sure. Bye for now.¡± James replied and waved at her.

    They walked out of the studio and headed to where the car was parked. James noticed Amelia was

    awkwardly silent and he became worried.

    ¡°Amelia, are you okay?¡± He asked when they got to the car.

    She exhaled loudly and sat in the car after he opened the door for her. James rushed to the other

    side and sat in the car too.

    ¡°Amelia, please talk to me. What¡¯s going on in your mind? You are too silent.¡± He spoke with worry

    and went ahead to hold her hand.

    ¡°Was Patricia just a friend to you in high school and college?¡± Amelia asked.

    James heaved a sigh and looked out of the window. He saw the questionsing.

    ¡°She wasn¡¯t just a friend¡­¡± He replied and ignited the engine.

    ¡°We were a thingg¡­¡±

    ¡°Your first love, right?¡± Amelia interrupted him, and he nodded.

    ¡°Yes. But it was nothing serious. We were both young. We didn¡¯t know what we were doing.¡± He

    muttered.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ She said she left. After she left, did you fall in love with another woman?¡± Amelia further

    asked.

    ¡°No, I couldn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°That was something serious. Because she left, you couldn¡¯t give your heart to someone else.

    Should I be worried she is back now?¡±

    ¡°Hey, Amelia¡­¡± He slowed down and looked at her. He picked her hand and caressed it.

    ¡°There is nothing to worried about. Nothing can ever happen between us. She is my past, and you

    are my present. I want my present, okay? There is nothing to worry about. Trust me. I love you.¡±

    ¡°I love you too, James. I won¡¯t lie I wasn¡¯t scared when she asked for your Line ID.¡±

    James chuckled and kept driving at the normal pace.

    ¡°It¡¯s cute to see you get all jealous and possessive of me. I won¡¯t let you down. No one ising

    between us ever again. It¡¯s a promise.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Amelia¡¯s lips curved up in a smile, she moved closer to James and kissed his cheek.

    ¡°You looked cute during the shoot though. I can¡¯t wait to get the pictures.¡±

    ¡°And what will you do with them?¡±

    ¡°Post them and tell the whole world you are my husband.¡± She said, and they broke intoughter.

 Chapter 53: â€œI have a sister?â€

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 53: "I have a sister?"</strong>

    Freddie sat in the private room in his mansion. He was going through some documents, when all of a sudden, he heard a knock on the door.

    "Who is it? You know I hate being disturbed when I''m in here." He responded, without looking up.

    The door opened despite his words of warning, and he looked up to unleash his anger on whosoever it was.

    When he sprang to his feet and saw who came in, his words just stuck in his throat.

    "Mr. Freddie, it''s been years. How are you today?"

    He asked and walked in majestically.

    "Mr. Hopper?" Freddie responded with great shock.

    "Why do you sound so shocked? I told you I''ll pay you a visit one day. You can''t expect me to just forget I have a daughter somewhere. Can I sit?" Hopper asked, walking to the single seater in the office and sitting before Freddie could say "Yes".

    "But... Why didn''t you tell me you will be paying me a visit? I would have made more preparations." Freddie said nervously, rubbing his palm on his thighs.

    "Well, I never thought I woulde here too. Remember what I told you years back? I told you when her sister is twenty and is home with us, I''lle back for my daughter."

    Freddie gulped hard and walked to the mini bar in the office to pour a drink for Hopper.

    "Tell me, Freddie. Have you told her at all?"

    "Errrmmmm... Mr. Hopper, I am yet to do that. I have always wanted to tell her but I couldn''t bring myself to do so. I don''t think she is ready to know the whole truth."

    "Freddie, she is twenty. I have given you enough time to talk to her about this. This is why you are being paid a wholesome amount, right? She has the right to know her sister."

    Freddie bounced his head and walked to the couch. He pulled a stool with him and ced the ss of wine on it.

    "Have you told her sister about this?"

    "Not yet, but I believe she will understand. They are not babies any longer. They are mature and this truth shouldn''t affect them in any way."

    Freddie nodded and lowered his head. He shook his legs and rubbed his thighs anxiously.

    Hopper noticed this and he furrowed his brows in wonder.

    "What is wrong with you? Why are you so nervous about this? If you can tell her everything, I will. It''s no big deal."

    "No! No, Mr. Hopper. I think I should tell her about this myself. I have been the one keeping her away from the truth for so long."

    Hopper heaved a sigh and took a sip from his wine.

    "My wife, Penelope, has been bothering me to bring her home. She wants her two daughters back together. She wants both of them to be around for their next birthday."

    Freddie sprang to his feet all of a sudden and began to pace in front of Hopper.

    ''Why now? Why are theying back now? Everything is going smoothly, Amelia is happy, I am happy. Why does this have to happen now?''

    "Say something, Freddie and stop pacing."

    "Why, why didn''t you take her when she was five? Why wait till she is twenty? You never told me why you asked me to take her in."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Penelope tried talking to her sister about how she would feel if she had a sister, and her sister was so mad and said she doesn''t want to share her parents with anyone. Penelope was scared that her daughter would hate her, so she told me to tellyou to keep her here with you until her sister grows more understanding

    "Ohh...so that is it. Can you at least give me some time to talk to Amelia about this?"

    "How much time? A day? Or two?"

    "I don''t know, Mr. Hopper. It''s not as easy as you think. Amelia is just getting her life in order. How do I just walk up to her and tell her i have been lying to her, her whole life about her parents?"

    "Well, we have to tell her one way or the other right?" Hopper responded firmly.

    ***

    Amelia parked in front of Freddie''s mansion and headed out of the car. She pulled the bag of wine she had gotten for him along with her.

    She got into the mansion and met the cook setting up the table.

    "Mrs. Alba!" Amelia called with a bright smile, and Alba looked at her.

    "Mrs. Amelia. Good evening, Ma''am. How are you doing?" She asked and walked up to where she stood.

    "I''ve been fine. And you? It''s been a long time since I saw you."

    "I have been fine, Mrs. Amelia, I understand youare busy and have a family now." She responded, and Amelia bounced her head.

    "Soo..." she looked around the house to see if she was going to catch a glimpse of her uncle Freddie.

    "Where is Uncle Freddie?" She asked.

    "Oh. He is in his private office."

    "Really? I should go and give him this wine. It will help me study better." Amelia said, and Alba gave a slight bow.

    Amelia walked to Freddie''s private room and when she was about to open the door, she heard Freddie say her name, and it caught her attention.

    She took a pause and knitted her brows. She leaned closer to the door and ced her ear on the door to eavesdrop.

    ''Does he know I am around?'' She thought.

    "...Amelia is just getting her life in order. How do I just walk up to her and tell her I have been lying to her, her whole life about her parents?"

    "Well, we have to tell her one way or the other right?"

    Amelia''s eyes popped wide open as she heard their conversation.

    ''Lie? About my parents? What is Uncle Freddie talking about? And who is in there with him?''

    Amelia was more confused than angry that her uncle Freddie was keeping something from her.

    "I''ll tell her the truth today. She will being to see me, so I''ll tell her about it." She heard Freddie say.

    She inhaled very hard and turned the door knob afterward. She walked into the office and said;" I''m here. Let''s talk about it now."

    Her eyes moved from her shocked uncle, down to the unfamiliar man that sat on the couch next to him.

    "Amelia... errr... I. You are here. When did you arrive?" Freddie answered, showing how very nervous he was.

    "Early enough to know you have been keeping something from me, uncle. What is it? Tell me?"

    Amelia had no idea when her voice grew louder. She had no idea what the secret could be, but she knew it was a great one, considering the manner at which Freddie was shocked.

    Freddie looked at Hopper speechlessly. He tried finding the right words to say to her, but he was too stunned to speak.

    Hopper sighed and looked at Amelia.

    "Hi, Amelia. Why don''t you sit down first?" He said with a sweet smile.

    ''Why is he smiling at me like that?'' She wondered as she stared at him.

    "Ermm. Mr. Hopper. Can you please let me talk to Amelia? Alone." Freddie interfered.

    Hopper stared at him for a few seconds and nodded. He stood up and walked to where Amelia was.

    He stopped when he got to her and stood in front of her. He let out a warm grin and patted her head carefully, minding her neatlybed hair.

    "You have the same eyes." He uttered, and Amelia creased her brows.

    "Who?" She inquired.

    "Mr. Hopper, please!" Freddie added.

    Hopper let go of her head and stepped away from her. "I''ll be outside, waiting for you."

    After he stepped out, Amelia swallowed hard and looked at Freddie.

    "Uncle, who is he? Why did he say that? What have you been hiding from me?"

    Freddie walked to where she stood, looking all confused and held her hand.

    "Amelia." He called sweetly and took a pause. "Do you remember your graduation day at the party, I mentioned something about a present to you?"

    "Yes, Uncle." She nodded.

    "The present I wanted to give you isn''t a gift, but the truth about your parents."

    "My dead parents?"

    "Your biological parents are not dead, Amelia. They are alive."

    "What?!" She yanked her hands off his. "But, I saw when they were killed. It was right in front of my eyes. Why are you doing this, uncle?" She muttered as tears heated her eyes in a few seconds.

    "They weren''t your real parents, Amelia." Freddie said and lowered his head.

    "What do you mean?" She mumbled in more confusion.

    "Your biological parents aren''t dead. The man you just met is your real father."

    "No! No, Uncle Freddie. How is that possible?"

    "You were adopted by those you thought were your parents. It''s a long story, Amelia. I need you to stay calm and listen to me carefully. Sit down."

    Amelia cleaned the tears on her cheeks and headed to the couch. She sat on it and Freddie sat on the wooden stool in front of her.

    "Your biological mother''s name is Penelope. Shewas unable to carry children in her womb, but had eggs ready to be fertilized. That was where your gestational mother, ra, came in. She helped Penelope carry the baby."

    "Oh My... why didn''t you tell me this before, Uncle?!"

    "Let me finish, Amelia. When you were born, you had a sister with you. Your twin."

    "Now I have a sister?!" Amelia smacked.

    "Calm down, Amelia. Penelope wanted her two daughters from ra, but ra couldn''t let go of the both of you, because she was yet to have a baby with Stanley, your surrogate father. So ra said she wanted one of you as her own, and she chose you. That''s how you became their daughter, Amelia."

    Amelia lowered her head and let her tears gushed out of her eyes without hindrances. She had been in the dark her whole life and she was so stupid not to notice.

    "Penelope,"

    "Before you continue, do you know my sister?" Amelia cut him short.

    Freddie lowered his head and fondled his fingers very hard. He nodded, and Amelia closed her eyes in pain.

    "All these years, you knew I had a sister and you never mentioned it? Who is she? Tell me." She mumbled.

    "Your sister... Your twin sister is..."

    "Who? Tell me?!"

    "Elena! Your twin sister is the same Elena you know!"

    "What?!"

 Chapter 54: Chat with Hopper.

    Chapter 54: Chat with Hopper.

    ¡°What are you talking about, uncle!¡± Amelia yelled and sprang to her feet.

    ¡°Elena is your sister, Amelia. She is your twin sister!¡± He responded and also sprang to his feet.

    ¡°Noo¡­ that is impossible. Elena can never be my sister. Do you know how much that girl hates

    me?¡± Amelia asked in anger.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I didn¡¯t choose that, okay? Can you at least let me finish exining?¡± Freddie asked,

    and she shook her head aggressively.

    ¡°I would love to hear from that man outside.¡± She uttered and stormed to the door.

    ¡°That man is your father, Amelia! He isn¡¯t just a man.¡± Freddie answered, following behind her.

    Amelia stormed out of the office and headed to the living room to look for Hopper.

    She got to the living room and found Hopper sitting on the couch and doing something on his

    cellphone.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡± Hopper heard Freddie call, and he looked up to see Amelia in front of him. She stared at

    him speechlessly.

    ¡°Heyy¡­¡± He said and stood up.

    ¡°I want to hear everything from you.¡± Amelia uttered.

    ¡°Amelia, I¡¯m telling you the truth! Why can¡¯t you believe me?¡± Freddie asked in disappointment.

    ¡°Believe you? You have been lying to me my whole life! Why on earth would I want to believe you

    now?¡± Her voice was loud and full of rage.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± Hopper called, and she shifted her gaze from Freddie to him.

    ¡°You want to hear from me? Fine, I¡¯ll tell you everything you want to know. Ask me anything.¡±

    Hopper added.

    Amelia gulped hard and nodded. She sat on the couch opposite the one Hopper sat, and he sat on

    the couch too.

    ¡°Is it true that I was adopted by my deceased parents?¡± She inquired.

    ¡°Yes. They adopted you from us, your biological parents, Hopper and Penelope.¡±

    Amelia lowered her head and covered her face with her hand. More tears heated her eyes as reality

    began to dawn on her.

    ¡°Sooo¡­¡± She shuttered and looked up at Hopper again. ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe back after they were

    murdered? Why didn¡¯t youe back for me? Whye back now?¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t think it was a good idea to break the news to your sister that she had an elder sister. We

    tried throwing it to her, but she wasn¡¯t really pleased. Your mom didn¡¯t want to see her angry, so she

    asked Freddie to take you in.¡±

    ¡°So she has hated me from the very beginning?¡±

    ¡°No, Amelia. Not hate. She just hates sharing what or whoever she loves with someone else. We

    needed to give her time to mature.¡±

    ¡°And me?? Why didn¡¯t you care about what I felt?! Why did you make me believe I had no one else

    in this world!¡±

    Amelia burst into great tears and Hopper looked at Freddie who looked sad too.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amelia.¡± Hopper muttered, lowering his head too.

    Amelia stopped crying all of a sudden and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

    ¡°Does Elena know that she has a twin sister now?¡± She asked and he shook his head.

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know yet. She returned home some weeks ago, and Penelope and I thought it was the

    perfect time to tell her the truth.¡±

    ¡°And do we have to tell her? Can¡¯t we just keep living the way we used to? I don¡¯t want to share

    anything with Elena either, even when ites to my parents. The parents I knew are dead, and I

    want it to stay that way.¡± She answered coldly and sprang to her feet.

    ¡°No! Penelope wants her daughters back together.¡±

    ¡°And where was Penelope all these years anyway?! Why did she love one child more than the

    other? She made me suffer so much, I needed someone, and she wasn¡¯t there! I don¡¯t need a

    mother now, I am fine the way I am!¡± Amelia yelled, and Freddie flinched.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡± Freddie called.

    ¡°I hope this is all a nightmare! I wished my parents were never killed that night, I still wish until this

    day. They were the only ones that truly cared about me. I would never forgive those that killed them.

    They would never hurt anyone.¡± Amelia mumbled.

    Freddie and Hopper exchanged looks and quickly broke their eye contact.

    ¡°Amelia, I¡¯m sorry you had to go through all these alone. And I¡¯m grateful Freddie was there to take

    care of you all the way. But can we forget the past? Your real parents are here now. We want you

    back.¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°And I don¡¯t want you! Why are youing to ruin my life now that it is beginning to make sense to

    me? I was better off knowing my parents were dead and I had no siblings! It¡¯s a nightmare to know I

    am Elena¡¯s twin!¡±

    ¡°Amelia!¡± Freddie smacked.

    ¡°They always chose her, they should keep doing that. I don¡¯t think she would want me anywhere

    close to her in any way.¡±

    Amelia grabbed her bag and proceeded to the exit.

    ¡°Amelia, can you please calm down?¡± Freddie ran up to her and held her hand, making her stop.

    ¡°Let me go, Uncle. I¡¯m trying not to hate you right now. I thought you loved me.¡±

    She yanked her hand of his hand and stormed out of the house. Freddie wanted to go with her, but

    Hopper called him and made him stop.

    ¡°Let her be, Freddie. She needs time to take it all in.¡±

    Freddie heaved a sigh and walked back to where Hopper stood.

    ¡°She is never going to love me the way she always did.¡± He muttered sadly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so sad about that. She wille to understand that it¡¯s not your fault and all you ever

    wanted was to take care of her.¡±

    ***

    Amelia got home and looked around for James in the living room. He was nowhere to be found.

    With tears in her eyes, she headed to the bedroom and found him sitting on the bed, with hisptop

    on his thighs.

    As soon as she opened the door, he looked up and saw her. He let out a wide smile, but when he

    noticed the sadness registered on her face, his smile faded off immediately.

    ¡°Amelia, are you okay?¡±

    He moved theptop away from hisp and stood up. He walked to the door where Amelia was

    glued to.

    ¡°Hey, why are you crying?¡± He asked when he got closer and saw tears rolling down her cheeks.

    She said no words but instead, wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly.

    James, who was confused, hugged her too and patted her slowly. She broke down even more as he

    hugged him, and James got so worried.

    ¡°Please talk to me, Amelia. What¡¯s wrong? Did anyone hurt you?¡± He disengaged from the hug and

    held her face in his hands, staring deeply into his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m so hurt, James. I have been lied to my whole life.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°Come here.¡± He held her hand and pulled her to the bed. He made her sit, and he squatted in front

    of her.

    ¡°I hate to see you cry.¡± He cleaned her tears with his thumb and pouted.

    ¡°Why doesn''t anyone ever care about me? Why do they keep hurting me?¡±

    ¡°Shhhh¡­ don¡¯t say that, Amelia. I care about you and I would never hurt you. Not anymore. Can

    you tell me what happened?¡± He asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m too weak to start exining it now. Can we talk about it tomorrow?¡± She asked, and he nodded.

    ¡°We have the whole time in the world. You can tell me anytime you want to. But can you please stop

    crying? It hurts to see you cry.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and smiled faintly. She looked at the Laptop and at him again.

    ¡°You looked busy when I came in.¡±

    He bounced his head and got up. ¡°I was busy with work. But I¡¯m done now. I want to get busy with

    you.¡± He teased, hoping to see herugh.

    She giggled softly and looked at him. ¡°Thank you, James.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. It¡¯s my responsibility to see you happy. So, why don¡¯t you take a shower and we

    both go to bed? You look tired.¡±

    Amelia nodded and stood up. She headed to the bathroom while James sat on the bed and began

    to round his work off.

    He switched off hisptop and afterward, a message popped into his phone. He picked up his

    phone and checked it out.

    It was Patricia that sent him a message, and it was a photo message. He furrowed his brows,

    wondering what was in the file.

    He downloaded it and opened it to see it was a picture of them from college. In the picture, they

    were kissing, and their top was bare. It was a memory from their first night together.

    James raised his eyesbrows and stared at the picture for a while. The good memories came rushing

    into his head and he couldn¡¯t ignore that it was one of the best moments of his life.

    ¡°You remember you told me to delete this picture then?¡± Another message from her popped in.

    ¡°Yes, why do you still have it with you?¡± He texted back, with his eyes never leaving the picture.

    ¡°What do you mean? That was the best day of my life. I couldn¡¯t delete it. If there¡¯s one thing I want

    to keep forever. It is my memories with you.¡±

    James gulped as he read her message and let out a sigh.

    ¡°It¡¯s all in the past now. We have both moved on.¡±

    ¡°No. You moved on. I never did.¡± She texted back.

    James was about to reply when the bathroom door opened. He quickly locked his phone and put it

    next to him.

    ¡°Hey, you are done.¡± He uttered, and Amelia nodded and walked up to him.

    ¡°What are you doing? Won¡¯t you take a shower?¡± She asked.

    ¡°No. I did that before you came. Come here. Let¡¯s sleep,¡± He said, opening his arms wide.

    Sheid in his arms and closed her eyes to sleep. James eyes were fully awake, thinking of the

    picture Patricia had sent to him over and over again.

 Chapter 55: Private investigator

    Chapter 55: Private investigator

    It was exactly a week Ameliast spoke to Freddie. They had no contact whatsoever since she

    found out the truth about her parents.

    Freddie didn¡¯t bother to call her, and she was still very mad at him, so she didn¡¯t bother to contact

    him either. He believed she needed time just like Hopper had told him.

    Amelia satfortably in the living room, her legs crossed on the couch, a bowl of popcorn on her

    legs, and in front of her was therge television with her favorite movie ying.

    Since she found out the truth, she had been so sad and pretty depressed. She often woke up in the

    middle of the night, crying and staring at her parent¡¯s portrait.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    James thought of ways to cheer her up a bit, and started off with taking a one week break from the

    office with her to reduce pressure on her.

    He began to stay in the kitchen and started learning how to cook which impressed Amelia a lot.

    He searched online for beautifuldies stuff to buy her, and even went ahead to look for interesting

    romanceedy movies to make herugh.

    James didn¡¯t give her a chance to sit and think about what had happened for too long. Amelia saw

    how hard he tried to make her happy, and she tried to make sure he saw improvements.

    She was busy watching her movie, waiting for James to return from the grocery store so that they

    could make dinner together, when she heard the doorbell ring.

    ¡°James?!¡± She called excitedly and ran to the door to get it. She opened the door with no hesitation

    and almost jumped on who was in front of her, before she realized it wasn¡¯t James.

    It was a beautiful woman, she looked like she was in herte forties.

    ¡®Why does she look so much like me?¡¯ Amelia thought as they both stared at each other.

    ¡°Hi.¡± The woman finally spoke.

    ¡°Hi.¡± Amelia responded in a low tone. She could guess who this woman was.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± She added before she could say any other words.

    ¡°I¡¯m Penelope. I believe you know who I am now.¡± She responded, divulging a soft smile.

    Amelia heaved a loud sigh and gulped hard. It was like this woman gave her heart a hard, mean

    knock.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Won¡¯t you at least let me in, baby?¡±

    ¡°Baby?! I¡¯m not your baby.¡± Amelia responded. He let go of the door knob and walked back to the

    couch.

    She didn¡¯t lock the door, so Penelope took it as a permission to enter the house.

    ¡°Amelia, dear, I know you are mad at me and don¡¯t want to have anything to do with me. But can

    you at least give me a chance to exin?¡±

    Amelia turned abruptly to look at her and clenched her fist as she spoke.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to exin, Ma¡¯am! I have heard everything from Uncle Freddie and Mr. Hopper. Is

    there anything new you want to tell me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Amelia. I want you to know I love you so much! The same way I love your sister!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a sister.¡± Amelia mumbled and mmed into the couch. She picked the bowl of

    popcorn and threw some in her mouth, forcing them down her throat.

    Penelope sighed loudly and threw her head backwards. ¡°Can I at least sit, Amelia?¡± She asked very

    calmly.

    Amelia exhaled and lowered her head. She slowly nodded, and Penelope smiled.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She uttered and sat on the couch.

    ¡°Amelia, I never meant to leave you with Freddie,¡±

    ¡°But you did, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I know, and I¡¯m sorry for doing that. After ra and Stanley passed away, I wanted you back to me

    so bad. But, I couldn¡¯t because your sister didn¡¯t like the idea at that time.¡±

    ¡°Yes. So she decided to make her happy and then left me to live miserable?!¡±

    ¡°Live miserable? I made sure Freddie got enough to take care of you, Amelia.¡±

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s all about money? Everything isn¡¯t money!! I wasn¡¯t happy! My cousins made my

    life miserable! I never had one day of peace!¡±

    Penelope lowered her head as she got really teary, listening to Amelia.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be¡­ Thanks to what they did to me, I have be the woman I am now.¡±

    Amelia responded, fighting back her tears.

    ¡°It would have been better if you were with us.¡±

    ¡°And I wouldn¡¯t have met my husband if I was with you. I¡¯m happy everything is like this. We can just

    pretend like nothing has changed.¡±

    ¡°No, Amelia. I don¡¯t want to¡­¡± She moved closer to her and held her hands.

    ¡°I know you hate me, but let me prove myself to you. I want my daughters back to me! I want you to

    know your younger sister and love her.¡±

    ¡°My younger sister? You mean Elena, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°She alone makes it so difficult for me to ept you as my biological parents. I know Elena, and all

    she has ever done is hurt me. We hate each other! We can never be happy if we are together.¡±

    Amelia started to shed tears, and Penelope couldn¡¯t control hers either.

    ¡°Please give me a chance, Amelia.¡± Penelope wanted to hold her hand again, but Amelia smacked

    her hands off.

    ¡°Why do I have to be the unfortunate one all the time? Why do I have to be the one to understand?!¡±

    She wailed and sprang to her feet.

    ¡°I regret only one thing, and that is my parent¡¯s death. If they were alive, I wouldn¡¯t give a f**k about

    all of you! They loved me so much, they never wanted to see me get hurt, until those evil people

    decided to kill them¡­.¡±

    ¡°Amelia, that is all in the past,¡±

    ¡°No! They will always be in my present. They were murdered. Why didn¡¯t you all do something

    about it? Mother carried your babies for you, for months and she got killed and you never did

    anything about it!¡±

    ¡°We tried our best, Amelia! They were involved in some shady things and we could get who did that

    to them.¡±

    ¡°Shady things? I would never believe that. You couldn¡¯t do anything right? Now everything is like

    this. I would find out what happened before that awful night. They are the only parents I know.¡±

    ¡°A¡­¡± The sound of the door cut Penelope short and they both looked at the door to see James walk

    in with two bags of groceries in his hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m back¡­¡± He said, and when he looked up, he realized Amelia wasn¡¯t alone.

    He was about to smile when he noticed the sad expression on her face. He rushed to where she

    stood and looked at her face closely, ignoring the woman that stood there with them too.

    ¡°Amelia, are you okay?¡± He dropped the bags on the floor and embraced her tightly.

    As soon as James embraced her, she became more weak and broke into more tears in his arms.

    He patted her and looked at Penelope.

    He could see the resemnce on her face and immediately, he guessed who she was correctly.

    ¡°Can you please leave, Ma¡¯am. Amelia needs to be alone.¡± He uttered as calmly as possible. He

    hated her already for making Amelia cry.

    Penelope nodded slowly and cleaned the tears in her eyes. She picked out a card from her bag and

    ced it on the center table.

    ¡°I would be so d if you could contact me, Amelia. The address to our house is on this card.

    Pleasee to me. I love you.¡±

    After she finished talking, Penelope ran out of the house, weeping profusely. James stood still,

    petting Amelia.

    He didn¡¯t beg her not to cry, but he was there tofort her.

    After a few minutes, Amelia raised her head and looked at James¡¯ face with her teary eyes.

    ¡°It hurts so much.¡± She mumbled.

    James sadly cleaned the tears on her face with his thumb and kissed her lips.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Amelia. I don¡¯t know what to say right now, but everything will be fine.¡±

    He embraced her again and she nodded against his chest.

    ¡°She wants me to love and ept Elena as my sister. How can I do that after all she has done to

    me?¡± Amelia muttered.

    ¡°Don¡¯t put pressure on yourself, Amelia. Do whatever you want to do. I won¡¯t tell you what to do.

    Follow your heart.¡±

    ***

    They both sat on the couch, cuddling and they stared at the television nkly. The bags of

    groceries were still in the living room.

    Amelia didn¡¯t let go of James, so he couldn¡¯t take the bags to the kitchen.

    ¡°James.¡± She called.

    ¡°Uhm.¡±

    ¡°I need your help.¡± She said, and he looked at her.

    ¡°Anything, my love. Talk to me.¡±

    ¡°I need a private investigator.¡±

    ¡°Private investigator? Why?¡±

    ¡°I want to investigate the death of my parents, James. I want to know what happened to them. She

    told me they were involved in some shady things. I want to know what.¡±

    ¡°But, Amelia. Do you think it¡¯s a good idea to dig all that up now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, James. I never thought of doing anything about their death. But now, I have this instinct that I

    should. I want to know who muttered them. They didn¡¯t deserve such.¡±

    James nodded and exhaled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to one or two people. You can meet with them anytime you want.¡±

    Amelia feebly smiled and looked at him. ¡°Thank you, James.¡±

    She cuddled him tighter and closed her eyes, letting herself enjoy thefort she felt in his arms.

 Chapter 56: Get out, Mother.

    Chapter 56: Get out, Mother.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly what you want me to do Mrs. Parker, and that is why I told Mr. Parker, I would

    love to see you.¡±

    ¡°I understand, Mr. Nichs. All I want to know is the business myte parents were into. I need to

    know everything, either good or bad. I want to know who killed them also.¡± Amelia responded.

    ¡°Yourte parents, what are their names, please?¡±

    ¡°ra and Stanley Cooper.¡±

    Nichs nodded and kept his eyes on hisputer for a while before looking up.

    ¡°Okay, Ma¡¯am. Give me a few days to dig up information about them. I would also pry into the lives

    of other family rtives if you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all. The other family members include my Uncle Freddie and his children. Stanley

    had only one brother.¡±

    Nichs smiled and bounced his head. ¡°I¡¯d have dug that up myself. But you don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll

    start working on it as soon as possible.¡±

    Amelia smiled faintly and stretched forth her hand to Nichs. ¡°Thank you so much, Sir.¡±

    She stood up and picked up her bag. She headed out of the office and met James sitting outside,

    next to the door. He was waiting for her to finish her meeting with Nichs.

    ¡°Babe.¡± She called, and he looked up and saw her standing next to him.

    ¡°Heyy¡­¡± He hurriedly threw his phone into his breast pocket and stood up.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked, cupping her face sweetly and she nodded in his hands.

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± She responded softly, reflecting a smile.

    James stared at her face for a long while, and he furrowed his eyebrows as he did.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Amelia asked after noticing the look on his face.

    ¡°You have been looking pale these days. Are you okay?¡± He asked worriedly.

    Amelia heaved a sigh and bobbed. ¡°Yes, I am. I¡¯m just a little tired. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Since when?¡±

    ¡°For a few days now. It¡¯s probably nothing, babe. It may be because of the whole thing going on with

    my parents and uncle.¡±

    James exhaled softly and reluctantly nodded. ¡°You need to take it easy on yourself, okay? I don¡¯t

    want this affecting you way too much.¡±

    Amelia chuckled and shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡± She suddenly grasped her mouth with

    her hands and her eyes widened.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?!¡± James asked, almost having a heart attack. He let go of her head and she began

    to run off.

    ¡°Amelia! Where are you going?¡± James yelled as he ran after her.

    As she ran past people in thepany, they knew she needed to use the restroom, so they led her

    to the restroom by pointing their fingers to where it was.

    She barged into the restroom and headed for the basin. She lowered her head and began to puke.

    As she vomited, she was all weak.

    James stood next to her, rubbing her back softly. ¡°Take it easy, okay?¡± He uttered, and she bounced

    her head.

    She rinsed her mouth and raised her head. She looked into the mirror and stared at James¡¯ face.

    ¡°You don¡¯t look good, Amelia. I need to take you to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°No, James. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°No! I¡¯m taking you to the hospital and that is final, okay?¡±

    Amelia exhaled and nodded. James held her hand and they both walked out of the restroom after

    she rinsed her face properly.

    ***

    Amelia and James were invited into the doctor¡¯s office after running some series of tests on her.

    ¡°How are you feeling, Mrs. Amelia?¡± The doctor asked with a bright smile.

    James and Amelia exchanged looks before she answered to the doctor.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Doctor. Please, what did you find out?¡± She inquired anxiously.

    ¡°Well, congrattions Mrs Parker, you are a week pregnant.¡±

    James¡¯ eyes popped wide open, and he yanked forward in excitement. ¡°For real? She is

    pregnant?!¡± James uttered, almost screaming.

    ¡°Yes, she is! That is why she is all pale and weak.¡±

    James broke intoughter and looked at Amelia, who didn¡¯t seem so happy about the news.

    ¡°We are going to be parents. I¡¯m going to be a father!¡± James grabbed her hands as he couldn¡¯t

    contain his excitement.

    He aggressively kissed her hand, and without paying much attention to her countenance, he turned

    to look at the doctor again.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Doctor! This is the best news I¡¯ve heard in a long time!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you too, Mr. James. Ma¡¯am, please try to take care of yourself. More rest and less

    work will be needed.¡±

    Amelia swallowed and lowered her head. ¡®I¡¯ll be having a baby. Why am I not so excited about this?¡¯

    She raised her head and saw James still grinning widely. He was having a chat with the doctor but

    her mind had wandered so far away that she couldn¡¯t hear what they were discussing.

    ¡®Do I even have what it takes to be a mother? Am I ready for this?¡¯ These thoughts haunted her,

    making her even more terrified.

    ¡°Amelia! Amelia! Are you okay?¡± James called her out of her thoughts.

    She snapped out and found them staring at her. ¡°You seem so far away. Are you alright?¡± James

    further asked.

    She let out a feeble smile and bounced her head. ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡± She tried to contain her fears, but

    James could clearly see it.

    ¡°Doctor, we¡¯ll love to leave now. We¡¯ll keep in touch.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Mr. Parker. Congrattions once again.¡± They shook hands, and Amelia stood up.

    She shuffled out of the office and James hurriedly followed behind her.

    ¡°Amelia, what is wrong? Why aren¡¯t you excited about this?¡± James stood in front of her.

    Tears heated her eyes in no time, as she began to fear the future. She began to sob, making James

    even more confused.

    ¡°Why are you crying? Please, say something.¡± He embraced het softly and brushed her hair with his

    hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°Scared? Why are you scared?¡± James asked, moving back a little so he could see her face.

    ¡°What if I¡¯m not a good mother? I¡¯m still very young. I don¡¯t know what parenting is all about. I still

    have too much to figure out about my parents. What am I supposed to do?¡±

    ¡°Hey, hey, hey. Take it slow, Amelia. You can¡¯t be perfect overnight. Don¡¯t be so hard on yourself.

    Honestly, to me, you would be an amazing mother. You¡¯ve been an amazing wife, I¡¯m staying the

    obvious.¡±

    He rubbed her cheeks with his thumb and let out an encouraging smile. Amelia divulged a faint

    smile and bounced her head.

    She cleaned her tears off her face and tried to be happy about a new phase opening in her life.

    ¡°Please be happy. Don¡¯t make me feel bad about all of these! I¡¯m so excited!¡± James made a little

    jump, and Amelia chuckled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll need you with me all the time, James. I can¡¯t do it alone.¡± She pouted and fiddled with her

    fingers.

    ¡°Amelia, trust me. I¡¯ll be here with you, no matter what happens. I¡¯ll never leave your side. I am your

    husband and it is my responsibility to stay with you forever.¡±

    James¡¯ words soothe Amelia¡¯s worrying heart, and she finally smiled heartily.

    ¡°I love you, James.¡± She uttered and hugged him tightly again.

    ¡°I love you too! And the baby!¡± He responded, and they bothughed.

    ***

    Elena sat on her bed, in her room, with her headphones on. She increased the volume to the

    highest, so that she could hear nothing from her surroundings.

    Her father, Hopper had told her a little part of what happened before she was born, but Elena didn¡¯t

    show that she cared.

    She told him that since she fell on the rich andfortable side, she wasn¡¯t concerned about what

    happened before she was born.

    She didn¡¯t bother thinking about it, and this made Hopper even more reluctant to tell her about her

    twin sister. He left it to Penelope, since she gave her more listening ears than him.

    Penelope kept knocking and knocking on the door, and when she didn¡¯t get any response, she was

    forced to open the door and invite herself in.

    ¡°Elena.¡± She called, and she found out she had her headphones on.

    ¡°Not again.¡± Penelope mumbled and walked up to her. She tapped her slightly on the shoulders,

    and Elena jumped in fright.

    ¡°What the f**k!¡± She yelled and turned back to see it was her mother.

    ¡°Mom! Why did you do that? You scared the hell out of me!¡± She yelled in anger and pulled the

    headphones from her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I kept knocking but you never answered.¡±

    ¡°I was having my quiet time. You should have waited for me toe downstairs.¡± She mumbled and

    went on to pause the music she yed on her phone.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t wait, Elena. I have something very important to tell you.¡± Penelope said, and Elena rolled

    her eyes.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you want to talk to me about what happened before I was born, because I

    don¡¯t really care.¡± She replied nonchntly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that, Elena. There¡¯s more you need to know. Not only do you have a surrogate

    mother, but you also have a twin sister.¡±

    ¡°Mom, I told you¡­¡± Elena¡¯s eyes widened all of a sudden immediately after the words sank into her

    brain.

    ¡°I have a twin?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you do, baby. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t tell you this¡­¡±

    ¡°Why?! Why didn¡¯t you tell me? Why are you just telling me this?! I have wanted a sister my whole

    life and you kept this from me?!¡± Elena yelled and sprang to her feet.

    ¡°What?! Elena, I asked you when you were much younger if you would love a sibling, but you said

    No. You told me you don¡¯t want to share your parents with anyone.¡±

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Mom, I was young! I was stupid! Why didn¡¯t you ask me when I grew older?¡±

    ¡°I was waiting for the right time, Elena! I¡¯m sorry, okay?¡±

    Elena clenched her jaws and stared at her mother for a very long time before speaking up again.

    ¡°This twin of mine. Where is she? Where have you kept her all these years? Does she have another

    family? Did shee first? When am I going to see her? What is her name?¡±

    Penelope smiled at Elena¡¯s curiosity. She never thought it would be so easy. She thought she would

    get scolded for having a twin in the first ce.

    ¡°Okay, take it easy. I¡¯ll answer your questions one after the other. I never knew you would want to

    have a sister so bad.¡±

    Elena heaved a sigh and sat on the bed again.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted someone like me to talk to. You and dad are always busy with work and have

    less time for me. You should have told me this earlier.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay? I was scared you wouldn¡¯t like the whole thing.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been lonely for so long. I need a partner. Tell me her name.¡± A smile slowly lit up her face, and

    Penelope became the happiest mother on earth at that very moment.

    ¡°Her name is Amelia.¡± Penelope answered with a smile.

    The smile on Elena¡¯s face washed off immediately, and she gulped hard.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Elena?¡±

    ¡°Which of the Amelia¡¯s?¡± Elena¡¯s voice was low.

    ¡°She is married now, so she is¡­¡±

    ¡°Never! It is never going to happen!¡± She smacked, cutting Penelope short.

    ¡°What? Wait! Why? You seemed so eager to know her a minute ago.¡±

    ¡°I will never see her as my sister!¡±

    ¡°Elena¡­¡±

    ¡°Get out, Mom! Leave me alone!¡± She yelled and broke into tears immediately.

    ¡°Ele¡­¡±

    ¡°Go! Now!¡± She screamed, grabbing her head.

 Chapter 57: Real Pain

    Chapter 57: Real Pain

    Amelia woke up very early to prepare breakfast for James. She wanted him to eat and take lunch

    with him to the office.

    While he was in the bathroom, she stood up, picked up her phone and hurried to the kitchen to

    prepare pancakes before he could stop her.

    Since the news about her pregnancy, James had stopped her from doing virtually everything. It was

    so bad that he even helped her in the bathroom sometimes.

    Amelia oftenined to him that he would end up spoiling her, but he didn¡¯t mind. He just

    wanted his baby and wife to be healthy and fine.

    Amelia was done with the pancakes before James stepped out of the room. She began to set the

    table in no time.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± James called, hurrying out of the room and he caught her setting the dining table.

    ¡°Hello, love. Good morning.¡± She responded with a bright smile to bribe him fromining about

    making breakfast for him.

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡± He called in a low tone and walked to the dining table. ¡°I told you not to stress yourself.¡±

    He added, and she pouted.

    ¡°Stop spoiling me, James. I¡¯m not sick. I¡¯m just weeks pregnant. I can still doing some things. I¡¯m

    perfectly okay.¡±

    ¡°I know, but¡­¡±

    ¡°Shhh!!!¡± She stopped him from talking, leaned closer and ced her finger on his lips.

    ¡°Stop talking and dig in. You¡¯ll bete for work.¡±

    James heaved a sigh and reluctantly nodded. He looked at her face again and smiled. ¡°Thank you

    for the meal. It smells so good.¡±

    ¡°Trust me when I say it tastes even better.¡±

    ¡°I trust you.¡± He responded and sat on the chair. He dug in shortly, and Amelia sat next to him,

    watching him as he ate.

    ¡°Hmmmm¡­ this is so tasty. I¡¯m so lucky to have you.¡± He moaned with his mouth filled with

    pancake, making Amelia chuckle.

    ¡°I¡¯m lucky to have you too.¡± She picked up his hand and nted a kiss at the back of it. He smiled

    and continued eating.

    ¡°Have you heard from Nichs?¡± James asked as he munched.

    ¡°Not yet.¡± She muttered. ¡°I¡¯m so eager to know more about them.¡± She added.

    James also held her hand and smiled. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry. Nichs ispetent. He would tell you

    everything. We just have to be patient with him.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm.¡± She bobbed and let out a faint smile too.

    ¡°And have you spoken to Uncle Freddie yet?¡± He asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°Not yet. He hasn¡¯t contacted me either.¡±

    ¡°He is guilty and wants to make amends but he is scared.¡±

    ¡°How do you know?¡±

    ¡°He has been talking to me. He wants to know if you have forgiven him. I keep telling him to give

    you more time, but I think you should talk to him already. It¡¯s been weeks:¡±

    ¡°I know, James.¡±

    ¡°Remember he was there when your parents weren¡¯t. Even though his children were assholes, he

    still tried to make you happy. Please give him a chance.¡±

    Amelia lowered her head and slowly bobbed. Guilty overwhelmed her as she felt she shouldn¡¯t have

    ignored him for so long.

    ¡®He didn¡¯t have a choice but to keep it from me since my real parents weren¡¯t even ready to take me

    in. He wasn¡¯t at fault.¡¯ She thought.

    ¡°You¡¯ll talk to him, right?¡± James inquired.

