Chapter seven

Amelia wanted nothing more but to spill the secret right here and now, she wanted Evelyn to know that she was her daughter in law– wanted her to know that she met her as a little girl and was close friends with Ferdinand.

She remained silent and smiled, “She’s out on business. My son doesn’t like me talking about his wife”.

“Does he love her?”, the second question blurted out of Evelyn’s mouth which she regretted again, “I’m sorry I….i shouldn’t be asking you that”.

Amelia chuckled, “it’s alright dear”, she pursed her lips, “what about you? Are you married??”

At this moment Evelyn had two options–lie and get on with it or tell the truth about her contract marriage with a nonexistent husband who didn’t care about her.

“It’s complicated”. She retorted

“Complicated as you’re not married or getting a divorce?”

“Just complicated”, Evelyn smiled, “Marriage is a tough job”.

“It isn’t if you both love each other”, Amelia urged her to take a seat, “You see marriage is like a flower and you have to give it all it needs– water, air, ….it will blossom into the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. Ignore it and it’ll wilt”.

Evelyn frowned deeply, “So you’re saying….”

“I’m saying you should try to make it work with him whoever he may be”. Amelia muttered as she placed a hand over Evelyn’s.

“What if he doesn’t want to make it work?”

“Well you don’t know that for sure do you?”

At this moment Evelyn felt like she’d known this woman all her life, for the first time she felt a motherly interaction with someone she’d known for only half an hour–it was warming to witness and she nodded.

“This is my cue to leave I guess”. she said as she rose to her feet.

Amelia also got up, “it’s kind of late dear….are you sure you don’t want to stay over? I can have the driver send you home in the morning”

“That’ll be the end of me”, Evelyn snorted loudly, “Your son will kill me if he finds out you harbored me in his home”.

“Well it’s my home too. He doesn’t have a say”, Amelia chuckled softly, “I really do like you Evelyn”.

“The feeling is mutual Mrs Dolan”. Evelyn replied, “But I actually do have to leave”.

Amelia understood immediately and nodded, “I have this party this weekend…my birthday actually. I’d love for you to be there”.

This was new and took Evelyn aback as her eyes widened sharply, she gulped hard but still managed to force a grin nonetheless and nodded, “I’ll try my best to be there Mrs–“

“Please call me Amelia”, she cut her off, “we’re friends now”.

Evelyn nodded nervously and found her way out the door. Finally she let out a sigh of relief and clutched onto her blouse, that was the most terrifying and yet heartwarming interaction she’d ever had and as amusing as it sounded– she loved her boss’s mother.

Amelia was just a ray of sunshine and was sure to fill a gloomy atmosphere with bright and beautiful rainbows, thinking of it alone made Evelyn smile and she couldn’t help but wonder if Aiden’s mother would be the same. She barely knew anything about him talk less of the Pearce family, all she knew was that he was ostracized from the immediate part of the family….hence the marriage contract.

She waved a cab and got in immediately only to get a sudden text from an unknown number which contained the address of a hotel and a time frame, Evelyn smiled knowing who it was from immediately and then frowned deeply–how in the world did Amelia get her number??.

**********

Aiden woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache, he winced loudly as he managed to sit upright and frowned deeply as he finally realized–this was his room, in his home and he was on his bed.

The last thing he remembered was him downing too many vodka shots all to get some steam off him and then blacking out. Raking his hands through his hair he glanced to the side and his shoes were placed carefully on the side of the bed, he no longer had his shirt on and then there was vomit on the floor.

His nose twitched, it smelled awful, he smelled awful. Seconds later his mother barged in with a tray of breakfast which she placed gently on the side of his bed, he frowned.

“What is going on??”

“You were drunk last night”

“I know that”

“Ohh you do”

“Come on Mom”, he groaned softly, “ I just needed to let off some steam that’s all”.

“You deceived me”

“I’ll make it up to you”, he smiled, “What if I get you that Chevy you’ve always wanted?”.

Amelia rolled her eyes, “I don’t accept bribes. Eat up, you’re late for work”.

She turned to leave and he asked, “Did I drive myself home last night?”.

“No”, she replied “Your wife did”.