An Old Friend

Michael glanced over his phone for the millionth time, expecting Amelia to call anytime soon. He was still going over everything in his head, and the more he thought about it, the more strength drained from his body. He had no idea how to break the news to Amelia or Olivia. But it was necessary he does, he wouldn't be able to cheat on Olivia, he cared for her and genuinely loved her with all his heart.

After half an hour of waiting, the long awaited call finally came through, and Michael wasted no second in answering.

"Where are you?" He demanded the moment he answered the phone, moving away from places where he could be overheard.

"At the airport, you said you'd come pick me up, right? Or should I come straight to your office—"

"I'm coming to pick you up!" Michael interjected sharply, not letting Amelia finish her words, or the idea of ever visiting him while he was at work. Amelia wasn't the quiet type of girl, she always loved being the center of attention, and Michael was certain she would end up getting Olivia's attention one way or another.

Swiftly, Michael ended the call before rushing out of the building. He would have to call Olivia later to inform her that he decided to take the entire day off. He would have to lie to her and say he had fallen sick, otherwise he would have to come up with another convincing lie to tell.

One of the valets appeared minutes later with his car, and in the next , Michael was speeding towards the airport, his heart racing, and his mind uneasy. He was still thinking the entire scenario through in his head—how he would break the news of his new girlfriend to Amelia, or even tell Olivia that the woman he had been engaged to was back in town.

Twenty minutes later, Michael arrived at the airport, and it didn't take him long to spot Amelia standing at the airport parking lot. She raced towards him the moment they locked eyes, and without any ounce of restraint, launched herself into Michael's arms. As he had expected, she was still full of energy, and her energetic character was pulling the attention of strangers towards them.

Amelia remained in Michael's arms for a while, unwilling to let go even when the man urged her to. It had been so long since they were this close to each other, and she wanted to enjoy every second of their time together. He had no idea how much she had missed him, she hadn't slept a night all those years without thinking about him. And now that they were together, she had no intention of ever leaving him again.

"I've missed you so much, Mike, you have no idea how much I've missed you." Amelia confessed, her tears gently strolling down her cheeks as she held onto Michael tightly.

Michael felt a pang of guilt as Amelia clung to him, her warm tears soaking his shirt. He had prepared himself for this moment, but seeing her so exuberant and affectionate made the task ahead even more daunting. He hadn't expected her to still be so clingy towards him, and now he felt bad about the news that laid ahead.

"Amelia, it's great to see you," Michael returned, his voice strained with forced cheerfulness. "You look tired, let's get home so you can rest.."

Amelia finally let go, a beaming smile plastered across her face. "I can't believe we're finally together again! I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you as well." Michael returned, a practiced smile spread across his face as he walked over to open the door for her. Amelia settled in, while Michael took care of loading her bags into the trunk of the car.

He joined her in the car moments later, his face still frozen with a smile.

"Tell me everything, Michael! I've seen you on TV, you're a big shot now. I always knew you had it in you." Amelia commended, but Michael had other things bothering him. He wanted to just stop her and tell her everything, but it was a lot more difficult than he had imagined.

"Amelia there's something I want to tell you.." he started slowly, his words calculated, and his tone calm. He didn't want to appear rude, and he didn't want to break the news to her in a manner that would force her into acting out in public.

"What is it? What do you want to tell me?" Amelia inquired, oblivious in the change in Michael's demeanor. She was too excited to notice that he wasn't in the mood for her overly cheery act at the moment.

Michael took in a deep breath, steeling his resolve to finally tell her the truth. "Do you really still want to get married to me? It's been years since we got engaged, do you really still love me?"

Amelia blinked in surprise, her excitement dimming as Michael's serious tone finally registered. Her smile faltered, and she searched his face for answers, sensing that something was off. "Of course, I still want to marry you, Michael. Why would you ask me that?"

Michael gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as he braced himself for what he was about to say. "A lot has changed, Amelia... I've changed. I... I met someone, and things have become complicated."

Amelia blinked twice and shook her head just to be sure she had heard correctly, and was currently not hallucinating. What was Michael talking about? Had he forgotten that they were engaged? She had been faithful to him throughout their time apart. She rejected every male that made attempts to get to her, even females too. Yet, here he was telling her that he had found someone else.

"Who is it? Who did you find?" Amelia asked, sniffling back the tears that threatened to stream down her eyes.

"That's not necessary for now, Amy—"

"I understand, you don't love me anymore, do you?" She inquired with tears streaming down her eyes. She had tried to hold it in, but couldn't. How could Michael do this to her? And after all these years?

"It's not like that, Amy. I still care about you, I still love you—"

"If you still care about me, then you should honor the promise you made to me." Amelia interjected, flashing the ring on her middle finger in Michael's face. "I'm your fiance, Michael, and I won't give you up so easily! I'll make you love me again, and I'll die trying!"