    ¡°Yes, I will.¡± She responded, and he let out a wide smile.

    ¡°Finally. Thank you so much, Amelia. I¡¯m finally free from his endless texts.¡± He uttered, and they

    both giggled.

    ¡°I know he loves me.¡±

    ¡°He does. I¡¯ll tell him to pay you a visit today. You two will have enough time to talk.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Thank you.¡±

    Suddenly, Amelia¡¯s phone began to ring, cutting off their conversation. They both looked at the

    phone and saw it was Fred calling.

    James felt anger rise in him without warning. He clenched his jaws and looked away, diverting his

    rising anger on the fork he held.

    Amelia noticed the look on James¡¯ face and chuckled. It¡¯s been a while since she saw him so

    jealous.

    She answered the phone and put her phone on speaker. She kept her eyes on James as she

    waited to hear Fred speak.

    ¡°Hi, Amelia.¡± Fred said.

    James raised his head and looked at Amelia. He wasn¡¯t expecting her to put the phone on speaker.

    ¡°Hi, Fred.¡± She answered.

    ¡°It¡¯s been so long. How are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing very well. And you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m very well too, thank you. You stopped replying to my texts, and you stopped contacting me too.

    Are you sure you are okay?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes. I have been so busy with work and my husband. I didn¡¯t mean to ignore you.¡±

    James¡¯ face lit up at the mention of ¡°husband¡±. He didn¡¯t know why he felt so proud hearing her talk

    like that.

    ¡°Really? I¡¯m so happy for you then. Just wanted to check on you as a friend. Would you like to hang

    out when you''re less busy?¡±

    James looked up all of a sudden, and Amelia sped her lips as she almost burst intoughter.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Fred. I really can¡¯t. Thank you for having me in mind though.¡±

    ¡°Anytime. Take good care of yourself then. And don¡¯t hesitate to contact me if anything happens.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Thank you so much. Bye.¡±

    Amelia hung up and broke intoughter almost immediately. ¡°You needed to have seen your face

    when he asked to take me out.¡±

    ¡°Why would he even say that? You are married for crying out loud!¡±

    ¡°Yes, I am, and that is why I turned him down. You¡¯re so cute when jealous.¡± She pulled his cheek

    softly, and he pouted.

    ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± He uttered and stood up.

    ¡°Baby, C¡¯mon, are you mad at me forughing?¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°Of course not. But I¡¯m runningte already.¡±

    Amelia smiled and wrapped her hands around his neck. She stared at his lips and kissed him.

    ¡°Make sure youe back early today.¡± She whispered and moved her mouth to his ear. ¡°I want

    you to make love to me tonight.¡±

    James¡¯ eyes closed as her whisper ran shivers down his spine. He grab her b**t and bit his lower

    lip.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you where you have never been before, baby.¡± He responded in a whisper too.

    Amelia chuckled and looked at him.

    ¡°See you tonight.¡± They kissed deeply again, and James headed out. He kept waving and waving at

    her until he couldn¡¯t see her anymore.

    ***

    Amelia was watching a Tv series when she heard the doorbell ring. She knitted her eyebrows,

    wondering who it could be.

    She hurried to the door and looked out through the peephole, she saw it was Freddie at the door.

    She exhaled softly and went ahead to open the door.

    ¡°Amelia.¡±

    ¡°Uncle Freddie.¡± She called, and they stared at each other for sometime before she moved away

    from the door.

    ¡°Pleasee in.¡±

    Freddie bobbed and walked into the mansion. He followed behind Amelia and stopped when they

    got to the couch.

    ¡°Please sit.¡± She said, pointing to the couch.

    Freddie sat and slightly lowered his head. Amelia sat on the couch opposite him.

    He fondled his fingers for some minutes before finally breaking the awkward silence.

    ¡°How are you doing, Amelia?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m very well. How are you too?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m happy now that I have the chance to talk to you.¡±

    Amelia smiled feeble and bounced her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amelia. I¡¯m sorry I kept all these from you for such a long time.¡±

    Amelia nodded and rubbed her thighs nervously. ¡°It¡¯s fine, uncle. I understand.¡±

    ¡°You do?¡± He asked, and she bobbed.

    She looked at him and smiled. ¡°I should be grateful to you for taking care of me all these years.¡±

    ¡°No. It was my responsibility. You are my daughter too.¡± He responded, and she smiled.

    ¡°Is it just me or have you really changed?¡±

    ¡°Changed? In what sense?¡± Amelia asked.

    ¡°Your skin color¡­ it''s¡­ I can¡¯t really exin.¡± He responded, and Amelia chuckled.

    ¡°Well. I was looking for the perfect time to tell you, uncle.¡±

    ¡°Tell me what?¡± He asked excitedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡± She said, and Freddie¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°You are pregnant?!!! What?¡± He roared and began tough heartily.

    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m going to be a mother.¡±

    ¡°A beautiful and wonderful mother!¡± Freddie responded in excitement. He sprang to his feet and

    moved closer to her.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you.¡± He added, holding her hand.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Uncle.¡±

    ¡°Can I¡­¡±

    ¡°Grrr grrr!!!¡± The loud sound of the doorbell cut Freddie short, and they both looked at the door.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡±

    Freddie got up and hurried to the door. He opened up and saw a young man standing in front of

    him. He held arge brown envelope in his hand.

    ¡°Good morning, My name is Nichs. I am here to see Mrs Parker.¡±

    ¡°Oh right. Come in, please.¡±

    He stepped aside for Nichs to walk in and followed behind him.

    ¡°Mr. Nichs.¡± Amelia greeted and stood up. They both shook hands and she told him to sit.

    ¡°I have everything you need to know here.¡± He uttered and passed the envelope to Amelia.

    Freddie seemed lost as he stared at the both of them.

    ¡°You found who killed them?¡± She asked eagerly, and Freddie furrowed his brows. ¡®Killed who?¡¯ He

    thought.

    ¡°Errrm. I don¡¯t think we should say that in front of,¡± Nichs paused and looked at Freddie.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s totally fine. I bet he would want to know too.¡±

    ¡°I insist, Mrs. Amelia. Let¡¯s talk privately.¡±

    Amelia exchanged looks with Freddie and then looked at Nichs.

    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s move outside then. Uncle, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    Freddie nodded and gulped hard as he watched them walk out of the living room.

    ¡®What is going on?¡¯ He wondered.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡°What is it, Mr. Nichs?¡± She asked after moving away from the mansion.

    ¡°ording to my findings, the one that killed your parents is Mr. Hopper Richwood.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s eyes widened in shock, and her eyshes began to vibrate as she stared at Nichs.

    ¡°Not only that. He didn¡¯t do this alone. It was with the help of Stanley¡¯s brother, Freddie Cooper.¡±

    Amelia¡¯s heart ceased and tears rushed out of her eyes with no control.

    ¡°Uncle Freddie?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, ma¡¯am.¡± Nichs uttered.

    Amelia grabbed her chest as she felt the pain of her heart and trust shattering to pieces.

    Freddie stepped out of the house and his eyes fell on Amelia. Amelia looked up and they both

    maintained eye contact.

 Chapter 58: Roger that!

    Chapter 58: Roger that!

    It was evening and James was still busy on his PC when he heard a knock on his door. He didn¡¯t

    bother to look up before he asked the person in.

    The door opened and unbelievably, Fred walked into the office. James raised his head and when he

    saw it was Fred, he knitted his eyebrows in disbelief.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± He asked, and Fred let out a soft smile.

    ¡°Take it easy, James. I¡¯m not here to fight you.¡±

    ¡°Then why are you here?¡±

    ¡°I came to check up on my friend, Amelia. I thought she would be busy at work, but it turns out I was

    wrong.¡±

    James mmed the table with his hands angrily and stood to his feet.

    ¡°I can vividly remember she called you this morning and told you not to worry about her. Honestly, I

    don¡¯t know what you are trying to prove.¡±

    ¡°Can you just calm down?¡± Fred asked, acting like he enjoyed how paranoid James was about him

    coming to pay a visit to Amelia.

    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to calm down. Stay away from my wife, okay? We are good and she doesn¡¯t

    need aforter anymore. You may leave please.¡±

    James looked away and sat behind his desk again. Fred chuckled and stared at James for some

    minutes.

    ¡°You have the guts thinking ofing here in the first ce.¡± James muttered, keeping his furious

    eyes fixed on his Pc.

    ¡°Why are you so insecure about me being around her? Don¡¯t you trust your wife?¡± Fred asked, and

    James clenched his jaws.

    ¡°I trust my wife. But you, I don¡¯t trust you. You look so desperate and you could do anything sick!

    Get the hell out of mypany and don¡¯t you ever step your foot around here again!¡±

    ¡°Gosh, you are so hot tempered.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t f**king joke with my wife! Next time you call her or stand close to her, it will be your end.

    Trust me.¡±

    Fred exhaled loudly and smirked. He turned to leave and when he got to the door, he took a halt.

    ¡°I¡¯m d you know that I could do anything sick to get what I want.¡± He uttered and opened the

    door.

    James looked up, and Fred mmed the door, making a loud noise.

    ¡°What the hell was that? Was he trying to threaten me?¡± James asked no one in particr.

    The hatred he had for Fred multiplied, and he wished he had punched him in the face when he had

    the chance.

    He got back on his PC, trying to pay more attention to it when his phone rang again.

    ¡°Wtf! Can¡¯t I just have a few minutes to concentrate!¡± He yelled in rage.

    He picked up his phone and when he saw it was Patricia calling, he swallowed hard and closed his

    eyes. He would hate himself if he spoke so rudely to her.

    He answered the phone and ced it on his right ear.

    ¡°Hi, Patricia.¡± The loud background music filled his ear and began to wonder where she was.

    ¡°Wow. You still remember my name.¡± She mumbled.

    James creased his brows when he heard her voice. She sounded drunk.

    ¡°Where are you, Patricia?¡± He began to worry.

    ¡°Why. do. you. want. to. know? You don¡¯t care about me anymore. You don¡¯t text me, you ignore my

    calls all the time.¡±

    James clenched his fist and squished his forehead tiredly.

    ¡°Where are you, Patricia? I¡¯m going toe to you.¡±

    ¡°Oh really? Don¡¯t you have a wife to go home to? You don¡¯t have to worry about me. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    He didn¡¯t let her finish her statement before he sprang to his feet and began to clear his desk.

    ¡°Where are you?¡±

    ¡°At a club. Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t help! There are many clubhouses! Which of them?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just walked in! Stop yelling!¡± She screamed drunkenly.

    ¡°Just don¡¯t go anywhere. Wait for me wherever you are. I¡¯ming.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ okay. I¡­ Hey, let me go! Leave me alone!¡±

    James heard her beginning to struggle with someone, and he got furious. He picked his car keys

    and ran out of the office.

    ¡°Who the hell is that?!¡± He asked and the call got disconnected immediately after.

    ¡°F**k! What have you put yourself into?!¡±

    He went on his tracking app and inserted her phone number. It brought out a map, and he began to

    follow the map to where she was.

    ***

    ¡°He is on his way here.¡± Patricia said after she hung up the call.

    ¡°You did a good job. Just stick to the n.¡± Fred responded, and she nodded.

    ¡°Trust me on this one. You should hide now before he shows up.¡±

    ¡°See youter.¡± Fred said and walked away.

    Patricia went to the bartender and asked for another drink, preparing herself for James¡¯ arrival.

    She drank all of the whisky at once and dropped the cup. She kept her gaze on the door from where

    she sat.

    Finally, the door opened and James ran into the clubhouse.

    ¡°Patricia!¡± He called out loud, without thinking of the attention he would pull to himself.

    Patricia hurriedly stood up and began to stagger to where he stood. She had tears in her eyes and

    she looked so frightened.

    ¡°James.¡± She called soberly and threw her arms around him.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked worriedly, embracing her too.

    ¡°I¡¯m not fine. Someone almost took advantage of me.¡± She mumbled and wanted to step back, she

    tripped and almost fell. She pulled James closer to her by his suit and made sure their lips touched.

    James hurriedly pushed her away but made sure it wasn¡¯t too hard so that she wouldn¡¯t fall.

    ¡°You¡¯re so drunk, Patricia. Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± James said and held her as they walked out of the

    clubhouse.

    Fred chuckled as he stared at his phone. He was so d he captured everything.

    ¡°Good job, Patricia.¡± He muttered.

    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ***

    Ameliaid weakly on the bed, she tucked her whole body under the duvet, weeping.

    Since she found out that Freddie had something to do with the death of her parents, she couldn¡¯t

    stop herself from crying.

    Freddie tried to exin what actually went wrong, but she was too heartbroken to let him say

    anything to her.

    She asked Nichs to send him out, and she locked the door and didn¡¯t let him in again.

    Since then, she had kept herself in bed, crying. She wanted James toe back home quickly so

    she could tell him what she found out.

    After a few minutes, she heard the room door open. She knew it was James.

    ¡°James.¡± She mumbled and moved the duvet off her head.

    ¡°My love.¡± He responded and headed to the bed. He sat next to her, and that was when he saw she

    was teary.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked, pulling her into his embrace without hesitation.

    ¡°I found out who killed my parents.¡± She mumbled against his chest.

    ¡°Really? Who did it? They should be brought to justice.¡± James asserted firmly.

    ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Hopper and Uncle Freddie.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

    Amelia moved away from him and looked into his face.

    ¡°I reacted the same way when Nichs told me. He took care of me because he was guilty of killing

    them, James. Why would he kill his brother?¡± Amelia uttered in terror.

    ¡°Oh My¡­¡± James pulled her in again and began tofort her.

    ¡°Have you told Uncle Freddie about this?¡±

    ¡°He was here when Nichs told me. He tried to exin why he did it, but I was so mad and hurt

    that I chased him out.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s understandable. I¡¯m as shocked as you are, Amelia. I¡¯m sorry all of this has to happen to you.

    You don¡¯t deserve such a cruel world.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head against his chest and tightened her grip on him.

    James let her cry on him and he kept patting her until she became calm.

    She sniffed and moved away from him again. ¡°You should shower. You sink.¡± She mumbled, and

    James broke intoughter.

    ¡°Really?! I sink?!¡± He asked, sniffing his armpit.

    ¡°Yes, you do. Get into the bathroom.¡± She teased, though she still had tears in her eyes.

    James nodded and stood up from the bed. He turned to look at her and saw her smile had faded off

    again.

    ¡°It hurts me to see you hurting.¡± He uttered sadly. Amelia shook her head and let out a feeble smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m done crying.¡±

    James bounced his head and began to remove his clothes. He had nned to tell her what

    happened at the clubhouse with Patricia, but after seeing how sad she wass¡­

    ¡®How can I tell her I mistakenly kissed Patricia when she is this heartbroken?¡¯

    He was left in his boxers and he headed into the bathroom. Amelia went ahead to pack his clothes

    and drop them in the basket.

    She was too weak to do theundry. She just wanted to cuddle her husband until she fell asleep.

    After long hours of ghosting social media, she finally picked up her phone. She saw lots of

    notifications, but only one caught her attention. Fred¡¯s.

    It was a picture message.

    She clicked the message and it opened. The picture began to load and when it was done, her

    mouth dropped open in shock. It was a picture of James kissing Patricia at a club.

    She clenched her jaws and texted him back.

    ¡°Why did you send this to me?¡±

    ¡°I want you to know the kind of man you are married to.¡± Fred texted back immediately.

    ¡°I trust James, and I know there¡¯s an exnation for this. Stop trying to tear us apart, okay? I love

    him and he loves me too.¡± Amelia became frustrated.

    ¡°Are you serious right now?? Are you so blind not to see?¡± He attached this text with another

    picture.

    She clicked on the picture and swallowed hard after seeing it. It was a picture of Patricia and

    James¡¯ upper body naked. They were on the bed and were kissing.

    She closed her eyes for a few seconds and texted him again.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen this picture before. Patricia sent him this message months back. She thought she could

    use this to capture him, but he turned her down, and broke all ways she could contact him. I won¡¯t

    be surprised if this was nned. Why were you even at the club in the first ce? And why do you

    have this picture?¡±

    After she sent the message, she waited for his reply, but he didn¡¯t reply to her. He stopped texting

    her.

    James walked out of the bathroom, wiping his damp hair. Amelia turned to look at him and smiled.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked, and she nodded.

    ¡°Make haste. I want to cuddle you.¡± She responded, and he chuckled.

    ¡°Roger that!¡±

 Chapter 59: What Iâ€™ve always wanted

    Chapter 59: What I¡¯ve always wanted

    ¡°What are you going to do about the truth you¡¯ve just found out about your dead parents?¡± James

    asked Amelia as they sat in the living room.

    Amelia heaved a sigh and looked at his face before talking.

    ¡°I am going to confront them first. Then I hand them over to the police afterward.¡±

    James¡¯ eyes widened and he moved away from her in surprise. ¡°Hand them over to the police?¡±

    ¡°Why are you so shocked about it? They killed people. They should suffer the consequences.¡±

    ¡°Amelia¡­¡± He called slowly and reached for her hand. He sweetly squeezed it and began to y

    with her fingers.

    ¡°Have you thought about this well? This could be dangerous. You can end up regretting this at the

    end of the day.¡± He said, and she withdrew her hand from him.

    ¡°Why do I feel you are trying to be on their side?¡± She muttered.

    ¡°No, Amelia. I¡¯m not on their side. I¡¯m on and always on your side. I¡¯m just worried about you. It¡¯s

    your father and Uncle Freddie we are talking about here. Do you really want to do this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s also my parents I¡¯m talking about here. They shouldn¡¯t go scottfree for what they did. They

    should be brought to justice.¡±

    James exhaled hardly and reluctantly nodded his head.

    ¡°Okay, so how do you n on doing this? Do you have enough evidence to take them to court?

    Have you even spoken to Uncle Freddie to hear his part of the story?¡±

    ¡°Nichs is working on more evidence, he will get back to me on that as soon as possible. And as

    for Uncle Freddie, I would pay him a visit today. I told him already.¡±

    ¡°Really? Why didn¡¯t you tell me about it?¡± James asked, feeling offended that she had been making

    decisions alone. He wanted to be there for her.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to bother you about it, James. You are hooked with work already. You refused to

    employ a new secretary even when I told you it was okay.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want a new secretary.¡±

    ¡°But the workload is too much, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I can cope, Amelia. You¡¯re the only person my heart wants to be my secretary. No one else.¡±

    Amelia chuckled and her cheeks flushed after hearing his sweet words. She turned to face him

    properly and held his face in her hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, James.¡± Her voice was low and full of emotions. The look on her face wasn¡¯t a happy one

    either.

    ¡°What for?¡±

    ¡°For making decisions behind you these days. I just don¡¯t want you to think too much about you.

    You have done more than enough for me.¡±

    James pouted his mouth and shook his head to her statement.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t say that, okay? You can never bother me, Amelia. You are my wife. I don¡¯t mind doing

    things for you. You¡¯re my responsibility and I love you so much.¡±

    Amelia smiled faintly and lowered her head.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to make me cry.¡± She mumbled, and James grinned. He moved her hand from his

    face slowly and pulled her into his arms.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy to have you as my wife, Amelia. This is what I have always wanted.¡±

    Amelia raised her head from his chest and stared into his eyes. He stopped talking, and she didn¡¯t

    bother to say a word either.

    The silence grew so hard that they could hear themselves breathing.

    Amelia slowly moved her face up to James¡¯ and rested her forehead on his. She took a deep breath

    and moved her hand up his face again.

    She raised her eyes under her eyelids and opened them. She looked at his face and saw his eyes

    were long shut.

    Her gaze dropped on his lips and she didn¡¯t hesitate to do what her heart and body wanted. She

    went in for the kiss very firmly and fast.

    James saw iting and so he reciprocated almost instantly. He grabbed his waist and pulled her

    in.

    She opened her mouth wide enough for him to stick his tongue into it. As soon as their tongues got

    involved, she began to feel tiny tingles between her legs.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ hmmm¡­¡± James began to let out slight moans as Amelia grabbed him by the hair and

    lifted his chin to get even deeper into his mouth.

    James lifted her by this waist, and she made her way to hisps in no time. She straddled hisps

    and kept her hands on his head. She enjoyed the feel of his hair.

    She began to rub her butts on him, slowly moving her hips on his hardened manhood. She was

    grinding so hard that she could wholly feel him trying to cut through her panties, to her most sacred

    area.

    She broke the kiss all of a sudden and moved to his neck. She began to ce gentle kisses, tiny

    nibbles and also didn¡¯t forget to use her tongue.

    All this while, she didn¡¯t stop grinding. Her breathing was intense and what drove her crazy the most

    was James¡¯ sexy moans in her ear.

    She loved how he enjoyed it.

    James kept moving his hips too, and his hands wandered around her back, down to her perfectly

    curved bu**s.

    Amelia, still kissing his neck, moved her hands down to his trousers and began to unbuckle his

    belts.

    James straightened his legs and she stood up so that he could get to her panties too.

    As she struggled to get his trousers off, he also pulled her skirt and her pantie down to her ankle.

    James lifted his hips and she pulled his trousers down to his knees.

    He sat up again, and Amelia straddled him once more. Huts juncture of her thighs were dripping wet

    which made it even better.

    James wanted to help her get his hot swollen flesh in, but Amelia stopped him.

    ¡°Just sit back. I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± Her voice was even hotter! She sounded so in need of him.

    She lifted her b*tts from him and took his rigid flesh in her hand. She moved it to the surface of the

    damp petals of her womanhood. She gave it a little slippery rub that made James through his head

    backward in excitement.

    It felt so good because it was all juicy and slippery.

    After rubbing it and it all wet with her juice, she went ahead to insert it into her. She took it in slow

    and her mouth opened as she felt him full her and touch her walls.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± They both moaned as soon as she got all of it in.

    She began to slowly move her hips up and down, she kept her weary eyes open to see James¡¯

    reaction.

    ¡°You¡¯re still so f**king tight.¡± He groaned and looked at her face. Amelia let out a smirk and pulled

    his upper body to her. Their lips locked again.

    The pace she took began to increase and they couldn¡¯t help but break the kiss. She began to go

    fast.

    ¡°Ahh.. ahhh¡­ yess¡­ F**k!¡±

    Their moans filled the air in the living room. At this point, it was like a song that they didn¡¯t want to

    stop hearing. It drove both of them crazy.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    James grabbed her hips and began to bang harder. She threw her head backward and grabbed her

    hair. At every thrust, she let out little unfinished gasps.

    After minutes of doing this, James felt her p**Sy walls constrict around his manhood. He knew it

    was time to hit harder.

    ¡°Go harder, baby.¡± She moaned in a loud voice, grinding on him as he thrusted.

    Soon, her dangling legs began to vibrate. James turned her over and made her lie on the couch. He

    lifted her shivering legs in the air with his two hands and kept hitting.

    He moved his thumb to her swollen cl*ts and began to firmly rub it.

    ¡°Yesssss¡­ hmmmm¡­ sh*t. Yes!¡± She screamed in pleasure.

    James kept his eyes open to see her reaction as this drove him even crazier.

    Suddenly, she grabbed his arm and lifted her lower back.

    ¡°Arrggghhhh¡­¡± She shivered vigorously and in a few seconds, fluid burst out of her, wetting James¡¯

    face and body.

    She let go of his arm and fell back on the chair weakly. James was still very hard, but when he saw

    how weak she looked and didn¡¯t want to keep on thrusting.

    So he began to beat his rigid flesh so that he could ejacte too. Amelia saw what he was doing,

    and then sat up to help him out.

    She took him in her mouth and began to move up and down his shaft. She rubbed, licked, and

    sucked until he ejacted too.

    They both fell on the couch again, breathing very hard. They both turned their heads to look at each

    other and burst intoughter.

    ¡°That was so good.¡± James uttered, and she nodded.

    ¡°So good.¡±

    ¡°Haaaaa¡­¡± He exhaled and then remembered he still had her fluid on his face.

    ¡°I need to wash this off.¡± He said, and theyughed again.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take a shower together.¡± Amelia suggested, and he nodded in response.

    They both stood up and before they could leave the living room. His phone began to ring.

    ¡°Can you help me get that please?¡± James asked, while he cleaned the liquid off the couch with his

    trousers.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a saved number.¡± Amelia said.

    ¡°Answer it.¡± He told, and she answered the phone. She put it on speaker and waited for the person

    to pick up.

    ¡°James?¡± They both heard Patricia¡¯s voice. Immediately Amelia heard it, she rolled her eyes and

    shook her head.

    ¡®What does she want this time?¡¯ She thought.

    ¡°Hi, Patricia.¡± James reluctantly responded.

    ¡°Hold on. Did you block my other line? I¡¯ve been trying to reach you but it keeps bouncing back.¡±

    ¡°Block? I didn¡¯t.¡± He answered and collected the phone from Amelia. He hurriedly checked out her

    contact and realized it was truly blocked.

    He looked at Amelia¡¯s face and she lifted her eyebrows. He understood immediately and let out a

    large smile.

    ¡°Oh, yes. I just noticed. My wife must have blocked it.¡± He responded, still smiling at Amelia.

    ¡°Why would she do that?¡±

    ¡°Because she is my wife??¡­¡± He responded, and Patricia went dead silent.

    ¡°I have to go now. I¡¯m in the middle of something important.¡± He added and hung up immediately.

    Amelia folded her arms and divulged an angry face.

    ¡°C¡¯mon. Don¡¯t give me that look.¡± He uttered.

    She shook her head and began to walk out of the living room.

    ¡°Amelia, look at me.¡± James uttered, following behind her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll shower alone!¡± She yelled with a smile which James didn¡¯t see.

    ¡°Never! You have to wash these off me. You made this in the first ce!¡± He responded with a

    laugh.

 Chapter 60: The weak woman.

    Chapter 60: The weak woman.

    Amelia got ready to leave for Freddie¡¯s house. She got to the living room and met James all dressed

    up too.

    ¡°I¡¯m going with you.¡± He said, and she shook her head and walked up to him.

    ¡°Babe, you have a meeting with an important client in thirty minutes time. You should go there. I can

    sort this out myself.¡± She said to him, and he shook his head.

    ¡°No, I want to be with you on this one, okay? You don¡¯t have to do it on your own.¡±

    Amelia exhaled and cupped his face in her palms. ¡°Trust me, Freddie. I can do this alone. I¡¯ll tell you

    everything when I get back. I won¡¯t keep a single thing from you.¡±

    James lowered his head and slowly nodded.

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me everything, without removing anything, okay?¡± He uttered, and she bounced her

    head.

    ¡°I promise.¡± She lifted her pinky finger and wagged it, waiting for him to touch it with his.

    Instead he pulled her hand to his mouth and nted a soft kiss on it. ¡°You smell so good.¡± He

    mumbled against her skin, sniffing hard.

    Ameliaughed and moved her hand from his. ¡°Don¡¯t start. You¡¯re going to bete.¡±

    James nodded and hurriedly picked up his briefcase. ¡°If anything goes south, call me immediately.¡±

    He made the telephone sign, and she shook her head with a smile. ¡°Bye!¡± She responded, waving

    at him.

    ¡°I love you!¡± He uttered as he rushed to the door.

    ¡°I love you too!¡± Amelia responded with arge smile.

    Soon she heard him drive out of thepound, and she went ahead to pick her handbag and car

    keys. She also stepped out of the house and headed to her Mercedes Benz car.

    She threw her bag to the other front seat and sat in it. She pulled out her phone from her bag and

    texted Freddie; ¡°I¡¯m on my way to your house.¡±

    She dropped her phone on the seat and ignited the engine. She drove out of thepound too and

    hit the road.

    ***

    She drove into Freddiepound, parked her car and stepped out of it majestically and powerfully.

    She could feel she felt so much stronger than she had always been.

    ¡®I am not going to let anyone pull me down anymore. Never!¡¯ She told herself.

    She took her bag and held her phone in her other hand. She checked the screen to see if Freddie

    already responded, but she saw nothing.

    She sighed and shook her head as she approached the main door. She didn¡¯t bother knocking, so

    she just opened the door and stepped into therge living room.

    She took a quick scan of the living room with her eyes and noticed there were no movements.

    ¡®Where is everyone?¡¯

    ¡°Mrs. Alba!¡± She called and walked to the kitchen. It was the same thing there too. Empty.

    ¡®Mrs. Alba too is gone?¡¯

    ¡°Uncle Freddie?¡± She called as she began to approach the stairs. She lifted her phone and put a

    call across to him as she headed to his room.

    His phone rang and rang but he didn¡¯t answer it.

    ¡°What the hell? Didn¡¯t he say it was cooling today?¡± She muttered, and let out a sigh of

    frustration.

    She texted him again; ¡°You should have told me you have work to do today. I¡¯m going back home

    now. You will be visiting me the next time

    She was about to throw her phone into her bag when she heard footsteps approach her slowly.

    She turned to look abruptly and to her greatest surprise, she saw Hudson standing in front of her.

    ¡°Hudson.¡± She called, wondering when he got back home.

    ¡°You look so surprised, Mrs. Parker.¡± He responded, scrutinizing her body with his eyes, from head

    to toe.

    ¡°Well, I am. I wasn¡¯t aware anyone was home.¡± She responded bravely, letting out a slight smile.

    He chuckled and started to move closer to her. ¡°I must confess, you have changed so much.

    Looking so very beautiful.¡± He muttered.

    Amelia¡¯s heart skipped a beat at every step he took closer to her, but she refused to show him her

    fears, or he would take advantage of her as he has always wanted to.

    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t stay the same forever. It was nice meeting you. I have to leave now.¡±

    She moved to his side and walked briskly to the stairs.

    ¡°Why are you in such a hurry? We should catch up, don¡¯t you think? Especially now that you look

    more beautiful and womanly.¡±

    Hudson followed behind her, rushing down the stairs after her. Amelia could smell the danger ahead

    and hurriedly dialed James¡¯ number. He was the only one she could think of.

    ¡°I¡¯m still talking to you!¡± Hudson roared and grabbed her hand from behind. He yanked her towards

    him, and she fell on his chest.

    ¡°You like that, don¡¯t you?¡± He muttered with a menacingughter.

    ¡°Let me go, Hudson!¡± Amelia struggled with him. She managed to get one of her hands out of his

    firm embrace and didn¡¯t hesitate to throw a p on his face.

    ¡°There is nothing to catch up on! You are sick!¡± She yelled and pushed him off with that same hand.

    Hudson¡¯s eyes widened in shock and he brushed his pulsing cheek. Amelia began to run to the

    door as soon as she was released.

    ¡°Wow! This is exactly how I love my women. Fierce and sexy.¡± Hudson responded and ran up to her

    at full speed.

    Amelia opened the door to run out, but she wasn¡¯t fast enough. Hudson mmed the door shut and

    pulled her backward with her hair.

    Amelia staggered backward and quickly gained her bnce before she could fall and hurt herself.

    ¡°You¡¯re insane, Hudson! Why are you doing this?!¡± She yelled as tears began to stream down her

    cheeks.

    ¡°Why won¡¯t I do this? Look at you! You¡¯re irresistible. You are so hot.¡± He responded, moving closer

    to her again.

    ¡®Where are you James??? Where are you??¡¯ Amelia cried in her head, moving back too.

    ¡°I have always wanted to have a taste of you, I almost did but my psychopath father stopped me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the psychopath, Hudson! I¡¯m married!¡±

    ¡°Makes it even better!¡± He dashed to her and grabbed her hand again.

    ¡°Hudson, stop!¡±

    He ignored her cry and yanked her to the couch. She fell t on the couch and quickly tried to stand

    up but he got over her and pinned her down.

    ¡°Stop, Hudson! I¡¯m pregnant!¡± She cried.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Maybe that is why you look so beautiful.¡± He buried his head in her neck and began to

    ce rough kisses on it.

    Amelia kept struggling but he was way stronger than her. It was as if she wasn¡¯t doing anything at

    all.

    Hudson grabbed her shirt and ripped it into two at a go.

    ¡°James!!!¡± She wailed.

    Hudson stopped kissing her and broke into another menacingughter.

    ¡°James?!! He can¡¯t save¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, I can!¡± James answered from behind. Ran to Hudson before he could think of what to do next.

    He grabbed his cloth from behind and threw him on the floor, away from Amelia.

    He grabbed his shirt and pinned him to the ground as he began to throw hard punches at his face.

    ¡°You darey your filthy hands on my wife?!¡± James yelled as he kept punching him.

    Blood filled Hudson¡¯s face in no time, and this got Amelia really scared.

    ¡°James, that¡¯s enough. You¡¯re going to kill him.¡± She cried, hugging her chest with her ripped

    clothes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! Heid his hands on you!¡± James roared, still punching him very hard.

    ¡°Stop, James! That¡¯s enough!¡± Amelia rushed to James and pulled him from behind.

    James let her pull him away from Hudson and he sat on the floor breathing hard.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to rot in jail for this! I promise you.¡± James uttered, pointing to him.

    Hudson burst intoughter again and shook his head. ¡°Why are you so mad? Can¡¯t you see how hot

    she is?¡±

    ¡°A*ss¡­¡± James wanted to get up again but Amelia stopped him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind him, James.¡±

    James shut his eyes tight and turned to look at her. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked, removing his suit.

    He ced it on her and brushed her hair softly.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, baby. Thank you foring at the right time.¡±

    ¡°No, Amelia.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I should havee here with you. All these wouldn¡¯t have

    happened if I was with you.¡±

    The door gave way again and they both looked at the door. Uncle Freddie walked in and when he

    saw how they were, he ran up to them.

    ¡°What happened?¡± His eyes popped wide open when he saw Hudson lying on the floor, covered in

    his blood.

    ¡°Hudson? When did you get back?! And why are you covered in blood?¡± He asked and didn¡¯t wait

    for a response before looking at James and Amelia.

    He saw how red James¡¯ knuckles were and how damaged Amelia¡¯s shirt was.

    He clenched his jaws and looked at Hudson again. ¡°You did it again, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    He bent down, pulled him by his shirt and gave him a punch too.

    ¡°Are you crazy, Hudson? Are you okay at all?¡± He asked and turned to look at Amelia. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,

    Amelia.¡±

    Amelia cleaned her eyes and stood to her feet. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be sorry. He is going to pay for

    his actions, the same way you would.¡± She said firmly, and Freddie gulped and nodded.

    ¡°Can you talk?¡± He asked.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡°That is why I¡¯m here. But, I don¡¯t think I still want to stay here and talk. Let¡¯s have this discussion in

    my house.¡±

    Amelia stretched her hand to James, and he held her hand. She pulled him out of the mansion and

    they both walked up to her car.

    She looked around and noticed his car wasn¡¯t around. ¡°Where is your car?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯te here with it. When I answered your call, I was too angry when I heard how you were

    screaming, and my client noticed this. He said he wouldn¡¯t let me drive, so he offered to drive me

    here. He left after I got here.¡±

    Amelia inhaled and exhaled hardly. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll drive.¡± He said, collecting the key from her. He hurried to the driver¡¯s side and got in.

    ¡°What about your meeting?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll do it some other time. Don¡¯t worry about that. All I can think of now is how to make that

    bastard pay for what he did to you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not something hard to figure out. He will be in jail with his father.¡± She responded icily, and

    James looked at her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make all of them pay. I¡¯m done being the weak woman they have always known. They will all

    suffer for what they have done to me.¡± She added with no remorse.

    A smile crept up James¡¯ face, and he nodded. ¡°I love this.¡±

 Chapter 61: Youâ€™re a psychopath

    Chapter 61: You¡¯re a psychopath

    ¡°Hudson, what is wrong with you? Why do you keep doing things that make me regret you were

    ever born?!¡± Freddie smacked as Hudson tried to stand up.

    He wiped his bloody mouth with the back of his hand and lifted his face to look at Freddie.

    ¡°Can we just stop pretending that you are always the good guy for a second? You think I didn¡¯t

    know?! All these years, I have known you are not the man people think you are!¡± Hudson

    responded in a loud voice.

    ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°You think I¡¯m stupid? You think I didn¡¯t know you killed your brother? You think I didn¡¯t know you

    once tried to rape his wife even when mom was still with us!¡±

    ¡°Shut up, Hudson!!¡±

    ¡°Why? You¡¯re surprised I know all your secrets and how filthy you are? I got that stupid attitude from

    you, but you are always scolding me. Why?¡±

    Freddie¡¯s eyes heated up and watered as he listened to Hudson speak. He clenched his jaws and

    lowered his head.

    ¡°Why are you crying? Did you think no one would ever find out that you are the real monster?!¡±

    ¡°Enough! Yes, I have made mistakes when I was younger! Mistakes I¡¯d forever regret. But I don¡¯t

    want you to make these same mistakes! That¡¯s why I¡¯m doing this!¡±

    Hudson scoffed and shook his head. ¡°I choose to live my life the way I want it. I don¡¯t care what you

    think about it.¡±

    ¡°Really? You think Amelia won¡¯t take action for what you just did to her?!¡±

    ¡°Ah. Ah. Ahh¡­ What can she do? She is always going to be a scared puppy. There¡¯s nothing she

    can do.¡± He said boldly and turned to leave.

    ¡°You are highly mistaken! The Amelia you used to know isn¡¯t the Amelia you messed with today.

    Don¡¯t be surprised when you are thrown in jail for this.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t be surprised, but you know the most exciting part of it? I would have a partner there, and

    that partner would be you! If I¡¯m going to jail, you¡¯re definitelying with me, because I¡¯ll tell

    everyone what you¡¯ve done! You better do something about that.¡±

    Hudson turned to leave and ran up the stairs. ¡°And where the f**k is my sister??! I haven¡¯t seen her

    since I arrived!¡± He added.

    ¡°Hudson!!!¡± Freddie called, but he was long gone. He punched the air aggressively and grabbed his

    head.

    ¡°F**k.¡± He muttered.

    ¡®I need to apologize to Amelia before she tries to do anything about this.¡¯

    He pulled out his car keys from his pocket and headed out of the house again.

    ***

    Amelia got rid of her torn clothes and found a casual dress to put on. James sat on the bed and

    watched her throughout the entire time.

    Amelia looked at him again and saw he was still staring at her. ¡°Why are you staring?¡± She asked,

    divulging a smile.

    ¡°Can¡¯t I stare at my stunning wife again?¡± He responded, and she chuckled.

    She walked to where he sat and sat on hisp. ¡°Of course you can, but I know this isn¡¯t just an

    ordinary stare. You have something going on in your mind. Talk to me.¡±

    James heaved a sigh and shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, James. I know when there¡¯s nothing. There¡¯s definitely something. Talk to me. Please.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just worried, okay? What if I didn¡¯t get to the house on time? What if he seeded? Look at

    how red your skin is? What if he hurt you and the baby? I¡¯d never forgive myself for not going there

    with you.¡±

    Amelia exhaled and shook her head. ¡°But nothing happened, James. I¡¯m fine, and our baby is fine

    too. You came at the perfect time. I knew you¡¯d save me.¡±

    James looked at her face and then at her belly. He ced his palm on her belly and looked at her

    face again. He rubbed the bulge slowly and carefully.

    ¡°Are you sure you feel fine? We should go to the hospital, or call the doctor to confirm that

    everything is fine.¡±

    ¡°No, James. Trust me, nothing is wrong with me. I¡¯m not that weak. He didn¡¯t hit me in the belly. Our

    baby is doing just fine.¡± She assured him with a hearty smile.

    ¡°He is going to pay for this.¡±

    ¡°Definitely. He once tried to do this to me but Uncle Freddie stopped him right in time, the same way

    you did today.¡±

    ¡°So this has happened before? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to bother you with my past, James. I never knew this was going to ever happen again.

    It¡¯s not a memory I would want to share.¡±

    James nodded and lowered his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. If I knew he once did this, I would have killed him

    at that spot.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t let you have his blood on your hands. He should be brought to justice the right way. We¡¯ll

    tell the police about this and they¡¯ll put him behind bars.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call mywyer too. I¡¯d be here to support you.¡± He responded and kissed her cheek briskly.

    ¡°Grrrrrr¡­ grrrr.¡± The doorbell sounded all of a sudden, and they both exchanged looks.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡± Amelia said, standing up from his legs.

    ¡°No, I¡¯ll get it. You should rest.¡± He made her sit and he hurried to the living room. He checked

    through the peephole and saw it was Freddie.

    He was reluctant to open the door and didn¡¯t even notice that Amelia was behind him.

    ¡°Who is it?¡± She asked, and he stepped aside so she could check. She peeped out of the hole and

    stared at him for a few seconds.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have to open if you don¡¯t want to.¡± James uttered, and she shook her head.

    She reached for the door knob and opened the door. As soon as she opened it, she walked to the

    couch.

    Freddie walked in and looked to his side to see James, ring at him. He ignored him and walked

    up to Amelia.

    ¡°Amelia, I apologize for Hudson¡¯s behavior. I must say that he isn¡¯t mentally okay.¡±

    Amelia shrugged and looked at him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about Hudson because there¡¯s nothing to

    talk about, and there¡¯s nothing you can do or say that can change my mind.¡±

    Freddie sighed and bounced his head. ¡°I¡¯m here now. Ask me whatever you want to know about my

    brother and his wife.¡± He answered.

    James moved closer to them and sat close to Amelia. He went ahead to hold her hand as he knew

    she would definitely need him as an emotional support.

