Alexander I was in the elevator going up to my office floor. The emptiness inside of me still lingered. The weight of Amelia's disdain for me was crushing- she couldn't even bear to look at me.I seethed with resentment towards everything and everyone, including myself. I felt like I was drowning in my own despair. I wished I hadn't done what I did in the past- throw her out of my life. I had said a lot of things to her that I couldn't take back and I don't blame her for hating me.The elevator door pinged open, I trudged towards my office, my feet heavy with the burden of my thoughts. I felt like an outsider, a stranger in my own life. "Sir, we've got a new development and it's not something you would like," James announced, rushing towards me. "Lay it on me," I responded curtly. "I just found out your grandfather held a secret meeting with the board members.""Yeah, he does that all the time. He says he's out of the company but secretly makes backroom deals in the company's na
Amelia Knock!I heard the sound of a soft knock echoing from the doorway as I was in the kitchen baking some pies with Misty and Ella."I think there's someone at the door," I said, glancing at Ella. She cocked her head, her ears perked up waiting for the sound to repeat, but silence followed. She shook her head. "No, I don't hear anything.""Yeah, me too. It seems to have stopped." I retorted."Must have been nothing," she said with a shrug."Mommy, can I go see if someone is there?" Misty offered."No, baby, go back to helping mommy," I said.I gently took the pan of freshly baked pie out of the oven. "The first batch is ready, who wants to try it?" Misty's eyes widened as she gazed at the perfectly golden-brown pie. "Me! Me!" she exclaimed, bouncing up and down.Ella chuckled. "I think someone's excited about pie."I smiled, "Okay baby." I said, handing Misty a small slice. "Be careful, it's still warm."She took a bite, and her eyes lit up. "Mmmmm... Mommy, this is the best pie
CharlieI watched Amelia walk away, her shoulders tense and her stride steady.Alexander had said that Amelia wasn't like the other women I'd encountered. She was different, and it would take more than just my charm to break through.I stepped out of the house, she was clearly not happy to see me.I stood there, my eyes darting all over the place. I noticed the quiet neighbourhood, the quaint houses, and the nostalgic feel of small-town America. It was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of city life, and I found myself intrigued.I had a feeling that this was going to be a challenge, but I was up for it.That was my weakness- always wanting to prove my point.I slid into my car, pulled out my phone and dialled Alexander's number, waiting for him to answer."Charlie," Alexander's deep voice came through the line. "How did it go?"I smiled to myself, already formulating my plan. "It's going to take some work, but I think I can get through to her."There was a pause on the other end o
Amelia "Don't just stand there staring," I said, nodding at Charlie. "Come over here," I ordered, beckoning with a curl of my fingers. As always he gave me a dashing smile. He sauntered over, his smile still plastered on his face. "Hi, Amelia." He greeted gazing around my stall. "I've never been to a town fair before. This looks interesting, will you be selling all these pies today?" "You can see the line, we'll sell out in no time.""Wow!" He let out, impressed."Misty, come say hello to Charlie," I instructed.Misty obliged. "Hi, Charlie!" She said, cheerfully. He crouched down to her level, his face lighting up with a warm smile. "Hello, Misty." He said, taking her tiny hand in his. "What a beautiful name you have. I see you're helping your mom today, huh?"She nodded. "Yes, I'm helping Mom."He smiled. "Well, you're doing a fantastic job. I'm sure your mom couldn't do all these without you."She giggled, and Charlie stood up, his eyes meeting mine.Ella waited patiently until
Alexander "Charlie, can you hear me?" I asked, waiting for a response.I waited patiently, but the line remained quiet."Come on, Charlie, answer me!" I muttered under my breath, frustration creeping in."Urg.. fucking Christ Charlie. Do you seriously not hear me or are you intentionally keeping quiet?" I added, growing impatient.I stood there, phone pressed to my ear, listening to the deafening silence. My eyes narrowed, annoyance creeping up my spine.Where was Charlie? Why wasn't he responding? I glanced around, ensuring I wasn't in a dead zone.I was In my sitting room, and the signal strength was fine.I checked the call duration – still connected.I let out a sigh and was on the verge of ending the call when suddenly, a voice called out and I froze when I heard the name."Amelia, what are you doing outside?" That was Charlie's voice. My mind began to wander.Was Amelia the one who picked up my call?It could have been a mistake. "I'll be there in a bit."I heard her voice a
AMELIA FRAY“Miss Amelia, you are under arrest for fraud,” the policeman who had walked into my office, held my hands behind me and cuffed it. “You have a right to remain silent—”His words were lost on me as my eyes frantically scanned the lobby, trying to convince myself I was dreaming. My doubts vanished into thin air as the policeman nudged me forward.Beads of sweat formed across my forehead.“Sir, you have the wrong person,” I cried, trying to get the policeman to stop walking. “I've never stolen a dime before. I'm telling you, sir, there must have been a mix-up.”My pleas fell on deaf ears as he pulled me out of my office building into a patrol car, waiting at the entrance. His colleague, a fat man in his thirties sat behind the wheel.The siren went off as they rode through the morning traffic in New York City. My heart pounded heavily beside my captor. Everything felt surreal. Almost impossible.A tear slid down my face as they pulled up in front of their precinct and helped
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 marr
Alexander“Drive to the Paragon Club,” I instructed Dean, my driver, as he pulled out of the curb.A quick glance at my watch informed me that I had thirty minutes to beat the traffic. I was meeting my supposed fiance and her father for a late lunch.I sat back, letting Dean weave his way around. I had an inkling what the meeting was about. It was the only appointment in my schedule for today. Until, I got a call from the police force, informing me of a possible culprit.I had inherited the Smithson & Co from my grandfather; a multimillion-dollar empire. After the death of his only son, my father, he became responsible for the welfare of my sister and me. I've been groomed since I was a baby to take his place, so when I clocked twenty-one, he handed the rein of the business to me.Five years later, he is ready to fully retire and wants everything to be in place—he wants me to settle down. Not just to any girl, but to Selene Rodriguez, the daughter of Paul Rodriguez. One of the bigges