We Meet Again

“Uh Mrs P, remind me again why I'm hiding in this closet?”

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

It's been six years since Amelia started her new life; she had kept the pregnancy and was happy she did; her son, Mikey, had grown up to be quite the six-year-old, smart with a sense of creativity.

After dropping out of her master's program due to the pregnancy, Amelia took on whatever jobs she could find. But there weren’t many places willing to hire a pregnant woman. Eventually, she landed a position at a small newspaper house and slowly worked her way up to being a local journalist. She also picked up part-time photography gigs whenever she could.

Over the years Amelia had accumulated some debts in her name, she couldn't afford an apartment to live in, so she turned to her only friend Mel, who owned a small apartment, seeing as Mel couldn't let Amelia roam the city homeless, she took her in and let her stay pending when she'd get her own place.

Nothing ever came easy for Amelia, every day was a different struggle to survive. She could have given up but she didn't. Her new dream was to build a better life for her son.

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

“I already told you, Amelia, we got a tip that something big would go down at that hotel room tonight; you're there to take pictures!” Mrs P, Amelia's boss at the Daily Gossip, told her over the phone. “Now do your job or kiss your chance at being senior executive goodbye!” With that, she hung up.

Sigh… Amelia had no choice, she had been working her ass off for months to get a shot at that promotion. She needed it!

That’s how she ended up hiding in the closet of a hotel room, camera in hand, waiting for...well, whoever was supposed to show up. This was all part of the job, after all. Being a journalist meant taking risks she normally wouldn’t even dream of.

Suddenly, voices drifted into the room.

“Sir, you can't be serious!”

“I am.”

Amelia’s blood froze. That voice, she recognized it. She was certain she’d heard it before. But where?

“Your grandfather made it clear. If you aren’t married by your 32nd birthday, you forfeit the right to be heir of Fox Enterprises!” The other man, clearly concerned, tried to reason.

"Fox Enterprises?" Amelia gasped quietly, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth. Who were these men?

“That old man is a pain in my ass,” the familiar voice said again.

Amelia’s heart raced. Why did hearing that voice stir up old memories? She tried to look out a small hole in the closet but couldn't get a clear view.

“Kris! You need to get a wife!”

Wait a minute, Kris? Amelia’s mind spun. As in, Kris Fox? The mystery man from that night six years ago. And an heir to a multi-million-dollar company? What were the odds?

“James, it’s been two years since I was in a relationship. None of these women do it for me. They’re all fake. I don’t feel a thing.” Kris sighed, sitting on the bed and reaching toward the closet door.

“Oh no.” Amelia silently panicked, praying she wouldn’t be found.

“Well, sir, you better do something fast. Your birthday is in a month.” James left, leaving Kris alone in the room.

Kris lay down on the bed for a moment then reached out to the closet door. “Oh no!” Amelia gasped as she fell out of the closet, landing on Kris.

The room was silent as the two locked eyes. Something about Amelia made Kris's heart flutter, and it wasn't just the size of her breasts or her flawless facial features; it was the strange sense of Deja Vu. Like he had been in a similar position with her before.

With all these thoughts in his head, Kris held Amelia's waist, and turning her by her side, he went in for a Kiss. Amelia was beyond shock. With her eyes closed, memories of her past came flashing by and then she pulled away.

With heels in her hand, Amelia fled the hotel room, accidentally leaving behind her ID card on the floor. “Oh no, I'm screwed!” She ran until she was out of the hotel.

Just then, James stepped into the room. “Sir, who was that lady just now?”.

Kris, still feeling the warmth on his lips with his fingertips, looked up at James. He picked up the ID card that had been left behind by Amelia.

“James, call Daily Gossip.” staring at the ID card in his hand, he couldn't help but smile. Amelia Quinn huh? How interesting. “I think I just found myself a wife.” He smirked as he lay back down on the bed.

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

The next day, Amelia got to the news office. She was unable to get any pictures from last night due to the unfortunate incident. Never would she have imagined meeting Mikey's father under such circumstances. The last thing she needed was for Kris to come into their life and ruin all she had worked hard for.

“Amelia!” Amy, Amelia's work friend, came screaming in her face. “Mrs. P has been looking for you all morning.”

Well bye to the senior executive position, she thought. “Sure. Lead the way.” Amelia followed Amy to Mrs P's office and was mortified to see who was seated beside her.

“Amelia, meet Mr Fox.”

Kris Fox was sitting in the chair, his trademark smirk plastered across his face.

Oh God, why is he here?