    ¡°Tell me why you killed your brother and his wife.¡±

    ¡°I had to kill them because they refused to give you up to your parents when they asked to take you

    back.¡±

    Amelia gulped hard and lowered her head. ¡°Why did they want me back? Didn¡¯t they agree that

    each couple should keep one child to themselves?¡±

    ¡°Yes, they did, but your mother, Penelope, couldn''t take it after a year. She wanted her two

    daughters to herself.¡±

    ¡°But they agreed. Why would she go back on her words?!¡± Amelia¡¯s voice was loud and filled with

    rage.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Amelia. But she did go back to ra and Stanley. She tried renegotiating with them.

    She offered them money to give you up but they refused. They said you weren¡¯t worth their money.

    They loved you so much and wouldn¡¯t bulge.¡±

    Amelia tightened her grip on James¡¯ hand and began to sob. Steady stream of tears rolled down her

    cheeks, and she was shivering as she sobbed.

    ¡°Continue.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°There was a signed contract, so Penelope and Hopper couldn¡¯t take legal actions to im you.

    After four years from this time, Penelope became very sick and grew worse everyday. She wanted

    you back at all costs. Hopper contacted me and asked for my help to get rid of them once and for

    all¡­¡±

    ¡°And you did that?!! He was your brother!¡± Amelia smacked and sprang to her feet.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± James called softly, holding her back with her hand.

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t my brother! I never saw him as a brother!¡± Freddie yelled back in a shivering tone.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± James asked.

    ¡°Stanley has always been after everything I like. Right from when we were little, he always had the

    spotlight, he was always the best! Our parents didn¡¯t even have time for me because it was always

    Stanley! Stanley here, Stanley there! It didn¡¯t get to me so much until he took the most precious

    person from me, ra.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Amelia muttered.

    ¡°Yes, ra! I was in love with ra, everything was going fine between us until Stanley showed up

    again and made her fall in love with him! They got married and she never looked at me the same

    way again. I was so furious and wanted to get back at him for being so bad to me.¡±

    ¡°Them not having the ability to bear a child wasn¡¯t enough punishment for them?! Why did you have

    to kill them?!!! Did you feel any better after that?!¡± Amelia yelled.

    ¡°Yes! I felt better! For once in my life, I got what I always wanted!¡±

    ¡°Gosh, you¡¯re a Psychopath!¡± Amelia yelled in tears.

    ¡°I don¡¯t deny that fact. What else do you want to know?¡± He asked coldly, cleaning his eyes.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Go away!¡± Amelia yelled and ran out of the living room, weeping profusely.

    James clenched his jaws and looked at Freddie, whose head was bowed.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t they take her back after they were killed then? Why did they leave her with you all these

    years?¡±

    ¡°Because they found out Elena wasn¡¯t ready to have a sister. They preferred she stayed with me

    than with them.¡±

    After he finished talking, he stood up and adjusted his suit. ¡°I have overstayed my wee here. I

    have to leave now.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Freddie.¡± James called and also stood up. Freddie stopped walking and turned to looked at him

    over his shoulders.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be too rxed. You¡¯re going to suffer for this.¡± He asserted.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready to pay for my consequences.¡± He responded and walked out of the house.

    James looked at his phone in this hand and stopped the voice recording.

 Chapter 62: In the delivery room

    Chapter 62: In the delivery room

    ~ After Six Months~

    Amelia got out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. Her legs were shivering and her back was

    hurting like hell.

    She needed to pee but it seemed like a big deal. She sat on the toilet and spread out her hands and

    held onto the wall that was on her two sides.

    She shivered as the urine finally found its way out. She cleaned herself with the tissue and was

    about to stand up when she felt a sharp pain in her pelvis.

    ¡°Arghh!!!!¡± She cried out so loud, making James jump out of his sleep.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± He yelled and ran into the bathroom. He saw her struggling to stand up from the toilet.

    He dashed to her and gave her his hand. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked with great worry. He got so

    confused and didn¡¯t know what to do next.

    ¡°I think. I think the. The babyy¡­¡± Amelia shuttered.

    ¡°That baby ising?¡± He hurriedly pulled her hand and ced it round his neck. He held onto her

    waist and made her rest on his right side.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you walk. Can you walk?¡± He asked, and Amelia responded with deep breaths.

    They began to head out of the bathroom, even though it was the slowest journey ever. James was

    very calm with her, making sure she could take every step.

    They both began to sweat profusely. Amelia¡¯s legs became weak as the weight of her upper body

    was bing unbearable. She stopped walking and tried to adjust to the pain.

    She stood upright and threw her head backwards when they got into the room.

    ¡°Grab the bag.¡± She mumbled, looking at the bag in front of the closet.

    ¡°Are you sure you can stand on your own?¡± He inquired.

    ¡°Yes, I can. Go ahead.¡± She responded weakly. James looked at her and reluctantly nodded. He let

    go of her and ran to where the bag was.

    He picked it up and hung it on his shoulder. He hurried back to her and before he held her again,

    Amelia looked down and her eyes widened.

    ¡°The water! The water bag has broken!¡± She said to James in terror.

    ¡°That should happen, right?¡± James asked fearfully, his heart was beating very fast and his hands

    were shivering.

    ¡°Yes, it should. I just didn¡¯t see iting.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t see theboring? Let¡¯s just go, okay? Hold onto my neck.¡± He said and she did

    exactly that.

    She happened to have gained more stamina when she waited for a few minutes, so she could walk

    faster than she did initially.

    Getting to the living room, they heard the doorbell ringing. ¡°Who the hell is it now?¡± James asked

    out of frustration.

    ¡°Are you going to get it?¡±

    ¡°Get it? Am I insane? I am not letting go of you again. Whosoever it is shoulde backter.¡±

    They ignored the ringing doorbell and kept approaching the door. Getting to the door, James

    withdrew his hand from Amelia¡¯s waist and turned the door knob.

    He opened the door and they both saw Penelope standing in front of the door.

    ***

    Penelope drove into James¡¯ mansion with Elena sitting next to her. She had an angry face on, but

    Penelope didn¡¯t care.

    ¡°You would have to brighten up at the end of the day.¡± Penelope said.

    ¡°Why?? I told you I don¡¯t want toe here with you. If you have issues with them, it¡¯s not my

    business.¡±

    ¡°This is about your father!! If we don¡¯t talk to Amelia and ask for her forgiveness, your father will go

    to jail.¡±

    ¡°I know! And I still don¡¯t care. Didn¡¯t he kill her parents? If he didn¡¯t kill them and you two do

    ording to the contract, there would be no need for all these. I wouldn¡¯t have to ept her like my

    sister.¡± Elena responded.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Penelope narrowed her gaze and looked at Elena unbelievably. ¡°Really? We are talking about your

    father! Not anyone else! Can¡¯t you at least pretend that you care?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to pretend. Bringing me here would give Amelia more reasons to throw father in jail,

    okay?¡±

    ¡°Enough!! Stay in the car till I get back. I shouldn¡¯t have asked you toe.¡±

    Elena rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone. ¡°You forced me.¡± She mumbled, burying her head in

    her phone.

    Penelope shook her head in disappointment and headed out of the car. She hurried to the door and

    pressed on the doorbell.

    She pressed it the first time and got no response. She pressed on it the second time, this time

    longer than she did previously.

    The door finally opened and she was shocked to see the state they both were in.

    ¡°Oh My¡­ She is going to have the baby now?!¡± She screamed in both excitement and fear.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± James asked, trying to help Amelia down the door.

    ¡°That can wait. We need to get her to the hospital.¡±

    Amelia kept panting and raised her head to look at Penelope with her weary eyes.

    ¡°There¡¯s no we. Go. Away.¡± She tried to catch her breath as she spoke.

    ¡°Stop being stubborn! This isn¡¯t the right time, okay?¡± Penelope insisted and moved to Amelia¡¯s right

    side to assist her from there too.

    As soon as she lifted her hand from the other side, Amelia felt a slight relief, and she let out a sigh.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t change anything between us.¡± Amelia mumbled, and Penelope sighed and looked at

    James.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take my car. I¡¯ll drive, and you can stay in the backseat with her.¡±

    ¡°No, I can drive her, Mrs. Penelope. You don¡¯t have to worry.¡±

    ¡°She is my daughter, James! You¡¯ll need to stay next to her and give her full attention. You can¡¯t do

    that when you¡¯re driving. Let me do this, okay?¡±

    ¡°Elena, open the door!¡± Penelope yelled as they got closer to the car.

    Amelia furrowed her brows and raised her head. ¡°Elen¡­ arrggghh!!!¡± She screamed, and they all

    shivered.

    ¡°Hurry up!¡± Penelope yelled. Elena ran to the back door and opened it. She held onto the door,

    making sure it was wide open for her to get in.

    James helped Amelia raise her leg into the car and once she was in, he got in and sat very close to

    her too.

    Penelope and Elena hopped into the car, and Penelope drove out of thepound at full speed.

    Amelia kept groaning, moving her head from left to right and rubbing her huge belly. The maternity

    garment she had on was wet already.

    ¡°How can I make you morefortable?¡± James asked, brushing her head back with his hand.

    He noticed her sweat again, and unzipped the bag he hung on his shoulder. He searched for a

    handkerchief and found one.

    He cleaned her face and neck until they were totally dry. Elena looked back and watched how he

    cleaned Amelia up.

    Amelia rested her head on James¡¯ shoulder, still panting. While James kept his eyes on her.

    Elena swallowed hard and looked away. Penelope looked at her and noticed the look on her face.

    She smiled faintly and touched Elena¡¯s hand with one of hers. ¡°You¡®ll be an Aunt soon! You should

    be excited.¡± Penelope uttered, and James looked up at them.

    He ignored their conversation and focused on his wife again. Elena made no response, but lowered

    her head silently.

    They got to the hospital shortly, and the nurses took over from there.

    James, Penelope and Elena sat close to the delivery ward, waiting for the doctor and nurses to do

    their work and give them good news.

    James stood up severally and paced, looking into the ward through the transparent ss on the

    door.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I should be next to her? She is going to need me there.¡± He uttered worriedly and

    looked at Penelope.

    ¡°Rx, James. Nothing is going to happen to her.¡± Penelope responded, and he let out a loud

    exhale.

    ¡°I can¡¯t rx. I don¡¯t know why I''m so tense.¡±

    Penelope smiled and bounded her head. ¡°It¡¯s understandable. You¡¯ll be a father soon. Every

    husband is always like this on this day. Amelia is a fighter, she¡¯ll pull through.¡±

    ¡°Hmmmmm¡­.¡± He heard Amelia push from where he stood, and he hurriedly looked into the ss

    again.

    He lowered his head, folded his arms and kept pacing.

    ¡°I think I should let Hopper know his daughter is in the delivery room.¡± Penelope pulled out her

    phone, but James stopped her.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think that is a good idea. Amelia wouldn¡¯t want to see him now. He can always know

    later.¡± James stated.

    Penelope gulped and bobbed. ¡°That¡¯s true. Thank you.¡± She responded and kept her phone in her

    bag.

    James looked to the side and saw Elena sitting on the bench, silently. She looked like she had a lot

    of things in her mind.

    He wanted to ask her what she was thinking, but then he remembered that it was Elena, and not

    any other person. He ignored her and continued walking.

    ~ After five hours~

    James was still pacing, Penelope¡¯s head was lowered in worry, and Elena¡¯s head rested on the wall

    with her eyes closed.

    All of a sudden, the door to the delivery ward opened. James ran to the door, Penelope and Elena

    sprang to their feets. Penelope approached the door, but Elena kept her distance.

    ¡°How is she, doctor?¡± James asked anxiously.

    The doctor smiled and pulled his gloves off his hands. ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Parker. Your wife gave

    birth to a bouncing baby girl.¡±

    ¡°Yes!!¡± James yelled and jumped in excitement.

    ¡°Thank you God.¡± Penelope whispered, raising her head and looking up to the hospital roof. Elena

    let out a sigh of relief and a faint smile crossed her lips.

    ¡°Can I go in to see her?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Of course, you can. You have to put on an istion gown.¡±

    ¡°Sure. I can do that. Thank you so much, Doctor.¡± James uttered, shaking his hand before

    proceeding into the ward. The nurses clothed him with the gown at the door.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± He called softly as he approached her bed. She opened her eyes and when she saw him,

    she smiled.

    ¡°Babe.¡± She called in almost a whisper.

    ¡°Congrattions to us.¡± He uttered and they both smiled.

    ¡°She is so beautiful.¡± Amelia added, turning her head to look at the cradle where their babyid.

    James hurried to where the cradle was and immediately he saw his beautiful baby¡¯s face, he

    chuckled happily.

    Amelia looked away and her eyes fell on Penelope who stood at the door, getting clothed with the

    gown too. She looked past her and saw Elena staring at her through the transparent ss on the

    door.

    Their eyes locked and they kept staring for minutes, like they were saying something to each other.

    ¡°Come in.¡± Amelia said to Elena¡¯s uttermost surprise.

 Chapter 63: Alice

    Chapter 63: Alice

    ¡°You came all the way here and stayed till I gave birth. Come in already.¡± Amelia insisted on Elena

    coming in.

    Elena slowly nodded and opened the door. She walked in, keeping her eyes locked on Amelia¡¯s

    face.

    She waited at the door so that the nurses could also clothe her with the gown too.

    After they finished, she fiddled with her fingers in the glove and slowly asked to Amelia¡¯s bed. She

    stood next to her and lowered her head.

    Elena wanted to say something to her, but she was too scared to find the right words. After how

    much she hated Amelia, she really didn¡¯t know any nice thing to say, as she was confused.

    Amelia noticed how guilty Elena was and helped her out by starting the conversation.

    ¡°Are you not going to see her?¡± Amelia asked and turned her head to look at her baby¡¯s cradle

    which was surrounded by James and Penelope.

    Elena looked at the cradle and felt reluctant to move closer to it. Penelope looked back and saw

    Elena staring.

    ¡°Elena,e here,e and see your niece! She is so pretty!¡± Penelope waved at her.

    Elena nodded and approached Penelope shortly. She stood next to the cradle and looked into it to

    see a gorgeous baby with a reddish-purple skin tone.

    Immediately, a feeble smile lit up Elena¡¯s face. She never thought she¡¯d feel the warmth she felt

    when she looked at the baby.

    ¡°Move closer.¡± Penelope said, moving away so that Elena could move closer.

    James felt quite ufortable and took a quick nce at Amelia. Amelia immediately understood

    why he did that, and she shook her head with a smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Amelia whispered, and James let out a sigh. Amelia waved at him toe closer, and he

    took onest look at his baby before leaving for the bed.

    ¡°Are you scared of what she could do to her?¡± Amelia asked in almost a whisper. He heaved

    another sigh and nodded. He sat on the bed and kept his eyes on Penelope and Elena.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be scared? It¡¯s Elena.¡± He responded in a low tone, and Amelia divulged a smile again.

    ¡°She seems harmless to me.¡± She added.

    ¡°Of course. She is the best at looking so harmless when she is a total disaster. I can¡¯t believe you

    let her in.¡±

    ¡°I had to. She looked like she wanted to see our baby too. She was here too, right? She waited with

    you two. Can¡¯t you see the smile on her face?¡±

    Amelia and James looked at Elena and saw her smiling brightly. She was caressing her face, and

    she grasped her finger tight. She smiled at Elena, and Elena felt her heart light up with love for the

    baby.

    ¡°She smiled at me.¡± She muttered and looked at Penelope cheerfully.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°She likes you.¡± Penelope responded with a hearty smile too.

    ¡°I should go back to our baby. I¡¯d trying up with a name while I stare at her face. Or do you

    have one already? We weren¡¯t so lucky to think of a name.¡±

    ¡°Giving her a name is no big deal. I have always had two names in mind. In case she was going to

    be a girl, I¡¯d call her Alice. And if he was going to be a boy, William.¡±

    ¡°Really? Those are brilliant names. Well, she is a girl. Alice is her name then.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have any other ideas?¡± Amelia asked and he shook his head.

    ¡°Anything you choose is perfect. It¡¯s no big deal.¡± He responded, he picked up her hand and nted

    a soft peck on it before standing up.

    ¡°I should check on Alice again.¡±

    He walked to the cradle and when he got there, Elena got her finger out of Alice¡¯s cute grip. She

    turned to look at Amelia, whose eyes were closed.

    ¡®I need to apologize for everything I have done to her. This is the right thing to do, right? I don¡¯t want

    to be an enemy to my niece.¡±

    ¡°You should go and talk to her.¡± Penelope said, and Elena looked at her. She exhaled softly and

    bounced her head.

    She walked to the bed and sat on it, just like James did. When Amelia felt someone sit on the bed,

    she opened her eyes and saw it was Elena.

    ¡°How do you feel?¡± Elena¡¯s voice was full of guilt and regret. She couldn¡¯t even look at Amelia in the

    face.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing alright. I¡¯m a strong woman, you know?¡± She teased, and they both chuckled and smiled.

    Elena¡¯s smile faded off slowly and she lowered her head again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything, Amelia.¡±

    She muttered and raised her head to look at Amelia.

    ¡°Why?¡± Amelia asked.

    Elena sighed and raised her head.

    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know. But when I saw you struggling out of the mansion during yourbor. I was

    so scared for you. At that point, I could only think of one thing.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°That I didn¡¯t want anything bad to happen to you and the baby, even though I hated you. And when

    you were inbor for those hours, all I did was pray. I didn¡¯t want to lose my sister.¡±

    Elena¡¯s face became full of emotions and her eyes heated up in no time. Tears streamed out of her

    eyes, and she hurriedly cleaned it off with her palm.

    ¡°And when I saw your baby. My Niece. I told myself that I don¡¯t want to be an enemy to this beautiful

    and innocent girl. She held my finger and smiled at me, Amelia. I don¡¯t want to hate her.¡± Elena

    uttered while she sobbed.

    She held onto her thighs tightly and began to shake vigorously as she cried bitterly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She mumbled.

    Tears rolled out of Amelia¡¯s eyes too as she saw Elena breakdown in front of her.

    ¡°Stop crying.¡± Amelia muttered, moving her hand to Elena¡¯s thigh.

    ¡°I have always wanted someone of my age bracket to share my secrets with. I was unhappy when I

    got to know it was you. I regret everything I have done, sister. Please forgive me. I want you to be

    that person. Please.¡±

    Elena leaned closer to Amelia and ced her head on her chest. Amelia closed her eyes tight as

    she embraced Elena. More tears streamed down her face.

    She opened her eyes and looked at James to see him staring at them. He let out a faint smile and

    looked at Penelope, who seemed like the happiest mother on Earth.

    ¡®I hope this is real.¡¯ James thought, taking another nce at Alice, who was sleeping already.

    ***

    James and Penelope headed out of the ward after some minutes. Amelia and Elena fell asleep on

    the same bed. They didn¡¯t want to disturb them, so they had to step out.

    Penelope felt so proud seeing her daughters finally unite. It was a dreame through for her.

    She looked into the ward again and a bright smile lit up her face.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see them together like this. My wish has finallye through.¡± She said and

    looked at James who was sitting on one of the chairs close to the ward.

    He responded with a feeble smile and pulled out his phone from his pocket.

    Penelope walked up to him and sat next to him. She let out a loud sigh which made James look at

    her.

    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± She asked, and he nodded.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Has Amelia said anything to you about me?¡±

    ¡°Said anything to me? I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°I mean¡­ you know¡­ she has forgiven her sister now. I don¡¯t know if she¡¯ll do the same to me too.¡±

    She said, and sadly bowed her head.

    ¡°They are two different things, Mrs. Penelope. You had something to do with her parents death.

    Elena¡¯s is a different matter. Her actions can be counted as a result of stupidity in youths and can be

    forgiven. But yours? This is murder.¡±

    Penelope shut her eyes tight and bounced her head. ¡°I know. But I wasn¡¯t the one that killed them.¡±

    She mumbled.

    ¡°Your husband did. And when you found out, what did you do? Nothing. You kept silent because

    you were happy he took them out for you, isn¡¯t it?¡± James asked, and Penelope broke into tears.

    ¡°I regret everything.¡± She cried.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t bring the people you killed back to life, Mrs. Penelope.¡±

    ¡°James! James!¡± He heard a familiar voice call him. He looked up and saw his mother running to

    him. Behind her was his father, Charles and Freddie.

    He sprang to his feet to ran to meet Helen. ¡°Mom!¡± She called and embraced her tightly.

    ¡°How is she? Where is she?¡± Helen asked anxiously.

    ¡°She is in the ward, sleeping. Amelia is also sleeping.¡±

    ¡°Amelia? Your daughter¡¯s name?¡± Charles asked, and he nodded happily.

    ¡°Nice name. I love it!¡± Charles and Helen chorused as they rushed to the door that James pointed

    to. James looked at Freddie and let out a sigh.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help bute. I was with Charles when the news came in.¡± Freddie uttered, and James

    nodded and walked back to his parents.

    Freddie walked closer to Penelope and they stared at each other without uttering any words to each

    other.

    ¡°Who is that sleeping next to her?¡± Helen asked and looked at James.

    ¡°Elena.¡±

    ¡°Elena??!¡± They both chorused and looked at him.

    ¡°I know. It¡¯s a shock to everybody.¡± He responded, and they both looked into the ward again.

    ¡°I want to go in there so bad, but I don¡¯t want to disturb their sleep. I can¡¯t wait to see my

    granddaughter!¡± Helen uttered in excitement.

    ¡°Our granddaughter.¡± Penelope answered, and that was when Helen noticed her.

    ¡°Penelope?!¡± Helen called in shock, and Penelope smiled widely.

    ¡°Yes, that is me.¡± She responded. They headed towards each other and hugged each other tightly.

    ¡°It¡¯s been so long!¡± Helen uttered, and Penelope nodded against her shoulder.

    All three men exchanged looks as they were lost. ¡®They know each other?¡¯ They all wondered.

    ¡°You¡¯re the Penelope I¡¯ve been hearing about?¡± Helen further asked, and Penelope lowered her

    head in shame.

    ¡°Do you know each other?¡± James asked, waiting for an exnation.¡±

    ¡°Yes! We were best friends in college. We went to the same college.¡±

    ¡°Wow. This is getting even more interesting.¡± James muttered, folding his arms.

 Chapter 64: Visitors.

    Chapter 64: Visitors.

    Amelia got discharged and was driven home by James himself. Amelia sat at the backseat with

    Elena next to her. She refused to leave Amelia¡¯s side all the time she was at the hospital.

    Penelope and the others headed back to the Parker¡¯s mansion, waiting for James to arrive with

    Amelia.

    As he drove them home, James constantly kept looking back at Amelia and Alice through the

    interior mirror.

    Alice was in Elena¡¯s arms and James wasn¡¯t sofortable about that. He knew she couldn¡¯t do

    anything to Alice in front of them, but he still wasn¡¯tfortable with her being so close.

    He had always known Elena to be maniptive, and he hoped this wasn¡¯t another way of her

    getting into their lives and hurting them again.

    Getting to the house, they saw a few cars parked in front of the mansion. James knew they were all

    there to wee Amelia home.

    After he posted ¡°I am now a father¡± on his Social Media handles, he expected nothing less. He

    drove into thepound and switched off the engine.

    Before he could go to the back of the car and open the door for Amelia, Elena gave Alice back to

    Amelia and helped her open the door.

    Amelia stepped out of the car and let out a loud sigh. She looked at Amelia and saw she was still

    sleeping soundly. She beamed widely as they all headed to the door

    James took the lead and opened the door for thedies to go in. Amelia walked in first, and Elena

    followed behind her. James and Elena¡¯s eyes locked for a few seconds, before she looked away.

    James wished he saw anything weird about her, but he didn¡¯t seem to notice anything.

    They got to the living room and met so many people seated on the couches.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°They are back.¡± Helen uttered happily. She sprang to her feet and everyone turned to look at them.

    She headed right to Amelia and stretched her hand to carry Alice.

    ¡°She¡¯s asleep.¡± Amelia said as she ced Alice carefully in Helen¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Awwn. Isn¡¯t she adorable?¡± Helen said, carrying her to where others were seated. They all stood up

    as she moved closer to see Alice¡¯s face.

    Amelia smiled widely and stretched her hand to James, he took her hand in his and they held hands

    as they walked to the people.

    ¡°Congrattions, Mr. And Mrs Parker!¡± James¡¯ co-workers and the others chorused as soon as they

    got closer.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± He responded with a slight bow.

    He looked around the living room real quick to see those that were around so that he could make

    preparations for them.

    He saw Freddie, three of his co-workers, one of his important clients (the one that drove him to the

    Cooper¡¯s mansion), Charles, Hopper, Penelope, and even Ava.

    Next to Ava was a very good-looking man. He held hands with her, and she was resting her head on

    his arms. They seemed pretty close.

    He furrowed his brows and looked away before she could catch him staring at them.

    Amelia looked at Hopper and clenched her jaws. She exhaled softly and looked away.

    Hopper approached her with a bright smile and when he got in front of her, he stopped.

    ¡°How are you, Amelia?¡± He asked, and she bounced her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She responded. James

    tightened his grip on Amelia¡¯s hand just to remind her that he was with her.

    ¡°Can I have a private chat with you?¡± Hopper further asked, and Amelia gulped and kept mute for

    some seconds.

    ¡°I think all the chats should be done in the court.¡± James butted in, and Hopper looked at him.

    ¡°I am not trying to change her mind about her decision, James. I just want to have a father to

    daughter chat. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Hopper¡­¡± Amelia stopped him by tapping his arm with her other hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, James. Stay here with the others. We¡¯ll have a short chat, okay?¡± She said with a faint

    smile. James knew she wasn¡¯tfortable talking to him.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± He asked in a low tone, and she bounced her head.

    She slowly let go of his hand and began to walk away. Hopper divulged a polite smile and followed

    behind Amelia to the kitchen.

    After they left, James heaved a sigh and looked up to see Ava and the man next to her approach

    him. James¡¯ lips curved up in a smile when they got closer.

    ¡°I never expected to see you here, Ava.¡± He uttered, and she exhaled and rolled her eyes.

    ¡°I also didn¡¯t expect to find myself here. My father forced me toe.¡± She shrugged, and James

    chuckled.

    ¡°I know you, Ava. If you don¡¯t want to go somewhere, no one would force you. You sure did want to

    come here.¡± James responded, and she pouted.

    ¡°Maybe you are right, maybe not! Congrattions anyways. I¡¯m happy for you.¡± She responded with

    a smile.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± James asked, narrowing his gaze at her.

    ¡°Of course, I am. You really thought I¡¯d be pursuing you and your wife for the rest of my life?¡± She

    asked, and he chuckled.

    ¡°Here¡­ this is Nichs. President Anthony¡¯s son. My boyfriend.¡± She added, rubbing Nichs¡¯

    cheeks with her palm.¡±

    ¡°Nichs? I have a friend named Nichs too. Nice to meet you, Nichs.¡± James uttered,

    stretching out his hand to Nichs.

    ¡°Nice to meet you too, James. You can call me Gordon instead. You know, so there are no

    confusions.¡±

    ¡°Babe, I told you I like the name Nichs better!¡± Ava muttered, and James chuckled.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Ava. You¡¯ve finally found the man of your heart.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± She giggled. Ava¡¯s smile faded off immediately and she lowered her head as she

    remembered Hudson.

    ¡®Can I talk to him about it now? He seems to be in a good mood.¡¯

    ¡°Can we talk about my brother? He is still in prison.¡± Ava added, and James swallowed.

    ¡°Ava, you know what Hudson did to my side is unspeakable. He has to suffer for it.¡±

    ¡°I know. But he has been there for over three months now. Don¡¯t you think he has suffered enough?

    You¡¯ll be sending my father there too, I will be alone.¡± She mumbled, full of emotions.

    ¡°You still have Gordon.¡± James teased, as he tried to avoid the topic.

    ¡°James, C¡¯mon.¡±

    The door of the mansion opened again, and everyone looked in its direction. Fred and Patricia

    walked in, and immediately James saw them, he raised one of his eyebrows.¡±

    ¡°What the f**k is he doing here?¡± James muttered in anger.

    ***

    Amelia rested her back on the kitchen cab and folded her arms. She waited for Hopper to start

    up the conversation.

    Hopper stood a few meters from her and smiled again. ¡°Congrattions once again, Amelia. I am

    so happy for you, my child.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and divulged a feeble smile.

    ¡°What is it you want to talk to me about?¡± She asked anxiously.

    ¡°Ummm. I don¡¯t think your husband, James, likes me so much.¡± He stated, and Amelia creased her

    brows.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I mean, the way he attacked me back there. If you didn¡¯t stop him, he would never let me even

    touch you.¡±

    ¡°He is just worried about me, okay? Isn¡¯t that how it should be?¡± She asked, feeling even more

    ufortable.

    ¡°Oh yes. Sure, that is how it should be. Well, let¡¯s forget about that. Have you checked your phone

    notifications?¡±

    ¡°No. Why?¡± She wondered.

    ¡°I sent you some money¡­¡±

    ¡°Why?? I never asked you to send me any money. Do you think you can buy me with that?¡± Amelia

    raised her voice as she felt offended.

    ¡°What? No. No. This isn¡¯t about that! It¡¯s not what you think, okay? I sent it to you for Alice. She is

    my grandchild, remember? My first grandchild, I need too¡­¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t. I¡¯m not suffering. My child has rich parents. You don¡¯t have to send me money for

    her. How did you even get my ount details?¡±

    ¡°I got it from Freddie. But that doesn¡¯t matter, does it? I know Alice is in a rich family. I get it. But I¡¯m

    her grandfather. Shouldn¡¯t I contribute to her growth?¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t necessary. I¡¯ll transfer the money back to you.¡±

    ¡°No. I insist. I¡¯m not going to give you my details. Use it for Alice. You hate me, I know that. But can

    you please don¡¯t let Alice hate me too. She knows nothing about this. This is all I ask.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll know you that well¡­¡±

    ¡°Because I¡¯ll be in jail, right?¡± He cut her short. She lowered her head and yed with her fingers

    nervously. She had no response to his statement.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Alice hate me, and please ept the token I have sent to her. I have been selfish and I¡¯ve

    made mistakes, I don¡¯t want to regret not doing this. That is all I want.¡± He added.

    After minutes of silence from Amelia, Hopper turned to leave. He hoped that one day, she would

    find a ce in her heart to forgive him for what he did.

    Amelia sniffed and cleaned her teary eyes with her hand. She threw her head backward and

    exhaled with her mouth. She tried to put on a normal countenance and walked back to the visitors.

    ***

    ¡°Where are you doing here?¡± James asked within gritted teeth , standing in front of Fred.

    ¡°Hey, take it easy, James. He came to congratte you, okay?¡± Patricia said, looking over his

    shoulders at the visitors.

    ¡°Really? How do you even know? Why did you twoe in together?¡±

    ¡°We met outside.¡± She answered.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just be without drama? Amelia is my friend, and I¡¯m here to show her my never-ending

    support. That shouldn¡¯t be a big deal.¡± Fred uttered.

    ¡°James?¡± Amelia called after seeing him with Fred and Patricia.

    ¡°Attention everyone!¡± Penelope uttered in a loud voice, pulling everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°I¡¯m thankful to all of us that are present here today! Thank you for the love you¡¯ve shown to my

    daughter and her family. I¡¯d love to announce that there will be a big birthday celebration for my

    daughter and her sister,ing up in a month''s time! Please bear this in mind, and you are all

    weed!¡±

    Amelia furrowed her brows and looked at Elena, who also looked at her.

    ¡°Did she tell you about this before?¡± Amelia asked, and Elena shook her head.

    ¡°No. It¡¯s surprising to me too. Maybe she wanted it to be a surprise.¡± Elena responded, and Amelia

    reluctantly nodded.

    ¡®Why does she want to throw us a big birthday party?¡¯ Amelia said to herself.

    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ll see ourselves soon again, Mr. Parker.¡± Fred teased, with a smirk on his face.

    ¡°A**hole.¡±

 Chapter 65: Sentencing

    Chapter 65: Sentencing

    The day finally came. The day of Hopper and Freddie¡¯s sentencing. Hopper and Freddie sat in

    between theirwyers, looking so nervous.

    Amelia, James and the rest of the families were seated in the courtroom, waiting to hear what the

    judge had to say.

    ¡°After listening to all the evidences in the murder case of Mr. Stanley and Mrs ra Copper, which

    took ce on the 10th of October, 1997. And after the defendants, Mr Hopper Richardson and

    Freddie Cooper had pleaded guilty, I hereby pronounce both of them guilty!¡±

    Amelia shut her eyes tighter and lowered her head. She gulped hard and held into James¡¯p pretty

    tight. James touched her hand and tapped it slowly.

    ¡®Amelia, did you make the right decision to bring them to court?¡¯ She asked herself, waiting for the

    most important part of the judge¡¯s decision.

    ¡°This is my judgement! Mr. Hopper Richardson and Mr. Freddie Copper is sentenced to twenty

    years imprisonment with hardbor!¡±

    The heads of Hopper and Freddie fell low in sadness, and their eyes were heated in tears

    immediately they heard their judgement.

    ¡®At least I don¡¯t get to die.¡¯ Freddie said to himself, trying to act like a man.

    ¡°Oh My God!¡± Penelope eximed loudly and broke into tears.

    The judge hit the gavel on the table and stood up. ¡°Court! All rise!¡± The bailiff announced and

    everyone stood up.

    Amelia¡¯s eyes were filled with tears, and so were the eyes of the women in the families. Penelope

    broke down in Elena¡¯s arms and refused to stand up.

    Amelia and Elena exchanged looks and said nothing to each other.

    ¡°We should leave.¡± James whispered in Amelia¡¯s ear, and she bobbed. James looked at Helen and

    Charles, signaling to them that they were leaving already.

    Helen approached Penelope sadly and squatted in front of her. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Penelope. I''m so sorry

    you have to go through this.¡± Helen said, and Penelope raised her head to look at her.

    She shifted her gaze to Amelia who was also staring at her, and she shook her head.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be sorry. They were brought to justice for their crimes. It just hurts so much that I

    won¡¯t be with my husband for twenty years.¡± She mumbled.

    Ava cleaned her teary eyes and pulled Gordon with her to where Amelie was standing.

    ¡°You finally got your revenge, Amelia.¡± Ava muttered.

    ¡°Ava, II¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be sorry, I know that¡¯s what you want to say. You don¡¯t have to say it. You did

    what was right to you. But can you please drop the charges on my brother? let us bail him already.

    He has spent four months there already. Isn¡¯t that enough? I have no one else, Amelia.¡±

    Amelia felt so bad for Ava as she listened to her. She gulped hard and bounced her head.

    ¡°I¡¯ll drop the charge on him, Ava.¡± Amelia gave her word and a faint smile crept up Ava¡¯s face.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Amelia. Thank you.¡± Ava responded, before walking away with Gordon.

    ¡°So does that mean she is cool with us sending her father to prison if we let go of Hudson?¡± James

    asked, and Amelia sighed.

    ¡°I have no idea, James. I don¡¯t even know what to think right now.¡± She responded.

    James noticed how stressed she was, and he wished they could leave the court premises as soon

    as possible.

    Helen and Charles moved away from Penelope, and walked closer to Amelia.

    ¡°We should leave now. Where is Alice?¡± Helen asked, looking around.

    ¡°She is with Mrs. Alba. They are outside the courtroom. Can we leave now?¡± James asked, and his

    parents consented.

    Amelia took onest look at Elena and pointed to the door. She wanted to tell her that she was

    leaving already.

    Elena sighed and bounced her head. She couldn¡¯t leave yet because she was still stuck with

    Penelope, balling her eyes out.

    They all turned to leave and as soon Penelope knew they headed out, she stood up and began to

    approach the door too.

    ¡°Mom! Where are you going?¡± Elena inquired, running after her so she could stop her before she

    did something stupid.

    Penelope ignored Elena¡¯s question, and when she got out of the courtroom, she approached

    Amelia.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± Penelope called, making everyone take an instant halt.

    ¡°Mrs. Penelope.¡± Amelia responded.

    ¡°We should let both of them talk alone.¡± Charles whispered in James and Helen¡¯s ears.

    ¡°Amelia, I¡¯ll go and get Alice.¡± Helen uttered, briskly walking away with Charles. James on the other

    hand was pretty reluctant.

    He wasn¡¯t sure leaving Amelia alone with her emotionally broken mother was a good idea.

    Penelope red at James, waiting for him to also excuse them as her parents did, but instead, he

    didn¡¯t move an inch.

    ¡°Hey¡­ can¡¯t you just respect our privacy and excuse us? This is a family discussion, okay? You

    don¡¯t have to be here to listen!¡± Penelope uttered in a loud, harsh manner, that even James¡¯ parents

    heard from where they were.

    They turned back and realized he wasn¡¯t even following them in the first ce.¡± I knew he wouldn¡¯t

    want to leave.¡± Helen muttered.

    Amelia exhaled softly and turned to look at James, who still didn¡¯t make any attempt to move an

    inch.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, James. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Amelia said to him with a feeble smile.

    James gulped and moved his gaze from Penelope to Amelia. ¡°Are you sure?¡± He asked calmly, and

    she gave him a reassured nod.

    ¡°I¡¯ll catch up with you soon.¡± She added, and he bounced his head. He took onest look at

    Penelope and Elena before he began to walk away.

    As soon as he was gone, Penelope diverted her angry gaze from James to Amelia.

    ¡°Are you happy now?!¡± She asked in the same loud and harsh tone.

    ¡°Mom. You are creating a scene.¡± Elena whispered to Penelope from behind, but it didn¡¯t make any

    difference, as Penelope was too hurt to notice what was going on around her.

    ¡°Yes, I am! They are finally brought to justice for the crime they tried to cover with their money. They

    even confessed, Mrs. Penelope.¡±

    ¡°Why did you have to bring them here in the first ce?! That is your father, Amelia! He was

    suffering enough from the fact that you despised him for the mistake he made, that you never will

    see him as a father. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±

    Amelia gulped hard and kept mute. All she did was stare at her with clear eyes.

    ¡°You have no response to that? Fine! Hopper was the one that initiated the n. He never acted as

    a father to you, he was this, he was that. What about Freddie, hun?! Freddie was just following

    orders! He took care of you, Amelia! How could he be so ungrateful!¡±

    ¡°Uncle Freddie wasn¡¯t just following orders. He had his evil motives too.¡±

    ¡°They have been gone for fifteen years! These men regret their actions. Why couldn¡¯t you let it

    slide?! I kepting to you to plead for your forgiveness, but you turned deaf ears. I thought you

    were the nicest! I never knew you were this heartless!¡± Penelope yelled, poking Amelia¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Mom, stop it, okay?! Stop!¡± Elena yelled, pulling Penelope¡¯s hand away from Amelia.

    ¡°All these won¡¯t bring them back to us! The deed has been done! You just have to get over it!¡±

    ¡°Get over it?! I won¡¯t be seeing him in twenty years! I have never been separated from him! You

    can¡¯t understand because you never truly loved him!¡± Penelope yelled at Elena.

    ¡°Mom! That¡¯s enough! Dad saw it wasing right? A and he decided not to fight it. He knew he

    was at fault, and I believe he wouldn¡¯t like the fact that you are creating a scene here! I know you¡¯re

    hurting and that is why you¡¯re saying these things. But that is enough! Let¡¯s go home!¡± Elena yelled

    back in frustration.

    Penelope broke into tears again and looked at Amelia, who also had tears in her eyes too.

    ¡°Enough, Mrs. Penelope.¡± Amelia muttered.

    Penelope clenched her jaws and fists and looked away. She turned and began to walk away angrily.

    Elena heaved a sigh and looked at Amelia.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that. Don¡¯t take her words too seriously. She spoke out of the heat of the moment.¡±

    Amelia shook her head and looked at Penelope again. ¡°What about you? You aren¡¯t mad at me?¡±

    She asked.

    ¡°Will that change the fact that he is now sentenced to prison? It doesn¡¯t change anything. I do

    understand you to some extent. Just give mom some time. She¡¯ll get over it.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Amelia bounced her head and smiled. ¡°Thank you for understanding, Elena.¡±

    ¡°Kiss Alice, good day for me. I¡¯ll drop by your houseter to see her.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Thank you.¡±

    Elena nodded and turned to leave too. Amelia exhaled loudly and saw James staring at her from

    where they had parked the car.

    She smiled faintly and began to approach him.

    ¡°Are you okay? What did Elena say to you?¡± He asked worriedly.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t say anything rude. She totally understands why I did all of these.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± James asked, furrowing his brows.

    ¡°Hmm. You don¡¯t have to worry about her.¡± Amelia added, opening the front door.

    ¡°Why is she extremely nice these days? Do people really change that fast?¡± James wondered

    aloud, and Amelia chuckled.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here first. We can talk about thatter.¡± She responded. She looked back at Helen

    and saw her ying with baby Alice.

    ¡°Mr. Charles has gone back?¡± She asked, and Helen bounced her head, not looking up from baby

    Alice¡¯s face.

    *

    ~ Later in the day ~

    James, Amelia and Alice took a nap after the sentencing at the court. Amelia needed to rest her

    brain and find out if all what she did was really worth it.

    She got out of bed before James and picked up her parent¡¯s portrait. She stared at their faces for

    minutes and ran her finger over them.

    ¡°Did I do the right thing?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Ding! Dong!¡± The doorbell rang.

