The Statue In The Garden

Amelia's eyes fluttered open, her head spinning as she tried to adjust to the harsh hospital lights above her. The ceiling was blindingly white, making her squint.

“Where...Where am I?”

The doctor in the room glanced up from his clipboard. "Ah, great! You're awake. Your husband and son have been waiting outside. I'll bring them in." He checked a few notes and then added, "I'll be back to check on your vitals. We should be able to get you discharged today, Mrs. Fox." with that he left.

Mrs Fox? Did I die and wake up in some weird parallel universe?

Before she could think about it, Kris stormed into the room, a mix of relief and panic on his face. He was obviously worried. "Amelia!" he rushed to her side, his voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

“I'm sorry you got hurt because of me” Leo stood there, guilt rushed through his veins. He blamed himself for the incident.

“Kris? Why did the doctor call me Mrs Fox?” Amelia asked, still skeptical if she was in the right reality.

Kris hissed at the question, “Lady, you just got shot with a gun, and that's what you're worried about?” He slightly chuckled. “Well, if you must know, I needed you treated urgently, and the only way that would've happened is if the wife of the richest man in the city was the one undergoing surgery, so I think the word you're looking for is thank you.” He had that disturbing smirk planted on his face.

Just then, a sudden surge of energy came over Amelia as she rose to her feet almost like she was having a panic attack. “Where's Mikey!?” A mother's instinct is as sharp as a knife.

“Oh don't worry about him, his mom came to take him home from school after the ambulance picked you up”

Oh yeah, I forgot, Mel's his mom now. I wish I could just come clean and tell him Mikey is his son, that I'm who he was with that night, that I want him to give Mikey the love of a father… But alas, I can't, especially not after learning he already has a kid, Amelia thought to herself. Which reminds me…

"Kris..." she began hesitantly, glancing at Leo. "Were you ever married?"

Kris caught her glance and turned to Leo. "Why don’t you go wait outside with Tony?" Leo nodded and left the room. Kris then focused on Amelia. "You’re asking because of Leo, right?"

Amelia nodded, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“Yh. I heard him call you dad earlier and I was a little surprised”

“Well to answer your question, no, I have never been married before. You see, Leo is adopted. To be more specific, my grandfather found him in a bin at a hospital six years ago and decided to bring him home. I was more fitted to play the part of his dad and so I did. Leo has become a part of my life and I wouldn't have it any other way”. Amelia was impressed.

Was this the same man who had shunned her years ago? Now that she thought about it, the Kris she met at the office six years old was completely different from the one standing in front of her. Features and all. Could she have made a mistake? Would Kris acknowledge what happened if she spoke now?

“But would you ever consider having kids of your own? You know, settling down with a nice lady that you love,” Amelia asked, expecting an answer to give her the go-ahead.

“Ha! Hell no!”

Amelia was crushed, her heart sank. "What?" The words barely made it past her lips.

Kris stepped closer, his hand lifting her chin so that their eyes met. "Amelia, being a single dad is already more than I can handle. I like my life as a bachelor the way it is. I've never wanted kids. Leo was a surprise, and one is enough."

Amelia swallowed the lump forming in her throat, her chest tightening at his bluntness. His words hurt more than she expected, each one like a dagger twisting in her heart.

Before she could respond, the doctor re-entered the room, breaking the tension that was growing. "Good news, Mr. Fox. She's ready to be discharged. I just need you to sign a few forms."

Kris turned to leave but paused at the doorway, glancing back at her. "One thing though that I can never do is get married to someone with a child. I don't care if the child is mine or not” His words were icy, cutting through her like a blade as he left the room.

**********************

From the hospital, Kris took Amelia to Fox Manner. His grandfather, chairman Fox had requested to see her.

“Here we are.” Kris led Amelia to the gardens, and Leo lay fast asleep in his arms. “Just head on without me, I need to take Leo to his room”

Amelia nodded, venturing deeper into the garden. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of blooming flowers. As she reached a small fountain, her eyes were drawn to a beautiful statue of a woman. The details were so lifelike that she almost expected the stone figure to speak.

"Breathtaking, isn’t it?"

Amelia jumped, turning to see an elderly man with a cane. "I wasn’t going to touch it," she quickly defended herself. “It's just so pretty, who was she?” Amelia asked the old man, curious to know the story behind the status.

“She was indeed an angel. Her name was Emily, but I called her Amy. As pure-hearted as they come, graceful in every way, smart, kind, and caring.” As he spoke, Amelia could see the flare in his eyes; they must have been close friends, she thought.

“She always loved the outdoors, bird watching was her favorite hobby. She'd smell the flowers every time, each day a new addition to her scrapbook. That's why this garden was built in her honor”

“Wow! You two must have been close friends” Amelia innocently asked, her question causing the old man to smile.

“She was my wife” his face lit up as he answered her question. He undoubtedly loved his wife with every inch of his heart.

“You know Amelia, you remind me of her,” He said, looking at Amelia.

“How? How do you know my name?” Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. Who is this man?

The old man picked up a rose and handed it to Amelia. “Goodbye, Amelia,” he said with a smile before leaving Amelia alone in the garden.

“Uh okay. I guess I can find my own way out myself”

********************

Amelia finally made her way back to the entrance of the manor, where Kris was waiting for her. Without warning, he pulled her close, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers. Amelia’s heart raced, confusion and desire swirling inside her. Why did she always feel this way?

"Kris, I—"

"Shh." He silenced her with a kiss, his lips pressing against hers in a way that made her forget, for just a moment, everything else.

"We meet again."

Their brief intimate moment was interrupted by someone. It was the old man from the garden. Kris glanced over, annoyed. "Can’t you see we’re in the middle of something here?"

“Till next time Amy. I look forward to seeing you soon.” With that, he left. Without a word, he just calmly steps with his cane into the manner.

“I see you've met my grandfather”

“Huh?” Amelia jolted back in shock. “That man is your grandfather?” I just had a freaking conversation with Chairman Fox!

“Yeah. Now where were we?” Kris shot Amelia a seductive glare.

“Oh no you don't” She flickered His head and made her way out of the main gate. “I’m going home”

“Fine with me,” Kris said as he licked his lips. “But wait, who's Amy?” Directing the question to Amelia.

“I don't know. I guess I am.”

*******************

“So Kris thinks he can fool us with a contract relationship huh? I think it's high time I make the call. Someone get me Jessica Bells on the phone now!”