"Good morning, Mr. Fox," Amelia greeted nervously, avoiding his eyes. She could feel his gaze burning into her. What did he want?

“Amelia, Mr Fox has graciously agreed to an interview with us, and I'd like you to be the one to interview him.” Mrs P had a wide smile on her face, almost as if she was forced to say that last part.

Amelia felt trapped; this was her second chance at getting promoted, and she wasn't going to let Kris ruin it for her. How bad could interviewing someone you slept with six years ago and kissed last night be?

The tables were set and both parties were seated. Amelia had all the questions in her hand and started asking Kris. Their conversation lasted for almost 30 minutes. Kris's eyes were not trailing off from Amelia even once. When the interview was done, Kris turned to Amelia, “My turn!”

“Excuse me?” Amelia didn't understand what he meant.

“Are you single?” Kris adruptly asked her, his question catching her off guard. Amelia, not knowing what was happening, looked towards her cameraman, who signaled her to keep going and answering his questions.

“Yes, I am single. I haven't been in a relationship in over 4 years” Saying it aloud, Amelia realized how pitiful she really was. But it wasn't that she didn't want to date anyone, just that none of them could love Mikey the way she wanted them to.

“Do you have any kids?” What was with all the random questions? What game was he trying to play? Well whatever it was, I wasn't going to be a part of it.

“Nope. I don't” I'd be damned if I said yes; I couldn't let Kris find out about Mikey, at least not for now.

“Marry me, Miss Quinn!” Kris brought out a ring from his pocket and held it towards Amelia.

Amelia shot up from her chair, stunned. "I'm sorry, what?"

Everyone in the room gasped.

“When did Amelia and Kris Fox Start dating?” One person asked. “I'm so jealous!” Another person whined.

“No.” Everyone looked at Amelia like she had just rejected life itself. “Thank you for agreeing to this interview Mr Fox. Do have a nice day."

Kris watched her walk away, the same dirty smirk on his face. He wasn’t disappointed, he was intrigued. The chase had only just begun.

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

“What a day” Amelia had just finished work for the day and was on her way home. She had just gotten off the bus and started walking home. On her way, she ran into Kris. Is this guy stalking me now?

“Oh, hello again, Amelia. Fancy meeting you here.” he was obviously lying.

“What do you want? why are you following me?” Amelia asked Kris, demanding an answer.

“Here.” Kris handed a document to Amelia. “Marrying me would solve all your problems. I'd take care of everything you need including anyone else you'd want to help.”

The document had statements and receipts for all of Amelia's depts and much more. She never knew she owed so much money to the banks, Kris was trying to get to her. “What's in it for you?”

“Well, I'm sure you already know since you were eavesdropping on my conversation in that hotel room.”

“Here” Kris hands her another document, but this time, it's a legal action. “If you don't agree to my terms Miss Quinn, I'm afraid I'll have to sue you and the daily gossip for invasion of my privacy.” Amelia's eyes widened; if someone as powerful as Kris sued them, they'd have to shut down completely.

“You wouldn't dare!” Amelia, trying to show a little backbone, muttered out.

“Oh, my little tiger-” Kris grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in closer, their lips just milliliters away from touching; with a smirk on his face, he whispered, “I always get what I want!” Kris lets her go and dusts his shoulder off. “I expect an answer by midnight. Or else you might as well quit your job because, by tomorrow morning, it'll all burn.” Kris had a wicked grin on his face; he no doubt enjoyed backing people against the wall.

“You're sick!” Amelia shot at Kris. She threw the documents at his face and stormed out.

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

Amelia climbed up the stairs to Mel's apartment, she couldn't believe the day she had. Why now? Why does that bastard choose to show up in my life now? When I needed him six years ago he wasn't there!

She reached the apartment and went in. All her frustration seemed to fade as she was welcomed by her son, Mikey.

“Mommy!” Mikey hurriedly hugged his mom, he always knew how to cheer her up. “I made a new friend today; he bought me a gift, it's in my backpack,” his eyes beamed with excitement as he ran off to fetch his backpack from his room.

“Oh, Mikey,” Amelia sighed under her breath. Mikey had grown up without a father, and now that Kris had shown up, she wasn't sure if she wanted to involve him or not. One thing she was sure of though was Kris couldn't find out about Mikey. At least not yet.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, “Who could that be at this time? Mel?” She made her way to the door, leaving it wide open, thinking it was Mel.

“Kris?”

“You forgot this,” He said, holding up her ID card in his hand. Oh no, oh no. I can't let him see Mikey!

“Mommy who is that?” Mikey said, pointing to Kris who was now looking straight at him.

Shit!