    Amelia put the portrait away and stood up. She looked at James and Alice and saw them sleeping

    peacefully. She trudged out of the room and headed to the door.

    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡±

    She opened the door and saw Elena standing in front of her. She carried two shopping bags and

    wore a bright smile.

    ¡°So, I went shopping for Alice! I saw some cool clothes and baby shoes! Damn, some of the

    jewelries are chick! I got one dress she would wear for our birthday party too! We should talk about

    the preparations!¡± Elena uttered without hesitation, walking to the couch.

    Amelia smiled and looked at her until she sat. Elena noticed she was staring, and she raised her

    brows.

    ¡°What?¡± Elena asked, and Amelia shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m just surprised about how nice you¡¯ve been to me and Alice these days.¡±

    ¡°Why are you so surprised? You¡¯re my sister, and Alice is my daughter! This is the normal thing to

    do. Come closer! Let¡¯s n our birthday party.¡± Elena waved at her toe closer.

    ¡°Birthday party. About that. Is that still going to happen? I don¡¯t think Mrs. Penelope would like the

    idea anymore.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Amelia. Of course, she would. She told me to apologize on her behalf. She is too

    embarrassed to approach you herself. She regrets what she said.¡±

    ¡°really?¡±

    ¡°Hmm. She told me the party will still take ce, and we should let her know what and what we

    would love for the party.¡± Elena added, pulling out a jotter from her bag.

    ¡°Can I take a look at the things you got for Alice?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Tell me which ones you like the most, and I¡¯ll get them in different colors for her.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    ¡°Amelia?¡± James called, carrying crying Alice in his arms. His upper body was bare.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± She uttered and ran to where he stood ¡°She must be hungry. I¡¯ll feed her now.¡± She

    carried Alice in her arms, and walked to the couch again.

    ¡°Hi, James.¡± Elena greeted with a very wide smile.

    ¡°Hi.¡± He responded reluctantly and walked to the room to get some clothes on.

 Chapter 66: Alice is gone

    Chapter 66: Alice is gone

    The Parker¡¯s mansion was lit up by colorful fluorescent lights, apanied with beautiful flowers

    and balloons.

    In the living room, the couches were gone and it was a free space for everyone. There were about

    eight cocktail tables covered in white fabrics present. In the middle of these tables were small,

    pretty rose flower vases.

    These tables were arranged not too far from each other so that there could be enough space for

    about five dining tables, which could amodate at most five guests.

    In front of the hung t Tv screen was a huge and gorgeously designed five-tier birthday cake.

    A solemn music was ying in the background, and guests were beginning to arrive.

    Penelope arrived at the mansion fully dressed and her eyes widened at the side of the interior

    beauty of the living room.

    ¡°Oh God. Who could have thought that your living room would be this spacious?¡± Penelope said to

    James, who was dressed in a red Tuxedo.

    His hair was rearranged in a more stylish way, making him look more handsome.

    ¡°The couches took so much space. Wee, Mrs. Penelope. Thedies are preparing in the room.

    I need to start attending to the guests.¡±

    Penelope bounced her head happily and headed up the stairs to the room where Elena and Amelia

    were seated. She got into the room and met the makeup artists busy on Elena¡¯s and Amelia¡¯s faces.

    ¡°Hey babies!¡± Penelope greeted in excitement, and the sisters exchanged looks. They looked at

    Penelope and smiled.

    ¡°Wee back, Mom. I thought you weren¡¯t going to attend.¡± Elena uttered.

    ¡°What? Why would I? I have always dreamt of this day. I would be a fool not to attend.¡± She said

    and walked to the other side where Amelia was.

    ¡°Hi, Mrs. Penelope.¡± Amelia uttered, and Penelope heaved a loud sigh and ced her hand on

    Amelia¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°Mrs. Penelope? When will you start calling me mother? You keep making me feel like I¡¯m a

    stranger.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Penelope, but I¡¯m not used to that yet. I believe with time, I¡¯d get used to it. But for

    now, please bear with me.¡±

    ¡°Haaa¡­ it¡¯s fine, okay? I need to apologize to you, Amelia. I let my anger take the best of me. I

    shouldn¡¯t have said those harsh things to you. You did the right thing, and I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Amelia smiled and shook her head. ¡°I understand how you felt that day. I can¡¯t be angry because of

    that. I totally understand you, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°So we are good now?¡± She inquired in excitement, and Amelia bounced her head.

    ¡°Yes, we are. I thought we would never get to talk again since you didn¡¯t reach out to me until

    today.¡±

    ¡°Well, let me answer that for her. She was too scared to face you, and that is why she kept sending

    me here to n this party and see how you are doing. She isn¡¯t as brave as you think she is.¡± Elena

    butted in, and Amelia chuckled.

    ¡°That is quite cute.¡± She stated.

    ¡°Can I ask for a favor from you, Amelia?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Amelia asked, looking at Penelope.

    ¡°Can you please find time to go and check on Hopper? I went to visit him and he said he would love

    to see you sometime. Freddie said the same thing. Can you please find time to see them?¡±

    Amelia exhaled and bobbed. ¡°I would try to find time to see them. Don¡¯t worry, Mrs. Penelope.¡±

    ¡°Thank you! So¡­¡± she sprang to her feet and pped her hands. ¡°I¡¯ll step outside and attend to the

    guests with James. He shouldn¡¯t be doing that alone.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Mom.¡± Elena responded and looked at her until she was out of the room.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± Elena called and she turned to look at her.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you have forgiven Mom? I mean, I know what she said and did was outrageous, but

    please try to understand her.¡±

    ¡°I understand her, Elena. And you don¡¯t have to worry, we are fine now. I promise.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± Elena stretched her hand and touched Amelia¡¯s thighs, while they smiled at

    each other.

    ***

    ¡°Mr. And Mrs. Parker, wee.¡± Penelope said to Charles and Helen as they walked into the

    house.

    ¡°Wow! This ce looks amazing! Who the hell decorated this?!¡± Helen eximed, looking around in

    awe.

    ¡°All thanks to James. He provided the designers I believe.¡±

    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s really¡­¡±

    ¡°Mom, Dad! You¡¯re here!¡± James called, opening his arms and embracing them.

    ¡°You look gorgeous, son! Where are the celebrants?¡±

    ¡°Amelia and Elena will join us as soon as they are done, Mom. Come and have a seat.¡±

    After leading them to the dining table, more people began to arrive.

    Ava walked in with her boyfriend, Gordon, Fred walked in alone, and James ignored him, Patricia

    followed behind him, and other guests also followed suit.

    They all began to hang around, waiting for the celebrants to show up in front of them. James was

    about to call the celebrants out when Hudson walked into the house.

    Immediately James saw him, he felt his rage arise inside of him. He began to storm to where he

    was, but before he could get there, Ava stopped him.

    ¡°James, stop!¡± She whispered.

    ¡°What the f**k is he doing here?!¡± He said within gritted teeth.

    ¡°He is with me, okay? He came here to apologize to Amelia. Don¡¯t create a scene on a day like this

    James.¡±

    James clenched his jaw and looked up to see Hudson, smirking. ¡°He better not try anything stupid!

    Talk some sense into his skull!¡±

    Ava bounced her head and turned to face Hudson. ¡°Can you please stop smirking like a fool? You

    promised me not to cause any troubles.¡±

    ¡°Attention everyone! I wee everyone present here tonight, and I want to say a big thank you for

    honoring this invite. Now, it¡¯s time to wee the celebrants. They have a speech for us. Let¡¯s

    wee Amelia and Elena!¡±

    Everyone began to p and they all looked at the stairs.

    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am Alba, please watch over Alice until I¡¯m back. I would have to step out now.¡± Amelia said and

    nted a kiss on Alice¡¯s soft cheeks. Alice responded with a smile which made Amelia¡¯s heart melt.

    She blew her a kiss and headed out of the room with Elena.

    Amelia and Elena held hands and walked down the stairs, looking very gorgeous. They both wore

    elegant ball gowns, they had the same design but they were of different colors.

    Amelia¡¯s gown was her best color, blue, while Elena¡¯s was white. They wore the same design and

    brand of heels, but were also of different colors.

    Elena dyed her hair back to its initial color, ck, and that was when their resemnces were

    visible.

    ¡°Hold on. I can¡¯t even tell them apart!¡± Ava eximed in shock.

    ¡°That¡¯s a big lie. Amelia is more beautiful. It¡¯s pretty obvious. Why are you so hypocritical?¡± Hudson

    responded coldly, and Ava rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Oh, shut up. They are both very beautiful. Don¡¯t tell me you are still obsessed with Amelia. When

    will you ever learn?¡±

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t start lecturing me, okay? I have heard enough. I¡¯m just here to have fun and thank

    Amelia.¡± He answered with another evil smirk.

    ¡°Good day everyone. Thank you all foring today. I¡¯m happy and very honored. I don¡¯t have

    much to say, I would leave most of the talk to my sister, Elena.¡±

    ¡°What? Sister? Amelia has a sister? Who is she? When did all these happen?¡± The guests

    murmured in awe.

    ¡°I¡¯m very happy because I am here today with the most important people in my life. My sister, my

    husband, my inws¡­¡±

    ¡°And your father?!¡± A strange woman asked from the congregation, and everyone went silent.

    Amelia gulped hard and looked at Elena. Elena took the microphone from Amelia and spoke.

    ¡°I believe everyone here is here to celebrate us. I expect us to respect ourselves. If you are here to

    pry, you can please use the door.¡±

    ¡°Wow.¡± The congregation eximed in shock. Elena smiled hypocritically and dropped the

    microphone.

    ¡°Please enjoy the party. Thank you.¡± Amelia added and they both walked into the congregation. The

    volume of the music that yed in the background increased, and the people began to chat again.

    ¡°Amelia¡¯s sister is so rude. Why would you talk like that? We are guests. I wouldn¡¯t havee if it

    wasn¡¯t for Penelope. Are children aren¡¯t trained at all.¡± A woman whispered to her friend as Elena

    passed by them.

    ¡°Elena, was that necessary?¡± Amelia asked, and she scoffed.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see what she was trying to do there? They aren¡¯t here to celebrate with us. They are

    here to find answers to their questions, and that isn¡¯t going to happen.¡±

    ¡°But they will picture you as the bad person.¡±

    ¡°I am a bad person. I have always been a bad person. That isn¡¯t a new title.¡± She responded with a

    laugh. Amelia chuckled and shook her head.

    She saw Hudson staring at her from afar. She wanted to talk to James about him when all of a

    sudden, she heard Ma¡¯am Alba scream.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am Amelia!!! Alice is gone!¡±

 Chapter 67: You donâ€™t deserve this

    Chapter 67: You don¡¯t deserve this

    ¡°Ma¡¯am Amelia!! Alice is gone!¡± Alba kept screaming as she ran down the stairs, pulling everyone¡¯s

    attention to her.

    ¡°What?!¡± The people eximed.

    ¡°What do you mean Alice is gone?!¡± Amelia and James eximed, running back to the stairs.

    ¡°I. I.¡± Alba muttered, trying to catch her breath. Amelia grabbed her by the shoulders and began to

    shake her vigorously.

    ¡°Talk to me, Alba! Where is Alice?!¡± Amelia yelled. Her eyes heated up in no time, and she was

    covered in sweat.

    ¡°I needed to use the restroom. I left her on the bed in the room, only for me to return and find out

    that she¡­¡±

    Amelia let go of her and ran up the stairs at great speed. ¡°Ma¡¯am Amelia!¡± Mrs Alba called in fear

    and ran after Amelia.

    ¡°No one leaves this party!¡± James announced in anger and terror. He ran to the door, locked it and

    threw the keys in his pockets.

    ¡°What? Why would you do that? You can¡¯t just keep us here! We are innocent!¡± The congregation

    began to mumble to James¡¯ deaf ears.

    He ignored them and ran up the stairs after Amelia. Elena, Penelope and James¡¯ parents also ran

    up the stairs in disbelief.

    ¡°This better be a joke!¡± Penelope uttered, shaking her head vigorously.

    Amelia stormed into the room where she had left Alba to look over Alice until she was back, only to

    find only her shawl.

    ¡°No. No. No! This can¡¯t be happening!¡± Amelia cried in a very loud voice and grabbed her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs Amelia, I should never have left her alone.¡± Alba cried. Penelope pulled her by her

    dress and threw a hot p on her face.

    ¡°But you left her, didn¡¯t you? And now my grandchild is missing!¡± Penelope yelled. She tried to p

    Alba again but Helen stopped her.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t the best idea, Penelope! We should go out there and find out who abducted Alice! We are

    wasting time, standing here and raising our voices.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true. James, you go and search the people. I¡¯ll look outside the house.¡±

    James clenched his jaws and fist, fighting his urge to cry. Amelia was already crying, and he didn¡¯t

    want to break down too.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you look too.¡± Elena uttered, and James shot her a deadly look.

    ¡°Can you stop pretending to be nice?! Everybody is a suspect here!¡±

    ¡°What?! What are you insinuating James?! That I abducted my nephew? Are you that dumb! I was

    out there with Amelia on the stage!¡± Elena responded with great fury.

    ¡°Enough! Enough! My child is missing, and all you can do is fight?! Alice is gone!¡± Amelia screamed

    and ran out of the room screaming ¡°Alice¡±.

    ¡°Amelia!¡± They all called, running out of the room after her.

    ¡°Alice, my love! Where are you?!¡± Amelia¡¯s voice vibrated as she cried out. Her heart was pounding

    against her chest very fast like it was going to explode if she didn¡¯t see Alice in the next few

    seconds.

    She ran down the stairs with great speed, and the others ran after her, they tried to catch her but

    she seemed too fast.

    ¡°Alice!¡± Amelia yelled again when she got down the stairs and she began to look around the living

    room. On the guests body, on the dining table, in bags and other ces.

    ¡°Alice, please calm down. You are scaring me.¡± James said after finally catching up with her.

    ¡°Calm down?! James, our girl is missing!¡± She growled.

    ¡°And we would find her. Dad, mom and the others are outside looking for her already.¡±

    Amelia didn¡¯t seem to findfort in James¡¯ words. Seeing Alice healthy and carrying her in her

    hands was the only thing that couldfort her.

    ¡°You still haven¡¯t seen her?¡± Ava asked with great worry. Amelia ignored her and kept looking all

    over the ce.

    ¡°No, we haven¡¯t, Ava. If you want to help, don¡¯t just ask questions. Help us look, okay? There is a

    criminal in our midst.¡± James uttered, and Ava bobbed.

    ¡°Criminal? Isn¡¯t that sounding too serious?¡± Hudson mumbled and scoffed at James¡¯ hearing.

    James grew so furious after hearing what he said and stormed to where Hudson was sitting, feeling

    very rxed.

    He pulled him up by the shirt and threw a punch at his face. Hudson¡¯s face fell to the side and his

    lips burst.

    ¡°Where the hell did you take her?! What did you do to Alice?!¡± Silver flew out of James¡¯ lips as he

    spoke and handled Hudson aggressively.

    ¡°Are you insane?! Why would I want to abduct your daughter? What do you take me for?!¡± Hudson

    yelled in response.

    James clenched his fists and raised his hand to punch him again, but Fred got in the way and

    grabbed his hand.

    ¡°Enough, James! You have the wrong person! He was here when the speech was going on! We

    were all her. Nobody left! If you are looking for the culprit, you have to move forward.¡±

    ¡°Move forward? To where, hun? And what if this culprit is you?!¡± James let go of Hudson and

    grabbed Fred by the shirt suddenly.

    ¡°Stop! Enough! James, fighting with everyone isn¡¯t the solution! No one here would do that to an

    innocent baby! You need to involve the police!¡± Ava yelled in fear of things getting rough and out of

    hand.

    ¡°I think you need to be with Amelia now.¡± Patricia added, and they all turned to look at Amelia who

    was already lying on the floor, weeping profusely.

    ¡°Amelia.¡±

    James let go of Fred and ran to meet Amelia. He fell next to her and tried to raise her up but she

    resisted him.

    ¡°Alice. Is. Gone.¡± Her lips curved up as she broke into more tears. Her nostrils were running

    seriously and her dress had turned dirty.

    James hated how she looked, and he couldn¡¯t hold back his tears. He closed his eyes very tight and

    a teardrop rolled down his left eye.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to find her. I promise.¡± James answered, hugging her to the floor, at the middle of the

    living room, where sheid.

    ¡°Can you at least let us leave? We can¡¯t keep your baby in our bags! You¡¯ve searched everything.¡±

    The congregation began to murmur again.

    ¡°Until we confirm what is going on, I¡¯m sorry but we all have to stay put!¡± Penelope uttered in a loud

    tone, making everyone go dead silent.

    All of a sudden, the main door opened and Charles ran in. ¡°We found something.¡± He said to

    James, and James sprang to his feet.

    Amelia also sprang up and ran out of the living room. Charles and James followed behind her.

    Amelia ran towards where she heard voices and it happened to be at the back of the mansion.

    On getting there, she looked up and saw a rope that extended down from the window of the room

    Alice wasid. She covered her mouth with her hand and shut her eyes very tight.

    She fell on her knees and looked at the rope again. ¡°She is truly gone.¡±

    Elena ran up to her and also knelt beside her. ¡°We will find her, Amelia. Please stop crying.¡±

    ¡°Who the hell could have done this?! This is insane!¡± Helen muttered, cleaning the tears that had

    gathered in her eyes.

    ¡°We need to inform the police, James. The person that did this is probably long gone. Are there

    CCTV cameras around? It would help the police get who did this.¡±

    ¡°There are CCTV cameras.¡± James answered, still staring at the window in disbelief.

    The room was on the second floor, so he began to wonder how that person could climb all the way

    down with Alice in a very short period of time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call the police.¡± Charles added and pulled out his phone. Alba rested her back on the wall and

    slid down. She began to regret leaving Alice, and even attending the party in the first ce.

    ¡°Everyone inside that house needs to be questioned by the police! They shouldn¡¯t be released until

    the police have interrogated them.¡± Elena stated, and Amelia bounced her head.

    ¡°Yes! No one is leaving until I find my girl.¡± She mumbled and rested her head on Elena¡¯s shoulder,

    still sobbing nonstop.

    Penelope kept watch on the congregation in the house and even began to video record all of their

    movements. She threatened to show the police if they tried to do something stupid.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t havee here in the very first ce. Now he is suspecting that I kidnapped his baby.

    Isn¡¯t that crazy?¡± Hudson said icily.

    ¡°Can you stop talking, please? You can¡¯t me him for suspecting you! You have always done evil

    to them.¡± Ava answered.

    ¡°Really? And you have been the nicest to them? You have hated Amelia your whole life. You should

    be suspect number one.¡±

    ¡°Can you shut the f**k up both of you?! We are all suspects here, and that woman right there¡­¡±

    Fred paused and pointed to Penelope. ¡°¡­ you¡¯ll are not so stupid not to know that she is recordingN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    a video.¡±

    ¡°Who is this anyways?¡± Hudson asked, raising his eyebrows.

    ¡°That is none of your business! You just got out of prison, I don¡¯t me James for thinking you are

    the one! You are the one with the insane obsession.¡± Fred added, and Hudson¡¯s mouth fell open in

    awe.

    ¡°Did you tell him this, Ava?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know him, Hudson! Shut the hell up, okay? What is going on is enough drama for the

    night.¡± Ava responded with annoyance and rested her head on Gordon¡¯s chest.

    ¡°I should go and console Amelia.¡± Fred suggested and tried to get up from the chair when Patricia

    pulled him and made him sit again.

    ¡°Are you thinking at all? You want to go and console her when James is there? Let her be for now,

    okay? We are all worried about her, but now, we need to be extra careful.¡±

    Fred heaved a sigh and slowly nodded. He shook his head sadly and lowered his face to the

    ground.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry all this has to happen to you, Amelia. You are a nice person and don''t deserve this.¡¯ He

    thought to himself.

 Chapter 68: The culprit.

    Chapter 68: The culprit.

    The cops arrived shortly and started off by trying to get the fingerprint of the culprit from the rope,

    but they couldn¡¯t find any fingerprints on it.

    This gave the cops the idea that this culprit was more experienced than they had imagined. They

    also kicked off with interrogating the guests in the house one after the other.

    Amelia and James sat in the living room, waiting and wishing for their nightmare to end once and for

    all. Amelia rested her head on James¡¯ chest and closed her eyes.

    She couldn¡¯t stop sobbing and soon, tears refused to flow out of her eyes. James¡¯ eyeballs had also

    turned red too as he kept trying to act strong for Amelia.

    As the cops finished with everyone and took down answers to the questions they asked them, they

    began to let them go, but they told them they could be called upon anytime and they had to

    respond.

    They called Amelia closer to ask her some questions too, and James went to them with her.

    ¡°Mr and Mrs. Parker, can you please tell me if you suspect anybody capable of doing this? Maybe

    anyone that has threatened you before.¡±

    ¡°Amelia, do you suspect anyone?¡± James asked in a whisper to Amelia¡¯s ears and she slightly

    shook her head.

    ¡°I can¡¯t even think straight right now.¡± She mumbled her response.

    ¡°We need your help if you want us to get your child as soon as possible. ording to the look of

    things, this person was fully aware of the party and even the arrangements because, it was around

    the time the speech was going on the kidnap happened. This culprit is also aware of how your

    house is structured and how to get by it without being noticed.¡±

    Listening to the cops speak, Amelia broke into tears again. She felt hurt and betrayed by whosoever

    this culprit could be.

    ¡°Sir, I do have a lot of suspects in my head as we speak. Can I tell you their names?¡± He asked, and

    the cop opened his small notebook and bounced his head.

    ¡°The first person on my mind is Elena. My wife¡¯s twin sister.¡±

    ¡°And why is that?¡± The cop furrowed his brows as he inquired.

    ¡°She hated us so much until recently, when my wife gave birth. She turned a new leaf all of sudden,

    apologized to my wife and began to take care of Alice for her. I find this really suspicious.¡±

    ¡°And when did shee to apologize and turn a new leaf?¡±

    ¡°About one month and a half ago, the very day my wife put to bed.¡±

    The cop nodded again and began to take notes in his notebook.

    ¡°We have interrogated her alongside the other people, but we would have to call her in again once

    we are done here. Who else do you have in mind?¡±

    ¡°Hudson Cooper.¡±

    ¡°Hudson Cooper, he said Amelia is his adoptive cousin.¡±

    ¡°That is true, sir, but that isn¡¯t the only thing. He has always been obsessed with my wife¡¯s body. He

    has almost raped her twice, and he just got back from the prison a few days back.¡±

    ¡°And then he is here again.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. I tried confronting him, and he and his sister told me he was here to apologize to my wife. I

    didn¡¯t want to create a scene on her big day so I kept quiet and watched him instead.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡°Hmmm. We¡¯ll call him in for interrogation again. Who else do you suspect, Mr. James?¡±

    James¡¯ mind quickly wandered off, he thought back to the time before the party, he tried

    remembering if any other person acted off, but he couldn¡¯t find anyone.

    ¡°That¡¯s all for now. I¡¯ll update you if I remember or notice anything.¡±

    ¡°No problem, Mr. James. We¡¯ll solely take it up from here.¡± The cop answered, and James bobbed.

    ¡°Thank you so much. Please do everything and anything possible to find my daughter as soon as

    possible. She is just a month and days old, and she is already going through all this evil already.¡±

    ¡°We understand you, Mr. James. We promise to do everything possible to apprehend him or her

    that did this evil.¡±

    ¡°Sir, we found something in the footage from behind the house.¡± Another cop said, carrying a PC in

    his hand. He dropped the PC in front of the cop that questioned James and yed the footage.

    ¡°The camera had been tampered with before the incident. The camera was turned to the other side,

    away from the window. It couldn¡¯t catch what was happening, but¡­¡±

    The cop leaned closer and fast forwarded the video. ¡°It caught the back of this culprit when he was

    on his way out of thepound.¡±

    The image of the person in the video couldn¡¯t help them know if it was a man or woman. The person

    was dressed in all ck and all of his or her body was covered.

    He pointed to the screen and said; ¡°that is the baby at the suspect¡¯s back.¡±

    ¡°So he or she passed the back of the house out?¡± James intervened, and the cop nodded.

    ¡°There is a gate that leads outside from the back. As seen in the footage, the suspect doesn¡¯t

    struggle with the gate before walking out. Do you leave this gate open?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. It is always locked and the key is always with me.¡±

    ¡°Can you give us this key?? I¡¯d love to see it.¡±

    James bounced his head and slowly got Amelia¡¯s head off his chest. ¡°Baby, I¡¯ll be back very soon,

    okay? Please wait here.¡±

    James hurried out of the living room and headed to his room to get the key.

    ¡°Mrs. Amelia, I heard about the case between you and your father and uncle. Do you think they

    could have something to do with this?¡±

    ¡°But they are in prison.¡±

    ¡°They were imprisoned weeks ago. Did they know about this party?¡± He asked, and Amelia bobbed.

    ¡°The party was announced before they were imprisoned.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Ma¡¯am. With the look of things, this suspect in the footage may not be someone you know.

    He or she may be sent by someone who knows you and this house very well. If you have anyone in

    mind, no matter where or who they are, please let us know.¡±

    Amelia nodded and lowered her head in sadness again. ¡®What did I ever do to deserve this? When I

    thought everything was going the way I have always wanted, this happened. When will I ever have

    the peace of mind I crave?¡¯ Amelia questioned herself.

    ¡°Sir¡­ the key. The key is gone!¡± James eximed as he ran into the living room. ¡°I can¡¯t find it in

    the drawer where I kept it!¡± He added in terror.

    ¡°More evidence to show that the person behind this is someone you know very well and Vice

    Versa.¡±

    ¡°What are we going to do now??! This is very dangerous! We are now at risk ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Two policemen will be assigned to watch over your house until this case is solved. And please list

    out those people closest to you that visited this house days and weeks before this party.¡±

    ¡°Why?? Why me??¡± Amelia weakly cried in frustration.

    ¡°We¡¯ll find Alice, baby. I¡¯ll do everything to make sure shees back home to us.¡±

    ***

    Getting to the house that was sited in the middle of nowhere. He loosened the wrapper he tied

    around his chest and slowly carried the baby from his back.

    Heid her on the bed and smiled brightly as he stared at her beautiful, sleeping face. He pulled the

    mask off his face and threw it on the bed.

    He pulled out his phone and made a phone call. He paced in front of the bed, waiting for someone

    to answer the phone.

    Soon, the call was answered.

    ¡°I am back at the house. I need you toe over so that I can leave here as soon as possible.¡±

    He hung up the call and sat next to the baby, still staring at her.

    ¡°You¡¯re surrounded by evil people, baby girl. It¡¯s such a pity.¡± He picked up the water bottle on the

    bedside table and drank some water.

    Heid next to the baby and closed his eyes to rest a little.

    After a few minutes, he heard a knock on the door. He pulled out his pistol from the back of his

    trouser and lifted it. He picked his mask and wore it.

    He slowly approached the main door and peeped out of the peephole to check who it was.

    When he saw he was at the door, he lowered his gun and unlocked the door. He opened the door

    and let him walk in.

    ¡°What took you so long to respond?¡± HE asked.

    ¡°I just kidnapped a baby. Don¡¯t you think I need to be very careful?¡± The masked guy asked, and

    they both walked to where the babyid.

    ¡°What next?¡± The masked guy further asked.

    ¡°Your work is done.¡± HE answered.

    ¡°I know. But what are you going to do to a baby? She is too young to go through all these.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to shut up or you want me to do that for you?¡± HE asked, pulling out his gun and

    pointing it at him.

    ¡°Sorry. Can I be on my way now? My work is done.¡± The masked guy uttered and picked up his bag.

    He walked out of the house and never looked back.

    HE sat next to the baby and beamed widely.

    ¡°You¡¯re just as beautiful as your mother. You don¡¯t deserve a father like James. I would be a better

    father and husband to you and your mother.¡±

    HE heaved a sigh and removed the jacket he wore. ¡°I¡¯m sorry things have to go this way, Amelia.

    I¡¯m doing this for you and your baby. I¡¯ll take good care of both of you.¡±

    HE walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. HE pulled out the baby food and feeder he had

    bought.

    ¡®I¡¯ll prepare this for you before you wake up so that you don¡¯t have to go hungry. I hope you can

    manage this until I get your mother here to breastfeed you.¡¯ HE looked at baby Alice as he thought.

    Suddenly, his phone began to ring. He answered the phone after seeing the caller and put the

    phone on speaker.

    ¡°How is she?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s still sleeping, Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll prepare her food now.¡±

    ¡°Good. Make sure you strictly follow our n. You mess up and you¡¯re on your own, okay?¡±

    ¡°Got it. Keep your side of the deal too.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t call me, okay?! The cops are everywhere here! I¡¯ll call you when I¡¯m chanced.¡±

    She hung up immediately she finished talking, and HE heaved a loud sigh and went on his YouTube

    ount to watch how to prepare the baby¡¯s food.

 Chapter 69: In the middle of nowhere

    Chapter 69: In the middle of nowhere

    ~ AFTER TWO DAYS~

    Amelia and James held hands as they sat in the living room with their other family rtives. It was

    the third day since the party and they were yet to find Alice.

    The cops had also been working very hard to get more information about her whereabouts, but it

    seemed like Alice wasn''t in bama at all.

    Amelia had refused to eat until she had found her baby. James and the others had tried talking to

    her but all to no avail. She refusedfort from everyone one, even her husband, James.

    "I am now more worried about Amelia than Alice. She looks so pale and thin. I don''t know what else

    to do or say to her that would make her rest or eat. She tried sleeping yesterday, but ended up

    crying again." James uttered with great sadness.

    Amelia kept her head on his shoulder and didn''t bother to react to what he had said. It was as if she

    didn''t hear him speak. The only thing she had in her head and could hear was Alice''s little chuckles

    and smile.

    "Amelia, can you please take it easy on yourself? We are all working very hard to find Alice. It is all

    over the inte and there''s a reward of a million dors for whoever finds her. People are also out

    looking for her." Penelope uttered.

    "Amelia, please don''t be too hard on yourself, okay? I''m begging you. We will find her, and I believe

    she will be in good health." Elena added.

    "I believe the person that did this didn''t just go through all that for fun. He or she must have a

    reason behind it, and I think that reason is money." Charles stated too.

    Before anyone could say any other things, Amelia let go of James and sprang to her feet. James

    immediately stood up after her and held her.

    "Where are you going?"

    "I need to use the restroom. You don''t have toe with me." She responded and headed to the

    stairs.

    Everybody watched her in worry and pity as she walked up the stairs. They wished they could find

    Alice that very minute and bring her to Amelia.

    "This is serious." Elena muttered, and James red at her and clenched his jaws.

    "How sure are we that you aren''t having fun right now, hun?" He answered to her, and Elena sprang

    to her feet too.

    "I have had enough of your usations, James! I won''t tolerate it any longer!" She smacked.

    "And what will you do? Abduct my wife too? If you can deceive everyone seated here, you can''t

    deceive me, okay? You are evil!"

    "Enough, both of you!!" Charles yelled.

    "I know you hate me, James. But I would never do that to Amelia. She is my sister! I love Alice as

    my own! Since she has been gone, I have always been here. If I was the one that took her, won''t I

    leave to see her or n for the next evil?! Are you even thinking at all?"

    "The evil one would say anything and everything to seem like an angel. I knew there was something

    off when you suddenly apologized to Amelia. You have never done that. Not even when you took

    advantage of me!"

    "Stop!!!..." Helen screamed and held her head. "Are you two reasonable at all? Are you thinking

    about Alice and Amelia? If you keep fighting everyday, we would never know who the real culprit is.

    So stop!" Helen cried.

    James gulped hard and sat down. He still had his death stare on Elena. He just couldn''t tell himself

    she was innocent.

    ***

    Amelia heard the arguments in the living room from the room she was in. She headed to the door

    and locked it. She walked to the bed and mmed into it.

    She picked her phone that was next to her pillow and switched it on. She hadn''t put it on for three

    days.

    Her phone came on, and messages started popping in. Messages from different social handles and

    different people.

    "How are you, Amelia?" "I heard your baby was abducted. What are you going to do?" "Don''t you

    suspect anyone?" "Amelia, this is the third day of reaching out, please reply to me once you have

    the chance."

    She ignored all of these messages and went to her photo album instead. She began to look at

    Alice''s pictures one after the other. As she stared at them, tears streamed down her eyes.

    "Where are you, my little child? Come back to mummy. Mummy misses you so very much" She

    mumbled in tears.

    As she kept scrolling through the pictures, her phone began to vibrate. It was a phone call. The

    number calling popped up on her screen, and it happened to be an unknown number.

    She wanted to ignore the call, but then she thought about it again. ''What if this person calling has

    found Alice?''

    She answered the phone and ced it on her ear.

    "Hello."

    "Hi. I believe this is Amelia. Are you alone?"

    "Yes. Who is this please?"

    "I am with Alice as I speak¡­"

    "What?! Where are you? Who are you? I''ming over right away!"

    "Can you calm down and listen to me first? Alice is fine. But, something can go wrong if you don''t

    do as I say." The caller threatened. Amelia''s eyes popped wide open and she nodded.

    "I''m calm."

    "I believe you are alone. Now, I want you to leave the house right now without anyone elseing

    with you. If I find out you told anyone or the cops, Alice would be dead before you know it. I have

    eyes everywhere."

    "Yes, sir. I''lle alone and won''t tell anybody. But I don''t know where I''m going."

    "I''ll send you the address. I repeat, if you tell this to anyone, Alice is gone. And your husband,

    James, sitting in the living room as we speak will be the next victim."

    Amelia sprang to her feet and ran to the window. She looked outside carefully to check if she could

    see the person calling her.

    "How do you know where James is?"

    "I told you I have my eyes everywhere around you. I''ll be expecting you in the next five hours. You

    are not here by then, say goodbye to your daughter. I must say, her wristband is so cute."

    "Her¡­" the caller hung up before she couldplete her statement. "... Wristband? Oh My¡­ She

    is truly with him! My baby is with him."

    She grabbed her handbag, opened the drawer and pulled out two bundles of nearly packed dor

    notes. She threw them in her bag, and also picked her car keys.

    She rushed out of the room and cleaned her eyes. She adjusted her face with a fake smile and

    walked down the stairs. Immediately James saw her approaching, he hurried to her.

    "Hey¡­ where are you going?"

    "I''m going to the mall to get some groceries and wine. I want to prepare lunch. I''m starving."

    "Really?" James answered, narrowing his gaze in both surprise and suspicion.

    "Amelia, you don''t have to go out to get that. I can help you with that, and help you prepare the

    lunch too. I don''t think you are in the right state of mind to go out, talkless of drive." Elena added,

    moving to her too.

    "That is true." James asserted, and Elena looked at him. ''This is the first time he is agreeing with

    me over anything.'' She thought to herself.

    "You all don''t have to worry about me. I''ve been indoors for three days. I want to step out. I need

    fresh air."

    "Well, I''m happy you want to step out. It is a very good idea. I''ll drive you to the mall."

    "No! I want to be alone, okay? Just please let me go. I''m beginning to feel weary again."

    James swallowed hard and turned to look at their parents that just stood and watched them. "Let

    her go, James. Isn''t this what we prayed for?" Penelope asked.

    "But¡­"

    "I''ll call you, okay? I know you are worried. I''ll call you if anything happens. I''ll leave now." Amelia

    turned and began to walk away.

    James clenched his fists and looked at Charles. "Don''t you think I should go with her? At least

    follow behind her quietly."

    "Just let her be for now, James. We have been watching her for days now. I believe she is feeling

    weird already. Nothing will happen to her." Penelope added.

    James and the others reluctantly nodded and sat, waiting for Amelia to return.

    Amelia checked her phone for the address that the caller sent, it was a ce far from bama and

    its environs. She wasn''t sure which country it was, and she didn''t care.

    She switched off her phone afterwards to avoid disturbance from anyone, and she hit the hallway

    without looking back.

    ***

    After six hours of driving at 180 kilometer per hour, she got closer to the intended destination. She

    drove down a lonely, narrow tarred road, withrge trees on each side of the road. She was neither

    scared nor worried about it.

    All she wanted was to see her baby.

    A few minutester, she pulled up in front of a bungalow in the middle of nowhere. She stared at the

    building from inside the car and switched off the engine.

    She switched on her phone and called the same strange number that had called her.

    "I am here."

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    "Step out of the car." Hemanded. Amelia disconnected her seatbelt and opened the door. She

    picked her bag and hung it on her shoulder.

    "I''m out." She responded, with her eyes fixed on the white ancient-looking door. The door opened

    and the man stepped out with his phone ced on his ear.

    "Hi, Amelia." He uttered with a wide smile, and Amelia''s phone fell off her hand in awe.

    "Fred?!!"

 Chapter 70: Marry me.

    Chapter 70: Marry me.

    "Hi, Amelia." His response came with a slight chuckle. Amelia''s eyes still popped out in shock, and

    she dashed to where Fred stood.

    "You took my daughter?!" She yelled, and Fred ced his index finger on her lips, shaking his head.

    "Shhh¡­ You are going to wake her up." He whispered.

    Amelia''s lips shuddered and tears flooded her eyes. She slowly bounced her head and smacked his

    hand off her mouth.

    "Can I please see her?" She mumbled, and Fred nodded.

    "Follow me." He led the way into the house, and Amelia followed behind him anxiously. They got

    into the bedroom and she found Alice lying on the bed, wrapped in a very white shawl.

    Amelia moved closer to look at her face, and she saw that Alice was sleeping peacefully, and she

    didn''t look so terrible like she thought she would.

    "Now, you have seen her, let''s step outside and talk. I know you have a lot of things to ask."

    Fred turned to leave the room, and Amelia followed him with tears still streaming out of her eyes

    non-stop.

    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Fred, why did you do this? Alice is just a baby. If you wanted to call my attention to something, why

    didn''t you just take me instead? She is too young to be going through something like this."

    "Can you at least calm down for a second? Stop crying if you want me to answer your questions."

    Fred mmed into the sofa and crossed his legs, showing how unbothered he was.

    "Okay. I''m calm." She gulped.

    "Here¡­" he tapped the sofa he sat on, the space very close to him. "Come and sit here. It''s been a

    long time since we spoke, right? I''m still your very good friend." He uttered with a smirk.

    "Very good friend? You abducted my daughter!" Amelia cried.

    "Shhh!!! Tap.Tap. Sit."

    Amelia sluggishly moved closer to him and sat close to him, where he tapped.

    "Why are you doing this?" Amelia mumbled and clutched her eyes.

    "Because I can and I want to. Amelia, I know you''re aware that I have always wanted you to myself,

    and¡­"

    "That is why you came up with the crazy idea of kidnapping my child?"

    "Let me finish, okay?" His words proceeded out within gritted teeth. Amelia lowered her eyes and

    helplessly swallowed the awful words she wanted to say to him.

    "Good. Now, listen to me. I kidnapped Alice because I needed to open your eyes to see what you

    haven''t been seeing for years. James is not the right man for you. I am."

    "Coming from a man that put my daughter''s life at risk "

    "You just saw her, didn''t you? Is anything wrong with her? I bought her clothes, nutritious baby food,

    toys, and other things a baby would need. Her life is not at risk with me. I love her like she''s my

    daughter, which she will eventually be."

    "What do you want exactly, Fred?"

    "It''s not so hard to do, I want you to be with me. Marry me and let the three of us be one

    happy family."

    "Are you insane?! Marry you?! What are you saying? What has gotten into you? I am married for

    fucks sake!"

    "More reasons to marry you, Amelia. Since the first day I set my eyes on you, I have been so crazy

    about you, but you kept pushing me away after all the awful things that bastard did to you. You were

    never happy."

    "I am happy now! He isn''t the man he used to be!"

    "Ah¡­" Fred sighed and stood up from the chair. "This is why I don''t like naive women. They give

    you little attention and you fall harder into their trap. Do you think James has only you in his life?"

    "Yes! I am the only one in his life! You can''t gain anything from spoiling my husband in my presence,

    Fred. It''s a waste of time."

    "Really?! Look at this then." He lifted the PC on his table and opened it. He punched one or two

    buttons and gave it to her. "Take a look at it yourself."

    Amelia curiously looked at the screen and saw a bold picture of James holding hands with a woman

    in a restaurant. He had a bright smile on his face, and so did the woman.

    Amelia narrowed her eyes and gave theptop back to Fred. "He was just holding hands with her. I

    did hold hands with you once. " She responded, lowering her head.

    "Will you at least check the other pictures?"

    "No! There''s nothing you tell me that would make me hate my husband. Don''t waste your time."

    "Really? Okay then. So I guess we have a deal now."

    "What deal?"

    "That you''ll be with me."

    "Fred, if truly you love me the way you say you do, you''ll let me go with Alice and let us be happy."

    "An¡­ I wish I could do that, but I''m a bit selfish, Amelia. I want you and you alone. If you are

    not mine, you can''t be someone else''s. I am the only one that can take good care of you."

    "Fred, can you just stop?! Let us go, please. I won''t report to the police. I promise."

    "Oh please. That can''t work. You have to stay here with me."

    "I didn''t tell James where I was going!..."

    "Which is the wisest thing to do."

    "Everyone would be so worried at home. Please, don''t make me hate you. You are my friend."

    "You''re free to hate me, Amelia. But I know after a long time of keeping you with me, you will see

    that all this is to make you happy."

