Chapter 002

AMELIA

My jaw dropped open, for the second time.

His wife? Had the ‘Mr Alexander Smith’ said what I think he said? His wife?!

“I didn't… I…” I stuttered and hated myself for doing so. His presence was unnerving enough but his statement made me a blundering fool.

“I mean…your wife? I've to be your wife?”

“Yes, Amelia... I hope I can call you that. I need you to act as my wife, before all mankind.”

Married to him? This was absurd. Today just keeps getting weirder by the minute.

“I don't see how that clears my name,” I cried out. “I'm innocent. Why would nobody believe me?”

“I see no other way out of your situation,” his voice grew impatient. “I have a company to govern and you or someone else has been bleeding us dry. If you are truly innocent, you'll have no reservations about staying by my side and proving your innocence.”

“I've no reservation proving my innocence,” my voice cracked as the word innocence left my lips. “But I don't see the reason why I should get married to you to prove that and pay for a crime I didn't commit.”

He sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on me. “Why? Why would you object to getting married to me? Many girls, if given the opportunity, will jump at the chance to be my wife. So, Amelia, tell me why?”

Many girls, yes. But I wasn't one of them. How do I explain to him that my heart beats for someone else? Despite the fact that he betrayed me.

“I'm in love with someone,” I dropped my gaze, ashamed to admit my feelings after what I had just found out.

“I'm not asking for love,” his voice softened. “I need a wife and you need to clear your name. I'm offering you a way out. Be my wife and have everything you need to clear your name at your disposal. Or you can stay in prison and fight.”

“But..but..”

“Just for a year, Amelia. One year…after that, we can go our separate ways. And you'll be compensated nicely for your time.”

His voice was almost pleading. There was something else—desperation? Why would the heir to one of the biggest companies in New York be desperate to hitch a wife?

Was he serious? I peeked at his face. It gave nothing away. Detector James had threatened me with years behind bars. I suppressed a shudder at the thought. Was getting married to him my only option out of the nightmare I found myself in?

I could get a lawyer. But I had no money to pay for a good lawyer. Every penny in my name was used for my mama’s treatment.

Oh God, my mama. Her weak heart wouldn't be able to bear the news of my arrest. And who will take care of my little sister while I'm locked up, paying for a crime I didn't commit?

The scraping of the chair against the floor disrupted my thoughts. He was standing over me, his eyes devoid of any emotions.

“I think I've gotten my answer,” He spoke as he straightened his shirt. “Have a great day, Miss Fray.”

The thought of spending another moment in this room, with the detective, made me panic.

“Wait,” I cried, almost falling out of my chair in a haste to stop him from leaving. Without missing a beat, I agreed to his proposal. “I'll marry you. I'll do whatever you say, please, don't leave me here.”

He stared at my hand, holding firmly to his. I let it drop, tucking it behind me. But his hand snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. His voice felt chilling as he whispered. “This stays between us. If anyone gets wind of our arrangement, our deal is done. You'll be back here, where I picked you, faster than you imagined.”

His sudden switch caught me by surprise. I pulled away from his embrace and nodded my head in understanding.

“Now, let's get you out of here,” he ordered as he held the door open for me to walk through.

I felt like a fraud walking through the door and waiting to be processed out. Alexander held my hand as he spoke nicely to the woman behind the counter to erase my profile from their record.

“Mr Alexander Smith,” Detective James called, running towards us. He must have sighted us from afar. “She cannot leave the premises. Amelia is a prime suspect and at flight risk too. We think it's wise that she spends the night here.”

Alex turned his cold emerald eyes on the detective, the one he had graced me with, few minutes ago. “She's Mrs Smith to you. Next time, do well to address her appropriately.”

Detective James stood still, his face bursting red with embarrassment. Alexander, oblivious to the detective's reaction, pulled us out of the station towards a black Cadillac. He held the door open for me, despite the large man standing beside it. He was a perfect gentleman outside but I could tell it was all a facade.

“Where is your house?” he asked, absentmindedly, as he settled in the back seat beside me.

“Avenue Street.”

With a nod from him, the driver took off. We sat in awkward silence, punctured by the occasional music from the radio.

He placed a bunch of documents in my lap, gesturing to me. I glanced through hastily and signed them.

We arrived at my apartment in minutes. A beat-down complex building with faded paint peeling off the wall.

“Thank you,” I muttered, as I pushed the car door open.

He held my hand. “Wait,” his charm was back on. “I'll have a car and one of the guys waiting for you here, whenever you're done.” He pulled me to his chest and placed a quick kiss on my cheek. “Take your time, wifey.”

I nodded, my heart racing wildly as I got out of the car.

Without looking back, I ran for cover behind the huge apartment door, slamming it shut and taking the stairs, two at a time.

My apartment was on the tenth floor and taking the steps wasn't a smart choice. But today has been riddled with it.

I rang the doorbell as I pushed the door. It caved in and a dishevelled Hayley ran out of her room, towel wrapped around her, barely covering her.

“Amelia, you scared the shit out of me,” Hayley screamed, immediately she sighted me. “You look terrible. What are you doing back home this early?”

I winced. Her high-pitched voice wasn't helping with the ache in my head.

I ignored her questions and headed to my room, trying to get away from her but she followed me. My eyes caught my reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall.

She was right. I looked crazy with my black eyeliner leaving streaks on my smeared makeup. My hair looked like it was hung out to dry.

I couldn't help but laugh at my reflection. I looked nothing like the woman who had left the house this morning, looking chic and eager to impress her lover. I fell onto my bed, folding my body in a fetal position and tears replaced my laughter.

“What's wrong, love?” Hayley's voice was laced with concern as she looked at me, her eyes confused.

“I… I'm… I don't…”

“Shhh, you don't have to say anything,” She whispered, her voice soothing. She climbed into the bed and cradled me in her arms, rocking me.

Hayley and I have been best friends since the sixth grade. We grew up together in a small town in Wisconsin and decided to move to the big city of New York, to pursue our dreams. I trusted her with my life.

“Hayley, I'm being accused of committing fraud.” I managed to squeeze out.

“What are you talking about, love?”

Burying my face, I told her everything that had happened, leaving nothing out. She listened quietly, stroking my hair.

“That slimy piss,” she muttered as I rounded up my tale. “Oh, my love. What a day you've had. And that Williams! I knew he was a cunning, little man. Always asking you to meet at a hotel…but trying to set you up for fraud? That bastard!”

“I love him, Hayley. I can't believe he is fucking married. I need to speak to him.” tears blurred my vision as I blindly reached for my phone.

Hayley snagged it before I could. “No, you don't. You're not going to humiliate yourself any further. He doesn't deserve your tears, love. You deserve someone better.”

I tried to wrestle the phone from her grasp but she held firm. “Hayley, please,” I begged, my voice exhausted from crying. “I need to know why. Why he lie to me, why he pretended to care.”

“What you need, sweetie, is to move on and clear your name.”

The shrill ringing of my phone startled us and I was grateful for it. I pulled away from Hayley’s embrace and snatched up my phone before she could recover.

A private number was displayed on the screen. It could be Alexander. I threw a wary look at Hayley as I picked up the call.

“Hello,” my voice came out shaky.

The line was silent for a moment, then a loud voice came through. “Meet me, now!”