Chapter 2

That trip was great for his grandma. She went back home to Seattle happy and full of energy. However, that trip was bad news for Devlin. He heard his grandma suggesting for the first time that Amelia’s granddaughter would be a good match for him. He thought that was only a funny idea that came to his grandma’s head. Days passed, and she kept telling him of her wish for him to marry her friend’s granddaughter. Devlin did not say anything. He just passed it off as his grandma’s obsession to return back the favor that her friend did to her years ago.

“Grandma, you know very well that I am too busy with my company. And besides, aren't I too young to marry at this time?” He asked his grandma casually. He still thought his grandma would get over her fascination over Amber, that’s the name of her granddaughter’s friend.

“Busy? Young?” Olivia snorted. She knows that his grandson is not taking her words seriously.

“Young man, do you think I am kidding with you? Amelia and I made a pact that we would have our kids marry each other if we have a boy or a girl respectively. Unfortunately, we both have sons. So, meeting Amber made my hopes high again.” Olivia said with a serious tone. She really hopes her grandson will listen to her.

“Devlin, it is my ultimate wish that you would marry Amelia’s granddaughter.” Devlin held his words. He does not want to say anything that he would regret later. His grandmother does not know what really is going on with his life. He has his construction business to manage. And he is trying to get back to his ex-girlfriend, Raven Crawford. The latter is much more complicated to accomplish.

“But grandma, what does the woman think of your idea? Isn’t it unfair for both of us?” He tried to reason out. He saw his grandma starting to breathe heavily and looking pale. He tried to hold back his words. 

“I am sorry, grandma. I will see what I can do. Maybe we should know each other first. Who knows if that woman has a boyfriend or a fiancé?” He asked calmly. He does not want to trigger any more health issues for his grandma.

“That woman has a name. She is Amber.” She said with an annoyed voice. Devlin looked at his grandma for a while with a blank expression. 

“Alright, grandma. Amber and I should know each other first before we think of marriage. Don’t you think so?” He appealed hoping that he could put some sense into her but her defiant look disappointed him.

“I have spoken to her. She is single. I am sure you will like each other.” Devlin tried very hard to hide his frustration. How can his grandma think about all of these crazy ideas?

“Let’s see, grandma. For now, don’t think of anything else. I want you to focus on yourself so you will get better. I promise you we will go on a trip to any place you want. I am not going to leave your side, grandma.” He said emotionally. When he found out that his grandma is sick again, he decided to stay with her so he could keep an eye on her. His estranged parents also took time to be with her. 

Devlin had to deal with the same feelings all over again when they first found out about his grandmother’s cancer. 

Back to the present, they are all gathered together to pay their last respect for his grandmother. They offered silent prayers. Then, it all ended so fast. Her grandmother was laid to rest next to her husband. Everyone left except Devlin and his family.

“Son, we are leaving. Do you want to come with us?” Asked Devlin’s dad. He shook his head. He wants to stay a bit longer.

“See you later then.” It was his mom who hugged him before they left with his older brother.

Devlin stayed for a couple of minutes before he decided to leave. He was walking silently when suddenly, he bumped into someone.

“Please watch out where you are going.” Devlin said with annoyance. The woman stumbled to the ground. He helped her up.

“ I… I am sorry. I didn’t mean to get in your way. I just wanted to talk to you.” She said nervously. She is not looking at his face.

“And who might you be?”  He asked while trying to think if he knew this woman from somewhere. She looks familiar but for sure he never went out with her on a date. He looked closely at the woman’s face. She is devoid of any makeup. She has thick eyebrows with long, curved eyelashes. Her deep-set gray eyes are very attractive. Her straight nose is a perfect match to her fuller lips. She could have been a great beauty if she added more makeup. 

“I..I am Amber Adams. I am the grand…” She didn’t get to finish what she had to say since Devlin pulled her with him.

“Let’s talk in the car.” He ordered seriously. He immediately opened the car door. Good thing he decided to drive today instead of tagging along his driver.

“What are you doing here?!” He gripped her wrist tightly once he got inside the car..

“Please… you are hurting me.” She tried to pull her hand away from his tight grip.

“I came here because I wanted to attend your grandma’s funeral. I am deeply sorry for your loss. And…” Amber could not say any further. She wanted to just back down and go home. 

“And what?” Devlin asked impatiently. He never expected for this woman to appear in his life. He heard so much about her that he started to detest her name.

“To honor the wish of our grandmothers.” She blurted out while closing her eyes.

“What wish? I thought you would not go for that.” Amber is playing with her fingers. She is starting to get tense.

“My– my grandmother told me about it. She told me it was my decision at the end. However…” Amber hesitated. She is too nervous to talk further. Devlin’s look is like throwing daggers at her.

“Keep going. You are trying my patience.” He said with frustration after her silence for more than a minute. He never got the chance to think about that promise he made to his grandma. He was grieving and still is.