    "I''ll never be happy away from James!"

    "You have to stay here if you want to see your daughter! If you refuse me, then I''m scared Alice is

    going to be at great risk!" Fred answered out of frustration.

    ''Why can''t she just agree to be with me already? She keeps rubbing how much she loves James in

    my face!''

    "Let me have your phone." He muttered.

    "What?! No! Are you grounding me or what?! I''m not a child!"

    "Give me your phone, Amelia! I don''t want to be rough with you. Do as I say before I lose my

    temper!" He roared aggressively, making Amelia flinch.

    "Weeeennnn¡­ weeeennnn¡­" She heard Alice break into tears and she sprang to her feet. She

    dropped her bag and ran into the bedroom.

    "Alice, my child." She mumbled and carefully lifted her in her arms. She sat on the bed and lifted the

    shirt she wore. She pulled out her left breast and put it in her little mouth.

    As soon as Alice felt Amelia''s nipple in her mouth, she slowly nibbled on it and stopped crying after

    a few minutes. Her eyes fell shut and grabbed Amelia''s breast upper skin and held onto it firmly.

    Amelia smiled at Alice''s cuteness and she didn''t know when tears dropped on her face.

    "I''m sorry, Alice."

    *

    Fred picked up her bag and searched for her cellphone. After he found it, he stared at it for a few

    seconds and smashed it on the floor, making a loud crash sound.

    "Now, she will never get to talk to that prick, ever again!"

    "Grrrrr¡­ grrrrr¡­." His phone vibrated in the pocket of his pants. He pulled it out and looked at the

    screen before answering.

    "Yes."

    "Is she there with you? What is she doing?"

    "She is attending to Alice. Why are you calling me now? I thought you said you wouldn''t call

    throughout today."

    "Well, I had to. We are on the streets of bama right now, looking for her. James is not himself."

    "Isn''t that what you always wanted?"

    "Yeah, right. I need you to get rid of her phone and car because we are going to track her down with

    that very soon."

    "Gosh! This is so stressful! How will I get rid of the car? I can''t leave her alone here!"

    "Then get someone to do it! I am paying you for this, remember? It''s a double win for you, so do as

    you are told!"

    Fred clenched his jaw as the call got disconnected. He hurriedly scrolled through his phone and

    made another phone call.

    "Hey, masked guy. I need your help. I need you to get rid of a car."

    Amelia walked out of the room after hearing Fred talking. "Get rid of a car?" She muttered and he

    looked at her.

    He hung up the call and looked at her shattered phone. "Yes, your car. I''ve gotten rid of your

    phone." He answered with a smirk.

 Chapter 71: Who is this informant?

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 71: Who is this informant?</strong>

    "James, you need to calm down." Elena uttered, cing her hand on his shoulder.

    "Calm down?!" He smacked her hand off him and sprang to his feet. "What the f**k are you talking about?! How can I calm down when my wife and child are missing? Can you listen to yourself at all?!" He yelled at her.

    Elena flinched in fear and moved away from him. They sat in the living room and watched the policemen work on tracking her phone and car.

    "You don''t have to be so hard on me! I saw how you were shivering and sweating profusely, and I got worried about your health. That''s all."

    "Stop acting like a saint! First, it was Alice, now it is Amelia''s. What exactly are you nning?!"

    "Stop it, James! The police have already investigated me. When will you ever believe that I would never do such to my sister?"

    "When the truth is finally out. When I find my wife and child."

    Penelope and Helen walked into the living room, looking super exhausted. They had gone to town to paste the missing posters of Amelia and her baby.

    They kept asking people that passed by them if they had seen her, but they all kept saying the same thing. "No."

    "Mother." Elena called as soon as she saw Penelope. She opened her arms and embraced her. "You look so stressed out." She added.

    "Don''t worry about me. We need to find Amelia and Alice first. We have been to almost everywhere in town, she is nowhere to be found" Penelope responded.

    They both turned to look at Helen and they saw her sitting next to James. She ced his head on her shoulder and tried to calm him down.

    "How is it going?" Helen asked the policemen.

    "We are still on it. Don''t worry, Ma''am. We''ll find them."

    Helen heaved a sigh and bounced her head. "You heard them, right? Can you please shower now? You are sweaty and stinky.

    "I don''t care about that..."

    "But I do, okay? Take a shower. I''ll be here with the police."

    James reluctantly agreed to take a shower and he stood to his feet. He walked past Elena to thestairs and shot her a deadly re.

    ''I had always known something was off about her.

    She must be the one behind all this.''This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    When he was gone, Elena approached Helen and sat next to her. "Ma''am Helen, when will James believe that I have nothing to do about this? I honestly love Alice and Amelia. I''d never do such to her."

    "You can''t me him, Elena. You haven''t been so good to him since he knew you, but now you are so nice. It is truly suspicious."

    "But I just wanted to be good to everyone." She mumbled and lowered her head in tears. Penelope clenched her jaws and looked at Helen.

    "You don''t have to make her feel bad. She has already been investigated and nothing has been found against her. Please talk to your son, Helen. I don''t want him toplicate her. You are my friend, right? You can help me talk to him."

    Helen exhaled and bounced her head.

    "We''ve found a lead!" One of the policemen uttered, and they sprang to their feet.

    "Where are they?" Penelope asked with her eyes popped wide open.

    ***

    Fred stormed into the room where Amelia was with arge bag. He looked like he was under great pressure and this made Amelia curious.

    "What is going on?"

    "I''m packing the baby''s things. We are moving."

    "What?! Moving to where? I just got here. I haven''t spent so much time with my baby. Are you going to kill us?..."

    "Shut up!"

    Amelia flinched and hurriedly lifted sleeping Alice from the bed into her arms.

    "You are going to keep your mouth shut and let me concentrate. We are leaving here right now. I can''t afford to get caught."

    "Fred." Amelia called and approached him as he filled the bag with the clothes and shoes he had gotten for Alice.

    "What? I asked..." The words of his mouth disappeared immediately he felt Amelia touch his bare arm from behind. He was wearing a singlet, which was beginning to get soaked.

    His eyes fell shut automatically, and he inhaled and exhaled deeply. "What are you doing, Amelia?"

    His words approached Amelia in a whisper.

    "Look at me." She whispered softly, and heclenched his fist very tight.

    He slowly turned to look at her, and as soon as his eyes met with hers, his heart melted even more. The look on her face was so soft and seductive to him.

    "Fred." She called again and this time, she moved her hand to his face, after making sure she held Alice firmly to herself with her other hand. She ced her palm on his cheek and his eyes went shut again.

    "Amelia." He whispered, held her hand to his face and began to rub his cheek against her palm softly.

    "Why are you doing this to me, Fred? Please let me go." She muttered, rubbing his face with her palm. "I can''t." He muttered.

    "Why? Is there something I don''t know? Is there someone telling you to do all this? Fred, I know you love me, but I''m not happy at all. If you truly love me, you''ll let me go so that I can be happy again."

    "Amelia..." He called softly, but was cut short when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He opened his eyes and let go of her hand suddenly.

    Amelia gulped hard and watched him pull out his phone from his pants. Fred unlocked his phoneand read the message that popped in from a familiar phone number.

    "Have you left the house?! The police are on their way there. Don''t say I didn''t warn you. I won''t be a part of this if things go south."

    "Fred." Amelia called and wanted to touch him, but he backed away from her.

    "Enough! Come with me!" He grabbed her arm and pulled her with him out of the room. He was opportuned to pack almost all the things he got for her child in the bag.

    "Where are you taking us? Please, don''t do this Fred. You are a nice person."

    "You know nothing about me! Shut up, Amelia. I''m trying not to do something irrational to you right now. Please don''t make that difficult."

    He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the house, while she held onto Alice firmly.

    "Please slow down! Alice is sleeping."

    A car pulled up in front of the house, creating a loud screeching sound.

    "Get in!" He ordered her.

    "Where is my car? What did you do to my car?"

    "Get in, Amelia! I may be nice to you, but the driver isn''t. He doesn''t have so much time to waste.Now get in."

    Amelia swallowed hard and bounced her head. Fred opened the back door for her, and she entered the car. She looked at the driver and saw he wore a very scary mask. Her eyes widened and she embraced her baby tighter.

    "Go. Go." Fred said, and the car took off at great speed, almost yanking Amelia and her baby forward.

    "Can you at least slow down?! She is sleeping, okay?!" Amelia yelled in terror and tears, but they paid no attention to her.

    ***

    Two police cars and a private car pulled up in front of the house that the tracker directed them to. They stepped out of the car and the cops surrounded the house, fully prepared to attack.

    James looked around and wondered how Amelia''s phone got to be found somewhere that creepy. "How the hell did her phone get here?" He asked aloud.

    "I''m as shocked as you are. This is almost a seven hours drive from the house. How did she get here? All these make no sense!" Helen added.

    James looked around again and then sighted Elena meters away from them. She was on thephone.

    "I''ll be back, mom." He uttered and began to approach Elena quietly.

    Penelope noticed what was going on and she walked up to Helen. "Why is he going after her?"

    "Let them be, Penelope. You said she knew nothing about all this, right? Let him find that out himself." Helen responded. Penelope reluctantly nodded and folded her arms as they both watched them.

    "I told you not to call me, what is wrong with you? I don''t want to talk to you, okay? I''m in the middle of something, and you can''t keep calling me!" Elena uttered in rage.

    James suddenly snatched her phone and looked at the phone number.

    "What is the meaning of this, James? Are you out of your mind?!" She smacked.

    He moved away from her and ced the phone on his ear.

    "I love you, Elena. Give me your heart. That man doesn''t deserve your feelings." A man from the other end of the phone said.

    James creased his brows and moved the phone away from his ear.

    "Are you satisfied now? When will you ever believe that I would never hurt my sister and her baby?? What is wrong with you?!" Elena yelled and broke into tears.

    She snatched her phone from him and ran out of his sight. James clenched his jaws and turned to look at her as she ran.

    He saw their mothers staring at him and he lowered his head. ''What is wrong with you, James?'' He thought to himself.

    He walked back to where the cops were and waited for them to give him good news. They approached him and pulled him aside from everyone else.

    "I''m sorry, Mr. James, but they had left here before we arrived. Looks like he has an informant from amongst us here."

    He shut his eyes tight and bounced his head. "I suspected the same thing." He answered.

    ''Who is this informant?''

 Chapter 72: She wants to kiss me?

    <strong><span style="font-size:22px">Chapter 72: She wants to kiss me?</strong>

    The car pulled up in front of another house, this time a few houses surrounded this house, but they were too few to make Ameliafortable.

    "You should move it now. My job is done." The

    masked driver uttered, and that was when Amelia realized that Fred had been staring at her the whole time.

    Alive clenched her jaws and opened the door, holding Alice carefully to herself.

    She looked around the remote road, trying to make a guess about where they were, but she got nothing.

    All she knew was that it was very far from where they first were.

    "Come with me." Fred said to her, swaying the key in his hand.

    "Why are we here? Why did we leave the other house? What are you nning?"

    "Too many questions after such a long ride. Don''t you want to rest? If you don''t want to rest, I want to rest."

    He opened the door and stepped aside for Amelia to walk in first.

    "Fred! Alice shouldn''t be in a situation like this. She is too young to go through all these. It''s me you want, right? Can''t you let me give her back to James?"

    "No, I can''t. I love Alice too. If I give her back to James, she wouldn''t be breastfed well. Wouldn''t this affect her? Now,e in, okay? Alice needs to rest."

    Amelia heaved a loud sigh and walked into this new house. She stood at the door and looked around the living room.

    There was not much paparazzi going on. The living room was medium sized, with furniture that looked neither expensive nor cheap. It was for the middle-ss family.

    "Feel at home." Fred uttered and stepped out of the house, he locked the door behind him and walked to the car that brought them there.

    Amelia carefully ced Alice on the couch and rushed to the window. She lifted the curtain slightly and peered out.

    She saw Fred having a chat with the masked driver. It seemed like a serious discussion.

    "Who the hell are you?" Amelia whispered, still watching them. She wanted to see him take off that mask, but unfortunately, he was super careful.

    The masked guy stepped into the car and Fred headed back to the house. Amelia hurriedly moved to the couch and sat next to Alice.

    Alice opened her eyes and looked at Amelia, She let out a wide smile that melted Amelia''s heart.

    "My baby girl. I hope you slept well." She said, and Alice lifted her little hands and chuckled.

    Amelia lifted her with her hands and embraced her. She patted her and kept moving her hands up and down as she was ying with her.

    Fred walked in and saw them having fun. He didn''t know when a smile crossed his face. He felt wholesome seeing them happy.

    "I want to see her too." He said as he approached them. He sat on the couch and stretched his hands forward to receive her.

    Amelia stared at his hand and shook her head. She wasn''t sure giving her to him was a good idea.

    "C''mon, Amelia. If I wanted to hurt her, I would''ve. She was with me for almost three days before I contacted you, right? Did you see anything strange about her? I just want to hold her, okay?"

    Amelia gulped hard as she listened to him. She slowly nodded her head and moved Alice away from her shoulder.

    She stretched her to him, and he received her withhappiness. He smiled widely at Alice, and Alice giggled very hard.

    Amelia shook her head and looked away. ''He is the bad guy, Alice. You can''t keep smiling at everyone.'' She thought to herself.

    "Woah! She likes me! She is so cute!"

    "She is a baby. She doesn''t know the friend from the enemy." Amelia mumbled.

    "But I am no enemy."

    "Then why are we here? How long do I have to stay here with you?"

    "Until you have no reason to think about James and go back to him."

    "Why? What did James ever do to you?" She asked out of curiosity.

    "He was hurting you so much. Isn''t that enough reason?"

    "He was! Not anymore, Fred. I appreciate your concern for me, but there is nothing like that anymore. We are happy now."

    "But I am not. James has always been a pain in my ass. First, he kicked my Casino out of business, collected all my clients, and never gave me that chance to be up there."

    "What? I don''t understand. You have known Jamesbefore we first met at his Casino?"

    "Of course, but he didn''t know me. I once had a casino in that same ce where he mounted his own. I went to ska on a business trip, only for me to hear the news that my casino was demolished by one James Parker, before it wasn''t a sessful casino."

    "But..."

    "Don''t try to speak for him. You weren''t there when all these happened. It''s been a long time. I wanted Justice, but didn''t get one because he had connections everywhere. His father was always behind him, whereas I had no one. I was growing on my own, without anyone. Why did he have to build his Casino at that same spot? There are othernds in bama."

    Amelia exhaled and moved closer to him. He was still smiling at Alice when he felt Amelia move close to him.

    He looked at her face and down to her hand which sat perfectly on his thighs.

    "I''m sorry you had to go through all of these, Fred. I never knew something that great had happened between you two. Did you try talking to James about it?"

    "Talking?" He scoffed. "He was always nowhere to be found. Was always moving from one country toanother. He never paid attention to me."

    "So you came to that Casino to talk to him in person?"

    "Yes. I heard he was going to be visiting, so I wanted to try my luck but I ended up missing his wife. It was the first time I was going to meet him in person too."

    "I''m sorry, Fred." Her eyebrows fell in sadness.

    "Why? I wasn''t poor then, and I''m still not poor. I just hated the fact that I was being cheated because he knew more people than I did then."

    "I''m sorry because if I didn''t bother you that evening, you could have gotten a chance to talk to him."

    Fred smiled faintly and shook his head. "Don''t me yourself. I don''t regret what happened that night."

    "I can help you. I can help you talk to James. He can let go of the Casino and hand it over to you. Just let me help you. Please."

    "And then I''ll let you go?"

    "Isn''t this because you want to get back what is yours? Because you want him to finally give you that attention? Once you have it, you can let us go, right?"

    Fred scoffed and stood to his feet. He ced

    Alice on his chest and held her head to his chest with his left hand.

    "Truly, I want James to suffer and give me attention. But, that isn''t why you are here. You''re here because I want you. Since that day you kissed me, I have always wanted you, but you kept pushing me away for such a useless man."

    "Fred." She stood up and wanted to touch him but he moved away.

    "That is enough. I''ll prepare dinner for us. We''ll eat as a family."

    He gave Alice back to her and walked away. Amelia looked at Alice''s cute face sadly. Alice touched her cheeks with her small palm and grinned.

    "What do we do? He is never going to let us see daddy. We need to talk to Daddy before things get out of hand." She whispered to Alice, and all she got was a giggle as a response.

    ''Oh, you poor girl. You have no idea what we are in.'' She thought.

    ***

    Fred was preparing spaghetti and sauce, the aroma filled the air, and he could hear this tummy grumble.

    His phone began to vibrate in his pants and he pulled it out.

    "Who is it this time?" He mumbled and checked the caller. He exhaled loudly and answered the phone.

    "Are you somewhere safe now?"

    "Yes."

    "We need to be extra careful now. James is beginning to suspect that there is an informant from inside. I need to stop calling you."

    "I knew this would happen. What is the next n?"

    "Lay low and make her fall in love with you. Isn''t that the n? I don''t want him anywhere Amelia again! He is no good for her."

    "So you believe I''m better?"

    "Anybody outside the Parker''s family will always be better! Just do your job, and I won''t hesitate to spoil you with money. Keep them safe and out of reach."

    "Alright."

    "I won''t call you until further notice, and don''t you dare call me. The cops are everywhere around me."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "I got it the first time. I won''t call you. I know the risk thates with doing that. I''ll hang up now."

    He hastily hung up when he noticed the presence of someone in the kitchen.

    "Do you need help? I found the cradle you got, and I ced Alice in it already. Thank you for the toys too. That would keep her busy."

    "It''s no big deal. And, I''m almost done here. You can just sit back and rx. I''ll do the work for you now." He uttered excitedly.

    This made Amelia even more ufortable. She nodded and rested her back on the Kitchen door.

    "Who were you talking to?" She asked.

    He swallowed and turned his head to look at her. "Just a friend. Why are you asking?"

    "Can I know this friend? If we''re to be a couple, wouldn''t I at least know any of your friends?"

    Fred''s eyes widened after hearing her statement. He turned to look at her and dropped the spoon in his hand.

    "Does this mean you are considering my offer?" He asked.

    Amelia giggled and bounced her head. "Of c course, I am. You have been so good to me, and I do understand why you are doing this. We both have been hurt by the same person. We deserve to be happy."

    Fred''s mouth fell open in awe. He never expected those words to proceed out of her mouth.

    "You are trying to y me, right? You think I''m going to fall for that?"

    Amelia shook her head and walked up to him. She took his face in her hand and caressed it softly.

    "y you? What would I gain from doing that? I just want to be happy with Alice and live the moment." She kept her eyes on his lips as she spoke.

    "Stop looking at me like that." Fred''s voice turned inaudible. He was weak in the legs because of how her breath brushed his face when she spoke.

    "I want to kiss you." She whispered, and Fred''s heart made a loud thud inside of him as it hit aggressively against his chest.

    ''She wants to kiss me too?!''

 Chapter 73: Gaining his trust

    Chapter 73: Gaining his trust

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in three hours time. Hopper is waiting for me toe and visit him. It¡¯s past his visiting

    time.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Penelope. I¡¯ll stay back here with James. I can¡¯t leave him alone in this condition.¡± Helen

    responded.

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll be back, okay? Please take care of him and yourself.¡±

    Penelope opened the door and stepped out of the house. After shutting the door, Helen heaved a

    loud sigh and turned to look at James.

    ¡°How did you two meet?¡± James asked out of the blue.

    ¡°You mean Penelope and I?¡± Helen answered, and he bounced his head.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°I never got the chance to ask until now. Maybe this story would help me while away the time. I¡¯m

    trying to get this situation out of my head but I¡¯m finding it hard. Please help me.¡±

    Helen bounced her head and sat next to him on the couch. ¡°Well, we both first met in high school. In

    grade one. It was not a pleasant meeting because I bumped into her that day, and also spilled her

    drink on her white t-shirt. She was so mad at me even though I apologized with great sincerity. I was

    running out of time and I had to run to the lecture room, but unfortunately she got in the way.¡±

    ¡°Really? So what happened afterwards?¡±

    ¡°I found out she was in the same ss as I was. Her chair was close to mine. I tried talking to her

    but she kept ignoring me. She didn¡¯t want to have anything to do with me.¡±

    ¡°I bet she was so mad at you.¡± James exhaled heavily and picked up his cup of wine. He took a sip

    and lowered his head in sadness again.

    ¡°Yes, but crazily, I liked her. I wanted to be her friend badly and I kept trying to be her friend until we

    got into college. She was almost in trouble during the exams, but I was able to save her on time.

    After this, we became friends.¡±

    ¡°What kind of trouble was she in?¡±

    ¡°Exam malpractice, and this could have cost her schrship. Luckily for me, I was able to reveal

    who tried setting her up. This made her like me so much, and that was how we started getting along

    well.¡±

    ¡°And that was all? You turned Besties after that time?¡±

    ¡°Yes. But I noticed something about her.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

    ¡°She hates sharing her things with someone. She always wants to be on top, wants to be the center

    of attention, wants things to fall in love the way she wants.

    ¡°Woah. You knew all this and you¡¯re still friends with her?!¡± James scoffed.

    ¡°That¡¯s why we are friends. Those are her weaknesses. I really liked her so I understood her well.

    Everyone isn''t perfect, son.¡±

    ¡°And did she understand you the way you understood her?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I think she did. We lost contact after college when we had to go our separate ways. I can¡¯t

    forget what we discussed before the night she left for Canada.¡±

    ¡°What was it about?¡±

    ¡°She met a young man on her way from the shopping mall. She identally bumped into him and

    ended up falling up with him. Crazy girl.¡± She uttered with a chuckle.

    ¡°And is he Hopper?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure. She didn¡¯t tell me the full details. I don¡¯t think she knew much about him either. All I

    know is that she liked him so much after they first met. She was so excited telling me about him. We

    lost contact afterwards, so I couldn¡¯t follow up the drama.¡± She smiled widely.

    ¡°Since she loves getting what she wants. She properly ended up with him. He could be Hopper.¡±

    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t be so sure. We haven¡¯t gotten the time to catch up well, not after all this drama. We¡¯ll

    talk about itter.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ whatever. Thank God Amelia isn¡¯t like her in some aspects. God, Amelia is just so perfect.

    I need her back.¡± He mumbled and grabbed his head in despair.

    ¡°Hey, the cops are working nonstop. We¡¯ll find Amelia. Don¡¯t bother so much about it.¡±

    James heaved a sigh and bounced his head. ¡°I want to look for her but I don¡¯t even know where to

    start. It¡¯s like she evaporated from the face of the earth. I can¡¯t stop worrying, Mom.¡±

    ¡°You are trying your best. I believe wherever Amelia is, she is trying so hard toe back home.

    Let¡¯s hope for good news from Charles today. I hope he can finally rest a little. He has been up

    everywhere.¡±

    James exhaled and bounced his head.

    ***

    ¡°You want to kiss me?¡± Fred was astonished.

    ¡°Why are you so shocked? We have done it before, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to, Fred. I know you are thinking I¡¯m doing this for some other reasons

    apart from the fact that I can now understand your point of view.¡±

    Amelia wore a sad face and turned to leave, but Fred grabbed her hand and made her stop.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t want to.¡±

    The corner of Amelia¡¯s lips curved up in a smile, and she made it stop as she turned to look at him.

    She moved closer to him and Fred¡¯s hand slid off her arm weakly. She moved her hand to his face

    and leaned closer. She had to stand on her toes to get to his lips because he was pretty taller than

    she was.

    Her lips covered his lips and she felt him inhaling deeply. Before she could move away, he moved

    his hand to her waist and yanked her closer to him, making her press her body against his.

    His lips parted too and he took her lips in wholly. Her breath caressed his lower face which sent

    signals to the middle of his legs.

    He wanted more than just a kiss. He grabbed her ass and a slight moan escaped her lips.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amelia moaned, trying to pull out of his arms. She finally got her lips away from his. She

    lowered her head and clenched her jaws.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did I do anything wrong?¡± Fred asked worriedly. He moved his hands from her

    waist and raised her head with his hand.

    ¡°No. Not that. I loved it, but I¡¯m notfortable.¡±

    ¡°Because it isn¡¯t James, right?!¡±

    ¡°No! Not that! I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m on my period.¡± She mumbled with embarrassment.

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Fred¡¯s eyes popped wide open as he asked.

    ¡°Yes, I am. Do you want to see it by yourself?¡±

    ¡°Of course not! Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? I would have sorted it out.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware it was today. It was when we got here I began to feel it. You don¡¯t have tampons or

    pads here?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. I¡¯ll have to get that for you.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you can get that? Isn¡¯t it embarrassing?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care, Amelia. I¡¯ll do it for you. Let me finish here, and I¡¯ll head out to get it for you.¡±

    Amelia smiled and bounced her head. She stared at him for a while and said;

    ¡°You are truly a nice person, Fred.¡± After speaking, she walked out of the kitchen and headed to the

    room where she ced Alice.

    She lifted her in her arms and nted a soft kiss on her forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll get us out of here. Even if it

    means doing anything to please Fred.¡± She whispered.

    Her eyes heated up with tears as she stared at smiling Alice. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to go through all

    this. I¡¯ll find out why he is doing this, and who he is doing this for. I promise we¡¯ll see daddy soon.¡±

    ¡®All I need to do is gain his trust. I¡¯ll get his trust and I¡¯ll be out of here very soon.¡¯

    ***

    ¡°How have you been, Penelope?¡± Hopper spoke into the telephone as he stared at her through the

    ss.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been good. How have you been? Are they feeding you well?¡± She responded with great worry.

    ¡°No, but I can cope. How are things at the house? It took you so long to visit me again. What¡¯s going

    on?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been busy helping James and the others look for Amelia and Alice. They were abducted.¡±

    ¡°What? How did that happen?!¡± He asked in awe.

    ¡°Why do you sound like that? Are you worried?¡±

    ¡°Of course I am. She is my daughter, why wouldn¡¯t I be worried about her?¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so nice of you, Hopper. You are behind bars and you still worry about the person that

    sent you here in the first ce.¡±

    ¡°I deserved it, Penelope.¡±

    ¡°But we could have resolved it between ourselves. She didn¡¯t have to make such a big deal out of it.

    I begged her not to press charges, begged James, begged his parents but they never listened.

    Even though Helen used to be a very good friend of mine.¡±

    ¡°Hold on, Penelope. Are you holding grudges against them?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. I¡¯m just saying. Stop worrying about them and focus on yourself. They don¡¯t care.

    None of them have visited you for once since you got in here. I feel bad for Freddie the most. Not

    even his childrene here to visit.¡±

    Hopper sighed and shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not so worried about that. I know after I finish using my

    term in this ce, I¡¯ll make it up to my daughters. I¡¯ll make sure they don¡¯t hate me anymore.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ whatever. I got you some food. You look so lean already.¡± She uttered, pulling out the nylon

    of packaged food from herrge bag.

    ¡°Thank you. Tell me, Penelope, how is the search for them going?¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t so productive. We have been on it for so long that I feel like giving up already.¡±

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± He muttered and narrowed his eyes on her.

    ¡°What? Why that look?¡±

    ¡°Something isn¡¯t right. I know how eager you were to get Amelia back. Now she is missing for some

    days, and you want to give up? Tell me something I don¡¯t know, Penelope.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. There¡¯s nothing going on.¡±

    ¡°Do you know something about their disappearance?!¡±

    ¡°What?! Are you crazy? Of course not! Why will I do that to my own daughter? I¡¯ve been there

    looking for her too. I¡¯ve been so stressed. Why will I go through all that if I¡¯m behind it.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were behind it.¡±

    ¡°I know nothing about it, okay?! If you are going to use me, then I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±

    ¡°Hey,e on, I was just saying, alright? Stay with me a little longer. I missed you so much.¡±

    Hopper responded with a smile, hoping she was going to erase the frown registered on her face.

    ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t talk about them anymore. We¡¯ll talk about us and that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°I promise.¡± He responded, crossing his heart and giggling.

 Chapter 74: Been so long.

    Chapter 74: Been so long.

    ¡°I¡¯m done, Amelia. I¡¯ll head out now. What else do you need for you and Alice? I¡¯ll get everything.¡±

    ¡°When you go out, you¡¯ll lock us in the house right?¡± She asked, staring at his face. Fred gulped

    hard and looked away.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t trust me to leave me alone in the house without restraint.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amelia. But I can¡¯t be careless with you. Not anymore.¡±

    Amelia chuckled and shook her head and looked at him. ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel so bad about it. I

    understand you, okay? But I have a request.¡±

    Fred bounced his head slowly and looked at her. ¡°What is your request?¡±

    ¡°Can I at least go with you? It¡¯s been so long I took Alice on a stroll. She seems bored already. I

    would love to take her out today. So can we go with you to the mall? I¡¯d be able to recollect other

    things I need when I see them too.¡±

    ¡°That is your request?¡± He asked, and she bounced her head excitedly.

    ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking. I¡¯ll be with you and I promise I won¡¯t try to do anything stupid. Maybe then,

    you¡¯ll be able to trust me.¡±

    ¡°Okay. You should prepare then.¡± He responded, and she sprang to her feet in excitement and

    headed into the room where Aliceid.

    *

    They headed out of the house and walked down the lonely street to the busy road to board a taxi.

    Amelia carried Alice in her arms, and rested her head on her shoulder. She dressed her in clothes

    that could shield her from the cold weather. She wore a head warmer on her head too.

    Fred walked next to them and tried holding hands with Amelia. Amelia noticed this and made sure

    they had contact.

    When he felt her hand touch his, he looked at her face and noticed she wasn¡¯t even paying

    attention to him.

    ¡®Does that mean she involuntarily made our hands touch? She doesn¡¯t mind if I hold her hand in

    public?¡¯ He thought.

    He summoned courage and took her hand in his. When he held her hand, she looked at his face

    and grinned. She adjusted Alice and focused on her walking.

    She also responded to his touch and held him too. Fred felt butterflies in his belly. His joy knew no

    bounds.

    ¡®Is this real? Does she truly want us to be a thing, or she is just trying to gain my trust. I need to be

    very careful.¡¯

    Soon, a taxi approached them and Fred waved it down. They got into the taxi and headed to the

    shopping mall.

    ***

    Penelope got back to James¡¯ mansion feeling so tired. She got into the living room and found no

    one there.

    ¡°Where is everyone? Helen, are you there?! I¡¯m back!¡± She called out, but got no response.

    ¡°James?!¡± She also called out but it was the same thing. She got to response.

    ¡°Where did they all go?¡± She mmed into the couch and pulled out her phone from her bag. She

    unlocked it and put a call across to Helen.

    She ced the phone on her ear and waited for her to respond.

    ¡°Penelope. Are you back? I texted you that I¡¯d be heading out to get groceries for dinner.¡±

    ¡°For real? Wow, I didn¡¯t see the message. So you are at the mall now, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll be back in twenty to twenty five minutes. We¡¯ll prepare dinner together, okay?¡±

    ¡°Sure! What of James? He is nowhere to be found.¡±

    ¡°Oh, he went to the office. It was a very important and urgent issue, so he had to go. He¡¯ll be back

    for dinner too.¡±

    ¡°Alright. See you soon.¡±

    ¡°Hold on! Charles will be there soon too. He is back from his trip and is heading straight to James¡¯.¡±

    Penelope¡¯s heart sank to her belly as she listened to her. She gulped hard and nodded.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Please take care of him before I arrive. I told him not to return today but he would never listen. He

    can¡¯t leave for a whole day when his son is under great pressure.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s understandable. We¡¯ll talkter, okay?¡±

    ¡°Sure! Bye!¡±

    She hung up the call and ced the phone on the table. ¡®So we¡¯ll be alone. Oh God, I need to

    compose myself.¡¯

    She hurriedly stood up and adjusted her dress. She began to fidget and started shaking her legs.

    She folded her hands and started breathing hard.

    ¡°It¡¯s been years, why do I still feel like this? Penelope, you have Hopper now.¡± She mumbled to

    herself.

    ¡°Ding! Dong!¡±

    The sound of the doorbell jolted Penelope out of her thoughts and she sprang to her feet. Her heart

    began to thump against her chest vigorously as she approached the door.

    ¡°Who is there?¡± She managed to find her voice.

    ¡°It¡¯s me, Charles.¡±

    She opened the door and a slight smile crossed her face as soon as their eyes met.

    ¡°Hey, Penelope! How are you?¡± Charles asked with a wide smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m good. How are you too? How was your trip? Pleasee in.¡± She answered nervously.

    ¡°I¡¯m so tired.¡± He answered, walking to the couch. He mmed into the couch and rested his head

    on the chair¡¯s backrest.

    He closed his eyes and swallowed. Penelope stared at him as his Adam¡¯s apple rose and fell.

    She gradually approached the couch too and looked away. ¡°Are you thirsty? I¡¯ll get you some

    water.¡±

    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±

    As soon as she was gone, he pulled out his phone and put a call across to Helen.

    ¡°I¡¯m back, baby. When will you be back?¡±

    ¡°Soon, okay? I¡¯m in a haste because of you.¡±

    ¡°Okay then. We¡¯ll see soon. I missed you.¡±

    ¡°Missed me? You were gone for just a day.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I missed you even before I left.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I missed you too. Talk to youter, okay?¡±

    ¡°See you soon. Muaahh!¡±

    Penelope walked into the living room right before he could hang up. She let out a feeble smile and

    ced the cup on the table in front of him.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Penelope.¡±

    He picked up the cup and took a sip from it.

    Penelope watched him and after a few minutes, she breathed out through her mouth.

    ¡°It¡¯s been so long.¡± She uttered and Charles raised his head to look at her.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± He responded.

    ¡°Since our first meeting. It¡¯s been so long.¡±

    Charles creased his brows and stared at her for a few seconds before speaking up.

    ¡°I¡¯m lost. Our first meeting?¡± He inquired and she bobbed.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that at the hospital? When you and Helen met for the first time.¡±

    Penelope chuckled and shook her head. ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t remember. We have met before

    recently. We met about 30 years ago. We were so young, so it¡¯s understandable if you don¡¯t

    remember me.¡±

    ¡°Wait! 30 years ago? How do you still remember that? When was that?¡±

    ¡°Well, it was a wonderful meeting, I would never forget it. I bumped into you whening out of a

    shopping mall here in bama. Specifically the biggest mall in bama at the moment.¡±

    ¡°Really? I can¡¯t remember a thing! It¡¯s crazy.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s been so long. You haven¡¯t changed a bit. Still as handsome as you looked back then.¡±

    Charles chuckled and lowered his head shyly. ¡°Don¡¯t tter me, Penelope.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m damn serious! You were so fine back then.¡±

    Charles grinned and looked at her. ¡°Thank you so much. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t recall anything from that

    day.¡±

    ¡°Oh please, don¡¯t be worry. We didn¡¯t even have the time to introduce ourselves. You were in a

    hurry. I wanted to look for you afterwards but I had to leave for Canada.¡±

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Oh really? Why are we just talking about this? The world is truly a small ce.¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t get the chance until now. We¡¯ve been so busy. I haven¡¯t even had the chance to catch up

    with Helen too.¡±

    ¡°Ding Dong!!!¡± The doorbell rang.

    ¡°My wife is here! I¡¯ll get the door.¡± Charles said in excitement and sprang to his feet.

    The smile on her face slowly faded off and she lowered her head.

    Charles opened the door and Helen ran into his arms and embraced him.

    ¡°Wee back home!¡± She uttered excitedly. Charles pressed his lips against her and they both

    chuckled.

    Helen looked up and saw Penelope staring at them.

    ¡°Wee back.¡± Penelope uttered with a feeble grin.

 Chapter 75: You should be dead.

    Chapter 75: You should be dead.

    ¡°I think we have gotten all the things we need.¡± Fred said, holding hands with Amelia in the

    shopping mall.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should get a Walker for Alice? I can¡¯t keep carrying her around. She is growing

    weighty day by day.¡± Amelia grumbled.

    Fred chuckled and bounced his head. ¡°That¡¯s true. Let¡¯s go and get it then.¡±

    ¡°But can I at least use my card? You have been paying the bills since we got here, and you have

    spent a lot already.¡±

    Feed looked at her and let out a soft smile. ¡°You¡¯re worrying about me?¡± He asked.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Of course, I am worried about you. Why doesn¡¯t it seem like a surprise to you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s happening so fast, Amelia. I thought I¡¯d have to pressure you so much before you¡¯d say yes to

    me. But it seems pretty easy.¡±

    Amelia clenched her jaw and looked away. ¡°Are you trying to say I¡¯m easy?¡± She asked, feeling

    offended by his words.

    ¡°Oh no! That¡¯s not what I meant.¡±

    Amelia broke intoughter and shook her head. ¡°Calm down, Fred. I was just teasing you, okay?

    Let¡¯s get the Walker so that we can go back to the house as soon as possible.¡±

    They got to where the Walker was being disyed and began to contemte on which one to

    choose.

    Amelia looked around them and tried to find anything that could help James find her if she finally got

    in touch with him.

    The people around didn¡¯t seem to recognize her, even though she was quite popr in bama.

    She needed someone she could tell about her problems.

    ¡®Everyone here is minding his business. I need to know how to get to James as soon as possible.¡¯

    Amelia thought.

    ¡°Amelia, look at this? This is pretty! Blue, just like her eyes!¡± Fred said to her excitedly.

    She looked at the Walker and nodded. ¡°This is perfect. Let¡¯s put her in it.¡±

    Fred moved closer to her and ced the Walker in front of her. She carefully ced Alice in it and

    adjusted the belt to hold her to the chair firmly.

    ¡°I love it.¡± She uttered, and Fred giggled.

    ¡°We¡¯re getting it. What else do you want? You can ask me for anything.¡±

    ¡°Errrm¡­ I¡­ I need to use the restroom.¡± She muttered.

    After hearing her request, Fred felt ufortable. He wasn¡¯t sure letting her go to the restroom

    alone was a good idea. He was yet to trust herpletely.

    After Amelia watched his countenance for some time, she sighed and threw her hands in the air.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll do it when we get home. Let¡¯s go.¡± She uttered with a frown.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it!¡±

    ¡°Then what is it, Fred? When are you going to ever trust me? I¡¯m going to the restroom. Alice would

    be with you because I can¡¯t take her there. Would I think of running away without my daughter? I

    trust you and that¡¯s why I¡¯m doing all these with you.¡± She uttered angrily.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay? I¡¯m sorry. I promise to trust you from now on. You can use the restroom, I¡¯ll be with

    Alice here. Please don¡¯t run away.¡±

    A smile crept up Amelia¡¯s face and she nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a few minutes. Take good care of our

    baby girl.¡±

    Amelia turned to leave and as she left, she didn¡¯t look back for once. She headed right for the

    bathroom.

    ¡®I need to get in touch with James. But how do I do this? I don¡¯t know his phone number offhand. He

    doesn¡¯t ept unknown line IDs on time. I don¡¯t have so much time on my side! What do I do?¡¯

    She reminisced as she sighted the bathroom in front of her. She got into the bathroom and shut the

    door behind her. She rested her back on the door and hit the back of her head on it slowly.

    ¡®He doesn¡¯t trust me at all. What if he has a tracking device on me? I can¡¯t do anything stupid now.¡¯

    She heaved a loud sigh and before she could open her eyes, she heard a door close. She opened

    her eyes and saw a very familiar elderly woman step out of one of the toilets.

    She let out a fake grin and walked to the basins. The woman looked at her and also smiled as she

    walked to the basins too.

    She furrowed her brows as she stared at this elderly woman. ¡®This isn¡¯t possible. I must be

    hallucinating or something! Gosh, I¡¯m so stressed.¡¯ She thought, looking at the mirror.

    ¡°Are you okay, miss?¡± The woman asked, and Amelia nodded.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine, thank you.¡± She answered, opening the tap. She took some water in her palm and

    rinsed her face aggressively. She looked at this woman again and creased her brows.

    ¡°Are you sure? You don¡¯t look so good.¡±

    The woman ced her hand on her shoulder, and Amelia jolted and moved back.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± She mumbled, still walking back.

    ¡°I¡¯m lost. I¡¯m just concerned about you, that¡¯s all. I¡¯m not going to harm you, okay?¡±

    ¡°You are supposed to be dead!¡± Amelia screamed as tears streamed down her eyes uncontrobly.

    ¡°Dead? Hey, child. Are you alright? I don¡¯t know what you are talking about. Please calm down.¡±

    ¡°Tell me your name!¡± Amelia yelled.

    ¡°I¡¯m Susan. And I promise not to hurt you. What¡¯s your name?¡± Susan raised her hand, trying to

    show Amelia she was harmless.

    ¡°Why do you look so much like her? Why do you look so much like my mum?!¡±

    Susan raised her eyesbrows as she stared at her. Now she knew what was going on.

    ¡°So you lost your mum? I¡¯m so sorry for your loss, dear. But I¡¯m not your mother.¡±

    ¡°Let me see your arm! You have a mole on your right arm!¡± Amelia continued speaking in a loud

    voice.

    Susan narrowed her gaze at her and moved back slowly. ¡°Who are you? How do you know I have a

    mole on my right arm?!¡± Susan sounded terrified.

    ¡°Oh God¡­ this isn¡¯t happening!¡± Amelia screamed.

    She grabbed the door knob, opened the door, and ran out of the restroom.

    ¡°Wait! Who are you? What is your name?!¡± Susan yelled and chased after her.

    ¡°Stoping after me! You are a ghost!¡± Amelia yelled and ended up bumping into Fred. She was

    panting seriously and she embraced him too tightly that hw could hardly breathe.

    ¡°Hey, Amelia. What¡¯s going on?¡± He asked in terror and worry.

    ¡°She¡­ she¡­ a ghost! My mom¡¯s ghost is after me!¡± She cried out.

    Fred looked up and saw an elderly woman staring at them. She wanted to move closer, but she

    changed her mind when Fred shot her a deadly snare.

    Susan turned and walked away slowly, asionally looking back at Amelia until she couldn¡¯t see

    her anymore.

    ¡°Amelia, there¡¯s no one, okay? It¡¯s all in your head. Just your imagination.¡± Fred uttered and kissed

    her head.

    ¡°No! It¡¯s not in my head! I saw her, she touched me, she spoke to me!¡± Amelia muttered, shaking

    vigorously in Fred¡¯s arms.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay now. No one ising after you. I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you, okay? I promise.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and broke into tears in his arms. Fred embraced her with one arm and

    held Alice¡¯s Walker with the hand.

    Amelia refused to let go of Fred for some time, and he didn¡¯t bother to disturb her. She loved the

    way she clung unto him.

    Soon, she stopped sobbing and realized that she had been embracing Fred all along. She suddenly

    moved away from him and avoided eye contact.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I must have made you so ufortable. I guess I¡¯ve been so stressed out and I¡¯m

    beginning to see things.¡±

    Fred sighed and held her hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Amelia. When we get home, you¡¯ll rest better. I¡¯m sorry

    for letting you go through all these on your period.¡±

    She bounced her head and looked round the mall for susan, but she was nowhere to be found.

    ¡®Could I have been hallucinating? But it looked so real.¡¯ She reminisced.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing, Amelia. Let¡¯s go back home. You need to rx.¡± Fred said, and she nodded

    reluctantly.

    She took Alice¡¯s Walker from him, while he carried the bags. He paid all the bills and they all

    headed out of the mall.

    Amelia kept looking back as they walked to the road to board a taxi. She tried to convince herself

    that she was just under the influence of stress, but another apart of her kept telling her it was real.

    ¡®How can a woman that has died over fifteen years be real? Amelia, something is wrong with you.

    Your head is messed up.¡¯ She thought to herself.

    ***

    Susan couldn¡¯t stop thinking about what happened at the shopping mall. She got home and sat on

    the chair, thinking about it over and over again.

    ¡°Who is she? Why did she say those things to me?¡± She muttered.

    ¡®How did she know about the mole on my arm? As she met me before? Have I seen her before?¡¯

    She pushed so hard, trying to remember but she got to her limit and her head began to hurt her

    seriously.

    She grabbed her head and let out a loud groan.

    ¡°Susan?!¡± Tonia, an old woman rushed out of the nearby room after hearing Susan groaning.

    ¡°Hey¡­ when did you get back? Are you doing it again? I told you never to force it.¡±

    She held Susan and pulled her into her bosom.

    ¡°I¡­ I saw a youngdy today. She was so weird.¡± Susan muttered as she sobbed quietly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me about that now, okay? Stop trying to get your memories back! The doctor

    said it could kill you. It wille back on its own. Don¡¯t force it!¡± Tonia said.

    Susan exhaled softly and lowered her head in sadness.

    ¡°She said I should be dead. She knew I had a mole on my right arm. She seemed so terrified when

    she saw me. She called me mum. I¡¯m so confused! I want my memories back. I scared her and I

    feel horrible for that.¡±

    ¡°Just calm down? You can always think about thister. You can always question herter. You''re

    not the one who is so eager to get your memories back. I also want the same thing. I want you to

    get your old back like, but I won¡¯t let you kill yourself in the process. So stop forcing it!¡± Tonia

    muttered aloud as tears heated her eyes.

    Susan embraced her too and they both kept weeping.

    ¡®Who are you?¡¯

 Chapter 76: What is going on in her mind?

    <span style="font-size:22px"><strong>Chapter 76: What is going on in her mind?</strong>

    Dinner was ready at James'' mansion, and they all sat at the dinner table to eat. Helen sat close to Charles, while Penelope sat next to Elena.

    "Elena, how was your first time at the office?" Helen asked after a few minutes of digging into their meal.

    "It was super hectic, Ma''am! My boss bombarded me with so much work. But I''ll survive. I''ll adjust as soon as possible." She responded, and they all bounced their heads except James.

    She looked at James and noticed he wasn''t paying attention to anyone. It was just himself and the food in front of him.

    "Pookie, are you alright?" She asked.

    James raised his head and shot her a deadly look. "What gave you the gut to call me that? I think I have made myself clear about that. Stop calling me that stupid name as if you own me, okay? I''m a married man, with a child." He responded with great anger.

    Elena heaved a sigh and looked away. "It was just to make you smile, okay? You don''t have to be so mean to me all the time. At least now you know that I know nothing about Amelia''sdisappearance."

    "I''m yet to know for sure. It is you, Elena. You can do anything."

    "Enough, both of you! Let''s all have dinner in peace!" Penelope smacked, hitting the table in anger. Looked like she wasn''t in the mood for their fight this time.

    "Hold on, James. What are you feeling like, hun? You think I still feel something for you after all these years? Listen to me and listen well. I feel nothing for you anymore. You are nothing but my sister''s husband, so please don''t tter yourself. You aren''t the most handsome or richest man in the world!" She also yelled, hitting the dining table.

    Charles hardly swallowed the chicken in his mouth and looked at Helen, who also looked at him. They could guess that they were all in a bad mood. Staying out of it was best for them.

    "Okay, that''s enough everyone. Let''s rx. We are all stressed out and we all need a break from all this. Amelia and Alice are still out there, can we please not frustrate each other already? This isn''t going to help at all." Helen intervened.

    She spoke in a cool and calm manner which made all of them, one way or the other, calm down.

    "Thetest news from the cops is the same. They haven''t found any traces of her in bama."

    Charles uttered.

    "Then we search outside bama. I already told them that the monster doing this wouldn''t stay close by. He or she knows the influence we both have in bama. He or she can never dare to stay around." James answered.

    "I told the policemen the same thing and they said if they were to extend the search outside bama, then they would have to inform the police in the town and that could cost us some money, and more time."

    "F**k! We don''t have much time! I need to start the search too. I can''t just sit here and do nothing when my family is out there. How much do they need?"

    "Forget about the money. You just need to be patient. They will do their job."

    "No, father. I''m leaving bama tomorrow morning."

    "And where will you be going?"

    "I don''t know yet! I am so confused, but I will leave this house tomorrow. I can''t sit here and do nothing."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I''ll go with you." Helen butted in, and James shook his head almost immediately.

    "No, Mom! I''m going on my own. You need to stayin bama and look over things. Father would be busy with his new contract. We can''t take any risks."

    Helen heaved a sigh and bounced her head.

    "She doesn''t have to stay if she doesn''t want to. Elena and I are still here, we can help you watch over things."

    James shook his head and scoffed. "No, thank you. I''d prefer my parents are here to watch over things. I don''t want to stress my inws." He uttered sarcastically and stood to his feet, pushing the chair backwards with his leg.

    "I lost my appetite. See y''all tomorrow." He picked up his phone from the table and headed to his bedroom. He mmed the door so hard that everyone in the dining room heard it.

    Helen exhaled loudly and looked at Penelope. "I''m sorry for his attitude. Please understand that he isn''t his best self at the moment."

    Penelope let out a faint smile and shook her head. "It''s fine. Only a fool wouldn''t understand how he is feeling right now. I hope we find them soon so that all these can stop."

    "Hmm." They all nodded.

    After dinner, Penelope excused herself from thekitchen where they were doing the dishes. She walked up to the room to make a phone call.

    As soon as she was gone, Helen turned to look at Elena, who was busy arranging the tes on the te rack.

    "Are you alright?" She asked with a grin. Elena looked at her and nodded, divulging a grin too.

    "I''m sorry for everything that has been happening between you and James. Please forgive him. He doesn''t know what to think anymore. I hope you can understand this too."

    Elena chuckled and continued arranging the tes.

    "I never med him for how badly he has been treating me these days. I am the cause of it all."

    Helen''s eyes widened and she dropped the te in her hand, carefully into the sink.

    "You are the cause of it all? You know something about Amelia''s disappearance?"

    "What?! No! That isn''t what I mean! Let me exin, okay?!" Elena eximed.

    Helen nodded eagerly, waiting for her exnation.

    "Why I said that is because I have never been good to James. Ever since I knew him, all I have done is hurt him and hurt Amelia, the one heloves. I wouldn''t me him for not believing that I don''t know anything about this. I have been so obsessed with making him mine and mine alone." She took a pause and cleaned the tears at the edge of her eyes with the back of her palm.

    "Even until now?" Helen inquired.

    "Even up till now. I sometimes imagine what it would be like if I was the one who got married to him. I admit that I still feel something for him, but I don''t know anything about this. I swear on my life. I have grown to love my sister and her baby so much that I would never do something like this to them! But no one would ever believe me. No one."

    She broke into tears and lowered her head. She sobbed so much that her hands began to shiver. Helen felt so bad seeing her like that, so she pulled her into her bosom.

    "I''m sorry, Elena."

    "I... I am trying so hard to kill whatever feelings I have left for him and be happy for my sister. He doesn''t even deserve a monster like me. I don''t want him for myself anymore. I swear." She mumbled, and buried her face on Helen''s shoulder.

    "Don''t call yourself a monster, Elena. You are not a monster. I believe you and I don''t me you for what is happening, okay? I''ll talk to James about this."

    Elena released her arms and jolted backwards.

    She lowered her head and shook it.

    "Please don''t. Let him keep seeing me as the evil one. When the truth finallyes out. Then he will finally believe me for once in his life. I''m trying to ensure all these because when Amelia is finally found, he will know I am innocent and he''ll feel sorry for all he has done to me."

    "So you want him to keep using you and calling you a criminal?" Helen asked in awe.

    "I don''t mind, Ma''am. Let him just do what he pleases." Elena mumbled and tried to put on a smile. But she was too weak to wear a smile. Tears wouldn''t stop streaming down her face.

    "Stop crying, okay? Let''s forget about this." Helen moved closer to her and cleaned her eyes with her thumbs.

    "Thank you, Ma''am Helen. You are such a nice person. I''ll go to the room and wash up real quick."

    "Okay. I''m almost done too. Good night."

    "Good night."

    Elena turned to leave and walked to the room. She could feel Helen''s gaze on her until she was out of sight.

    She gulped hard and cleaned the tears in her eyes. She got to the door and held onto the door knob. She was about to open it when she heard Penelope''s voice.

    "Just do as I say, okay?! If you are caught, you are on your own! I have always told you this. Just f**king..."

    She took a halt when she heard the door open. She looked back and saw Elena walk into the room. She heard her eyes on her.

    "I have to go. We''ll talk about thister and don''t f**king call me." She mumbled and hung up the call.

    "Who was that mom? You sounded so pissed."

    "Oh, just one of my workers at the office. They have been giving me so much headache because I haven''t been visiting often." Penelope answered and sat on the bed.

    "Really?" Elena narrowed her gaze at her as she asked.

    "Really. What are you thinking? Here..." she tapped the bed. "...e and sit with me."

    Elena moved closer to her and sat next to her. She sighed and slightly bowed her head.

    "Are you okay? You look so down."

    "It''s nothing. Ma''am Helen and I just had a chat." She muttered.

    "What?!" She sprang to her feet. "What did she f**king say to you?! Is she starting to act like her son too?!" She smacked.

    "Hey, mom. Calm down, okay? She didn''t make me cry. I was the one who got so emotional and cried. Why are you getting so worked up? Isn''t she your friend?"

    Elena could sense something strange in her mother, but she couldn''t point out what it really was.

    "She is my friend, but I wouldn''t let her talk to you anyhow, okay?"

    "She never did that. Stop being a drama queen."

    Penelope clenched her jaws and sat on the bed again. "I''m sorry. I''m just kinda frustrated. Things aren''t going the way I nned. It has always been like that since I was little." She uttered.

    "Mom, are we still talking about me?" Elena curiously asked.

    Penelope smiled and shook her head. "You should take a shower. You have to go to work tomorrow, remember? You can''t afford to get therete."

    Elena nodded in agreement and stood up. She walked to the bathroom and before she opened the door, she looked back at Penelope and noticed she had an angry look. She also clenched her fists very hard.

    "Mom." She called, and Penelope turned to look at her. She quickly threw the frown off her face and wore a slight smile.

    "We''ll find Amelia and Alice soon, and we will finally know the criminal behind all these! I swear, that person would suffer the consequences. Don''t worry, okay?"

    "Uhmm." Penelope responded with a feeble smile. and a nod Elena widely smiled and walked into the bathroom. She shut the door and rested her back on it. She ceased her eyebrows and thought about Penelope''s reaction again.

    Why is she acting weird? What is going on in her mind?'' She questioned herself.

 Chapter 77: Mom Knows

    Chapter 77: Mom Knows

    Helen finished shortly from the kitchen and headed to the room where she and Charles slept.

    Getting to the room, she heard Charles taking a shower in the bathroom. She excitedly pulled up

    her shirt over her head and pulled down her pants.

    She was startled naked as she pulled the door open. Charles had his back turned against the door,

    the shower open on his head, so he hardly heard her when she walked in.

    She moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his cold torso from behind. He jumped up

    in fright and broke intoughter after on.

    ¡°Helen! Why did you do that? You scared the shit out of me!¡± He eximed in surprise, and she also

    broke intoughter.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I just didn¡¯t want you to leave the bathroom without me taking a shower too.¡± She pouted.

    He smiled widely and turned to look at her face. He wrapped his arms around her waist and yanked

    her closer to him.

    He leaned forward and moved his right hand up to her face, making sure his hand never left her

    body. His hand brushed the side of her breasts, making her shiver.

    He grabbed her face slightly and raised her head to meet his face. He stared at her lips, and then at

    her face again.

    ¡°What kept you so long in the kitchen?¡± He asked in a whisper and covered her lips with his

    afterwards.

    He took her lower lip in swiftly and nibbled on it, not giving her a chance to give an answer to his

    question. She parted her lips enough to deepen the kiss.

    As soon as their breathing began to grow intense, he broke the kiss and stared into her eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s been so long we¡¯ve had a moment like this. It¡¯s been so stressfultely.¡± He mumbled as he

    picked her sponge that was sitting not so far from him.

    ¡°I know, baby. Elena and I were still talking about that and that is why we spent quite some time in

    the kitchen.¡±

    ¡°Really? What were you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Well, I had to apologize to her for James¡¯ behavior towards hertely. She has been receiving all

    the hatetely and I¡¯m not so happy about it. She had been trying so hard to make him understand

    that she knows nothing about this.¡±

    James heaved a sigh and poured little lotion soup on the sponge. He soaked it in water for a few

    seconds and made her turn her back to him. He began to scrub her back.

    ¡°I know this isn¡¯t a good thing to say now, but we can¡¯t really trust anyone right now. James is just

    trying not to let his guard down.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I do understand that. But he is hurting her in the process. He shouldn¡¯t make it so obvious.

    What if she is truly innocent? He would feel bad at the end of the day.¡±

    ¡°Ahhhh¡­ it¡¯s all so crazy these days. I just want this to end as soon as possible. I want us to go

    back home and have the whole day together.¡±

    Helen smiled and bounced her head. ¡°I feel the same way too. Penelope and I haven¡¯t even had a

    proper catch up since we¡¯ve met. It¡¯s so crazy!¡±

    ¡°Yes! And that reminds me. We had a talk this morning. I never knew we''d met before.¡±

    ¡°What? Really?¡± She turned to look at him, and he bounced his head.

    ¡°Yes. I was surprised too. She said we met about thirty years ago, in front of a mall.¡±

    ¡°In front of a mall? In bama?¡± She further asked.

    ¡°Yes. Why are you so curious about it? Did she mention it to you?¡±

    ¡°You bumped into her?¡±

    ¡°Yes. She said we didn¡¯t have time to get to talk. I still can¡¯t remember how it happened, it¡¯s so

    long.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ so you are the guy she told me about?¡±

    She stepped back from him and looked at his face. ¡°Told you? What did she tell you?¡±

    ¡°She said she met a handsome guy at the mall, you bumped into each other, and didn¡¯t get time to

    talk. She told me this years ago, before we lost contact.¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s crazy. I still can''t remember a thing about it. It¡¯s been such a long time. Maybe I

    didn¡¯t pay attention to her at all.¡±

    ¡°This is crazy.¡± She mumbled and slowly turned her back to him again, so he could continue

    scrubbing her back.

    ¡°It¡¯s not such a big deal. It¡¯s been so long.¡±

    ¡°So that is why she was moody at dinner?¡±

    ¡°What does that have to do with her mood? She probably must have remembered me from the first

    day we met. Why would it change anything now?¡±

    ¡°Maybe because you never paid attention to your visit, or maybe because we were all over each

    other today.¡±

    Charles creased his brows and stopped rubbing her back for a second.

    ¡°I¡¯m lost, baby. What are you trying to say?¡±

    ¡°Listen. Penelope is someone that hates to share her things or anything she calls hers. When she

    told me about the man she bumped into at the mall, it was like she wanted him to herself. Like she

    wanted to get married to him.¡±

    ¡°And¡­¡±

    ¡°Now I got married to you. Don¡¯t you think she would be offended?¡±

    ¡°Offended? I didn¡¯t even know her. Why would she be offended? I am confused as f**k.¡±

    ¡°She wanted you¡­¡±

    ¡°Thirty years ago! What are you talking about? She didn¡¯t even get to know my name, right? Why do

    you even care if she wants me or not?¡±

    ¡°She always wanted whatever she wanted all to herself.¡±

    ¡°She has Hopper now. She is a mother with two children. If she wanted this, this was then, not now.

    We have all moved on. So stop giving me that worrying face and let¡¯s enjoy the moment.¡±

    Helen smiled faintly and bounced her head. She turned her back to him again, and he continued

    scrubbing. This time around, he moved down to her buttocks and legs.

    While he washed her up, Helen was busy thinking about it all over again.

    ¡®Why didn¡¯t she mention it to me before? Why did she have to get him to be alone with her before

    she said it? Does she still want him? What if she is jealous and would do anything just to separate

    us?¡¯

    She exhaled loud and hard, and Charles raised his head to look at her.

    ¡°Stop thinking.¡± He muttered and turned on the shower again. The water flowed down her body,

    washing the foam away.

    ¡°I¡¯m not thinking about it.¡± She responded and turned to face him this time.

    ¡°Of course you are. I have known you for years now, and you also do that whenever you¡¯re

    overthinking. I told you not to do that again. This isn¡¯t even worth it.¡±

    She smiled faintly and bounced her head.

    ¡°True. It isn''t worth it. I¡¯ll stop thinking about it, okay? It¡¯s been years now, and we both have moved

    on. She has a husband, and I have a husband. She has children, and I have a son. She must have

    moved on.¡±

    ¡°Definitely. So, let¡¯s focus on ourselves and shun those thoughts, okay?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ okay!¡± She answered with great energy and arge grin.

    ¡°Great! Now, let¡¯s continue from where he stopped.¡±

    He pulled her closer to him again, making her pressed her chest against his very hard so that he

    could feel her n**ples harden.

    ¡°Where were we?¡± She asked in a whisper and bit her lips seductively.

    ¡°You know where we stopped.¡± He muttered.

    ¡°Yeah. I think I do.¡± She raised her head and kissed him very hard.

    ***

    Elena stared at the ceiling as sheid on the bed. Next to her was Penelope, sleeping peacefully.

    Elena couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Amelia and Alice.

    ¡®It¡¯s been more than a week since they left us. When are we going to see them for Christ¡¯s sake?

    What if¡­¡¯

    ¡°No!¡­ they are not dead.¡± She uttered aloud.

    She clenched her jaws and looked at Penelope to see if she had disturbed her sound sleep.

    Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t.

    Penelope was lost in her own world in the dreamnd. Elena heaved a sigh and wanted to look

    away when her eyes caught Penelope¡¯s phone lying on the bed table next to Penelope.

    She stared at the phone for a few minutes and remembered the phone call she had in the evening.

    She thought about it to the extent of picking up the phone and checking whoever she was talking to.

    ¡®Should I do this? But why would I do that? Why do I have to sneak up on my mother¡¯s phone?¡¯

    ¡®But she was acting so weird. She even had to hang up after I walked in. If it was just work, she

    wouldn¡¯t do that. Is she cheating on dad?¡¯

    Her thoughts made her eyes pop wide open. She looked at Penelope¡¯s face again and saw her

    eyes were still very much closed. She had the same facial expression that she had when she first

    looked at her.

    She slowly yanked the duvet off her legs and got out of bed. She tiptoed to the other side of the bed

    where Penelope was. As she did this, she made sure she made no sound, and she kept her eyes

    on Penelope.

    She picked up the phone and headed out of the room. Before she stepped out, she also took her

    phone along with her.

    She got to the hallway and unlocked her mom¡¯s phone. Her password has always been their

    birthdate. She had never for once changed it.

    After unlocking her phone, she went to her call logs and saw thest number she had called. It

    wasn¡¯t a saved number.

    Before calling the number, she copied the number on her phone first.

    She wanted to make sure she had it before her mother would wake up and realize that her phone

    was missing.

    After copying the number, she put a call across to this phone number on her mother¡¯s phone and

    waited for whosoever owned it to answer.

    She looked at the time and saw it was 2am in the midnight. She ate her fingers nervously and threw

    her head backwards.

    ¡°What are you doing, Elena? Who would answer the phone at 2am?¡± She muttered to herself as

    she paced up and down the hallway.

    She looked at the screen of the phone and wanted to disconnect when the owner picked up.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She ced it in her ear nervously and the first thing she heard was the loud, ufortable cry of a

    baby.

    ¡°Why did you call back now?! My ringtone woke her up, and she was beginning to sleep! Now

    Amelia won''t rest too!¡± The man at the other end of the phone answered angrily.

    Elena¡¯s eyes widened in great shock, and she hurriedly disconnected the call. She fell backwards

    and her back hit the wall very hard. She was almost traumatized.

    ¡°Mom knows where they are?¡± She muttered in shock, ignoring the pain that proceeded from her

    back. She gulped hard as tears heated her eyes without notifying her.

    ¡°Elena?¡± She heard someone call.

    She looked up and saw Penelope staring at her from the room door.

 Chapter 78: Poor boy

    Chapter 78: Poor boy

    ¡°What are you doing with my phone?¡± Penelope asked in terror. She wanted to move closer to

    Elena, but she raised her hand and made her stop.

    ¡°Why?¡± Elena mumbled.

    Penelope clenched her jaws and stared at the phones in her hand. She could guess that Elena

    already knew her secret.

    ¡°Come here.¡± She hastily walked up to her and pulled her by the hand, into the room. She shut the

    door behind her and locked it.

    ¡°Why would you do that to your daughter, Mom?! Your daughter and granddaughter too?!¡± Elena

    eximed in disappointment.

    ¡°Will you at least listen to what I have to say first?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to justify what you have just done to my sister, Mom. This is too extreme. There

    should never be anything that would push you to do such a wicked thing to your own blood.¡±

    ¡°My blood? Yes! Truly she is my blood, but she has no pity for her own blood too! Elena, she sent

    your father to Jail!¡±

    Elena¡¯s mouth fell open in awe, and she scoffed afterwards.

    ¡°Because he was guilty of murder! He killed her guardians!...¡±

    ¡°Lower your voice! Someone could be listening!¡± Penelope whispered audibly, and Elena gulped

    hard and looked away.

    ¡°That better not be the reason why you are letting her, an innocent child and every other person

    suffer!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like the Parkers, okay? Sit and let me exin things to you.¡±

    Elena stared at her for a few minutes as she was reluctant to sit.

    ¡°Sit, Elena. You want to know why, right? You should sit and listen attentively.¡±

    Elena sat and kept her eyes off Penelope because she was so angry and disgusted to look her in

    the eyes.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯m listening.¡± Elena responded icily.

    ¡°Good. When the truth about the cause of Amelia¡¯s parents was revealed, I felt so scared that she

    would want to avenge their death or even fight for their justice. I didn¡¯t want to lose Hopper, so I

    went to Amelia to talk to her. I pleaded so hard for her mercy, I told her not to press charges.¡± She

    paused and lowered her head in sadness.

    ¡°Amelia said she was going to press charges no matter what. I understood her because she was

    hurting so badly, and I was also in no ce to tell her that because I was part of it. So I went to

    James too. This time, it was Hopper and I. We went to plead with him to talk to his wife, but he said

    he could not. That justice should be served.¡±

    ¡°I felt so angry and helpless. We were already regretting what had happened and wished we could

    put them all behind us. After James paid little attention to us, we went to his parents. We knew after

    James, they were the next people she would always listen to¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it, Mom. What were you expecting? A happy ever after? After killing two people?¡±

    ¡°Let me finish, okay? I talked to Helen, who was my best friend in high school. I wanted her to use

    her influence to speak to Amelia about not pressing charges. But what did my best friend do? She

    turned me down too. The same way Charles turned down Hopper.¡±

    Tears streamed down her eyes, and she shut them pretty tight. She folded her palms on her knees

    and shook her legs nervously.

    ¡°And so you thought of punishing them for it?¡±

    ¡°Helen has always wanted what is mine! She has always taken what I love from me! First, she took

    all the attention and acted like the Angel and most intelligent girl in high school, then she stole my

    dream man from me, then the love of my kid and turned her back against me¡­¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t turn Amelia¡¯s back against you! Y¡¯all got what you deserved! And his the f**k did she

    steal your dream man?¡±

    ¡°And now Hopper isn¡¯t with me anymore! If only she had helped me out, maybe this wouldn¡¯t have

    happened!¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying Dad is the dream man she stole from you?¡±

    ¡°No! Charles! She told Charles away from me? Okay?!¡± She smacked as she broke into tears.

    Elena creased her brows and stared at her in great confusion. ¡°Charles? She has been married to

    him for years! How did she steal him from you?¡±

    ¡°He was the one I bumped into at the shopping mall. I¡¯ve told you that story several times.¡±

    Penelope shook her head and exhaled loudly. She stood up and moved away from the bed.

    ¡°But you never got the chance to talk to him. You didn¡¯t even ask for his name. How did you expect

    her to know who your dream man was?¡±

    ¡°I told her every detail. How he looked, how his voice was so soothing to my ears.¡±

    ¡°Mom! You''re speaking like a child! Who would keep such details for years?!¡±

    ¡°Why him? Why did she have to marry him?! Why is it always what she gets with ease, hun?!¡±

    Elena went mute for a few minutes and watched Penelope sob.

    ¡°But how does this have to do with you abducting Alice and keeping Amelia there too?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want her to have anything to do with the Parkers anymore. I don¡¯t want anything to bring us

    together. I want another man for my daughter.¡±

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°The dead have been done! They are married and happy. Can¡¯t you just let it slide? All these are

    just flimsy excuses to show the kind of person you are!¡±

    ¡°The deed has not been done! I¡¯ll change that deed to what I want. She will get married to another

    person, a man from a rich and neutral home. That¡¯s what I want?¡±

    Elena shook her head and looked away from her. ¡°I should have known that you are this evil. No

    wonder I am also evil. I won¡¯t let you do this. Everyone would know the truth.¡±

    Penelope cleaned her eyes with the bank of her palm and sprang to her feet. ¡°You¡¯ll say nothing to

    anyone, Elena! I am your mother!¡±

    ¡°No, you are not! I want a caring and matured mother. Not someone like you! Everyone has to know

    this.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare or else¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll kill me too just like you killed her parents? Or lock me up just like you have done to Alice and

    Amelia? I won¡¯t be so shocked if that happens. But, I won¡¯t have a hand in this atrocity. I can¡¯t keep

    this secret for you. Not when it has to do with my sister and my baby Alice.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ll let them throw me into jail too?! You want to lose your both parents?!¡± She grabbed

    Elena¡¯s arm as she spoke.

    ¡°You should have been thrown in there with dad. Now I understand why Amelia found it so hard to

    love you like her mother. If you go away, I still have good people to call my parents.¡±

    ¡°I am your mother, Elena!¡±

    ¡°And all this while you let James say those horrible things to your innocent daughter. You could take

    that! If you could take that, then you are not my mother. A mother would always protect her child,

    not endanger her! You have endangered both of your children for your selfish interest. We disown

    you as our mother! You¡¯ll suffer for what you¡¯ve done to my sister.¡±

    Elena yanked her arm off Penelope¡¯s grip and stormed out of the room before she could stop her.

    ¡°Elena!¡± Penelope called as she followed behind her. Elena took her heels and kept running until

    she got out of the house.

    ¡®I need space from her.¡¯ She thought as she shed tears.

    ¡°Elena!¡± Penelope called again and was about to open the door when James walked into the living

    room.

    ¡°What is happening, Mrs. Penelope? Why are you screaming her name thiste at night?¡± He

    inquired.

    She swallowed and shook her head ufortably. ¡°We had a minor argument and she got so

    pissed. She just ran out of the house.¡±

    James sighed and sipped the wine in his hand.

    ¡°She isn¡¯t a baby. She¡¯lle back when she wants. You should go back to your room and rest.

    Maybe this is even the best for us. For her to be far away from here.¡±

    He staggered to the couch and mmed into it. The ss of wine fell from his hand and scattered

    all over the ce, causing a loud noise.

    ¡°James! Have you been drinking?!¡± Penelope asked in surprise. It was the first time she had seen

    him so drunk.

    ¡°Mind your business, woman. Go to bed. I¡¯m fine.¡± He muttered andid on the couch.

    ¡°Where are you, Amelia? When will youe to me?¡± He murmured as his eyes closed to take a

    rest.

    Penelope scoffed and shook her head. ¡®Poor boy.¡¯

    ***

    Elena got to a hotel and booked a room to stay the night. She sat on the bed and unlocked her

    phone.

    She stared at the phone number she had copied from her mom¡¯s phone and began to reminisce.

    ¡®Should I call him? What if she has called him and he has gotten rid of this line? I need to act first.¡¯

    She sent a text message to someone else, a friend of hers who was a good tracker.

    She texted him the number she had copied to him and texted; ¡°Please I need you to help me track

    this person. He has my sister and her daughter.¡±

    After texting, the message was delivered, and luckily in no time, her friend saw the message.

    She waited for him to reply, and he replied with, ¡°on it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± She texted again in excitement.

    She exhaled loudly and raised her head to look at the ceiling.

    ¡°Who do I tell about this?! This is too much for me to bear alone. I can¡¯t keep it to myself. But what if

    mom is sent to jail too? Must she be sent to jail? Can¡¯t I just act like another detective of mine found

    her before everyone else?¡±

    She started pacing around the room, cing her jaw between her two fingers.

    ¡°I can just act like I found her. I don¡¯t have to mention Mom. But what if the man with them tries to

    say something? I would love us to punish him but won¡¯t he mention Mom? Won¡¯t that spoil the

    whole n? Does that mean I have to forgive him too?¡±

    ¡°Arrrrggghh!¡­¡± She grabbed her head in frustration and fell on the bed.

    ¡°I need to think this through! I can¡¯t let my two parents go to jail, and I would never let that kidnapper

    get away with this. He must have traumatized Amelia.¡± She muttered.

    She shut her eyes tight and buried her face in the soft pillow.

    ¡®Oh God! I need to sleep now. My head is going to explode!¡¯

    ¡®But how is Amelia? What is she doing right now? Does this man hurt her?¡¯

    She pulled the duvet over her aggressively and shut her eyes tight again, forcing herself to sleep.

 Chapter 79: Tracking Map

    Chapter 79: Tracking Map

    Amelia dressed up very early in the morning, she wrapped a muffler around her neck and carried her bag. She put Alice in the Walker and walked out

    of the room.

    She got to the living room and met Fred cleaning. He looked at her and furrowed his brows when he saw her all dressed up.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± He dropped the vacuum cleaner in his hand and headed to where she stood.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to look for her. I couldn''t sleep throughout the night because of it.¡±

    ¡°Who is her? Why couldn''t you sleep?¡±

    ¡°ra. My mom. I couldn''t sleep because of her. I saw her at the mall and since I saw her, I''ve been seeing her face in my head! I can¡¯t stop thinking

    about the fact that she is alive.¡±

    Fred sighed and shook his head. He slowly took her hand and rubbed its back with his thumb

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this woman supposed to be dead? She has been dead for like fifteen years now, right?

    ¡°That is what I thought, until I saw her yesterday! What if she didn¡¯t die? What if she survived and has been alive all these years.¡±

    ¡°And was she able to recognize you?¡±

    ¡®It''s been over fifteen years! I was his five when she died. I have probably changed so she couldn''t have recognized me.¡±

    Fred heaved a sigh again and slowly pulled her to the couch so that she could sit.

    ¡°Amelia, I think you are overthinking and overreacting. Maybe you saw her look alike and you''re beginning to think about it too much. I know it¡¯s not

    easy to lose a parent but

    ¡°I know what I¡¯m saying!¡± She smacked and sprang to her feet, startling after.

    ¡°She had a mark on her arm! I saw this mark! She has these beautiful hazel eyes in the portrait I have at home and this woman''s eyes looked the

    same! I''m not crazy, okay?! I¡¯ve thought about this and I want to get to know her!

    Tears gathered rapidly in her eyes as she spoke. After seeing how she reacted, Fred calmly bounced his head

    ¡°Fine. We''ll go to the mall together and see if we can get any information about her, okay? But you know it''s possible we won''t find her there

    anymore.¡±

    ¡°I still want to try.¡± She persisted

    ¡°Fine then. Give me some minutes to change from these and we''ll be on our way. I''ll help you find her, okay?

    Amelia nodded and sat on the couch. She lowered her head and gulped hard, thinking about what she was about to do.

    ¡®Amelia, are you sure about this? Are you ready to bear the pain if she isn¡¯t truly your mother?¡¯ She questioned herself and shut her eyes very tight.

    Fred got out of the room shortly and held Alice¡¯s Walker. ¡°I''ll take care of Alice. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Amelia eagerly stood up and stared at him. She waited for him to unlock the door before she got any closer to him.

    Fred understood what she did so he moved closer to the door and pulled out the key from his breast pocket.

    He unlocked the door and opened it. he moved away from the door and let her step out of the house first.

    Amelia didn¡¯t hesitate to step out and he followed behind her. She began to walk down the street while he followed behind her.

    He stared at her from behind and noticed she still had that unsettled feeling in her.

    Does this mean that she really doesn¡¯t care about staying with me anymore? She seems so distracted with her own thoughts and we are gradually

    beginning to live the couple''s life we have always wanted.¡±

    A smile curved up his lips and he looked down at Alice who was sucking on the very small feeder of milk in her tiny hands.

    ¡°You''ll grow up to see me as your father, and I promise to cherish and love you more than that man.¡± He muttered with full happiness.

    Helen and Charles woke up and got to the living room to meet James lying helplessly an the couch

    ¡°James?!¡± They called as they rushed up to him. He moaned, groaned and tightened his eyes as soon as he heard their voices.

    ¡°James, why are you sleeping on the couch? You''re going to hurt your back!" Helen stated with great concern

    He didn¡¯t respond, instead he turned on his side and kept on sleeping.

    Charles moved closer and sniffed his body. This was when he realized that he had drunk wine.

    ¡°He reeks of wine. This is getting to him more than we expected.

    They looked around for the bottle of wine but they found none.

    ¡°It''s been days since Amelia and Alice disappeared and it seems like we aren''t progressing at all. Nothing from the police, nothing from Amelia

    herself. Anyone in his position would want or be forced to do this.¡± Charles added.

    Helen weakly sat on the couch and stared at her son with pity.

    ¡°I need my son back. We are losing him gradually. We need to do something about this!" She muttered.

    ¡°But what are we supposed to do? We have tried all our possible best to find them but it''s all to no avail.¡±

    "We need to distract James from the situation. We aren''t even sure if they are still alive.¡±

    ¡°C''mon, Helen, don¡¯t say that. Let¡¯s be positive about everything. That''s the least we all can do.¡±

    ¡°But he can¡¯t hold up any longer. He had stopped working. If not for you, hispany would be in debt now because he pays no attention to it

    anymore. The workers are aware of how weak he is and they are trying to use this against him. We can¡¯t let him ruin all he has been working for. If we

    are not so carefully, he will develop a drinking problem. He has never been this drunk.¡±

    ¡°So what do you suggest we do?¡± Charles asked sadly.

    They both looked at him as heid on the couch, snoring so loud like he had a sound box in his throat.

    ¡°Let''s take him somewhere else. Let''s get him a new wife and help me grow a new family.¡± Helen uttered

    Charles¡¯ eyes widened, and he looked at Helen in disbelief.

    ¡°What? Are you serious right now?¡±

    ¡°Yes! I know how crazy this sounds but I can¡¯t let my son keep suffering like this.

    "So we are justgoing to give up like

    this? Ameliahas taken us as her

    parents. what if she is finally found~

    and she} reali zes that you advised

    her hysband to settle down wit

    another woman? We are going to

    betray the trust she has in. 08.¡¯

    ¡°Don''t make me feel like a bad person, Charles. I''m just trying to think of what is best for my son.¡± She mumbled.

    ¡°That isn''t the best, okay? Do you think James will let you do that? He would never ept any woman apart from Amelia in his life. He loves her so

    much and wouldn''t back down now."

    ¡°But how long do we have to wait?¡±

    ¡°As long as possible. As long as she is found. As long as James can get over her for good if she isn¡¯t found. It''s not been a month since they went

    missing. We still have time.

    Before Helen could say anymore words, the door opened and Elena walked in.

    ¡°It doesn''t have to be a month. I have found them.¡± Elena butted in, and they sprang to their feets

    ¡°What?!¡±

    James turned on his other side abruptly and shot Elena a deadly look.

    ¡°What do you mean you have found them? If this is a prank, you better stop it because I am not in the mocd for that!¡± He yelled

    Charles and Helen looked back at him in shock. ¡®So he was conscious all these time? He did hear what I was saying to Charles.¡¯ Helen thought and

    began to feel guilty.

    "Do you think Khave the time to joke

    around with something ike this? Are

    you goingto believe me or not?!

    have foutd them. I had a private <>

    investigator looking for them ted, so

    yous weren''t the only ones working.¡±

    Sherespon ded, returning the ¡®re

    James shot at her.

    to

    ¡°Oh my... where are they? Take us there? When did you find out?¡±

    ¡°I found out early this morning! We''ll head there right away. Where is mother?¡± She asked, and they all exchanged looks.

    ¡°Penelope! We found them! Elena said she knows where they are!¡± Helen eximed happily.

    Penelope heard Helen''s loud voice from the room and stood up from the bed in surprise.

    ¡°What have you done, Elena? What have you said to them?!¡± She muttered and rushed out of the room.

    She got to the stairs and saw everyone in the living room staring at her. Her eyes locked with Elena''s and Elena clenched her jaws

    ¡°We are going to find out where they are. Did you know she had a private investigator to find out where they are?¡± Charles asked, and Penelope

    slightly bounced her head.

    ¡°We should head out now, before whoever captured them gets suspicious.¡±

    ¡®I''ll get the car keys.¡± James uttered and began to run to the stairs.

    ¡®I''ll drive, James!¡± Charles yelled when he got to the stairs.

    ¡°Can you show us where exactly they are?¡± Helen asked. She wanted to clear her doubts.

    Elena nodded and showed her the tracking map her friend had sent to her. There was a bigrge red dot on a particr spot. This was to show

    where the phone was at the moment.

    ¡°So that is where they are? How did you get this?¡±

    ¡°It''s the work of my private investigator, not me. Mrs. Helen. All I know is that they are somewhere here. This map leads to the outskirts of bama. A

    very far ce from the bama boundaries.¡±

    ¡°Wow. Since when have you been working on this?¡±

    ¡°Quite some time now. Since then we found the first location with Amelia''s phone. I''ve also been doing my own party to look for my sister.¡±

    ¡°Wow.¡± Helen uttered joyfully.

    Elena looked at Penelope again and saw that she was staring at her. She looked at Helen and said, "I want to quickly pee in the toilet. Give me a few

    minutes. We should call the cops too.¡±

    Helen nodded and Elena began to walk to the stairs. She got to where Penelope stood and took a halt.

    ¡°Follow me.¡± She muttered and walked past her. Without thinking twice, Penelope followed behind her.

    They got to the room and Elena shut the door behind her.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Have you contacted him after yesterday night?¡± She asked coldly.

    ¡°No, I haven''t. What are you...¡±

    ¡°Give me your phone. You wouldn''t be using it until further notice.¡±

    ¡°What?! Elena, why?!¡±

    ¡°Give me your phone, mom! I have tried enough for you! I¡¯m trying not to get you involved in this crime, so the best thing you''d do is listen to me! Give

    me the phone.¡±

    Elena looked so pissed as she spoke and Penelope reluctantly picked up her phone from the bed and stretched it to her.

    "Prepare to g¨¦ka new phone. I''ll be

    destroying this. And one more thing.

    I can''t promise to keep you safe for>

    so long: I don''t even tell the cops

    about you, the man you sent todo

    this -ctime wouldn''t want to suffer

    aldfie.¡± s

    6

    ¡°What does that mean?"