“I wouldn’t have agreed to their wishes but your grandma called me a week before she died. She made me promise to marry you.” Amber said truthfully. She could not refuse a dying person’s wish. Besides, Grandma Olivia  is not just any person. She only saw her once but her own grandmother spoke highly of her.

“So you came here for that.” Amber could only nod without looking at Devlin. She is too afraid to see his reaction. She could hear him taking several deep breaths before he spoke again.

“Very well. Since you are already here, you should come with me until we finally decide what to do with our grandmothers’ agreement. Where is your grandmother, by the way?” He simply asked. Her grandmother received them warmly last time when they visited her in the farm.

“She is on the farm. She wanted to come here but she got sick. I did not want to leave her but she told me to come here instead of her to see Grandma Olivia laid to rest.” Amber said with a shaky voice. Devlin started the engine. He just told her that she should come with him.

“By the way, I don’t have to come with you. I have a place to stay. I am sorry for bothering you. We can talk later on when you are ready.” She said trying to stay calm. She never planned to stay in Devlin’s place. She did come for two things. She wanted to hear his opinion regarding the marriage. They can forget about it or they can go with it. She can’t imagine marrying someone who is basically a stranger. 

“I am responsible for you now. What would your grandmother think of me? Don’t worry, I have a good place where you can stay while you are here in the city. Take as much time as you want to explore the city. Until then, we will talk when we are both ready to face the issue.” Devlin said matter-of-factly. Amber looked at him straight in the eyes for the first time. He has mesmerizing green eyes. She stared at those eyes for a while until she realized what she just did.

“Are you fine?” Devlin asked her, looking curiously at her. 

“Yes, I.. I am fine. I just remembered something. I left my stuff at the apartment where I am staying.” She answered nervously. She is glad he never thought that she was simply admiring his beautiful eyes. The first time she saw him earlier, she could not believe how handsome he was. He is like one of those GQ male models. His perfectly chiseled jawline makes him look so manly. His thin lips are just so enticing. She wondered where all her thoughts came from. It does not mean that they were promised to marry each other, she can just openly admire his looks. She does not know anything about him. Who knows if he has a girlfriend?

“Then, we can get your stuff. We can pass by now. Just tell me the address.” He said right away. Amber is starting to panic. Things are moving too fast. They just met and this guy already decided what to do with her. Did he even ask her what she wants to do?

“Just wait. I did not come to stay in whatever place you want to bring me. I just want us to talk and then be done with it. That’s all. I am pretty sure you have a girlfriend who is waiting for you.” She said seriously while looking at Colton who was only smirking at her.

“What made you think I have a girlfriend, huh?” He said out of nowhere, making Amber more uncomfortable.

“I am sorry. I was just guessing. I shouldn’t have approached you. That was the wrong timing at the wrong place. I just took that spur of the moment decision since I may not be able to get hold of you again.” She said sincerely. She thought he was a very busy person. Besides, it took a lot of courage on her part to go to him.

“That is not the answer to my question.” Devlin said while looking at her face carefully. She is not that bad.

“I am sorry I said that. I’ve read news about you so I assumed you have a girlfriend.” She said shyly. She just wanted to get out of the car and run as far away from him. But she could not just disregard the promise she made to Devlin’s grandmother. Her conscience keeps nagging her. So, she decided to meet Devlin and they can decide together. However, talking to him right now deems futile. 

“So, where is your address? We can pick your stuff from your apartment.” Amber still tried to reason out but to no avail. Devlin is determined to bring her to his place. She sighed with regret. 

When they arrived at Amber’s place, she immediately gathered all her things. She doesn’t have much to take anyway except her clothes and some important papers. When she came back to the car, Devlin was looking at her weirdly. He took her luggage and deposited it at the back of the car.

“Is this all that you have? Just one piece of small luggage?” Amber simply nodded her head. She was wondering about his reaction. 

“Yes, I don’t have to bring that much clothing. I only planned to stay here for less than a week. I just wanted to attend the funeral and talk to you.” She wanted to say something more but Devlin cut her off.

“We can talk about it later. I am not really in my right mind this time. I hope you understand. I have a condo unit that no one is using. You can stay there for now. And please don’t start arguing. I am responsible for you right now.” That’s all and they closed the subject. Devlin was quiet the whole time they were driving to their destination.

They stopped at a fifteen storey condominium building. She had no idea that Devlin owned the entire building. They parked at the basement parking lot. He immediately guided her to a private elevator that would take them directly to his condo unit.

“This is your place for now. If you need anything like grocery stuff and other things, you can contact this person.” He simply handed her a business card. 

“Feel at home. I will be contacting you in a few days.” Devlin said casually like he was addressing a business meeting. He immediately left her after that.

Amber sighed deeply. What has she gotten herself into? She could have just ditched her conscience and went on living her normal life. But she is not that kind of person…Now, she feels like she is in big trouble.