    ¡°Be ready to ept whatever happens to you after this, Mom. Just know I tried to cover you up, but I don¡¯t think I would be able to do this

    sessfully.¡±

    She exhaled and threw the phone in her bag. ¡°Let¡¯s go. They must be waiting.¡± She uttered and turned to leave.

 Chapter 80: Letâ€™s deal with him together

    Chapter 80: Let¡¯s deal with him together

    Amelia, Fred and Alice got to the shopping mall shortly after a taxi dropped them off.

    ¡°Here we are. Where do we start from?¡± Fred inquired.

    ¡°We or 1? Fred, you don¡¯t have to go around looking for this woman for me. You don¡¯t even know what she looks like. Just stick around with Alice

    When I''m done, I''lle to you. Please keep Alice safe. I trust you and that is why I''m letting you be with her.¡±

    Fred smiled widely and nodded. ¡°You know how much I love you and Alice. I would never let anyone hurt you. We''d go around the mall, maybe to the

    Game Center. But please don''t stay too long. If you see or notice anything weird, call on me. I''lle running.

    Amelia divulged a soft smile and nodded too. She leaned closer to him and nted a soft kiss on his cheeks

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Amelia clutched her jaws slightly and turned to look. She looked around the mall and reminisced on where to start looking first.

    The restroom.¡¯ She thought and headed to the restroom. She often looked back at Alice as she walked, and Fred kept waving and smiling each time

    she did it.

    ¡°He seems so excited. I think this is the right time to finally get the hell out of his life. But I need to wait a little longer, I need to find answers to the

    questions bothering me before I can leave this ce. Once I go back home, I may not get the chance to talk to that woman anymore.¡±

    She got to the restroom and walked in. She met some hotdies in front of the mirror, applying makeup on their faces.

    They turned to look at her and looked away again. paying little attention to her.

    After looking around and not seeing this strange woman. She thought she could be in one of the toilets so she decided to wait a little.

    She knew what she was doing as so stupid and the chances of seeing this woman was so slim, but she still found herself doing it anyways.

    She headed into one of the toilets and shut the door behind her. She rested her back on the tiled wall and exhaled loudly.

    I need to see you. I need to know if this is truly all in my head.¡±

    After waiting for a few seconds, she stepped out of the toilet. This time, thosedies were out of the restroom. She heaved a sigh and walked to the

    mirror.

    She stared at herself for minutes and noticed she wasn''t looking as good as she used to. She had been under tough situationstely, and this was

    part of them.

    She opened the tap and took some water in her palms. She sshed it on her face and wiped it off with her palm. She looked into the mirror again,

    and this was when she heard a slight noise from the door.

    She hurriedly looked at the door and realized that someone had just left the door.

    She grabbed her bag and ran out of the restroom. She sighted a woman in front of her, walking very fast too.

    ¡°Hey! Stop! Please wait!¡± She yelled as she ran towards her.

    This woman refused to stop walking so fast, but before she could switch to running. Amelia got closer to her, pulled her by the hand and stood in front

    of her, panting hard.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Why are you running away from me?!" She asked her. It was the woman she was there for.

    ¡°Why are you here? Why are you after me?¡± The woman asked fearfully, and yanked her hand off Amelia''s grip.

    ¡°You don¡¯t work here, do you?¡± She asked, still trying to catch her breath.

    ¡°No, I don''t.

    ¡°Then that question goes to the both of us. Why are you here? You were here yesterday, why are you here today?¡±

    ¡°Because

    ¡°Stop pretending. We are both here because since yesterday, we have been so confused about our meetings and we want answers to our disturbing

    questions. Now we have seen each other, can¡¯t we just talk it out? And if we are wrong, we both part ways.¡±

    ¡°But there¡¯s nothing to talk about. I don''t know you, and you don''t know me.¡±

    ¡°We can''t be so sure until we get to know each other, okay? I came back here and I found you. I wouldn''t be letting you go again. Come with me.¡±

    Amelia took her hand and began to pull away. Susan stared at her hand as she pulled her away. She has this unexinable feeling, like that hand

    had touched her before.

    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±

    ¡°To somewhere we can talk. I am not letting you go until I get answers. I''m tired and almost going crazy because of this.¡±

    They got to a restaurant in the mall and sat. They sat in front of each other.

    ¡°Did youe alone today?¡± Susan asked, and Alice shook her head.

    ¡°No, I came with my daughter and someone not so important.¡± Alice responded and raised her hand to call the waiter.

    ¡°What would you like to have?¡± She further asked.

    ¡°Someone not so important? You mean the man that you hugged so tight yesterday?¡± Susan inquired, ignoring her initial question

    ¡°So you saw me hug him.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t know, but I just don''t like him. I stood far away from you two and I could sense the evil aura around him

    Alice stared at her face and narrowed her eyes at her. She triedparing her face to the portrait she had at home, and she realized it was the same.

    person

    ¡°Actually, he is an evil person. He isn¡¯t a lover or a friend. My daughter and I were abducted by him. It''s a long story, and I¡¯m not ready to talk about it

    with you. Who are you?¡±

    ¡°I told you. I¡¯m not who you think I am!¡±

    ¡°But you look exactly like her!

    Like who? I¡¯m so confused right now. What are you talking about, child?¡±

    Alice exhaled hard and lowered her head. ¡°If my phone wasn''t destroyed by that motherf**ker, I would have shown you whe I¡¯m talking about! Are you

    a twin?¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m. I don¡¯t know.¡± Susan said out of frustration

    ¡°You don''t know? Fine. Any families or friends? Who is your husband?

    ¡°Thest time I checked, I didn''t have a husband.

    ¡°You don''t? What do you remember?¡± Amelia asked in frustration.

    ¡°Listen, child. Kdon¡¯t know what this

    is but the only thing I remember is

    that I have been living with anold ~

    woman. ¡®She said I was saved by Ker,

    and siAce then, I''ve been living my

    life vith only her. Ihad a memjory

    loss-and I can¡¯t remember anything

    fram my past.¡± Content b¨¦tongs to

    ¡°Memory loss? Can I ask you something quite personal?¡±

    ¡°No, you...

    ¡°Do you have a scar?¡±

    ¡°I told you not to ask me a personal question. Why are you asking me that?¡±

    ¡®Tell me. Do you have any scars? Maybe a gunshot scar.

    Susan furrowed her brows and slowly moved her chair backwards. ¡°How did you

    ¡°You have one, don¡¯t you?¡± Amelia added in awe

    ¡®e... yes. I have. one on my belly.¡± Susan stammered and Amelia sprang to her feet.

    ¡°I knew it! How did you get that shot?¡±

    ¡°I just told you I lost my memory. How am I supposed to know?

    Amelia took a pause and stared at Susan for a few minutes. Tears filled her eyes and they began to stream down without control.

    ¡°You''re my mom.¡± She mumbled, and Susan closed her eyes and heaved a sigh.

    Amelia rushed to where she sat, fell on her knees and embraced her tightly.

    ¡°I thought you died that night! I have been so sad all these years. I wished all of that never happened.¡± She mumbled in tears.

    Susan was so numb and all she did

    was stareat Amelia as she held ti¨¦r,

    She wanted to push this strange

    beautiful woman off her but for

    some reasons, she couldn''tt felt

    normal.  ta

    ¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m so happy.¡± Amelia mumbled and shut her eyes right as she kept crying profusely.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember a thing, child.

    ¡°I''m Amelia. You took care of me until that evil day came. You don¡¯t have to remember me, but you need to believe what I''m saying. You are my

    mother. My surrogate mom!"

    ¡°Amelia?!¡± Fred called from the front of the restaurant. He had a confused look on his face after seeing the position she was with this strange woman.

    Amelia opened her eyes slowly and saw Fred staring at her. He held Alice¡¯s Walker in his hands.

    Amelia let go of Susan and rushed to where Fred was standing. ¡°Let me take Alice with me. I want to show her to my mom.¡±

    She held unto the Walker and wanted to take it from him, but he tightened his grip on it, making her look at him.

    ¡°Amelia, what are you doing?¡± He whispered. He didn¡¯t let her answer before he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the side.

    Susan''s eyes were fixed on them as they spoke and moved.

    ¡°What do you mean? I have found my mom and I want to show Alice to her.

    ¡°Are you crazy? What if this woman is evil? What if she isn¡¯t the person you think she is anymore. What if she is trying to do something crazy to you?¡±

    ¡°I know what I''m doing, okay?! Iam

    not baby;neither am I stupid. I dort

    care if she wants to do something

    crazy4 to me. I know it can¡¯t beas

    worse as what you have done to me!

    Now, let go of the Walker.¡±

    b¨¦longs  ~

    Fred gulped hard and let go of the Walker, Amelia didn''t bother looking at him before she pushed the Walker away from him.

    She got to Susan and moved Alice closer to her. ¡°Here is my daughter. She is almost a month old.¡±

    Susan looked at Alice, and a slight smile crossed her face. ¡°She is beautiful.¡± She uttered and Amelia grinned.

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    ¡°Amelia, we have to go back home now. We have spent too much time here.¡± Fred uttered, and that was when they knew he was close to them

    already.

    Amelia heaved a sigh and looked at Susan''s face. While she stared at Fred, the smile on her face disappeared.

    She really doesn¡¯t like him.'' Amelia thought.

    ¡°Follow me home, susan. There are so many things I''d love to talk about.

    I.

    ¡°Errrm ¡± She stammered and looked at Fred. Amelia leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like him either. We are on the same page. Let''s deal with him together.¡±

    She stepped back and watched a smile creep up Susan''s face.

 Chapter 81: Discovered

    Chapter 81: Discovered

    ¡°She will be going home with us, Fred.¡± Amelia uttered and gave Susan a reassured nod

    ¡°What? Are you crazy? I can''t let a stranger go with us to the house. You know why I can¡¯t.¡± He responded in anger.

    ¡°Susan, can you please look after Alice for a few minutes? I need to talk to this man.¡±

    After giving the Walker to Susan, she walked up to Fred and exhaled softly as she started talking.

    ¡°You abducted me, didn''t you? Not just me, but my child.

    ¡°Why are you saying this?¡± He answered almost immediately.

    ¡°And since this happened, after I chose to be with you, have I ever bugged you or tried to run away? We sleep on the same bed, I know where you

    keep the keys to the door, so if I wanted to run I would have.¡± She took a pause and waited for him to say something else, but he didn¡¯t.

    ¡°If you can''t trust me, I see no reason why you want to be with me and my daughter. Can''t you just trust me the way I trust you? I left my daughter in

    your care, not the first time, but the second, because I know how much you love us and that is why I want to trust you. All I''m asking from you is that

    you trust me too! I know what I''m doing, Fred. This woman has lost her memories, ording to her story, and I need to know how she survived that

    murder. I need to know if my dad is still alive too. Can you please just let here with us?¡±

    After she finished talking. Fred raised his head and looked over her shoulder at Susan, who was pretty busy ying and giggling with Alice.

    ¡°Fine. She cane with us. But if she tries anything...¡±

    ¡°She wouldn''t. I promise. I just need a long chat with her.

    Fred heaved a sigh and bounced his head. ¡°Fine. Let''s go home now. Time isn¡¯t on our side.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Amelia divulged a hearty smile and also bounced her head. She hurried back to Susan and squatted in front of her.

    ¡°You''reing home with me, okay? Let''s go.¡± She said to her in excitement.

    Susan looked at Fred and then at Amelia before she agreed. ¡°But I need to tell Tonia I won''t being home early.¡± She uttered.

    ¡°Tonia? Who is Tonia?¡± Amelia inquired.

    ¡°The old woman I told you about. The one taking care of me.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you should let her know. It wouldn''t be nice to make her worry so much.¡±

    Susan pulled out her phone to make a phone call, and Amelia looked at Fred. She noticed he was ufortable with her making phone calls, but

    she ignored him.

    ¡°Hi, Tonia. I''ll being homete today. I need to find out some important things. Don''t stay up.¡±

    She hung up afterwards and threw her phone in her bag. ¡°What did she say?¡± Amelia asked.

    ¡°She didn''t answer the phone on time, but I left a voicemail already. Let¡¯s go.¡± She stood up, and Amelia pulled the Walker to herself.

    Fred took the lead as they all headed out of the restaurant. ¡°We ended up eating nothing inside there.¡± Amelia uttered.

    ¡°I wasn''t hungry, and it was quite obvious you weren''t either.

    ¡°True.¡± Amelia replied with a smile.

    Susan moved closer to Amelia and whispered in her ear: ¡°if this man isnt your husband. Then who is your husband?¡±

    Amelia exhaled and looked at her face. "My husband is pretty far from here. Remember I told you I was abducted. He is probably looking for me right

    now, and here I am, stuck with this psychopath.¡±

    ¡°You should do something about that soon. Your husband is probably so scared and devastated right now.¡± She added.

    ¡°I am aware, Susan. I wanted to gain his trust and make him love me more to the extent of letting his guard down before I do anything crazy. He has a

    gun, and his anger is quite a terror. I need to be careful.¡± She responded in a whisper.

    ¡®lll help you.¡± Susan answered with a grin.

    James and the others got to the exact location on Elena¡¯s tracking map. They all alighted from the care and headed to the house that the red dot

    rested on.

    There were few houses around, and they were pretty far from each other. The cops that went with them took the lead into the house.

    They kicked the door open, and went in to search the house

    ¡°Amelia!!¡± James shouted her name from where he stood and everyone looked at him.

    ¡°Did you have to do that?¡± Elena asked in a mumble.

    ¡°Of course. I need to know if she is truly here or if this is just a waste of time, or a distraction.¡±

    Elena exhaled and shook her head in frustration. ¡°Even after all these, you still think I¡¯m behind this?¡±

    ¡°It''s not an impossible task, is it?

    You just showW.up like that and

    announce t tat you''ve found her. We.

    all had private investigators working

    on thi s-Why was yours the firstto

    find fet and even provided you Pwith

    a mab. isn¡¯t that too simple

    censidering the experts that are

    working on this case?!¡±

    ¡°Enough! Both of you! This isn¡¯t the right time, okay? Let''s focus!¡± Charles butted in after seeing things were beginning to grow hotter than he

    expected

    James gulpedsaard and looked at

    the door of the house, waiting for

    the cops te out with sad =>

    news. Ic called out her name already,

    and she ¡é didn¡¯t respond, this is a:

    waste of time. I should haveseen

    thiing.¡±

    6

    ¡°We found some things we believe belong to the people we are looking for.¡± One of the cops announced from the door, and James was the first

    person to run down there.

    ¡°What? What did you find?¡± He asked with great eagemess

    ¡°Here is a female''s bag. I believe you showed this to us when we started searching for her. Am I right?¡± The cop asked, and James nodded with tears

    in his eyes.

    ¡°Yes! This is hers.¡± He moved the bag to his nose and sniffed it very hard. He could smell her on it and this made more tears roll down his cheeks.

    ¡°So they left already?¡± James asked.

    Elena shot Penelope a deadly look, and she hurriedly shook her head. ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t tell him anything. Maybe he just stepped out with them.

    ¡°You better not be lying to me or else, you''ll end up in jail just like father.

    Elena walked past her and headed to where the cops were.

    ¡°Does the atmosphere in the house show that they ran away or they just stepped out? You should be able to detect this right?¡±

    "We realized that there''s a high

    possibility that they would still return

    to the house¡¯ We found some NN

    money, and almost everything they¡¯ d

    need to-tun away in the room. They

    shoule-being back. They-had

    just Stocked the fridge with some

    groceries too. They probably just

    stepped out.¡±  ite)

    ¡°Since this is the case, we shouldn''t just leave. We should hang around and watch if they''d show up. I won''t be leaving this ce until I get a positive

    answer:¡± James affirmed.

    ¡°That''s not a problem. We''d park the cars far away from here and hide in the bushes. Once they show up, we, the cops, will do what we want to do

    and go back home.¡±

    ¡°Great. I''ll drive the car away from here then. I''ll be back soon.¡±

    ¡°We''ll do the same.¡±

    James turned to leave and his eyes locked with Elena¡¯s. He ignored her and walked down the porch to where they had parked the car.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Helen asked.

    ¡°To move the car far away from here. We can¡¯t let them suspect we''re around.¡± He sat in the car as he spoke and ignited the engine.

    ¡°We all have to hide.¡± Elena said to them.

    Charles and Helen nodded and were about to move, when Helen noticed Penelope had been awkwardly silent all through. She wasn''t as eager as

    she used to be.

    ¡°Penelope, are you alright? Why are you so quiet?¡± She asked worriedly.

    Penelope forced on a feeble smile and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m just pretty tired. I think I¡¯m going to fall sick soon.

    ¡°Wow. Sorry about that. You should have stayed home then.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. It''s my daughter we are talking about here. Let''s go and hide.¡± She responded, and Helen bounced her head.

    They all did as nned and scon everyone was as if no one was there in the very first ce. It was empty and silent.

    They got to the house shortly and they alighted from the taxi. This time, Amelia was carrying Alice in her arms, and Susan helped with the folded

    walker.

    Fred was busy paying the driver off when Amelia felt a strange sensation. As the wind blew across her face, she perceived a familiar scent. It was

    faint but caught her attention so much.

    She looked around the area, wondering where James¡¯ body spray wasing from.

    Is this because I miss him so much?¡¯ She thought and was about to look away when her eyes caught something behind one of the trees.

    She looked closely and when she realized it was a person, she felt her heart sink to her belly. It wasn''t just a person, it was James.

 Chapter 82: To the nearest hospital

    Chapter 82: To the nearest hospital

    ¡°James?!¡± She called out, catching everyone unaware.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    The cops rushed out of their hiding ces, and before Fred could realize what was going on, he was surrounded with cops who pointed their guns at

    him

    ¡°Your hands in the air!¡± They announced, and he raised his hands.

    James also proceeded out of his hiding spot and ran towards Amelia, who was also running to him happily with Alice in her arms.

    ¡°Alice!¡± He called happily and opened his arms wide. Amelia ran into his arms, even though she was quite conscious about Alice that she carried in

    her arms.

    The first thing James did was carry Alice from her arms first and then embraced Amelia with his side. Alice took one side, Amelia took the other.

    ¡®I have missed you so much, James.¡± Amelia mumbled and tears began to stream down her eyes. James shut his heated-up eyes pretty tight, and let

    his tears stream down freely.

    ¡°I missed you so much too, Amelia. I thought I lost you.¡± He mumbled too.

    He opened his eyes after a few minutes and looked at Fred

    The anger that first erupted in him when he first saw that he was the one behind the abduction was killed when heid his eyes on Amelia

    But when he looked at him again, he felt he needed to throw a few punches at his face before leaving him to the cops.

    ¡°How have you been?¡± Amelia raised her head from his chest and looked at his face. Her nose caught another smell from his chest which wasn''t his

    body spray.

    She furrowed her eyebrows and slowly figured out it was wine.

    ¡°James, have you been drinking?¡± She asked without hesitation, and that was when James looked down at her.

    ¡°Hey...¡± He uttered with a smile. ¡°Can you hold Alice for a minute? I need to do something.¡± He said with a smile.

    Amelia narrowed her eyes but didn¡¯t ask questions. She nodded and took Alice from him carefully.

    After Alice was off of him, he stormed to where Fred was. He was handcuffed and held by two officers.

    The cops were about to throw him into the car when James grabbed him by the cor of his shirt and threw a very hard punch on his face.

    Blood burst out of Fred¡¯s lips and he lost the whole bnce of his body. Thanks to the cops that held him, he didn¡¯t fall to the ground.

    James was ready to throw another punch but was stopped by one of the cops

    ¡°That''s enough, Mr. Parker. We understand you''re so vexed at this point. but please let us take it up from here.¡± He uttered.

    James clenched his jaw and slowly let go of his fist which he had tightened already.

    ¡°Who the hell put you up to this? Who gave you all that information? Tell me!¡± James smacked

    ¡°Mr. Parker, we''ll take it from here, okay? Take your family home.¡± The cop insisted.

    Fred raised his head and looked at James with a smirk on his face, which got James even more vexed than he was.

    He moved his gaze from James and his eyes fell on Amelia. The smirk on his face slowly faded as their eyes locked.

    ¡°So it was all a life, wasn¡¯t it?¡± He asked her, and she hurriedly looked away.

    ¡°Get in!" The cop pushed him into the car and shut the door against him

    James looked at Susan and then at the officers. ¡°Who is she? Why isn''t she in handcuffs too?¡± He asked coldly.

    Amelia shook her head and ran up to him. ¡°No, she isn''t a bad person. I brought her home from the mall myself.

    ¡°Why? Who is she?¡± James asked

    ¡°My surrogate mom. I''ll exin better when we all are out of here.

    James knitted his brows in confusion and looked at this woman again.

    ¡°Isn''t she supposed to be...¡±

    ¡°Dead, right? Well, I thought the same thing until I found her in the shopping mall, and trust me, James, She is ra

    After Amelia stopped talking, he looked at Susan again but with a straight face. It was all so confusing that he didn¡¯t know how to react to what he had

    heard.

    ¡°Let''s head to the car. Everyone is waiting for us down there.¡±

    ¡°Everyone? You didn''te here alone with the cops? How did you find out where we were?¡± She asked as they began to walk down the street to

    where the car was parked.

    ¡°Elena brought us here with a tracking map she ims is from a private investigator.¡±

    ¡°Elena is here too?!" Amelia asked in excitement.

    James scoffed and shook his head. "Why are you so excited? Don''t you suspect she is the one behind this?

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t, James. It doesn''t seem like she is the one. I don¡¯t know who Fred has been talking to, but I don¡¯t think it is Elena.¡±

    ¡°We can''t be so sure of anything, and we can¡¯t trust anybody too. Not after what happened at the party. I never suspected that he would do something

    like that even though I knew how crazy he seemed. Why would he ever think of abducting you and our baby?"

    ¡°Because he envied the family we had, James. He wished he was in your shoes. He had always wanted me for himself.¡± Amelia exined, and

    James exhaled angrily.

    ¡°He will never escape the punishment for this. Letting you and Alice go through a horror like this. He will pay. I promise you, Amelia.¡± He firmly stated

    ¡°Luckily, wefound his cellphone in

    the hous¨¦: James had already <>

    concluded I wanted to waste his¡±

    time and effort. Maybe now he

    would see me differently.¡± Elena said

    as-she yed games on her phone.

    She sat in Charles¡¯ car with Penelope next to her. Charles and Helen were in James¡¯ car, waiting for James to show up with his family.

    They were asked to return to the cars by the cops because they were too much around the house and it definitely created awareness. They let only

    James hang around at the end of the day.

    ¡°How are you sofortable, Elena? You are ying games, for Christ Sake!¡±

    ¡°What? Why shouldn''t I befortable? I am not the criminal here.¡± She responded icily, and Penelope gulped hard and looked away.

    ¡°Now I know you don¡® really care what happens to me after this.¡± She uttered early and lowered her head.

    Elena heaved a sigh and paused her game. She looked at Penelope and saw sadness written all over her.

    ¡°You should have thought of the

    consequenc¨¦s before venturing into

    it at all, mother There''s not much I.

    can do. You just have to pray thats

    charges-are not pressed against

    him Ore doesn''t mention your

    nam¨¦ during interrogation, which

    bath of us know either ofthe two are

    possible.¡±

    ¡®I know. James would definitely want to press charges, and Fred, isn''t someone that can be so trusted, he will mention my name and spill everything.

    ¡°So what do you n on doing?

    ¡®I''ll confess to everyone when we get home today. Before Fred says anything, I''ll proim myself guilty of my crime.¡±

    ¡°What? Are you crazy?!"

    ¡°What do you want me to do, hun?! You have ruined everything. That''s the only thing I can do. Maybe when I do that, I won''t end up in prison like

    Hopper.¡±

    Elena exhaled hard and looked away.

    "Well, what can I say? The ball is in

    your court: Just know that if your end

    up escaping prison, you''ll never

    receive that motherly love you''ve

    always craved. Everyone I is gding to

    hate you for what you''ve done.¡±

    C¨¦ntent belongs to

    ¡°And you?¡±

    ¡°I''m not a fan, either. I need some fresh air at this point.¡±

    Elena stepped out of the car and rested her back on the car body. She held her phone up and continued ying her game.

    ¡°Do you think they had a fight again?¡± Helen asked, and Charles looked at Elena.

    ¡°Probably. Isn¡¯t that normal between mother and child? We do that a lot with James too.¡± He answered.

    He looked out of the windscreen again when his eyes caught James and Amelia approaching. His eyes widened, and he tapped Helen.

    ¡°They''re here! They''re here!¡± She yelled out of excitement and they both got out of the car.

    Elena¡¯s attention was pulled from her game because of the noise she heard. She raised her head and saw Amelia approaching. James walked next

    to her with Alice in his hand.

    A wide grin crept up her face and she ran up to her.

    ¡°Oh my... Amelia!¡± Helen and Charles called as they embraced her.

    ¡°Mr and Mrs Parker!¡± Amelia answered with a chuckle.

    They let go of her and Elena embraced her too almost immediately. ¡°Gosh, I missed you so much.¡± Elena mumbled as she buried her head in

    Amelia''s shoulder.

    ¡°You have no idea how much I missed you too, sister.¡± Amelia responded, almost burying her face in her shoulder.

    ¡°Alice baby!¡± Helen called as she carried her from James¡¯ hands and kissed her on her pretty forehead.

    Penelope summoned courage and stepped out of the car. She lowered her head and also began to approach them

    She got closer and when she finally found a fake smile to put on, she raised her head.

    ¡°Ame...¡± She took an unexpected halt when her eyes fell on Susan.

    ¡°ra?!¡± She called in terror.

    Susan''s attention was pulled away from the happy reunion to Penelope, and immediately her eyes fell on her, she felt an aggressive sting in her

    head.

    ¡°Arrrrgggh.¡± She screamed. She grabbed her head and slowly fell to the ground. Before she could reach the ground, James hurriedly grabbed her.

    ¡°Susan?!¡± Amelia called and grabbed her arm. Susan''s eyes were closed, it was as though she had lost consciousness.

    ¡°We need to rush her to the hospital. I think she has lost consciousness.¡± Charles said, and James nodded.

    They both took her to James¡¯ car and made her sit at the back. James and Amelia sat in front.

    ¡°We''ll be behind you, James. Take her to the nearest hospital here.¡± Charles said to him as soon as he ignited the engine

    ¡°Let''s go!¡± Charles said to the rest of them and hurried to his car. Helen followed behind him but Penelope was glued to the ground she stood.

    Elena looked at Penelope and shot her a deadly look.

    ¡°What is it this time? Why do you love causing havoc anywhere you go?!¡± She asked her in disgust.

 Chapter 83: He is dead

    Chapter 83: He is dead

    Throughout the impromptu ride to the hospital, Penelope was quiet and in shock.

    Elena kept asking her why she called that strange woman ra, but she seemed too stunned to speak.

    They got to the nearest hospital shortly, and Susan was rushed into the emergency ward. They were all asked to wait outside for the doctor and

    nurses to do their work

    Amelia seemed to be more worried than the others because she feared something bad must have happened to her.

    ¡°She''ll be fine, Amelia.¡± James tried to console her.

    Amelia shook her head and exhaled pretty hard. ¡°I asked her toe with me, and now this happens? What if something bad happens to her? She

    has a guardian. What should I tell her if she finds out?¡± She worriedly answered.

    James didn¡¯t know what to do other than console her till they heard from the doctor what had really happened. He didn''t know anything about her yet.

    ¡°Come here.¡± He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. He patted her head slowly and nted a kiss on her forehead.

    ¡°Why does this have to happen now? When will I ever have a real long time of happiness?¡± Amelia mumbled against his chest.

    ¡°Hey... don¡¯t think like that. This is not as bad as you think itis. Let¡¯s hear from the doctor first. I¡¯m here now. I''m sorry I haven''t been here to protect

    you and our baby. Please forgive me.¡±

    Amelia shook her head and tightened her grip around his torso. ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry, James. You didn¡¯t de anything. This is all on Fred..."

    ¡°And whosoever put him up to do this. I swear on my life, that person would not go unpunished.¡± James added, and Amelia kept mute

    Elena and Penelope exchanged looks after hearing James¡¯ statement.

    Helen took a peek at Alice in her arms and realized that she had fallen asleep. She smiled softly and shifted her attention to Penelope.

    ¡°Penelope, can you please tell us why you called that woman ra? Who is ra? How did you two get to know each other?¡± Helen bombarded her

    with questions.

    ¡°Yes, that is true. Elena has been asking you all through our drive down here why you called that woman ra. Is that her name? And why did she

    have to react like that to you calling her?¡±

    Penelope gulped hard and stared at them without uttering any words. She was still in shock and unsure about what she saw.

    ¡°ra is her name. She is my surrogate mother we all thought was dead.¡± Amelia butted in

    ¡°What?!¡± They all eximed, excluding Penelope and James, who seemed pretty aware of it.

    ¡°How is that possible?¡± Elena asked.

    ¡°I''m yet to know, Elena. All I know is that she is my mom that was shot five years ago, and that is why Mrs. Penelope was able to recognize her. Am I

    right. Mrs. Penelope?¡±

    Everyone shifted their gazes from Elena, and they fell on Penelope again. Penelope gulped hard and lowered her head.

    ¡°Yes.¡± She muttered.

    ¡®Oh wow. Now I know why she couldn¡¯t speak when I asked her questions. Is she too shocked to see her alive, or is she beginning to feel guilty about

    it?'' Elena thought.

    ¡°This is crazy. Crazy things keep happening. So she wasn''t dead all these time? Why didn¡¯t she show up after she fully recovered from the incident?"

    Helen inquired.

    ¡°ording to her, she lost her memory. I think this was after the trauma she passed through that night. She herself isn''t so conversant with what is

    happening. She still can¡¯t believe that I''m her daughter.¡±

    ¡°But she followed you back from the shopping mall. She must have trusted you before going with you.¡± Elena uttered

    ¡°Yes. Who knows? She must have felt the atmosphere wasn''t wrong after all. I have so many unanswered questions and all I can ask for now is that

    she wakes up withoutplications.

    ¡°She wouldn''t. Let¡¯s just hope positively.¡±

    Everyone went quiet and got busy with their own thoughts.

    How could she have survived it? Fred said they were all dead and disposed. How is ra still breathing? Was there a mistake somewhere, or did

    Fred lie about this?¡¯

    Penelope clenched her jaws and lowered her head in anger and distress. ¡®This better not be what I¡¯m thinking.¡¯

    After several minutes of waiting for the doctor, he finally walked out of the ward and they all rushed up to him.

    ¡°Doctor, how is she?¡± Amelia eagerly inquired.

    ¡°She is out of danger. She was under an attack because of the current condition of her health. Who is her family here?¡±

    ¡°Me! I am her daughter, and this is my husband.

    ¡°Please follow me to the office. The others should wait behind.¡± He ordered.

    Amelia and James followed behind him until they got to his office. He asked them to sit on the chairs in front of his desk as he got rid of his robe.

    ¡°ording to the tests we carried out, we found out that Mrs. Susan has Amnesia syndrome. She is unable to recall what has happened some time

    ago, and I believe this must have been caused by a traumatic event. Are you aware that she was once operated on?

    ¡°The gunshot operation?¡± Amelia responded, and the doctor nodded

    ¡°Yes. I want to believe this incident, or rather gunshot, was the reason for this Amnesia. She developed it from the trauma.

    ¡°And was this also the reason why she had this attack?¡± James asked.

    ¡°Yes. We didn''t only find out she has Amnesia, but also found out that she tried recalling a memory from her past and this is why she was under that

    attack."

    Amelia''s eyes widened as she

    reyed the scene inherhead <>

    again. ¡®So it was because Penelope

    called out her name. But why didn¡¯t

    she-teact I in that kind of wayawhen

    she was with me?¡¯ ¡° <

    ¡°Do you mean it¡¯s dangerous for her to recall these memories, Doctor?"

    ¡°Not at all. This memory she tried to

    recall was based on what she saw

    and heard, She would begin to stark

    recalling¨¦nore memories after a

    today,and the attacks may persist

    for some time. But soon, it wilfstart

    anc-she''ll finally regain all her

    rfemories.¡± Content bsigs to

    ¡°What do we do when she is under these attacks then?

    "When she alls. unconscious like

    she did today Lay her t on the bed

    and wait tills she regains her o

    consciousness, because she will

    definitely do. And when she do¨¦s,

    another memory would havebeen

    ad¨¦ed to her memo y box: ¡°

    ?

    Amelia looked at James and bounced her head. ¡°Thank you so much, Doctor. Please can we see her now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you can. She has regained full consciousness. You can try to ask her some questions, but don¡¯t put her too hard or she will easily wear out.¡±

    ¡°Okay Doctor. Thank you so much.¡± They chorused and headed out of his office shortly.

    Outside his office were everyone, waiting for them to bring them news. Either good or bad.

    ¡°She has gained full consciousness, but I think only Amelia should talk to her for now.¡± James said, and Amelia looked at him.

    He gave her a reassured nod, and she let out a feeble smile

    ¡°Thank you. I''ll be back soon.¡± She said to them and walked into the ward.

    Susan turned her head on the bed and locked at Amelia as she approached her.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± She called.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Amelia answered with a smile.

    ¡°That woman that called me ra.¡± She muttered and looked at the door for a few seconds.

    ¡°What about her? Do you recall who she is?¡± Amelia eagerly asked, and she shook her head.

    ¡°No. But when she called me, I recalled something. I was in a beautiful living room with a child in my hand, and then there was this man... he called

    me ra too.¡±

    A wide smile crept up Amelia''s face as she listened to her speak. She loved what she had rememberedContent ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You saw your family, Susan. That baby in her arms was Amelia. Me. And that man that called you was your husband, Stanley.¡±

    Susan furrowed her brows as she paid rapt attention to what Amelia told her. ¡°Stanley... Stanley... Stanley.¡± She mumbled to herself.

    Amelia smiled and shook her head. She took her hand in hers and made her stop mumbling.

    ¡°Don''t push yourself too hard. You''ll keep remembering little by little. Is this the first time seeing something like this?¡±

    Susan sighed and bounced her head.

    ¡°If that man is truly my husband. Where is he right now?¡± She questioned.

    Amelia swallowed hard and sadly dropped her head

    ¡°Susan, I don¡¯t think telling you now is a good idea.¡± She responded.

    ¡°Answer my question, Amelia. Did we get into a fight and break up? What happened to our family? Why did I wake up in a strange ce with no

    memories of my past? Where is Stanley?¡±

    Susan''s voice raised gradually as she asked each question. Her voice grew so loud and firm when she got to thest question.

    ¡°He is dead!" Amelia responded, and her eyes popped wide open.

    Susan went nk for a few seconds before blinking. She recalled what she remembered and tears heated up her eyes real quick.

    ¡°My husband died? How did he die?¡±

    ¡°Susan, that is enough...¡±

    ¡°How did he die?!!¡± She roared in rage.

    ¡°He was murdered, okay? Take it easy! This is too much to take in at a time!¡± Amelia smacked.

    Susan''s eyes opened even wider and she slowly moved her shivering hands to her head. She grabbed her head and almost immediately, the

    defibritor began to make strange sounds.

    ¡°Doctor!!!!" Amelia yelled as she held Susan, trying to calm her down.

 Chapter 84: Iâ€™m worse than that.

    Chapter 84: I¡¯m worse than that.

    ~The Next Day~

    After sedating Susan to stop her from overthinking about what Amelia told her, she got better and before she knew it, she was discharged

    Only Amelia stood with her throughout her stay in the hospital. James couldn''t go home either because he couldn''t let her be all by herself.

    He wasn''t going to let anything happen to her again. ¡®I have lost her once, and that would never respect itself anymore.¡¯ He told himself.

    Susan was taken to James¡¯ house after he got discharged. She was driven home in his car.

    She asked that Amelia let her call Tonia and exin what was going on so that she wouldn''t get too worried about her.

    Tonia told her she would find a time to visit her before the end of the week. She also was eager to know more about Susan, since she never caught a

    glimpse of her past life when she was still with her.

    Getting to the mansion, before they entered the house at all, the aroma of roasted chicken filled their nostrils. James smiled faintly and looked at

    Amelia

    ¡°Looks like we''re going to be having a feast tonight. That is mother''s roasted chicken. I can never get it wrong.¡±

    Susan and Amelia chuckled to his statement and headed into the house. The living room¡¯s air was graced with the aroma from the kitchen, and not

    only that, some slight obvious decorations and cleaning.

    ¡°Hmmm... am I the only one noticing the change, or this is because I''ve been away from the house for sometime?"

    James chuckled and looked at her face. ¡°There are truly slight differences. I asked them to change the arrangements of the chairs, rece the center

    table and throw pillows, change the dining sets, and...¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± She butted in

    ¡°Because you''re back home, Amelia! Because I didn''t have to mourn over you. I couldn''t just act like it¡¯s a normal thing. this is just to show how happy

    everyone is that youre back, and not just you, but your mother too. Please ept this token from the bottom of my heart

    Amelia smiled and moved closer to him. Without saying any words, she embraced him and nted a soft kiss on his lips.

    ¡°Thank you for this, James. Thank you for all you do.¡± She mumbled and rested her head on his rigid chest.

    ¡°You should go and freshen up now. The both of you. The gathering will begin in an hour. Everyone from our family definitely has something to say, so

    we would do all that at dinner today.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and slowly withdrew from James. She looked at Susan who seemed numb and let out a wide smile.

    ¡°Come with me, mom. Let me show you to your reom. I hope you''ll like it.¡± She uttered, holding her hand.

    ¡°I should like it.¡± She responded and they both giggled.

    They got into the room and Amelia went into the bathroom to prepare a warm bath for her. While doing that. Susan got rid of her clothes and tied the

    towel she saw around her waist.

    She walked into the bathroom with her upper part bare and stood in front of Amelia.

    ¡°Amelia.¡± She called her, and Amelia raised her head. Her eyes fell on Susan¡¯s body before she could say any words.

    On the left side of her belly was arge scar from the surgery she did after getting shot. It was a pretty big scar that made Amelia wonder how many

    bullets were removed from her belly.

    ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± Amelia worriedly asked. She stood up from the side of the bathtub where she squatted. and approached her.

    She stood in front of her and lowered her head to take a closer look at the scar.

    ¡°It doesn''t. But...¡± she took a pause and Amelia raised her head to look at her.

    ¡°But what?

    ¡°It hurts to know Stanley was killed that night too.¡±

    Amelia gasped and stood upright. ¡°You remember what happened that night now?¡± She asked when Susan bounced her head.

    ¡°Yes. I saw a scene from that night. We were in the living room, watching a movie, when all of a sudden, some men barged into our home, with masks

    and guns. I was so scared, so I hurriedly pulled you into my arms. Stanley did the same to me, like he was protecting us. Suddenly, they took you

    away from us and made you sit far away from us. Without telling us the reason for barging in, they pulled the trigger on us.

    Susan was unaware of the stream of tears that rolled down her cheeks as she narrated what she had remembered.

    Amelia sped her lips and dropped her head in sadness too.

    She couldn''t control her emotions at this point because fortunately or unfortunately, she could remember every part of her mother¡¯s narration, even

    though she was so young back then.

    She wished she had forgotten it back then, but it kept living with her. Kept tormenting her.

    ¡°Do you know we did that to us, Amelia?¡± Susan¡¯s voice shivered as she spoke.

    ¡°Yes. They have been put behind bars. I did it, mother. I made them pay.¡± Amelia tried to let out a smile as she spoke.

    ¡°Who were they? Those men?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t care about the men that pulled the trigger, mom. I went after those that sent those men

    ¡°And who sent them? And how did they pay for what they did to our family?¡±

    ¡°It''s a long story which I''m willing to tell you, but their names are Hopper, Penelope, and Freddie. Do they ring a bell?

    ¡°Penelope? That woman... Freddie...¡±

    ¡°Yes. This is how it all started...¡±

    After taking a bath together, Amelia and Susan got to the dining table prettyte. Everyone else were seated already.

    They sat in the remaining empty chairs, one was next to James. and the other was directly opposite Penelope.

    Amelia sat next to James without hesitation, but Susan kind of had problems with sitting in front of Penelope. Not after everything Amelia had told her

    about her past.

    ¡°I can''t sit here.¡± She uttered and everyone looked at her.

    ¡°Why? What''s wrong?¡± Helen asked in confusion. Elena hurriedly stood up and carried her tray in her hand.

    ¡®I''ll sit there. It''s no big deal.

    They exchanged seats, and Susan got to sit next to Helen. They all started eating shortly, and all the sounds that filled the air were the slight noises

    their cutleries made

    Penelope was too ufortable to eat properly. She wanted to confess and get the weight out of her chest.

    Elena noticed how she hardly ate her food, and she heaved a loud sigh and dropped her fork noisily in her te, pulling everyone¡¯s attention to

    herself.

    ¡°I think I am beginning to hate the awkward silence here. Mom, I believe you have something to say to everyone.¡±

    Penelope''s breath ceased and she looked at Elena¡¯s face in terror. ¡®Why did she have to do that?! I was going to find the right time to say it!¡¯ She

    thought in terror.

    ¡°Really? What do you have to say to us, Penelope? We are all ears.¡± Helen uttered, and Charles nodded in support

    Penelope slowly bounced her head and stood up. She moved away from the table. She stood behind her chair and let out a loud, deep exhale before

    talking.

    ¡°I know I am a bad person, and I don¡¯t deserve to be in your midst today. I¡¯m saying this because I can¡¯t keep this to myself any longer. And also, I

    don¡¯t regret what I did.¡±

    ¡°What?! You don¡¯t regret what you did?¡± Elena scoffed.

    ¡°Shut up and let me finish, okay? I know you''ll have been wondering who must have put Fred up to do something like that to Amelia and her daughter.

    We all want to know the informant. And I¡¯m here to tell you today that I am the informant.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± They all chorused in awe.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Do you know what you''re saying at all?¡± Helen asked in great shock.

    ¡°No one is forcing me to say this. I met with Fred some months back. we both signed a contract and got pretty close because of the business. Then I

    found out he was crazily in love with Amelia.¡±

    ¡°So that is why you let him abduct your child and grandchild?!¡± James eximed.

    ¡°That was just to my advantage! When I found out my daughter''s husband was Helen¡¯s son, all I could think of was how to get her away from you!¡±

    ¡°What?! Why are you saying this? I am your friend, Penelope.

    "A friend that always wants what I

    want and getswhat I want is not a

    friend! You always wanted to be the

    one out there right from high school

    You wer€always topping the ss,

    and I was alwaysing aftergjou!

    AS ifthat wasn''t enough, yourgot

    matried to the man of my dreams!

    N6w, you have gained the tove of my

    daughter! The love I never got. You

    want all the good things for

    yourself!¡± Penelope yelled.

    Helen''s eye¡¯s broadened and she blinked severally, as she found it so hard to digest everything Penelope had said.

    O... you let me go through that trauma just because of a beef you have against her?! Why should I affect what I want?!" Amelia roared in tears.

    She banged the table hard and sprang to her feet. Alice, who was in Helen¡¯s arms, broke into tears, because the noise terrified her.

    Helen stood up and moved away from the dining table to console Alice.

    ¡°So doing that evil would make you gain my love?!

    ¡®I have always known that you would never love me the way you love James and his mother. Helen knows that you are a good woman, with a pure

    heart and that is why she got you to marry her arrogant and mannerless son!¡±

    ¡®I love him! I have always loved him. I wasn''t forced to marry him. And of all the people you want me to be with, you chose Fred?

    ¡°He is way better than James! I prefer you to be with him than James.¡±

    "Stop acting like this because just to

    show you care¡¯ about me! This is all

    because afthe hatred you have fors

    Ma¡¯am Helen, nothing more. I don''t

    care what had conspired between

    yout two, but shouldn¡¯t my happiness

    come first? You even involved a few

    weeks old baby! Who dogs that?!¡±

    ¡®I''m so disappointed in you, Penelope. Why did you think this n would ever work?¡± Charles asked in disbelief.

    ¡°It was going so well until Elena got involved and ruined my ns!¡±

    ¡°I told you I would never let you do such an evil thing to my sister and her daughter. I would expose you.¡± Elena uttered in anger.

    ¡°Enough!¡± James roared and sprang to his feet. Everyone and everything went dead silent. They all exchanged angry and terrified looks.

    ¡°You don''t regret what you did, right?

    Which means you re ready to pay for

    what youshave done. Well, you will->

    have it_ You just said I''m an ill SS

    mannered and arrogant man, itis

    timeto show you I¡¯m worse t than

    that¡± James responded in rage.

 Chapter 85: I need to see Freddie.

    Chapter 85: I need to see Freddie.

    ¡°Oh please, do you think you can scare me with those words? What can you do to me, hun? All you can do is throw me into jail like you did to my

    husband, then I finally get to be with him. I''m not scared of you, James

    ¡°That''s enough, Mom! I never knew she could be insensitive about this matter. You are clearly at fault and you''re still acting so strong. You''ll lose

    everything you''ve always wanted and the ones you had always had.¡± Elena uttered.

    Penelope clutched her jaws and looked away from Elena. Deep down, she never wanted it to y out so badly, but now it had to be like that. she

    wasn''t ever going to act weak in front of them.

    ¡®I have always known that you miss your husband so much. But I never thought you''d go to the extent of going to jail just to be with him. Well

    congrattions, your wish would be wholly granted.¡± James added.

    ¡°No.¡± Amelia uttered after a long time of silence, and everyone looked at her.

    ¡°Amelia...¡±

    ¡°She won''t be going to jail. I won''t press charges against her.¡± Amelia added, cutting James short.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°She wants to be with Hopper, right? Even though it may not be true, I won''t let that happen.¡±

    Amelia moved away from the dining table and approached Penelope. She got in front of her and stopped walking.

    ¡°You know, when I first saw you and when I figured out you were my biological mother, I felt so bad. There was always something about you that

    always threw me off the edge. I kept asking myself what it was, but I couldn''t figure it out. All I knew is that I couldn¡¯t bring myself to love you the way I

    had always loved ra.¡±

    Penelope felt her heart disconnect from its socket and crash into her belly so hard that she felt her heart break into pieces. The words were more

    hurting than she ever expected

    ¡°Today, I am so happy to figure out why I never loved you. There is no reason to love you at all, Penelope. I mean, I regret the fact that your egg

    made me. You are not worthy to be called my mother. You are not supposed to even breathe the same air I breathe. You are nothing but a stranger!¡±

    Amelia shivered vigorously as those words proceeded out of her mouth without caution. Her words were apanied with hurt, disappointment and

    tears.

    Penelope clenched her fists and dropped her head as she broke into silent tears. She knew she had finally lost her children forever.

    ¡°Don''t worry about going to jail...¡±

    ¡°Amelia...¡± James called, but she raised her hand and stopped him from talking.

    ¡°I promise not to press charges against you. That would be thest thing I''d do. Here is what I''ll do. I''ll erase you from my head, from my life, and it

    won''t stop there, Alice will never know you exist.¡±

    ¡°Alice...¡± Penelope mumbled.

    ¡°Don''t call me. I don''t know you. Now, get out.¡± She uttered icily and turned to walk away from her.

    ¡°You can''t just shut me out of your life!¡± Penelope yelled

    ¡°Watch me do so!"

    m your mother!¡±

    ¡°No, you''re not. My mother is seated right here, watching you make a fool out of yourself. My mother would never do something stupid because of

    Irnd reasons! I can beat my chest for her anywhere. She would never do something like this! She is seated right here, and here I am saying all

    these in front of her. Why? Because she is a true mother!¡±

    ¡°Amelia, please take it easy.¡± Elena muttered after seeing the terrified look on Penelope¡¯s face. One thing she knew very well about her mother was

    that she had always wanted the love of her children. But Amelia''s words

    This would hurt her more than death itself.¡¯

    ¡°Get out already! You heard her. Never step your feet into this house or its premises any longer. You''ve overstayed your wee.¡± James added

    ¡°Amelia, please. I¡¯m sorry. Please don¡¯t shut me out of your life. I¡¯m sorry. I admit I made a mistake and I''m ready to make amends...¡±

    ¡°There are no amends. Get out and never show your face again.¡±

    Amelia walked out of the dining room without second thoughts. Penelope wanted to go after her, but James stood in front of her and made her halt

    ¡°You heard her, didn¡¯t you? Get the hell out.¡± James said in rage.

    Penelope swallowed hard and cleaned the tears that streamed down her face.

    She moved away from where James stood and walked to the dining table to carry her bag which she ced next to her chair, on the floor.

    When she lifted her bag and hung it in her shoulder, she looked at Susan who was still sitting on the chair, staring at them like she was dumb.

    ¡°You''re happy, aren''t you? You came back from nowhere and you''re seated here like you own everything. You should have stayed dead!¡±

    ¡°Oh please, mom, don¡¯t make matters worse. Just leave already. I''ll pay you a visit at the house.¡± Elena muttered

    ¡°You still want to pay a visit? I thought you were with your sister on this one.¡±

    ¡°You did the wrong thing, Mom. I won''t support you for that, neither will I shut you out of my lifepletely. But for now, please excuse us.¡±

    Penelope gulped and bounced her head. She turned to leave and didn¡¯t look back until she was out of the house. She got to the front of the mansion

    and stared at it

    ¡®You have lost it all because of your selfishness, Penelope.¡±

    When Amelia got into the room. she fell to the floor and broke into more tears. Her heart was so broken and she could feel the pain as though it was

    physical.

    She kept weeping when she heard a gentle knock on the door. She raised her head and looked at the door.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t locked.¡± She uttered. She stared at the door and waited to see who had knocked. The door opened slowly and Susan walked in.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked softly.

    Amelia shook her head and opened her arms. Susan walked up to her and also fell to the floor. She embraced her and began to pat her back.

    ¡®I feel so betrayed, Mom.¡± She mumbled and buried her mouth in her shoulder.

    ¡®I''m sorry all this has to happen to you. You''re too young to have such toxic people around you.¡±

    ¡°I wish you were never gone. If you were around, maybe all these wouldn''t have happened.¡±

    ¡°Tell me, Amelia. Is it true you were forced to get married to James? Was it against your will?¡±

    Amelia let out a sigh and slowly disengaged from her. She lowered her head and said;

    ¡°I did it the first time because of my uncle Freddie. Butter, I found out that I felt something for him. It wasnt easy, but I am not regretting that

    decision. I love James, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him.¡±

    ¡°There are too many enemies here, Child. Why don¡¯t you leave to somewhere no one knows the both of you! Somewhere you can be free, and live

    life the way you want it.¡±

    Amelia bounced her head and sighed again. ¡°I have never really thought about it. Maybe because we can''t just run away from our problems. And

    again, the heart of James¡¯ business is here in bama. It will be hard to just relocate.¡±

    ¡°Don''t think about it and make decisions alone. Talk to him about it when everything is settled.¡±

    ¡°I will.¡± She answered with a smile. ¡°And if we end up relocating, you''ll being with us.¡±

    ¡°I don''t have to.¡± Susan answered with a grin. Her grin was so beautiful, it made Amelia smile wider.

    ¡°Of course, and you shouldn''t argue with me. I need you more than anyone else. You are the one I trust the most.¡±

    They both went mute for a few seconds after talking. Amelia was about to talk when Susan grabbed her head all of a sudden

    ¡°Mom?! Mom, are you alright?¡± Amelia asked in great worry.

    ¡®I''m... fine.¡± She responded. Her eyes were tightly shut, as the sharp pain in her head slowly reduced. She remembered another event from that

    traumatic night.

    ¡°Freddie.¡± She called, and Amelia creased her brows.

    ¡°What about him?"

    ¡°He saved me that night.

    ¡°What are you talking about, Mom? This man was part of the people that sent those men to kill you.¡±

    ¡°He was Stanley''s brother, right?¡± Amelia nodded and she let out a sigh.

    "He did save me that night. After I

    was hit by the bullets, I fell

    unconscious for a few minutes, but,

    opened my eyes afterwards agains

    looked:around and realized thatyou

    and thdse men were gone. Next to

    me, Stanleyy lifeless. Only¡®one

    thing was in my head. I needed to

    escape.¡±

    "While I was still bleeding, I held onto

    my stomachsand dragged my feets

    as I headed ¡®into the kitchen. Theres

    was a ddor that led to the back oft

    the house. I opened the door and

    steppad out. I was too weak, and I

    coud hardly see anything because it

    waste at night.¡± Contest belongs

    to

    ¡°I kept trudging until I suddenly bumped into someone. It was after because I could recall how his body spray smelled. I asked him for his help and fell

    unconscious, only for me to wake up at Tonia¡¯s.

    ¡°So he did help you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure, but he probably did because if he didn¡¯t, he would have killed me.¡±

    ¡°Wow. So it was true that he liked you so much back then.

    ¡°Pretty much. I need to see Freddie. I need to talk to him about that night.¡± Susan mumbled and stared into space.

    ¡®lL can¡¯t believene saved you that

    night. He didtrt say a word about it

    to me. If he had told me you were =

    still alive wouldn''t have crow fi

    into prison. I may have forgiver-him

    eventhough he was involvedin

    father s death.¡±

    a

    ¡°So he is in the prison as we speak?"

    ¡°Yes.

    ¡®I want to see him. Please take me to him."

 Chapter 86: I donâ€™t regret.

    Chapter 86: I don¡¯t regret.

    Instead of heading straight to the house, Penelope went down to the station to see Hopper and Freddie. She couldn''t keep the news of ra still

    being alive to herself.

    She got to the station and waited till it was time for the conjugal visit.

    When it was time, she asked to see Hopper first. She was taken to a private room so that they could talk.

    She was happy she didn¡¯t have to stay behind the desk to talk to him this time around. She was going to finally touch him after a long time.

    After a few minutes, Hopper arrived. Immediately he stepped into the room, a smile lit up his face.

    He opened his arms and embraced her. She was also fully ready to embrace him

    ¡°How are you, I missed you so much.¡± Hopper said as he broke the hug.

    ¡°I missed you so much too, Hopper.¡± She responded and that both sat. Penelope heaved a sigh and gulped hard as she sat.

    Hopper furrowed his brows and looked at her closely. He could sense something wasn''t right with her.

    ¡°Penelope. What is it this time? You are acting happy but your face is telling me something different.

    ¡°You''re going to scold me if I tell you why I¡¯m sad.¡±

    ¡°So you''re going to keep it to yourself? C¡¯mon Penelope.¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Promise me you won''t scold me. I know you warned me, but I didn¡¯t listen so you don¡¯t have to remind me.¡±

    Hopper nodded and pinned his mouth with his finger. "Can you please tell me now?

    ¡°Well, I seeded in making Amelia hate me more than ever before. I confessed that I was the one who ordered someone to kidnap her and her

    daughter, and...¡±

    ¡°What?! Penelope, are you crazy! You kidnapped both of them? For what reason?!" Hopper smacked.

    ¡°You promised not to scold me!¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t help it! Why would you do that to your daughter? You should be protecting her, not endangering her. Who would love you after that?¡±

    ¡°That''s it! I knewing here was a bad idea.¡± She grabbed her bag and wanted to storm out but Hopper quickly grabbed her and made her stop.

    ¡°Fine! I''m sorry, okay! I just... haaa.¡± He sighed. ¡°Just sit down and tell me the rest of the story.

    Penelope rolled her eyes an reluctantly sat again.

    ¡°You had your reasons, right?¡± He asked and she bounced her head.

    ¡°Yes, but it doesn''t justify what I did to her. She has cut me off from her life and Alice¡¯s finally. She doesn¡¯t want to see me anymore, if possible, not

    breathe the same air as mine. She doesn¡¯t want me anymore, Hopper.¡± She muttered in sadness.

    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± Hopper inquired.

    ¡°Go on.¡±

    ¡°Why did you do that in the first ce? Please don¡¯t tell you did it because she threw me in jail. I already told you that I¡¯m guilty and I should suffer for

    it.¡±

    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t about you. I don¡¯t want to talk about that anymore, okay?¡±

    ¡°Oh God, Penelope. You are beginning too hard to understand these days. What are you going to do about Amelia now? And what about Elena?

    Does she hate you too?¡±

    ¡°Well, she literally exposed my secret to everyone at the house. I don''t think she like me either. She was the first to know that I knew about the

    abduction, and she made sure Amelia was rescued. She ruined my ns.

    ¡°Ruined your ns? Can you please shut up? You have no right to act like you were doing the right thing. No matter how valid your reasons were,

    you could have used other ways to express your feelings, not such an illegal way! I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m scolding you but I can¡¯t just help it! What are you

    turning into, Penelope?¡±

    ¡°Can we skip to the main reason I am here?¡± She asked, trying to act like his words didn¡¯t get to her.

    ¡°There''s another reason apart from this? Oh God...¡±

    ¡°ra is alive.¡±

    ¡°Who is ra?¡± His brows knitted as he asked in confusion.

    ¡°The woman that carried our twins! The one you thought you killed. She is alive, and as i''m speaking to you, she is in James¡¯ mansion!

    Hopper went mute for a few seconds, he tried to assimte and interpret what he had just heard.

    ¡°The woman that I asked Freddie to take care of is still alive? How is that possible? He told me he took care of everything perfectly and there was

    nothing to worry about. And why is she just showing up now? It''s been over fifteen years. Are you sure about this?¡±

    ¡°Why would I want to joke about an event that happened over fifteen years ago! She is alive and in here to find out how and why."

    ¡°I have no idea! I''m as shocked as you are! Didn''t I show you their burial ce? Freddie told me it was all done.¡±

    ¡°Then it looks like Freddie knows something we don''t know.¡± Penelope uttered and Hopper bobbed.

    ¡°Let me talk to him. I''ll go to him now. Wait till ¡¯m back, okay?¡¯

    Penelope nodded and Hopper headed out of the room. He walked back to his cell to talk to Freddie. They happened to be put in the same cellroom.

    He got into the cell and saw Freddie lying on his bed, on the top of the bunk.

    ¡°Freddie, are you awake?¡± He asked, and Freddie turned on his other side and looked at him.

    ¡°Yes, I am. Why? Penelope left already?¡±

    ¡°No, she is still in the waiting room. I needed toe and ask you a question.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°You said you took care of Stanley and ra, right?

    After hearing his question, Freddie sat up and stared at his face. ¡°Why are you asking me this? It''s been years.¡±

    ¡°Tell me why ra is still alive, Freddie. What did you do?!

    Freddie gulped and looked away. He exhaled hard and jumped down from the bunk.

    ¡°I need to pee.¡± He mumbled.

    Hopper hastily grabbed him by the arm and pinned him against the wall

    ¡°Tell me what ra is still alive! I paid you to get rid of two of them, not one!¡±

    ¡°Well, she survived, okay? What difference does it make now?! We are in prison already. She can¡¯t do much as revenge anymore.¡±

    ¡°When you told me she was dead, and showed me her burial ce, who was in that ce?¡±

    ¡°No one. Maybe she wasn¡¯t meant to die, okay? She was shot several times, just as Stanley was shot, but she didn''t die. What does that tell you? It

    wasn''t her time to die.¡±

    ¡°Then why is she just showing up after so many years?"

    ¡°How do you expect me to know? If

    she is back, tien good for Amelia.

    She will havea mother back to her...

    At least, Fdon¡¯ regret one thing I did

    back then. I''m happy I didn''t kiltker

    after she cried to me for help: Can I

    pee siow, or youre going to, kill me

    ferr not making sure she died back

    then?¡±

    Hopper let go of his arm, and Freddie walked out of the cellroom to the toilet. He reminisced over what Hopper told him again.

    You''re back to your family and here I am in the prison. It would have made much sense if I was out there to see how you have been all these years.

    Ahh... I''m sorry for what I did, ra. I regret everything now.¡¯

    He stood upright and peeped in the toilet. After he was done, he headed back to the cell room. He was about to enter when an officer stopped him.

    ¡°Freddie Cooper! A family member is here to see you.

    Freddie creased his brows at the words of the officer. ¡®A family member? I haven''t had any visitors since I got into this ce. Why now? Maybe it¡¯s

    Ava.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡± He replied with a faint smile.

    ¡°Go to room fifty seven. She is there waiting for you.

    Its a she. It is either Ava or Amelia then.¡¯ He bobbed his head and headed straight to room fifty seven to see who hade to visit him

    He opened the door and walked in to see Susan sitting on a chair, in front of the desk. When he walked in, she stood to her feet.

    ¡°ra?¡± He called and she let out a slight smile. She slightly lowered her head and called him.

    ¡°Freddie. It''s been such a very long time.¡± She responded.

    Freddie found his momentum, dashed to where she stood and pulled her into his arms. He said nothing but embraced her really tight.

    ra¡¯s eyes widened as soon as he hugged her. She wasn''t expecting such reaction from him, not after so many years.

    After Freddie realized she didn¡¯t hug him back, he slowly moved away from her and lowered his head

    ¡°I''m sorry. I got too excited and lost my manners. I missed you so much.¡± He uttered, avoiding her face at all cost.

    ¡®I need to ask you some questions, Freddie. Can I go on?¡± She asked as politely as she could

    ¡°Yes, of course. Please sit." He pulled the chair in front of the desk backward so she could sit.

    She grinned and sat on the chair. Freddie moved to the back of the desk and sat on the chair that was there. Both of their eyes locked for a few

    minutes before ra looked away.

    ¡°You''re still as beautiful as ever.¡±

    ra lowered her head and nodded. "Thank you, but I want to know if you had any feeling of doubt or remorse when you nned on killing your

    brother, and after you did it.¡±

    ¡®I feel no remorse.¡± He responded and folded his arms on the desk. ra raised her eyebrows in shock to his response.

    ¡°Obviously. That was quite fast.¡±

    ¡°He stole you away from me, ra! We were still together when he came to you.¡±

    ¡°I epted to be with him, it wasn¡¯t his fault. And we were having serious issues then. I felt we weren''t meant to be together.¡±

    ¡°That wasn''t only for you to decide.

    ¡°You weren''t telling me anything! You kept keeping things from me.¡±

    ¡°Because my life was a mess, ra!

    My brother took almost everything I

    had. I needed.you the most then, but

    then you went to this same brother

    that received all the love we were

    both supposed to share. Even after

    ollineaniiaa that we were ina ?

    rtionship, he threw away my

    feelings ike lwas some sort of

    bastard and went on to get married

    to you. I''ll never forgive him for that.

    You were myfort zone then, but

    he stole you away. I never had that

    kind offort ever since tnat

    time.¡±

    ¡°So you killed him?¡± ra responded with a mumble.

    ¡®I''ll do it again if I set my eyes on him, ra. I never saw him as a brother because it was the same with him. We were born enemies and he always

    reminded me of that.¡±

    ¡°And what about me? Even after trying to rape me when I was with Stanley, you still had to get me killed?¡±

    ¡°I still regret my actions until today.

    But I never wanted to kill you ra. I

    had to do itt that way because if I

    refused todo it, Someone else would

    take that''job and would make sure

    he finished both of you. Why do¡°you

    thinkyyou were still alive after those

    gunshots? And why do you think you

    bumped into me at the back of your

    house?¡±

    ¡°Why? I have no idea and that is why I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°Because I instructed them not to shoot you in the heart. Stanley was shot in the heart and that is why he couldn''t survive it. If you hadn''t tried to

    escape and bumped into me, I would havee there to rush you to somewhere you''d be treated.

    ra gulped hard and lowered her head. Tears threatened to roll out of her beautiful eyes.

    ¡°So it was all your n.¡±

    ¡°If I said no to Hopper, he would have done everything to have you dead. If you were with another guy, maybe I''d have tried to save the both of you.

    But it was Stanley! That was all I''ve always wanted.

    ¡°Gosh you''re so crazy, Freddie.¡± She cried out, and he clutched his jaws.

    ¡®I''m sorry for not regretting what I did to him. The only thing I regret is you having to go through all that. I¡¯m really sorry, ra.¡±

    ra cleaned her eyes and raised her head. She looked at him with a straight face.

    ¡°Call me Susan. I don''t seem to like the name ¡®ra¡¯ anymore.¡±

    ¡°Susan? Tonia gave you that name, right?¡±

    ¡°How do you know Tonia?¡±

    ¡°She was a very good friend of mine. I had to hand you over to her so that she could take care of your wound and make you feel better. She is a

    nurse, isn¡¯t she?¡¯

    ¡°Yes she is.¡±

    ¡°Now you know I¡¯m not lying. We lost contact after that day; which was intentional from my side. Didn¡¯t want Hopper to suspect anything. But I never

    stopped sending money for your treatment to her.

    ¡°All this you''re telling me. What do you want me to say or do about it? You want me to thank you?¡±

    ¡°I want you to know I never stopped loving you and I wished nothing ever stopped us from being together.¡± He answered almost Immediately.

    ra stood up and picked up her bag without saying anymore words

    ¡°ra

    ¡°It is Susan! The woman you knew back then is dead! I''m leaving now. Enjoy your stay here, and I hope you get out one day.¡±

    ¡°I hope you find a ce in your heart to forgive me, ra. I still really care about you.¡±

    She kept approaching the door without looking back. She walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. She slid down the door weakly and

    broke into more tears

    She wept profusely, alongside Freddie who couldn''t control his emotions at that point.

 Chapter 87: Happiness

    Chapter 87: Happiness

    ~One Year Later~

    ¡°Bababal¡± Alice called out to James, who was busy eating Amelia out in the kitchen.

    ¡°James... James... Alice has been calling on you for minutes. Won''t you go and see her?¡± Amelia''s voice was barely heard by James.

    He raised his head from between Amelia¡¯s legs and looked at her face. His lips curved out a smirk slowly and he stood up.

    He kissed her lips so she could taste herself in his mouth.

    ¡°Can''t you just take her to school already? She doesn¡¯t let me get freaky the way I want.¡± He whispered a few inches away from her lips.

    Amelia chuckled and pulled him closer with her legs. ¡°I already told you that I''m working on that. I don¡¯t want her to go to school in bama. Let''s go

    somewhere far from here.¡±

    ¡°To where exactly? You''ve been saying this for months and I keep asking you where we should go. Are you yet to figure it out?

    ¡°I told you to let me know when you can leave the business here and relocate. Have you found someonepetent to look over things here?"

    ¡°Not yet. I talked to my father about it, and he is working on it. What about your mother? She is ready to go with us?¡±

    ¡°She had been ready since the first day I thought about it. She was even the one that suggested it. I''ll ask her where she wants to go. Though I have

    Paris in mind. What do you think?¡±

    James chuckled and moved closer to her.

    ¡°You''re my wife. I am fine with anything you want, okay? Don''t worry about my business, it¡¯s back to life, and in no time, father will get someone

    competent. I could still be overseeing this ce until we find someone.¡±

    He kissed her lips again after speaking and she let out an hearty smile.

    ¡°So in a month¡¯s time, we should be out of here, right?¡±

    ¡°That is if it isn''t faster than that. Make sure you do whatever you want to do in bama in two weeks. Visit whoever you want to visit before we get

    out of here.¡±

    ¡°Bababal!¡± They heard Alice call from the living room again

    ¡°James! What kind of parents are we?!¡± Alice yelled and jumped down from the cab. She pulled up her pants and ran into the living room.

    Alice was still seated in her crawler, ying different toys that James got for her.

    ¡°Why does she keep calling me?! She is literally ying with her toys right now. Let''s just go back and finish what we started.¡±

    He wanted to grab Amelia by the hand and pull her back to the kitchen, but she hurriedly moved away.

    ¡°No! Your daughter needs you now, so attend to her, okay?! You are a father.¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°But I¡¯m also a husband.¡±

    ¡°You can be thatter. Right now, you need to be a father. Nowe and carry her.¡±

    ¡°No, you do it!

    ¡°No! She never calls me. It''s always you! Sometimes I wonder who carried her for nine months.¡± Amelia began to sulk, and James ignored her and

    moved closer to Alice

    ¡°Hey, my baby.¡± He said to Alice, and Alice smiled very widely. She raised her hands happily and began to jump cutely.

    ¡°Yeeee...¡± James lifted her in his arms and tossed her in the air and they both chuckled loudly.

    Amelia rolled her eyes and walked back to the kitchen. Before she got to the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

    ¡°Who is it this time?¡± Amelia mumbled and shot James a deadly look.

    ¡°Why are you so mad?! She knows the most loving parent, you don¡¯t have te be so mad about it.¡±

    ¡°Shut up, James. I''ll go get the door.¡±

    Amelia walked to the door and peered out of the peephole to see a flower bouquet in front of the door. It was lifted by someone, but she wasn''t sure

    who it was.

    ¡°James, didn''t you order flowers?¡± She asked, and James shook his head and kept ying with Alice.

    ¡°Ahh...¡± She sighed and opened the door.

    ¡°Ta-dal¡± Elena yelled, and they both bursted intoughter.

    ¡°Elena!!! I missed you so much!" Amelia jumped on her and Elena lifted her and rolled her. They bothughed loudly, making sure they didn''t let go of

    each other.

    ¡°I missed you too sister! I brought this flower for Alice, not for you though! Where is she? I have missed her so much.

    Amelia stopped holding her and folded her arms on her chest. ¡°So I don''t deserve flowers too? What''s with all of you? You love Alice more than me.

    ¡°It''s normal! You¡¯re a grown bad b**ch. Alice is a young beautiful girl. It''s her time to enjoy these things, okay?¡±

    ¡°Fine. She is busy ying with her father. Come in. We have so much to talk about. How was your business trip? Did you find a man there?! I heard

    New York men are super hot.¡±

    ¡°Oh please. Let me talk to Alice first, okay?"

    James looked up and saw Elenaing towards him with arge flower bouquet in her hand

    She looked more beautiful and ssy than thest time he saw her. It was over a year since hest saw her.

    ¡°Hi James. Can I hold her?" She asked, and he bounced his head

    She carried her from him and lifted her in the air.

    ¡°I missed you so much, Alice! Do you remember me at all?¡± She asked, and all Alice did wasugh, revealing her pretty gums.

    ¡°How was your trip, Elena?¡± James asked, and she ced Alice on her arm and looked at him

    ¡°It was fine, but stressful. I''m so happy it''s over in the meantime.¡±

    James and Amelia exchanged looks, and Amelia slowly gave him a nod.

    ¡°Elena.¡± He called and she looked at him. Arge smile was still registered on her face.

    ¡°Yes?

    ¡°I should have had this talk with you before you went on your trip, but the trip came so fast that I wasn''t given a chance.¡±

    The smile on Elena''s face slowly faded off and she turned to look at Amelia

    What is it this time?¡¯ She thought worriedly. Amelia smiled faintly and also gave her a nod.

    ¡°What is it?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I want to apologize to you for what

    happened a y¨¦ar ago. I''m sorry I

    used yow for abducting Amelia,..

    and I''m also sorry I was a d**k x

    througkeut that time. I wish I was

    wisenpack then to see how thirigs

    truly were, but I let my emations

    cloud my judgements. I''nsso sorry

    about that.¡±

    Elena let out a smile and shook her head. "It''s fine, James. It''s been over a year now. It''s all in the past.¡±

    ¡°L still need to know you''ve forgiven

    me, Elena>I know we were never.on

    good terms, but I want that to end

    now. ¡ê ¡®believe that truly you love your

    sister and her daughter and you

    won''t hurt her anymore.¡± Content

    b¨¦longs to  ~

    Tears filled Elena''s eyes before she knew it. She lowered her head and sniffed

    ¡°It''s all good. I never saw a day like thising. A day that we would talk about being on good terms. One day we would apologize to each other.

    She mumbled.

    Amelia grew so emotional and walked up to her. She embraced her and they both sobbed

    ¡°Come here, James.¡± Amelia called him and all three of them hugged, with Alice in their middle.

    ¡®This is a dreame true for me, Elena. I wished my mother was here to hug us all too.¡±

    ¡°That''s true. Where is she?"

    ¡°She stepped out to get same things from the mall. She''ll be back soon.¡± James answered.

    ¡°We''ll have a family dinner today then! It will be so much fun!¡± Amelia uttered and they all smiled.

    ¡°Let me check if there are any good wines for us to celebrate.¡± James uttered.

    ¡°Take Alice with you, we''ll take over the kitchen.¡± Amelia said and he sighed.

    He took her from Elena, and she divulged a smile again.

    ¡°Let''s go baby. Your mother doesn''t want to y with you.¡± He mumbled and walked out of the living room with her.

    Elena looked at Amelia and smiled. "I¡¯m so happy for you, Amelia. I''m so happy you all are one happy family again.

    ¡°Thank you. You''re yet to tell me the man in your life now.¡± Amelia teased

    ¡°Don''t poke your nose in my business, okay? Let''s prepare dinner.¡±

    ¡°What? Won''t you tell me? I''m your sister! I''m the only one you have!¡±

    Amelia yelled behind Elena as they both walked to the kitchen. Elena divulged a sigh and looked at Amelia.

    ¡°When was thest time you heard from our mother?¡¯

    ¡°Thest time I spoke to her was the day I sent her out of this house. Why are you asking?¡± Amelia walked past her coldly and headed to the zinc to

    wash her hand

    ¡°Do you still hate her? It''s over a year now.¡±

    ¡®I already told her I don''t want her I in

    my life. I don''t hate her but I just¡±

    don''t want her around. I''ve forgiven

    her but you know it can never be the

    same as before. It''s best wekeep

    our-distance. It¡¯s best for Alice.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I know. She asks for you from me all the time when we get to talk. She misses you.¡±

    ¡°That''s good to hear. I''m d she is doing alright.¡±

    ¡°She isn''t in bama anymore. She traveled to Mexico two weeks after you chased her out of the house. She onlyes once a month to visit

    Hopper.¡±

    ¡°Really? Cool.¡±

    ¡°You still visit Freddie, right?¡±

    ¡°Of course, I still do. I go with mom most times. Can we stop talking about them and talk about us?"

    ¡°One more thing! What about Fred?¡±

    ¡°Still in prison! Suffering for what he did to me. He should be out in nine years.

    ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    ¡°So... about you. No man yet?¡±

    ¡°Well, there is this guy at the office...¡±

    ¡°Haaaa! Are you serious?! Tell me about him. I want to know everything about him.¡± Amelia yelled.

    ¡°Are you together?¡± She further asked.

    ¡°Yes... We...¡±

    ¡°Haaaa!!!" Amelia screamed in excitement and jumped on Elena

    ¡°What''s wrong with you, Amelia?¡± Elena said amidstughter.

    ¡®I''m so excited for youl! You have no idea how happy I am to hear this!

 Chapter 88: The End

    Chapter 88: The End

    ~After Five Years~

    ¡°Amelia!¡± Elena called as she pulled up the dazzling white wedding gown she wore.

    ¡®I''ming! Can''t you stop making it so obvious that you''re nervous?! It¡¯s your wedding day, not a horror show night.

    Amelia rushed out of the room to the living room where Elena and a few friend that were the bridal trains were waiting for her.

    ¡®I''m sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to make sure I got my makeup right since I insisted on doing it myself. I have been practicing for over three

    years for this day. Ta do my makeup myself!¡± She said proudly.

    ¡°And you didn''t disappoint me! You look absolutely stunning, sister.¡±

    ¡°Thank you! You look so beautiful too! I bet you''ll look even more beautiful when you walk down the aisle with our father today.¡± She answered with

    great excitement.

    ¡°Do you think he''ll make it? Do you think the judge would grant him a temporary release just to attend a wedding?¡±

    ¡°Don''t worry about it too much, Elena. We already talked, okay? They have been offered day-to-day temporary releases before today. it will go as

    nned.¡±

    Elena let out a smiled and bounced her head.

    ¡°Let''s go get you married!¡± Amelia yelled and their friends all cheered.

    Two of her friends lifted her ball wedding gown from behind and they all headed out of the house.

    ¡°Hold on! Where is my girl?!" Elena asked all of a sudden and took a pause.

    ¡°Oh God, Elena. You are really nervous. It''s so obvious. You already asked, and I told you she is with James. You know you prefer being with him

    than with me. You''ll meet her at the church.¡±

    ¡®I''m sorry. I am just too excited for today. I don¡¯t think I''ll be myself when I finally see Drey in suits, standing in front of the priest. I never knew he

    would take me so seriously.¡±

    ¡°Well, here we are. Don''t think too much about it, okay? Just enjoy yourself.

    They all got into the highly decorated Rolls Royce car in front of the house. Elena sat at the back with Amelia, where the bridal train followed behind

    them in another car.

    As they drove to the church, Amelia''s phone began to vibrate in her white feathery purse. She hastily opened it and pulled out her phone to see

    James calling.

    She answered the phone almost immediately.

    ¡°Baby, where are you? It''s almost time for her to walk down the aisle. What''s keeping you waiting?¡± James asked in a whisper.

    ¡°We are in the car already, baby. We are on our way. Very close to the church already.

    ¡°Okay. Make it snappy. Even Hopper and Freddie are here.

    ¡°Freddie too?! They let hime too?¡±

    ¡°Well, I think that¡¯s the case. Just hurry up. I''ll hang up now.¡±

    They got to the church shortly after James hung up. and they all alighted.

    As Amelia stepped out and also helped Elena out, Alice sighted her from where she stood in front of the church, holding hands with Susan.

    ¡°Mom! Aunt Elena!¡± Alice called out and yanked her hand off Susan''s. She ran down the stairs and ran into Amelia¡¯s already opened arms.

    ¡°Wow! You know you can''t keep jumping on me like this. You''re now six years old. You are more weighty than you were when you were two.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m still your child. I love jumping on you, so you''ll have to get used to it, Mom.

    Elena broke intoughter and brushed Alice¡¯s already neatlybed her with her palm

    ¡°This is why I can never stop loving you. I know I have no problems with teaching how to rte with people. Your mother was so bad at almost

    everything back then!¡±

    ¡°Hey, Elena! You promised not to tell her anything about the Amelia of that time.¡±

    ¡°Let''s go, Aunt Elena. We''ll talk better after the wedding. Now she has mentioned it, I want to know everything!¡± Alice uttered and pulled Elena by the

    hand.

    They all walked up the stairs and stood in front of therge church door.

    ¡°Hi, Mom.¡± Elena and Amelia kissed Susan on her cheeks.

    ¡°It''s time for Alice to walk in with the flowers.¡± Susan gave the basket of flowers to Alice and stepped back.

    ¡®I''ll go and tell Hopper she is here already.¡± Amelia uttered and hurried into the church. She walked in silently, and tiptoed to where James and the

    other family members were.

    She got to Hopper and whispered in his ears. ¡°She is outside.

    Hopper looked at her and smiled faintly. He nodded and found his way out of the church, so he could walk her in.

    Amelia''s eyes fell on Penelope as she walked to where James was. A faint smile lit up Penelope¡¯s face, and Amelia responded with that same energy.

    ¡°You look beautiful.¡± Penelope whispered.

    ¡°Thank you. You don¡¯t look bad either.¡± Amelia answered and walked to James. He had an empty chair next to him, reserved for her.

    ¡°Baby.¡± She called and nted a quick kiss on his lips.

    ¡°Wee.¡± He whispered.

    Alice walked into the church shortly. On the basket of flowers was a small shining box of rings. A solemn music was yed, and all eyes were on her.

    As she walked, James and Amelia exchanged looks and giggled. She looked so beautiful and smart in her whitece gown

    After she got to the altar, she stepped aside and everyone looked at the door again. It was time for the Bride to walk in

    The door opened again, and as it did, the music changed to a bridal chorus by the Church Orchestra.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Elena''s eyss were watery as she

    walked inThe inside of the chureh

    looked exactly like what she had>

    fantasized about her wedding:She

    looked at the altar and saw Drey

    staring at her.

    -

    She felt so happy when she saw him smile widely at her as she approached.

    If! was toldl¡¯d meet a man that will

    love mes so dearly, I''d never believe.¡¯

    She thought. She couldn''t control

    her emotions and tears rolleddown

    hereyes under her veil.   7

    ¡°You may kiss your bride!¡± The priest announced and even before the couples could get any closer, the crowd began to cheer them up.

    ¡°You''re looking so beautiful. I can¡¯t wait for tonight.¡± Drey teased before kissing her deeply.

    ¡°Yesss!" Amelia yelled from where she stood, pping energetically.¡±

    Elena and Drey were driven out of the church premises after the wedding was over.

    Amelia and the others waited behind to greet guests and talk to families.

    Penelope approached Amelia when she saw she was with no one. She lowered her head and breathed in and out very hard before talking.

    ¡®It''s been so long. Can I hug you?¡± She asked. Amelia smiled and bounced her head

    Penelope excitedly pulled her into her arms and rested her head on her shoulder.

    ¡®I''m sorry, Amelia. Please forgive me

    for what hadvyappened in the past.

    It¡¯s over fiveyears now and I still >

    can''t ke¨¦p a rtionship with yous

    It¡¯s pakqful. Please give me nore

    chanse to prove that I still have a

    goad side. Please Amelia. kdon''t

    W&nt to be far from you atymore.¡±

    Amelia exhaled and shut her eyes. ¡°Have you epted James and his family?

    ¡°Yes! I ept them wholeheartedly. I admit I was a fool back then, and I don¡¯t want to remain a fool.¡±

    ¡°Mom! Dad is calling you! He wants you to talk to some men outside!¡± Alice ran up to Amelia.

    Amelia slowly broke the hug and looked at Alice. Alice looked at Penelope and said;

    ¡°Who is she?

    Penelope exchanged looks with Amelia and lowered her head. Amelia¡¯s words from the worst day of her life came rushing back.

    ¡°Eermmm... this is your grandma Penelope.

    ¡°Grandma? How many grandmas do I have? I have Grandma Helen and Grandma Susan already.

    ¡°Well, this shows you''re a lucky child, Alice. You have so many people that love and want to take care of you:¡± Amelia answered.

    Alice grinned and bounced her head. ¡°Hi Grandma!¡± She said, and hugged her tightly.

    Tears filled Penelope''s eyes and she looked at Amelia. ¡°Thank you so much.¡± She whispered and Amelia nodded

    ¡°So you''ll be going back to prison today?¡± Amelia asked Freddie.

    ¡°Yes. But don''t worry, I''ll keep visiting. Now I have been given temporary release. Hopper and I woulde together most times

    ¡°Amelia! Freddie! Let''s take a family picture!¡± Susan called out to them.

    They all came together. James, Amelia, Alice, Helen, Charles, Hopper, Penelope, Susan and Freddie. They all stood in front of the photographer.

    ¡°Everyone, smile!¡± He uttered and everyone smiled widely.

    ¡°KA-CHIICK!¡±

    THE END.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!